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PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT — SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED
FEBRUARY 12, 2024

BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

Two Memorial City Plaza
820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100
Houston, Texas

MERGER PROPOSED — YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT

To our Stockholders:

On December 14, 2023, Battalion Oil Corporation, a Delaware corporation (which we refer to as the “Company,” “we,” or “us”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (which, as amended, we refer to as the “Merger Agreement”) by and among the Company, Fury Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (which we refer to as “Parent”), and San Jacinto Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (which we refer to as “Merger Sub”). Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company (which we refer to as the “Merger”), with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.

At the Effective Time of the Merger (which we refer to as the “Effective Time”), each issued and outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (which we refer to as the “Company common stock” and holders of which we refer to as “Company stockholders”) (other than (i) shares that immediately prior to the Effective Time are owned by the Company (including as treasury stock), Parent or Merger Sub and (ii) shares of Company common stock that are owned by stockholders of the Company who did not vote in favor of the Merger Agreement or the Merger and who have perfected and not withdrawn a demand for appraisal rights pursuant to Section 262 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive $9.80 per share in cash, without interest (which we refer to as the “Merger Consideration”). The Merger Consideration represents a premium of approximately 85.6% over the closing price of the Company’s common stock of $5.28 on December 14, 2023, the last trading day prior to public announcement of the Merger Agreement, on the NYSE American Stock Exchange.

The proposed Merger is a “going private transaction” under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (which we refer to as the “SEC”). If the Merger is completed, we will become a privately held company, wholly owned by Parent.

On February 12, 2024, the most recent practicable date before this proxy statement was mailed to the Company stockholders, the closing price for the Company common stock on New York Stock Exchange American was $[•] per share. We urge you to obtain current market quotations for the Company common stock (trading symbol “BATL”).

The Company will hold a special meeting of the Company stockholders (which we refer to as the “special meeting”) in connection with the Merger. Company stockholders will be asked to vote to adopt the Merger Agreement and approve related matters, as described in the accompanying notice of special meeting of stockholders and proxy statement. Adoption of the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote at the special meeting or by proxy of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company common stock as of the record date (which we refer to as the “Company requisite vote”).

The special meeting will be completely virtual and conducted via live audio webcast. The matters to be acted upon are described in the accompanying notice of special meeting of stockholders and proxy statement.

You will be able to attend the special meeting by first registering at www.proxyvote.com. To participate in the special meeting, you will need the control number included on your notice, on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. Stockholders will be able to listen, vote, and submit questions during the virtual meeting. Regardless of whether you plan to attend the special meeting, we encourage you to vote your shares by mail, by telephone or through the internet following the procedures described in the accompanying proxy statement.

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The board of directors of the Company, after considering the recommendation of a special committee composed of independent and disinterested directors, has unanimously (a) determined and declared that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger, are fair to the stockholders of the Company, including the unaffiliated stockholders (as defined below), and are in the best interests of the Company and the stockholders of the Company, (b) declared advisable and approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger, and the execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement and (c) recommended that the stockholders of the Company vote for the adoption of the Merger Agreement. The board of directors of the Company recommends that the Company stockholders vote “FOR” the adoption of the Merger Agreement and “FOR” the other matters to be considered at the special meeting.

In connection with execution of the Merger Agreement, two of our largest stockholders, Luminus Energy Partners Master Fund, Ltd. (which we refer to as “Luminus”) and OCM HLCN Holdings, L.P. (which we refer to as “Oaktree” and, together with Luminus, the “Rollover Sellers” and the Company stockholders other than the Rollover Sellers as the “unaffiliated stockholders”), entered into a voting agreement (which we refer to as the “Voting Agreement”) with Parent pursuant to which such stockholders agreed to vote certain of their respective shares of capital stock of the Company in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, subject to certain terms and conditions contained in the Voting Agreement. As of the date of this proxy statement, the Rollover Sellers beneficially own approximately 61.6% of Company common stock, and the shares of Company common stock subject to the voting agreement are approximately 38% of the Company common stock. In addition, pursuant to a Contribution, Rollover and Sale Agreement (which we refer to as the “Contribution Agreement”) between Rollover Sellers and Parent, and subject to the terms and conditions described in the section of the proxy statement captioned “Special Factors — Financing of the Merger”, among other things, the Rollover Sellers will contribute certain shares of preferred stock of the Company (which we refer to as the “Company preferred stock”) owned by the Rollover Sellers to Parent in exchange for preferred stock of Parent (which we refer to as the “Parent preferred stock”), which contribution and exchange will happen immediately prior to the closing of the Merger. As a result of the Merger, the shares of Company preferred stock contributed to Parent will be cancelled and extinguished without any conversion thereof or consideration paid therefor. Also, pursuant to a Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (which we refer to as the “Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement”), and subject to the terms and conditions described in the section of the proxy statement captioned “Special Factors — Financing of the Merger”, among other things, the Rollover Sellers and Lion Point Master, LP (which we refer to as “Lion Point”) will purchase shares of Parent preferred stock in connection with the Merger. Copies of the Voting Agreement, Contribution Agreement and Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement are attached as Annex D, Annex E and Annex F to the accompanying proxy statement.

The accompanying proxy statement provides detailed information about the special meeting, the Merger, the Merger Agreement, the documents related to the Merger and other related matters. Please carefully read the entire proxy statement, including its annexes, and any documents incorporated in the proxy statement by reference. In particular, you should read the section entitled “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” in the accompanying proxy statement for a description of the risks related to the proposed Merger and the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and the other reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporated by reference into the proxy statement, for a description of the risks related to the Company’s business.

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PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT — SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED
FEBRUARY 12, 2024

BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

Two Memorial City Plaza
820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100
Houston, Texas

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To be held on March 18, 2024

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Battalion Oil Corporation, a Delaware corporation (which we refer to as the “Company,” “we” or “us”), will hold a special meeting (which we refer to as the “special meeting”) of holders of shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (which we refer to as “Company common stock” and holders of which we refer to as “Company stockholders”) on March 18, 2024, at 11 a.m., Central Time. You will be able to attend the special meeting by first registering at www.proxyvote.com. To participate in the special meeting, you will need the control number included on your notice, on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. Company stockholders will be able to listen, vote and submit questions during the virtual meeting. Please be sure to check in 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting by 11 a.m., Central Time, so that any technical difficulties may be addressed before the special meeting live audio webcast begins. Please note that you will not be able to attend the virtual special meeting in person. We are holding the special meeting to consider and vote upon the following matters:

A proposal to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 14, 2023, by and among the Company, Fury Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (which we refer to as “Parent”), and San Jacinto Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (which we refer to as “Merger Sub”), as such agreement may be amended from time to time (which we refer to as the “Merger Agreement”), a copy of which is attached as Annex A to the accompanying proxy statement, which provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (which we refer to as the “Merger”), with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (which we refer to as the “Merger proposal”). At the Effective Time of the Merger (which we refer to as the “Effective Time”), each issued and outstanding share of Company common stock (other than (i) shares that immediately prior to the Effective Time are owned by the Company (including as treasury stock), Parent or Merger Sub and (ii) shares of Company common stock that are owned by stockholders of the Company who did not vote in favor of the Merger Agreement or the Merger and who have perfected and not withdrawn a demand for appraisal rights pursuant to Section 262 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive $9.80 per share of Company common stock in cash, without interest (which we refer to as the “Merger Consideration”). For a discussion of the treatment of awards outstanding under the Company’s 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (which we refer to as the “Company stock plan”) as of the Effective Time, see the section entitled “The Merger Agreement — Treatment of Company Equity Awards” in the accompanying proxy statement;

A proposal to approve one or more adjournments of the special meeting, if necessary or advisable, including adjournments to permit further solicitation of proxies in favor of the Merger proposal if there are insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the Merger proposal (which we refer to as the “adjournment proposal”).

The board of directors of the Company has fixed the close of business on January 19, 2024 as the record date for the special meeting. Only Company stockholders of record at that time are entitled to notice

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of, and to vote at, the special meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Adoption of the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote at the special meeting or by proxy of holders of a majority of the outstanding stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon (which we refer to as the “Company requisite vote”).

The board of directors of the Company, after considering the recommendation of a special committee composed of independent and disinterested directors, has unanimously (a) determined and declared that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger, are fair to the stockholders of the Company, including the unaffiliated stockholders, and are in the best interests of the Company and the stockholders of the Company, (b) declared advisable and approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger, and the execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement and (c) recommended that the stockholders of the Company vote for the adoption of the Merger Agreement. The board of directors of the Company recommends that the Company stockholders vote “FOR” the Merger proposal, “FOR” the compensation proposal and “FOR” the adjournment proposal.

Your vote is very important. We cannot complete the Merger unless the Company stockholders approve the Merger proposal.

If you have any questions about the Merger or the accompanying proxy statement, would like additional copies of the proxy statement or need assistance voting your shares of Company common stock, please contact the Company’s Corporate Secretary at Two Memorial City Plaza, 820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77024, by telephone at (832) 538-0300 or by email at corporate@battalionoil.com. If you hold your shares in “street name” through a bank, broker or other holder of record, please also contact your bank, broker or other holder of record for additional information.

Each copy of the proxy statement mailed to the Company stockholders is accompanied by a form of proxy card with instructions for voting. Regardless of whether you plan to attend the special meeting, please vote as soon as possible by accessing the Internet site listed on the proxy card, voting telephonically using the phone number listed on the proxy card or submitting your proxy card by mail. If you hold shares of Company common stock in your name as a stockholder of record and are voting by mail, please complete, sign, date and return the accompanying proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid return envelope. This will not prevent you from voting at the special meeting, but it will help to secure a quorum and avoid added solicitation costs. Any holder of record of shares of Company common stock who is present at the special meeting may vote at the special meeting instead of by proxy, thereby canceling any previous proxy. In any event, a proxy may be revoked at any time before the special meeting in the manner described in the accompanying proxy statement. Information and applicable deadlines for voting through the Internet or by telephone are set forth in the enclosed proxy card instructions. If you hold your stock in “street name” through a bank, broker or other holder of record, please follow the instructions on the voting instruction card furnished by the record holder.

Under Delaware law, Company stockholders who do not vote in favor of or consent to the adoption of the Merger Agreement will have dissenters’ rights to seek the fair value of their shares of Company common stock, but only if they submit a written demand to the Company for such fair value before the vote on the Merger proposal and comply with the other Delaware law procedures explained in the accompanying proxy statement. Company stockholders who do not vote in favor of the Merger proposal and who submit a written demand for payment of the fair value of their shares of Company common stock before the vote on the Merger proposal and comply with the other Delaware law procedures will not receive the Merger Consideration.

The accompanying proxy statement provides a detailed description of the special meeting, the Merger, the Merger Agreement, the documents related to the Merger and other related matters. Please carefully read the entire proxy statement, including its annexes and any documents incorporated in the proxy statement by reference.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jonathan D. Barrett

Chairman of the Board

Date: February 13, 2024

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REFERENCES TO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This proxy statement incorporates important business and financial information about the Company from documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (which we refer to as the “SEC”) that are not included in or delivered with this proxy statement. You can obtain any of the documents filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Company at no cost from the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov. You may also request copies of these documents, including documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement, at no cost by contacting the Company at the following address:

Battalion Oil Corporation
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Two Memorial City Plaza
820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100
Houston, Texas 77024

You will not be charged for any of these documents that you request. To obtain timely delivery of these documents, you must request them no later than five business days before the date of the special meeting. This means that Company stockholders requesting documents must do so by March 11, 2024 in order to receive them before the special meeting.

For additional questions about the Merger, assistance in submitting proxies or voting shares of Company common stock, or to request additional copies of the proxy statement or the enclosed proxy card, please contact:

Battalion Oil Corporation
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Two Memorial City Plaza
820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100
Houston, Texas 77024

If you hold your shares in “street name” through a bank, broker or other holder of record, please also contact your bank, broker or other holder of record for additional information.

You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, the accompanying proxy statement. No one has been authorized to provide you with information that is different from that contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this proxy statement. This proxy statement is dated [•], 2024 and you should assume that the information in this proxy statement is accurate only as of such date.

This proxy statement does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, or the solicitation of a proxy, in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom it is unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.

See “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 140 for more details.

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SUMMARY TERM SHEET

The following summary highlights selected information in this proxy statement and may not contain all the information that may be important to you. Accordingly, we encourage you to read carefully this entire proxy statement, including the more detailed information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement, its annexes and the documents incorporated by reference into or otherwise referred to in this proxy statement. Each item in this summary includes a page reference directing you to a more complete description of that topic. You may obtain the information incorporated by reference into this proxy statement without charge by following the instructions in “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Parties to the Merger (Page 19)

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Battalion Oil Corporation, a Delaware corporation, is an independent energy company focused on the acquisition, production, exploration and development of onshore liquids-rich oil and natural gas assets currently in the Delaware Basin in the United States, where we have an extensive drilling inventory that we believe offers attractive long-term economics.

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Fury Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ruckus Energy Holdings, LLC, a Delaware corporation (which we refer to as “Ruckus”) that is a privately-held exploration and production company focused on value creation through the acquisition and exploitation of mature oil and gas reservoirs. Parent is a newly formed corporation formed solely for the purpose of pursuing the Merger and has no significant assets or operating history. Ruckus has no obligation to fund any portion of any amounts that may be due to the Company or Company stockholders under the Merger Agreement, including the Merger Consideration.

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San Jacinto Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and direct wholly owned subsidiary of Parent, was formed solely for the purpose of entering into the Merger Agreement and consummating the Merger. Merger Sub has not carried on any activities on or prior to the date of this proxy statement except for activities incidental to its formation and activities in connection with Parent’s acquisition of the Company. Upon completion of the Merger, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company and Merger Sub will cease to exist.

The Special Meeting (Page 19)

Date, Time and Place of the Special Meeting (Page 20)

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The special meeting will be held on March 18, 2024, at 11 a.m., Central Time. The special meeting will be completely virtual and conducted via live audio webcast. You will be able to attend the special meeting by first registering at www.proxyvote.com. To participate in the special meeting, you will need the control number included on your notice, on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. Stockholders will be able to listen, vote, and submit questions during the virtual meeting.

Record Date and Quorum (Page 20)

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The Board has fixed the close of business on January 19, 2024 as the record date for the determination of the Company stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting. As of the close of business on the record date, there were 16,456,563 shares of Company common stock outstanding and entitled to vote, held by approximately 50 holders of record. You will have one vote on each matter properly coming before the special meeting for each share of Company common stock that you owned on the record date.

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The presence at the virtual special meeting or by proxy of the holders of record of a majority of the capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the special meeting shall constitute a quorum at the special meeting. All shares of Company common stock present at the virtual special meeting or represented by proxy, including abstentions, will be treated as present for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for all matters voted on at the special meeting. If a beneficial owner of Company common stock held by a broker in “street name” does not give voting

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instructions to the broker, then those shares will not be counted as present at the virtual special meeting or by proxy at the special meeting.

Vote Required (Page 21)

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The Merger Agreement must be approved by the Company requisite vote. Because the required vote for the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement is based on the number of votes the Company stockholders are entitled to cast rather than on the number of votes actually cast, if you fail to authorize a proxy or vote online at the meeting, abstain from voting at the meeting, or fail to instruct your broker on how to vote, such failure will have the same effect as votes cast “AGAINST” the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement. As of January 19, 2024, the record date for the special meeting, 8,228,282 shares of Company common stock constitute a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Company common stock.

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Approval of the compensation proposal, on a non-binding, advisory basis, requires, assuming a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Company common stock properly cast at the special meeting on the proposal. The approval of the compensation proposal is on a non-binding, advisory basis and is not a condition to the completion of the Merger.

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Approval of the adjournment proposal to adjourn the special meeting (a) when a quorum is present, requires the affirmative vote of Company stockholders holding a majority of the shares of Company common stock properly cast at the special meeting on the proposal and (b) when a quorum is not present, requires the affirmative vote of Company stockholders holding a majority of the shares of Company common stock present virtually or represented by proxy at the special meeting.

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Abstentions will not considered votes cast on such matters. If a Company stockholder abstains from voting, that abstention will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the special meeting and will have the same effect as if the Company stockholder voted “AGAINST” the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement. Assuming a quorum is present, abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of the compensation proposal or the adjournment proposal other than reducing the number of affirmative votes required to achieve a majority for such matters by reducing the total number of shares of Company common stock from which the majority is calculated. If a quorum is not present, abstentions will have no effect on the compensation proposal and will count as a vote “AGAINST” the adjournment proposal.

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Each “broker non-vote” will also count as a vote “AGAINST” the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement. A “broker non-vote” results when banks, brokers and other nominees return a valid proxy voting upon a matter or matters for which the applicable rules provide discretionary authority but do not vote on a particular proposal because they do not have discretionary authority to vote on the matter and have not received specific voting instructions from the beneficial owner of such shares of Company common stock. We do not expect any broker non-votes at the special meeting because each of the proposals to be presented at the special meeting is expected to be considered “non-routine.” As a result, no broker would be permitted to vote your shares of Company common stock at the special meeting without receiving instructions. Failure to instruct your broker on how to vote your shares of Company common stock will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement, and will have no effect on the compensation proposal or the adjournment proposal other than reducing the number of affirmative votes required to achieve a majority for such matters by reducing the total number of shares of Company common stock from which the majority is calculated.

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The Company expects each director and executive offer to vote for each of the proposals presented at the special meeting as described in this proxy statement.

Voting, Proxies and Revocation (Page 22)

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Company stockholders of record entitled to vote at the special meeting may submit a proxy by telephone, over the Internet or by returning the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid return envelope, or may vote by appearing virtually at the special meeting. Company stockholders

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entitled to vote at the special meeting that hold shares in “street name” through a bank, broker or other holder of record may submit a proxy by following the voting instructions provided by such record holder.

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If no instruction as to how to vote is given (including no instruction to abstain from voting) in an executed, duly returned and not revoked proxy, the proxy will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board, which, as of the date of this proxy statement, are “FOR” the Merger proposal, “FOR” the compensation proposal and “FOR” the adjournment proposal.

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If you are a stockholder of record of shares of Company common stock, you have the right to revoke a proxy, whether delivered over the Internet, by telephone or by mail, at any time before it is exercised. Proxies may be revoked by submitting a later-dated proxy through any of the methods available to you, by giving written notice of revocation to the Company’s Corporate Secretary, which must be filed with the Corporate Secretary by 5:00 p.m., Central Time, on the business day immediately prior to the date of the special meeting, or by attending the special meeting and voting virtually. Attending the special meeting alone, without voting at the special meeting, will not be sufficient to revoke your proxy. Written notice of revocation should be mailed to: Battalion Oil Corporation, Attn: Corporate Secretary, Two Memorial City Plaza. 820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77024.

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If you are a “street name” holder of the Company’s common stock, you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your bank, broker or other holder of record. You must contact the record holder of your shares to obtain instructions as to how to change your proxy vote.

The Merger Agreement (Page 80)

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Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub, a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent, will merge with and into the Company, with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. Upon the consummation of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will cease.

Recommendation of Company Board of Directors; Reasons for the Merger; Fairness (Page 51)

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The board of directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors” or “Board”) formed a special committee comprised solely of independent and disinterested directors (which we refer to as the “special committee”) to consider potential value creation opportunities and to take other actions that the special committee deemed appropriate. The special committee evaluated the Merger. At the conclusion of its review, the special committee, among other things, unanimously (1) determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, are advisable, fair to, and in the best interests of the Company and the unaffiliated stockholders (as defined below), (2) recommended that the Company Board of Directors approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, and (3) resolved to recommend that the unaffiliated stockholders adopt the Merger Agreement. In addition, the special committee believes that the Merger is fair to the Company’s “unaffiliated security holders,” as such term is defined in Rule 13e-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which we refer to as the “Exchange Act”).

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After careful consideration of various factors described in “Special Factors — Recommendation of the Special Committee and Company Board of Directors; Reasons for the Merger,” the Board, after considering the recommendation of the special committee, has unanimously (a) determined and declared that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger, are fair to the stockholders of the Company, including the unaffiliated stockholders, and are in the best interests of the Company and the stockholders of the Company, (b) declared advisable and approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger, and the execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement and (c) recommended that the stockholders of the Company vote for the adoption of the Merger Agreement. The Board made its determination after consultation with its legal and financial advisors and consideration of numerous factors.

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The Board unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the Merger proposal, “FOR” the compensation proposal and “FOR” the adjournment proposal.

Rollover Sellers Reasons for the Merger; Fairness (Page 57)

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Under the SEC rules governing “going-private” transactions, the Rollover Sellers are affiliates of the Company for purposes of the Merger, and, therefore, required to express their purposes and reasons for the Merger to the unaffiliated stockholders of the Company. The Rollover Sellers are making the statements in this section solely for the purposes of complying with the requirements of Rule 13e-3 and related rules under the Exchange Act. The views of the Rollover Sellers do not make any recommendations as to how stockholders of the Company should vote their Company common stock relating to the Merger.

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When considering their respective determinations to proceed with the Merger and related rollover transactions, the Rollover Sellers considered a range of factors that supported this determination as described in “Special Factors — Rollover Sellers Reasons for the Merger; Fairness.”

Reasons of the Parent Group for the Merger; Fairness (Page 59)

Under the SEC rules governing “going-private” transactions, Parent, Ruckus and Richard H. Little, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the current Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board of Directors, of Parent (which we refer to collectively as the “Parent Group”), are affiliates of the Company for purposes of the Merger, and, therefore, required to express their purposes and reasons for the Merger to the unaffiliated stockholders of the Company. The members of the Parent Group are making the statements in this section solely for the purposes of complying with the requirements of Rule 13e-3 and related rules under the Exchange Act. The views of the members of the Parent Group do not make any recommendations as to how stockholders of the Company should vote their Company common stock relating to the Merger.

When considering their respective determinations to proceed with the Merger and related transactions, the members of the Parent Group considered a range of factors that supported this determination, as well as the fairness of the Merger to unaffiliated stockholders, as describe in “Special Factors — Reasons of the Parent Group for the Merger” and “— Position of the Members of the Parent Group as to the Fairness of the Merger.”

Opinion of Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc. (Page 63 and Annex B)

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Pursuant to an engagement letter, the Company retained Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc. (which we refer to as “Houlihan Lokey”) as its financial advisor in connection with the proposed Merger.

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On December 14, 2023, Houlihan Lokey verbally rendered its opinion to the Board (which was subsequently confirmed in writing by delivery of Houlihan Lokey’s written opinion addressed to the Board, dated December 14, 2023), as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Company common stock of the consideration of $9.80 per share in cash (which we refer to as the “Merger Consideration”) to be received by the holders of Company common stock in the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

Houlihan Lokey was retained by and advised only the Company. Houlihan Lokey was not retained by and did not advise the special committee. Houlihan Lokey’s opinion was directed to the Board (in its capacity as such) and only addressed the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Company common stock of the Merger Consideration to be received by the holders of Company common stock in the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement and did not address any other aspect or implication of the Merger or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding. The summary of Houlihan Lokey’s opinion in this proxy statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of its written opinion, which is attached as Annex B to this proxy statement and describes certain of the procedures followed, assumptions made, qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken and other matters considered by Houlihan Lokey in connection with the preparation of its opinion. However, neither Houlihan Lokey’s opinion nor the summary of its opinion and the related analyses set forth in this proxy statement are intended to be, and do not constitute, advice or a

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recommendation to the special committee, the Board, any security holder of the Company or any other person as to how to act or vote with respect to any matter relating to the Merger. See “Opinion of Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc.”

Voting Agreement (Page 107 and Annex D)

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On December 14, 2023, in connection with the Merger Agreement, Parent entered into a voting agreement (which we refer to as the “Voting Agreement”) with Luminus Energy Partners Master Fund, Ltd. (which we refer to as “Luminus”) and OCM HLCN Holdings, L.P. (which we refer to as “Oaktree” and, together with Luminus, the “Rollover Sellers” and the Company stockholders other than the Rollover Sellers as the “unaffiliated stockholders”) pursuant to which the Rollover Sellers have agreed, among other things, to vote certain shares of Company common stock they beneficially own or will beneficially own in favor of adopting the Merger Agreement and any other actions contemplated by the Merger Agreement in respect of which the approval of the Company stockholders is requested. The shares of Company common stock subject to the voting agreement are approximately 38% of the Company common stock. A copy of the Voting Agreement is attached as Annex D to this proxy statement.

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As of the record date, the Rollover Sellers beneficially owned approximately 21.1 million shares of Company common stock, representing approximately 61.6% of the total outstanding shares of Company common stock as of that date.

Contribution, Rollover and Sale Agreement and Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (Page 109, Annex E and Annex F)

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Pursuant to a Contribution, Rollover and Sale Agreement (which we refer to as the “Contribution Agreement”) between the Rollover Sellers and Parent, and subject to the terms and conditions described in the section of the proxy statement captioned “Special Factors — Financing of the Merger”, among other things, the Rollover Sellers will contribute certain shares of preferred stock of the Company (which we refer to as the “Company preferred stock”) owned by the Rollover Sellers to Parent in exchange for preferred stock of Parent (which we refer to as the “Parent preferred stock”), which contribution and exchange will happen immediately prior to the closing of the Merger. As a result of the Merger, the shares of Company preferred stock contributed to Parent will be cancelled and extinguished without any conversion thereof or consideration paid therefor. Also, pursuant to a Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (which we refer to as the “Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement”), and subject to the terms and conditions described in the section of the proxy statement captioned “Special Factors — Financing of the Merger”, among other things, the Rollover Sellers and Lion Point Master, LP (which we refer to as “Lion Point”) will purchase shares of Parent preferred stock in connection with the Merger. We refer to the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement and the Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement as the “Parent Preferred Stock Transactions.” Copies of the Contribution Agreement and Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement are attached as Annex E and Annex F to the accompanying proxy statement.

Financing of the Merger (Page 95)

Equity Financing

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Completion of the Merger is conditioned upon consummation of the Parent Preferred Stock Transactions. In the event that the aggregate rollover value (as defined below) of a Rollover Seller’s Rollover Shares exceeds such Rollover Seller’s maximum rollover amount (as defined below), then each Rollover Seller has agreed, prior to the Effective Time, to sell to Parent the shares of Series A-2 Preferred Stock and any new shares of Company preferred stock (if issued prior to the Effective Time) that have an aggregate rollover value equal to such excess, for a cash purchase price equal to the aggregate rollover value of such shares of Series A-2 Preferred Stock (i.e., a cash purchase price equal to such excess). For purposes of the Contribution Agreement: (a) the “rollover value” of each share of the Company’s (i) Series A Preferred Stock is $1,240, (ii) Series A-1 Preferred Stock is $1,086, and (iii) Series A-2 Preferred Stock and new Company preferred stock is the redemption price determined pursuant to Section 8(a) of the certificate of designation of the Series A-2 Preferred Stock, or the

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certificate of designations for such new Company preferred stock, as applicable, in each case as of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement; provided, that in the case of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), if such closing does not take place on or prior to February 5, 2024, such amount shall increase at an annual rate of 16% until such closing occurs; and (b) the “maximum rollover amount” of (1) Luminus is $42.5 million and (2) Oaktree is $27.6 million.

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The closing of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement is condition upon, among other conditions, the consummation by Parent of a common equity financing for total aggregate cash proceeds of at least $200.0 million (which we refer to as the “Parent Common Equity Investments”). As of the date of this proxy statement, Parent does not have binding commitments for the entire amount of the Parent Common Equity Investments.

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Pursuant to the Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, each of the Rollover Sellers and Lion Point has agreed, prior to the Effective Time, to purchase certain shares of Parent preferred stock from Parent at a purchase price of $1,000 per share. The aggregate purchase price for the shares of Parent preferred stock that Luminus and Oaktree have agreed to purchase pursuant to the Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement is calculated based on the rollover value of the Rollover Shares contributed by each of them to Parent pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, such that if the rollover value of such Rollover Shares equals or exceeds such Rollover Seller’s agreed aggregate purchase price (which is equal to each such Rollover Seller’s maximum rollover amount) as described above, such Rollover Seller will not have any obligation to purchase any additional shares of Parent preferred stock. Lion Point has agreed to purchase an aggregate of $9.3 million in shares of Parent preferred stock.

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The closing of the transactions contemplated by the Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement is condition upon, among other conditions, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement and the consummation by Parent of the Parent Common Equity Investments.

Debt Financing

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Parent has obtained financing commitments pursuant to two debt commitment letters with each of Fortress Credit Corp. (which we refer to as “Fortress”) and AI Partners Asset Management Co., Ltd. (which we refer to as “AI Partners”), respectively (which we refer to as the “debt commitment letters”), for purposes of financing the transactions and paying related fees and expenses (which we refer to as the “debt financing”). AI Partners and Fortress have each committed to provide Parent with debt financing in the principal amount of $100 million for an aggregate commitment of $200 million on the terms and conditions set forth in the debt commitment letters, consisting a senior secured first lien term loan facility. The obligations of each of AI Partners and Fortress to provide the debt financing under the debt commitment letters are subject to a number of conditions, including the consummation of the Merger, receipt of executed loan documentation, the accuracy of certain specified representations and warranties, the consummation of the Parent Preferred Stock Transactions and other customary closing conditions for financings of this type. As of the last practicable date before the printing of this proxy statement, the debt commitment letters remain in effect, and Parent has not notified the Company of any plans to utilize financing in lieu of the financing described above. The definitive documentation governing the debt financing contemplated by the debt commitment letters has not been finalized and, accordingly, the actual terms of the debt financing may differ from those described in this proxy statement.

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The Merger Agreement does not require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to provide any cooperation to the extent it would (i) interfere unreasonably with the business or operations of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) include paying any commitment or similar fee in connection with the debt financing, (iii) include entering into any agreement, document or instrument in connection with the debt financing that is effective or binding prior to the Effective Time (other than customary representation letters and authorization letters in connection with bank information memoranda and notices of prepayment), (iv) include providing any cooperation, or take any action, that, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, could cause the Company, any of its subsidiaries to incur any actual or potential liability in connection with the Financing or any of the foregoing

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(except in the case of the Company and its Subsidiaries at or after the Effective Time), (v) include providing any cooperation, or take any action, that, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, would result in a violation of any confidentiality arrangement or material agreement or the loss of any attorney-client or other similar privilege, (vi) requiring the making of any representation or warranty prior to the Effective Time in connection with the debt financing or the marketing or arrangement thereof (other than as contained in customary representation letters and authorization letters in connection with bank information memoranda (including customary 10b-5 and material non-public information representations)), (vii) include providing any cooperation, or take any action, that would cause any representation or warranty in this Agreement to be breached or any condition to the Closing set forth in this Agreement to fail to be satisfied, (viii) include causing any member of the Company board, or the board or equivalent governing body of any of its subsidiaries to adopt or approve any written consent, resolution or similar approval in respect of the debt financing or any agreements or instruments entered into in connection therewith that are effective prior to the Effective Time or (ix) include providing any cooperation, or take any action, following the closing.

If the equity financing has not been obtained prior to the termination date, the Company may terminate the Merger Agreement and Parent will be obligated to pay a closing failure fee.

For more information, see “Special Factors — Financing of the Merger.”

Limited Guarantee

On February 6, 2024 and in connection with the second amendment to the Merger Agreement, the Company and Abraham Mirman, the chairman of Parent (“Guarantor”), entered into a Limited Guarantee (the “Limited Guarantee”) in favor of the Company. Pursuant to the Limited Guarantee, Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees the due and punctual payment and performance by Parent and Merger Sub of their respective obligations under the Merger Agreement to make any payment of any kind under the terms of the Merger Agreement, in cash, if and when due, subject to the terms and conditions of the Limited Guarantee. The Limited Guarantee is limited to an amount equal to $1,000,000 and does not cover any other obligations of Parent or Merger Sub under the Merger Agreement or otherwise.

Interests of the Company’s Executive Officers and Directors in the Merger (Page 72)

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The interests of the Company’s executive officers and directors in the Merger that are different from, or in addition to, those of the Company stockholders generally are described in the section entitled “Special Factors — Interests of the Company’s Executive Officers and Directors in the Merger.” The Board was aware of and considered these interests, among other matters, in evaluating and negotiating the Merger Agreement and the Merger, and in recommending that the Merger Agreement be adopted by the Company stockholders. Examples of such interests include, among others: (i) the right to receive payments in respect of Company RSU awards and Company options, which will, subject to the limitations described herein, be cashed-out based on the Merger Consideration; (ii) the receipt of cash severance payments and vested benefits upon a qualifying termination of employment pursuant to the terms of each executive officer’s respective employment agreement; and (iii) entitlement to continued indemnification, expense advancement and insurance coverage under the Merger Agreement.

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If the proposal to approve the adoption of the Merger Agreement is adopted, the Company equity awards held by the Company’s directors and executive officers will be treated in the same manner as all other outstanding Company equity awards.

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In addition, certain of our directors are associated with the Rollover Sellers. In particular, Jonathan D. Barrett is the President of Luminus Management and Ajay Jegadeesan is a Senior Advisor within the Global Opportunities fund at Oaktree. The Rollover Sellers will own equity interests in Parent following the Merger, as described in this proxy statement.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger (Page 76)

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The exchange of shares of Company common stock for cash pursuant to the Merger generally will be a taxable transaction for U.S. holders (as defined in “Special Factors — Material U.S. Federal

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Income Tax Consequences of the Merger”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A Company stockholder who is a U.S. holder and who exchanges shares of Company common stock for cash in the Merger will, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, generally recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of such cash received by such Company stockholder in the Merger and the Company stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in the Company stockholder’s shares of Company common stock. Backup withholding may also apply to the cash payments made pursuant to the Merger unless the recipient provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies that such number is correct and otherwise complies with the backup withholding rules. Company stockholders should read “Special Factors — Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger” for a more detailed discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger. Company stockholders should also consult their tax advisors for a complete analysis of the effect of the Merger on the Company stockholders’ federal, state, local and foreign taxes.

Regulatory Approvals Required for the Merger (Page 78)

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Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, the parties have agreed to cooperate and use all their efforts to prepare and file as promptly as practicable all necessary documentation and to obtain as promptly as practicable all regulatory approvals necessary or advisable to consummate the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

The Merger Agreement (Page 80 and Annex A)

Merger Consideration (Page 81)

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In the Merger, each share of Company common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger (which we refer to as the “Effective Time”) (other than (i) shares that are owned by the Company (including treasury shares) and (ii) shares of Company common stock that are owned by stockholders of the Company who did not vote in favor of the Merger Agreement or the Merger and who have perfected and not withdrawn a demand for appraisal rights pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL) will be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration.

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In the Merger, each share of the Company’s Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (which we refer to as the “Series A Preferred Stock”), Series A-1 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (which we refer to as the “Series A-1 Preferred Stock”) and Series A-2 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (which we refer to as the “Series A-2 Preferred Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than such shares that are acquired by Parent pursuant to the Contribution Agreement) will be converted into the right to receive the consideration contemplated by the terms of the applicable series of preferred stock, which amounts are equal to approximately equal to $1,265 per preferred share in cash without interest, $1,109 per preferred share in cash without interest and $1,042 per preferred share without interest, respectively. Excluded shares include shares that are owned by the Company (including treasury shares), Parent or Merger Sub. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock and Series A-2 Preferred Stock are not entitle to vote on the adoption of the Merger Agreement or the other matters to be voted on at the special meeting and will not be entitled to appraisal rights under the DGCL.

Treatment of Company Equity Awards (Page 81)

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At the Effective Time, each Company restricted stock unit award (which we refer to as an “RSU award”), other than any performance-based Company RSU award, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall fully vest and be canceled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash, without interest, equal to the Merger Consideration in respect of each share of Company common stock subject to such Company RSU award, respectively, immediately prior to the Effective Time, less any applicable withholding taxes.

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At the Effective Time, each performance-based Company RSU award that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be canceled for no consideration immediately prior to the Effective Time and the holder thereof shall have no further rights with respect thereto.

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At the Effective Time, each option to purchase Company common stock issued under the Company’s 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (which we refer to as the “Company stock plan”) (we refer to each such option as a “Company option”), whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall fully vest and be canceled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash, without interest, equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the excess of the Merger Consideration over the exercise price per share of Company common stock subject to such Company option, if any, by (B) the total number of shares of Company common stock subject to such Company option, less any applicable withholding taxes. Any Company option with an exercise price per share of Company common stock that is greater than or equal to the Merger Consideration shall be canceled for no consideration immediately prior to the Effective Time, and the holder of such Company option shall have no further rights with respect thereto.

Non-Solicitation of Acquisition Proposals (Page 89)

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Effective solely upon Parent providing the Company evidence of funding of at least $200.0 million (less any amounts in or distributed to the Company from the escrow account) in a specified bank account (which we refer to as “Evidence of Funding”) by February 27, 2024, the Merger Agreement provides that the Company shall not, and shall cause each of its subsidiaries and its and their respective officers and directors, and shall instruct its and its subsidiaries’ other representatives not to, directly or indirectly:

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solicit, initiate, or knowingly encourage or facilitate any proposal or offer or any inquiries regarding the making of any proposal or offer, including any proposal or offer to its stockholders, that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, a Company takeover proposal, or

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other than, in response to an unsolicited inquiry that did not arise from a breach of this provision of the Merger Agreement solely to ascertain facts from the person making such Company takeover proposal consistent with its fiduciary duties about such Company takeover proposal and the person that made it.

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From and after the date of the Merger Agreement until the date on which Parent delivers Evidence of Funding to the Company, the Company, its subsidiaries and each of its and their respective representatives shall have the right to (A) solicit, initiate, or knowingly encourage or facilitate any proposal or offer or any inquiries regarding the making of any proposal or offer, including any proposal or offer to its stockholders, that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, a Company takeover proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement), or (B) engage in, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any other person any information with respect to, any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, a Company takeover proposal.

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Notwithstanding these restrictions, under certain circumstances, and to the extent that the Board concludes in good faith, after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel, that an acquisition proposal is, or is reasonably likely to lead to, a superior proposal (as defined in “The Merger Agreement — Non-Solicitation of Acquisition Proposals”), the Company may, prior to the time the Merger Agreement is adopted by the Company stockholders, furnish or provide information to the person making the acquisition proposal and its representatives pursuant to a confidentiality agreement having provisions as to the confidential treatment of the Company’s information that are no less favorable than those in the confidentiality agreement between Parent and the Company, with respect to certain unsolicited bona fide written acquisition proposals that did not result from a breach of the Merger Agreement.

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The Merger Agreement provides that the Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, terminate, waive, amend, release or modify any standstill provision of any confidentiality or standstill agreement to which the Company is a party with respect to any Company takeover proposal or potential Company takeover proposal, and any such action taken by the Company, in and of itself, shall not be deemed a breach of any provision of the Merger Agreement.

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No Change in Board Recommendation; No Entry into Alternative Transactions (Page 92)

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In the Merger Agreement, the Company agreed to make the Board recommendation to the Company stockholders. Subject to certain exceptions described under “The Merger Agreement — No Change in Board Recommendation; No Entry into Alternative Transaction”, the Board and each committee of the Board, including the special committee, may not:

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change, qualify, withhold, withdraw or modify, or authorize or resolve to or publicly propose or announce its intention to change, qualify, withhold, withdraw or modify, in each case in any manner adverse to Parent, the Board recommendation, or fail to include the Board recommendation in this proxy statement,

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adopt, approve, endorse or recommend to Company stockholders, or resolve to or publicly propose or announce its intention to adopt, approve, endorse or recommend to Company stockholders, a Company takeover proposal,

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within ten business days of Parent’s written request, fail to make or reaffirm the Board recommendation following the date any Company takeover proposal or any material modification thereto is first published or sent or given to Company stockholders; provided that Parent may not make any such request on more than one occasion in respect of any Company takeover proposal or more than one occasion in respect of any material modification of a Company takeover proposal,

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fail to recommend, in a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9, against any Company takeover proposal that is a tender offer or exchange offer subject to Regulation 14D promulgated under the Exchange Act within ten business days after the commencement (within the meaning of Rule 14d-2 under the Exchange Act) of such tender offer or exchange offer (we refer to any action described in this bullet or the preceding three bullets as a “change of recommendation”), or

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cause or permit the Company or any of its subsidiaries to enter into any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement (including an acquisition agreement, Merger Agreement, option agreement, expense reimbursement agreement, joint venture agreement or other agreement), commitment or agreement in principle with respect to, or that could reasonably be expected to lead to, any Company takeover proposal (other than an acceptable confidentiality agreement entered into in accordance with the Merger Agreement (we refer to any such documents as a “Company acquisition agreement”).

Company Stockholders Meeting (Page 94)

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The Company has agreed to hold a special meeting as promptly as practicable for the purpose of voting upon the adoption of the Merger Agreement and upon other related matters. The Board has agreed to recommend that the Company stockholders adopt the Merger Agreement in this proxy statement and to solicit the adoption of the Merger Agreement at the special meeting.

Conditions to the Merger (Page 101)

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The respective obligations of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub to effect the Merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain customary conditions, including the adoption of the Merger Agreement by the Company stockholders, the absence of any legal prohibitions, and the accuracy of the representations and warranties (subject to customary materiality qualifiers), compliance by the other party with its obligations under the Merger Agreement (subject to customary materiality qualifiers) and consummation of the Parent Preferred Stock Transactions.

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Neither the Company nor Parent can be certain when, or if, the conditions to the Merger will be satisfied or waived, or that the Merger will be effected.

Termination (Page 102)

The Merger Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time (whether before or after the adoption of the Merger Agreement by the Company stockholders (unless otherwise specified below)) under the following circumstances:

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by mutual written consent of the Company and Parent;

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by either the Company or Parent if:

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the Merger is not consummated by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on June 12, 2024 (which we refer to as the “termination date”) unless the failure of the Merger to be consummated by that date is due to the failure of the party seeking to terminate the Merger Agreement to perform or observe its covenants and agreements under the Merger Agreement; or

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any law, executive order, ruling, injunction or other order permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting consummation of the Merger becomes final and non-appealable, unless the party seeking termination has not observed in all material respects its covenants under the Merger Agreement with respect to obtaining regulatory approvals;

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by the Company if:

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there is an uncured breach of any of the covenants or agreements or any of the representations or warranties set forth in the Merger Agreement on the part of Parent or Merger Sub, which, in each case, would constitute the failure of certain closing conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement;

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prior to obtaining the approval of the Company stockholders of the Merger proposal, in order to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to a superior proposal concurrently with the termination, so long as the Company has complied with its obligation not to solicit other offers and pays the termination fee described below to Parent;

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if the mutual conditions to closing and Parent and Merger Sub’s conditions to closing have been satisfied or waived in accordance with the Merger Agreement and Parent and Merger Sub fail to consummate the Merger on the date that the closing should have occurred pursuant to the Merger Agreement; or

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if Parent fails to delivered certain qualifying additional financing documents to the Company on or before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 15, 2024 (which we refer to as a “Parent failure to deliver the qualifying additional financing documents termination”);

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if Parent fails to deliver the evidence of funding to the Company on or before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 27, 2024 (which we refer to as a “Parent failure to deliver the evidence of funding termination”); or

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if Parent fails to consummate the full escrow funding on or before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 15, 2024 (which we refer to as a “Parent failure to consummate the full escrow funding termination”); and

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by Parent if:

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there is an uncured breach of any of the covenants or agreements or any of the representations or warranties set forth in the Merger Agreement on the part of the Company, which, in each case, would constitute the failure of certain closing conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement;

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prior to obtaining the approval of the Company stockholders of the Merger proposal, the Board effected a change of recommendation (as defined in “The Merger Agreement — No Change in Board Recommendation; No Entry into Alternative Transactions”); or

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the Company shall have breached in any material respect certain provisions of the non-solicitation provisions of the Merger Agreement.

Termination Fee (Page 104)

The Company must pay a termination fee in the amount of $3.5 million if the Merger Agreement is terminated in the following circumstances:

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In the event that the Company terminates the Merger Agreement to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to a superior proposal;

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In the event that Parent terminates the Merger Agreement prior to Company stockholder approval of the Merger proposal as a result of the Board effecting a change of recommendation;

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In the event that Parent terminates the Merger Agreement prior to Company stockholder approval of the Merger proposal due to certain breaches by the Company of the non-solicitation and proxy statement/special meeting provisions of the Merger Agreement; or

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In the event (A) that either the Company or Parent terminates the Merger Agreement if the closing shall not have occurred by the termination date or the Company stockholders fail to approve the Merger proposal, or in the event Parent terminates the Merger Agreement due to a breach or failure to perform the Company any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in the Merger Agreement (other than with respect to a breach of or failure to perform any covenant or agreement set forth in the non-solicitation and proxy statement/special meeting provisions of the Merger Agreement, which breach or failure to perform would give rise to the failure of a closing condition to be satisfied and was not cured; (B) a Company takeover proposal has been publicly made, proposed or communicated (or shall have otherwise become publicly known) after the date of the Merger Agreement and not withdrawn prior to the special meeting; and (C) at any time on or prior to the 12-month anniversary of such termination, the Company or any of its subsidiaries completes or enters into a definitive agreement with respect to, and thereafter completes, any Company takeover proposal.

If the Merger Agreement is terminated by the Company or Parent pursuant to a stockholder vote termination or by Parent pursuant to a Company general breach termination under circumstances in which the Company termination fee is not then payable pursuant to the foregoing provisions, then the Company is required to reimburse Parent and its affiliates for all of their reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses of financing sources, counsel, accountants, investment bankers, experts and consultants to Parent and Merger Sub and their affiliates) incurred by Parent or Merger Sub or on their behalf in connection with or related to the authorization, preparation, investigation, negotiation, execution and performance of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (the “Parent expenses”), up to a maximum amount of $1.375 million.

Pursuant to the First Amendment to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 24, 2024, by and among the Company, Parent and Merger Sub, $10.0 million that Parent had deposited in the segregated escrow account (described below) was distributed to the Company. If the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason, other than of a termination of the Merger Agreement in circumstances in which the Company is required to pay the Company termination fee, the Company is entitled to retain such amount. If the Merger Agreement is terminated by (A) the Company pursuant to a Parent general breach termination, a Parent failure to close termination, a Parent failure to deliver the qualifying additional financing documents termination, a Parent failure to deliver the evidence of funding termination or a Parent failure to consummate the full escrow funding termination or (B) either Parent or the Company pursuant to an outside date termination under circumstances where the Company would have been entitled to terminate the Merger Agreement pursuant to a Parent general breach termination or a Parent failure to close termination, then Parent shall pay to the Company a fee of $15.0 million as promptly as reasonably practicable (and, in any event, within two business days following any such termination). In addition, Parent and the Company have entered into the escrow agreement for the purposes of Parent depositing an amount of cash equal to $10.0 million into a segregated escrow account on the date of the Merger Agreement (which amount was deposited into the segregated escrow account on the date of the Merger Agreement and has been distributed to the Company, as described above), and making subsequent deposits such that, on or before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 15, 2024, the aggregate funds contained in such escrow account as of such time is an amount of cash equal to $15.0 million for the purpose of funding the obligations of Parent to pay the Company the fee described in the preceding sentence.

Remedies (Page 105)

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The parties are entitled to seek an injunction, specific performance or other equitable remedies to prevent breaches of the Merger Agreement and to enforce specifically its terms. Furthermore, the Company is entitled to seek specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies to cause

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Parent to obtain equity financing for the Merger (which we refer to as the “equity financing”) in order to consummate the closing so long as (i) the mutual conditions to closing and Parent and Merger Sub’s conditions to closing have been satisfied or waived in accordance with the Merger Agreement, (ii) Parent and Merger Sub have failed to complete the closing of the Merger as required under the Merger Agreement, (iii) the Company irrevocably confirms to Parent that if specific performance is granted and each of the debt financing and equity financing is funded, it would take such actions required of it by the Merger Agreement to cause the closing of the Merger to occur, and (iv) the debt financing has been funded.

Appraisal Rights (Page 83 and 131 and Annex C)

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Company stockholders are entitled to appraisal rights under Section 262 of the DGCL. Under the DGCL, Company stockholders of record who continuously hold shares of Company common stock through the Effective Time and do not vote in favor of adopting the Merger Agreement, and beneficial owners of shares of Company common stock held either in voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person who beneficially own shares of Company common stock through the Effective Time that are not voted in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, will have the right to seek appraisal of the “fair value” of their shares of Company common stock as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery if the Merger is completed. Appraisal rights will only be available to Company stockholders and beneficial owners of shares of Company common stock, as the case may be, who properly deliver a written demand for an appraisal to the Company prior to the vote on the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement at the special meeting and do not withdraw their demands, and who otherwise comply with the procedures and requirements set forth in Section 262 of the DGCL, which are summarized in this proxy statement. The appraisal amount could be more than, the same as or less than the amount a Company stockholder will be entitled to receive under the terms of the Merger Agreement. Holders and beneficial owners of Company common stock who wish to seek appraisal of their shares are in any case encouraged to seek the advice of legal counsel with respect to the exercise of appraisal rights due to the complexity of the appraisal process. Failure to comply with the provisions of Section 262 in a timely and proper manner may result in the loss of appraisal rights.

For further information, see “Appraisal Rights” and the text of Section 262 of the DGCL attached as Annex C to this proxy statement for specific information on the procedures to be followed in exercising appraisal rights.

Delisting and Deregistration of Company common stock (Page 139)

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If the Merger is consummated, Company common stock will be delisted from the NYSE American exchange and deregistered under the Exchange Act, and the Company will no longer file periodic reports with the SEC on account of Company common stock. The Company will cease to be an independent public company and will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. You will no longer have any ownership interest in the Company.

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER AND THE
SPECIAL MEETING

The following questions and answers are intended to address briefly some commonly asked questions that you may have about the Merger, the Merger Agreement and the special meeting. The information in this section does not provide all of the information that might be important to you with respect to the Merger or the special meeting. We urge you to read carefully the remainder of this proxy statement, the annexes attached hereto and the other documents referred to or incorporated by reference herein, which contain additional important information. You may obtain the information incorporated by reference into this proxy statement without charge by following the instructions in “Where You Can Find More Information.”

What is the Merger?

Battalion Oil Corporation, a Delaware corporation (which we refer to as the “Company,” “we” or “us”), Fury Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (which we refer to as “Parent”), and San Jacinto Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (which we refer to as “Merger Sub”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 14, 2023, as such agreement may be amended from time to time (which we refer to as the “Merger Agreement”), which provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (which we refer to as the “Merger”), with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement.

The Merger cannot be consummated unless, among other things, holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Company common stock vote in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement (which we refer to as the “Company requisite vote”).

What is the Merger Consideration?

If the Merger is consummated, at the Effective Time of the Merger (which we refer to as the “Effective Time”), each issued and outstanding share of Company common stock (other than (i) shares that immediately prior to the Effective Time are owned by the Company (including as treasury stock), Parent or Merger Sub and (ii) shares of Company common stock that are owned by stockholders of the Company who did not vote in favor of the Merger Agreement or the Merger and who have perfected and not withdrawn a demand for appraisal rights pursuant to Section 262 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (which we refer to as the “DGCL”)) will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive $9.80 per share of Company common stock in cash, without interest, less any applicable withholding taxes (which we refer to as the “Merger Consideration”).

What will happen to my outstanding Company equity awards in the Merger?

At the Effective Time, each Company restricted stock award (which we refer to as an “RSU award”), other than any performance-based Company RSU award, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall fully vest and be canceled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash, without interest, equal to the Merger Consideration in respect of each share of Company common stock subject to such Company RSU award, respectively, immediately prior to the Effective Time, less any applicable withholding taxes.

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option, if any, by (B) the total number of shares of Company common stock subject to such Company option, less any applicable withholding taxes. Any Company option with an exercise price per share of Company common stock that is greater than or equal to the Merger Consideration shall be canceled for no consideration immediately prior to the Effective Time, and the holder of such Company option shall have no further rights with respect thereto. For additional information regarding the treatment of outstanding Company equity awards, see the section entitled “The Merger Agreement — Treatment of Company Equity Awards,” beginning on page 73.

When and where is the special meeting?

The special meeting will be held on March 18, 2024, at 11 a.m., Central Time. The special meeting will be completely virtual and conducted via live audio webcast. You will be able to attend the special meeting by first registering at www.proxyvote.com.To participate in the special meeting, you will need the control number included on your notice, on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. Company stockholders will be able to listen, vote, and submit questions during the virtual meeting.

Why am I receiving this proxy statement?

We are delivering this document to you because you were a Company stockholder as of January 19, 2024, the record date for the special meeting. This proxy statement is being used by the board of directors of the Company (which we refer to as the “Board”) to solicit, on behalf of the Company, proxies of the Company stockholders in connection with the adoption of the Merger Agreement and related matters and describes the proposals to be presented at the special meeting.

This proxy statement contains important information about the Merger and the other proposals being voted on at the special meeting. You should read it carefully and in its entirety. The enclosed materials allow you to have your shares of Company common stock voted by proxy without attending the special meeting. Your vote is important and we encourage you to submit your proxy as soon as possible.

What are the Company stockholders being asked to vote on at the special meeting?

The Company is soliciting proxies from its stockholders with respect to the following proposals:

A proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement (which we refer to as the “Merger proposal”);

A proposal to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation that certain executive officers of the Company may receive in connection with the Merger pursuant to agreements or arrangements with the Company, as described in “Proposal 2 — Advisory Vote on Merger-Related Compensation for the Company’s Named Executive Officers” (which we refer to as the “compensation proposal”); and

Why am I being asked to consider and vote on, by non-binding, advisory vote, the compensation proposal?

The rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (which we refer to as the “SEC”) require the Company to seek a non-binding, advisory vote to approve compensation that will or may become payable by the Company to its named executive officers in connection with the Merger. The approval of this proposal is not a condition to the consummation of the Merger and will not be binding on the Company or Parent. If the Merger Agreement is approved by Company stockholders and the Merger is consummated, the Merger-related compensation may be paid to the Company’s named executive officers even if the Company stockholders do not approve the compensation proposal.

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What do I need to do now?

After you have carefully read this proxy statement including its annexes and the documents incorporated by reference herein and have decided how you wish to vote your shares of Company common stock, please vote your shares promptly so that your shares are represented and voted at the special meeting.

If you hold your shares in your name as a stockholder of record, you can complete, sign, date and mail your proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid return envelope, and we request that you do this as soon as possible. Alternatively, you may vote through the Internet or by telephone. Information and applicable deadlines for voting by mail, through the Internet or by telephone are set forth in the enclosed proxy card instructions.

If you hold your shares in “street name” through a bank, broker or other holder of record, please refer to the instructions for voting your shares provided by such bank, broker or other holder of record.

If my shares of Company common stock are held in “street name” by my broker, will my broker automatically vote my shares for me?

No. Your broker cannot vote your shares without instructions from you. If your shares are held in “street name” through a broker, you must provide your broker with instructions on how to vote your shares. Please follow the voting instructions provided by such broker. You may not vote shares held in “street name” by returning a proxy card directly to the Company, or by voting at the virtual special meeting, unless you provide a legal proxy, which you must obtain from your broker. “Broker non-votes” are shares held in “street name” by brokers that are present virtually or represented by proxy at the special meeting, but for which the beneficial owner has not provided the broker with instructions on how to vote on a particular proposal that such broker does not have discretionary voting power on.

Brokers holding shares in “street name” do not have discretionary voting authority with respect to any of the three proposals described in this proxy statement. As a result, we do not expect there to be any broker non-votes, and any shares held in street name for which instructions have not been provided to the institution that holds those shares will constitute a vote “AGAINST” the Merger proposal.

Why is my vote important?

If you do not submit a proxy card or vote virtually at the special meeting, or if you fail to instruct your broker as to how to vote, it will be more difficult for the Company to obtain the necessary quorum to hold the special meeting. In addition, each share of Company common stock that is not voted at the special meeting will constitute a vote “AGAINST” the Merger proposal.

Are the Company stockholders entitled to appraisal rights?

Yes. In order to exercise your appraisal rights, you must follow the requirements set forth in Section 262 of the DGCL. Under Section 262 of the DGCL, Company stockholders of record who continuously hold shares of Company common stock through the Effective Time and do not vote in favor of adopting the Merger Agreement, and beneficial owners of shares of Company common stock held either in voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person who beneficially own shares of Company common stock through the Effective Time that are not voted in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, will have the right to seek appraisal of the “fair value” of their shares of Company common stock as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery if the Merger is completed. For further information, see “Appraisal Rights.”

If I am a Company stockholder, should I send in my stock certificate(s) now?

No. If the Merger proposal is approved, shortly after the consummation of the Merger, you will receive a letter of transmittal describing how you may exchange your stock certificate(s) or book-entry shares of Company common stock for the Merger Consideration. If your shares of Company common stock are held in “street name” through a bank, broker or other holder of record, you should contact the record holder of your shares for instructions as to how to effect the surrender of your “street name”

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shares of Company common stock in exchange for the Merger Consideration. Please do NOT return your stock certificate(s) with your proxy.

What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?

You may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this proxy statement and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold shares of Company common stock in more than one brokerage account, you will receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold your shares. If you are a stockholder of record of shares of Company common stock and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive or otherwise follow the voting instructions set forth in this proxy statement to ensure that you vote every share of Company common stock that you own.

What will happen to the Company generally as a result of the Merger?

If the Merger is consummated, the Company common stock will be delisted from the NYSE American Stock Exchange (which we refer to as “NYSE American”) and deregistered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which we refer to as the “Exchange Act”), and the Company will no longer file periodic reports with the SEC on account of Company common stock. The Company will cease to be an independent public company and will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. You will no longer have any ownership interest in the Company.

When do you expect the Merger to be consummated?

The Company currently expects to consummate the Merger in the first calendar quarter of 2024. However, the Company cannot assure you of when or if the Merger will be consummated. The closing of the Merger is subject to the satisfaction of various conditions that are not within the Company’s control. The Company must obtain the approval of the Company stockholders to adopt the Merger Agreement at the special meeting. The Company and Parent must also obtain necessary regulatory approvals and satisfy certain other closing conditions.

What happens if the Merger is not consummated?

If the Merger is not consummated for any reason, the Company stockholders will not receive any consideration for their shares of Company common stock in connection with the Merger. Instead, the Company will remain an independent, public company and Company common stock will continue to be listed and traded on NYSE American. In addition, under certain circumstances specified in the Merger Agreement, the Company may be required to pay a termination fee. See “The Merger Agreement — Termination Fee” for a complete discussion of the circumstances under which a termination fee would be required to be paid.

What happens if I sell my shares of Company common stock before the special meeting?

The record date for Company stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting is earlier than the date of the special meeting and the expected closing date of the Merger. If you transfer your shares of Company common stock after January 19, 2024, the record date for the special meeting, you will, unless special arrangements are made, retain your right to vote at the special meeting but will transfer the right to receive the Merger Consideration to the transferee of your shares.

Whom should I call with questions?

If you have any questions about the Merger or this proxy statement, would like additional copies of this proxy statement, or need assistance voting your shares of Company common stock, please contact the Company at the address listed under “References to Additional Information.

If your Company common stock is held in “street name” through your bank, broker or other holder of record, please also contact your bank, broker or other holder of record for additional information.

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This proxy statement contains certain forward-looking statements. We generally identify forward-looking statements, particularly those statements regarding the benefits of the proposed Merger between Merger Sub and the Company, the anticipated timing of the transaction and the business of each company, by terminology such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “will likely result” or the negative version of those words or other comparable words. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. Accordingly, you are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict.

A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements in this proxy statement, including, but not limited to:

•

the risk that the Merger may not be consummated in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the Company’s business and the price of the Company common stock;

•

the risk that required approvals of the Merger may not be obtained on the terms expected or on the anticipated schedule or at all;

•

the risk that the Company stockholders may fail to adopt the Merger Agreement;

•

the risk that the parties to the Merger Agreement may fail to satisfy other conditions to the consummation of the Merger or meet expectations regarding the timing and consummation of the Merger;

•

the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement;

•

the effect of the announcement or pendency of the Merger on the Company’s business relationships, operating results, employees and business generally;

•

the risk that the proposed Merger disrupts current plans and operations of the Company and potential difficulties in the Company’s employee retention as a result of the Merger;

•

risks related to diverting management’s attention from the Company’s ongoing business operations;

•

the outcome of legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company related to the Merger Agreement or the Merger;

•

the amount of unexpected costs, fees, expenses and other charges related to the Merger; and

•

political instability.

For additional factors that could materially affect our financial results and our business generally, please refer to the Company’s filings with the SEC, including but not limited to, the factors, uncertainties and risks described under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023 and the other reports filed by the Company with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information.” The Company undertakes no obligation to revise these statements following the date of this communication, except as required by law.

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PARTIES TO THE MERGER

The Company

Battalion Oil Corporation
Two Memorial City Plaza
820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100
Houston, Texas 77024
Telephone: (832) 538-0300

The Company, a Delaware corporation, is an independent energy company focused on the acquisition, production, exploration and development of onshore liquids-rich oil and natural gas assets currently in the Delaware Basin in the United States, where we have an extensive drilling inventory that we believe offers attractive long-term economics.

Our working interests in 40,375 net acres in the Delaware Basin as of December 31, 2022 are in Pecos, Reeves, Ward and Winkler Counties, Texas. This resource play is characterized by high oil and liquids-rich natural gas content in thick, continuous sections of source rock that can provide repeatable drilling opportunities and significant initial production rates. Our primary targets in this area are the Wolfcamp and Bone Spring formations. As of December 31, 2022, we had 103 operated wells producing in this area in addition to minor working interests in 13 non-operated wells. Our average daily net production from this area for the year ended December 31, 2022 was 15,438 Boe/d.

Company common stock is traded on the NYSE American under the symbol “BATL.” Additional information about the Company and its subsidiaries is included in documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement. See “Where You Can Find More Information.” The Company maintains a website at battalionoil.com. The information provided on the Company’s website is not part of this proxy statement and is not incorporated by reference.

Parent

Fury Resources, Inc.
117503 La Cantera Pkwy, Suite 104-603
San Antonio, Texas 78257
Telephone: [•]

Parent is a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Ruckus Energy Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. Parent is a newly formed corporation formed solely for the purpose of pursuing the Merger and has no significant assets or operating history. Ruckus has no obligation to fund any portion of any amounts that may be due to the Company or Company stockholders under the Merger Agreement, including the Merger Consideration.

Merger Sub

San Jacinto Merger Sub, Inc.
117503 La Cantera Pkwy, Suite 104-603
San Antonio, Texas 78257
Telephone: [•]

Merger Sub is a Delaware corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. Merger Sub was formed solely for the purpose of entering into the Merger Agreement and consummating the Merger. Merger Sub has not carried on any activities on or prior to the date of this proxy statement except for activities incidental to its formation and activities in connection with Parent’s acquisition of the Company. Upon completion of the Merger, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company and Merger Sub will cease to exist.

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THE SPECIAL MEETING

This section contains information for the Company stockholders about the special meeting that the Company has called to allow the Company stockholders to consider and vote on the Merger proposal and other matters. The Company is mailing this proxy statement to you, as a Company stockholder, on or about February 14, 2024. This proxy statement is accompanied by a notice of the special meeting and a form of proxy card that the Board is soliciting for the Company at the special meeting and at any adjournments or postponements thereof.

Date, Time and Place of the Special Meeting

This proxy statement is being furnished to the Company stockholders as part of the solicitation of proxies by the Board from the Company stockholders for use at the special meeting to be held on March 18, 2024, at 11 a.m., Central Time, or at any postponement or adjournment thereof. The special meeting will be completely virtual and conducted via live audio webcast. You will be able to attend the special meeting by first registering at www.proxyvote.com. To participate in the special meeting, you will need the control number included on your notice, on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. Company stockholders will be able to listen, vote, and submit questions during the virtual meeting.

Purpose of the Special Meeting

At the special meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon the following matters:

•

The Merger proposal (Proposal 1 on your proxy card);

•

The compensation proposal (Proposal 2 on your proxy card); and

•

The adjournment proposal (Proposal 3 on your proxy card).

The Company stockholders must adopt the Merger Agreement by approving the Merger proposal in order to consummate the Merger. A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement. You are urged to read the Merger Agreement carefully in its entirety.

Recommendation of the Company Special Committee and Board of Directors; Fairness

The Company Board of Directors formed a special committee of the Board comprised solely of independent and disinterested directors (which we refer to as the “special committee”) to consider potential value creation opportunities and to take other actions that the special committee deemed appropriate. The members of the special committee are Gregory S. Hinds and William D. Rogers. The special committee evaluated the Merger. At the conclusion of its review, the special committee, among other things, unanimously (1) determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, are advisable, fair to, and in the best interests of the Company and the unaffiliated stockholders (as defined below), (2) recommended that the Company Board of Directors approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, and (3) resolved to recommend that the unaffiliated stockholders adopt the Merger Agreement. In addition, the special committee believes that the Merger is fair to the Company’s “unaffiliated security holders,” as such term is defined in Rule 13e-3 under the Exchange Act. The special committee did not retain independent legal or financial representatives to act solely on behalf of unaffiliated security holders for purposes of negotiating the term of the Merger Agreement.

The Board, after considering the recommendation of the special committee, has unanimously (a) determined and declared that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger, are fair to the stockholders of the Company, including the unaffiliated stockhoders, and are in the best interests of the Company and the stockholders of the Company, (b) declared advisable and approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger, and the execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement and (c) recommended that the stockholders of the Company vote for the adoption of the Merger Agreement.

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The Board unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the Merger proposal, “FOR” the compensation proposal and “FOR” the adjournment proposal. See “Special Factors — Recommendation of the Company Board of Directors; Reasons for the Merger” for a more detailed discussion of the Board’s recommendation.

Record Date and Quorum

Vote Required

The affirmative vote of the Company stockholders holding a majority of the outstanding shares of Company common stock as of the close of business on the record date is required to adopt the Merger Agreement (which we refer to as the “Company requisite vote”). Because the required vote for the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement is based on the number of votes the Company stockholders are entitled to cast rather than on the number of votes actually cast, if you fail to authorize a proxy or vote online at the meeting, abstain from voting at the meeting, or fail to instruct your broker on how to vote, such failure will have the same effect as votes cast “AGAINST” the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement. As of January 19, 2024, the record date for the special meeting, 8,228,282 shares of Company common stock constitute a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Company common stock. The required vote does not require the affirmative vote of a majority of the unaffiliated stockholders (as defined in Rule 13e-3 under the Exchange Act).

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Voting, Proxies and Revocation

Attending the Special Meeting

All Company stockholders, including stockholders of record and stockholders who hold their shares through banks, brokers or other nominee holders are invited to attend the virtual special meeting. Company stockholders of record can vote virtually at the special meeting.

Voting by Stockholders of Record

If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote your shares of Company common stock on matters presented at the special meeting in any of the following ways:

•

by proxy — stockholders of record have a choice of submitting a proxy:

•

by telephone or over the Internet, by accessing the telephone number or website specified on the enclosed proxy card. The control number provided on your proxy card is designed to verify your identity when voting by telephone or by Internet. Please be aware that you may incur costs such as telephone and Internet access charges for which you will be responsible;

•

by signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid return envelope; or

•

virtually — you may attend the special meeting virtually and cast your vote during the special meeting.

Voting of Shares Held in “Street Name”; Broker Non-Votes

If you are a beneficial owner of shares of Company common stock held in “street name,” you should receive instructions from your bank, broker or other nominee holder that you must follow in order to have your shares of Company common stock voted. If you have not received such voting instructions or require further information regarding such voting instructions, contact your bank, broker or other nominee holder. If your bank, broker or other holder of record holds your shares of Company common stock in “street name,” such record holder will vote your shares of Company common stock only if you provide instructions on how to vote by filling out the voter instruction form sent to you by such record holder with this proxy statement. Please note that, if you are a beneficial owner of shares of Company common stock held in “street name” and wish to vote virtually at the special meeting, you may be required to provide proof of beneficial ownership, such as your most recent account statement as of the record date, a copy of the voting instruction form provided by your broker, bank, trustee, or nominee, or other similar evidence of ownership. If you do not comply with the procedures outlined above, you will not be admitted to the virtual Annual Meeting.

Under stock exchange rules, brokers who hold shares of Company common stock in “street name” for a beneficial owner of those shares typically have the authority to vote in their discretion on “routine” proposals when they have not received instructions from beneficial owners. However, such record holders

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are not allowed to exercise their voting discretion with respect to the approval of matters determined to be “non-routine.” “Broker non-votes” are shares held in “street name” by brokers that are present virtually or represented by proxy at the special meeting, but for which the beneficial owner has not provided the record holder with instructions on how to vote on a particular proposal and such record holder does not have discretionary voting power with respect to such proposal. Under applicable rules, brokers holding shares in “street name” do not have discretionary voting authority with respect to any of the three proposals described in this proxy statement. If a beneficial owner of Company common stock held in “street name” does not give voting instructions to the applicable broker, then those shares will not be counted as present virtually or by proxy at the special meeting.

Voting of Proxies; Incomplete Proxies

If you submit a proxy, regardless of the method you choose to submit such proxy, the individuals named on the enclosed proxy card, and each of them, with full power of substitution, will vote your shares of Company common stock in the way that you indicate. When completing the Internet or telephone processes or the proxy card, you may specify whether your shares of Company common stock should be voted for or against, or abstain from voting, on all, some or none of the specific items of business to come before the special meeting.

All shares represented by valid proxies that the Company receives through this solicitation, and that are not revoked, will be voted in accordance with your instructions on the proxy card. If you properly sign your proxy card but do not mark the boxes showing how your shares of Company common stock should be voted on a matter, the shares of Company common stock represented by your proxy will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board, which, as of the date of this proxy statement, are “FOR” the Merger proposal, “FOR” the compensation proposal and “FOR” the adjournment proposal.

Deadline to Vote by Proxy

Please refer to the instructions on your proxy card or voting instruction card to determine the deadlines for submitting your proxy over the Internet or by telephone. If you choose to submit a proxy by mailing a proxy card, your proxy card should be mailed in the enclosed postage-paid return envelope and must be received by our Corporate Secretary by 5:00 p.m., Central Time, on March 17, 2024.

Revocation of Proxy

If you are a stockholder of record of shares of Company common stock, you may revoke a proxy by:

(i)

signing and returning a proxy card with a later date;

(ii)

voting by telephone or the Internet at a later time;

(iii)

attending the special meeting virtually and voting during the special meeting. Attending the special meeting alone, without voting at the special meeting, will not be sufficient to revoke your proxy; or

(iv)

delivering written notice of revocation to the Company’s Corporate Secretary at Two Memorial City Plaza, 820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77024, which must be filed with the Corporate Secretary by 5:00 p.m., Central Time, on March 17, 2024.

If you are a “street name” holder of shares of Company common stock, you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your bank, broker or other holder of record or obtaining a legal proxy and voting in person at the special meeting. You must contact the record holder of your shares to obtain instructions as to how to change your proxy vote.

Adjournments

Although it is not currently expected, the special meeting may be adjourned or postponed for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the Merger proposal. In the event that there is present, virtually or by proxy, sufficient favorable

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voting power to secure the vote of the Company stockholders necessary to approve the Merger proposal, the Company does not anticipate that it will adjourn or postpone the special meeting, unless it is advised by counsel that such adjournment or postponement is necessary under applicable law to allow additional time for any disclosure. Any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies will allow the Company stockholders who have already sent in their proxies to revoke them at any time prior to their use at the special meeting as adjourned or postponed.

Solicitation of Proxies

The Company is soliciting your proxy in conjunction with the Merger. The Company will bear the cost of soliciting proxies from you. In addition to solicitation of proxies by mail, the Company will request that banks, brokers and other holders of record send proxies and proxy materials to the beneficial owners of Company common stock and secure their voting instructions.

Voting Agreement

On December 14, 2023, in connection with the Merger Agreement, Parent entered into a Voting Agreement (which we refer to as the “Voting Agreement”) with the Rollover Sellers pursuant to which the Rollover Sellers have agreed, among other things, to vote certain shares of Company common stock they beneficially own or will beneficially own in favor of adopting the Merger Agreement and any other actions contemplated by the Merger Agreement in respect of which the approval of the Company stockholders is requested. Pursuant to the Voting Agreement, the Rollover Sellers have agreed: (a) when a meeting of the Company stockholders is held, they will appear at such meeting or otherwise cause their subject shares to be counted as present for the purpose of establishing a quorum and (b) they will vote or cause to be voted at any such meeting certain of their shares (i) in favor of adopting the Merger Agreement and any other actions contemplated by the Merger Agreement in respect of which the approval of the Company stockholders is requested, (ii) in favor of adopting of any proposal in respect of which the Board has (A) determined is reasonably necessary to facilitate any of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) disclosed the determination described in the foregoing clause (A) in the proxy statement or other written materials disseminated to the holders of shares of Company common stock and (C) recommended to be adopted or approved by the holders of shares of Company common stock, and (iii) against (A) any Company takeover proposal (as defined in “The Merger Agreement — Non-Solicitation of Acquisition Proposals”), whether or not constituting a Company superior proposal (as defined in “The Merger Agreement — Non-Solicitation of Acquisition Proposals”), and (B) any action, proposal, transaction or agreement that would reasonably be expected to prevent, impair, delay or otherwise interfere with the consummation of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The shares of Company common stock subject to the voting agreement are approximately 38% of the Company common stock.

In addition, the Rollover Sellers have agreed to not to, directly or indirectly (a) (i) transfer, or enter into any contract, option or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the transfer of, any shares to any person or entity, or (ii) enter into any voting arrangement, whether by proxy, Voting Agreement or otherwise, or grant a proxy or power of attorney with respect to any shares, or deposit any shares into a voting trust, or (b) (i) initiate, solicit or knowingly take any action to facilitate, solicit or encourage any acquisition proposal or the making of any proposal that would reasonably be expected to lead to a Company takeover proposal or (ii) participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish or provide any non-public information to any person or entity in connection with, any Company takeover proposal; provided, that in the event a person or entity submits a Company takeover proposal to the Company, such holder and its representatives may hold discussions with such person or entity solely with respect to the terms of a proposed Voting Agreement with respect to the transaction contemplated by such Company takeover proposal following such time as the Company determines that the Board may take any of the actions permitted under the relevant provisions of the Merger Agreement.

For further detail regarding the Voting Agreement, please refer to the section entitled “The Voting Agreement” and Annex D to this proxy statement.

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SPECIAL FACTORS

This discussion of the Merger is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, which is attached to this proxy statement as Annex A. You should read the entire Merger Agreement carefully as it is the legal document that governs the Merger.

Terms of the Merger

The Company Board of Directors formed a special committee of the Board comprised solely of independent and disinterested directors (which we refer to as the “special committee”) to consider potential value creation opportunities and to take other actions that the special committee deemed appropriate. The special committee evaluated the Merger. At the conclusion of its review, the special committee, among other things, unanimously (1) determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, are advisable, fair to, and in the best interests of the Company and the unaffiliated stockholders (as defined below), (2) recommended that the Company Board of Directors approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, and (3) resolved to recommend that the unaffiliated stockholders adopt the Merger Agreement. In addition, the special committee believes that the Merger is fair to the Company’s “unaffiliated security holders,” as such term is defined in Rule 13e-3 under the Exchange Act.

After careful consideration of various factors described in “Special Factors — Recommendation of the Special Committee and Company Board of Directors; Reasons for the Merger,” the Board, after considering the recommendation of the special committee, has unanimously (a) determined and declared that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger, are fair to the stockholders of the Company and are in the best interests of the Company and the stockholders of the Company, (b) declared advisable and approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger, and the execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement and (c) recommended that the stockholders of the Company vote for the adoption of the Merger Agreement.

At the Effective Time, each share of Company common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (except for excluded shares) will be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration. For a discussion of the treatment of awards outstanding under the Company stock plan as of the Effective Time, see “The Merger Agreement — Treatment of Company Equity Awards.”

In the Merger, each share of the Company’s Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (which we refer to as the “Series A Preferred Stock”), Series A-1 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (which we refer to as the “Series A-1 Preferred Stock”) and Series A-2 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (which we refer to as the “Series A-2 Preferred Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than such shares that are aquired by Parent pursuant to the Contribution Agreement) will be converted into the right to receive the consideration contemplated by the terms of such applicable series of preferred stock, which amounts are equal to approximately equal to $1,265 per preferred share in cash without interest, $1,109 per preferred share in cash without interest and $1,042 per preferred share without interest, respectively. Excluded shares include (i) shares that are owned by the Company (including treasury shares), Parent or Merger Sub. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock and Series A-2 Preferred Stock are not entitle to vote on the adoption of the Merger Agreement or the other matters to be voted on at the special meeting and will not be entitled to appraisal rights under the DGCL.

The Company stockholders are being asked to adopt the Merger Agreement. See “The Merger Agreement” for additional and more detailed information regarding the legal documents that govern the Merger, including information about conditions to the consummation of the Merger and provisions for terminating or amending the Merger Agreement.

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Background of the Merger

Set forth below is a description of what we believe are the material aspects of the background and history of the Merger. This description may not contain all the information that is important to you. The Company encourages you to read carefully the entire proxy statement, including the Merger Agreement attached as Annex A to this proxy statement, for a more complete understanding of the Merger.

Company management and the Board periodically review and discuss the Company’s business strategy and prospects with the goal of maximizing stockholder value. In the course of these discussions, Company management and the Board have periodically considered various strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of the Company. As the Board evaluated these strategic alternatives, it considered various factors, including, but not limited to, the Company’s public valuation, liquidity for the Company’s shares in the public market, opportunities to take advantage of public capital markets and the Company’s underlying business performance. On various occasions in the past, the Company has received overtures from, and/or engaged in discussions with, various third parties related to a possible strategic transaction involving the Company. While some of these discussions were well-advanced, none of these discussions resulted in the Company entering into a definitive agreement with respect to, or otherwise consummating, a strategic transaction.

In the first half of 2022, Company management and the Board discussed and considered various strategic alternatives designed to improve the competitiveness and performance of the Company which were being explored by Company management, including possible acquisitions of other oil and gas exploration and production companies and a possible sale of the Company. As part of such discussions, the Board determined that it was appropriate to explore strategic alternatives, including potential acquisitions by the Company and a possible sale of the Company, and to engage an investment banker to assist the Company in exploring such strategic alternatives. In May 2022, the Board determined to (a) commence a process designed to explore such strategic alternatives and (b) investigate engaging Houlihan Lokey in connection therewith. The Board also directed Company management to begin the process of negotiating Houlihan Lokey’s potential engagement in connection with the exploration of such strategic alternatives.

The Company entered into an engagement letter with Houlihan Lokey effective July 22, 2022.

In the third and fourth quarters of 2022, Houlihan Lokey and Company management explored potential acquisitions by the Company and started initial preparations for launching a sale process in December 2022.

In October 2022, certain potential acquirers, including Party A, indicated an interest in a potential transaction involving the Company, including a possible acquisition of the Company. However, after preliminary discussions with Company management and Houlihan Lokey, only Party A determined to explore a potential transaction with the Company in greater detail.

On October 19, 2022, Party A executed a confidentiality agreement with the Company, which contained customary provisions, including standstill provisions that, for a period of one year, prohibit Party A, without the prior written consent of the Board, from participating in a proposal for the Company either publicly or privately or from asking the Company to amend or waive such standstill provisions (often referred to as a “don’t ask, don’t waive” provision).

On October 20, 2022, Party A was provided access to certain limited due diligence materials with respect to the Company in an online virtual data room.

On November 21, 2022, the Board held a telephonic meeting at which representatives of Houlihan Lokey were present. At such meeting, the representatives of Houlihan Lokey provided the Board a presentation regarding existing market dynamics and the Company’s positioning relative to comparable public companies. The representatives of Houlihan Lokey also discussed with the Board possible strategic alternatives available to the Company and, if the Company determined to purse a process to explore a potential sale of the Company, the proposed strategy on outreach to such possible bidders. After discussion and deliberation, the Board determined to launch the sale process and instructed Houlihan Lokey to develop a timetable for the sale process.

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On December 6, 2022, Company management delivered an in-person management presentation to Party A with respect to the Company and its business.

On December 9, 2022, the Board held a telephonic meeting at which representatives of Houlihan Lokey were present. During the meeting, representatives of Houlihan Lokey discussed a proposed timeline and plan with respect to the execution of the sale process, and provided updates on potential bidders that would be included in the sale process. The Board instructed Houlihan Lokey to provide, at the next board meeting, a list of all potential acquirers contacted by them, their interest in participating in the sale process and their potential interest in a transaction. The Board also instructed Company management to work with the Company’s outside counsel, Mayer Brown LLP (which we refer to as “Mayer Brown”), to prepare a form of Agreement and Plan of Merger with respect to the potential transaction that could be shared with the bidders at the appropriate time.

On December 12, 2022, Houlihan Lokey, at the Board’s direction, launched the sale process. Between December 12, 2022 and June 27, 2023, Houlihan Lokey contacted 49 parties about their interest in participating in the sale process (which number includes Party A), 41 of which were strategic acquirers and eight of which were financial sponsors. Of those parties, 33 (including Party A) had indicated a willingness to participate in the sale process and executed a confidentiality agreement with the Company. Each of the confidentiality agreements signed by such parties was substantively and substantially similar to the confidentiality agreement signed by Party A and contained customary provisions, including standstill provisions that, for a period of one year, prohibited the counterparty, without the prior written consent of the Board, from participating in a proposal for the Company either publicly or privately or from asking the Company to amend or waive such standstill provisions (often referred to as a “don’t ask, don’t waive” provision).

On December 15, 2022, the Board held a telephonic meeting at which, among other matters, the sale process was discussed. Richard Little, the then-current Chief Executive Officer of the Company, provided an update to the Board on the status of Houlihan Lokey’s outreach to potential bidders and indicated that potential bidders had begun to be contacted and confidentiality agreements with each of them were in the process of being negotiated and executed.

On December 16, 2022, Houlihan Lokey, on behalf of the Company, provided each of the participants in the sale process that had executed confidentiality agreements with the Company access to limited due diligence materials regarding the Company and its businesses via an online virtual data room.

On December 22, 2022, the Board held a telephonic meeting at which representatives of Houlihan Lokey were present. Houlihan Lokey provided the Board an update on the status of outreach to potential bidders and the preparation of management presentation materials for in-person meetings with bidders. The Board requested Houlihan Lokey describe the feedback it had received from potential bidders that had declined to participate in the sale process, and Houlihan Lokey indicated the parties that declined because, among other things, their interests lay outside of the Permian Basin and they did not believe that the then-current macroeconomic and credit environment was conducive to them exploring a transaction with the Company.

On December 30, 2022, the Board held a telephonic meeting at which representatives of Houlihan Lokey were present. Houlihan Lokey provided updates on the ongoing sale process and outreach efforts, including the status of negotiations of customary confidentiality agreements with potential bidders and the extent to which bidders were engaging with the due diligence materials in the online virtual data room.

Between January 6, 2023 and January 27, 2023, the Board held four meetings at which Houlihan Lokey provided the Board updates on engagement with and onboarding of potential bidders in the sale process, updates as to the status of the bidders’ exploration of an acquisition of the Company and the bidders’ due diligence review of the Company and its business and, in the course of such meetings, the Board instructed Company management and Houlihan Lokey to set February 7, 2023 as the date by which bidders’ preliminary proposals would be due and to inform the bidders of such date. At the January 27, 2023 meeting, Houlihan Lokey indicated to the Board that certain bidders, including Party B and Party C, were considering making non-conforming proposals to acquire a certain portion of the Company’s assets rather than making proposals to acquire the Company as a whole, whether through a merger or otherwise. After

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discussion and deliberation, the Board determined that it would permit bidders to propose transactions in which a buyer would acquire less than all of the Company’s assets or capital stock and instructed Company management to work with Mayer Brown to prepare a form of asset purchase agreement that could be shared with the bidders at the appropriate time.

Between January 9, 2023 and February 7, 2023, Company management delivered in-person management presentations with respect to the Company and its business to a total of 13 prospective bidders. Additionally, Houlihan Lokey facilitated due diligence with 10 other prospective bidders that did not specifically request management presentations. In all, a total of 23 prospective bidders were actively evaluating a transaction involving the Company between the start of the sale process and February 7, 2023, which bidders included Party A and 22 other prospective bidders designated for purposes of this proxy statement as Parties B through W.

Between January 9, 2023 and January 24, 2023, each of Parties N, O and P notified Houlihan Lokey that it was no longer interested in participating in the sale process.

On February 3, 2023, the Board held a telephonic meeting at which representatives of Houlihan Lokey were present. Houlihan Lokey provided the Board with an update on the status of the sale process. The Board instructed Houlihan Lokey to deliver a bid instruction letter confirming that February 7, 2023 would be the date by which bidders’ preliminary proposals would be due and to make available to the bidders drafts of the Merger Agreement and the asset purchase agreement. Houlihan Lokey indicated that at least three bidders had indicated they would need additional time beyond February 7, 2023 in order to complete their preliminary due diligence review of the Company and deliver a preliminary proposal with respect to a transaction involving the Company.

Later on February 3, 2023, Houlihan Lokey, on behalf of the Company, delivered a bid instruction letter requesting that the 20 active remaining participants in the sale process, Parties A through M and Parties Q through W, submit their preliminary proposals by February 7, 2023.

On February 4, 2023, Houlihan Lokey made available to the bidders the Company’s proposed drafts of the Merger Agreement and the asset purchase agreement through the online virtual data room.

On February 7, 2023, Houlihan Lokey, on behalf of the Company, received proposals from each of Party B and Party C, neither of which contemplated the acquisition the Company as a whole, whether through a merger or otherwise. In its bid, Party B proposed to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of the Company for an aggregate purchase price equal to $375 million in cash to be financed through equity financing and an increase to Party B’s existing credit facility, but no commitments or confidence letters were submitted by Party B with respect to such financing. In its bid, Party C proposed to acquire certain oil and gas properties and related assets of the Company for an aggregate purchase price equal to $50 million. No other proposals were delivered to the Company or Houlihan Lokey on February 7, 2023.

By the end of the day on February 7, 2023, aside from Party B and Party C which submitted proposals, (a) each of Party A, Party I, Party K, Party M and Parties Q through W had indicated that they would not be submitting bids, (b) each of Party D and Party E indicated that they would likely be submitting bids, but required more time to complete their due diligence, (c) each of Party F, Party G, Party H and Party J indicated that they required more time to complete their due diligence in order to determine whether the would be submitting a bid to the Company, and (d) Party L did not respond to requests from Houlihan Lokey about its continued interest in the sale process and so was presumed to have decided not to submit a bid.

Also on February 7, 2023, Party X contacted Houlihan Lokey and indicated it was interested in participating in the sale process.

On February 8, 2023, the Board held a telephonic meeting at which representatives of Houlihan Lokey were present. Houlihan Lokey provided an overview of the proposals received from each of Party B and Party C, including a review of the bidders’ available financing to fund a transaction. After deliberation and discussion, the Board determined that the Company should engage with Party B and explore the possibility of a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and requested that Houlihan Lokey obtain additional information about Party B’s proposed financing of the transaction. The Board determined not to pursue Party C’s proposal. Houlihan Lokey then provided the Board an update on the bidders that

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continued to explore a potential transaction with the Company and had indicated they needed additional time to deliver a proposal. The Board instructed Houlihan Lokey and Company management to continue to engage with such bidders until they submitted a proposal or they indicated they were no longer interested in participating in the sale process and to onboard any potential bidders that indicated they were interested in exploring a transaction but had not participated in the initial stages of the sale process.

Later on February 8, 2023, Party E submitted a non-conforming proposal to Houlihan Lokey for a transaction not involving a sale of the entire Company in which price terms were not clearly detailed. Party E’s proposal also proposed an alternative take private transaction of the Company without clear price terms that contemplated an undefined rollover by certain of the stockholders of the Company and a refinancing of the Company’s debt within 12 months following the consummation of such transaction.

On February 11, 2023, Party D submitted a non-conforming proposal to Houlihan Lokey for a transaction not involving a sale of the entire Company. Party D’s proposal contemplated a contribution of cash and certain of its portfolio companies to the Company in exchange for preferred stock of the Company and, in connection with such recapitalization, the Company’s debt would be refinanced into a new facility. Party D’s proposal did not include definite economic terms for its contribution or any governance or other terms applicable to the Company shares it would receive in connection with such a transaction.

On February 14, 2023, the Board held a telephonic meeting at which representatives of Houlihan Lokey were present. Houlihan Lokey provided an update on the sale process and the proposals received from bidders since the Board meeting on February 8, 2023. After discussion and deliberation, the Board determined that the proposals the Company had received in the process to that point were not sufficiently attractive or did not otherwise reflect sufficiently definitive terms to warrant advancing any bidders to the next stage of the process. The Board instructed Houlihan Lokey and Company management to continue to engage with the bidders remaining in the process and press them to provide more attractive or definitive terms and to press those that had not submitted bids to do so as soon as possible.

Also on February 14, 2023, Party X executed a confidentiality agreement with the Company, which contained customary provisions, including standstill provisions that, for a period of one year, prohibit Party X, without the prior written consent of the Board, from participating in a proposal for the Company either publicly or privately or from asking the Company to amend or waive such standstill provisions (often referred to as a “don’t ask, don’t waive” provision). That day, Party X was provided access to certain limited due diligence materials with respect to the Company in an online virtual data room.

Beginning in mid-February 2023, the Board, in consultation with Company management, determined that the Company would need to raise approximately $20 million in cash by the end of Q1 2023 to maintain compliance with the debt and liquidity covenants in the Company’s credit facility. In an effort to raise funds to maintain compliance with such covenants, the Board and Company management explored a number of strategic alternatives, including (a) a possible sale of certain oil and gas producing assets of the Company, (b) recommencing active drilling and production operations which would be financed through equity financing and (c) equity financing through a private placement of the Company’s preferred stock. The Board determined after consulting with Houlihan Lokey that, in light of the Company’s debt burden, it was unlikely that a third party investor would be willing to provide the Company equity financing on reasonably acceptable terms and the Company’s only viable equity financing sources were its three largest stockholders, the Rollover Sellers and Gen IV Investment Opportunities, LLC (which, together with its affiliates, we refer to as “Gen IV” and collectively with the Rollover Sellers, the “Significant Stockholders”), which collectively appointed three directors to the Company’s six member Board. As a result, the Board established a special committee of the independent and disinterested members of the Board (which we refer to as the “Equity Financing Special Committee”), consisting of William Rogers and Gregory Hinds, on February 24, 2023 to evaluate and provide a recommendation to the Board on a transaction to resolve the Company’s imminent covenant breaches and liquidity challenges. In establishing the Equity Financing Special Committee, the Board resolved it would not approve and authorize any transaction that the Equity Financing Special Committee did not first recommend to the Board. Over the course of February and March 2023, the Equity Financing Special Committee and the Board considered and deliberated a proposed sale of certain Company assets, recommencing active drilling and production operations and equity financing through a sale of preferred stock to the Significant Stockholders. The Board and the members of the Equity Financing Special Committee determined not to pursue recommencing active drilling and production operations since it

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would require equity financing greater than the $20 million necessary to maintain covenant compliance as of the end of Q1 2023 and there was a substantial risk that recommencing such operations would not remedy the Company’s future liquidity needs in a reasonably near-term timeframe. Furthermore, in the course of exploring such an asset sale and providing potential acquirers an opportunity to perform due diligence on such assets, only one potential acquirer made an offer to purchase the assets at a purchase price of approximately $17.4 million and subsequently indicated, after further due diligence review and as a result of falling oil prices, that it would likely need to reduce its proposed purchase price by at least 15%. After deliberation and review, the Equity Financing Special Committee determined that the valuation proposed by the potential acquirer significantly undervalued such assets and, in consideration of the Company’s need of at least $20 million in additional cash, the sale of such assets would not raise sufficient funds at such valuation to resolve the Company’s imminent liquidity needs. On March 23, 2023, the Equity Financing Special Committee unanimously approved the equity financing transaction with the Significant Stockholders and recommended to the Board that it also approve such equity financing transaction. Later on March 23, 2023, the Board unanimously approved such equity financing transaction. On March 28, 2023, the Company sold, in a private placement, an aggregate amount of 25,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock to certain affiliates of the Significant Stockholders and received $24.4 million in proceeds from such sale. As a result, the Company maintained compliance with the debt and liquidity covenants under its credit facility as of the end of Q1 2023. Under the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock, the Series A Preferred Stock have no voting rights and will receive annual dividends, paid either in cash at a fixed rate of 14.5% annually or accrued at a fixed rate of 16.0% annually at the option of the Company, and accrued dividends that are not paid will be cumulative, compound and accrue quarterly in arrears and will be added to the liquidation preference of such shares.

On February 16, 2023, Party B submitted further information underlying its valuation of the Company’s assets as proposed in its bid letter.

Also on February 16, 2023, Party G contacted Houlihan Lokey to request additional technical information regarding the Company’s assets to assist it in refining its proposal. On February 19 and February 27, 2023, Houlihan Lokey and representatives of the Company met with representatives of Party G to provide due diligence information to Party G regarding the Company’s assets.

On February 17, 2023, the Board held a telephonic meeting at which representatives of Houlihan Lokey were present. Houlihan Lokey provided an update on the sale process and the proposals received from bidders since the Board meetings on February 8 and February 14, 2023. After discussion and deliberation, the Board determined that the proposals the Company had received in the process to that point remained insufficiently attractive or still did not otherwise reflect sufficiently definitive terms to warrant advancing any bidders to the next stage of the process. The Board instructed Houlihan Lokey and Company management to continue to engage with the bidders remaining in the process and press them to provide more attractive or definitive terms and to press those that had not submitted bids to do so as soon as possible.

On February 22, 2023, Company management delivered a second management presentation to Party I.

On February 24, 2023, the Board held a telephonic meeting at which representatives of Houlihan Lokey were present. Representatives of Houlihan Lokey provided an update that 10 bidders remained actively engaged in the sale process and described the status of each and their respective levels of engagement. The Board deliberated over the bids received to date and determined that an insufficient number of offers had been received for a decision to be made on definitively moving to the next stage of the sale process. The Board instructed Company management and Houlihan Lokey to continue to engage with the bidders remaining in the process and to press those that had not submitted bids to do so as soon as possible.

On February 25, 2023, a representative of Party Y contacted a member of the Board to indicate its interest in considering a potential acquisition of the Company, and the member of the Board referred Party Y to Houlihan Lokey.

On February 28, 2023, representatives of Houlihan Lokey had a call with representatives of Party Y in which Party Y reiterated its interest in acquiring the Company.

On March 5, 2023, Party Y delivered a written indication of interest to Houlihan Lokey, based on due diligence of publicly available information, proposing to acquire the Company for an aggregate purchase price of $372 million.

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On March 7, 2023, Houlihan Lokey, on behalf of the Company, discussed Party Y’s proposal with representatives of Party Y, including, among other things, requesting additional information regarding Party Y’s potential financing sources, and, in the course of such discussion, Party Y described its proposed financing and likely financing sources for a potential acquisition of the Company.

By March 9, 2023, all bidders involved in the sale process other than Parties I and Y (a) had indicated to Houlihan Lokey that they were not interested in continuing to participate in the sale process, (b) had not, after requests by Houlihan Lokey, refined the terms in their proposals to provide additional definitive terms, including economic terms, and so were presumed to have decided not to submit an updated proposal, or (c) did not respond to requests from Houlihan Lokey about their continued interest in the sale process and so were presumed to have decided not to submit a bid or an updated proposal.

On March 9, 2023, the Board held a telephonic meeting at which representatives of Mayer Brown were present. Representatives of Houlihan Lokey provided an update that the Company had received an unsolicited offer from Party Y for an acquisition of the Company for an aggregate purchase price of $372 million and indicated that, as of such time, only Parties I and Y remained interested in actively participating in the sale process. The Board instructed Company management and Houlihan Lokey to engage with Party Y, explore its proposed transaction and provide it access to due diligence materials regarding the Company after Party Y executed a confidentiality agreement. The Board also instructed Company management and Houlihan Lokey to explore including other potential acquirers in the sale process and, if any emerged, to explore their interest in a potential transaction and provide them access to due diligence materials regarding the Company after they execute a confidentiality agreement.

On March 14, 2023, Houlihan Lokey discussed Party Y’s likely financing sources for a transaction with representatives of Party Y.

On March 21, 2023, Party Y executed a confidentiality agreement with the Company, which contained customary provisions, including standstill provisions that, for a period of one year, prohibit Party Y, without the prior written consent of the Board, from participating in a proposal for the Company either publicly or privately or from asking the Company to amend or waive such standstill provisions (often referred to as a “don’t ask, don’t waive” provision). Later on March 21, 2023, Party Y was provided access to certain limited due diligence materials with respect to the Company in an online virtual data room.

On March 23, 2023, a representative of Ruckus contacted a representative of Houlihan Lokey to express Ruckus’s interest in a potential acquisition of the Company.

On March 28, 2023, Ruckus executed a confidentiality agreement with the Company, which contained customary provisions, including standstill provisions that, for a period of one year, prohibit Ruckus, without the prior written consent of the Board, from participating in a proposal for the Company either publicly or privately or from asking the Company to amend or waive such standstill provisions (often referred to as a “don’t ask, don’t waive” provision).

On March 29, 2023, Company management delivered a management presentation regarding the Company and its business to representatives of Party Y.

On March 31, 2023, Ruckus was provided access to certain limited due diligence materials with respect to the Company in an online virtual data room.

On April 2, 2023, Richard Little resigned as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Matthew Steele was appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Company by the Board.

On April 10, 2023, Mr. Little and Abraham Mirman, Chief Executive Officer of Ruckus, had an introductory conversation during which they discussed Mr. Little’s experience as Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

On April 12, 2023, the Board held a telephonic meeting at which representatives of Houlihan Lokey were present. Company management and representatives of Houlihan Lokey provided the Board an update on the status of discussions with each of the parties that remained in the process. Company management also indicated that the Company was considering certain other strategic alternatives, including the possibility that the Company operate on a standalone basis. After discussion and deliberation, the Board instructed

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Company management and Houlihan Lokey to engage with the remaining participants in the process and explore a potential transaction with them.

On April 14, 2023, representatives of Houlihan Lokey and representatives of Ruckus had a meeting to discuss certain due diligence matters relating to the Company and its business.

On April 18, 2023, Party Y submitted a preliminary non-binding indication of interest to purchase all of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of Company common stock for $12.09 per share.

On April 25, 2023, representatives of Ruckus and Houlihan Lokey had a conference call to discuss Ruckus’s interest in a transaction and Ruckus’s preliminary valuation of the Company.

On April 26, 2023, Ruckus submitted a preliminary non-binding indication of interest to purchase all of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of Company common stock for $12.00 per share.

Later on April 26, 2023, Houlihan Lokey, on behalf of the Company, delivered a bid instruction letter requesting that Ruckus, Party I and Party Y, the only bidders remaining in the sale process, submit their final proposals by May 5, 2023, including a proposed markup of the Merger Agreement.

On April 27, Mr. Little met with Mr. Mirman and other representatives of Ruckus to discuss his experience as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and a possible acquisition of the Company by Ruckus.

On May 4, 2023, Company management delivered a management presentation regarding the Company and its business to representatives of Ruckus.

On May 5, 2023, each of Party Y and Ruckus submitted revised indications of interest reflecting a proposal to acquire the Company and markups of the Merger Agreement. Party Y proposed a purchase price equal to $11.43 per share, and Ruckus proposed a price of $10.50 per share. Ruckus’s indication of interest indicated that Ruckus would seek firm debt and equity financing commitments with respect to a transaction and identified certain debt financing sources familiar to the Company that Ruckus had engaged with in connection with its evaluation of a potential transaction. Party Y did not indicate it would seek committed financing in connection with the transaction and did not identify any potential debt financing sources. The markup of the Merger Agreement that Ruckus submitted reflected comprehensive comments to the draft, including certain requirements that the Company operate its business consistent with a specified budget, and also reflected the delivery of customary firm debt and equity financing commitments by Ruckus at signing. Party Y’s markup was preliminary in nature and did not reflect any substantive changes to the language in the Merger Agreement. Both Ruckus and Party Y requested exclusivity in their indications of interest.

Later on May 5, 2023, Party I indicated it would not be submitting a proposal and notified Houlihan Lokey that it was no longer interested in participating in the sale process.

On May 7, 2023, Mayer Brown prepared and circulated to Company management an issues list with respect to Ruckus’s markup of the draft Merger Agreement, which issues list reflected, among other things, (a) the inclusion of financing covenants applicable to Ruckus that are more favorable to the Company, and (b) the deletion of Ruckus’s proposed covenant applicable to the Company that would require the Company to operate the business in a manner so as to comply with a specified budget.

On May 9, 2023, the Board held a telephonic meeting. Mr. Steele summarized the terms of each of the indications of interest received and provided a general description of the financing proposed by each of the parties and the likelihood of execution on such financing based on discussions with each party to date. After discussion and deliberation, the Board determined it was premature to provide either Ruckus or Party Y with exclusivity. The Board instructed Company management to work with Houlihan Lokey to invite both Ruckus and Party Y into the next stage of the sale process, ask each party to increase their proposed purchase price, revert to Ruckus with the Company’s positions on the Merger Agreement consistent with Mayer Brown’s issues list and request that Party Y provide a comprehensive markup of the Merger Agreement as soon as possible. The closing price of Company common stock on the NYSE American on May 9, 2023 was $6.47.

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On May 10, 2023, each of the Significant Stockholders delivered a letter to the Company (which we refer to as the “Commitment Letters”) pursuant to which such Significant Stockholder committed to, upon written request by the Company, provide additional equity financing to the Company in an aggregate amount equal to $38 million, collectively with the other Significant Stockholders, on substantially similar terms as the Series A Preferred Stock transactions.

On May 10 and 11, 2023, representatives of Houlihan Lokey contacted Ruckus and requested that Ruckus increase its proposed purchase price, provide its proposed debt commitment letters and sources of equity financing, and agree to changes to the Merger Agreement consistent with Mayer Brown’s issues list. In the course of such discussion, representatives of Ruckus confirmed orally that Ruckus would provide proposed debt commitment letters within 48 hours of their discussion and work to identify its equity financing sources to the Company. The representatives of Houlihan Lokey and Ruckus also discussed the material terms of the Merger Agreement noted in Mayer Brown’s issues list.

On May 12, 2023, Ruckus formed Parent as a wholly owned subsidiary for the purpose of obtaining equity and debt financing for, and consummating, the proposed transaction. Mr. Little was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Parent and Mr. Mirman was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Parent.

On May 16, 2023, representatives of Houlihan Lokey and Party Y had a discussion in which Party Y indicated it would deliver a comprehensive markup of the Merger Agreement for Mayer Brown’s review as soon as possible and identified potential equity and debt financing sources, but indicated its discussions with them were preliminary in nature.

On May 18, 2023, a representative of Party Z contacted Mr. Steele to express interest in a potential acquisition of the Company.

On May 22, 2023, Parent delivered to Houlihan Lokey a “highly confident” letter from one of Parent’s proposed debt financing sources indicating debt financing with respect to the transaction as follows: (a) senior secured debt financing in an amount up to $250 million, and (b) unsecured convertible debt or equity in an amount up to $250 million.

On May 25, 2023, Party Z executed a confidentiality agreement with the Company, which contained customary provisions, including standstill provisions that, for a period of one year, prohibit Party Z, without the prior written consent of the Board, from participating in a proposal for the Company either publicly or privately or from asking the Company to amend or waive such standstill provisions (often referred to as a “don’t ask, don’t waive” provision). Later that day, Party Z was provided access to certain limited due diligence materials with respect to the Company in an online virtual data room.

Later on May 25, 2023, Party Y submitted a proposed markup of the Merger Agreement. Party Y’s markup, among other things, reflected an Openlane sign-and-consent structure and did not contemplate the delivery of any financing commitment letters at the time the Merger Agreement would be signed.

On May 26, 2023, Mayer Brown sent a markup of the Merger Agreement to K&L Gates, LLP, counsel to Parent (which we refer to as “KLG”).

On May 30, 2023, representatives of the Company, Parent, Houlihan Lokey, Mayer Brown and KLG had a conference call to discuss, among other things, due diligence matters, next steps in the sale process, and the proposed terms of the Merger Agreement.

On June 6, 2023, KLG sent a markup of the Merger Agreement to Mayer Brown.

On June 8, 2023, Party Z submitted an indication of interest in a transaction in which Party Z would contribute $57 million worth of assets and $35 million in cash to the Company in exchange for a number of shares equal to 41% of the issued and outstanding shares of Company common stock and warrants to purchase an additional three million shares of Company common stock at a purchase price of $10.00 per share.

On June 12, 2023, representatives of the Company, Parent and Houlihan Lokey had a conference call to negotiate certain material terms of the Merger Agreement. During the call, the representatives of the

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Company, Parent and Houlihan Lokey discussed, among other things, Parent’s proposals to add the following terms to the Merger Agreement: (a) a condition to closing that the Company’s acid gas treatment and carbon sequestration facility be operational and performing in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Parent, (b) a condition to closing that certain oil and gas related representations and warranties be true and correct in all respects at the closing and (c) Parent’s reverse termination fee not being payable in the event the Merger Agreement is terminated by the Company as a result of a material breach of the Merger Agreement by Parent. In addition, during the call, the representatives of the Company and Houlihan Lokey requested that Parent provide an update on the status of its discussions with its debt and equity financing sources and obtaining firm commitment letters from each, and the representatives of Parent indicated that discussions were in process with its financing sources and that commitment letters would be provided as soon as possible.

On June 14, 2023, Mayer Brown sent a markup of the Merger Agreement to KLG.

On June 15, 2023, the Board held a telephonic meeting at which representatives of Houlihan Lokey were present. Company management and representatives of Houlihan Lokey provided the Board an update on the status of discussions with each of the parties that remained in the process and described the terms of the Merger Agreement under negotiation by the parties. They also described for the Board Party Z’s proposal contemplating a contribution of $57 million worth of assets and $35 million in cash to the Company in exchange for 41% of the issued and outstanding shares of Company common stock and certain warrants. After discussion and deliberation, the Board instructed Company management and Houlihan Lokey to continue negotiating the terms of the transaction with Parent and to continue to engage with Party Z and explore its proposal.

On June 16, 2023, Mayer Brown sent a proposed draft of limited guarantee to KLG.

On June 21, 2023, representatives of the Company, Parent, Houlihan Lokey, Mayer Brown and KLG had a conference call to negotiate certain material terms of the Merger Agreement. During the call, the representatives of the Company, Parent, Mayer Brown and KLG discussed, among other things, the Company’s deletion of Parent’s proposed facility operation condition, a covenant to reimburse Parent for its expenses under certain circumstances and covenants restricting the Company’s ability to operate certain of its assets without Parent’s prior written consent.

Effective as of June 22, 2023, the Company entered into an addendum to the engagement letter with Houlihan Lokey, which addendum requested that, in connection with the sale process, Houlihan Lokey render to the Board a written opinion as to whether the Merger Consideration to be received by the holders of shares of the Company common stock in the proposed Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders.

On June 26, 2023, KLG sent a proposed draft of the Voting Agreement to Mayer Brown.

On June 27, 2023, representatives of the Company, Parent and Houlihan Lokey had a call to discuss the draft of Voting Agreement and revisions to the Merger Agreement.

Later on June 27, 2023, Mayer Brown sent a markup of the Voting Agreement to KLG.

On June 28, 2023, Party Y submitted a revised indication of interest and proposed to structure the transaction as a sale of all of the Company’s assets for an aggregate purchase price equal to $435 million. Party Y’s indication specified a proposed debt financing source, but not any equity financing sources, and did not include any financing commitment letters from any financing sources.

Later on June 28, 2023, KLG sent a markup of the Merger Agreement to Mayer Brown.

On June 29, 2023, representatives of the Company, Parent, Houlihan Lokey, Mayer Brown and KLG had a conference call to negotiate certain material terms of the Merger Agreement. During the call, the representatives of the Company, Parent, Mayer Brown and KLG discussed, among other things, Parent’s proposals to add the following terms to the Merger Agreement: (a) a condition to closing that certain oil and gas related representations and warranties be true and correct in all respects at the closing, (b) a condition that the Company shall have extended its leased drilling obligations at a certain property in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Parent, and (c) a covenant that the Company novate certain of its hedges to Parent at or prior to the closing.

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On June 30, 2023, Mayer Brown sent a markup of the Merger Agreement to KLG.

In early July 2023, Mr. Steele and representatives of Party Z had a discussion in which Party Z confirmed that it was not interested in acquiring the Company as a whole and would not be increasing its proposed purchase price and valuation from its June 8, 2023 proposal. After such discussion, Party Z did not continue to engage in or actively participate in the sale process.

On July 1, 2023, Mr. Mirman and Mr. Steele had a call to discuss the Company’s operations that were the subject of the restrictive covenants proposed by Parent.

On July 5, 2023, the Company, on behalf of the Significant Stockholders, sent a markup of the Voting Agreement to KLG.

On July 6, 2023, the Board held a telephonic meeting. Company management provided the Board an update on the status of discussions with each of the parties that remained in the process and described the terms of the Merger Agreement under negotiation by the parties. After discussion and deliberation, the Board instructed Company management and Houlihan Lokey to continue negotiating the terms of the transaction with Parent and to continue to engage with the other parties remaining in the sale process.

On July 7, 2023, KLG sent a markup of the Merger Agreement to Mayer Brown.

On July 11, 2023, representatives of the Company, Parent, Houlihan Lokey, Mayer Brown and KLG had a conference call to negotiate certain material terms of the Merger Agreement. During the call, the representatives of the Company, Parent, Mayer Brown and KLG discussed, among other things, covenants and restrictions around the Company’s operation of certain leased drilling obligations at a certain property and the inclusion of a condition to closing that the Company novate certain of its hedges to Parent at or prior to the closing. Representatives of the Company and Mayer Brown also requested that Parent confirm that it will have committed financing at the anticipated signing and provide proposed drafts of its financing commitment letters, and Parent indicated that it was working towards having committed financing at signing and would provide drafts of commitment letters as soon as possible.

Later on July 11, 2023, KLG sent a markup of the limited guarantee and Voting Agreement to Mayer Brown.

Also on July 11, 2023, Mayer Brown sent a markup of the Merger Agreement and the limited guarantee to KLG.

On July 12 and 13, 2023, Parent conducted site visits at the Company’s offices and certain of its drilling operations. During the visit at the Company’s offices, Mr. Steele indicated to Mr. Mirman that the critical path items for reaching a signing were obtaining firm indications as to Parent’s financing for the transaction, a determination by Parent as to the treatment of the Company preferred stock in connection with the transaction, including engagement by Parent with the Significant Stockholders on such matter, and final resolution on the open items under negotiation in the Merger Agreement.

On July 14, 2023, Mr. Mirman contacted Mr. Steele to indicate that Parent’s plan was to pay off the Company preferred stock at closing.

On July 17, 2023, representatives of the Company and Parent had a conference call to discuss the critical path items discussed during their July 12, 2023 meeting.

Also on July 17, 2023, representatives of KLG and the Significant Stockholders had a conference call to discuss the Voting Agreement.

On July 19, 2023, KLG sent a markup of the Merger Agreement to Mayer Brown.

On July 24, 2023, the Company, on behalf of the Significant Stockholders, sent a markup of the Voting Agreement to KLG.

On July 28, 2023, Mr. Mirman contacted Mr. Steele to indicate that, due to challenging macroeconomic conditions and financing environment, Parent was unable to obtain debt financing for the transaction on terms that Parent was willing to accept. In their discussion, Mr. Mirman proposed two potential alternative

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transaction structures to the one reflected in Parent’s most recent indication of interest and draft Merger Agreement. The first was a merger transaction structured in a manner similar to the transaction then-currently proposed, except that there would be no firm debt financing commitments at the signing, no Parent entity would guarantee the reverse termination fee and the amount of such fee would instead be funded at signing into an escrow fund managed by a third party escrow agent. The second was a proposed $200 million equity financing of the Company by Parent on terms to be specified at a later time.

From July 29 through August 4, 2023, Messrs. Mirman and Steele had several calls to discuss Parent’s proposed change in transaction structure and Parent’s anticipated timetable for delivery of a formal proposal on the matter.

On August 4, 2023, the Board held a telephonic meeting. Company management provided the Board an update on the status of discussions with each of the parties that remained in the process, including Parent’s proposed change to the structure and terms of the potential transaction in light of its difficulties obtaining debt financing on terms acceptable to it. After discussion and deliberation, the Board instructed Company management to continue to engage with Parent on a potential transaction and to report back to the Board once it delivers a formal proposal regarding its new proposed transaction structure. Furthermore, in connection with the developments in Parent’s proposal, the Board discussed and considered a possible stand-alone plan for the Company and determined to explore obtaining $100 million in equity financing to finance obtaining a drilling rig and recommencing the Company’s drilling and oil production operations (which we refer to as the “Potential Stand-Alone Plan”).

Between August 4 and August 7, 2023, representatives of Houlihan Lokey, the Company, Parent and KLG had several calls to prepare a draft term sheet for the proposed equity financing of the Company by Parent.

On August 7, 2023, Parent delivered to the Company a proposed term sheet with respect to a $200 million equity financing of the Company, which contemplated the acquisition by Parent of (a) 19.9% of the Company common stock at an issuance price equal to the lesser of (i) 20% of the volume weighted average of the trading price of Company common stock in the five days preceding the closing and (ii) $6.00 per share and (b) a new class of the Company’s preferred stock entitled to a 6% cumulative dividend per annum. Parent’s proposal also contemplated that the Board would be reduced to five directors and that Parent would be entitled to appoint three of such directors.

Also on August 7, 2023, Parent delivered a proposed term sheet from Fortress contemplating debt financing of $150 million in respect of a possible merger transaction.

On August 8, 2023, Mr. Mirman and Mr. Steele had a telephone conversation to discuss the terms proposed by Parent in the equity financing proposal and the terms proposed by Fortress in connection with the debt financing for a possible merger transaction.

Later on August 8, 2023, Mr. Steele updated the Board on discussions with Parent and relayed the terms of Parent’s proposed equity financing of the Company.

On August 10, 2023, Mr. Mirman and Jonathan Barrett, the Chairman of the Board and the President of Luminus Management which is an affiliate of Luminus, one of the Significant Stockholders, acting in his capacity as an affiliate of Luminus and not as a member of the Board, had a telephone conversation during which they discussed Parent’s inability to obtain sufficient committed debt financing for the previously proposed merger transaction on terms that were acceptable to Parent. Messrs. Mirman and Barrett discussed financing alternatives to make up for the deficiency in the amount of Parent’s proposed debt financing, which alternatives included a possible “rollover” structure in which the Significant Stockholders would contribute some or all of their preferred stock of the Company to Parent on the consummation of the proposed merger in exchange for newly issued shares of preferred stock of Parent, thereby reducing the amount of cash that Parent would need at the closing of the Merger to buy out all of the Company’s preferred stock. This proposal also contemplated a cash investment by the Significant Stockholders in the same class and series of Parent preferred stock. Mr. Mirman indicated to Mr. Barrett that Parent would require a rollover of Company preferred stock by the Significant Stockholders with an aggregate redemption value of at least $85 million (measured in accordance with the terms of the Company’s preferred stock at the per share valuation proposed by Parent) for Parent to be in a position to be able to consummate the Merger.

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Mr. Barrett indicated that Luminus and the other Significant Stockholders would consider Parent’s proposal, but also indicated that Parent would need to drive further value to the holders of Company common stock and increase its proposed price to $10.50 per share for the Significant Stockholders to consider engaging in such a rollover transaction. Messrs. Mirman and Barrett also discussed the terms of the Voting Agreement, including, among other things, the number of shares of Company common stock held by the Significant Stockholders that would be subject to the obligation to vote in favor of the possible merger.

On August 11, 2023, Mayer Brown prepared and representatives of the Company delivered a revised draft of the Merger Agreement to representatives of Parent that would not require Parent to have committed debt financing at signing and modified certain of the representations, warranties and covenants relating to the Company’s oil and gas operations to be more favorable to the Company.

On August 14, 2023, Mr. Mirman delivered a preliminary draft term sheet for the proposed preferred stock to be issued in the rollover and investment transaction to Mr. Barrett. The term sheet contemplated a purchase price of $1,000 per share of preferred stock and an undefined cumulative dividend rate for such preferred stock, which dividends would accrue and be payable on the earlier of an undefined mandatory redemption date or a liquidation event. Such preferred stock would be convertible into common stock at an undefined conversion price, and Parent would have the option to redeem the preferred stock three years after issuance. On a change of control, the holder of preferred stock would have the right to either convert their preferred stock into common stock, or require Parent to redeem the preferred stock for the purchase price plus accrued dividends. The holders of preferred stock would not have any voting rights other than customary protective provisions, and would have the right to appoint one director to the board of Parent. The preferred stock would have customary anti-dilution protections.

On August 15, 2023, Mr. Barrett, on behalf of the Significant Stockholders, provided initial feedback on the term sheet for the proposed preferred stock rollover and investment transaction to Mr. Mirman. Mr. Barrett proposed that if the preferred stock was not redeemed on the mandatory redemption date, the dividend rate would increase by 6% and dividends would be required to be paid in cash, with an additional increase three years after the mandatory redemption date, and that the conversion price would also decrease by an undefined amount if the preferred stock was not redeemed on the mandatory redemption date. Mr. Barrett also objected to Parent’s optional redemption right three years after issuance.

On August 16, 2023, the Board held a telephonic meeting. Company management provided the Board an update on the status of discussions with each of the parties that remained in the process and indicated that, based on recent discussions between Company management and Parent, Parent’s financing with respect to a possible transaction remained in question. After discussion and deliberation, the Board instructed Company management to continue to engage with Parent on a potential transaction and to report back to the Board once there were material developments with respect to Parent’s proposal.

On August 22, 2023, representatives of Parent delivered preliminary draft transaction documents for the preferred stock rollover to Mr. Barrett, including a draft purchase agreement for the cash investment portion of the transaction and a draft certificate of designations for the Parent preferred stock, as well as an updated draft of the proposed Voting Agreement.

Between August 25 and August 31, 2023, representatives of Parent and KLG, and representatives of the Significant Stockholders and Dechert LLP (which we refer to as “Dechert”), counsel for the Significant Stockholders, discussed the structure of the proposed preferred stock rollover and initial comments from the Significant Stockholders on the draft transaction documents. During this time, Parent and the Significant Stockholders agreed that the compounding dividends would accrue on the preferred stock at a rate of 9% per annum if paid in cash, and 12% per annum if not paid in cash, and that such dividend rates would increase by 6% if the preferred stock was not redeemed (if requested by the holders) on or about the fifth year after issuance. Parent and the Significant Stockholders also agreed that Parent would not have any optional redemption rights with respect to the preferred stock. Parent and the Significant Stockholders also agreed that the obligation of the Significant Stockholders to consummate the preferred stock rollover and investment transactions would be conditioned upon Parent raising at least $200 million of common equity financing.

On August 29, 2023, Parent delivered a proposed term sheet from Fortress and AI Partners contemplating debt financing of $175 million in respect of a possible merger transaction.

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Later on August 29, 2023, Mr. Mirman and Mr. Steele had a conversation in which Mr. Mirman conveyed that Parent’s next revised indication of interest would likely include a proposal contemplating a preferred stock rollover and investment by the Significant Stockholders.

After such discussion, on August 29, 2023, Mr. Steele notified the Board via email that Parent would likely propose a rollover and cash investment by the Significant Stockholders in its next offer letter.

On August 30, 2023, representatives of Mayer Brown and Dechert had a call to discuss the anticipated structure of the preferred stock rollover and cash investment transaction by the Significant Stockholders.

On August 31, 2023, Dechert sent markups of the Parent preferred stock purchase agreement, certificate of designations and Voting Agreement to KLG that reflected the terms agreed between Parent and the Significant Stockholders in their discussions between August 25 and August 31, 2023.

Also on August 31, 2023, Messrs. Mirman and Barrett exchanged emails regarding certain key transaction items, including the status of the limited guarantee and commitment letters for Parent’s debt financing.

Later on August 31, 2023, the Company executed a confidentiality agreement with Lion Point in connection its potential participation in the preferred stock rollover and investment transactions as part of a merger with Parent.

In August 2023, Company management determined that the Company would need to raise approximately $38 million in cash by the end of Q3 2023 to maintain compliance with the liquidity covenants in the Company’s credit facility. On August 18, 2023, Company management delivered to the Equity Financing Special Committee a proposed draft of a written notice requesting $38 million additional financing from the Significant Stockholders as contemplated by the Commitment Letters which financing would be used in connection with effectuating the Potential Stand-Alone Plan and, after considering Company management’s request, the Equity Financing Special Committee unanimously approved the $38 million equity financing and recommended that the Board approve such financing. On September 5, 2023, the Board unanimously approved such equity financing transaction. On September 6, 2023, the Company sold, in a private placement and in the aggregate, 38,000 shares of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock to certain affiliates of the Significant Stockholders and received $37.05 million in proceeds from such sale. The Series A-1 Preferred Stock had substantially similar terms of the Series A Preferred Stock.

On September 5, 2023, KLG delivered markups of the Parent preferred stock purchase agreement, certificate of designations and Voting Agreement to Dechert, as well as an initial draft of the proposed post-closing stockholders’ agreement of Parent.

On September 6, 2023, Parent delivered to the Company a revised proposal which contemplated an acquisition of the Company at a price of $10.50 per share and which also contemplated a rollover by the Significant Stockholders of all of the preferred stock and some of the Company common stock held by them and an investment in Parent by the Significant Stockholders and Lion Point. As part of its proposal, Parent also delivered a markup of the Merger Agreement prepared by KLG, which contemplated that, among other things, Parent would only deliver firm debt commitment letters, and not firm equity commitment letters, at signing.

Also on September 6, 2023, representatives of Parent, KLG, Dechert and the Significant Stockholders had a telephone call to discuss the transaction documents for the Parent preferred stock rollover and investment.

On September 7, 2023, the Board held a telephonic meeting at which representatives of Mayer Brown were present. Company management summarized the material terms of Parent’s revised offer, including the proposed terms of the rollover transaction. After discussion and deliberation, the Board determined that, in light of the rollover transaction proposed by Parent, the Board would form a special committee consisting of the independent and disinterested members of the Board to evaluate the terms of a potential transaction with Parent involving the Significant Stockholders and Lion Point and provide the Board a recommendation with respect to such a transaction.

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Also on September 7, 2023, KLG delivered a draft of the contribution agreement for the rollover component of the Parent preferred stock transactions to Dechert.

On September 8, 2023, Dechert sent markups of the Parent preferred stock certificate of designations and preferred stock purchase agreement, as well as the Voting Agreement, to KLG.

Also on September 8, 2023, Party Y reemerged and emailed representatives of Houlihan Lokey and Mr. Barrett indicating that Party Y would be partnering with a co-investor to help finance a possible transaction involving the Company, but did not specify the identity of such co-investor and did not provide any information of its other potential debt or equity financing sources. Party Y also indicated that its valuation of the Company may change depending on its co-investor’s analysis of the Company. After September 8, 2023, Party Y did not provide a further updated or refined proposal for a transaction involving the Company and did not provide any substantive updates on developments regarding its proposal or its financing sources in respect of such a transaction.

On September 9, 2023, the Board established the special committee, consisting of William Rogers and Gregory Hinds, to evaluate the terms of a potential transaction with Parent involving the Significant Stockholders and Lion Point and provide the Board a recommendation with respect to such a transaction.

Later on September 9, 2023, the members of the special committee requested from Company management certain financial information regarding the Company, which Company management delivered to the special committee on September 9 and September 11, 2023.

On September 10, 2023, the Board held a telephonic meeting at which representatives of Houlihan Lokey and Mayer Brown were present. Representatives of Houlihan Lokey provided a verbal overview of their preliminary financial analyses with respect to the Company and the proposed merger at a price of $10.50 per share. The representatives of Houlihan Lokey and Mayer Brown then described certain material terms of Parent’s updated proposal, including, among other things, the terms relating to Parent’s financing for the potential transaction.

Later on September 10, 2023, the special committee held a telephonic meeting to consider the proposed merger with Parent. After discussion and deliberation and consideration of the information presented at the Board meetings and materials provided to the special committee, the special committee considered the $10.50 per share price proposed by Parent as being sufficiently attractive so as to be fair to the unaffiliated stockholders and to warrant the special committee recommending the transaction to the Board, subject to the Company and Parent finalizing the terms of the transaction agreements and Parent finalizing its financing arrangements.

Also on September 10, 2023, Mayer Brown sent a markup of the Merger Agreement to KLG.

On September 12, 2023, Dechert sent a markup of the proposed Parent stockholders’ agreement to KLG.

On September 14, 2023, KLG sent markups of the Parent preferred stock investment and rollover documents to Dechert.

On September 19, 2023, AI Partners undertook a site visit to observe the Company’s operations at certain of its drilling platforms.

Also on September 19, 2023, representatives of KLG and Dechert had a telephone call to discuss the Parent preferred stock rollover and investment documents.

On September 20, 2023, Parent sent drafts of form debt commitment letters from Fortress and AI Partners to the Company.

On September 21, Dechert sent markups of the transaction documents for the preferred stock rollover and investment transactions to KLG.

On September 22, 2023, representatives of the Company, Parent and Houlihan Lokey had a conference call to discuss Parent’s financing in connection with the possible transaction and issues to be resolved ahead of a potential signing.

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On October 6, 2023, Parent delivered to the Company a further revised proposal which reduced the purchase price to $8.00 per share. A further revised draft of the Merger Agreement accompanied Parent’s proposal and reflected, among other things, a condition making Parent’s obligation to close contingent on it obtaining financing sufficient to consummate the transaction.

Later on October 6, 2023, Mr. Steele provided the special committee and the Board a summary of the revised terms proposed by Parent earlier that day. The members of the special committee and the Board instructed Mr. Steele to convey to Parent that the Company was not willing to engage with Parent on the revised terms it had proposed.

On October 9, 2023, Mr. Steele had a call with Mr. Mirman and explained that the Company would not engage with Parent on the recently revised terms proposed by it.

On October 11, 2023, representatives of the Company, Parent and Houlihan Lokey had a conference call and Mr. Mirman conveyed to Company management that Parent would not require a financing condition to closing and would be amenable to deleting that language from the draft of the Merger Agreement it provided with its revised proposal. Mr. Mirman also proposed that Parent would accept a reverse termination fee in an amount equal to $16 million and that such amount would be funded into an escrow account at signing.

On October 12, 2023, the Board held a telephonic board meeting at which representatives of Houlihan Lokey were present. Mr. Steele described compromises proposed by Mr. Mirman on the October 11, 2023 call between Company management, Parent and Houlihan Lokey. After discussion and deliberation, the Board members unanimously determined that $8.00 was insufficient to warrant continued engagement with Parent and instructed Company management and Houlihan Lokey to indicate to Parent that the Company would terminate discussions with Parent unless it raised its proposed purchase price.

On October 13, 2023, representatives of the Company, Parent and Houlihan Lokey had a conference call and Mr. Steele conveyed to Mr. Mirman the message that the Board instructed him to deliver at the October 12, 2023 meeting. In addition, representatives of the Company and Parent negotiated certain material terms of the Merger Agreement and Parent confirmed that it was amenable to deleting the financing contingency, a reverse termination fee amount equal to $16 million and allowing the Company to terminate the Merger Agreement and receive the reverse termination fee if Parent did not deliver proof of equity financing sufficient to close the deal within 60 days of signing.

On October 16, 2023, the special committee held a telephonic meeting to consider the proposed merger with Parent. After discussion and deliberation and consideration of the information presented at the Board meetings and materials provided to the special committee, the special committee determined that the Company should press Parent to increase its proposed purchase price to a number higher than $8.00 per share.

Later on October 16, 2023, Parent delivered a markup of the Merger Agreement to the Company.

On October 17, 2023, the Board held a telephonic board meeting at which representatives of Houlihan Lokey were present. Mr. Steele described Company management’s discussions with Parent on October 13, 2023 and the terms proposed by Parent in its latest draft of the Merger Agreement. Mr. Steele also confirmed that Parent had accepted a $16 million reverse termination fee, but had not committed to increasing the purchase price higher than $8.00. After discussion and deliberation, the Board instructed Company management and Houlihan Lokey to continue to negotiate the terms of a potential transaction with Parent, to press Parent to increase its purchase price and to ask that Parent provide proof of its ability to fund the $16 million in escrow.

Later on October 17, 2023, Mr. Steele conveyed to representatives of Parent the questions posed by the Board at its meeting earlier that day.

On October 19, 2023, representatives of Parent answered the questions posed by Mr. Steele and confirmed that Parent’s offer of $8.00 per share had not changed.

Later on October 19, 2023, the Board held a telephonic board meeting at which representatives of Houlihan Lokey were present. Mr. Steele described the responses received from Parent earlier that day to

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the Board’s questions. The Board instructed Company management and Houlihan Lokey to indicate to Parent that the Company would definitively terminate discussions with Parent unless it raised its proposed purchase price.

Also on October 19, 2023, Mr. Steele had a call with Mr. Mirman and conveyed the message that the Company would terminate discussions with Parent on a potential transaction unless Parent raised its proposed purchase price.

On October 20, 2023, Mr. Barrett had a call with Mr. Mirman and informed Parent of the Board’s position and conveyed that Parent would likely need to increase its proposed purchase price to at least $10.00 per share of Company common stock in order for the Company to continue discussions with Parent about a possible transaction.

Later on October 20, 2023, Mr. Mirman, Ariella Fuchs, President and General Counsel of Parent, and Mr. Steele had calls and exchanged emails to negotiate an increase to the purchase price. By the end of such discussion, Ms. Fuchs confirmed to Mr. Steele that Parent was willing to increase its purchase price to $9.80 per share.

Also on October 20, 2023, Mr. Steele notified the Board via email that Parent was willing to increase its purchase price to $9.80 per share. The closing price of Company common stock on the NYSE American on October 20, 2023 was $6.12.

On October 25, 2023, KLG sent drafts of the escrow agreement, the Voting Agreement and the Parent preferred stock rollover and investment documents to Mayer Brown.

Also on October 25, 2023, the Board held a telephonic board meeting at which representatives of Houlihan Lokey were present. Mr. Steele indicated that Parent had increased its purchase price to $9.80 per share and that the Company and Parent were close to finalizing the specific terms of the Merger Agreement. In light of Parent increasing its proposed purchase price, the Board determined that the Company should continue to pursue a potential transaction with Parent and instructed Company management and Houlihan Lokey to continue to engage with Parent. The closing price of Company common stock on the NYSE American on October 25, 2023 was $6.12.

On October 26, 2023, Mayer Brown sent a markup of the Merger Agreement and escrow agreement to KLG.

Also on October 26, 2023, representatives of KLG, Dechert, Parent and the Significant Stockholders had calls and exchanged emails regarding the terms of the Parent preferred stock rollover and investment transactions, and the terms of the investment documents. In the course of such discussions, the parties agreed the valuation methodology to be applied to the preferred stock of the Company that would be contributed to Parent in exchange for Parent preferred stock.

On October 30, 2023, Parent delivered executed debt commitment letters from each of Fortress and AI Partners.

Also on October 30, 2023, representatives of KLG, Dechert and Mayer Brown exchanged emails regarding the terms of the Parent preferred stock investment and rollover transaction documents.

On October 31, 2023, representatives of the Company, Parent, Houlihan Lokey, Mayer Brown and KLG had a conference call to discuss and finalize the terms of the Merger Agreement and the Voting Agreement. KLG subsequently provided the most recent draft of the Merger Agreement and Voting Agreement to Dechert.

Later on October 31, 2023, the Board held a telephonic meeting at which representatives of Houlihan Lokey and Mayer Brown were present to, among other things, review the results of ongoing negotiations with Parent. A representative of Mayer Brown reviewed with the members of the Board their fiduciary duties under Delaware law and the procedures around the Board’s ability to make decisions regarding the potential transaction with Parent as a result of the Board establishing the special committee, including that the Board would not be able to approve a potential transaction with Parent unless the special committee first made a recommendation that it do so. Mayer Brown provided the Board with both a written and an oral

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summary of certain key terms of the Merger Agreement, the Voting Agreement and the Parent preferred stock rollover and investment transaction agreements. Mayer Brown also provided an overview of the steps needed to finalize the remaining transaction documents to which the Company would be a party. Mr. Steele noted that finalization of the transaction materials would be contingent on Parent providing satisfactory evidence to the Company that it has funded into escrow with a third-party escrow agent the amount of the reverse termination fee payable by Parent. The Board requested that Company management obtain an update from Parent regarding the timeline to produce such evidence and authorized Company management to continue to engage with Parent regarding a potential transaction.

Between November 1 and November 8, 2024, representatives of Parent, KLG, Dechert and the Significant Stockholders had calls and exchanged emails to finalize the mechanics and economics of the Parent preferred stock investment and rollover transactions. During these discussions, the Significant Stockholders informed Parent that the value of the Company preferred stock that they would contribute to Parent, when combined with the amount of preferred stock that they would purchase from Parent for cash, would be subject to a maximum value applicable to each Significant Stockholder. As a result, Parent agreed that Parent would purchase any excess shares of Company preferred stock for cash immediately prior to the closing of the Merger, and deduct the rollover value of the contributed shares of Company preferred stock from each Significant Stockholder’s cash investment commitment amount.

On November 4, 2023, the Board held a telephonic meeting at which representatives of Houlihan Lokey and Mayer Brown were present. At the request of the Board, representatives of Houlihan Lokey reviewed with the Board their preliminary financial analyses with respect to the Company and the possible transaction with Parent.

On November 6, 2023, David Chang, in his capacity as Senior Vice President of LSP Investment Advisors and a representative of Gen IV and not in his capacity as a member of the Board, notified Mr. Barrett, in his capacity as a representative of Luminus and not in his capacity as a member of the Board, that Gen IV was disappointed by the repeated changes in terms by Parent and would not invest in Parent concurrently with the closing of the Merger and become an equityholder in Parent and would instead elect to have its position cashed out in the Merger.

Later on November 6, 2023, Mr. Mirman, Ms. Fuchs, Mr. Barrett and representatives of Dechert had a telephone conversation in which Mr. Barrett informed the group that Gen IV had determined it would not be an equityholder in Parent following the closing and would seek to be cashed out in the Merger. In the course of such discussion, Mr. Barrett proposed that Mr. Mirman increase the purchase price to $10.50 per share but cash out Gen IV at a reduced assumed purchase price of $9.80 per share, to which Mr. Mirman agreed, subject to the Rollover Sellers and Lion Point increasing their investment in the Parent preferred stock. The closing price of Company common stock on the NYSE American on November 6, 2023 was $6.15.

Subsequently on November 6, 2023, Mr. Barrett informed Mr. Chang that, following discussions with Mr. Mirman, Parent would increase the purchase price from $9.80 to $10.50 and that Parent was willing to agree to a cash-out of Gen IV at the reduced purchase price of $9.80 per share. Mr. Chang confirmed that the price terms would be acceptable to Gen IV.

Also on November 6, 2023, Mr. Mirman, Ms. Fuchs and Mr. Steele had a call in which Mr. Mirman discussed changes to the proposed terms that he, Ms. Fuchs and Mr. Barrett had discussed earlier that day, including (a) the increase to the purchase price to $10.50 and (b) that Gen IV would not be an equityholder in Parent following the closing and would be cashed out in the Merger at a reduced assumed purchase price of $9.80. Mr. Mirman then also confirmed that funding of the $16 million reverse termination fee in escrow was imminent, and Mr. Steele confirmed that the special committee and the Board would not approve a transaction with Parent unless the Company received satisfactory evidence that such amount had been deposited into the escrow account.

Later on November 6, 2023, the Board held a telephonic meeting at which representatives of Houlihan Lokey and Mayer Brown were present to, among other things, review the results of ongoing negotiations with Parent. Mr. Steele described for the Board the changes to the transaction terms discussed in his conversation with Mr. Mirman and Ms. Fuchs earlier that day. A representative of Mayer Brown provided an update on the required actions and open issues remaining in the Merger Agreement and other transaction

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documents, which remained the same open points as those discussed at the October 31, 2023 meeting of the Board. At the Board’s request, Mr. Steele indicated that it was Company management’s view that the special committee and the Board should not approve a transaction with Parent until Parent proved it was able to finance the reverse termination fee in escrow. After discussion and deliberation, the Board instructed Company management to continue to engage with Parent in respect of a potential transaction.

Also on November 6, 2023, the special committee held a telephonic meeting to consider the proposed Merger with Parent. After discussion and deliberation and consideration of the information presented at the Board meetings and materials provided to the special committee, the special committee considered the $10.50 per share price proposed by Parent as being sufficiently attractive so as to be fair to the unaffiliated stockholders and to warrant the special committee recommending the transaction to the Board, subject to the Company and Parent finalizing the terms of the transaction agreements and Parent finalizing its financing arrangements.

On November 8, 2023, each of the Significant Stockholders delivered a letter to the Company (which we refer to as the “Subsequent Commitment Letters”) pursuant to which such Significant Stockholder committed to, upon written request by the Company, provide additional equity financing to the Company in an aggregate amount up to $55 million, collectively with the other Significant Stockholders, on substantially similar terms as the Series A Preferred Stock and Series A-1 Preferred Stock transactions.

On November 13, 2023, the Board held a telephonic meeting at which representatives of Houlihan Lokey were present to, among other things, review ongoing status of the potential transaction with Parent. Mr. Steele indicated that, as of the time of the Board meeting, Parent had not yet funded into escrow the amount of the $16 million reverse termination fee, which was a condition to the Company proceeding with the transaction.

In the second half of November 2023, Mr. Mirman and Ms. Fuchs periodically contacted Messrs. Barrett and Steele to provide updates on Parent’s ongoing efforts to obtain financing for the $16 million reverse termination fee.

On or around November 20, 2023, Mr. Chang informed Mr. Barrett and other representatives of the Significant Stockholders that given the lack of escrow funding to date, Gen IV was becoming increasingly skeptical of Parent’s ability to finance the escrow and consummate the proposed Merger and, as a result, would no longer be participating in the Parent preferred stock investment and rollover transactions in any respect, would not agree to enter into the Voting Agreement and instead would support the Potential Stand-Alone Plan.

On November 28 and November 29, 2023, Mr. Mirman and Mr. Barrett, on behalf of the Rollover Sellers and Lion Point and not in his capacity as a member of the Board, discussed the implications of Gen IV’s decision not to participate in the preferred stock rollover and investment transaction on Parent’s ability to finance the proposed Merger. In the course of such discussions, Parent proposed to reduce the purchase price to $9.80 per share to decrease the amount of cash Parent would need to close the Merger. Mr. Barrett, on behalf of the Rollover Sellers and Lion Point and not on behalf of the Board, indicated that the Rollover Sellers and Lion Point would find a price of $9.80 per share acceptable for purposes of the Parent preferred stock rollover and investment transactions. Furthermore, to assist Parent in obtaining financing for the amount of the reverse termination fee at signing, Messrs. Mirman and Barrett discussed increasing the reverse termination fee from $16 million to an aggregate amount equal to $20 million, but allowing Parent to fund only an initial $10 million at signing with the remaining $10 million to come following signing. Messrs. Mirman and Barrett also discussed (a) providing the Company a termination right in the event Parent fails to fund the full $20 million reverse termination fee within a certain number of days after signing and, if such right is exercised, the Company would be entitled to receive a $10 million reverse termination fee from Parent, and (b) providing the Company a termination right in the event Parent fails to fund an aggregate of $200 million into escrow as equity financing for the transaction within 75 days after signing and, if such right is exercised, the Company would be entitled to receive a $20 million reverse termination fee from Parent. Parent also agreed to a 2% increase in the dividend rates for the Parent preferred stock. Subsequently, Mr. Barrett informed Mr. Steele and Walter Mayer, Senior Vice President, General Counsel of the Company, of the proposed changes to the terms of the transaction Mr. Barrett had previously discussed with Mr. Mirman.

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On November 30, 2023, Mr. Barrett, Mr. Mayer and Ms. Fuchs had a conference call to confirm changes to the Merger Agreement to reflect the proposed changes to the terms of the transaction discussed by Messrs. Barrett and Mirman on November 28 and November 29, 2023.

Subsequently, on November 30, 2023, Mr. Mayer notified the special committee via email of the proposed changes he and Mr. Barrett had discussed with Ms. Fuchs earlier that day, including Parent’s proposal to reduce the purchase price to $9.80 per share. The closing price of Company common stock on the NYSE American on November 30, 2023 was $5.03.

Later on November 30, 2023, Mayer Brown delivered to KLG a markup of the Merger Agreement reflecting the changes discussed by Mr. Mayer, Ms. Fuchs and Mr. Barrett earlier that day.

In early December 2023, Company management determined that the Company would need to raise at least $35 million in cash by the end of Q4 2023 to maintain compliance with the liquidity covenants in the Company’s credit facility. On December 7, 2023, Company management delivered to the Equity Financing Special Committee a proposed draft of a written notice requesting $35 million in additional financing from the Significant Stockholders as contemplated by the Subsequent Commitment Letters. On December 11, 2023, the Equity Financing Special Committee held a meeting and, after considering management’s request, unanimously approved a request for $35 million of equity financing and recommended that the Board approve such financing, provided that the terms of the preferred stock for this latest round of financing (which we refer to as the “Series A-2 Preferred Stock”) would be substantially similar to the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series A-1 Preferred Stock except that the Series A-2 Preferred Stock would be subject to a 120 day waiting period on conversion from the date of issuance.

On or about December 5, 2023, the Rollover Sellers determined to amend the terms of the Certificate of Designations for the Series A-1 Preferred Stock to extend the waiting period on conversion of such preferred stock to 240 days following the issuance thereof (which we refer to as the “Series A-1 Certificate of Designations Amendment”) to ensure that no such conversions would take place prior to the completion of the Merger and allow for Parent to maintain its offer of consideration for all of the issued and outstanding Company common stock without needing to potentially lower such consideration in order to account for any such conversions.

Later on or about December 5, 2023, Mr. Mirman and Mr. Barrett discussed the status of the escrow funding and the terms of the proposed Series A-1 Certificate of Designations Amendment.

On December 6, 2023, Mr. Mayer, Ms. Fuchs, Mr. Barrett and representatives of Mayer Brown, KLG and Dechert has a conference call to discuss the terms of the Merger Agreement. During such call, the participants discussed, among other things, the mechanics to be included in the Merger Agreement to permit the Company to issue the Series A-2 Preferred Stock and require the Company to effectuate the Series A-1 Certificate of Designations Amendment.

Later on December 6, 2023, Mayer Brown sent a markup of the Merger Agreement to KLG and Dechert reflecting the changes discussed earlier that day.

On December 7, 2023, Mayer Brown sent a further updated markup of the Merger Agreement to KLG and Dechert reflecting further refinements to the mechanics around the Series A-1 Certificate of Designations Amendment and the issuance of Company preferred stock to the Significant Stockholders following the execution of the Merger Agreement.

On December 8, 2023, KLG sent a markup of the Merger Agreement to Mayer Brown and Dechert.

On December 13, 2023, the Board held a telephonic meeting at which representatives of Houlihan Lokey and Mayer Brown were present. A representative of Houlihan Lokey provided a verbal summary of the updated financial analysis based on the proposed consideration from Parent of $9.80, which remained in line with those presented to the Board on November 4, 2023. A representative of Mayer Brown then provided the Board an update on changes to the Merger Agreement since Mayer Brown summarized its terms in detail at the Board meeting held on October 31, 2023. Mr. Barrett then summarized the terms of the transaction documents for the Parent preferred stock rollover and investment by the Rollover Stockholders and Lion Point. Mr. Steele noted that Parent had indicated that they would be providing evidence of $10 million

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being funded into an escrow account for purposes of the reverse termination fee. The Board discussed and authorized Mr. Steele to continue to pursue the possible transaction on the basis of a purchase price of $9.80 per share and that, if such evidence of funding was provided, the Board would hold a meeting the following day on December 14, 2023 to consider formally authorizing the Company’s entry into the transaction.

Later on December 13, 2023, the representatives of Mayer Brown, Dechert and KLG finalized the terms of the Merger Agreement and the proposed amendment to the terms of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock.

Also on December 13, 2023, Company management provided the special committee a draft of a proposed amendment to the terms of the Series A-1 Certificate of Designations Amendment.

On December 14, 2023, Mr. Steele received evidence from representatives of Parent that Parent had funded $10 million into an escrow account for purposes of the reverse termination fee. Mr. Steele subsequently provided the members of the special committee and the Board an update notifying them that such evidence had been received by Company management.

Later on December 14, 2023, the special committee held a telephonic meeting to consider the proposed Merger with Parent and amendment of the terms of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock. After discussion and deliberation, the special committee unanimously (a) (i) determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement were advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and the unaffiliated stockholders, (ii) recommended that the Board approve the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and determine that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement were advisable, fair to, and in the best interest of the Company and the unaffiliated stockholders, and (iii) recommended that, subject to the Board’s approval, the Board submit the Merger Agreement to the Company’s stockholders for their approval and (b) unanimously approved the terms of the Series A-1 Certificate of Designations Amendment and recommended that the Board approve the Series A-1 Certificate of Designations Amendment.

Subsequently on December 14, 2023, the Board held a telephonic meeting at which representatives of Houlihan Lokey and Mayer Brown were present to, among other things, consider the proposed Merger with Parent. At the request of the Board, representatives of Houlihan Lokey reviewed with the Board their financial analyses with respect to the Company and the proposed Merger. Thereafter, at the request of the Board, Houlihan Lokey rendered its oral opinion to the Board (which was subsequently confirmed in writing by delivery to the Board of Houlihan Lokey’s written opinion dated December 14, 2023) to the effect that, as of December 14, 2023, and based upon and subject to certain assumptions, qualifications, limitations and other matters considered in connection with the preparation of the opinion, the merger consideration to be received by the holders of shares of the Company common stock in the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders. The special committee then confirmed its recommendation that the Board approve the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, determine that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are advisable, fair to, and in the best interest of the Company and the unaffiliated stockholders, and submit the Merger Agreement to the Company’s stockholders for their approval. The Board then, after considering the recommendation of the special committee, unanimously (a) determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement were advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and its stockholders, (b) declared it advisable to enter into the Merger Agreement, (c) approved the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (d) resolved to recommend that the stockholders of the Company adopt the Merger Agreement and (e) directed that the Merger Agreement be submitted to the Company’s stockholders for their approval.

Also on December 14, 2023, the Board executed a unanimous written consent approving the Series A-2 Preferred Stock transactions. In addition, each of the Significant Stockholders delivered a signed written consent approving the Series A-1 Certificate of Designations Amendment.

Throughout December 14, 2023, representatives of Mayer Brown, Dechert and KLG exchanged telephone calls and emails to finalize the various other transaction documents. Later in the evening on December 14, 2023, the Company, Parent and Merger Sub executed the Merger Agreement, and Parent, the Rollover Sellers and Lion Point executed the Voting Agreement and the transaction documents for the Parent preferred stock rollover and investment by the Rollover Sellers and Lion Point.

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Prior to the opening of trading on the NYSE American on December 15, 2023, the Company issued a press release announcing entry into the Merger Agreement.

Later on December 15, 2023, the Board held a telephonic meeting. At such meeting, the Board unanimously approved the Series A-1 Certificate of Designations Amendment. Also on December 15, 2023, the Company filed the Series A-1 Certificate of Designations Amendment and the Certificate of Designations with respect to the Series A-2 Preferred Stock with the Delaware Secretary of State, executed the Series A-2 Purchase Agreement with the Significant Stockholders and issued 35,000 shares of Series A-2 Preferred Stock to the Significant Stockholders pursuant to the terms of the Series A-2 Purchase Agreement. That day, the Significant Stockholders wired to the Company an aggregate amount equal to $34,125,000 in respect of such shares.

Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Parent was under an obligation to deposit sufficient cash in the Escrow Account such that, on or prior to 5:00 p.m. Central Time on January 23, 2024 (which we refer to as the “funding deadline”), the aggregate funds contained in the Escrow Account as of such time, together with the Initial Escrow Deposit, would be equal to $20 million (which we refer to as the “full escrow funding”). Under such terms, the subsequent deposit into the Escrow Account by Parent would need to equal $10 million (which we refer to as the “Subsequent Deposit”) in order to satisfy the full escrow funding. If Parent failed to complete the full escrow funding by the funding deadline, the Company had the right to terminate the Merger Agreement and Parent would be under an obligation to pay the Initial Escrow Deposit to the Company as a reverse termination fee.

Following the execution of the Merger Agreement, Company management requested, and representatives of Parent provided the Company, updates on the status of completion of the full escrow funding and Parent’s efforts to obtain the equity financing for the Merger contemplated by the transaction documents. Between December 14, 2023 and January 22, 2024, no amounts were deposited into the Escrow Account beyond the amount of the Initial Escrow Deposit.

On the evening of January 22, 2024, Ms. Fuchs, Mr. Steele and Mr. Mayer had a conference call in which Ms. Fuchs indicated that it was unlikely that Parent would be able to complete the full escrow funding by the funding deadline.

Later on the evening of January 22, 2024, Mr. Steele notified the special committee and the Board via email that it was unlikely that Parent would be able to complete the full escrow funding by the funding deadline. The members of the special committee and the Board instructed Company management to engage with Parent and determine how much additional time Parent needed to complete the full escrow funding, negotiate terms of a possible amendment to the Merger Agreement and reserve the Company’s rights under the Merger Agreement in light of such developments.

On the morning and in the afternoon of January 23, 2024, Ms. Fuchs had discussions with Mr. Steele and Mr. Mayer in which she confirmed that Parent would not be able to complete the full escrow funding by the funding deadline. In the course of such conversations, Ms. Fuchs, Mr. Steele and Mr. Mayer discussed the terms of a potential amendment to the Merger Agreement in which the parties would agree to extend the funding deadline in exchange for certain concessions by Parent. After negotiation, Ms. Fuchs, Mr. Steele and Mr. Mayer developed a proposal on the terms of an amendment to the Merger Agreement which reflected, among other things, the following modifications (which we refer to as the “proposed amendment terms”): (a) an extension of the funding deadline from 5:00 p.m. Central Time on January 23, 2024 to 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 5, 2024, (b) an increase of the Subsequent Deposit from $10 million to $15 million, (c) the release of an amount equal to $9,999,999.99 from the Escrow Account to the Company on the date such amendment is signed, and (d) an extension of the outside date under the Merger Agreement from April 12, 2024 to June 12, 2024. Mr. Steele and Mr. Mayer indicated to Ms. Fuchs that the proposed amendment terms remained subject in all respects to review and approval by the special committee and the Board and that the Company continued to reserve all of its rights under the Merger Agreement, including termination thereof.

In the afternoon of January 23, 2024, Mr. Steele summarized the proposed amendment terms to the special committee and the Board via email. The members of the special committee and the Board instructed

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Company management to direct Mayer Brown to prepare documentation for both a potential termination of the Merger Agreement and a potential amendment to the Merger Agreement reflecting the proposed amendment terms.

In the evening of January 23, 2024, Mayer Brown prepared (a) draft documents for a potential termination of the Merger Agreement, and (b) a draft amendment to the Merger Agreement (which we refer to as the “Amendment”) reflecting the proposed amendment terms. Mayer Brown then delivered a draft of the Amendment to KLG.

Also in the evening of January 23, 2024, the special committee held a telephonic meeting to consider a choice between a potential termination of the Merger Agreement in light of Parent’s failure to complete the full escrow funding by the funding deadline and the Company’s entry into the Amendment. After discussion and deliberation, the special committee unanimously determined that (a) the Amendment and the proposed amendment terms were advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and the unaffiliated stockholders, and (b) recommended that the Board approve the Amendment and the proposed amendment terms and determine that the Amendment and the proposed amendment terms were advisable, fair to, and in the best interest of the Company and the unaffiliated stockholders.

In the early morning hours of January 24, 2024, Mayer Brown and KLG finalized the draft of the Amendment.

Later in the early morning of January 24, 2024, the Board held a telephonic meeting to consider a choice between a potential termination of the Merger Agreement in light of Parent’s failure to complete the full escrow funding by the funding deadline and the Company’s entry into the Amendment. The members of the special committee confirmed the special committee’s recommendation that the Board approve the Amendment and the proposed amendment terms and determine that the Amendment and the proposed amendment terms are advisable, fair to, and in the best interest of the Company and the unaffiliated stockholders. After discussion and deliberation, the Board, after considering the recommendation of the special committee, determined that (a) the Amendment and the proposed amendment terms were advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and the unaffiliated stockholders, (b) declared it advisable to enter into the Amendment, and (c) approved the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Amendment and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Amendment.

After such Board meeting, in the early morning of January 24, 2024, the Company, Parent and Merger Sub executed the Amendment.

Prior to the opening of trading on the NYSE American on January 24, 2024, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K announcing the entry into the Amendment by the Company, Parent and Merger Sub and summarizing the material terms of the Amendment.

Also on January 24, 2024, the Company and Parent delivered joint written instructions to the escrow agent directing it to release $9,999,999.99 from the Escrow Account to the Company. The Company received such amount in the afternoon on January 24, 2024.

Under the terms of the Merger Agreement as amended by the Amendment, the funding deadline was extended to 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 5, 2024. Following the execution of the Amendment, Company management requested, and representatives of Parent provided the Company, updates on the status of completion of the full escrow funding and Parent’s efforts to obtain the equity financing for the Merger contemplated by the transaction documents. Between January 24, 2024 and February 4, 2024, no additional amounts were deposited into the Escrow Account by Parent.

In the afternoon of February 5, 2024, Mr. Mirman, Ms. Fuchs, Mr. Barrett, Mr. Steele and Mr. Mayer had a conference call in which Mr. Mirman and Ms. Fuchs indicated that it was unlikely that Parent would be able to complete the full escrow funding by the extended funding deadline. In the course of such discussions, the participants on the call discussed potential solutions to assist Parent in completing the full escrow funding and the possibility of entering into an amendment to the Merger Agreement. Mr. Barrett, Mr. Steele and Mr. Mayer indicated to Mr. Mirman and Ms. Fuchs that any potential amendment was subject in all respects to approval by the special committee and the Board and that the Company continued to reserve all of its rights under the Merger Agreement, including termination thereof.

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In the late afternoon of February 5, 2024 after the funding deadline had expired, Mr. Steele notified the special committee and the Board via email that Parent had failed to complete the full escrow funding by the funding deadline.

In the early evening of February 5, 2024, Mr. Barrett, Mr. Mayer and representatives of Mayer Brown had a call to discuss potential modifications to the Merger Agreement that the Company could propose in exchange for further extension of the funding deadline. After discussion, Mr. Barrett and Mr. Mayer developed a list of proposed modifications to present to the Board for its consideration, including, among other things, a reduction in the termination fee potentially payable by the Company under the circumstances set forth in the Merger Agreement, applying a material adverse effect standard to all representations and warranties of the Company set forth in the Merger Agreement to reduce closing uncertainty and the deletion of certain interim operating covenants (which we refer to as the “potential second amendment terms”).

Also, in the early evening of February 5, 2024, Mr. Mayer provided to Ms. Fuchs a written description of the potential second amendment terms, which Mr. Mayer clarified was provided for discussion purposes only and was subject in all respects to review and approval by the special committee and the Board.

Later, in the early evening of February 5, 2024, the Board held a telephonic meeting to consider a choice between a potential termination of the Merger Agreement in light of Parent’s failure to complete the full escrow funding by the funding deadline and a potential amendment of the Merger Agreement that would further extend the escrow funding deadline in exchange for certain modifications to the terms of the Merger Agreement favorable to the Company. Mr. Barrett and Mr. Mayer presented the potential second amendment terms for the consideration of the Board. After discussion and deliberation, the Board, including the independent and disinterested members of the Board constituting the special committee, determined that further information was required before the Board could make a decision with respect to a termination of the Merger Agreement or a further modification of its terms. As such, the Board instructed Company management, Mr. Barrett and Mayer Brown to negotiate the potential terms of a second amendment to the Merger Agreement with the representatives of Parent and to be prepared to present such terms to the Board at a special meeting to be convened the following day prior to the open of market, at which point the Board would determine whether to enter into an amendment with Parent, terminate the Merger Agreement or take more time to determine the next course of action.

In the evening of February 5, 2024, Mayer Brown prepared (a) draft documents for a potential termination of the Merger Agreement, and (b) a draft second amendment to the Merger Agreement (which we refer to as the “Second Amendment”) reflecting the potential second amendment terms.

In the late evening of February 5, 2024 and the early morning of February 6, 2024, Mr. Mirman, Ms. Fuchs, Mr. Barrett, Mr. Mayer and representatives of KLG and Mayer Brown negotiated the terms of the Second Amendment. In the course of such negotiations, the participants developed a proposal on the terms of the Second Amendment which reflected, among other things, the following modifications to the terms of the Merger Agreement (which we refer to as the “proposed second amendment terms”): (a) extending the funding deadline from 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 5, 2024 to 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 15, 2024, (b) decreasing of the termination fee payable by the Company under certain circumstances set forth in the Merger Agreement from $8,000,000 to $3,500,000, (c) limiting the Company’s liability for damages to Parent and its affiliates under the Merger Agreement to $3,500,000, other than for certain willful breaches of the Merger Agreement by the Company, (d) permitting the Company to solicit alternative transaction proposals until Parent delivers to the Company evidence that it has obtained and has deposited in escrow from its equity financing sources an aggregate of $200,000,000 (less the amount of the Initial Deposit and Subsequent Deposit) (which we refer to as the “aggregate equity financing”), (e) permitting the Company to waive, in its sole discretion, any standstill provisions applicable to any participant in the sale process, (f) modifying the Company’s termination rights such that, instead of being able to terminate the Merger Agreement if Parent fails to deliver executed subscription agreements with respect to the aggregate equity financing on or before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 12, 2024, the Company shall be able to terminate the Merger Agreement if Parent fails to deliver executed subscription agreements with respect to an aggregate amount of equity financing equal to $100,000,000 by the funding deadline, (g) applying a material adverse effect standard to all representations and warranties of the Company set forth in the Merger Agreement, (h) deleting certain interim operating covenants, and (i) providing that, if Parent has completed the full escrow funding by the funding deadline and the Company terminates the Merger Agreement to

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accept a superior proposal or Parent terminates the Merger Agreement if the Board changes its recommendation with respect to the Merger, then in addition to paying Parent a termination fee the Company shall return to Parent the amounts released to the Company on January 24, 2024. In addition, in the course of such negotiations, (1) Mr. Mirman committed to personally guaranteeing certain payment obligations of Parent under the Merger Agreement, up to a cap of $1,000,000 (which we refer to as the “guaranteed obligations”), and (2) the representatives of Parent agreed amend its subscription agreement (which we refer to as the “subscription agreement”) with one of its equity financing sources (which we refer to as the “equity financing source”) to make the Company a direct third-party beneficiary of the subscription agreement with the ability to enforce the equity financing source’s obligation to deposit a portion of their equity financing commitment equal to $15,000,000 into the Escrow Account to complete the full escrow funding (which we refer to as the “third party beneficiary modifications”).

Also, in the late evening of February 5, 2024 and the early morning of February 6, 2024, Mayer Brown drafted a limited guarantee with respect to the guaranteed obligations (which we refer to as the “Limited Guarantee”), KLG drafted an amendment to the subscription agreement contemplating the third party beneficiary modifications (which we refer to as the “Subscription Agreement Amendment”). and Mayer Brown and KLG finalized the drafts of the Second Amendment, the Limited Guarantee and the Subscription Agreement Amendment.

Also, in the early morning of February 6, 2024, the Board held a telephonic meeting to consider a choice between a potential termination of the Merger Agreement in light of Parent’s failure to complete the full escrow funding by the funding deadline and the Company’s entry into the Second Amendment. Mr. Barrett and Mr. Mayer described the proposed terms of the Second Amendment, the Limited Guarantee and the Subscription Agreement Amendment to the Board. After discussion and deliberation, the members of the special committee confirmed that the special committee recommended that the Board approve the Second Amendment, the Limited Guarantee, the Subscription Agreement Amendment and the terms thereof and determine that the Second Amendment, the Limited Guarantee, the Subscription Agreement Amendment and the terms thereof are advisable, fair to, and in the best interest of the Company and the unaffiliated stockholders. After discussion and deliberation, the Board, after considering the recommendation of the special committee, determined that (a) the Second Amendment, the Limited Guarantee, the Subscription Agreement Amendment and the terms thereof were advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and the unaffiliated stockholders, (b) declared it advisable to enter into the Second Amendment and the Limited Guarantee, and (c) approved the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Second Amendment and the Limited Guarantee and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Second Amendment and the Limited Guarantee. The Board also authorized and instructed Company management to cause Houlihan Lokey to contact potential acquirers to determine whether any were interested in pursuing a transaction with the Company.

Following the meeting of the Board, in the early morning of February 6, 2024, (a) the Company, Parent and Merger Sub executed the Second Amendment, (b) the Company and Mr. Mirman executed the Limited Guarantee, and (c) Parent, Merger Sub and the equity financing source executed the Subscription Agreement Amendment.

Prior to the opening of trading on the NYSE American on February 6, 2024, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K announcing the entry into the Second Amendment by the Company, Parent and Merger Sub and the entry into the Limited Guarantee by the Company and Mr. Mirman and summarizing the material terms of the Second Amendment, the Limited Guarantee and the Subscription Agreement Amendment.

As of February 8, 2024, all but four confidentiality agreements and the standstill provisions contained therein that were entered into by participants in the sale process had expired and were no longer in effect. On February 8, 2024, the Company waived the four standstill provisions that then-remained in effect to the extent necessary to allow the potential acquirer make an offer directly to the Board with respect to a proposed transaction to acquire, directly or indirectly, alone or in concert with any other person, any ownership of any assets, businesses or securities of the Company.

Since the execution of the Second Amendment, representatives of Houlihan Lokey have initiated outreach to potential acquirers, including parties that participated in the sale process. As of February 9, 2024, no alternative transaction proposals have been made to the Company, Houlihan Lokey or the Board.

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Recommendation of the Company Board of Directors; Reasons for the Merger

The Board established the special committee to, among other things, (a) review and consider the Merger, (b) review, consider and evaluate capital resources available to the Company and provide recommendations to the Board with respect those capital resources relative to the Merger, including the Company’s ability to remain a going concern, sources of debt and equity capital reasonably available to the Company, and the Company’s ability to comply with covenants and principal amortization requirements under the Company’s existing term loan and (c) make one or more recommendations, as appropriate, to the Board as to what action should be taken by the Board, if any, with respect to the Merger.

After careful consideration, the special committee unanimously (a) determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby are advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and the unaffiliated stockholders, (b) recommended that the Board approve the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby and determine that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby are advisable, fair to, and in the best interest of the Company and the unaffiliated stockholders, and (c) recommended that, subject to the Board’s approval, the Board submit the Merger Agreement to the Company’s stockholders for their approval, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement, and the Board, after considering the recommendation of the special committee, unanimously (i) determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby are advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and its stockholders, including the unaffiliated stockholders, (ii) declared it advisable to enter into the Merger Agreement, (iii) approved the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, (iv) resolved to recommend that the stockholders of the Company adopt the Merger Agreement and (v) directed that the Merger Agreement be submitted to the Company’s stockholders for their approval. Accordingly, based on its evaluation and having received the recommendation of the special committee, the Board recommends that the Company’s stockholders vote “FOR” the Merger proposal, “FOR” the compensation proposal and “FOR” the adjournment proposal. In addition, the special committee and the Board believe that the merger is fair to the Company’s “unaffiliated security holders,” as defined under Rule 13e-3 of the Exchange Act.

In evaluating the Merger, the special committee and the Board considered a range of factors that supported their decision to approve the Merger Agreement and the Merger, including those set forth below (which are not necessarily in order of relative importance):

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their assessment of the Company’s business, assets, current and projected financial performance and condition, earnings, prospects and outlook, including taking into account the Company’s potential for, and risks and uncertainties to, future growth and value creation;

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the fact that the Merger Consideration is all cash, which provides Company stockholders immediate certainty of value and liquidity for their shares of Company common stock and enables the Company’s stockholders to realize value that has been created at the Company while eliminating long-term business and execution risk, including (a) the Board’s belief that the Company’s stand-alone strategic plan involved significant risks in light of the industry, credit and macroeconomic pressures the Company was facing and (b) the possibility that, based on the special committee’s and the Board’s knowledge of the Company’s business, it would likely take a considerable period of time before the trading price of the Common Stock would reach and sustain a trading price at least equal to the Merger Consideration of $9.80 (adjusted for present value) given such risks;

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the current and historical market prices of the shares of Company common stock, including the market performance of the shares of Company common stock relative to those of other participants in the Company’s industry and general market indices and the fact that the Merger Consideration of $9.80 per share represented a premium of approximately 85.6% to the closing price on December 14, 2023 and reflected an implied transaction multiple of Adjusted EBITDA above the select precedent Delaware Basin transaction multiples and the select company multiples used in the Company’s financial advisor’s analysis;

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the Company’s financial condition and ongoing liquidity concerns, which required the Company to raise capital through sales of preferred stock to its three largest stockholders in order to maintain compliance with its financial covenants in its credit facility;

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their belief that the Company would not adequately be able to execute its strategic plan while it was subject to the debt under its credit facility;

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if the Merger were not consummated, the Company’s financial condition would likely require further fundraises to maintain compliance with the financial covenants in its credit facility, fund its ongoing operations and maintain its ability to operate as a going concern, and their belief that the Company’s only viable and readily accessible source of capital for such purpose were further equity issuances to its three largest stockholders, which capital would become increasingly expensive due to industry, macroeconomic and credit market conditions and the Company’s relatively small size and existing leverage and which would run the risk of further diluting the Company’s other stockholders;

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their belief that, in the absence of the funding provided by the Company’s three largest stockholders, the Company’s ability to operate as a going concern would be impaired to such a degree that it could reasonably be expected to result in the reorganization or liquidation of the Company in a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceeding;

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the Company’s stockholders could receive significantly less or no recovery if the Company were to undergo a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceeding;

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the oral opinion of Houlihan Lokey rendered to the Board on December 14, 2023, which was subsequently confirmed by delivery of a written opinion to the Board dated December 14, 2023, that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the various factors, assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth therein, the Merger Consideration to be received by the holders of Company common stock in the proposed Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders, as more fully described in the section of this proxy statement entitled “— Opinion of Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc.”;

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the belief that the Merger Consideration represents the highest price Parent was willing to pay considering its negotiations with the parties to the Merger;

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their respective belief, based on the advice of the Company’s financial advisor to the Board and its knowledge of the industry and the operations of the Company, that it was unlikely that any other financial sponsors or strategic buyers would be willing to acquire the Company at a price in excess of $9.80 per share in cash and agree to and ultimately consummate the Merger terms similar to those set forth in the Merger Agreement;

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that the Company conducted a lengthy and thorough sale process in which the Company, together with Houlihan Lokey, communicated with 49 potential strategic and financial sponsor parties believed by the Company and Houlihan Lokey to be most likely to be interested in, and capable of entering into, a transaction to acquire the Company, and that of such potential acquirers, 33 entered into confidentiality agreements and were granted due diligence access to the Company, five submitted indications of interest for the acquisition of the Company and their belief that none of such potential acquirers’ indications of interest (other than Parent’s) was as actionable or had a sufficient level of financing certainty;

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that the Rollover Sellers determined to engage in a rollover of a portion of their equity only following Parent’s failure to obtain debt and equity financing sufficient to consummate an acquisition of the Company, which led to Parent revising its proposed purchase price down to $8.00 and, following the involvement of the Rollover Sellers, Parent eventually raised its proposed price per share payable to the unaffiliated stockholders to $9.80;

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their belief that the terms of the Parent preferred stock that the Rollover Sellers would be receiving in connection with the Parent Preferred Stock Transactions are less financially attractive and favorable to them than the terms of the Company’s preferred stock that they hold;

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that they made their evaluations of the Merger Agreement and the Merger based upon the factors discussed in this proxy statement and with the full knowledge of the interests of the Rollover Selllers in the Merger;

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the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement and the other transaction documents, including:

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the conditions to closing contained in the Merger Agreement, which the Board believed are reasonable and customary in number and scope;

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the provisions of the Merger Agreement allowing the special committee and the Board, subject to certain conditions, to provide information to and engage in discussions or negotiations with a third party that makes an unsolicited Company Takeover Proposal;

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the provisions of the Merger Agreement allowing the special committee and the Board to withdraw or change its recommendation of the Merger Agreement and to terminate the Merger Agreement, in certain circumstances relating to the presence of a superior proposal (or to effect a change of recommendation in response to an intervening event) subject, in certain cases, to paying the Company termination fee equal to $8.0 million;

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the $8.0 million Company termination fee, which constitutes approximately 2% of the Company’s total enterprise value in the Merger, was unlikely, in the view of the special committee and the Board, to preclude a Company superior proposal from being made;

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the provision obligating Parent and Merger Sub to use reasonable best efforts to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to obtain the proceeds of the debt and equity financing;

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Parent having obtained committed debt financing from reputable financial institutions;

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the Parent termination fee was placed into escrow with a third party escrow agent pursuant to the terms of an escrow agreement;

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the requirement that, in the event of a failure of the Merger to be consummated under certain circumstances, Parent will pay the Company the Parent termination fee as more fully described under the section of this proxy statement entitled “The Merger Agreement — Termination Fee”, including the following rights: (a) the right of the Company to terminate the Merger Agreement in the event that Parent fails to deposit sufficient cash in the escrow account such that, on or before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on January 23, 2024, the aggregate funds contained in such escrow account as of such time is equal to $20.0 million, and if such termination right is exercised, receive a Parent Termination Fee equal to $10.0 milliom, (b) the right of the Company to terminate the Merger Agreement in the event that Parent fails to deliver to the Company, on or before the later of (i) 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 12, 2024 and (ii) the date this proxy statement is mailed to the Company’s stockholders, binding contracts from debt and/or equity financing sources (as more fully described in the Merger Agreement) demonstrating Parent has sufficient funding available to it to consummate the Merger and pay all related fees and expenses, and in the event such termination right is exercised, receive a Parent termination fee equal to $20.0 milliom, and (c) the right of the Company to terminate the Merger Agreement in the event that Parent fails to provide reasonable evidence (as more fully described in the Merger Agreement) demonstrating that, on or before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 27, 2024, Parent has at least $200.0 million of cash available for withdrawal as of such time, and in the event such termination right is exercised, receive a Parent termination fee equal to $20.0 million;

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the belief that the termination date allows for sufficient time to complete the Merger;

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the customary nature of the representations, warranties and covenants of the Company in the Merger Agreement;

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the availability of statutory appraisal rights under Delaware law in connection with the Merger;

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their belief that the terms of the Merger Agreement include the most favorable terms for the Company, in the aggregate, to which Parent was willing to agree;

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the anticipated timing of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger, and the structure of the Merger and their view that the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger, could be completed in a reasonable timeframe and in an orderly manner; and

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the commitment of the Rollover Sellers in the Voting Agreement to, among other things, vote or cause to be voted at the special meeting the covered shares under the Merger Agreement in favor of

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the Merger and the adoption of the Merger Agreement and the other actions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (as more fully in the section of this proxy statement entitled “The Voting Agreement”).

In addition, the special committee and the Board also weighed the advantages and benefits against a variety of risks and other potentially negative factors (which are not necessarily in order of relative importance), including the following:

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the fact that the unaffiliated stockholders will have no ongoing equity participation in the Company following the Merger, and that such stockholders will cease to participate in the Company’s future earnings or growth, if any, or to benefit from increases, if any, in the value of shares of Company common stock, and will not participate in any potential future sale of the Company to a third party;

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the risk that the debt financing contemplated by the debt commitment letters will not be obtained, resulting in Parent and Merger Sub not having sufficient funds to consummate the Merger;

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the fact that Parent did not deliver equity financing commitment letters demonstrating committed equity financing at the signing and Parent would seek to obtain equity financing between signing and closing, and the risk that such equity financing will not be obtained, resulting in Parent and Merger Sub not having sufficient funds to consummate the Merger;

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the fact that the Parent and Merger Sub’s obligation to consummate the Merger is contingent on the Parent Preferred Stock Transactions having been consummated by the Rollover Sellers and Lion Point;

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the risk of incurring substantial expenses related to the Merger, including in connection with any litigation that may result from the announcement or pendency of the Merger;

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the risk that there can be no assurance that all conditions to the parties’ obligations to complete the Merger will be satisfied, and as a result, it is possible that the Merger may not be completed even if the Merger Agreement is approved by the Company’s stockholders;

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the fact that Parent and Merger Sub are newly formed entities with essentially no assets and the fact that the Company’s remedies in the event that the Merger Agreement is terminated may be limited to the amount of the Parent termination fee, payable by Parent under certain circumstances and certain associated enforcement costs and reimbursement obligations, which may be inadequate to compensate the Company for any damage caused;

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the Merger Agreement’s restrictions on the conduct of the Company’s business prior to the completion of the Merger, generally requiring the Company to conduct its business in the ordinary course, subject to specific limitations and certain exceptions, which may nevertheless delay or prevent the Company from pursuing otherwise attractive business opportunities and taking other actions with respect to its business that the Company may consider advantageous pending completion of the Merger;

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the risks and costs to the Company if the Merger does not close, including the diversion of management and employee attention, potential effects on the ability to retain employees and the potential effect on business and customer and supplier relationships;

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the fact that the ownership interest in the Company by our largest stockholders would likely be taken into account by third parties considering whether to make an unsolicited acquisition proposal prior to the receipt of the adoption of the Merger Agreement by the Company’s stockholders, and the fact that, if the Merger Agreement is terminated in connection with the Company’s entry into a definitive agreement with respect to a superior proposal, such third parties would likely seek to have those stockholders agree to vote their shares of Company common stock in favor of such superior proposal;

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the fact that the receipt of cash in exchange for shares of Company common stock pursuant to the Merger will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

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the fact that certain of the Company’s directors and executive officers may have interests in the Merger that may be different from, or in addition to, those of the Company’s stockholders, as further

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described in the section of this proxy statement entitled “— Interests of the Company’s Executive Officers and Directors in the Merger”;

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the covenants in the Merger Agreement prohibiting Parent from soliciting other potential acquisition proposals, and restricting its ability to entertain other potential acquisition proposals, unless certain conditions are satisfied;

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the fact that Parent is required to pay the Parent termination fee only if certain conditions are met, as further described in the section of this proxy statement entitled “The Merger Agreement — Termination Fee”;

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the requirement that the Company pay the Company termination fee, under certain circumstances following termination of the Merger Agreement, including if the Company terminates the Merger Agreement to accept a superior proposal, as further described in the section of this proxy statement entitled “The Merger Agreement — Termination Fee”; and

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the fact that the announcement of the Merger Agreement and pendency of the Merger, or the failure to complete the Merger, may cause substantial harm to the Company’s relationships with its employees (including making it more difficult to attract and retain key personnel and the possible loss of key management, technical, sales and other personnel), suppliers and customers and may divert employees’ After considering the foregoing factors, the special committee and the Board concluded that, overall, the potentially beneficial factors relating to the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, outweighed the risks and potentially negative factors.

The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered by the special committee and the Board is not exhaustive but is intended to reflect the material factors considered by them in their consideration of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger. In view of the complexity and the large number of factors considered, the special committee and the Board, individually and collectively, did not quantify or assign any relative or specific weight to the various factors. Rather, the Board based its recommendation to the holders of Company common stock on the totality of the information presented to and considered by it. In addition, individual members of the special committee and the Board may have given different weights to different factors.

The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered by the Board is forward-looking in nature. This information should be read in light of the factors described under the caption “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements.”

The special committee and the Board believe that sufficient procedural safeguards were and are present to ensure the fairness of the Merger and to permit the special committee and the Board to represent effectively the interests of the unaffiliated stockholders. These procedural safeguards include the following:

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the Board formed the special committee, consisting of the Company’s two independent directors who are independent of, and not affiliated with, the Rollover Sellers or their respective affiliates, to evaluate and consider the Merger and any other alternative proposals or other strategic alternatives that may be available to the Company;

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the members of the special committee will not personally benefit from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement in a manner different from the Company’s common stockholders, except for indemnification and continuing directors and officers liability insurance coverage and the vesting of certain Company equity awards upon the closing;

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independent financial and legal advisors retained by the Company (but not the special committee) evaluated the Merger;

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the special committee was empowered to and did review and provide input on the terms of the Merger Agreement, the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger and the Merger Consideration, and any alternatives thereto, and to make a recommendation to the Board as to what actions, if any, should be taken by the Company with respect thereto;

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with the input of the members of the special committee, the terms of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, were extensively negotiated by the

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Company’s independent financial and legal advisors, and were closely reviewed and scrutinized by the members of the special committee;

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the approval of the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding shares of Company common stock entitled to vote on such matter, and while the Rollover Sellers collectively hold approximately 61.6% of the voting power of the Company common stock, the shares subject to the Voting Agreement which the Rollover Sellers are required to vote in favor of adopting the Merger Agreement represent approximately 38% of the voting power of the Company common stock;

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the various terms of the Merger Agreement, including the ability of the Company to receive, negotiate and, under specified circumstances, to terminate the Merger Agreement in order to accept a superior proposal;

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that the special committee and the Board made their evaluations of the Merger Agreement and the Merger based upon the factors discussed in this proxy statement and with the full knowledge of the interests of the Rollover Sellers in the Merger; and

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the members of the special committee and the Board met frequently through the execution of the Merger Agreement to receive updates; to review, among other things, the Company’s business, operations, financial condition, earnings and prospects, its strategic and competitive positioning and historical and projected financial performance, its valuation, its long-range plans and the risk in achieving those prospects and plans, as well as industry, economic and market conditions and trends; to review the Company’s strategic and commercial alternatives and options, including the results of the sale process conducted and the likelihood or unlikelihood of other parties being willing and able to engage in a stockholder-value-maximizing strategic transaction with the Company; and to consider and evaluate discussions with Parent and, ultimately, the terms of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

In the course of reaching their decision to approve and declare advisable the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, the special committee and the Board did not consider the liquidation value of the Company, and did not believe it to be a relevant methodology, because (a) they considered the Company to be a viable, going concern, (b) they considered determining a liquidation value to be impracticable given the significant execution risk involved in any breakup of the Company and (c) the Company will continue to operate its business following the Merger. Further, the special committee and the Board did not consider net book value, an accounting concept, of the Company as a factor because they believe that net book value is not a material indicator of the value of the Company as a going concern but rather is indicative of historical costs and because net book value does not take into account the prospects of the Company, market conditions, commodity prices, trends in the industries in which the Company operates or the business risks inherent in those industries. The special committee and the Board were not aware of any firm offer for a merger, sale of all or a substantial part of the Company’s assets, or a purchase of a controlling amount of the Company securities having been received by the Company from anyone other than Parent and the five bidders that submitted indications of interest in the Company’s sale process with respect to the current transaction in the two years preceding the signing of the Merger Agreement.

The special committee and the Board did not seek to establish a pre-merger going concern value for the Company to determine the fairness of the Merger, as they believed that such value was adequately reflected in the various analyses summarized in the section of this proxy statement entitled “Special Factors — Opinion of Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc.,” that they considered in making their respective determinations. In making its determination as to the fairness of the Merger, the special committee and the Board considered a number of factors as summarized in this section, including the opinion and analyses provided to the Board by Houlihan Lokey as more fully summarized in the section of this proxy statement entitled “Special Factors — Opinion of Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc.”, which opinion and analyses the Board adopted.

Portions of this explanation of the reasons for the Merger and other information presented in this section are forward-looking in nature and, therefore, should be read in light of the section entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

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Rollover Sellers Reasons for the Merger; Fairness

Reasons of the Rollover Sellers for the Merger

When considering their respective determinations to proceed with the Merger and related rollover transactions, the Rollover Sellers considered a range of factors that supported this determination, including those set forth below (which are not necessarily in order of relative importance):

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the fact that the Merger Consideration is all cash, which provides the Company’s stockholders immediate certainty of value and liquidity for their shares of Company common stock and enables the Company’s stockholders to realize value that has been created at the Company while eliminating long-term business and execution risk;

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the Company’s financial condition and ongoing liquidity concerns;

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their belief that, in the absence of the funding provided by the Company’s three largest stockholders (including the Rollover Sellers), the Company’s ability to operate as a going concern would be impaired to such a degree that it could reasonably be expected to result in the reorganization or liquidation of the Company in a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceeding;

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the Company’s stockholders could receive significantly less or no recovery if the Company were to undergo a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceeding; and

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their belief that the Merger Consideration represents the highest price Parent was willing to pay considering its negotiations with the parties to the Merger.

For the Rollover Sellers, the purpose of the Merger is to (i) effectuate the Merger, pursuant to which they will realize value in respect of their Company common stock ($9.80 per share in cash) and (ii) effectuate the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, pursuant to which they will (x) rollover a portion of their shares of Company preferred stock in exchange for Parent preferred stock and (y) sell the balance of their shares of Company preferred stock to Parent for cash. We refer to the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement as the “Parent Preferred Stock Transactions.” A copy of the Contribution Agreement is attached as Annex E to this proxy statement. The Rollover Sellers believe that structuring the transaction in this manner is preferable to other alternative transaction structures because,

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among other things, (a) it will enable Parent to acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Company at the same time and with a lower amount of third-party debt and/or equity financing that would be required in the absence of the rollover by the Rollover Sellers and (b) as a critical feature to the Parent’s financing package, the rollover will support the completion of a transaction in which the Rollover Sellers are able to derisk a significant portion of their investment in the Company and continue to hold senior preferred equity position in a surviving company that will be more favorably capitalized for the execution of its business strategy.

Position of the Rollover Sellers as to the Fairness of the Merger

Under the SEC rules governing “going-private” transactions, the Rollover Sellers are affiliates of the Company for purposes of the Merger and, therefore, required to express their beliefs as to the fairness of the proposed going private transaction and the Merger to the unaffiliated stockholders of the Company. The Merger is the Rule 13e-3 transaction for which a Schedule 13E-3 Transaction Statement has been filed with the SEC. The Rollover Sellers believe that the going private transaction and the Merger is fair to the Company’s unaffiliated stockholders on the basis of the factors described under “Special Factors — Recommendation of the Company Board of Directors; Reasons for the Merger.” Directors of the Company employed by the Rollover Sellers did not participate in the deliberations of the special committee regarding the going private transaction and the Merger and did not receive advice from the legal or other advisors of the special committee as to the fairness of the going private transaction and the Merger.

Each of the Rollover Sellers have designated a representative on the Board. The Rollover Sellers are in agreement with the analyses and conclusions of the Board and special committee and therefore adopt those analyses and conclusions as their own.

The unaffiliated stockholders of the Company were represented by the special committee. The Merger is recommended by the special committee and approved by the Board. None of the Company’s directors that are affiliates of the Rollover Sellers (or any of their representatives) served on the special committee nor did they participate in the special committee’s evaluation of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the going private transaction and the Merger. For these reasons, the Rollover Sellers do not believe that their interests in the going private transaction and the Merger influenced the decisions or recommendations of the special committee with respect to the Merger.

In its consideration of the fairness of the proposed going private transaction and the Merger, the Rollover Sellers did not find it practicable to, and did not: (i) consider the liquidation value of the Company, (ii) consider the net book value, (iii) consider the impracticability of determining a liquidation value given the significant execution risk involved in any breakup of the Company, or (iv) consider the Company’s viability as a going concern. Accordingly, the Rollover Sellers did not consider liquidation value in determining the fairness of the transaction. The Rollover Sellers did not consider net book value, which is an accounting concept, for purposes of determining the fairness of the Merger Consideration to the Company’s unaffiliated stockholders because, in their view, it does not reflect, or have any meaningful impact on, either the market trading prices of the Company common stock or the Company’s value as a going concern. The Rollover Sellers were not aware of any firm offer for a merger, sale of all or a substantial part of the Company’s assets, or a purchase of a controlling amount of the Company securities having been received by the Company from anyone other than Parent and the bidders that submitted indications of interest in the Company’s sale process with respect to the current transaction in the two years preceding the signing of the Merger Agreement.

The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered and given weight by the Rollover Sellers in connection with the fairness of the Merger and transactions contemplated thereby, including that the Merger is not intended to be exhaustive but is believed to include all material factors considered by the Rollover Sellers. The Rollover Sellers did not find it practicable to, and did not, quantify or otherwise attach relative weights to the foregoing factors in reaching their position as to the fairness of the Merger and transactions contemplated thereby, including the going private transaction and the Merger. Rather, the Rollover Sellers made the fairness determinations after considering all of the foregoing as a whole. The Rollover Sellers believe these factors provide a reasonable basis upon which to form the belief that the going private transaction and the Merger are fair to the Company’s unaffiliated stockholders. This belief should not, however, be construed as a recommendation to any Company stockholders to adopt the Merger

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Agreement. The Rollover Sellers do not make any recommendation as to how stockholders of the Company should vote their Company common stock relating to the going private transaction and the Merger.

Parent Group Reasons for the Merger; Fairness

Reasons of the Parent Group for the Merger

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the Company’s financial condition and ongoing liquidity concerns.

For the members of the Parent Group, the purpose of the Merger is (i) for Parent to acquire the Company and (ii) to effectuate the rollover transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement. The members of the Parent Group believe that structuring the transaction in this manner is preferable to other alternative transaction structures because, among other things, (a) it will enable Parent to acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Company at the same time and with a lower amount of third-party debt and/or equity financing and (b) due to the fact that the Company is publicly traded, and the economic factors described above, the Merger and rollover transactions are the only transaction structure reasonably available for Parent to acquire the Company and deliver value to the Company’s common stockholders.

Position of the Members of the Parent Group as to the Fairness of the Merger

Under the SEC rules governing “going-private” transactions, the members of the Parent Group are affiliates of the Company for purposes of the Merger and, therefore, required to express their beliefs as to the fairness of the proposed going private transaction and the Merger to the unaffiliated stockholders of the Company. The Merger is the Rule 13e-3 transaction for which a Schedule 13E-3 Transaction Statement has been filed with the SEC. The members of the Parent Group believe that the going private transaction and the Merger is fair to the Company’s unaffiliated stockholders on the basis of the factors described under “Special Factors — Reasons for the Merger; Recommendations of the Special Committee and the Board; Fairness of the Merger.” Members of the Parent Group do not employ any directors of the Company, and the

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unaffiliated stockholders of the Company were represented by the special committee. The Merger is recommended by the special committee and approved by the Board. For these reasons, the members of the Parent Group do not believe that their interests in the going private transaction and the Merger influenced the decisions or recommendations of the special committee with respect to the Merger.

In its consideration of the fairness of the proposed going private transaction and the Merger, the members of the Parent Group did not find it practicable to, and did not: (i) consider the liquidation value of the Company, (ii) consider the net book value of the Company, (iii) consider the impracticability of determining a liquidation value given the significant execution risk involved in any breakup of the Company, or (iv) consider the Company’s viability as a going concern. The members of the Parent Group did not consider net book value, which is an accounting concept, for purposes of determining the fairness of the Merger Consideration to the Company’s unaffiliated stockholders because, in their view, it does not reflect, or have any meaningful impact on, either the market trading prices of the Company common stock or the Company’s value as a going concern. The members of the Parent Group were not aware of any firm offer for a merger, sale of all or a substantial part of the Company’s assets, or a purchase of a controlling amount of the Company securities having been received by the Company from anyone other than Parent, and solely with respect to Mr. Little, certain of the bidders that submitted indications of interest in the Company’s sale process with respect to the current transaction in the two years preceding the signing of the Merger Agreement.

The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered and given weight by the members of the Parent Group in connection with the fairness of the Merger and transactions contemplated thereby, including that the Merger is not intended to be exhaustive but is believed to include all material factors considered by the members of the Parent Group. The members of the Parent Group did not find it practicable to, and did not, quantify or otherwise attach relative weights to the foregoing factors in reaching their position as to the fairness of the Merger and transactions contemplated thereby, including the going private transaction and the Merger. Rather, the members of the Parent Group made the fairness determinations after considering all of the foregoing as a whole. The members of the Parent Group believe these factors provide a reasonable basis upon which to form the belief that the going private transaction and the Merger are fair to the Company’s unaffiliated stockholders. This belief should not, however, be construed as a recommendation to any Company stockholders to adopt the Merger Agreement. The members of the Parent Group do not make any recommendation as to how stockholders of the Company should vote their Company common stock relating to the going private transaction and the Merger.

Fairness as to Unaffiliated Stockholders of the Company

Each of the special committee, the Board, the Rollover Sellers and the Parent Group believe that the Merger is fair to the unaffiliated stockholders of the Company, notwithstanding that Houlihan Lokey’s opinion addresses fairness, from a financial point of view, to all holders of Company common stock of the Merger Consideration to be received by them and is not limited to the unaffiliated stockholders of the Company. Houlihan Lokey’s opinion is only one of the factors upon which the special committee, the Board, the Rollover Sellers and the Parent Group determined the Merger was fair to the unaffiliated stockholders of the Company and their determination took into account all of the factors, taken as a whole, described under “Special Factors — Recommendations of the Board of Directors; Reasons for the Merger”, including that (a) the Merger Consideration of $9.80 per share represented a premium of approximately 85.6% to the closing price on December 14, 2023 and reflected an implied transaction multiple of Adjusted EBITDA above the select precedent Delaware Basin transaction multiples and the select company multiples used in the Company’s financial advisor’s analysis, (b) if the Merger were not consummated, the Company’s financial condition would likely require further fundraises to maintain compliance with the financial covenants in its credit facility, fund its ongoing operations and maintain its ability to operate as a going concern, and their belief that the Company’s only viable and readily accessible source of capital for such purpose were further equity issuances to its three largest stockholders, which capital would become increasingly expensive due to industry, macroeconomic and credit market conditions and the Company’s relatively small size and existing leverage and which would run the risk of further diluting the Company’s other stockholders, and (c) their belief that, in the absence of the funding provided by the Company’s three largest stockholders, the Company’s ability to operate as a going concern would be impaired to such a degree that it could reasonably

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be expected to result in the reorganization or liquidation of the Company in a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceeding.

Unaudited Prospective Financial Information

The Company does not as a matter of course make public projections as to future performance, revenues, earnings or other financial results due to, among other reasons, the inherent uncertainty and unpredictability of the underlying assumptions and estimates. However, the Company is including in this proxy statement a summary of certain unaudited prospective financial information that was provided to the Board for use in connection with its evaluation of the proposed Merger and to the Company financial advisors, who were authorized to rely upon such projections, including for Houlihan Lokey’s use in providing financial advice to the Board. The inclusion of this information should not be regarded as an indication that any of the Company, Parent, Merger Sub, Houlihan Lokey, their respective representatives or any other recipient of this information considered, or now considers, it necessarily to be predictive of actual future results (which may be significantly more or less favorable), or that it should be construed as financial guidance, and it should not be relied on as such. None of the Company, Parent, Merger Sub, Houlihan Lokey or any other person assumes responsibility if future results are materially different from those discussed in this proxy statement. In addition, analyses relating to the value of the Company’s business do not purport to be appraisals or reflect the prices at which the Company’s business may actually be sold. Company management directed Houlihan Lokey to use the unaudited prospective financial information with respect to the Company that was provided by Company management in connection with the preparation of the financial analyses Houlihan Lokey reviewed and discussed with the Board at its meeting on December 14, 2023 and the preparation of Houlihan Lokey’s opinion to the Board rendered at that meeting.

While presented with numeric specificity, the unaudited prospective financial information reflects numerous estimates and assumptions made with respect to business, economic, market, competition, regulatory and financial conditions and matters specific to the Company’s business, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company’s control. The unaudited prospective financial information reflects both assumptions as to certain business decisions that are subject to change and, in many respects, subjective judgment, and thus is susceptible to multiple interpretations and periodic revisions based on actual experience and business developments. The Company can give no assurance that the unaudited prospective financial information and the underlying estimates and assumptions will be realized. In addition, since the unaudited prospective financial information covers multiple years, such information by its nature becomes less predictive with each successive year. Furthermore, the unaudited prospective financial information should not be construed as commentary by Company management as to how Company management expects the Company’s actual results to compare to Wall Street research analysts’ estimates, as to which the Company expresses no view.

Actual results may differ materially from those set forth below, and important factors that may affect actual results and cause the unaudited prospective financial information to be inaccurate include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to the Company’s business, industry performance, general business and economic conditions, customer requirements, competition and adverse changes in applicable laws, regulations or rules. For other factors that could cause actual results to differ, please see the section entitled “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” in this proxy statement and the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2023, and the other reports filed by the Company with the SEC.

(dollars in millions)

	Fiscal Year Ended December 31,(3)
	2023E		2024E		2025E		2026E		2027E
Net Oil Production (Mbbls)		2,411		2,508		2,612		3,303		3,672
Net Gas Production (MMcf)		8,598		9,230		9,215		10,532		11,292
Net NGL Production (Mbbls)		1,171		1,391		1,392		1,589		1,702
Total Net Production (Mboe)		5,015		5,438		5,539		6,646		7,256

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	Fiscal Year Ended December 31,(3)
	2023E			2024E			2025E			2026E			2027E
Average Daily Net Production (Mboe/d)			13.7			14.9			15.2			18.2			19.9
% Gas			28.6%			28.3%			27.7%			26.4%			25.9%
% NGL			23.4%			25.6%			25.1%			23.9%			23.5%
% Oil			48.1%			46.1%			47.1%			49.7%			50.6%
% Liquids			71.4%			71.7%			72.3%			73.6%			74.1%
Total Unhedged Revenue		$	224.0		$	253.8		$	250.3		$	295.5		$	312.0
Realized Hedge Gain / (Loss)			(14.8)			(32.5)			(22.4)			(9.5)			(3.9)
Other Income			1.9			0.2			0.2			0.2			0.2
Total Hedged Revenue		$	211.1		$	221.5		$	228.0		$	286.1		$	308.2
Lease operating expenses			(46.0)			(49.1)			(49.8)			(56.1)			(61.2)
Workover Expense			(5.0)			(3.6)			(3.6)			(3.6)			(3.6)
Production Taxes			(13.6)			(17.7)			(16.4)			(19.6)			(20.8)
Recurring Cash G&A			(15.6)			(8.7)			(9.0)			(9.3)			(9.6)
Gathering Transportation & Other			(67.4)			(44.3)			(43.7)			(46.3)			(47.9)
Adjustments(1)			21.4			0.2			0.0			0.0			0.0
Adjusted EBITDA		$	84.8		$	98.3		$	105.4		$	151.2		$	165.2

(1)

Total Adjustments:

One-Time Costs Related to Sales Tax Audit	$	0.8	$	0.2	$	$	$
AGI Cost Benefit Add-back(2)	$	20.6	$	0.0	$	$	$
Total Adjustments	$	21.4	$	0.2	$	$	$

(2)

2023 estimate assumes full year (was January 2023 versus projected January 2024) of AGI (Acid Gas Injection) facility cost benefits.

(3)

Projections based on forward New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) Oil, Gas, and Basis strip pricing as of market October 18th, 2023.

The unaudited prospective financial information does not take into account any circumstances or events occurring after the date it was prepared. The Company can give no assurance that, had the unaudited prospective financial information been prepared as of the date of this proxy statement, similar estimates and assumptions would be used. The Company does not intend to, and disclaims any obligation to, make publicly available any update or other revision to the unaudited prospective financial information to reflect circumstances existing since its preparation or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, even in the event that any or all of the assumptions underlying the unaudited prospective financial information are shown to be in error, or to reflect changes in general economic or industry conditions. The unaudited prospective financial information does not take into account the possible financial and other effects on the Company of the Merger and does not attempt to predict or suggest future results of the surviving corporation. The unaudited prospective financial information does not give effect to the Merger, including the impact of negotiating or executing the Merger Agreement, the expenses that may be incurred in connection with consummating the Merger, the potential synergies that may be achieved by the combined company as a result of the Merger or the effect of any business or strategic decisions or actions which would likely have been taken if the Merger Agreement had not been executed, but which were instead altered, accelerated, postponed or not taken in anticipation of the Merger. Further, the unaudited prospective financial information does not take into account the effect on the Company of any possible failure of the Merger to occur. None of the Company, Houlihan Lokey or their respective affiliates, officers, directors, advisors or other representatives has made, makes or is authorized in the future to make any representation to any Company stockholder or other person regarding the Company’s ultimate performance compared to the information contained in the unaudited prospective financial information or that the forecasted results will be achieved. The summary of the unaudited prospective financial information is being provided solely because it was made available to the Board, Parent and Houlihan Lokey and not to influence your decision as to whether to vote for the Merger proposal.

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The Board, Parent and Houlihan Lokey were provided with unaudited prospective financial information with respect to the Company prepared by Company management for the fiscal years 2023 through 2027. The table summarizes selected unaudited prospective financial data for the fiscal years 2023 through 2027.

The unaudited prospective financial information was not prepared with a view toward public disclosure, nor was it prepared with a view toward compliance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, published guidelines of the SEC or the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for preparation and presentation of prospective financial information. Our independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has not audited, reviewed, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to this preliminary financial information and, accordingly, Deloitte & Touche LLP does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto. The independent registered public accountant reports incorporated by reference into this proxy statement relate to the Company’s historical financial information. They do not extend to the unaudited prospective financial information and should not be read to do so.

In light of the foregoing, and considering that the special meeting will be held after the unaudited prospective financial information was prepared, as well as the uncertainties inherent in any forecasted information, Company stockholders are cautioned not to place unwarranted reliance on such information, and the Company urges all Company stockholders to review the Company’s most recent SEC filings for a description of the Company’s reported financial results. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Opinion of Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc.

•

Pursuant to an engagement letter, the Company retained Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc. (which we refer to as “Houlihan Lokey”) as its financial advisor in connection with the proposed Merger.

•

In arriving at its opinion, Houlihan Lokey, among other things:

reviewed the following agreements:

a draft dated December 13, 2023 of the Merger Agreement;

a draft dated December 13, 2023 of the Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement;

a draft dated December 13, 2023 of the Voting Agreement; and

a draft dated December 13, 2023 of the Contribution Agreement;

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reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information relating to the Company that Houlihan Lokey deemed to be relevant, including certain publicly available research analyst estimates with respect to the future financial performance of the Company;

reviewed certain information relating to the historical, current and future operations, financial condition and prospects of the Company made available to Houlihan Lokey by the Company, including (i) financial projections (and adjustments thereto) prepared by Company management relating to the Company for the fiscal years ending 2023 through 2027, and (ii) certain information regarding the Company’s proven reserves prepared by the Company (the “Reserve Information”);

spoken with certain members of the management of the Company regarding the business, operations, financial condition and prospects of the Company, the Merger and related matters;

compared the financial and operating performance of the Company with that of other public companies that Houlihan Lokey deemed to be relevant;

considered publicly available financial terms of certain transactions that Houlihan Lokey deemed to be relevant;

reviewed the current and historical market prices and trading volume for certain of the Company’s publicly traded securities, and the current and historical market prices and trading volume of the publicly traded securities of certain other companies that Houlihan Lokey deemed to be relevant; and

conducted such other financial studies, analyses and inquiries and considered such other information and factors as Houlihan Lokey deemed appropriate.

Houlihan Lokey relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all data, material and other information furnished, or otherwise made available, to Houlihan Lokey, discussed with or reviewed by Houlihan Lokey, or publicly available, and do not assume any responsibility with respect to such data, material and other information. In addition, Company management has advised Houlihan Lokey, and Houlihan Lokey has assumed, that the financial projections (and adjustments thereto) and Reserve Information reviewed by Houlihan Lokey have been reasonably prepared in good faith on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of such management as to the expected future financial results of operations and financial condition of the Company and the other matters covered thereby, and Houlihan Lokey expressed no opinion with respect to such projections or Reserve Information or the assumptions on which they are based. Houlihan Lokey relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, that there has been no change in the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects of the Company since the respective dates of the most recent financial statements and other information, financial or otherwise, provided to Houlihan Lokey that would be material to Houlihan Lokey’s analyses or its opinion, and that there is no information or any facts that would make any of the information reviewed by Houlihan Lokey incomplete or misleading. The projections furnished to Houlihan Lokey were prepared by Company management. The Company does not publicly disclose internal management projections of the type provided to Houlihan Lokey in connection with Houlihan Lokey’s analysis of the Merger, and such projections were not prepared with a view toward public disclosure. These projections were based on numerous variables and assumptions that are inherently uncertain and may be beyond the control of Company management, including, without limitation, factors related to general economic and competitive conditions and prevailing interest rates. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from those set forth in such projections.

Houlihan Lokey relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, that (a) the representations and warranties of all parties to the agreements identified in item 1 above and all other related documents and instruments that are referred to therein are true and correct, (b) each party to all such agreements and such other related documents and instruments will fully and timely perform all of the covenants and agreements required to be performed by such party, (c) all conditions to the consummation of the Merger will be satisfied without waiver thereof, and (d) the Merger will be consummated in a timely manner in accordance with the terms described in all such agreements and such other related documents and instruments, without any amendments or modifications thereto. Houlihan Lokey relied upon and assumed, without

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independent verification, that (i) the Merger will be consummated in a manner that complies in all respects with all applicable foreign, federal and state statutes, rules and regulations, and (ii) all governmental, regulatory, and other consents and approvals necessary for the consummation of the Merger will be obtained and that no delay, limitations, restrictions or conditions will be imposed or amendments, modifications or waivers made that would have an effect on the Merger or the Company that would be material to Houlihan Lokey’s analyses or its opinion. Houlihan Lokey relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, at the direction of the Company, that any adjustments to the Merger Consideration pursuant to the Agreement will not be material to Houlihan Lokey’s analyses or its opinion. In addition, Houlihan Lokey relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, that the final forms of any draft documents identified above would not differ in any respect from the drafts of said documents.

Furthermore, in connection with its opinion, Houlihan Lokey was not requested to make, and did not make, any physical inspection or independent appraisal or evaluation of any of the assets, properties or liabilities (fixed, contingent, derivative, off-balance-sheet or otherwise) of the Company or any other party, nor was Houlihan Lokey provided with any such appraisal or evaluation (other than with respect to the Reserve Information). Houlihan Lokey did not estimate, and expressed no opinion regarding, the liquidation value of any entity or business. Houlihan Lokey undertook no independent analysis of any potential or actual litigation, regulatory action, possible unasserted claims or other contingent liabilities, to which the Company is or may be a party or is or may be subject, or of any governmental investigation of any possible unasserted claims or other contingent liabilities to which the Company is or may be a party or is or may be subject.

Houlihan Lokey’s opinion was furnished for the use of the Board (in its capacity as such) in connection with its evaluation of the Merger and may not be used for any other purpose without Houlihan Lokey’s prior written consent. Houlihan Lokey’s opinion was not intended to be, and does not constitute, a recommendation to the Board, any security holder or any other party as to how to act or vote with respect to any matter relating to the Merger or otherwise.

Houlihan Lokey was not requested to opine as to, and its opinion does not express an opinion as to or otherwise address, among other things: (a) the underlying business decision of the Board, the Company, its security holders or any other party to proceed with or effect the Merger, (b) the terms of any arrangements, understandings, agreements or documents related to, or the form, structure or any other portion or aspect of, the Merger or otherwise (other than the Merger Consideration to the extent expressly specified herein), (c) the fairness of any portion or aspect of the Merger to the holders of any class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of the Company, or to any other party, except if and only to the extent expressly set forth in the last sentence of Houlihan Lokey’s opinion, (d) the relative merits of the Merger as compared to any alternative business strategies or transactions that might be available for the Company or any other party, (e) the fairness of any portion or aspect of the Merger to any one class or group of the Company’s or any other party’s security holders or other constituents vis-à-vis any other class or group of the Company’s or such other party’s security holders or other constituents (including, without limitation, the allocation of any consideration amongst or within such classes or groups of security holders or other constituents or any aspects relating to the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, Preferred Stock Merger Consideration (as defined in the Agreement) or Contribution Agreement), (f) whether or not the Company, its security holders or any other party is receiving or paying reasonably equivalent value in the Merger, (g) the solvency, creditworthiness or fair value of the Company or any other participant in the Merger, or any of their respective assets, under any applicable laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or similar matters, or (h) the fairness, financial or otherwise, of the amount, nature or any other aspect of any compensation to or consideration payable to or received by any officers, directors or employees of any party to the Merger, any class of such persons or any other party, relative to the Merger Consideration or otherwise. Furthermore, no opinion, counsel or interpretation is intended in matters that require legal, regulatory, accounting, insurance, tax or other similar professional advice. It is assumed that such opinions, counsel or interpretations have been or will be obtained from the appropriate professional sources. Furthermore, Houlihan Lokey relied, with the consent of the Board, on the assessments by the Board, the Company and its advisors, as to all legal, regulatory, accounting, insurance, tax and other similar matters with respect to the Company and the Merger or otherwise.

In performing its analyses, Houlihan Lokey considered general business, economic, industry and market conditions, financial and otherwise, and other matters as they existed on, and could be evaluated as

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of, the date of its opinion. No company, transaction or business used in Houlihan Lokey’s analyses for comparative purposes is identical to the Company or the proposed Merger and an evaluation of the results of those analyses is not entirely mathematical. The estimates contained in the financial forecasts prepared by Company management and the implied reference range values indicated by Houlihan Lokey’s analyses are not necessarily indicative of actual values or predictive of future results or values, which may be significantly more or less favorable than those suggested by the analyses. In addition, any analyses relating to the value of assets, businesses or securities do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which businesses or securities actually may be sold, which may depend on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Much of the information used in, and accordingly the results of, Houlihan Lokey’s analyses are inherently subject to substantial uncertainty.

Houlihan Lokey’s opinion was only one of many factors considered by the Board in evaluating the proposed Merger. Neither Houlihan Lokey’s opinion nor its analyses were determinative of the Merger Consideration or of the views of the Board or management with respect to the Merger or the Merger Consideration. Under the terms of its engagement by the Company, neither Houlihan Lokey’s opinion nor any other advice or services rendered by it in connection with the proposed Merger or otherwise, should be construed as creating, and Houlihan Lokey should not be deemed to have, any fiduciary duty to, or agency relationships with, the Board, the Company, Parent, any security holder or creditor of the Company or Parent or any other person, regardless of any prior or ongoing advice or relationships. The type and amount of consideration payable in the Merger were determined through negotiation between the Company and Parent, and the decision to enter into the Merger Agreement was solely that of the special committee and the Board.

Financial Analyses

In preparing its opinion to the Board, Houlihan Lokey performed a variety of analyses, including those described below. The summary of Houlihan Lokey’s analyses is not a complete description of the analyses underlying Houlihan Lokey’s opinion. The preparation of such an opinion is a complex process involving various quantitative and qualitative judgments and determinations with respect to the financial, comparative and other analytical methods employed and the adaptation and application of these methods to the unique facts and circumstances presented. As a consequence, neither Houlihan Lokey’s opinion nor its underlying analyses are readily susceptible to summary description. Houlihan Lokey arrived at its opinion based on the results of all analyses undertaken by it and assessed as a whole and did not draw, in isolation, conclusions from or with regard to any individual analysis, methodology or factor. While the results of each analysis were taken into account in reaching Houlihan Lokey’s overall conclusion with respect to fairness, Houlihan Lokey did not make separate or quantifiable judgments regarding individual analyses. Accordingly, Houlihan Lokey believes that its analyses and the following summary must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses, methodologies and factors, without considering all analyses, methodologies and factors, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the processes underlying Houlihan Lokey’s analyses and opinion.

The following is a summary of the material financial analyses performed by Houlihan Lokey in connection with the preparation of its opinion and reviewed with the Board on December 14, 2023. The order of the analyses does not represent relative importance or weight given to those analyses by Houlihan Lokey. The analyses summarized below include information presented in a tabular format. The tables alone do not consistitute a complete description of the analyses. Consdering the data in the tables below without considering the full narrative description of the analyses, as well as the methodologies underlying, and the assumptions, qualifications and limitations affecting, each analysis, could create an incomplete view of Houlihan Lokey’s analyses.

For purposes of its analyses, Houlihan Lokey reviewed a number of financial and operating metrics, including:

•

Enterprise Value — generally, the value as of a specified date of the relevant company’s outstanding equity securities (taking into account outstanding options and other securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into or for equity securities of the company) plus the amount of its net debt (the amount of its outstanding indebtedness, capital lease obligations and non-controlling interests less the amount of cash and cash equivalents on its balance sheet).

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•

Adjusted EBITDA — generally, the amount of the relevant company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted for certain non-recurring items for a specified time period.

•

NAV — net asset value.

•

WACC — weighted average cost of capital.

Unless the context indicates otherwise, enterprise values and equity values used in the selected companies analysis described below were calculated using the closing price of the Company’s common stock and the common stock of the selected companies listed below as of December 13, 2023, and transaction values for the selected transactions analysis described below were calculated on an enterprise value basis based on the announced transaction consideration and other public information available at the time of the announcement. The estimates of the future financial and operating performance of the Company relied upon for the financial analyses described below were based on (i) the financial projections (and adjustments thereto) prepared by Company management relating to the Company for the fiscal years ending 2023 through 2027, and (ii) certain information regarding the Company’s proven reserves prepared by the Company (the “Reserve Information”). The estimates of the future financial and operating performance of the selected companies listed below were based on certain publicly available research analyst estimates for those companies.

Selected Companies Analysis. Houlihan Lokey reviewed certain data for selected exploration and production companies focused on or with significant exposure to the Delaware Basin, with publicly traded equity securities, that Houlihan Lokey deemed relevant.

The financial data reviewed included:

•

Enterprise value as a multiple of estimated 2023 Adjusted EBITDA; and

•

Enterprise value as a multiple of estimated 2024 Adjusted EBITDA.

The selected companies and resulting low, high, median and mean financial data included the following:

•

Callon Petroleum Company

•

HighPeak Energy, Inc.

•

Matador Resources Company

•

Permian Resources Corporation

•

Vital Energy, Inc.

Enterprise Value /

All Selected Companies

FY 2023
Adj. EBITDA

FY 2024
Adj. EBITDA

Low

3.0x

2.5x

High

4.7x

3.7x

Median

3.1x

2.8x

Mean

3.6x

3.0x

Taking into account the results of the selected companies analysis, Houlihan Lokey applied selected multiple ranges of 3.00x to 3.50x estimated 2023 Adjusted EBITDA, 2.75x to 3.25x estimated 2024 Adjusted EBITDA to corresponding financial data for the Company. The selected companies analysis indicated implied per share value reference ranges of $1.71 to $4.97 per share of Company common stock based on the selected range of multiples of estimated 2023 Adjusted EBITDA and $2.66 to $6.30 per share of Company common stock based on the selected range of multiples of estimated 2024 Adjusted EBITDA, as compared to the proposed Merger Consideration of $9.80 per share of Company common stock.

Selected Transactions Analysis. Houlihan Lokey considered certain financial terms of certain exploration and production precedent transactions across the following groups (i) Corporate and asset-level transactions located in the Delaware Basin (ii) Corporate and asset-level transactions located in the Permian Basin other than the Delaware Basin (“Other Permian”), and (iii) Corporate Permian Transactions

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involving target companies or assets that Houlihan Lokey deemed relevant. The financial data reviewed included transaction value as a multiple of estimated Adjusted EBITDA.

The selected transactions and resulting low, high, median and mean financial data were:

Date Announced	Seller	Buyer
Delaware Basin
6/20/23	Tap Rock Resources LLC	Civitas Resources
5/12/23	Forge Energy II LLC	Vital Energy Inc, Northern Oil & Gas Inc
5/3/23	Percussion Petroleum II LLC	Callon Petroleum Company
1/24/23	Advance Energy Partners LLC	Matador Resources
6/30/22	Titus Oil & Gas LLC	APA Corp
5/19/22	Colgate Operating LLC	Centennial Resource Development
1/31/22	Colgate Operating LLC	Diamondback Energy
11/3/21	Pioneer Natural Resources	Continental Resources
11/3/21	Centennial Resource Development	Henry Resources LLC, Pickering Energy Partners
9/20/21	Shell	ConocoPhillips
6/10/21	Occidental Petroleum	Colgate Operating LLC
5/20/21	Oasis Petroleum	Percussion Petroleum Operating LLC
Other Permian
12/11/23	CrownQuest Operating LLC; Lime Rock Partners	Occidental Petroleum Corp
10/4/23	Vitol Inc	Civitas Resources Inc
9/13/23	Tall City Property Holdings III LLC; Henry Resources LLC; Maple Energy Holdings LLC	Vital Energy Inc
8/21/23	Earthstone Energy Inc	Permian Resources Corp
6/20/23	Hibernia Energy III LLC	Civitas Resources Inc
4/3/23	Black Swan Oil & Gas LLC, PetroLegacy Energy II LLC, Piedra Energy III LLC	Ovintiv Inc
2/14/23	Driftwood Energy Operating LLC	Vital Energy Inc
1/17/23	Read & Stevens Inc	Permian Resources Corp
12/31/22	Permian Resources Corp	Undisclosed Buyer
11/16/22	Lario Oil & Gas Co	Diamondback Energy
10/11/22	Firebird Energy LLC	Diamondback Energy
6/28/22	Titus Oil & Gas	Earthstone Energy
Corporate Permian
12/11/23	CrownQuest Operating LLC; Lime Rock Partners	Occidental Petroleum Corp
10/11/23	Pioneer Natural Resources	ExxonMobil
8/21/23	Earthstone Energy Inc	Permian Resources Corp
6/15/23	Novo Oil & Gas Holdings LLC	Earthstone Energy Inc; Northern Oil and Gas Inc
5/3/23	Percussion Petroleum II LLC	Callon Petroleum Company
1/24/23	Advance Energy Partners LLC	Matador Resources
5/19/22	Colgate Operating LLC	Centennial Resource Development

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Date Announced	Seller	Buyer
8/4/21	Primexx Energy Partners Ltd, BPP Acquisition LLC	Callon Petroleum
4/1/21	DoublePoint Energy LLC	Pioneer Natural Resources
12/21/20	Guidon Energy Mgmt Services LLC	Diamondback Energy
12/18/20	Independence Resources Mgmt LLC	Earthstone Energy
10/20/20	Parsley Energy	Pioneer Natural Resources
10/19/20	Concho Resources	ConocoPhillips
5/4/20	HighPeak Energy Holdings LLC	Pure Acquisition Corp
12/16/19	Felix Energy Holdings II LLC	WPX Energy
10/14/19	Jagged Peak Energy	Parsley Energy

Transaction Value / Adjusted EBITDA

Delaware Basin

Other Permian

Corporate Permian

Low

1.9x

2.3x

High

4.6x

5.0x

6.3x

Median

3.6x

3.0x

4.2x

Mean

3.4x

3.2x

4.1x

Taking into account the results of the selected transactions analysis, Houlihan Lokey applied selected multiple ranges of 3.50x to 4.00x estimated 2023 Adjusted EBITDA to corresponding financial data for the Company. The selected transactions analysis indicated implied per share value reference ranges of $2.34 to $5.60 per share of Company common stock based on the selected range of multiples of estimated 2023 Adjusted EBITDA, as compared to the proposed Merger Consideration of $9.80 per share of Company common stock.

Date Announced

Seller

Buyer

Implied $ /
EBITDA

Delaware Basin

6/20/23

Tap Rock Resources LLC

Civitas Resources

—

5/12/23

Forge Energy II LLC

Vital Energy Inc, Northern Oil & Gas Inc

1.9x(1)

5/3/23

Percussion Petroleum II LLC

Callon Petroleum Company

—

1/24/23

Advance Energy Partners LLC

Matador Resources

3.2x(2)

6/30/22

Titus Oil & Gas LLC

APA Corp

—

5/19/22

Colgate Operating LLC

Centennial Resource Development

4.6x(3)

1/31/22

Colgate Operating LLC

Diamondback Energy

—

11/3/21

Pioneer Natural Resources

Continental Resources

3.6x(1)

11/3/21

Centennial Resource Development

Henry Resources LLC, Pickering Energy Partners

—

9/20/21

Shell

ConocoPhillips

3.7x(1)

6/10/21

Occidental Petroleum

Colgate Operating LLC

—

5/20/21

Oasis Petroleum

Percussion Petroleum Operating LLC

3.6x(3)

Other Permian

12/11/23

CrownQuest Operating LLC; Lime Rock Partners

Occidental Petroleum Corp

—

10/4/23

Vitol Inc

Civitas Resources Inc

2.8x(2)

9/13/23

Tall City Property Holdings III LLC; Henry Resources LLC; Maple Energy Holdings LLC

Vital Energy Inc

2.9x(4)

8/21/23

Earthstone Energy Inc

Permian Resources Corp

3.9x(5)

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Date Announced

Seller

Buyer

Implied $ /
EBITDA

6/20/23

Hibernia Energy III LLC

Civitas Resources Inc

—

4/3/23

Black Swan Oil & Gas LLC, PetroLegacy Energy II LLC, Piedra Energy III LLC

Ovintiv Inc

2.8x(4)

2/14/23

Driftwood Energy Operating LLC

Vital Energy Inc

—

1/17/23

Read & Stevens Inc

Permian Resources Corp

—

12/31/22

Permian Resources Corp

Undisclosed Buyer

5.0x(6)

11/16/22

Lario Oil & Gas Co

Diamondback Energy

3.3x(7)

10/11/22

Firebird Energy LLC

Diamondback Energy

3.0x(2)

6/28/22

Titus Oil & Gas

Earthstone Energy

1.9x(4)

Corporate Permian

12/11/23

CrownQuest Operating LLC; Lime Rock Partners

Occidental Petroleum Corp

—

10/11/23

Pioneer Natural Resources

ExxonMobil

6.3x(4)

8/21/23

Earthstone Energy Inc

Permian Resources Corp

3.9x(2)

6/15/23

Novo Oil & Gas Holdings LLC

Earthstone Energy Inc; Northern Oil and Gas Inc

2.7x(8)

5/3/23

Percussion Petroleum II LLC

Callon Petroleum Company

—

1/24/23

Advance Energy Partners LLC

Matador Resources

3.2x(8)

5/19/22

Colgate Operating LLC

Centennial Resource Development

4.6x(7)

8/4/21

Primexx Energy Partners Ltd, BPP Acquisition LLC

Callon Petroleum

2.9x(4)

4/1/21

DoublePoint Energy LLC

Pioneer Natural Resources

—

12/21/20

Guidon Energy Mgmt Services LLC

Diamondback Energy

—

12/18/20

Independence Resources Mgmt LLC

Earthstone Energy

2.3x(9)

10/20/20

Parsley Energy

Pioneer Natural Resources

5.4x(9)

10/19/20

Concho Resources

ConocoPhillips

4.4x(9)

5/4/20

HighPeak Energy Holdings LLC

Pure Acquisition Corp

5.1x(8)

12/16/19

Felix Energy Holdings II LLC

WPX Energy

3.5x(4)

10/14/19

Jagged Peak Energy

Parsley Energy

5.4x(9)

(1)

Based on estimated NFY EBITDA.

(2)

Based on midpoint of NTM Adjusted EBITDA.

(3)

Based on annualized Adjusted EBITDA from the most recently completed quarter.

(4)

Based on Adjusted EBITDA effective as of August 18, 2023, per Permian Resources merger presentation.

(5)

Multiple basis undisclosed.

(6)

Based on NFY + 1 cash flow.

(7)

Based on NFY + 1 EBITDA.

(8)

Based on last quarter annualized EBITDA.

(9)

Based on LTM EBITDA.

Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. Houlihan Lokey performed discounted cash flow analyses of the Company based on (i) the present value of the future pre-tax cash flows associated with the developed and undeveloped reserves expected to be generated from the Company’s assets to be developed on a stand-alone, status quo basis, as adjusted for certain corporate items (the “NAV DCF Analysis”) and (ii) the present value of the future unlevered post-tax cash flows associated with the Company on a stand-alone, status quo basis (the “Corporate DCF Analysis”).

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In conducting the NAV DCF Analysis, Houlihan Lokey applied risk adjusted discounted rates (“RADRs”) by reserve classification to the (i) New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) Strip Pricing (“Strip Pricing”), (ii) A premium of 10% applied to NYMEX Strip Pricing after 18 months (“Strip +10% Pricing”) and (iii) A discount of 10% applied to NYMEX Strip Pricing after 18 months (“Strip -10% Pricing”), in each of the foregoing, of the Company. The NAV DCF Analysis indicated: an implied per share value reference range of (i) $0.00 to $1.65 per share of Company common stock based on Strip Pricing, (ii) $2.98 to $7.15 per share of Company common stock based on Strip +10% Pricing and (iii) $0.00 to $0.00 per share of Company common stock based on Strip -10% Pricing, in each case as compared to the proposed Merger Consideration of $9.80 per share of Company common stock.

In conducting the Corporate DCF Analysis, Houlihan Lokey calculated terminal values for the Company by applying a range of terminal multiples of 2.75x to 3.25x to the Company’s fiscal year 2027 estimated Adjusted EBITDA. The present values of the Company’s projected future cash flows and terminal values were then calculated using discount rates ranging from 13.0% to 15.0%. The Corporate DCF Analysis indicated an implied per share value reference range of $3.32 to $7.77 per share of Company common stock, as compared to the proposed Merger Consideration of $9.80 per share of Company common stock.

Other Information

Houlihan Lokey observed certain additional information that was not considered part of its financial analysis for its opinion but was noted for informational purposes, including, among other things, the following:

Premiums Paid Analysis. Houlihan Lokey compared the premiums paid in precedent corporate exploration and production transactions. In conducting this analysis, Houlihan Lokey calculated implied premiums in select precedent transactions using each of the 1-day, 15-day and 30-day volume weighted average price (“VWAP”), compared to those implied in the Merger based on the Merger Consideration and the closing price of the Company common stock as of December 13, 2023. In order to have a sufficient number of data points, the Premiums Paid Analysis was based on selected precedent corporate transactions in the exploration and production industry irrespective of the basin(s) or geographic location of particular target company’s assets. Unlike the transactions considered for the Selected Transactions Analysis, the transactions considered for the Premiums Paid Analysis included a number of transactions with target company assets not located in the Permian Basin.

Merger implied premiums of 109.6%, 93.4%, and 73.8% based on the Company’s 1-Day VWAP, 15-Day VWAP, and 30-Day VWAP, respectively, compare to the following summary statistics observed in the analysis:

	Implied Transaction Premiums
	1-Day VWAP		15-Day VWAP		30-Day VWAP
Low		-5.0%		-9.3%		-5.8%
High		35.4%		26.5%		28.0%
Median		7.6%		8.8%		11.1%
Mean		10.5%		9.6%		11.0%

Miscellaneous

Houlihan Lokey was engaged by the Company to act as its financial advisor in connection with the Merger and provide financial advisory services, including an opinion to the Board as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Company common stock of the Merger Consideration to be received by the holders of Company common stock in the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Houlihan Lokey was not engaged by and did not provide any services to the special committee. The Company engaged Houlihan Lokey based on Houlihan Lokey’s experience and reputation. Houlihan Lokey is regularly engaged to provide financial advisory services in connection with mergers and acquisitions, financings, and financial restructurings. Pursuant to the terms of its engagement by the Company, Houlihan

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Lokey became entitled to an opinion fee of $500,000 upon the rendering of its opinion (regardless of the conclusion reached therein). Houlihan Lokey has also acted as financial advisor to the Company in connection with, and has participated in certain of the negotiations leading to, certain potential transactions and the Merger and will receive a fee for such services in connection with the Merger which is currently estimated to be approximately $5,500,000, a substantial portion of which is contingent upon the closing of the Merger, and against which 50% of the opinion fee and certain advisory fees which are not contingent upon the successful completion of the Merger will be creditable pursuant to the terms of its engagement by the Company. The Company has also agreed to reimburse Houlihan Lokey for certain expenses and to indemnify Houlihan Lokey, its affiliates and certain related parties against certain liabilities and expenses, including certain liabilities under the federal securities laws, arising out of or related to Houlihan Lokey’s engagement.

In the ordinary course of business, certain of Houlihan Lokey’s employees and affiliates, as well as investment funds in which they may have financial interests or with which they may co-invest, may acquire, hold or sell, long or short positions, or trade, in debt, equity, and other securities and financial instruments (including loans and other obligations) of, or investments in, the Company, Parent or any other party that may be involved in the Merger and their respective affiliates or security holders or any currency or commodity that may be involved in the Merger.

Houlihan Lokey and certain of its affiliates have in the past provided and are currently providing investment banking, financial advisory and/or other financial or consulting services to Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (“Oaktree”), an affiliate of Brookfield Corporation, or one or more security holders or affiliates of, and/or portfolio companies of investment funds affiliated or associated with, Oaktree (collectively, with Oaktree, the “Oaktree Group”), for which Houlihan Lokey and its affiliates have received, and may receive, compensation, including, among other things, (i) having acted as financial advisor to the special committee of the board of directors of Oaktree Specialty Lending Corporation, currently managed by a member of the Oaktree Group, in connection with its merger transaction with Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc., which closed in January 2023, (ii) having acted as financial advisor to a lender group, of which one or more members of the Oaktree Group were members, in relation to their interests as lenders to Array Canada, Inc. in connection with its refinancing transaction, which closed in September 2021, and (iii) having acted as investment banker to Salem Harbor Power Development LP, a member of the Oaktree Group, in connection with its chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Houlihan Lokey and certain of its affiliates may provide investment banking, financial advisory and/or other financial or consulting services to the Company, the Parent, members of the Oaktree Group, other participants in the Merger or certain of their respective affiliates or security holders in the future, for which Houlihan Lokey and its affiliates may receive compensation. In addition, Houlihan Lokey and certain of its affiliates and certain of Houlihan Lokey’s and their respective employees may have committed to invest in private equity or other investment funds managed or advised by Oaktree, other participants in the Merger or certain of their respective affiliates or security holders, and in portfolio companies of such funds, and may have co-invested with members of the Oaktree Group, other participants in the Merger or certain of their respective affiliates or security holders, and may do so in the future. Furthermore, in connection with bankruptcies, restructurings, distressed situations and similar matters, Houlihan Lokey and certain of its affiliates may have in the past acted, may currently be acting and may in the future act as financial advisor to debtors, creditors, equity holders, trustees, agents and other interested parties (including, without limitation, formal and informal committees or groups of creditors) that may have included or represented and may include or represent, directly or indirectly, or may be or have been adverse to, the Company, Parent, members of the Oaktree Group, other participants in the Merger or certain of their respective affiliates or security holders, for which advice and services Houlihan Lokey and its affiliates have received and may receive compensation.

Financing of the Merger

Equity Financing

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rollover value equal to such excess, for a cash purchase price equal to the aggregate rollover value of such shares of Series A-2 Preferred Stock (i.e., a cash purchase price equal to such excess). For purposes of the Contribution Agreement: (a) the “rollover value” of each share of the Company’s (i) Series A Preferred Stock is $1,240, (ii) Series A-1 Preferred Stock is $1,086, and (iii) Series A-2 Preferred Stock and new Company preferred stock is the redemption price determined pursuant to Section 8(a) of the certificate of designation of the Series A-2 Preferred Stock, or the certificate of designations for such new Company preferred stock, as applicable, in each case as of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement; provided, that in the case of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), if such closing does not take place on or prior to February 5, 2024, such amount shall increase at an annual rate of 16% until such closing occurs; and (b) the “maximum rollover amount” of (1) Luminus is $42.5 million and (2) Oaktree is $27.6 million.

Debt Financing

Parent has obtained financing commitments pursuant to the debt commitment letters, for purposes of the debt financing. AI Partners and Fortress have each committed to provide Parent with debt financing in the principal amount of $100 million for an aggregate commitment of $200 million on the terms and conditions set forth in the debt commitment letters, consisting a senior secured first lien term loan facility. The obligations of each of AI Partners and Fortress to provide the debt financing under the debt commitment letters are subject to a number of conditions, including the consummation of the Merger, receipt of executed loan documentation, the accuracy of certain specified representations and warranties, the consummation of the Parent Preferred Stock Transactions and other customary closing conditions for financings of this type. As of the last practicable date before the printing of this proxy statement, the debt commitment letters remain in effect, and Parent has not notified the Company of any plans to utilize financing in lieu of the financing described above. The definitive documentation governing the debt financing contemplated by the debt commitment letters has not been finalized and, accordingly, the actual terms of the debt financing may differ from those described in this proxy statement.

The Merger Agreement does not require the Company or any of its subsidiaries to provide any cooperation to the extent it would (i) interfere unreasonably with the business or operations of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) include paying any commitment or similar fee in connection with the debt financing, (iii) include entering into any agreement, document or instrument in connection with the debt financing that is effective or binding prior to the Effective Time (other than customary representation letters and authorization letters in connection with bank information memoranda and notices of prepayment), (iv) include providing any cooperation, or take any action, that, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, could cause the Company, any of its subsidiaries to incur any actual or potential liability in connection with the Financing or any of the foregoing (except in the case of the Company and its Subsidiaries at or

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after the Effective Time), (v) include providing any cooperation, or take any action, that, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, would result in a violation of any confidentiality arrangement or material agreement or the loss of any attorney-client or other similar privilege, (vi) requiring the making of any representation or warranty prior to the Effective Time in connection with the debt financing or the marketing or arrangement thereof (other than as contained in customary representation letters and authorization letters in connection with bank information memoranda (including customary 10b-5 and material non-public information representations)), (vii) include providing any cooperation, or take any action, that would cause any representation or warranty in this Agreement to be breached or any condition to the Closing set forth in this Agreement to fail to be satisfied, (viii) include causing any member of the Company board, or the board or equivalent governing body of any of its subsidiaries to adopt or approve any written consent, resolution or similar approval in respect of the debt financing or any agreements or instruments entered into in connection therewith that are effective prior to the Effective Time or (ix) include providing any cooperation, or take any action, following the closing.

If the equity financing has not been obtained prior to the termination date, the Company may terminate the Merger Agreement and Parent will be obligated to pay a closing failure fee.

Interests of the Company’s Executive Officers and Directors in the Merger

In considering the recommendation of the Board with respect to the Merger, you should be aware that the Company’s directors and executive officers have certain interests in the Merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of the other Company stockholders. The Board was aware of and considered these interests, among other matters, in evaluating and negotiating the Merger Agreement and the Merger, and in determining to recommend to Company stockholders that they vote for the Merger proposal and thereby approve the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger. These interests are described below.

The amounts described below are estimates based on multiple assumptions that may or may not actually occur, including assumptions described in this proxy statement, and do not reflect certain compensation actions that may occur before the consummation of the Merger. As a result, the actual amounts, if any, to be received by the executive officers and non-employee directors may materially differ from the amounts set forth below. All dollar amounts have been rounded to the nearest whole dollar.

In addition, certain of our directors are associated with the Rollover Sellers. In particular, Jonathan D. Barrett is the President of Luminus Management and Ajay Jegadeesan is a Senior Advisor within the Global Opportunities fund at Oaktree Capital. The Rollover Sellers will own equity interests in Parent following the Merger, as described in this proxy statement.

Treatment of Company Equity Awards

The Company restricted stock unit awards granted under the Company stock plan (as defined below) (we refer to such restricted stock unit awards as “Company RSU awards”) and Company options (as defined below) (which with the Company RSU awards we collectively refer to as the “Company equity awards”) held by the Company’s employees, including the Company’s executive officers, and by directors of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time, other than for performance-based Company RSU awards, will be cancelled in exchange for a cash payment and each performance-based Company RSU award will be cancelled for no consideration. As described further in the section titled “The Merger Agreement — Treatment of Company Equity Awards,” such awards will be subject to the following treatment:

•

At the Effective Time, each Company RSU award, other than any performance-based Company RSU award, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall fully vest and be canceled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash, without interest, equal to the Merger Consideration in respect of each share of Company common stock subject to such Company RSU award, respectively, immediately prior to the Effective Time, less any applicable withholding taxes.

•

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•

The table below sets forth certain information (without subtraction of applicable withholding taxes) of the Company equity awards for which vesting will be accelerated in connection with the Merger, assuming a Merger closing date of June 12, 2024.

	Aggregate Number of Company RSU Award Shares(#)(1)		Aggregate Number of Company PSU Award Shares(#)(2)		Aggregate Number of Shares Subject to Company Options (#)(3)		Cash Value ($)(4)
Named Executive Officers
Richard H. Little(5)		—		—		—		—
Matthew B. Steele(6)		—		—		—		—
Daniel P. Rohling		33,205		53,128		19,923		325,409
Walter Mayer		11,069		17,709		6,642		108,476
Non-employee Directors
Jonathan D. Barrett		—		—		—		—
David Chang		—		—		—		—
Gregory S. Hinds		—		—		—		—
Ajay Jegadeesan		—		—		—		—
William D. Rogers		—		—		—		—

(1)

Represents unvested restricted stock units (RSU’s) as of outside closing date.

(2)

Represents unvested performance units at the maximum number of shares that may be earned.

(3)

Represents number of unvested unexercised options. Option exercise prices range from $18.91 to $37.83.

(4)

Calculated based upon the share price of $9.80 multiplied by the number of unvested RSU awards at closing. No value associated with PSU’s, as performance metrics were not met. No value associated with company options with exercise prices ranging from $18.91/share to $37.83/share.

(5)

Mr. Little resigned from the company effective April 2, 2023 and no awards remain outstanding.

(6)

Mr. Steele was not a named executive officer at the end of fiscal year 2022.

Golden Parachute Compensation

This section sets forth information required by Item 402(t) of Regulation S-K regarding the compensation for each named executive officer of the Company that is based on or otherwise relates to the Merger. This compensation is referred to as “golden parachute” compensation by the applicable SEC disclosure rules, and in this section we use such term to describe the Merger-related compensation payable to our named executive officers. The Merger-related compensation payable to these individuals is the subject of a non-binding, advisory vote of the Company stockholders, as described below in the section “Proposal 2 — Advisory Vote on Merger-Related Compensation for the Company’s Named Executive Officers.”

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The estimated value of the payments and benefits that the Company’s named executive officers will receive in connection with the Merger is quantified below in accordance with Item 402(t) of Regulation S-K. The estimated values are based on (i) an assumption that the consummation of the Merger occurs on June 12, 2024 (the latest practicable date determined in accordance with Item 402(t) of Regulation S-K); (ii) the Merger Consideration; (iii) salary levels as of the date of this proxy statement; (iv) the number of unvested Company equity awards held by the named executive officers as of the date of this proxy statement, assuming a Merger closing date of June 12, 2024; and (v) termination of each named executive officer’s employment by the Company without “cause” or by the named executive officer for “good reason” immediately after the consummation of the Merger.

Depending on when the Merger occurs, certain Company equity awards that would be unvested as of March 18, 2024 and included in the table below may vest independently of the Merger pursuant to their terms based on continued service with the Company. In addition, the amounts indicated below are estimates based on multiple assumptions that may or may not actually occur, including assumptions described in this proxy statement, and do not reflect any compensation actions that may occur before the consummation of the Merger. As a result, the actual amounts, if any, to be received by a named executive officer may materially differ from the amounts set forth below. All dollar amounts have been rounded to the nearest whole dollar.

The table below quantifies the estimated value of the accelerated vesting of the Company equity awards held by each named executive officer based on an assumed Merger closing date of June 12, 2024 and the value of the cash severance that would be payable assuming each individual to each named executive officer assuming each individual’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or by the individual for good reason immediately following the consummation of the Merger and on the assumed Merger closing date of June 12, 2024.

Golden Parachute Compensation

Name	Severance ($)		Change of Control Bonus($)(5)		Equity ($)(6)		Perquisites/ Benefits ($)		Total ($)
Richard H. Little(1)		—		—		—		—		—
Matthew B. Steele(2)		19,231		1,300,000		—		5,035		1,324,266
Daniel P. Rohling(3)		500,000		850,000		325,409		—		1,675,409
Walter Mayer(4)		343,750		400,000		108,476		21,164		873,390

(1)

Mr. Little resigned from the company effective April 2, 2023.

(2)

Mr. Steele’s severance payment has 3 components, based on the company’s severance policy. The first component is an amount equal to 2 weeks of base salary for each year of service, with a minimum of 4 weeks of base salary. The cost of the first component (using current base salary) is reflected in the “Severance” column. The second component is an amount equal to a half month of COBRA premiums for each year of service (maximum of 4 months, minimum of 1 month) The third component is $2,000, representing the cost of outplacement services. The costs of the second and third components are reflected in the “Perquisites/Benefits ($)” column.

(3)

Mr. Rohling will receive a fixed amount of $500,000 as severance.

(4)

Mr. Mayer’s severance payment has 3 components. The first component is one year of base salary (using current year salary). The second component is equal to his pro-rated target bonus (pro-rating through April 2024 and using a target of 75% of base salary). The cost of the first and second component are reflected in the “Severance” column. The third component is an amount equal to 12 months of COBRA premiums. The cost of the third component is reflected in the “Perquisites/Benefits ($)” column.

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(5)

Discretionary bonus pool allocated by the board of directors based on a successful change of control.

(6)

The value of unvested restricted stock units, performance units and stock options that would vest under a change of control. Value calculated using $9.80 per share.

Director and Officer Indemnification and Insurance

The Merger Agreement provides that, for not less than six years after the Effective Time, Parent shall cause the surviving corporation, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company in effect as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, to:

•

indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Company) (which we refer to as a “D&O claim”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Company (which we refer to as “covered persons”), or while a director or officer of the Company is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including any subsidiary of the Company), against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding; and

•

pay, on behalf of such covered person, expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by such covered person in defending any D&O claim for which such covered person may be entitled to indemnification under the Merger Agreement, in advance of the final disposition of such D&O claim, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such covered person to repay such amounts if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the surviving corporation as authorized in the Merger Agreement. All rights to indemnification and advancement will continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries after the date of the Merger Agreement and shall inure to the benefit of such person’s heirs, successors, executors and personal and legal representatives.

In addition, the Merger Agreement provides that, for not less than six years after the Effective Time, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the surviving corporation shall contain provisions no less favorable with respect to exculpation, limitations on liability of covered persons, indemnification of and advancement of expenses to covered persons than are set forth as of the date of the Merger Agreement in the Company’s existing certificate of incorporation and bylaws. Following the Effective Time, the indemnification agreements with covered persons will be assumed by the surviving corporation.

For additional information, see the section of this proxy statement entitled “The Merger Agreement — Indemnification; Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance.”

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger

The following discussion is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger to U.S. holders and Non-U.S. holders (each as defined below) whose shares of Company common stock are converted into the right to receive cash in the Merger. This summary does not purport to consider all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that might be relevant to the Company stockholders. This discussion does not address the consequences of the Merger to Company stockholders who receive cash pursuant to the exercise of appraisal rights. This discussion applies to a Company stockholder only if the stockholder holds shares of Company common stock as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (which we refer to as the “Code”) (generally, property

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held for investment) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not apply to Company stockholders that are members of a special class of persons subject to special rules, including but not limited to:

•

Dealers in securities;

•

Traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for securities holdings;

•

Tax-exempt organizations;

•

Life insurance companies;

•

Financial institutions;

•

Regulated investment companies;

•

Real estate investment trusts;

•

Partnerships (or entities or arrangements taxable as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes);

•

Company stockholders that use shares of Company common stock as part of a straddle or a hedging or conversion transaction;

•

Company stockholders that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar;

•

Company stockholders that acquired shares of Company common stock upon the exercise of stock options or otherwise as compensation;

•

Company stockholders that hold an equity interest, actually or constructively, in Parent; or

•

Company stockholders that own, or have owned in the last five years, actually or constructively, five percent or more of the Company common stock.

This discussion is based on the Code, its legislative history, final, temporary and proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations, published rulings and administrative guidance from the Internal Revenue Service (which we refer to as the “IRS”) and court decisions, all as in effect as of the date of this proxy statement. These laws and other authorities are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. Any such change could affect the accuracy of the statements and conclusions set forth in this proxy statement. We have not sought and will not seek any rulings from the IRS regarding the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position to that discussed below regarding the tax consequences of the Merger.

This discussion addresses only U.S. federal income taxation and does not address any aspect of foreign, state, local, alternative minimum, estate, gift or other tax law that may be applicable to a Company stockholder. This discussion does not address all U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to a Company stockholder’s particular circumstances, including the impact of taxes under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act.

This discussion is intended to provide only a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger to U.S. holders of shares of Company common stock. The Company does not intend for this discussion to be a complete analysis or description of all potential U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger. The U.S. federal income tax laws are complex and subject to varying interpretations. Accordingly, the IRS may not agree with the tax consequences described in this proxy statement.

If a partnership (including an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of Company common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in such partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partner and the partnership. A partner of a partnership holding shares of Company common stock should consult the partner’s tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger to the partner.

Each Company stockholder is urged to consult with the Company stockholder’s own tax advisor as to the tax consequences of the Merger in the Company stockholder’s particular circumstances, including the

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applicability and effect of U.S. federal (including the alternative minimum tax), state, local and foreign tax laws and of changes in those laws.

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders

For purposes of this discussion, we use the term “U.S. holder” to mean a beneficial owner of shares of Company common stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

•

An individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

•

A corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized under the laws of the United States or any of its political subdivisions;

•

A trust that (i) is subject to the supervision of a court within the United States and the control of one or more U.S. persons or (ii) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person; or

•

An estate that is subject to U.S. federal income tax on the estate’s income regardless of its source.

The exchange of shares of Company common stock for cash in the Merger will generally be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, a U.S. holder whose shares of Company common stock are converted into the right to receive cash in the Merger will recognize capital gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the amount of cash received with respect to such shares, determined before the deduction of any applicable withholding taxes, as described below under “— Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” and (ii) the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in such shares. A U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis generally equals the price the U.S. holder paid for its shares of Company common stock less any distributions received that were in excess of the Company’s current and accumulated earnings and profits (but not reduced below zero). Gain or loss will be determined separately for each block of shares of Company common stock (i.e., shares acquired at the same cost in a single transaction). Such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss, provided that the U.S. holder’s holding period for each such block of shares of Company common stock exceeds one year at the Effective Time, and otherwise will be short-term capital gain or loss. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate U.S. holders are generally eligible for reduced rates of U.S. federal income taxation. There are limitations on the deductibility of capital losses.

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

For purposes of this discussion, the term “Non-U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of shares of Company common stock that is neither a U.S. holder nor an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Subject to the discussion below in “— Backup Withholding and Information Reporting,” any gain realized by a Non-U.S. holder resulting from the Merger generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax unless:

•

the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by such Non-U.S. holder in the United States); or

•

the Non-U.S. holder is an individual present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the Merger, and certain other requirements are met.

Gain described in the first bullet point above generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates applicable to U.S. persons. A Non-U.S. holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected gain, as adjusted for certain items.

Gain described in the second bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty), which may be offset by certain U.S.

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source capital losses of the Non-U.S. holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided the Non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

Non-U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding potentially applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

Medicare Tax

U.S. holders that are individuals, estates or trusts that do not fall into a special class of trusts that is exempt from such tax are generally subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (1) the U.S. holder’s “net investment income” (or “undistributed net investment income” in the case of an estate or trust) for the relevant taxable year and (2) the excess of the U.S. holder’s modified adjusted gross income for the taxable year over a certain threshold (which in the case of individuals will be between $125,000 and $250,000, depending on the individual’s circumstances). A U.S. holder’s net investment income generally includes capital gain recognized on the exchange of shares of Company common stock for cash in the Merger, unless such capital gain is derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading activities). There are limitations on deducting capital losses in calculating a U.S. holder’s net investment income. U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to gain recognized on the exchange of shares of Company common stock for cash in the Merger.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Under certain circumstances, a U.S. holder or Non-U.S. holder may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding (currently at a rate of 24%) with respect to the Merger Consideration. Backup withholding generally will not apply to: (i) a U.S. holder who properly establishes an exemption or provides the U.S. holder’s correct taxpayer identification number and otherwise complies with the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules, or (ii) a Non-U.S. holder who provides a certification of such holder’s non-U.S. status on the applicable IRS Form W-8 or otherwise establishes a basis for exemption from backup withholding.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules can be refunded or credited against a U.S. holder’s or Non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that such holder furnishes the required information to the IRS in a timely manner.

The U.S. federal income tax consequences described above are not intended to constitute a complete description of all tax consequences relating to the Merger. Because individual circumstances may differ, each Company stockholder should consult the Company stockholder’s own tax advisor regarding the applicability of the rules discussed above to the Company stockholder and the particular tax effects to the Company stockholder of the Merger in light of the Company stockholder’s particular circumstances and the application of state, local and foreign tax laws.

Regulatory Approvals Required for the Merger

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, the parties have agreed to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under any applicable laws to consummate and make effective in the most expeditious manner possible the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (which we refer to as the “transactions”) and to cause the conditions to the transactions set forth in the Merger Agreement to be satisfied as promptly as practicable, including using all efforts to accomplish the following as promptly as reasonably practicable:

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the preparation and filing of all forms, registrations and notifications to or with any governmental authority required to be filed to consummate the transactions,

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satisfaction of the conditions to consummating the transactions,

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taking of all actions necessary, proper or advisable to obtain (and to cooperate with each other in obtaining) any consent, authorization, expiration or termination of a waiting period, permit, order

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THE MERGER AGREEMENT

The following discussion contains certain information about the Merger. The discussion is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Merger Agreement attached as Annex A to this proxy statement and incorporated herein by reference. We urge you to read carefully this entire proxy statement, including the Merger Agreement attached as Annex A, for a more complete understanding of the Merger.

Explanatory Note Regarding the Merger Agreement

The Merger Agreement and this summary of terms are included to provide you with information regarding the terms of the Merger Agreement. Factual disclosures about the Company contained in this proxy statement or in the public reports of the Company filed with the SEC may supplement, update or modify the factual disclosures about the Company contained in the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties by Parent and Merger Sub, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand. The representations, warranties and covenants made in the Merger Agreement by the Company, Parent and Merger Sub were qualified and subject to important limitations that were negotiated and agreed to by the Company, on the one hand, and Parent and Merger Sub, on the other hand. In particular, in your review of the representations and warranties contained in the Merger Agreement, and described in this summary, it is important to bear in mind that the representations and warranties were negotiated with the principal purposes of allocating risk between the parties to the Merger Agreement, rather than establishing matters as facts. The representations and warranties also may be subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from that generally relevant to investors or applicable to reports and documents filed with the SEC, and some were qualified by certain confidential disclosures made by the Company, Parent and Merger Sub in connection with the Merger Agreement and certain public filings made by the Company with the SEC. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties, which do not purport to be accurate as of the date of this proxy statement, may have changed since the date of the Merger Agreement.

For the foregoing reasons, the representations and warranties, or any descriptions of those provisions, should not be read alone or relied upon as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of the Company, Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. Instead, such provisions or descriptions should be read only in conjunction with the other information provided elsewhere in, or incorporated by reference into, this proxy statement. See “Where You Can Find More Information.” The Company will provide additional disclosures in its public reports to the extent it is aware of the existence of any material facts that are required to be disclosed under federal securities laws and that might otherwise contradict the terms and information contained in the Merger Agreement and will update such disclosure as required by federal securities laws.

Effects of the Merger; Directors and Officers

The Merger Agreement provides for the Merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company upon the terms, and subject to the conditions, set forth in the Merger Agreement and in accordance with the DGCL. At the Effective Time, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will cease. As the surviving corporation, the Company will continue to exist following the Merger. As a result of the Merger, the surviving corporation will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.

The directors of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time will, from and after the Effective Time, be the directors of the surviving corporation, until their respective successors have been duly elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the surviving corporation’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws. The officers of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time will, from and after the Effective Time, be the officers of the surviving corporation, until their respective successors have been duly elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the surviving corporation’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws.

Closing and Effective Time of the Merger

The Merger Agreement provides that the closing for the Merger (which we refer to as the “closing”) will take place as soon as practicable (but in any event within two business days) following the first day on

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which all of the conditions to the closing (described in “— Conditions to the Merger” beginning on page 101 of this proxy statement) have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of those conditions at the closing), or at such other time as the Company and Parent may agree in writing.

The Effective Time will occur when the certificate of Merger has been duly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (or at such later time as the Company and Parent may agree in writing and specify in the certificate of Merger).

Merger Consideration

In the Merger, each share of Company common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (except for excluded shares) will be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration of $9.80 in cash without interest. Excluded shares include (i) shares that are owned by the Company (including treasury shares), Parent or Merger Sub, and (ii) shares of Company common stock that are owned by stockholders of the Company who did not vote in favor of the Merger Agreement or the Merger and who have perfected and not withdrawn a demand for appraisal rights pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL (which we refer to as the “excluded shares”).

In the Merger, each share of the Company’s Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (which we refer to as the “Series A Preferred Stock”), Series A-1 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (which we refer to as the “Series A-1 Preferred Stock”) and Series A-2 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (which we refer to as the “Series A-2 Preferred Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than such shares that are aquired by Parent pusuant to the Contribution Agreement) will be converted into the right to receive the consideration contemplated by the terms of such applicable series of preferred stock, which amounts are equal to approximately equal to $1,265 per preferred share in cash without interest, $1,109 per preferred share in cash without interest and $1,042 per preferred share without interest, respectively. Excluded shares include (i) shares that are owned by the Company (including treasury shares), Parent or Merger Sub. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock and Series A-2 Preferred Stock are not entitle to vote on the adoption of the Merger Agreement or the other matters to be voted on at the special meeting and will not be entitled to appraisal rights under the DGCL.

At the Effective Time, cancelled shares will automatically cease to be outstanding, will be cancelled and will cease to exist. For information on the treatment of dissenting shares in the Merger, see the section below entitled “— Appraisal Rights” beginning on page 83 of this proxy statement and the section entitled “Appraisal Rights” beginning on page 131 of this proxy statement.

Treatment of Company Equity Awards

At the Effective Time, each Company option, whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall fully vest and be canceled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash, without interest, equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the excess of the Merger Consideration over the exercise price per share of Company common stock subject to such Company option, if any, by (B) the total number of shares of Company common stock subject to such Company option, less any applicable withholding taxes. Any Company option with an exercise price per share of Company common stock that is greater than or equal to the Merger Consideration shall be canceled

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for no consideration immediately prior to the Effective Time, and the holder of such Company option shall have no further rights with respect thereto.

Exchange and Payment Procedures

Prior to the Effective Time, Parent will select and enter into an agreement with a paying agent. Under the agreement with the paying agent, the paying agent will act as agent for the Company stockholders in connection with the Merger and receive payment of the aggregate Merger Consideration to which the Company stockholders are entitled pursuant to the Merger Agreement. At or prior to the Effective Time, Parent will deposit or cause to be deposited with the paying agent cash in immediately available funds in an amount sufficient to fund the aggregate Merger Consideration payable to the Company stockholders pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

Promptly after the Effective Time, and in any event within two business days thereafter, Parent will cause the paying agent to mail or otherwise provide to each holder of record of shares of Company common stock (other than holders of excluded shares) the following:

•

transmittal materials, including a letter of transmittal, specifying that delivery of shares of Company common stock will be effected only upon delivery of the certificate representing shares of Company common stock (or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof) or book-entry shares to the paying agent; and

•

instructions for use in effecting the surrendering of the certificate representing shares of Company common stock (or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof) or book-entry shares to the paying agent.

Upon surrender of a certificate representing shares of Company common stock (or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof) or book-entry shares to the paying agent together with the properly completed and validly executed transmittal materials and any other documents reasonably required by the transmittal material instructions or by the paying agent (collectively, the “required transmittal materials”), the holder of a certificate representing shares of Company common stock (or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof) or book-entry shares will be entitled to receive, and Parent will cause the paying agent to pay and deliver promptly after the Effective Time, a cash amount equal to the product of the number of shares of Company common stock represented by the holder’s certificates and book-entry shares multiplied by the Merger Consideration. No interest will be paid or accrued on any amount payable upon due surrender of a certificate representing shares of Company common stock (or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof) or book-entry shares.

Until surrendered in the manner contemplated above, each share of Company common stock will be deemed to represent at any time after the Effective Time only the right to receive upon such surrender (together with the transmittal materials, duly completed and validly executed in accordance with the instructions thereto, and such other documents as may be reasonably required pursuant to the transmittal material instructions or by the paying agent) the Merger Consideration pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

Any Merger Consideration deposited with the paying agent (including the proceeds of any investment thereof) that remains undistributed six months after the Effective Time will be delivered to Parent or the surviving corporation upon demand by Parent. Thereafter, any former holders of shares of Company common stock, Series A Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock or Series A-2 Preferred Stock (in each case, other than excluded shares) will be entitled to look only to Parent and the surviving corporation for payment of the applicable Merger Consideration upon surrender of their certificates representing shares of Company common stock, Series A Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock or Series A-2 Preferred Stock (or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof) or book-entry shares in accordance with the procedures for surrender set forth above, and Parent and the surviving corporation will remain liable (subject to applicable abandoned property, escheat or other similar law) for payment of claims for the Merger Consideration payable upon due surrender of such certificates representing shares of Company common stock, Series A Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock or Series A-2 Preferred Stock (or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof) or book-entry shares.

From and after the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of the Company will be closed and there will be no transfers on the stock transfer books of the Company of the shares of Company common stock, Series A Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock or Series A-2 Preferred Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time.

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If any certificate representing shares of Company common stock, Series A Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock or Series A-2 Preferred Stock has been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming such certificate representing shares of Company common stock, Series A Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock or Series A-2 Preferred Stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by the paying agent, the surviving corporation or Parent, the posting by such person of a bond in a reasonable amount as the paying agent or Parent may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such certificate representing shares of Company common stock, Series A Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock or Series A-2 Preferred Stock, the paying agent will pay and deliver promptly after the Effective Time in exchange for such certificate representing shares of Company common stock, Series A Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock or Series A-2 Preferred Stock a cash amount equal to the product of the number of shares of Company common stock, Series A Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock or Series A-2 Preferred Stock, as applicable, represented by the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate representing shares of Company common stock, Series A Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock or Series A-2 Preferred Stock multiplied by the applicable Merger Consideration, without interest.

The paying agent, Parent and the surviving corporation will be entitled to deduct and withhold any applicable taxes from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to the Merger Agreement to any holder of shares of Company common stock, Series A Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock, Series A-2 Preferred Stock, Company RSU awards or Company Options, and pay over such withheld amount to the appropriate governmental entity. Any amount so withheld will be promptly remitted to the applicable governmental entity and be treated for all purposes under the Merger Agreement as having been paid to the person in respect of whom such deduction and withholding was made.

Appraisal Rights

Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, if any such holder fails to perfect or otherwise waives, withdraws or loses the rights granted under Section 262 of the DGCL or a court of competent jurisdiction determines that such holder is not entitled to the relief provided by Section 262 of the DGCL, then the such holder’s rights under Section 262 of the DGCL shall be forfeited and cease, and each of such holder’s shares shall be deemed to have been converted at the Effective Time into, and shall have become, the right to receive the Merger Consideration, without interest thereon.

Adjustments to Prevent Dilution

If, between the date of the Merger Agreement and the Effective Time, the outstanding shares of Company common stock, Series A Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock or Series A-2 Preferred Stock are changed into a different number or class of shares by reason of any stock split, division or

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subdivision of shares, stock dividend, reverse stock split, consolidation of shares, reclassification, recapitalization or other similar transaction, then the Merger Consideration shall be appropriately and equitably adjusted, without duplication; provided, however, that nothing in the Merger Agreement will be construed to permit the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any other person to take any action that is otherwise prohibited by the terms of the Merger Agreement.

Representations and Warranties

Representations and Warranties of the Company

The Merger Agreement contains customary representations and warranties made by the Company to Parent and Merger Sub that are subject, in some cases, to specified exceptions and qualifications contained in the Merger Agreement, in the Company disclosure letter or in certain SEC reports filed by the Company. In particular, certain of these representations and warranties are subject to materiality or “material adverse effect” qualifications (that is, they will not be deemed to be untrue or incorrect unless their failure to be true or correct is material or would result in a material adverse effect on the Company, as further described in the section entitled “— Material Adverse Effect” beginning on page 85 of this proxy statement). In addition, certain of the representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement are subject to knowledge qualifications, which means that those representations and warranties would not be deemed untrue, inaccurate or incorrect as a result of matters of which certain officers of the Company did not have actual knowledge.

In the Merger Agreement, the Company made representations and warranties to Parent and Merger Sub regarding, among other things:

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the Company’s due organization, valid existence, good standing and authority to carry on its businesses;

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the Company’s capitalization, including the number of shares of Company common stock and equity-based awards outstanding;

•

ownership of the Company’s subsidiaries;

•

the Company’s corporate power and authority to execute and deliver, and perform its obligations under, the Merger Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and the enforceability of the Merger Agreement against the Company;

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the Board’s unanimous determination, after considering the recommendation of the Company special committee, that the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are fair to and in the best interests of the Company and the Company stockholders, approval of the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, direction that the adoption of the Merger Agreement be submitted to a vote at a meeting of the Company stockholders, and recommendation that the Company stockholders adopt the Merger Agreement, which we refer to collectively as the “Board recommendation”;

•

the absence of violations of, or conflicts with, the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ governing documents, governmental orders, applicable law and certain agreements as a result of the Company entering into and performing under the Merger Agreement;

•

the governmental consents, approvals, notices and filings required in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

•

the proper filing of documents by the Company with the SEC and the accuracy of the information contained in those documents;

•

the conformity with generally accepted accounting principles of the Company’s financial statements filed with the SEC and the absence of certain undisclosed liabilities;

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internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures;

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the validity and enforceability of the Company’s intellectual property;

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compliance with certain material contracts;

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matters relating to the Company’s insurance policies;

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certain employee benefits matters, including matters related to Company benefit plans;

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certain tax matters;

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the absence of certain legal proceedings, investigations and governmental orders against the Company or its subsidiaries;

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compliance with applicable laws and the existence, effectiveness and status of necessary licenses and permits;

•

certain environmental matters;

•

the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ conduct of business in the ordinary course of business (except for certain actions take with respect to COVID-19) since June 30, 2023, and the absence of a material adverse effect or certain other changes since such date;

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certain real property matters, including rights of way;

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certain oil and gas matters;

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certain derivative transaction matters;

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the absence of any undisclosed broker’s or finder’s fees; and

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the receipt of fairness opinion from Houlihan Lokey.

The representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement of the Company will not survive the Effective Time.

Material Adverse Effect

Many of the Company’s representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement are qualified by, among other things, exceptions relating to the absence of a “material adverse effect”, which means any change, effect, development, circumstance, event or occurrence (each of which we refer to as a “change”) that, individually or in the aggregate, is or would reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition or operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, except that no change arising out of or resulting from any of the following will constitute a material adverse effect:

•

any changes or developments in domestic, foreign or global markets or domestic, foreign or global economic conditions generally, including (i) any changes or developments in or affecting the domestic or any foreign securities, equity, credit or financial markets or (ii) any changes or developments in or affecting domestic or any foreign interest or exchange rates;

•

changes, proposed changes, pending changes, changes in the interpretation or enforcement of GAAP, accounting standards promulgated by the Council of Petroleum Accountants Society or any law or rules or regulations promulgated by any governmental authorities;

•

COVID-19 measures;

•

changes in domestic, foreign or global political conditions (including the outbreak or escalation or worsening of war, hostilities, tariffs, sanctions, trade wars, political unrest, civil disobedience, protests, public demonstrations, sabotage, military actions, acts of terrorism, cyber-attacks or computer hacking or any response by any governmental authority to any of the foregoing), including any material worsening of such conditions threatened or existing on the date of the Merger Agreement;

•

changes or developments in the industries in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries operate (including changes in commodity prices, general market prices and regulatory changes affecting the oil and gas exploration, development or production industries in the United States or any area or areas where the assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries are located);

•

the negotiation, announcement or the existence of the Merger Agreement or the pendency, anticipated consummation or consummation of the transactions, including any loss or change in relationship

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with any employee, officer, director, independent contractor, customer, supplier, vendor, distributor, or other business partner of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any other disruption to the business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (provided that this clause shall not apply to any representation or warranty to the extent that the purpose of such representation or warranty is to address, as applicable, the consequences resulting from the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the pendency or consummation of the Merger Agreement and the transactions);

•

any weather event, flood, hurricane, tornado, volcanic eruption, earthquake, nuclear incident, epidemic, pandemic, outbreak of illness or other public health event (including COVID-19), quarantine restriction or other natural or man-made disaster or other force majeure event or act of God or occurrence or the escalation or worsening of any of the foregoing;

•

any matter set forth in the Company disclosure letter delivered in connection with the Merger Agreement;

•

any change in the trading price or trading volume of the shares of Company common stock or any change in the credit ratings or ratings outlook for the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or the availability or cost of equity, debt or other financing to Parent or Merger Sub (provided that the underlying causes thereof may be considered in determining whether a Company material adverse effect has occurred if not otherwise excluded under this clause);

•

the failure to meet any internal, published, analyst or other third party’s projections, guidance, budgets, milestones, expectations, forecasts or estimates (provided that the underlying causes thereof may be considered in determining whether a Company material adverse effect has occurred if not otherwise excluded under this clause;

•

any action required to be taken or omitted by the Company or any of its subsidiaries at the written request of Parent or any action expressly required to be taken or refrained from being taken by the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to the Merger Agreement, including any action consented to in writing by Parent;

•

the expiration of any material contract in accordance with its terms;

•

any actions or claims made or brought by any of the current or former stockholders of the Company (on their behalf or on behalf of the Company) against the Company or any of its directors, officers or employees arising out of the Merger Agreement or the Merger;

•

the failure to obtain any approvals or consents from any governmental authority in connection with the transactions;

•

the identity of, or facts specific to, Parent or any of its affiliates as the acquiror of the Company or any changes arising therefrom;

•

natural declines in well performance or reclassification or recalculation of reserves in the ordinary course of business; and

•

any breach by Parent or any of its affiliates of the Merger Agreement;

except, with respect to the foregoing bullets one, two, four, five and seven, to the extent (and for the avoidance of doubt, only to the extent) that such impact is materially and disproportionately adverse to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to other similarly situated and comparable companies in the industries and in the geographic markets in which the Company and its subsidiaries operate (it being understood and agreed that, for the purposes of determining whether the Company has been materially and disproportionately adversely affected compared to other similarly situated similarly situated and comparable companies, the Company shall be compared to independent exploration and production companies primarily focused in the Delaware Basin), in which case only the incremental disproportionate adverse impact may be taken into account in determining whether a Company material adverse effect has occurred or would reasonably be expected to occur.

Representations and Warranties of Parent and Merger Sub

The Merger Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties made by Parent and Merger Sub to the Company that are subject, in some cases, to specified exceptions and qualifications

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contained in the Merger Agreement or in the Parent disclosure letter. In particular, certain of these representations and warranties are subject to knowledge qualifications, which means that those representations and warranties would not be deemed untrue, inaccurate or incorrect as a result of matters of which certain officers of Parent did not have actual knowledge. The representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub relate to, among other things:

•

their due organization, valid existence, good standing (where recognized under applicable law) and authority to carry on their businesses;

•

their power and authority to execute and deliver, and perform their obligations under, the Merger Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and the enforceability of the Merger Agreement against them;

•

the absence of violations of, or conflicts with, Parent’s or its subsidiaries’ governing documents, governmental orders, applicable law and certain agreements as a result of entering into and performing under the Merger Agreement;

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the absence of certain legal proceedings, investigations and governmental orders against Parent and Merger Sub;

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matters regarding compliance with laws;

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the accuracy of information supplied by Parent and Merger Sub for this proxy statement;

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the validity and enforceability of the purchase agreement and Contribution Agreement Parent entered into in connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement and the debt commitment letter between Fortress Credit Corp. and AI Partners Asset Management Co., Ltd. (which we refer to as the “debt financing commitment”), and the sufficiency of such financing and available cash held by the Company and its subsidiaries to pay the Merger Consideration and the fees and other expenses for the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

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the capitalization, ownership and operations of Merger Sub;

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the absence of any undisclosed broker’s or finder’s fees; and

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their independent investigation of the Company and its business and the absence of reliance by them on any representation, warranty or other statement by any person on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries other than the representations and warranties expressly set forth in the Merger Agreement.

The representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement of each of Parent and Merger Sub will not survive the Effective Time.

Conduct of the Company’s Business Pending the Merger

Under the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed to certain restrictions on the operation of its business until the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement. In general, the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to carry on business in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its subsidiaries consistent with past practice, as such practice may have been reasonably affected by public health events or public health event measures, in all material respects. In addition, except as specifically disclosed in the Company disclosure letter, as required by applicable law or with the written consent of Parent (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), the Company will not, and will not permit its subsidiaries to:

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amend their respective organizational documents (except for immaterial or ministerial amendments);

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split, combine or reclassify any capital stock, voting securities or other equity interests of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than (A) to satisfy applicable tax withholding and/or exercise prices upon vesting, settlement or exercise of any Company equity award outstanding as of the date of the Merger Agreements or granted after the date of the Merger Agreement without violation of the Merger Agreement, or (B) any such transactions involving a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company;

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make, declare or pay any dividend, or make any other distribution on, or directly or indirectly redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, any shares of its capital stock, or any other securities or obligations convertible (whether currently convertible or convertible only after the passage of time or the occurrence of certain events) into or exchangeable for any shares of its capital stock, except for (A) any such transactions solely among the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries or among the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, (B) the acceptance of shares of Company common stock, or withholding of shares of Company common stock otherwise deliverable, to satisfy withholding taxes incurred in connection with the vesting and/or settlement of Company equity awards or (C) settlements in cash (in whole or in part);

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subject to certain exceptions, grant any Company equity awards or other equity-based awards or interests, or grant any individual, corporation or other entity any right to acquire any shares of its capital stock;

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issue, purchase, sell or otherwise permit to become outstanding any additional shares of its capital stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into, or exercisable for, any shares of its capital stock or any options, warrants, or other rights of any kind to acquire any shares of its capital stock, except (i) due to the vesting and/or settlement of Company equity awards granted prior to the date of the Merger Agreement in accordance with their terms or otherwise in accordance with the Merger Agreement, or (ii) in transactions solely among the Company and its subsidiaries or among the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries;

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adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, Merger, consolidation, recapitalization or other reorganization, other than (A) the transactions and (B) any such transaction (1) solely among the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries or among the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries or (2) pursuant to material contracts in effect prior to the execution of the Merger Agreement that have been disclosed to Parent;

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incur, assume, endorse, guarantee or otherwise become liable for any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue or sell any debt securities or any rights to acquire any debt securities, except for (A) any indebtedness for borrowed money among the Company and/or its wholly owned subsidiaries or among wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company, (B) guarantees by the Company of indebtedness for borrowed money of wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company or guarantees by subsidiaries of the Company of indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries, which indebtedness is incurred in compliance with this clause or is outstanding on the date of the Merger Agreement, and (C) indebtedness incurred to replace, renew, extend, refinance or refund any indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company or its wholly owned subsidiaries, in the case of this clause (C), up to an amount equal to the indebtedness being replaced, renewed, extended, refinanced or refunded (plus any related fees, expenses, premiums and accrued interest);

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other than in accordance with material contracts in effect on the date of the Merger Agreement and set forth in the Company disclosure letter, directly or indirectly (including by Merger or consolidation with any person) sell, lease, swap, exchange, farmout, license, sell and leaseback, abandon, mortgage or otherwise encumber or subject to any lien (other than certain permitted liens) or otherwise dispose in whole or in part of any of its material properties, assets or rights or any interest therein, in each case other than (A) the sale of hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or (B) the sale or other disposition of equipment that is surplus, obsolete or replaced made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

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directly or indirectly acquire or agree to acquire (A) by merging or consolidating with, purchasing a substantial equity interest in or a substantial portion of the assets of, making an investment in or loan or capital contribution to or in any other manner, any corporation, partnership, association or other business organization or division thereof or (B) any assets that are otherwise material to the Company and its subsidiaries, in each case other than transactions solely among the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries;

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except as required by applicable law or any Company benefit plan made available to Parent prior to the date of the Merger Agreement and in effect as of the date of the Merger Agreement, (A) establish, adopt, amend or terminate any Company benefit plan or create or enter into any plan, agreement,

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program, policy, trust, fund or other arrangement that would be a Company benefit plan if it were in existence as of the date of the Merger Agreement; (B) increase the compensation (including paying or committing to pay any bonuses or incentive compensation (whether cash, equity, or equity-based)) or benefits, in the aggregate, of any current or former director, officer, employee or independent contractor, in each case of the Company or its subsidiaries; or (C) accelerate the time of vesting or payment or funding of any payment or benefit under any Company benefit plan or otherwise;

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implement or adopt any material change in its financial accounting principles or methods, other than as may be required by GAAP, accounting standards promulgated by the Council of Petroleum Accountants Society or applicable law;

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(A) terminate or amend in a manner materially adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, any material contract, joint operating agreement, oil and gas lease, right-of-way or lease other than, for the avoidance of doubt, any renewal or expiration in the ordinary course of business of such material contract, joint operating agreement, oil and gas lease, right-of-way or lease according to such material contract’s, joint operating agreement’s, oil and gas lease’s, right-of-way’s or lease’s terms on substantially the same terms, (B) enter into any material contract or lease that, if entered into prior to the date of the Merger Agreement, would be a material contract, joint operating agreement, lease, right-of-way, or oil and gas lease, or (C) waive any material right under or release, settle or compromise any material claim under any material contract, joint operating agreement, oil and gas lease, right-of-way or lease;

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make any loan, advance or capital contribution to or investment in any person (other than the Company or any wholly owned subsidiary of the Company), other than (A) advances for expenses required under customary joint operating agreements to operators of oil and gas properties of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (B) expense advancements in the ordinary course of business to directors, officers and employees of the Company;

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pay, discharge, settle or satisfy any pending or threatened litigation, other than settlements that are solely for monetary damages of less than $50,000 individually and $75,000 in the aggregate;

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conduct their respective cash management practices other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (including with respect to the payment of accounts receivable and accrued liabilities, collection of accounts receivable, pricing, credit practices and operation of cash management generally);

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(A) change or revoke any material tax election, (B) change any annual accounting period for tax purposes, (C) change any method of accounting for tax purposes or (D) settle any tax proceeding for an amount materially in excess of the amount reserved for taxes on the financial statements of the Company; or

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authorize any of, or agree or commit to do any of, the foregoing actions.

From the date of signing the Merger Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of the Merger Agreement, except as expressly permitted by the Merger Agreement, Parent will not take or permit its subsidiaries to take any action that is reasonably likely to prevent, or materially impair or delay, the consummation of the Merger.

The Merger Agreement is not intended to give any of the parties to the Merger Agreement, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct another party’s operations prior to the Effective Time. Prior to the Effective Time, each party will exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, complete control and supervision over its operations.

Non-Solicitation of Acquisition Proposals

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ability to solicit third-party proposals relating to alternative transactions or to provide information to and engage in discussions or negotiations with a third party in relation to an alternative transaction (subject to certain exceptions prior to the time the Company stockholder approval is obtained as described further below).

Specifically, except as expressly permitted by the Merger Agreement, from the date of the Evidence of Funding until the earlier to occur of the termination of the Merger Agreement and the Effective Time, the Company shall not, and shall cause each of its subsidiaries and its and their respective officers and directors, and shall instruct its and its subsidiaries’ other representatives not to, directly or indirectly,

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engage in, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any other person any information with respect to, any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, a Company takeover proposal (other than, in response to an unsolicited inquiry that did not arise from a breach of the Merger Agreement, solely to ascertain facts from the person making such Company takeover proposal consistent with its fiduciary duties about such Company takeover proposal and the person that made it, and to refer the inquiring person to the non-solicitation provisions of the Merger Agreement).

The Merger Agreement defines a Company takeover proposal as any offer, proposal or indication of interest that is not withdrawn from a person or “group” (as defined in or under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of persons (other than a proposal or offer by Parent or any subsidiary of Parent) made after the date of the Merger Agreement relating to any transaction or series of related transactions involving:

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any acquisition or purchase by any person or “group” of persons, directly or indirectly, of more than 20% of any class of outstanding voting or equity securities of the Company, or any tender offer or exchange offer that, if consummated, would result in any person or “group” of persons beneficially owning more than 20% (on a non-diluted basis) of any class of outstanding voting or equity securities of the Company,

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any Merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar transaction involving the Company and a person or “group” (as defined in or under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of persons pursuant to which the stockholders of the Company immediately preceding such transaction hold less than 80% of the equity interests in the surviving or resulting entity of such transaction or

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any sale, lease, exchange, transfer, license or other disposition to a person or “group” of persons of more than 20% of the consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (measured by the fair market value thereof), or that generate 20% or more of the consolidated net revenues or net income of the Company and its subsidiaries (for the 12-month period ending on the last day of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter).

Existing Discussions

After such time, the Merger Agreement provides that the Company shall, and the Company shall cause its subsidiaries, and its and their respective officers and directors to, and shall cause its and its subsidiaries’ other representatives to, immediately cease any and all existing solicitation, discussions or negotiations with any persons (or provision of any non-public information to any persons) with respect to any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, a Company takeover proposal,

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and that the Company shall promptly (A) request in writing that each person that has executed a confidentiality agreement within the six month period immediately preceding the date of the Merger Agreement in connection with its consideration of a Company takeover proposal or potential Company takeover proposal promptly destroy or return to the Company all non-public information furnished by the Company or any of its representatives to such person or any of its representatives in accordance with the terms of such confidentiality agreement and (B) terminate access to any physical or electronic data rooms relating to a possible Company takeover proposal by such person and its representatives. In addition, the Merger Agreement provides that the Company shall not terminate, waive, amend, release or modify any provision of any confidentiality or standstill agreement to which the Company is a party with respect to any Company takeover proposal or potential Company takeover proposal, and shall enforce the provisions of any such agreement, which shall include seeking any injunctive relief available to enforce such agreement (provided, that the Company shall be permitted to grant waivers of, and not enforce, any standstill agreement, but solely to the extent that the Board (after considering the recommendation of the Company special committee) has determined in good faith, after consultation with the Company’s independent financial advisor and outside legal counsel, that failure to take such action would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable law).

Notice

At any time after the date of the Merger Agreement and until the earlier to occur of the termination of the Merger Agreement and the Effective Time, the Company is required to promptly (and in no event later than 24 hours after receipt) notify Parent (in writing) in the event that the Company or any of its subsidiaries or its or their representatives receives any indication from any person that it is considering making a Company takeover proposal, any inquiry or request for information that could reasonably be expected to lead to or contemplates a Company takeover proposal or any amendment or modification to the material terms of any Company takeover proposal, including the identity of the person making the Company takeover proposal, inquiry or request, a summary of the material terms and conditions thereof, and a copy of any written proposal, offer or other documentation provided by such person. The Company is required to keep Parent informed (orally and in writing) in all material respects on a timely basis of the status and details (including, within 24 hours after the occurrence of any amendment, modification, development, discussion or negotiation) of any such Company takeover proposal, inquiry, request, proposal or offer, including furnishing copies of any written inquiries, correspondence and draft documentation, and written summaries of any material oral inquiries or discussions.

Fiduciary Exception

Notwithstanding the foregoing restrictions, prior to the time the Company stockholder approval is obtained, if the Company receives an unsolicited written Company takeover proposal that is not withdrawn from any person that did not result from a material breach of the non-solicitation provisions of the Merger Agreement, and if the Board (after considering the recommendation of the Company special committee) has determined in good faith, after consultation with its independent financial advisor and outside legal counsel:

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that such Company takeover proposal is bona fide and constitutes or could reasonably be expected to lead to a Company superior proposal, and

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failure to take the actions set forth in clauses (A) and (B) below would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable law,

then the Company and its representatives may, in response to such Company takeover proposal, (A) furnish, pursuant to an acceptable confidentiality agreement, information (including non-public information) with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries and afford access to the business, properties, assets, books, records or other non-public information, or to any personnel, of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to the person that has made such written Company takeover proposal and its representatives (provided that the Company shall, prior to or concurrently with the delivery to such person, provide to Parent any information concerning the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is provided or made available to such person or its representatives unless such information has been previously provided to Parent) and (B) engage in or otherwise participate in

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discussions or negotiations with the person making such Company takeover proposal and its representatives regarding such Company takeover proposal; provided that the Company and its representatives may contact any person in writing with respect to a Company takeover proposal to clarify any ambiguous terms and conditions thereof which are necessary to determine whether the Company takeover proposal constitutes a Company superior proposal (without the Board (or any committee thereof, including the Company special committee) being required to make the determination in the foregoing bullets one and two). The Company shall promptly (and in any event within twenty-four (24) hours) notify parent in writing if the Board makes the determinations set forth in this provision of the Merger Agreement, and shall not take any of the actions set forth in clauses (A) and (B) prior to providing such notice.

The Merger Agreement defines an acceptable confidentiality agreement as a confidentiality agreement on terms that, with respect to confidentiality and use, are no less restrictive to the Company’s counterparty thereto than those contained in the confidentiality agreement (including the standstill provision contained therein, but only to the extent such provisions apply after giving effect to the terms of the Merger Agreement), and except for such changes to permit the Company to comply with its obligations under the Merger Agreement.

The Merger Agreement defines a Company superior proposal as an unsolicited bona fide, written Company takeover proposal (with references to 20% and 80% being deemed to be replaced with references to 50%, respectively) by a third party, that is fully financed or has fully committed financing, which the Board determines in good faith after consultation with the Company’s outside legal and financial advisors to be more favorable from a financial point of view to the Company and its stockholders than the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (including any adjustment to the terms of the transactions proposed by Parent pursuant to the change in Board recommendation in connection with a Company superior proposal provisions of the Merger Agreement described below and taking in consideration the timing and likelihood of consummation of such Company superior proposal).

No Change in Board Recommendation; No Entry into Alternative Transactions

In the Merger Agreement, the Board agreed to make the Board recommendation to the Company stockholders. Subject to certain exceptions described below, the Board and each committee of the Board, including the Company special committee, may not:

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cause or permit the Company or any of its subsidiaries to enter into any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement (including an acquisition agreement, Merger Agreement, option

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agreement, expense reimbursement agreement, joint venture agreement or other agreement), commitment or agreement in principle with respect to, or that could reasonably be expected to lead to, any Company takeover proposal (other than an acceptable confidentiality agreement entered into in accordance with the Merger Agreement (we refer to any such documents as a “Company acquisition agreement”).

Fiduciary Exception

Notwithstanding the foregoing restrictions, prior to obtaining the Company stockholder approval, the Board, after considering the recommendation of the Company special committee, or the Company special committee may, in response to a Company superior proposal received by the Company after the date of the Merger Agreement that did not result from a material breach of the non-solicitation provisions of the Merger Agreement, make a change of recommendation or cause the Company to validly terminate the Merger Agreement (as described in the section below entitled “— Termination” beginning on page 102 of this proxy statement) to enter into a binding Company acquisition agreement with respect to such Company superior proposal; provided that prior to making such change of recommendation or terminating the Merger Agreement:

•

the Company shall have given Parent at least five business days’ prior written notice of its intention to take such action, including a summary of the material terms and conditions of, and the identity of the Person making any such Company superior proposal and contemporaneously provide to Parent a copy of the Company superior proposal and a copy of any proposed Company acquisition agreement and any other relevant transaction documents,

•

during such five-business day period following the date on which such notice is received, the Company shall and shall cause its representatives to, negotiate with Parent in good faith (to the extent Parent wishes to negotiate) to make such adjustments to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement as Parent may propose,

•

upon the end of such notice period (or such subsequent notice period as contemplated by the next bullet), the Board, after considering the recommendation of the Company special committee, shall have considered in good faith any revisions to the terms of the Merger Agreement proposed in writing by Parent, and shall have determined, after consultation with the Company’s independent financial advisor and outside legal counsel, that the Company superior proposal would nevertheless continue to constitute a Company superior proposal and the failure to make a change of recommendation or terminate the Merger Agreement, as applicable, would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law, and

•

in the event of any change to any of the financial terms (including the form, amount and timing of payment of consideration) or any other material terms of such Company superior proposal, the Company shall, in each case, have delivered to Parent an additional notice consistent with that described in the first bullet above and a new notice period shall commence (provided that the notice period thereunder shall only be three business days) during which time the Company shall be required to comply with the requirements of this provision anew with respect to such additional notice, including bullets one through four above. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall enter into any Company acquisition agreement unless the Merger Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms.

The Board, after considering the recommendation of the Company special committee, may also effect a Company adverse recommendation change, prior to the time the Company stockholder approval is obtained, in response to an intervening event (as defined below) if the Board, after considering the recommendation of the Company special committee, determines in good faith, in consultation with the Company’s financial advisor and outside legal counsel, that the failure to effect a Company adverse recommendation change would be inconsistent with the Board’s fiduciary duties, after considering the recommendation of the Company special committee, or the Company special committee’s fiduciary duties, in each case, under applicable law. However, neither the Board nor the Company special committee may take any such actions until:

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the Company shall have given Parent at least five business days’ prior written notice of its intention to effect such a change of recommendation and specifying the reasons therefor, which notice shall include a description the applicable intervening event in reasonable detail,

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during the five business day period following the date on which such notice is received, the Company shall and shall cause its representatives to negotiate in good faith with Parent (to the extent Parent wishes to negotiate), to make adjustments to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, and

•

following the end of such five business day period, the Board, after considering the recommendation of the Company special committee and after consultation with the Company’s independent financial advisor and outside legal counsel and taking into account any revisions to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement proposed by Parent, shall have determined in good faith that the failure of the Board to make such a change of recommendation would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable law.

Under the Merger Agreement, an intervening event means an event, fact, circumstance, development or occurrence that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that is not actually known or reasonably foreseeable to the Board as of the date of the Merger Agreement (or if actually known or reasonably foreseeable as of the date of the Merger Agreement, the material consequences of which were not known by the Board at such time) and does not relate to: (a) a Company takeover proposal, (b) any actions required to be taken pursuant to the Merger Agreement, (c) any change in price or trading volume of the Company common stock or (d) changes in the Company’s reserves estimates (including categorization thereof) or production volumes as compared to expected, forecasted or previously estimated amounts.

Certain Permitted Disclosure

Nothing contained in the Merger Agreement will prohibit the Company, the Board or a committee thereof, including the Company special committee, from (i) taking and disclosing to Company stockholders a position contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a) or Rule 14d-9 promulgated under the Exchange Act, (ii) making any disclosure to Company stockholders that is required by law or stock exchange rule or listing agreement, (iii) complying with Item 1012(a) of Regulation M-A promulgated under the Exchange Act, (iv) informing any person of the existence of the provisions contained in the non-solicitation portion of the Merger Agreement or (v) making any “stop, look and listen” communication to Company stockholders pursuant to Rule 14d-9(f) under the Exchange Act (or any substantially similar communication). In addition, the parties have agreed that a factually accurate required public statement by the Company or the Board (or a committee thereof, including the Company special committee) that solely describes the Company’s receipt of a Company takeover proposal, the identity of the person making such Company takeover proposal, the material terms of such Company takeover proposal and the operation of the Merger Agreement with respect thereto will not be deemed to be (A) changing, qualifying, withholding, withdrawing or modifying, or a proposal by the Board (or a committee thereof, including the Company special committee) to change, qualify, withhold, withdraw or modify, the recommendation, (B) an adoption, approval or recommendation with respect to such Company takeover proposal or (C) a change of recommendation.

Company Stockholders Meeting

The Company has agreed to hold a special meeting (which we refer to as the “Company stockholders meeting”) as promptly as practicable after the mailing of this proxy statement to consider and vote upon the adoption of the Merger Agreement. Subject to the provisions of the Merger Agreement discussed above under “— No Change in Board Recommendation; No Entry into Alternative Transactions” beginning on page 92 of this proxy statement, the Board has agreed to recommend that the Company stockholders adopt the Merger Agreement in this proxy statement and use commercially reasonable efforts to solicit such adoption of the Merger Agreement.

Filings; Other Actions; Notification

General Obligations

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applicable laws to consummate and make effective in the most expeditious manner possible the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (which we refer to as the “transactions”) and to cause the conditions to the transactions set forth in the Merger Agreement to be satisfied as promptly as practicable, including using all efforts to accomplish the following as promptly as reasonably practicable:

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the preparation and filing of all forms, registrations and notifications to or with any governmental authority required to be filed to consummate the transactions,

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satisfaction of the conditions to consummating the transactions,

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taking of all actions necessary, proper or advisable to obtain (and to cooperate with each other in obtaining) any consent, authorization, expiration or termination of a waiting period, permit, order or approval of, waiver or any exemption by, any governmental authority required to be obtained or made by the Company, Parent or Merger Sub or any of their respective subsidiaries in connection with the transactions or the taking of any action contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and

•

defending any lawsuits or other legal proceedings, whether judicial or administrative, challenging the Merger Agreement or the consummation of the transactions.

Efforts to Complete the Merger

The Company and Parent have agreed to keep the other apprised of the status of matters relating to the completion of the transactions and work cooperatively in connection with obtaining all required consents, authorizations, orders or approvals of, or any exemptions by, any governmental authority undertaken pursuant to the provisions of the Merger Agreement. In that regard, prior to the closing, each party shall promptly consult with the other parties to the Merger Agreement with respect to and provide any necessary information and assistance as the other parties may reasonably request with respect to (and, in the case of correspondence, provide the other parties (or their counsel) with copies of) all notices, submissions or filings made by or on behalf of such party or any of its affiliates with any governmental authority or any other information supplied by or on behalf of such party or any of its affiliates to, or correspondence with, any person in connection with the Merger Agreement and the transactions. Each party has agreed to promptly inform the other parties to the Merger Agreement, and if in writing, furnish the other parties with copies of (or, in the case of oral communications, advise the other parties orally of) any communication from or to any governmental authority regarding the transactions, and permit the other parties to review and discuss in advance, and consider in good faith the views of the other parties in connection with, any proposed communication or submission with any such governmental authority. No party or any of its affiliates may participate in any meeting or teleconference with any governmental authority in connection with the Merger Agreement and the transactions unless it consults with the other parties in advance and, to the extent not prohibited by such governmental authority, gives the other parties the opportunity to attend and participate thereat. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parent and the Company may, as each deems advisable and necessary, reasonably designate any competitively sensitive material provided to the other under this provision of the Merger Agreement as “Outside Counsel Only Material.” Such materials and the information contained therein shall be given only to the outside counsel of the recipient and will not be disclosed by such outside counsel to employees, officers or directors of the recipient unless express permission is obtained in advance from the source of the materials (Parent or the Company, as the case may be) or its legal counsel.

Financing of the Merger

Equity Financing

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is $1,240, (ii) Series A-1 Preferred Stock is $1,086, and (iii) Series A-2 Preferred Stock and new Company preferred stock is the redemption price determined pursuant to Section 8(a) of the certificate of designation of the Series A-2 Preferred Stock, or the certificate of designations for such new Company preferred stock, as applicable, in each case as of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement; provided, that in the case of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), if such closing does not take place on or prior to February 5, 2024, such amount shall increase at an annual rate of 16% until such closing occurs; and (b) the “maximum rollover amount” of (1) Luminus is $42.5 million and (2) Oaktree is $27.6 million.

Financing Covenants

Parent and Merger Sub agreed use their respective reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to arrange, consummate and obtain the committed debt financing on the terms and conditions described in the debt financing commitments (including any flex provisions applicable thereto), including using reasonable best efforts to (A) maintain in effect the debt financing commitments, (B) negotiate applicable definitive documentation for and consummate the committed debt financing contemplated by the debt financing commitments (including any flex provisions applicable thereto) at or prior to the closing, and execute and deliver to the Company a copy of any material definitive agreements promptly following such execution, (C) promptly pay all commitment or other fees and amounts that become due and payable under or with respect to the debt financing commitments as they become due and payable, (D) satisfy on a timely basis (or obtain a waiver of) all conditions to funding applicable to Parent and Merger Sub under the debt financing commitments, and (E) enforce their rights under the debt financing commitments, including seeking specific performance of the parties thereunder.

Parent and Merger Sub agreed to use their respective reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to, prior to the closing date, (A) consummate the Parent Preferred Stock Transactions on the terms set forth in the Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement and the Contribution Agreement and (B) arrange, consummate and obtain additional debt and/or equity financing on terms reasonably acceptable to Parent (which may include additional sales of Parent preferred stock pursuant to Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement) the proceeds of which will, when taken together with the aggregate proceeds contemplated by the committed debt financing, the Preferred stock transactions and other financial resources of Parent and Merger Sub, including cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company and the Company’s subsidiaries on the closing date, be sufficient for Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger upon the terms contemplated by the Merger Agreement and pay all related fees and expenses (we refer to such additional debt and/or equity financing as the “additional financing”), including reasonable

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best efforts to (1) negotiate applicable additional financing documents, (2) promptly pay all commitment or other fees and amounts that become due and payable under or with respect to the additional financing as they become due and payable, (3) satisfy on a timely basis all conditions to funding applicable to Parent and Merger Sub under the Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, the Contribution Agreement and the additional financing documents, and (4) enforce their rights under the Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, the Contribution Agreement and the additional financing documents, including seeking specific performance of the parties thereunder.

Parent and Merger Sub agreed that they shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), consent or agree to any amendment, supplement or modification to or assignment of, or any waiver of any provision under, the debt financing commitments in each case, that would (A) reduce the aggregate amount of the committed debt financing (including by increasing the amount of fees to be paid or original issue discount, other than as a result of the exercise of any related “flex” provisions, other than with a corresponding increase in any equity commitment), (B) impose new or additional conditions (which will include, for the avoidance of doubt, the imposition of new or additional conditions in the form of representations, warranties or covenants) or otherwise expand, amend or modify any of the conditions to funding the committed debt financing that would reasonably be expected to (1) materially delay or prevent or make less likely the funding of the committed debt financing (or satisfaction of the conditions to the committed debt financing) on the closing date or (2) materially and adversely impact the ability of Parent and Merger Sub to enforce their rights against the financing sources that are parties to the debt financing commitments or any other parties to the debt financing commitments or the definitive agreements with respect thereto, or (C) make it materially less likely that the committed debt financing would be funded (including by making the conditions to obtaining the committed debt financing less likely to occur) or otherwise prevent or delay or impair the ability or likelihood of Parent and Merger Sub to timely consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or adversely affect the ability of Parent and Merger Sub to enforce their rights against the other parties to the debt financing commitments relative to the ability of Parent and Merger Sub to enforce their rights against such other parties to the debt financing commitments as in effect on the date hereof. Parent and Merger Sub agreed to use their respective reasonable best efforts to refrain from taking, directly or indirectly, any action that could reasonably be expected to result in a failure of any of the conditions contained in the debt financing commitments or in any definitive agreement related to the committed debt financing.

In the event that any portion of any of the committed debt financing becomes unavailable or Parent or Merger Sub becomes aware of any event or circumstance that makes any portion of the committed debt financing unavailable on the terms and conditions (including the flex provisions) contemplated in the debt financing commitments, Parent and Merger Sub agreed to use their respective reasonable best efforts to arrange to obtain alternative financing from alternative sources on terms not materially less beneficial, in the aggregate, to Parent (as determined in the reasonable judgment of Parent), in an amount sufficient to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and any related fees and expenses, as promptly as practicable following the occurrence of such event (which we refer to as an “alternative financing”).

On or before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 27, 2024, Parent is required to deliver to the Company evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company that the bank account specified in the Merger Agreement (which we refer to as the “additional financing bank account”) contains an amount of cash available for withdrawal equal to or greater than $200.0 million minus the amount of escrow funds as of such date. Following Parent’s delivery of such evidence in accordance with the foregoing, Merger Sub shall, and Parent shall cause Merger Sub to, at all times prior to the earlier of the effective time and the date on which the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, maintain an amount of cash in the additional financing bank account available for withdrawal equal to or greater than $200.0 million minus the amount of escrow funds as of any such date.

Prior to the Closing, the Company has agreed, and cause its subsidiaries, and its and their respective representatives, to provide to Parent and Merger Sub all cooperation reasonably requested by Parent, Merger Sub and/or the financing sources that is customary in connection with financings of a type substantially similar to the financing, and any derivative transactions to be entered into by Parent, the Company or any of their respective affiliates in connection therewith.

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Parent and Merger Sub acknowledged and agree that, except as set forth in the financing covenants of the Merger Agreement, the obtaining of any financing by Parent or any of its Affiliates is not a condition to the Closing.

Employee Matters

For the one-year period immediately following the closing date of the Merger (or, if shorter, the period of employment of the relevant employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries who continues in employment with Parent or any of its subsidiaries (including the surviving corporation) as of and following the closing (which employees we refer to as “continuing employees”) and subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, Parent has agreed to provide, or cause its subsidiaries (including the surviving corporation) to provide, each continuing employee with: (i) at least the same annual base salary or base wage rate as in effect immediately prior to the closing date, and (ii) other employee benefits (excluding defined benefit pension, post-termination retiree or medical, nonqualified deferred compensation, retention, change in control and similar arrangements and benefits) that are comparable in the aggregate to such employee benefits provided under the Company benefit plans in which the continuing employee participated immediately prior to the closing date based on the compensation and benefit information disclosed in the Company disclosure letter. Parent also agreed to provide, or cause its subsidiaries to provide, for the one-year period immediately following the closing date, each continuing employee with severance benefits equal to the greater of (i) the severance benefits for which such continuing employee was eligible as of immediately prior to the closing date (as disclosed in the Company disclosure letter), and (ii) the severance benefits provided for under the severance arrangements of Parent and its subsidiaries for similarly situated employees of Parent and its subsidiaries.

Parent has agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to recognize periods of employment of continuing employees with the Company or its affiliates to the same extent and for the same purposes as recognized under any comparable benefit plan of the Company and its affiliates, including their predecessor entities, for purposes of (i) eligibility for participation, (ii) vesting, and (iii) determining level of benefits of the corresponding employee benefit plan (excluding any plan providing for defined benefit pension, nonqualified deferred compensation, retention, equity or equity-based compensation, or post-termination or retiree health or welfare benefits) offered by Parent or any of its subsidiaries to the continuing employees during the calendar year in which the closing date occurs. Additionally, during the applicable plan year in which the closing date occurs, Parent has agree to, or cause one of its subsidiaries to, use commercially reasonable efforts to (A) waive any pre-existing condition limitations under all applicable group health care plans of Parent or any of its subsidiaries to the extent such condition was satisfied or waived under the comparable Company benefit plan prior to the closing date and (B) credit all continuing employees and their eligible dependents with all payments credited against out-of-pocket maximums and deductible payments and co-payments paid by such person, in each case under the Company benefit plan providing health coverage during the portion of the plan year prior to the closing date for the purpose of determining the extent to which any such person has satisfied his or her deductible and whether he or she has reached the out-of-pocket maximum under any health insurance plans of Parent or any of its subsidiaries for such plan year.

Parent has also agreed to, or to cause its subsidiaries to, assume and honor all Company benefit plans (other than the Company equity plan) that were disclosed in the disclosure letter. The Parent may, by written request prior to the closing date, request that the Company terminate its 401(k) plan effective as of immediately prior to the closing date. If Parent requests that the Company terminate its 401(k) plan, Parent shall make available a 401(k) plan to the continuing employees within 90 days following the closing.

Stockholder Litigation

The Merger Agreement requires the Company to provide Parent prompt notice of any charge, complaint, claim, action, suit, arbitration, prosecution or proceeding (whether civil, criminal or regulatory) in law or in equity (which we refer to as “litigation”) brought by any Company stockholder or purported Company stockholder against the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective directors or officers relating to the transactions, and shall keep Parent informed on a reasonably prompt basis with respect to the status thereof. The Company is required to give Parent the opportunity to participate (at Parent’s expense) in the defense or settlement of any such litigation and reasonably cooperate with Parent in conducting

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the defense or settlement of such litigation, and no such settlement or any disclosure in connection therewith shall be agreed without Parent’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

On January 19, 2024, the Company received a books and records demand pursuant to Section 220 of the DGCL from the law firm of Ademi LLP on behalf of purported stockholder James Alford. On January 29, 2024, the Company received a second books and records demand pursuant to Section 220 of the DGCL from Rigrodsky Law P.A. on behalf of purported stockholder Denise Redfield. Also, on February 1, 2024, the Company received a books a records demand pursuant to Section 220 from the law firm ofBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP on behalf of purported stockholder the Ohio Carpenters’ Pension Plan. The Section 220 books and records demands include allegations of breach of fiduciary duty by the Board and disclosure deficiencies in this proxy statement, which the Company denies. The Company has responded to these requests within the time period required under Section 220 of the DGCL.

Indemnification; Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance

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The Merger Agreement also provides that the Company will cause to be put in place, and Parent shall fully prepay immediately prior to the Effective Time a six-year prepaid “tail” insurance policy of at least the same coverage and amounts and containing terms and conditions that are no less favorable to the covered individuals as the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ existing directors’ and officers’ insurance policy or policies with a claims period of six years from the Effective Time for D&O claims arising from facts, acts, events or omissions that occurred on or prior to the Effective Time. If the Company fails to obtain such tail policy prior to the Effective Time, Parent or the surviving corporation are required to obtain such a tail policy. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will Parent or the surviving corporation be required to expend for such D&O insurance coverage an annual premium amount greater than 300% of the annual premiums paid by the Company for D&O insurance in fiscal 2022 (we refer to such amount as the “maximum annual premium”). If such D&O insurance is not reasonably available or the annual premium of such D&O

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insurance exceeds the maximum annual premium, Parent has agreed to cause the surviving corporation to obtain as much D&O insurance coverage as may be obtained for such maximum annual premium.

Expenses

Subject to certain exceptions, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Merger Agreement and the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement will be paid by the party incurring such expenses, whether or not the Merger is consummated.

Other Agreements

The Merger Agreement contains certain other covenants and agreements between the Company, Parent and Merger Sub, including covenants and agreements relating to:

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cooperation by the Company with Parent to use its reasonable best efforts to delist the Company common stock from the NYSE American exchange and to deregister the Company common stock under the Exchange Act;

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cooperation between the Company and Parent in connection with public announcements relating to the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

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the Company’s agreement to take all such reasonably steps necessary to cause any dispositions of the Company’s equity securities pursuant to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement by each individual subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act with respect to the Company to be exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act;

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Parent’s agreement to provide to the other parties a written consent adopting the Merger Agreement;

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Parent’s agreement to cause Merger Sub and the surviving corporation to comply with their obligations under the Merger Agreement and Merger Sub’s agreement not to engage in any activities except as provided in or contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

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the agreement that the Company, Parent, Merger Sub and their respective boards of directors will, if any takeover statute is or may be applicable to the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, grant approvals and take actions as are necessary to consummate, as promptly as practicable, the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and will otherwise act to eliminate or minimize the effects of any takeover statute or regulations on the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

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the resignation of certain of the Company’s directors and officers as requested by Parent that will be effective on or before the Effective Time;

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the novation of the Company’s existing derivative transactions; and

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the filing of the amendment to the Series A-1 Certificate of Designation.

Series A-1 Amendment

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, on December 15, 2023, the Company filed a certificate of amendment to the Certificate of Designations of Series A- 1 Preferred Stock (which we refer to as the “Series A-1 CoD”) with the Delaware Secretary of State (such amendment, the “Series A-1 CoD Amendment”). The Series A-1 CoD Amendment, which has been approved by the requisite holder(s) of Series A-1 Preferred Stock, amends, among other things, certain provisions of the Series A-1 CoD, as follows: (a) the period during which holders of Series A-1 Preferred Stock may convert their shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock into Common Stock shall not commence until the date that is two hundred forty (240) days following the Issuance Date (as defined in the Series A-1 CoD); (b) the period during which the Issuer may redeem shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock at a price per share equal to one hundred and two percent (102%) of the then-current Liquidation Preference (as defined in the Series A-1 CoD) has been changed such that the period shall begin on the date that is one hundred twenty (120) days after the Issuance Date and end on the date that is two hundred thirty-nine (239) days after such Issuance Date; (c) the period during which the Issuer may redeem shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock at a price per share equal to one hundred

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and five percent (105%) of the then-current Liquidation Preference (as defined in the Series A-1 CoD) has been changed such that the period shall begin on the date that is two hundred and forty (240) days after the Issuance Date and end on the first (1st) anniversary of the Issuance Date; (d) (i) with respect to the option of the holders of Series A-1 Preferred Stock to convert their Series A-1 Preferred Stock into a right to receive a cash payment per share of Series A-1 Preferred Stock in connection with a Change of Control (as defined in the Series A-1 CoD), the cash price has been changed from an amount equal to the then-applicable Liquidation Preference to an amount equal to the then-applicable Redemption Price (as defined in the Series A-1 CoD) per share of such Series A-1 Preferred Stock, and (ii) the period during which holders of Series A-1 Preferred Stock may exercise such conversion option in connection with a Change of Control has been changed from any time on or prior to the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day to the two hundred fortieth (240th) day following the Issuance Date; (e) the period during which the Issuer must offer each holder of Series A-1 Preferred Stock a cash payment per share of Series A-1 Preferred Stock equal to the then-applicable Redemption Price in connection with a Change of Control has been changed from the period following the occurrence of both the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day following the Issuance Date and the end of the Term Loan Restricted Period (as described in the Series A-1 CoD) to the period following the occurrence of both the two hundred fortieth (240th) day following the Issuance Date and the end of the Term Loan Restricted Period, and (f) the period during which the Issuer shall have the option to offer each holder of Series A-1 Preferred Stock a cash payment per share of Series A-1 Preferred Stock equal to the then-applicable Redemption Price in connection with a Change of Control has been changed from the period beginning on the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day following the Issuance Date and ending at the end of the Term Loan Restricted Period to the period beginning on the two hundred fortieth (240th) day following the Issuance Date and ending at the end of the Company’s term loan restricted period.

Conditions to the Merger

Each of the Company’s, Parent’s and Merger Sub’s obligation to effect the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver on or before the Effective Time of the following conditions (which we refer to as the “mutual conditions”):

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no governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have, after the date of the Merger Agreement, (i) enacted, issued or promulgated any law, statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation or judgment that is in effect or (ii) issued or granted any order or injunction (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that is in effect, in each case which has the effect of restraining, enjoining or prohibiting the consummation of the Merger; and

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the Merger Agreement having been duly adopted by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the votes cast by all holders of the shares of Company common stock entitled to vote thereon at the special meeting (which we refer to as the “Company requisite vote”).

The obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to effect the Merger are further subject to the satisfaction or waiver on or before the Effective Time of each of the following conditions (which we refer to as the “Parent conditions”):

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the representations and warranties of the Company relating to its capital structure being true and correct in all respects (other than for de minimis inaccuracies) as of the date of signing the Merger Agreement and as of the date of the closing as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent the representation or warranty is expressly made as of a specific date (including the date of signing the Merger Agreement) in which case the representation and warranty must be true and correct only as of that specific date);

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the representations and warranties of the Company relating to corporate power and authority, the absence of obligations to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Company securities (other than issuances in connection with the purchase, vesting or settlement of Company equity awards or as set forth in the Company’s certificate of incorporation), no violation of the Company’s certificate of incorporation as a result of the Merger and the transactions, ownership of the Company’s subsidiaries, the absence of bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of securities the holders of which have the right to vote with the Company stockholders on any matter and the absence of obligations to brokers or finders other than Houlihan Lokey being true and correct as of the date of signing the Merger Agreement and as of the date of the closing as though made on and as of the

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date of the closing (except to the extent the representation or warranty is made as of a specific date (including the date of signing the Merger Agreement) in which case the representation and warranty must be true and correct only as of that specific date), in each case in all respects;

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the representations and warranties of the Company that since December 31, 2022, the Company and its subsidiaries have not taken any action that, if taken after the date of the Merger Agreement, would be a breach of the interim operating covenants described under “— Conduct of the Company’s Business Pending the Merger” beginning on page 79 (other than the covenants related to issuance of Company equity awards, issuance of additional shares of capital stock, the incurrence of indebtedness, take specified actions with respect to Company benefit plans, invest in any other person and the conduct of its cash management practices) being true and correct as of the date of signing the Merger Agreement and as of the date of the closing as though made on and as of the date of the closing;

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each of the representations and warranties of the Company other than those referred to in the first three bullets above shall be true and correct as of the date of the Merger Agreement and as of the closing date (without giving effect to any materiality or Company material adverse effect qualifiers) as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty speaks as of any earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except, in each case, for such failures to be true and correct as have not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company material adverse effect.

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the Company shall have duly performed and complied with, in all material respects, the covenants, obligations and agreements contained in the Merger Agreement to be performed and complied with by it at or prior to the closing;

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Parent and Merger Sub having received a certificate of the chief executive officer or the chief financial officer of the Company, certifying that the conditions set forth in the first through fifth bullets above have been satisfied;

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the Parent Preferred Stock Transactions shall have been consummated by the Rollover Sellers; and

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the Series A-1 amendment shall have been filed.

The obligations of the Company to effect the Merger are further subject to the satisfaction or waiver at or prior to the Effective Time of each of the following conditions (which we refer to as the “Company conditions”):

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the representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub contained in the Merger Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date of the Merger Agreement and as of the closing date (without giving effect to any materiality or Parent material adverse effect qualifiers) as though made on and as of such date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty speaks as of any earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except, in each case, for such failures to be true and correct as have not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent material adverse effect;

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Parent and Merger Sub shall have duly performed and complied with, in all material respects, the respective covenants, obligations and agreements contained in the Merger Agreement to be performed and complied with by Parent and Merger Sub at or prior to the closing; and

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the Company having received a certificate of the chief executive officer or the chief financial officer of Parent, certifying that the conditions set forth in the preceding two bullets have been satisfied.

Termination

The Merger Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the closing date under the following circumstances:

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by mutual written consent of Parent and the Company at any time prior to the Effective Time;

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by either the Company or Parent if:

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•

any permanent injunction or other judgment or order issued by any court of competent jurisdiction or other legal or regulatory restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the transactions will be in effect, or any action has been taken by any governmental authority of competent jurisdiction, that, in each case, prohibits, makes illegal or enjoins the consummation of the transactions and has become final and non-appealable; or (ii) any statute, rule, regulation or order will have been enacted, entered, enforced or deemed applicable to the transactions and is in effect that prohibits, makes illegal or enjoins the consummation of the transactions, except that that neither the Company nor Parent may terminate the Merger Agreement pursuant to this provision unless such party has used its best efforts to remove such injunction and the right to terminate the Merger Agreement pursuant to this provision will not be available to any party that has breached in any material respect any provision of the Merger Agreement in any manner that was the primary cause of the issuance of such order; or

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the Company stockholder approval shall not have been obtained at the special meeting (including any adjournments or postponements thereof permitted by the Merger Agreement), in each case, at which a vote on the approval of this Agreement was taken (which we refer to as a “stockholder vote termination”);

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by the Company if:

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prior to the closing, if Parent or Merger Sub shall have breached or failed to perform any of their respective representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in the Merger Agreement, which breach or failure to perform (A) would give rise to the failure of a mutual condition or a Company condition to be satisfied and (B) is incapable of being cured or, if curable, has not been cured, by Parent or Merger Sub prior to the earlier of the (x) termination date and (y) 30th business day after its receipt of written notice thereof from the Company; provided that the Company shall not have breached or failed to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement so as to cause the mutual conditions or the Parent conditions not to be satisfied (which we refer to as a “Parent general breach termination”);

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prior to obtaining the Company stockholder approval, in accordance with, and subject to compliance in all respects with the terms and conditions of the non-solicitation provisions of the Merger Agreement, in order to enter into a Company acquisition agreement to effect a Company superior proposal (with such Company acquisition agreement being entered into substantially concurrently with the termination of the Merger Agreement); provided that concurrently with such termination, the Company pays the Company termination fee described below (which we refer to as a “superior proposal termination”);

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if the Merger shall not have been consummated on or before the date required by the Merger Agreement, all of the mutual conditions and Company conditions would be satisfied (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the closing) or waived and continued to be so satisfied or waived at the time of such termination if the closing were held at the time of such termination, and the Company stood ready, willing and able to consummate the Merger on the date required by the Merger Agreement at the time of termination (which we refer to as a “Parent failure to close termination”);

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if Parent fails to delivered the Qualifying additional financing documents to the Company on or before February 15, 2024 (which we refer to as a “Parent failure to deliver the qualifying additional financing documents termination”);

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if Parent fails to deliver the Evidence of funding to the Company on or before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 27, 2024 (which we refer to as a “Parent failure to deliver the evidence of funding termination”); or

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•

by Parent if:

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prior to the closing, if the Company shall have breached or failed to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in the Merger Agreement (other than with respect to a breach of or failure to perform any covenant or agreement set forth in the non-solicitation provisions or a willful breach of any covenant or agreement set forth in the proxy statement/stockholders meeting and amendment to the Series A-1 Certificate of Designations provisions of the Merger Agreement, as to which the second bullet below shall apply), which breach or failure to perform (A) would give rise to the failure of a mutual condition or a Parent condition to be satisfied, and (B) is incapable of being cured or, if curable, has not been cured, by the Company prior to the earlier of the (x) termination date and (y) 30th business day after its receipt of written notice thereof from Parent; provided that Parent or Merger Sub shall not have breached or failed to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement so as to cause the mutual conditions or the Company conditions not to be satisfied (which we refer to as a Company general breach termination);

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prior to obtaining the Company stockholder approval, if a change of recommendation shall have occurred; provided, however, that the right to terminate the Merger Agreement pursuant to this provision will not be available to Parent if such right is not exercised within five business days after such change of recommendation shall have occurred (which we refer to as a “change of recommendation termination”); or

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prior to obtaining the Company stockholder approval, if the Company shall have breached or failed to perform any of its covenants and agreements set forth in the non-solicitation provisions of the Merger Agreement in any material respect or committed a willful breach of any of its covenants or agreements set forth in the proxy statement/stockholder meeting and amendment to the Series A-1 Certificate of Designations provisions of the Merger Agreement (which we refer to as a “Company specific breach termination”).

Termination Fee

In the event the Company terminates the Merger Agreement pursuant to a superior proposal termination, or if the Parent terminates the Merger Agreement pursuant to a change of recommendation termination or a Company specific breach termination, then the Company must pay Parent a termination fee in the amount of $3.5 million (which we refer to as the “Company termination fee”) within two business days of such termination.

If the Merger Agreement is terminated by (x) either Parent or the Company pursuant to an outside date termination or stockholder vote termination, or (y) by Parent pursuant to Company specific breach termination; (B) a Company takeover proposal shall have been publicly made, proposed or communicated (or shall have otherwise become publicly known) after the date of the Merger Agreement and not withdrawn prior to the special meeting (or, if earlier, prior to the time of termination of the Merger Agreement); and (C) at any time on or prior to the 12-month anniversary of such termination, the Company or any of its subsidiaries completes or enters into a definitive agreement with respect to, and thereafter completes, any Company takeover proposal, then, in any such event, the Company shall pay to Parent the Company termination fee (less the amount of any previously reimbursed Parent expenses), such payment to be made promptly upon completion of the applicable Company takeover proposal; provided that, for purposes of this provision, all references in the definition of Company takeover proposal on page 90 to 20% or 80% shall be deemed references to 50%

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and expenses (including all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses of financing sources, counsel, accountants, investment bankers, experts and consultants to Parent and Merger Sub and their affiliates) incurred by Parent or Merger Sub or on their behalf in connection with or related to the authorization, preparation, investigation, negotiation, execution and performance of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (the “Parent expenses”), up to a maximum amount of $1.375 million.

Remedies

The parties have agreed that irreparable damage for which monetary relief (including any fees payable pursuant to the Merger Agreement in the event of a termination), even if available, would not be an adequate remedy, would occur in the event that any provision of the Merger Agreement is not performed in accordance with its specific terms or is otherwise breached, including if the parties hereto fail to take any action required of the thereunder to consummate the Merger and effect the closing.

Subject to certain exceptions, the parties agreed that:

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the parties (on behalf of themselves or any third-party beneficiary to the Merger Agreement) shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions, specific performance or other equitable relief to prevent breaches of the Merger Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions thereof without proof of damages or otherwise, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled under the Merger Agreement or at law or in equity,

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the provisions for the payments upon termination shall not be construed to diminish or otherwise impair in any respect any party’s right to specific enforcement and

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the right of specific enforcement is an integral part of the transactions and without that right neither the Company nor Parent would have entered into the Merger Agreement. The right to specific enforcement under the Merger Agreement shall include the right of the Company, on behalf of itself and any third-party beneficiaries to the Merger Agreement, to cause Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger and the other transactions on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. The parties also acknowledged and agreed that any party seeking an injunction or injunctions to prevent and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of the Merger Agreement in accordance with the remedies provision shall not be required to provide any bond or other security in connection with any such order or injunction. Notwithstanding the foregoing and subject to the rights of the parties to the financing commitments under the terms thereof, none of the Company or its related parties shall have any rights or claims (whether in contract or in tort or

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otherwise) against any financing source party, solely in their respective capacities as investors, lenders or arrangers in connection with the financing.

The Company shall be entitled to seek specific performance to cause Parent and Merger Sub to draw down the equity financing or to consummate the Merger only if:

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the mutual conditions and the Parent conditions (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing) have been satisfied or waived;

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Parent and Merger Sub have failed to complete the closing by the date the closing is required to occur pursuant to the Merger Agreement;

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the debt financing has been funded or will be funded at the closing if the additional financing is funded at the closing; and

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the Company has irrevocably confirmed that if specific performance is granted and the additional financing and debt financing are funded, then the closing will occur.

The Company is also entitled to seek specific performance to cause Parent and Merger Sub to enforce the terms of the debt financing commitments (or, if alternative financing is being used, pursuant to the commitments with respect thereto) only if:

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the mutual conditions and the Parent conditions (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing) have been satisfied or waived;

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Parent and Merger Sub have failed to complete the closing by the date the closing is required to occur pursuant to the Merger Agreement; and

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all of the conditions to the consummation of the financing provided by the debt financing commitments (or, if alternative financing is being used, pursuant to the commitments with respect thereto) have been satisfied (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the closing).

While a party to the Merger Agreement may concurrently seek (x) specific performance or other equitable relief to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and (y) payment of any of a termination fee if, as and when required pursuant to the Merger Agreement, under no circumstances will such party receive both the relief contemplated by the foregoing clause (x) and the foregoing clause (y).

Amendment and Waiver

At any time prior to the Effective Time, any provision of the Merger Agreement may be amended or waived if such amendment or waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Company, Parent and Merger Sub. If such amendment or waiver is proposed after the Company stockholder approval is obtained, no such amendment or waiver may be made or given that requires the approval of the stockholders of the Company under the DGCL unless the required further approval is obtained. After the Effective Time, this Agreement may not be amended. No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right under the Merger Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any other right under the Merger Agreement. The Company and the Board may not take or authorize any actions contemplated by the foregoing without the prior approval of the Company special committee.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, certain provisions of the Merger Agreement may not be modified, waived or terminated in a manner that impacts or is adverse in any respect to the financing source parties without the prior written consent of the related financing sources.

Governing Law

The Merger Agreement is governed by Delaware law.

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THE VOTING AGREEMENT

On December 14, 2023, in connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Parent entered into the Voting Agreement with certain stockholders. The following is a summary of selected material provisions of the Voting Agreement. The discussion is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Voting Agreement attached as Annex D to this proxy statement and incorporated herein by reference. We urge you to read carefully this entire proxy statement, including the Voting Agreement attached as Annex D, for a more complete understanding of the Merger.

Generally

In order to induce Parent to enter into the Merger Agreement, concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement on December 14, 2023, Luminus Energy Partners Master Fund, Ltd., and OCM HLCN Holdings, L.P. (which we refer to as the “Rollover Sellers” and the Company stockholders other than the Rollover Sellers as the “unaffiliated stockholders”) entered into the Voting Agreement with Parent. As of December 13, 2023, the Rollover Sellers beneficially owned approximately 6.255 million shares of Company common stock, representing approximately 38%% of the total outstanding shares of Company common stock as of that date.

Agreement to Vote

Pursuant to the Voting Agreement, and prior to termination of the Voting Agreement described below, each of the Rollover Sellers, among other things, irrevocably and unconditionally agreed that it will at any meeting of the stockholders of the Company (whether annual or special and whether or not an adjourned or postponed meeting), however called, or in connection with any written consent of stockholders of the Company, except as otherwise approved in writing by Parent (a) when a meeting is held, appear at such meeting or otherwise cause the their shares to be counted as present thereat for the purpose of establishing a quorum, and respond to each request by the Company for written consent, if any and (b) vote (or consent), or cause to be voted at such meeting (or validly execute and return and cause such consent to be granted with respect to), certain of their shares (i) in favor of the Merger, the adoption of the Merger Agreement and such other matters necessary for consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement (whether or not recommended by the Board) and (ii) against (A) any Company takeover proposal, (B) any action that would reasonably be expected to impede, interfere with, delay, postpone or adversely affect the Merger or any of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or the Voting Agreement (including any change to the capitalization or dividend policy of the Company or any amendment or other change to the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws), and (C) any transaction that is intended to or would reasonably be expected to result in a breach in any material respect of any covenant, representation or warranty or other obligation or agreement of the Company or any of its subsidiaries under the Merger Agreement. The shares of Company common stock subject to the voting agreement are approximately 38% of the Company common stock.

Transfer and Non-Solicitation Restrictions

Each Rollover Seller has agreed as follows, in each case except as otherwise approved in writing by Parent:

•

Prior to termination of the Voting Agreement, not, and shall not authorize or permit any of its subsidiaries or representatives, directly or indirectly, to:

•

solicit, initiate, endorse, encourage or facilitate the making by any person (other than the other parties to the Merger Agreement) of any Company takeover proposal;

•

enter into, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any person any non-public information or data of or regarding the Company with respect to, or otherwise cooperate in any way with, any Company takeover proposal;

•

execute or enter into any agreement constituting or relating to any Company takeover proposal, or approve or recommend or propose to approve or recommend any Company takeover

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proposal or any agreement constituting or relating to any Company takeover proposal (or authorize or resolve to agree to do any of the foregoing actions); or

•

make, or in any manner participate in a “solicitation” (as such term is used in the rules of the SEC) of proxies or powers of attorney or similar rights to vote, or seek to advise or influence any person with respect to the voting of Company common stock intending to facilitate any Company takeover proposal or cause stockholders of the Company not to vote to approve the Merger or any other transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

•

To cease all existing discussions with any person regarding any of the matters listed in the bullets immediately above.

•

Prior to the termination Voting Agreement, and except as contemplated thereby, such stockholder shall not (i) tender into any tender or exchange offer, (ii) sell (constructively or otherwise), transfer, pledge, hypothecate, grant, encumber, assign or otherwise dispose of (which we refer to as a “transfer”) other than certain specified transfers to affiliates of the Rollover Sellers, or enter into any agreement, option or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the transfer of any of their shares or beneficial ownership or voting power thereof or therein (including by operation of law), (iii) grant any proxies or powers of attorney, deposit any shares into a voting trust or enter into a Voting Agreement with respect to any shares or (iv) convert any shares of Company Series A Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock or Series A-2 Preferred Stock acquired by the Rollover Sellers following the date of the Voting Agreement into Company common stock. Any transfer in violation of this provision shall be void.

In addition, Parent has acknowledged and agreed that the Voting Agreement is being entered into by each Rollover Seller in its, his or her capacity as a record and/or beneficial owner of Company common stock and that (i) a representative of each Rollover Seller is a member of the Board, (ii) the Voting Agreement is not intended to, and shall not, restrict or limit such representatives from acting in their capacities as members of the Board, including in the exercise of their fiduciary duties to the Company or the Company stockholders, and (iii) notwithstanding anything in the Voting Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall Parent (directly or indirectly) bring or cause or action or make any claim against a Rollover Seller arising out of or relating to any action or any such by such representatives in their capacity as members of the Board.

Termination

The Voting Agreement shall terminate upon the earliest of (a) the Effective Time, (b) any termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, (c) any amendment to the Merger Agreement that (i) reduces the Merger Consideration payable pursuant thereto, (ii) is adverse to the Rollover Sellers relative to the other Company stockholders, or (iii) would reasonably expected to materially delay or jeopardize the closing of the Merger, in each case without the express written approval of the Rollover Sellers, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned and (d) written notice of termination of the Voting Agreement by Parent to the Rollover Sellers.

Governing Law

The Voting Agreement is governed by Delaware law.

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THE CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT AND PARENT PURCHASE AGREEMENT

On December 14, 2023, in connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Parent entered into the Contribution Agreement with the Rollover Sellers and the Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement with the Rollover Sellers and Lion Point. The following is a summary of selected material provisions of the Contribution Agreement and Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement. The discussion is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Contribution Agreement and Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement which are attached as Annex E and Annex to this proxy statement and incorporated herein by reference. We urge you to read carefully this entire proxy statement, including the Contribution Agreement and Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement attached as Annex E and Annex F, respectively, for a more complete understanding of the Merger.

Contribution Agreement

In connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, on December 14, 2023, Parent entered into a Contribution, Rollover and Sale Agreement (which we refer to as the “Contribution Agreement”) with Luminus Energy Partners Master Fund, Ltd (which we refer to as “Luminus”) and OCM HLCN Holdings, L.P. (which we refer to as “Oaktree” and, together with Luminus, the “Rollover Sellers” and the Company stockholders other than the Rollover Sellers as the “unaffiliated stockholders”) pursuant to which the Rollover Sellers have agreed, prior to the Effective Time, to contribute to Parent certain shares of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock, Series A-2 Preferred Stock (as defined below) and new shares of preferred stock (if issued prior to the Effective Time) (we refer to such shares collectively as the “Rollover Shares”), in exchange for shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Parent (which we refer to as the “Parent preferred stock”). In the event that the aggregate Rollover Value (as defined below) of a Rollover Seller’s Rollover Shares exceeds such Rollover Seller’s maximum rollover amount (as defined below), then each Rollover Seller has agreed, prior to the Effective Time, to sell to Parent the shares of Series A-2 Preferred Stock and new preferred stock (if issued prior to the Effective Time) that have an aggregate Rollover Value equal to such excess, for a cash purchase price equal to the aggregate Rollover Value of such shares of Series A-2 Preferred Stock (i.e., a cash purchase price equal to such excess). For purposes of the Contribution Agreement: (a) the “Rollover Value” of each share of the Company’s (i) Series A Preferred Stock is $1,240, (ii) Series A-1 Preferred Stock is $1,086, and (iii) Series A-2 Preferred Stock and new preferred stock is the redemption price determined pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Series A-2 certificate of designation for such Series A-2 Preferred Stock, or the certificate of designations for such new preferred stock, as applicable, in each case as of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement; provided, that in the case of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), if such closing does not take place on or prior to February 5, 2024, such amount shall increase at an annual rate of 16% until such closing occurs; and (b) the “maximum rollover amount” of (1) Luminus is $42.5 million and (2) Oaktree is $27.6 million.

The Contribution Agreement contains representations, warranties, and covenants of Parent and each of the Rollover Sellers, as well as other obligations of the parties. The closing of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement is conditioned on the satisfaction or waiver of certain customary closing conditions, including the accuracy of the representations and warranties in the Contribution Agreement, the compliance by the parties with the covenants in the Contribution Agreement, the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions to the closing of the Merger, and the consummation by Parent of a common equity financing for total aggregate cash proceeds of at least $200.0 million (which we refer to as the “Parent Common Equity Investments”).

Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement

In connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, on December 14, 2023, Parent entered into a Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (which we refer to as the “Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement”) with Luminus, Oaktree and Lion Point Master, LP (which we refer to as “Lion Point” and, together with Luminus and Oaktree, the “Parent Preferred Stock Purchasers”) pursuant to which each Parent Preferred Stock Purchaser has agreed, prior to the Effective Time, to purchase certain shares of Parent preferred stock from Parent at a purchase price of $1,000 per share. The aggregate purchase price for the shares of Parent preferred stock that Luminus and Oaktree have agreed to purchase

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pursuant to the Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement is calculated based on the Rollover Value of the Rollover Shares contributed by each of them to Parent pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, such that if the Rollover Value of such Rollover Shares equals or exceeds such Parent preferred stock purchaser’s agreed aggregate purchase price (which is equal to each such Parent preferred stock purchaser’s maximum rollover amount), such Parent preferred stock purchaser will not have any obligation to purchase any additional shares of Parent preferred stock. Lion Point has agreed to purchase an aggregate of $9.3 million in shares of Parent preferred stock.

The Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement contains representations, warranties, and covenants of Parent and each of the Parent Preferred stock purchasers, as well as other obligations of the parties. The closing of the transactions contemplated by the Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement is conditioned on certain customary closing conditions, including the accuracy of the representations and warranties in the Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, the compliance by the parties with the covenants in the Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, the satisfaction of all conditions to the closing of the Merger, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, and the consummation by Parent of the Parent Common Equity Investments. We refer to the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement and the Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement as the “Parent Preferred Stock Transactions”.

PROVISIONS FOR UNAFFILIATED STOCKHOLDERS

No provision has been made (1) to grant the Company’s unaffiliated security holders access to the corporate files of the Company, any other party to the Merger or any of their respective affiliates, or (2) to obtain counsel or appraisal services at the expense of the Company or any other such party or affiliate.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE COMPANY

Market Price of and Dividends on the Company’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

On February 20, 2020, the Company common stock commenced trading on the NYSE American exchange under the symbol “BATL.” Approximately 50 registered stockholders of record as of January 19, 2024 held Company common stock. In most instances, a registered stockholder holds shares in street name for one or more customers who beneficially own the shares.

The Company has not paid dividends on the Company common stock in the last two years. We intend to retain earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business and therefore do not anticipate declaring cash dividends on the Company common stock in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay dividends on Company common stock will be at the discretion of the Board and will be dependent upon then existing conditions, including our prospects, and such other factors, as the Board deems relevant. We are also restricted from paying cash dividends on Company common stock under our term loan agreement.

Information regarding the beneficial ownership of Company common stock by holders of more than 5%, our directors and all directors and executive officers as a group is set forth under “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in this proxy statement and is incorporated herein by reference. If the Merger is consummated, all of the Company common stock owned by more than 5% holders, our directors and executive officers will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices per share of Company common stock:

	Market Price ($)
	High		Low
2022
First Quarter		23.33		9.74
Second Quarter		20.28		8.42
Third Quarter		14.81		7.42
Fourth Quarter		14.72		9.25
2023
First Quarter		12.37		6.11
Second Quarter		8.79		5.41
Third Quarter		8.96		5.15
Fourth Quarter		9.69		4.51
2024
First Quarter (through February 10, 2024)		9.65		5.65

Prior Public Offerings

During the past three years, none of the Company or the Rollover Sellers or any of their respective affiliates have made any underwritten public offering of shares of Company common stock for cash that was registered under the Securities Act, or exempt from registration under Regulation A promulgated thereunder.

Prior Stock Purchases

Except other than the Merger Agreement and agreements entered into in connection therewith, including the Contribution Agreement, and certain activity related to the Company’s equity compensation awards discussed elsewhere in this proxy statement, (1) each of the Company, its directors and executive officers, the Rollover Sellers and their respective affiliates have not conducted any transactions with

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respect to shares of Company common stock during the past 60 days, and (2) none of the Company or the Rollover Sellers or their respective affiliates have purchased shares of Company common stock during the past two years.

Purchases

No shares of Company common stock are to be purchased from any director, officer or affiliate of the Company except for shares acquired in connection with the Merger on the same terms as other stockholders of the Company. Shares of Company preferred stock held by the Rollover Sellers will be acquired by Parent for shares of Parent preferred stock as described under “The Contribution Agreement and Parent Purchase Agreement,” which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements

The information set forth in “Special Factors — Background of the Merger,” “The Merger Agreement,” “The Voting Agreement” and “Contribution Agreement and Parent Preferred Stock Agreement’ is incorporated herein by reference.

Purchases of Company Preferred Stock

On December 15, 2023, the Company entered into a purchase agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell Series A-2 preferred stock to funds managed by Luminus, Oaktree, and LSP Investment Advisors, LLC. The Series A-2 preferred stock transaction was approved by the Board upon recommendation by a special committee of disinterested directors that was established to evaluate the proposed terms of the Series A-2 preferred stock transaction. The aggregate purchase price paid by the Series A-2 purchasers for the shares of Series A-2 Preferred Stock was approximately $34.1 million, of which Luminus’ paid approximately $16.8 million, Oak Tree paid approximately $10.9 million and LSP Investment Advisors, LLC paid approximately $6.5 million.

The Series A-2 purchase agreement entered into by the Company and the purchasers contains representations, warranties, and covenants of the Company and each of the purchasers, as well as indemnification rights and other obligations of the parties. The closing of the transaction, including the issuance of the shares of Series A-2 preferred stock, occurred on December 15, 2023, and was conditioned on customary closing conditions, including the accuracy of the representations and warranties in the Series A-2 purchase agreement, the compliance by the parties with the covenants in the Series A-2 purchase agreement, and no material adverse effect occurred with respect to the Company.

Registration Rights Agreement

The Rollover Sellers and LSP Investment Advisors, LLC are parties to a registration rights agreement with the Company dated October 8, 2019 and amended on March 28, 2023 and December 15, 2023 (as amended, the “Registration Rights Agreement”). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company has granted demand and piggyback registration rights requiring the Company to register their shares of Company common stock (including shares of Company common stock issuable upon conversion or redemption of shares of Company preferred stock) under the Securities Act. The Registration Rights Agreement contains representations, warranties, and covenants of the Company, as well as indemnification and other obligations of the Company.

Stockholders’ Agreement

In connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. subject to other conditions precedent set forth in the Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, Parent will enter into a Stockholders’ Agreement (which we refer to as the “Stockholders’ Agreement”) with Luminus, Oaktree, Lion Point (which we refer to collectively as the “Investors”) and Abraham Mirman, Ariella Fuchs and Richard Little (which we refer to collectively as the “Key Holders” and together with the Investors, the “Parent Stockholders”), and the holders of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of Parent (which we refer to as the “Parent Common

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Stockholders”). The Stockholders’ Agreement governs the voting rights, registration rights, information rights, and participation rights of the Parent Stockholders with respect to their shares of Parent’s capital stock.

•

The Stockholders’ Agreement contains provisions regarding the composition of the board of directors of Parent (which we refer to as the “Parent Board”), the remedies for enforcing the Stockholders’ Agreement, and the restrictions on transferring the shares of Parent’s capital stock. Under the Stockholders’ Agreement, the Parent Board will consist of five directors, one of whom will be designated by the Investors (which we refer to as the “Preferred Director”), and four of whom will be designated by the Parent common stockholders (collectively, the “Common Directors”). At the time of the execution of the Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, the initial Preferred Director was not yet designated by the Investors. The initial Parent Common Directors will be Abraham Mirman, Ariella Fuchs, Richard H. Little and one additional person designated by the majority of Parent Common Stock held by the Key Holders. The Stockholders’ Agreement also specifies the procedures and approvals required for removing and replacing any member of the Parent Board.

•

Pursuant to the Stockholders’ Agreement, holders of certain shares of Parent common stock or Parent preferred stock convertible into Parent common stock, which include the capital stock issued under the Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement and the Parent common stock issued under the subscription agreements that Parent has and is expected to enter into in connection with equity financing for the transaction, will have certain registration rights to have their shares registered for resale under the Securities Act with respect to their shares of Parent’s capital stock. The Parent stockholders will also be entitled to certain information rights with respect to Parent’s financial statements, properties, and records. Parent would agree to provide annual and quarterly financial statements to the Parent stockholders, and to allow the Parent stockholders to inspect Parent’s properties and records upon reasonable notice.

•

The Stockholders’ Agreement would grant (i) the Key Stockholders a right of first offer (the “Right of First Offer”) for any new equity securities issued by Parent, subject to certain exceptions. Parent would agree to notify the Key Stockholders of any proposed issuance of such new equity securities, and to offer them the opportunity to purchase their pro rata share of such new equity securities at the same price and terms as offered to other purchasers. The Key Stockholders will have the right to accept, reject, or undersubscribe the offer within a specified time period, and Parent will have the right to sell the remaining such new equity securities to other purchasers; and (ii) the Investors a right of first refusal (the “Right of First Refusal”) and a right of co-sale (the “Right of Co-Sale”) for certain proposed transfers of capital stock of Parent by another Investor, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Stockholders’ Agreement. The shares of capital stock to which the Right of First Refusal and the Right of Co-Sale apply includes those shares issued under the Parent Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement and any other shares of Parent’s capital stock held by the Investors. The Stockholders’ Agreement exempts certain transfers and offerings from the Right of First Refusal and the Right of Co-Sale provisions, such as transfers to affiliates or for estate planning purposes, and public offerings under a registration statement.

•

The Stockholders’ Agreement is governed by Delaware law.

Book Value Per Share

The net book value per share of Company common stock as of September 30, 2023, was approximately $2.48 (calculated based on 16,456,563 shares of Company common stock issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023).

The Rollover Sellers own approximate 61.6% of the equity of the Company as of the record date, which is approximately $21.15 million of the stockholders’ equity of the Company as of September 30, 2023. Assuming consummation of the Merger and Parent’s consummation of equity financing of $200 million, the Rollover Sellers would own 14.7% of the post-closing equity of Parent through their ownership of approximately $69.0 Parent preferred stock.

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Information Regarding Our Directors and Executive Officers

Mr. Barrett is the President of Luminus Management (“Luminus”), an investment management firm focused on investments across the capital structure of companies within the broader energy ecosystem. Mr. Barrett joined Luminus shortly after its founding in 2003 and has led the firm since 2011. From 2005 to 2007, he served as Managing Director and a member of the Investment Committee of LS Power Equity Advisors, the private equity arm of LS Power, a former affiliate of Luminus focused on the North American power and energy infrastructure industries. Prior to joining Luminus, Mr. Barrett was a Director in Salomon Smith Barney’s Merger and Acquisition Group.. Mr. Barrett graduated with honors in Accounting from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. He currently serves on the board of directors of FlowTrans and Taylor Express.

Additional information regarding our directors and executive officers is provided in our proxy statement and other filings with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Additional Financial Information Regarding the Company

The following sets for certain information from the Company’s Quarterly Report of Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, both of which are incorporated by reference in this proxy statement. The notes for these financial statement provide important additional information (which are incorporated herein by reference) and we urge company stockholders refer to those to filings. Please see “Where You Can Find More Information.”

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2023			2022			2023			2022
Operating revenues:
Oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids sales:
Oil		$	43,689		$	70,406		$	144,072		$	206,874
Natural gas			3,668			15,656			8,628			39,296
Natural gas liquids			6,078			12,644			18,893			35,234
Total oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids sales			53,435			98,706			171,593			281,404
Other			671			443			1,927			858
Total operating revenues			54,106			99,149			173,520			282,262
Operating expenses:
Production:
Lease operating			11,152			12,265			34,208			35,698
Workover and other			700			2,559			4,669			4,807
Taxes other than income			3,307			5,613			9,677			15,936
Gathering and other			15,512			16,663			48,857			47,787
General and administrative			3,192			4,498			13,572			14,071
Depletion, depreciation and accretion			13,426			13,615			44,287			36,436
Total operating expenses			47,289			55,213			155,270			154,735
Income from operations			6,817			43,936			18,250			127,527
Other income (expenses):
Net (loss) gain on derivative contracts			(53,687)			67,634			(29,741)			(88,134)
Interest expense and other			(6,929)			(5,682)			(24,245)			(13,202)
Total other (expenses) income			(60,616)			61,952			(53,986)			(101,336)
(Loss) income before income taxes			(53,799)			105,888			(35,736)			26,191
Income tax benefit (provision)			—			—			—			—
Net (loss) income		$	(53,799)		$	105,888		$	(35,736)		$	26,191
Series A preferred dividends			(3,863)			—			(6,352)			—
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders		$	(57,662)		$	105,888		$	(42,088)		$	26,191
Net (loss) income per share of common stock available to common stockholders:
Basic		$	(3.50)		$	6.48		$	(2.56)		$	1.60
Diluted		$	(3.50)		$	6.42		$	(2.56)		$	1.59
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic			16,457			16,340			16,436			16,327
Diluted			16,457			16,483			16,436			16,496

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BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

	September 30, 2023			December 31, 2022
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	42,590		$	32,726
Accounts receivable, net			27,177			37,974
Assets from derivative contracts			4,649			16,244
Restricted cash			90			90
Prepaids and other			786			1,131
Total current assets			75,292			88,165
Oil and natural gas properties (full cost method):
Evaluated			736,205			713,585
Unevaluated			62,649			62,621
Gross oil and natural gas properties			798,854			776,206
Less: accumulated depletion			(434,034)			(390,796)
Net oil and natural gas properties			364,820			385,410
Other operating property and equipment:
Other operating property and equipment			4,623			4,434
Less: accumulated depreciation			(1,653)			(1,209)
Net other operating property and equipment			2,970			3,225
Other noncurrent assets:
Assets from derivative contracts			2,022			5,379
Operating lease right of use assets			889			352
Other assets			10,768			2,827
Total assets		$	456,761		$	485,358
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	59,417		$	100,095
Liabilities from derivative contracts			36,363			29,286
Current portion of long-term debt			45,106			35,067
Operating lease liabilities			513			352
Asset retirement obligations			—			225
Total current liabilities			141,399			165,025
Long-term debt, net			153,476			182,676
Other noncurrent liabilities:
Liabilities from derivative contracts			35,089			33,649
Asset retirement obligations			17,202			15,244
Operating lease liabilities			375			—
Other			1,554			4,136
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Temporary equity:
Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock: 63,000 shares of $0.0001 par value authorized, issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023			66,834			—
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock: 100,000,000 shares of $0.0001 par value authorized;16,456,563 and 16,344,815 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively			2			2
Additional paid-in capital			326,511			334,571
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)			(285,681)			(249,945)
Total stockholders’ equity			40,832			84,628
Total liabilities, temporary equity and stockholders’ equity		$	456,761		$	485,358

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BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)
(In thousands)

	Common Stock					Additional Paid-In Capital			Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)			Stockholders’ Equity
	Shares		Amount			Additional Paid-In Capital			Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)			Stockholders’ Equity
Balances at December 31, 2022		16,345		$	2		$	334,571		$	(249,945)		$	84,628
Net income		—			—			—			22,811			22,811
Deemed dividends for Series A preferred stock		—			—			(1,492)			—			(1,492)
Long-term incentive plan vestings		159			—			—			—			—
Tax withholding on vesting of restricted stock units		(47)			—			(454)			—			(454)
Stock-based compensation		—			—			327			—			327
Balances at March 31, 2023		16,457			2			332,952			(227,134)			105,820
Net loss		—			—			—			(4,748)			(4,748)
Deemed dividends for Series A preferred stock		—			—			(997)			—			(997)
Stock-based compensation		—			—			(754)			—			(754)
Balances at June 30, 2023		16,457			2			331,201			(231,882)			99,321
Net loss		—			—			—			(53,799)			(53,799)
Deemed dividends for Series A preferred stock		—			—			(3,863)			—			(3,863)
Stock-based compensation		—			—			(827)			—			(827)
Balances at September 30, 2023		16,457		$	2		$	326,511		$	(285,681)		$	40,832

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BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)
(In thousands)

	Common Stock					Additional Paid-In Capital			Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)			Stockholders’ Equity
	Shares		Amount			Additional Paid-In Capital			Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)			Stockholders’ Equity
Balances at December 31, 2021		16,274		$	2		$	332,187		$	(268,484)		$	63,705
Net loss		—			—			—			(92,744)			(92,744)
Long-term incentive plan vestings		89			—			—			—			—
Tax withholding on vesting of restricted stock units		(26)			—			(461)			—			(461)
Stock-based compensation and other		—			—			452			—			452
Balances at March 31, 2022		16,337			2			332,178			(361,228)			(29,048)
Net income		—			—			—			13,047			13,047
Long-term incentive plan vestings		1			—			—			—			—
Tax withholding on vesting of restricted stock units		—			—			(6)			—			(6)
Stock-based compensation and other		—			—			594			—			594
Balances at June 30, 2022		16,338			2			332,766			(348,181)			(15,413)
Net income		—			—			—			105,888			105,888
Long-term incentive plan vestings		8			—			—			—			—
Tax withholding on vesting of restricted stock units		(2)			—			(25)			—			(25)
Stock-based compensation and other		—			—			893			—			893
Balances at September 30, 2022		16,344			2			333,634			(242,293)			91,343
Net loss		—			—			—			(7,652)			(7,652)
Stock-based compensation and other		1			—			937			—			937
Balances at December 31, 2022		16,345		$	2		$	334,571		$	(249,945)		$	84,628

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BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(In thousands)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2023			2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income		$	(35,736)		$	26,191
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depletion, depreciation and accretion			44,287			36,436
Stock-based compensation, net			(1,231)			1,540
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative contracts			23,469			(23,911)
Amortization/accretion of financing related costs			5,789			2,726
Reorganization items			—			(744)
Accrued settlements on derivative contracts			2,846			7,493
Change in fair value of embedded derivative liability			(2,582)			(3,043)
Other			144			(128)
Change in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			11,410			(1,605)
Prepaids and other			344			407
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			(37,675)			8,452
Net cash provided by operating activities			11,065			53,814
Cash flows from investing activities:
Oil and natural gas capital expenditures			(36,695)			(86,998)
Proceeds received from sale of oil and natural gas assets			1,189			1
Other operating property and equipment capital expenditures			(136)			(949)
Other			(1,464)			166
Net cash used in investing activities			(37,106)			(87,780)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings			—			20,122
Repayments of borrowings			(25,066)			(85)
Payment of deferred debt financing costs			—			(379)
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock			61,425			—
Other			(454)			(492)
Net cash provided by financing activities			35,905			19,166
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash			9,864			(14,800)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period			32,816			48,359
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period		$	42,680		$	33,559

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BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

	Years Ended December 31,
	2022			2021
Operating revenues:
Oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids sales:
Oil		$	267,690		$	213,512
Natural gas			46,210			35,248
Natural gas liquids			43,501			35,394
Total oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids sales			357,401			284,154
Other			1,663			1,051
Total operating revenues			359,064			285,205
Operating expenses:
Production:
Lease operating			48,095			43,977
Workover and other			6,683			3,224
Taxes other than income			18,483			12,312
Gathering and other			64,117			60,396
General and administrative			17,635			16,514
Depletion, depreciation and accretion			51,915			45,408
Total operating expenses			206,928			181,831
Income (loss) from operations			152,136			103,374
Other income (expenses):
Net gain (loss) on derivative contracts			(110,006)			(125,619)
Interest expense and other			(23,591)			(8,018)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt			—			1,946
Total other income (expenses)			(133,597)			(131,691)
Income (loss) before income taxes			18,539			(28,317)
Income tax benefit (provision)			—			—
Net income (loss)		$	18,539		$	(28,317)
Net income (loss) per share of common stock:
Basic		$	1.14		$	(1.74)
Diluted		$	1.12		$	(1.74)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic			16,331			16,261
Diluted			16,510			16,261

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

	December 31, 2022			December 31, 2021
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	32,726		$	46,864
Accounts receivable, net			37,974			36,806
Assets from derivative contracts			16,244			1,383
Restricted cash			90			1,495
Prepaids and other			1,131			1,366
Total current assets			88,165			87,914
Oil and natural gas properties (full cost method):
Evaluated			713,585			569,886
Unevaluated			62,621			64,305
Gross oil and natural gas properties			776,206			634,191
Less – accumulated depletion			(390,796)			(339,776)
Net oil and natural gas properties			385,410			294,415
Other operating property and equipment:
Other operating property and equipment			4,434			3,467
Less – accumulated depreciation			(1,209)			(1,035)
Net other operating property and equipment			3,225			2,432
Other noncurrent assets:
Assets from derivative contracts			5,379			2,515
Operating lease right of use assets			352			721
Other assets			2,827			2,270
Total assets		$	485,358		$	390,267
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	100,095		$	62,826
Liabilities from derivative contracts			29,286			58,322
Current portion of long-term debt			35,067			85
Operating lease liabilities			352			369
Asset retirement obligations			225			—
Total current liabilities			165,025			121,602
Long-term debt, net			182,676			181,565
Other noncurrent liabilities:
Liabilities from derivative contracts			33,649			7,144
Asset retirement obligations			15,244			11,896
Operating lease liabilities			—			352
Other			4,136			4,003
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock: 100,000,000 shares of $0.0001 par value authorized; 16,344,815 and 16,273,913 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively			2			2
Additional paid-in capital			334,571			332,187
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)			(249,945)			(268,484)
Total stockholders’ equity			84,628			63,705
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	485,358		$	390,267

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)

	Years Ended December 31,
	2022			2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)		$	18,539		$	(28,317)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depletion, depreciation and accretion			51,915			45,408
Stock-based compensation, net			2,210			2,010
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative contracts			(20,256)			47,721
Amortization/accretion of financing related costs			5,448			379
Reorganization items, net			(744)			—
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt			—			(1,946)
Accrued settlements on derivative contracts			4,302			7,030
Change in fair value of embedded derivative liability			(1,819)			—
Other expense (income)			(77)			(567)
Change in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			594			(4,647)
Prepaids and other			234			636
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			18,455			865
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities			78,801			68,572
Cash flows from investing activities:
Oil and natural gas capital expenditures			(125,465)			(52,557)
Proceeds received from sales of oil and natural gas assets			332			947
Other operating property and equipment capital expenditures			(1,160)			(371)
Other			163			68
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			(126,130)			(51,913)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings			35,200			374,000
Repayments of borrowings			(95)			(332,085)
Payment of deferred financing costs			(2,887)			(14,220)
Other			(432)			(290)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			31,786			27,405
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash			(15,543)			44,064
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period			48,359			4,295
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period		$	32,816		$	48,359
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid (received) for interest		$	19,933		$	8,485
Cash paid (refunded) for income taxes			—			—
Cash paid for reorganization items			744			—
Disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Asset retirement obligations		$	3,692		$	836
Accrued capital expenditures			14,883			(3,733)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE ROLLOVER SELLERS

This section sets forth certain information about the Rollover Sellers. During the past five years, none of the persons listed in this section has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors). In addition, during the past five years, none of the persons listed in this section has been a party to any judicial or administrative proceeding (except for matters that were dismissed without sanction or settlement) that resulted in a judgment, decree or final order enjoining the person from future violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities laws, or a finding of any violation of federal or state securities laws.

Luminus

Luminus Management, LLC is a Delaware limited liability company, and Luminus Energy Partners Master Fund, Ltd. is a Bermuda limited company and is controlled by Luminus Management, LLC. The principal business of Luminus Management, LLC and Luminus Energy Partners Master Fund, Ltd. is investment firm.

The following table sets forth the name, present principal occupation or employment and material occupations, positions, offices or employments for the past five years of each officer and director of Luminus Management, LLC. Unless otherwise indicated, the current business address of each person is c/o of Luminus Management, LLC, 1811 Bering Drive, Suite 400, Houston, Texas 77057 and its telephone number is (713) 826-6262.

Name			Citizenship			Present Principal Occupation or Employment (all have served five years or more in present position unless otherwise noted)
Jonathan D. Barrett			U.S.			President of Luminus Management, LLC

Oak Tree

Each of Oaktree Capital Group, LLC, Oaktree Fund GP, LLC, OCM Holdings I, LLC and Oaktree Holdings, LLC is a Delaware limited liability company, and each of OCM HLCN Holdings, L.P., Oaktree Fund GP I, L.P. and Oaktree Capital I, L.P. is a Delaware limited partnership. The principal business of these entities is investment firm.

OCM HLCN Holdings, L.P. (“OCM HLCN”) principal business is to hold investment securities. Oaktree Fund GP, LLC principal business is to serve as, and perform the functions of, the manager, managing member or general partner of certain special purpose investment entities, including OCM HLCN. Oaktree Fund GP I, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“GP I”), principal business is to (i) serve as, and perform the functions of, the general partner of certain investment funds or to serve as, and perform the functions of, the managing member of the general partner of certain investment funds and (ii) to act as the sole shareholder of certain controlling entities of certain investment funds. Oaktree Capital I, L.P. (“Capital I”) principal business is to serve as, and perform the functions of, the general partner of GP I. OCM Holdings I, LLC principal business is to serve as, and perform the functions of, the general partner of Capital I and to hold limited partnership interests in Capital I. Oaktree Holdings, LLC (“Holdings”) principal business is to serve as, and perform the functions of, the managing member of Holdings I. Oaktree Capital Group, LLC (“OCG”) principal business is to act as the holding company and controlling entity of each of the general partner and investment adviser of certain investment funds and separately managed accounts (which we refer to collectively as the “Oak Tree Entities”). Unless otherwise indicated, the current business address of each person is c/o of Oak Tree Capital Group, LLC, 333 S. Grand Avenue, 28th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90071and its telephone number is (213) 830-6300.

The following sets forth the name, present principal occupation or employment and material occupations, positions, offices or employments for the past five years of each officer and director of the Oak Tree Entities. Except as set forth below, each of the such persons listed below is a natural person and is a United States citizen.

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Oaktree Capital Group, LLC

OCG is managed by its board of directors. The name and principal occupation of each of the members of the board of directors of Oaktree Capital Group, LLC and its named executive officers are listed below.

Name			Principal Occupation
Howard S. Marks			Co-Chairman and Director of Oaktree Capital Group, LLC and Co-Chairman of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
Bruce A. Karsh			Co-Chairman, Chief Investment Officer and Director of Oaktree Capital Group, LLC and Co-Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
Jay S. Wintrob			Chief Executive Officer and Director of Oaktree Capital Group, LLC and Chief Executive Officer of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
John B. Frank			Vice Chairman and Director of Oaktree Capital Group, LLC and Vice Chairman of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
Sheldon M. Stone			Principal and Director of Oaktree Capital Group, LLC and Principal of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
Richard Masson			Director of Oaktree Capital Group, LLC
Steven J. Gilbert			Director of Oaktree Capital Group, LLC
Bruce Flatt			Director of Oaktree Capital Group, LLC and Chief Executive Officer of Brookfield Asset Management
Justin Beber			Director of Oaktree Capital Group, LLC and Managing Partner, Head of Corporate Strategy and Chief Legal Officer of Brookfield Asset Management, Inc.
Marna C. Whittington			Director of Oaktree Capital Group, LLC
Todd E. Molz			General Counsel, Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary of Oaktree Capital Group, LLC and General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
Daniel D. Levin			Chief Financial Officer of Oaktree Capital Group, LLC and Chief Financial Officer of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.

Oaktree Holdings, LLC

The managing member of Oaktree Holdings, LLC is Oaktree Capital Group, LLC.

OCM Holdings I, LLC

The managing member of OCM Holdings I, LLC is Oaktree Holdings, LLC.

Oaktree Capital I, L.P.

The general partner of Oaktree Capital I, L.P. is OCM Holdings I, LLC.

Oaktree Fund GP I, L.P.

The general partner of Oaktree Fund GP I, L.P. is Oaktree Capital I, L.P.

Oaktree Fund GP, LLC

The managing member of Oaktree Fund GP, LLC is Oaktree Fund GP I, L.P.

OCM HLCN Holdings, L.P.

The general partner of OCM HLCN Holdings, L.P. is Oaktree Fund GP, LLC.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING PARENT, RUCKUS AND CERTAIN AFFILIATES

This section sets forth certain information about Parent, Ruckus and Richard H. Little, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the current Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board of Directors, of Parent. During the past five years, none of the persons listed in this section has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors). In addition, except as set forth below with respect to Abraham Mirman, during the past five years, none of the persons listed in this section has been a party to any judicial or administrative proceeding (except for matters that were dismissed without sanction or settlement) that resulted in a judgment, decree or final order enjoining the person from future violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities laws, or a finding of any violation of federal or state securities laws.

Parent

Fury Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ruckus Energy Holdings, LLC. Parent was formed by Ruckus solely for the purpose of obtaining financing for the Merger. Parent has not carried on any activities on or prior to the date of this proxy statement except for activities incidental to its formation and activities in connection with its proposed acquisition of the Company. The current business address of Parent is 17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104-603, San Antonio, Texas.

The following table sets forth the name, present principal occupation or employment and material occupations, positions, offices or employments for the past five years of each officer and director of Parent. The current business address of each person is c/o Fury Resources, Inc., 17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104-603, San Antonio, Texas.

Name	Citizenship	Principal Occupation or Employment
Abraham Mirman	U.S.	Chairman of the Board of Directors of Parent (May 2023 – Present) Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board of Managers of Ruckus Energy Holdings, LLC (April 2018 – Present)
Richard H. Little	U.S.	Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board of Directors of Parent (May 2023 – Present) Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board of Directors of the Company (June 2019 – April 2023) Chief Executive Officer of Ajax Resources, LLC (January 2018 – October 2018)
Ariella Fuchs	U.S.	President and General Counsel and Member of the Board of Directors of Parent (May 2023 – Present) President and General Counsel and Member of the Board of Managers of Ruckus Energy Holdings, LLC (November 2021 – Present) Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary and Member of the Board of Managers of Ruckus Energy Holdings, LLC (April 2018 – Present)

Mr. Mirman was named as a defendant in Securities and Exchange Commission v. Robert Donald Bruce Genovese, et al., No. 17-cv-5821 (S.D.N.Y. filed August 1, 2017). This matter was based on isolated events from a brief period in 2012. The SEC asserted that Mr. Mirman violated certain securities laws, including certain scienter-based anti-fraud statutes, with respect to sales of the common stock of Liberty Silver

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Corp. by another person. Following more than five years of litigation, the SEC agreed to drop all scienter-based charges and resolve the matter, on a neither-admit-nor-deny basis, pursuant to a consent order that relates solely to one narrow strict-liability violation and one negligence-based violation of the securities laws. The consent order enjoins Mr. Mirman from future violations of Sections 5(a), 5(c) and 17(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, but does not impose any officer or director bar against Mr. Mirman. Under the consent order, Mr. Mirman is also expressly permitted to participate in the issuance, offer, purchase, sale or trading of the securities of Ruckus and its successors and subsidiaries.

Ruckus

Ruckus Energy Holdings, LLC is a Delaware limited liability company that is a privately-held exploration and production company focused on value creation through the acquisition and exploitation of mature oil and gas reservoirs. The current business address of Ruckus is 17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104-603, San Antonio, Texas.

The following table sets forth the name, present principal occupation or employment and material occupations, positions, offices or employments for the past five years of each officer and manager of Ruckus. The current business address of each person is c/o Ruckus Energy Holdings, LLC, 17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104-603, San Antonio, Texas.

Name	Citizenship	Principal Occupation or Employment
Abraham Mirman	U.S.	Chairman of the Board of Directors of Parent (May 2023 – Present) Co-Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board of Managers of Ruckus Energy Holdings, LLC (April 2018 – Present)
Ariella Fuchs	U.S.	President and General Counsel and Member of the Board of Directors of Parent (May 2023 – Present) President and General Counsel and Member of the Board of Managers of Ruckus Energy Holdings, LLC (November 2021 – Present) Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary and Member of the Board of Managers of Ruckus Energy Holdings, LLC (April 2018 – Present)
Kevin Nanke	U.S.	Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Board of Managers of Ruckus Energy Holdings, LLC (January 2021 – Present)

Richard H. Little

The information regarding Mr. Little set forth above is incorporated herein by reference.

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PROPOSAL 1 — VOTE ON ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT

As discussed elsewhere in this proxy statement, at the special meeting Company stockholders will consider and vote on a proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement. You should carefully read this proxy statement in its entirety for more detailed information concerning the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. In particular, you should read in its entirety the Merger Agreement, which is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement. For more information, please see the discussion in the sections entitled “Special Factors” beginning on page 26 and “The Merger Agreement” beginning on page 80 in this proxy statement.

The Board unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement.

If you submit your proxy, but do not indicate instructions to vote your shares of Company common stock for, against or abstain on the Merger proposal, your shares will be voted “FOR” the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement.

The proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote at the virtual special meeting or by proxy of holders of a majority of the outstanding Company common stock as of the record date.

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PROPOSAL 2 — ADVISORY VOTE ON MERGER-RELATED COMPENSATION FOR THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Merger-Related Compensation Proposal

Pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act and Rule 14a-21(c) thereunder, the Company is seeking a non-binding, advisory stockholder approval of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the Merger as disclosed in this proxy statement in the section entitled “Special Factors — Interests of the Company’s Executive Officers and Directors in the Merger — Golden Parachute Compensation.” The proposal gives the Company stockholders the opportunity to express their views on the Merger-related compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

Accordingly, the Company is requesting stockholders to adopt the following resolution, on a non-binding, advisory basis:

“RESOLVED, that the compensation that will or may be paid or become payable to the Company’s named executive officers, in connection with the Merger, and the agreements or understandings pursuant to which such compensation will or may be paid or become payable, in each case as disclosed pursuant to Item 402(t) of Regulation S-K in the section entitled ‘Special Factors — Interests of the Company’s Executive Officers and Directors in the Merger — Golden Parachute Compensation,’ are hereby APPROVED.”

Approval of this proposal is not a condition to the consummation of the Merger, and the vote with respect to this proposal is advisory only and will not be binding on the Company or Parent. If the Merger is consummated, the Merger-related compensation may be paid to the Company’s named executive officers to the extent payable in accordance with the terms of the employment arrangements even if the Company stockholders fail to approve the advisory vote regarding Merger-related compensation.

The Board unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the compensation proposal.

If you submit your proxy, but do not indicate instructions to vote your shares of Company common stock for, against or abstain on the compensation proposal, your shares will be voted “FOR” the compensation proposal.

Approval, on a non-binding, advisory basis, of the compensation proposal requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the votes cast by all holders of the shares of Company common stock represented in person or by proxy at the special meeting.

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PROPOSAL 3 — VOTE ON ONE OR MORE ADJOURNMENTS OF THE
SPECIAL MEETING, IF NECESSARY OR ADVISABLE

If, at the special meeting, the number of shares of Company common stock present or represented by proxy and voting in favor of the Merger proposal is insufficient to approve the Merger proposal, the Company intends to ask its stockholders to vote to adjourn the special meeting to another time or place to allow for the solicitation of additional proxies to approve the Merger proposal. In this event, the Company will request that the stockholders vote on the adjournment proposal and not the Merger proposal. The Company does not intend to call a vote on the adjournment proposal if the Merger proposal has been approved at the special meeting.

Accordingly, the Company is asking its stockholders to authorize the holder of any proxy solicited by the Board, and each of them individually, to vote in favor of adjourning the special meeting to another time and place for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies. If the Company requests a vote on the adjournment proposal and the Company stockholders approve this proposal, the Company could adjourn the special meeting and use this additional time to solicit proxies from its stockholders, including those stockholders who have previously voted.

The Board unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the adjournment proposal.

If you submit your proxy, but do not indicate instructions to vote your shares of Company common stock for, against or abstain on the adjournment proposal, your shares will be voted “FOR” the adjournment proposal.

Approval of the adjournment proposal requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the votes cast by all holders of the shares of Company common stock represented in person or by proxy at the special.

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APPRAISAL RIGHTS

For purposes of this section, the term “Company” will be deemed to refer also to the surviving corporation with respect to actions taken after the Effective Time. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement and the DGCL, the owners of Company common stock will have appraisal rights in connection with the Merger under Section 262 of the DGCL (which we refer to as “Section 262”), a copy of which is included in this proxy statement as Annex C, and may object to the Merger Agreement and demand in writing that the Company pay the fair value of their Company common stock.

If any holders of Company common stock properly exercise appraisal rights in connection with the Merger under Section 262, any shares held by such holders will not be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration, but instead will be converted into the right to receive the “fair value” of such shares pursuant to Section 262.

THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY OF THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 262 NOT INTENDED TO BE A COMPLETE STATEMENT OF SUCH PROVISIONS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE FULL TEXT OF SECTION 262, A COPY OF WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THIS PROXY STATEMENT AS ANNEX C AND INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.

The Company will not give any notice of the following requirements other than as described in this proxy statement and as required by the DGCL.

General

If the Merger is consummated, our stockholders who (1) do not vote in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement (whether by voting against the adoption of the Merger Agreement, abstaining or otherwise not voting with respect to the adoption of the Merger Agreement), (2) properly demand an appraisal of their applicable shares of our common stock prior to the vote on the adoption of the Merger Agreement, (3) continuously hold their applicable shares through the Effective Time of the Merger, (4) otherwise comply with the procedures of Section 262, including by satisfying certain ownership thresholds set forth therein, and (5) do not withdraw their demands or otherwise lose their rights to appraisal may, subject to the conditions of Section 262, seek appraisal of their shares in connection with the Merger under Section 262. Unless the context requires otherwise, all references in Section 262 and in this summary to a “stockholder” or to a “holder of shares” are to a record holder of Company common stock.

The following summary does not constitute any legal or other advice and does not constitute a recommendation that our stockholders exercise their appraisal rights under Section 262. Only a holder of record of shares of Company common stock is entitled to demand appraisal of the shares registered in that holder’s name. A person having a beneficial interest in shares of Company common stock held of record in the name of another person, such as a bank, broker or other nominee, must act promptly to cause the record holder to demand an appraisal of such holder’s shares. If you hold your shares of Company common stock through a bank, broker or other nominee and you wish to exercise appraisal rights, you should consult with your bank, broker or the other nominee to ensure that appraisal rights are properly exercised. Stockholders should carefully review the full text of Section 262 as well as the information discussed below.

Under Section 262, if the Merger is completed, holders of record of shares of Company common stock who (1) submit a written demand for appraisal of such stockholder’s shares to the Company prior to the vote on the adoption of the Merger Agreement; (2) do not vote in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement (whether by voting against the adoption of the Merger Agreement, abstaining or otherwise not voting with respect to the adoption of the Merger Agreement); and (3) continuously are the record holders of such shares through the Effective Time of the Merger may be entitled to have their shares of our common stock appraised by the Delaware Court of Chancery and to receive payment in cash of the “fair value” of the shares of Company common stock, exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the Merger, together with (unless the Delaware Court of Chancery in its discretion determines otherwise for good cause shown) interest on the amount determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery to be fair value from the effective date of the Merger through the date of payment of the judgment. However, after an appraisal petition has been filed, the Delaware Court of Chancery, at a

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hearing to determine stockholders entitled to appraisal rights, will dismiss appraisal proceedings as to all of our stockholders who asserted appraisal rights unless (1) the total number of shares of Company common stock entitled to appraisal exceeds one percent of the outstanding shares of Company common stock as measured in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 262; or (2) the value of the Merger Consideration in respect of such shares exceeds $1 million. We refer to these conditions as the “ownership thresholds.” Unless the Delaware Court of Chancery, in its discretion, determines otherwise for good cause shown, interest on an appraisal award will accrue and compound quarterly from the Effective Time of the Merger through the date the judgment is paid at five percent over the Federal Reserve discount rate (including any surcharge) as established from time to time during such period (except that, if at any time before the entry of judgment in the proceeding, the surviving corporation makes a voluntary cash payment to each stockholder entitled to appraisal, interest will accrue thereafter only upon the sum of (1) the difference, if any, between the amount so paid and the fair value of the shares as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery; and (2) interest theretofore accrued, unless paid at that time). The surviving corporation is under no obligation to make such voluntary cash payment prior to such entry of judgment.

Under Section 262, where a Merger Agreement is to be submitted for adoption at a meeting of stockholders, the corporation, not less than 20 days prior to the meeting, must notify each of its stockholders of record as of the record date for notice of such meeting that appraisal rights are available and include in the notice a copy of Section 262. This proxy statement constitutes the Company’s notice to our stockholders that appraisal rights are available in connection with the Merger, and the full text of Section 262 is attached to this proxy statement as Annex C. In connection with the Merger, any holder of shares of Company common stock who wishes to exercise appraisal rights, or who wishes to preserve such holder’s right to do so, should review Annex C carefully. Failure to strictly comply with the requirements of Section 262 in a timely and proper manner may result in the loss of appraisal rights under the DGCL. A stockholder who loses his, her or its appraisal rights will be entitled to receive the Merger Consideration per share without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes. Because of the complexity of the procedures for exercising the right to seek appraisal of shares of Company common stock, the Company believes that if a stockholder is considering exercising such rights, that stockholder should seek the advice of legal counsel.

Stockholders wishing to exercise the right to seek an appraisal of their shares of Company common stock must do ALL of the following:

•

the stockholder must not vote in favor of the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement;

•

the stockholder must deliver to the Company a written demand for appraisal before the vote on the Merger Agreement at the special meeting; and

•

the stockholder must continuously hold the shares from the date of making the demand through the Effective Time of the Merger (a stockholder will lose appraisal rights if the stockholder transfers the shares before the Effective Time of the Merger).

In addition, after an appraisal petition has been filed, the Delaware Court of Chancery, at a hearing to determine stockholders entitled to appraisal rights, will dismiss appraisal proceedings as to all of our stockholders who asserted appraisal rights unless one of the ownership thresholds is met.

Because a proxy that does not contain voting instructions will, unless revoked, be voted in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, each of our stockholders who votes by proxy and who wishes to exercise appraisal rights must vote against the adoption of the Merger Agreement or abstain with respect to such proposal.

Filing Written Demand

A stockholder wishing to exercise appraisal rights must deliver to the Company, before the vote on the adoption of the Merger Agreement at the special meeting, a written demand for the appraisal of such stockholder’s shares. In addition, that stockholder must not vote or submit a proxy in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement. A vote in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, in person at the special meeting or by proxy (whether by mail or via the internet or telephone), will constitute a waiver of appraisal rights in respect of the shares so voted and will nullify any previously filed written demands for appraisal. A stockholder exercising appraisal rights must hold of record the shares on the date the written

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demand for appraisal is made and must continue to hold the shares of record through the Effective Time of the Merger. Neither voting (in person or by proxy) against the adoption of the Merger Agreement nor abstaining from voting or failing to vote on the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement will, in and of itself, constitute a written demand for appraisal satisfying the requirements of Section 262. The written demand for appraisal must be in addition to and separate from any proxy or vote on the adoption of the Merger Agreement.

Only a holder of record of shares of Company common stock is entitled to demand appraisal rights for the shares registered in that holder’s name. A demand for appraisal in respect of shares of Company common stock should be executed by or on behalf of the holder of record and must reasonably inform the Company of the identity of the holder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand an appraisal of such stockholder’s shares. If the shares are owned of record in the name of another person, such as a broker, fiduciary, depositary or other nominee, such demand must be executed by or on behalf of the record owner, and if such shares are owned of record by more than one person, as in a joint tenancy or tenancy in common, the demand should be executed by or on behalf of all joint owners. An authorized agent, including an authorized agent for two or more joint owners, may execute a demand for appraisal on behalf of a holder of record; however, the agent must identify the record owner or owners and expressly disclose that, in executing the demand, the agent is acting as agent for the record owner or owners. If a stockholder holds shares of Company common stock through a broker who in turn holds the shares through a central securities depository nominee such as Cede & Co., a demand for appraisal of such shares must be made by or on behalf of the depository nominee and must identify the depository nominee as record holder.

STOCKHOLDERS WHO HOLD THEIR SHARES IN “STREET NAME” BY A BANK, BROKER, TRUST OR OTHER NOMINEE AND WHO WISH TO EXERCISE APPRAISAL RIGHTS SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR BANK, BROKER, TRUST OR OTHER NOMINEE, AS APPLICABLE, TO DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE PROCEDURES FOR THE BANK, BROKER, TRUST OR OTHER NOMINEE TO MAKE A DEMAND FOR APPRAISAL OF THOSE SHARES. A PERSON HAVING A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN SHARES HELD OF RECORD IN THE NAME OF ANOTHER PERSON, SUCH AS A BANK, BROKER, TRUST OR OTHER NOMINEE, MUST ACT PROMPTLY TO CAUSE THE RECORD HOLDER TO FOLLOW PROPERLY AND IN A TIMELY MANNER THE STEPS NECESSARY TO PERFECT APPRAISAL RIGHTS.

All written demands for appraisal pursuant to Section 262 should be mailed or delivered to:

Battalion Oil Corporation
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Two Memorial City Plaza
820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100
Houston, Texas 77024

At any time within 60 days after the effective date of the Merger, any holder of shares of Company common stock who has not commenced an appraisal proceeding or joined that proceeding as a named party may withdraw his, her or its demand for appraisal and accept the Merger Consideration offered pursuant to the Merger Agreement, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes, by delivering to the Company, as the surviving corporation, a written withdrawal of the demand for appraisal. However, any such attempt to withdraw the demand made more than 60 days after the Effective Time of the Merger will require written approval of the surviving corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no appraisal proceeding in the Delaware Court of Chancery will be dismissed as to any stockholder without the approval of the Delaware Court of Chancery, and such approval may be conditioned upon such terms as the Delaware Court of Chancery deems just; provided, however, that this will not affect the right of any stockholder who has not commenced an appraisal proceeding or joined that proceeding as a named party to withdraw such stockholder’s demand for appraisal and to accept the Merger Consideration within 60 days after the Effective Time of the Merger. If the Company, as the surviving corporation, does not approve a request to withdraw a demand for appraisal when that approval is required, or, except with respect to any stockholder who withdraws such stockholder’s demand in accordance with the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence, if the Delaware Court of Chancery does not approve the dismissal of an appraisal proceeding with respect to a stockholder, the stockholder will be entitled to receive only the appraised value

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determined in any such appraisal proceeding, which value could be less than, equal to or more than the Merger Consideration specified in the Merger Agreement.

Notice by the Surviving Corporation

If the Merger is completed, within 10 days after the Effective Time of the Merger, the surviving corporation will notify each record holder of shares of Company common stock who has properly made a written demand for appraisal pursuant to Section 262, and who has not voted in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, that the Merger has become effective and the effective date thereof.

Filing a Petition for Appraisal

Within 120 days after the Effective Time of the Merger, but not thereafter, the surviving corporation or any holder of shares of Company common stock who has complied with Section 262 and is entitled to appraisal rights under Section 262 (or a beneficial owner in the circumstances described in the next paragraph) may commence an appraisal proceeding by filing a petition in the Delaware Court of Chancery, with a copy served on the surviving corporation in the case of a petition filed by a stockholder, demanding a determination of the fair value of the shares held by all dissenting stockholders entitled to appraisal. The surviving corporation is under no obligation, and has no present intention, to file a petition, and stockholders should not assume that the surviving corporation will file a petition or initiate any negotiations with respect to the fair value of the shares of Company common stock. Accordingly, any holders of shares of Company common stock who desire to have their shares appraised should initiate all necessary action to perfect their appraisal rights in respect of their shares of Company common stock within the time and in the manner prescribed in Section 262. If no petition for appraisal is filed with the Delaware Court of Chancery within 120 days after the Effective Time of the Merger, stockholders’ rights to appraisal shall cease, and all holders of shares of Company common stock will be entitled to receive the Merger Consideration pursuant to the Merger Agreement, without interest.

Within 120 days after the Effective Time of the Merger, any holder of shares of Company common stock who has complied with the requirements for an appraisal of such holder’s shares pursuant to Section 262 will be entitled, upon written request, to receive from the surviving corporation a statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares not voted in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement and with respect to which the Company has received demands for appraisal, and the aggregate number of holders of such shares. The surviving corporation must send this statement to the requesting stockholder within 10 days after receipt by the surviving corporation of the written request for such a statement or within 10 days after the expiration of the period for delivery of demands for appraisal, whichever is later. A beneficial owner of shares of Company common stock held either in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person may, in such person’s own name, file a petition seeking appraisal or request from the surviving corporation the foregoing statements. As noted above, however, the demand for appraisal can only be made by a stockholder of record.

If a petition for an appraisal is duly filed by a holder of shares of Company common stock and a copy thereof is served upon the surviving corporation, the surviving corporation will then be obligated within 20 days after such service to file with the Delaware Register in Chancery a duly verified list containing the names and addresses of all stockholders who have demanded payment for their shares and with whom agreements as to the value of their shares have not been reached. The Delaware Court of Chancery may order that notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing of such petition be given to the surviving corporation and all of the stockholders shown on the verified list at the addresses stated therein. Any such notice shall also be given by one or more publications at least one week before the day of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of Wilmington, Delaware or any other publication which the Delaware Court of Chancery deems advisable. The costs of any such notice are borne by the surviving corporation.

After notice to dissenting stockholders as required by the court, at the hearing on such petition, the Delaware Court of Chancery will determine the stockholders who have complied with Section 262 and who have become entitled to appraisal rights thereunder. The Delaware Court of Chancery may require the stockholders who demanded appraisal for their shares to submit their stock certificates to the Register in

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Chancery for notation thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings. If any stockholder fails to comply with the direction, the Delaware Court of Chancery may dismiss the proceedings as to such stockholder.

Pursuant to Section 262(g) of the DGCL, the Delaware Court of Chancery will dismiss appraisal proceedings as to all stockholders who assert appraisal rights unless (1) the total number of shares entitled to appraisal exceeds one percent of the outstanding shares of Company common stock as measured in accordance with Section 262(g) of the DGCL; or (2) the value of the Merger Consideration in respect of such shares exceeds $1 million.

Determination of Fair Value

Where proceedings are not dismissed, the appraisal proceeding will be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Delaware Court of Chancery, including any rules specifically governing appraisal proceedings. Through such proceeding, the Delaware Court of Chancery will determine the “fair value” of the shares of Company common stock, exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the Merger, together with interest, if any, to be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value. In determining fair value, the Delaware Court of Chancery will take into account all relevant factors. Unless the Delaware Court of Chancery in its discretion determines otherwise for good cause shown, interest from the effective date of the Merger through the date of payment of the judgment will be compounded quarterly and will accrue at five percent over the Federal Reserve discount rate (including any surcharge) as established from time to time during the period between the effective date of the Merger and the date of payment of the judgment. However, the surviving corporation has the right, at any time prior to the Delaware Court of Chancery’s entry of judgment in the proceedings, to make a voluntary cash payment to each stockholder seeking appraisal. If the surviving corporation makes a voluntary cash payment pursuant to subsection (h) of Section 262, interest will accrue thereafter only on the sum of (1) the difference, if any, between the amount paid by the surviving corporation in such voluntary cash payment and the fair value of the shares as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery; and (2) interest accrued before such voluntary cash payment, unless paid at that time. In Weinberger v. UOP, Inc., the Supreme Court of Delaware discussed the factors that could be considered in determining fair value in an appraisal proceeding, stating that “proof of value by any techniques or methods which are generally considered acceptable in the financial community and otherwise admissible in court” should be considered, and that “[f]air price obviously requires consideration of all relevant factors involving the value of a company.” The Delaware Supreme Court stated that, in making this determination of fair value, the court must consider market value, asset value, dividends, earnings prospects, the nature of the enterprise and any other facts that could be ascertained as of the date of the Merger that throw any light on future prospects of the merged corporation. Section 262 provides that fair value is to be “exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the Merger.” In Cede & Co. v. Technicolor, Inc., the Delaware Supreme Court stated that such exclusion is a “narrow exclusion [that] does not encompass known elements of value,” but which rather applies only to the speculative elements of value arising from such accomplishment or expectation. In Weinberger, the Supreme Court of Delaware also stated that “elements of future value, including the nature of the enterprise, which are known or susceptible of proof as of the date of the Merger and not the product of speculation, may be considered.”

Stockholders considering seeking appraisal should be aware that the fair value of their shares as so determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery could be more than, the same as or less than the consideration they would receive pursuant to the Merger if they did not seek appraisal of their shares and that an opinion of an investment banking firm as to the fairness from a financial point of view of the consideration payable in a Merger is not an opinion as to, and may not in any manner address, fair value under Section 262. No representation is made as to the outcome of the appraisal of fair value as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery, and stockholders should recognize that such an appraisal could result in a determination of a value higher or lower than, or the same as, the Merger Consideration. Neither the Company nor Parent anticipates offering more than the per share price to any stockholder exercising appraisal rights, and each of the Company and Parent reserves the rights to make a voluntary cash payment pursuant to subsection (h) of Section 262 and to assert, in any appraisal proceeding, that for purposes of Section 262, the “fair value” of a share of Company common stock is less than the Merger Consideration. The costs of the appraisal proceedings (which do not include attorneys’ fees or the fees and expenses of

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experts) may be determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery and taxed upon the parties as the Delaware Court of Chancery deems equitable under the circumstances. Upon application of a stockholder, the Delaware Court of Chancery may also order that all or a portion of the expenses incurred by any stockholder in connection with the appraisal proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s fees and the fees and expenses of experts, be charged pro rata against the value of all the shares entitled to an appraisal. In the absence of such determination or assessment, each party bears its own expenses.

If any stockholder who demands appraisal of his, her or its shares of Company common stock under Section 262 fails to perfect, or loses or validly withdraws, such holder’s right to appraisal, the stockholder’s shares of Company common stock will be deemed to have been converted at the Effective Time of the Merger into the right to receive the Merger Consideration as provided in the Merger Agreement.

From and after the Effective Time of the Merger, no stockholder who has demanded appraisal rights in compliance with Section 262 will be entitled to vote such shares of Company common stock for any purpose or to receive payment of dividends or other distributions on the stock (except dividends or other distributions payable to stockholders of record at a date which is prior to the effective date of the Merger).

Failure to comply strictly with all of the procedures set forth in Section 262 may result in the loss of a stockholder’s statutory appraisal rights. In that event, you will be entitled to receive the Merger Consideration for your dissenting shares in accordance with the Merger Agreement, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes. Consequently, any stockholder wishing to exercise appraisal rights is encouraged to consult legal counsel before attempting to exercise those rights.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of Company common stock as of December 19, 2023, by:

•

each person or entity known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of Company common stock;

•

each of our named executive officers;

•

each of our directors; and

•

all of our executive officers and directors as a group.

As of January 19, 2024, there were approximately 16,456,563 shares of Company common stock issued and outstanding. Under the rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if that person has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of such security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities for which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed a beneficial owner of the same securities and a person may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities as to which such person has no economic interest. Shares of Company common stock that are not outstanding, but which a designated stockholder has the right to acquire within 60 days, are included in the number of shares beneficially owned by such stockholder and are deemed to be outstanding for purposes of determining the percentage of outstanding shares beneficially owned by such stockholder, but not for purposes of determining the percentage of outstanding shares beneficially owned by any other designated stockholder. Unless otherwise noted, the mailing address of each person or entity named below is 820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77024.

Name of Beneficial Owner	Number of Shares Beneficially Owned		Percent of Class
Named Executive Officers and Directors
Matthew B. Steele		—		*
Daniel P. Rohling		82,027		*
Walter R. Mayer		24,874		*
Jonathan D. Barrett(1)		13,207,104		56.2%
David Chang		—		*
Gregory S. Hinds		11,601		*
Ajay Jegadeesan		—		*
William D. Rogers		4,000		*
Richard H. Little		47,471		*
All current executive officers and current directors as a group (8 persons)(9)		13,329,606		56.7%
Beneficial Owners of More Than 5% of Common Stock
Luminus Management, LLC(2)		13,207,104		56.2%
Oaktree Capital Group, LLC(3)		7,881,798		38.7%
LSP Generation IV, LLC(4)		5,088,092		26.5%
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.(5)		926,576		5.6%

Represents less than 1%.

(1)

Ownership and voting rights shared with Luminus Management, LLC.

(2)

According to, and based solely upon, Schedule 13D/A filed by Luminus Management, LLC and Luminus Energy Partners Master Fund, Ltd. (collectively, “Luminus”) with the SEC on December 19, 2023. The business address for Luminus is 1811 Bering Drive, Suite 400, Houston, Texas 77057. Ownership and voting rights shared with Jonathan D. Barrett.

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DELISTING AND DEREGISTRATION OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK

Company common stock is currently listed on NYSE American under the symbol “BATL.” If the Merger is consummated, Company common stock will be delisted from NYSE American and deregistered under the Exchange Act, and we will no longer file periodic reports with the SEC on account of Company common stock. The Company will cease to be an independent public company and will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. You will no longer have any ownership interest in the Company.

OTHER MATTERS

The Company does not know of any business to be presented for action at the special meeting other than those items referred to in this proxy statement. If any other matters properly come before the special meeting or any adjournment thereof, it is intended that the proxies will be voted in respect thereof by and at the discretion of the persons named as proxies on the proxy card.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING DELIVERY OF SECURITY HOLDER DOCUMENTS

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (such as banks, brokers and other holders of record) to satisfy the delivery requirement for proxy materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single copy of the proxy materials addressed to all stockholders at that address, unless one or more of the affected stockholder has provided contrary instructions to such company or intermediary, as applicable. This process is commonly known as “householding.” To conserve resources and reduce expenses, we consolidate materials under these rules when possible.

Certain brokerage firms, banks or similar entities holding shares of Company common stock for their customers may household notices or proxy materials. Stockholders sharing an address whose shares of Company common stock are held in “street name” should contact their bank, broker or other holder of record if they wish to receive separate copies of these materials in the future or if they are receiving multiple copies and wish to receive only one copy per household in the future. The Company will also promptly deliver a separate copy of the notice or proxy materials to Company stockholders at a shared address to which a single copy of the documents was delivered, and Company stockholders can notify the Company that they wish to receive separate materials in the future, upon written or oral request at the following address or telephone number: Battalion Oil Corporation, Two Memorial City Plaza, 820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77024, telephone: (832) 538-0300.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

If the Merger is consummated, we will not have public stockholders and there will be no public participation in any future meeting of stockholders. However, if the Merger is not consummated prior to our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, we expect to hold a 2024 annual meeting and will provide notice of or otherwise publicly disclose the date on which such meeting will be held.

In order to be considered for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement for the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2024, all stockholder proposals must be delivered to or mailed and received by the Corporate Secretary at the Company’s office, Two Memorial City Plaza, 820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77024, a reasonable time before the Company begins to print and send its proxy materials. We suggest that you send any such proposals by certified mail. The Board has the right to review stockholder proposals to determine if they meet the SEC requirements for being included in the proxy statement.

Stockholders may submit director nominations for consideration at the 2024 annual meeting if they meet the requirements set forth in the Company’s bylaws. Such nominations by any stockholder shall be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the Secretary of the Company. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Company 60 to 90 days before the anniversary of the prior year’s meeting; provided, however, that in the event that less than 70 days notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to stockholders, notice by the stockholder, to be timely, must be received no later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made, whichever first occurs. Such stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth (i) as to each person whom the

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stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, (a) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (b) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (c) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the person, and (d) any other information relating to the person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Rules and Regulations of the SEC under Section 14 of the Exchange Act, and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice (a) the name and record address of the stockholder and (b) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Company which are beneficially owned by the stockholder. The Company may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Company to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Company. The officer of the Company presiding at an annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedure, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

The Company files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Exchange Act. The SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The Internet website maintained by the SEC is https://www.sec.gov. You may also retrieve the Company’s SEC filings at its Internet website at battalionoil.com under the heading “Investor Relations” and then under the heading “SEC Filings” in the “Additional Info” drop down menu. The information contained on our Internet website, or any other Internet site described herein, is not a part of, and is not incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this proxy statement.

Statements contained in this proxy statement, or in any document incorporated by reference into this proxy statement regarding the contents of any contract or other document, are not necessarily complete and each such statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to that contract or other document filed as an exhibit with the SEC. The SEC’s rules allow the Company to “incorporate by reference” information into this proxy statement, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this proxy statement from the date those documents are filed, except for any information superseded by information contained directly in this proxy statement. The Company has filed the documents listed below with the SEC under the Exchange Act, and these documents are incorporated herein by reference (other than information in such documents that is furnished and not deemed to be filed):

•

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed on March 30, 2023, as amended by a Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on April 28, 2023;

•

Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on May 15, 2023, June 30, 2023, filed on August 21, 2023, and September 30, 2023, filed on November 15, 2023;

•

Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 20, 2023, April 3, 2023, May 11, 2023, August 4, 2023, September 7, 2023, December 18, 2023, January 9, 2024, January 24, 2024, January 29, 2024, February 6, 2024, February 7, 2024 and February 9, 2024; and

•

Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on December 28, 2023.

You may obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference from the SEC’s Internet website described above. Documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement are also available from the Company without charge, excluding all exhibits unless specifically incorporated by reference into such documents. Stockholders may obtain any and all documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement, including documents filed subsequent to the date of this proxy statement up to the date that we respond to your request, without charge, by requesting them in writing or by telephone from the Company at the following address and telephone number:

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Battalion Oil Corporation
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Two Memorial City Plaza
820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100
Houston, Texas 77024
Telephone: (832) 538-0300

If you would like to request documents, please do so by March 11, 2024 to receive them before the special meeting. If you request any incorporated documents, the Company undertakes to mail them to you by first-class mail, or another equally prompt means, within one business day of receipt of your request.

You should rely only on the information contained in this proxy statement, including the annexes attached hereto or the information incorporated by reference herein, to vote your shares of Company common stock at the special meeting. The Company has not authorized anyone to provide you with information that differs from that contained in this proxy statement. Therefore, if anyone does give you information of this sort, you should not rely on it. This proxy statement is dated February 13, 2024. You should not assume that the information contained in this proxy statement is accurate as of any date other than that date, and the mailing of this proxy statement to stockholders will not create any implication to the contrary.

THIS PROXY STATEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE SOLICITATION OF A PROXY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO OR FROM ANY PERSON TO WHOM OR FROM WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH PROXY SOLICITATION IN THAT JURISDICTION. YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROXY STATEMENT TO VOTE YOUR SHARES AT THE SPECIAL MEETING.

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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER is made as of December 14, 2023, by and among Battalion Oil Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Fury Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and San Jacinto Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”). Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in Article I.

WHEREAS, the parties hereto intend that, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the applicable provisions of the DGCL, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation in the Merger and as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (the “Surviving Corporation”);

WHEREAS, the board of directors of the Company (the “Company Board”) has established a special committee of the Company Board, comprised solely of independent and disinterested directors (the “Company Special Committee”) to, among other things, (a) review and consider the Merger, (b) review, consider and evaluate capital resources available to the Company and provide recommendations to the Company Board with respect those capital resources relative to the Merger, including the Company’s ability to remain a going concern, sources of debt and equity capital reasonably available to the Company, and the Company’s ability to comply with covenants and principal amortization requirements under the Company’s existing term loan and (c) make one or more recommendations, as appropriate, to the Company Board as to what action should be taken by the Company Board, if any, with respect to the Merger;

WHEREAS, the Company Special Committee has unanimously (a) determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein (the “Transactions”) are advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and its Unaffiliated Company Stockholders, (b) recommended that the Company Board approve this Agreement and the Transactions and determine that this Agreement and the Transactions are advisable, fair to, and in the best interest of the Company and the Unaffiliated Company Stockholders, and (c) recommended that, subject to the Company Board’s approval, the Company Board submit this Agreement to the Company’s stockholders for their approval, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Company Board, after considering the recommendation of the Company Special Committee, has unanimously (a) determined that this Agreement and the Transactions are advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and its stockholders, including the Unaffiliated Company Stockholders, (b) declared it advisable to enter into this Agreement, (c) approved the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions, (d) resolved to recommend that the stockholders of the Company adopt this Agreement and (e) directed that this Agreement be submitted to the Company’s stockholders for their approval, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement;

WHEREAS, the board of directors of Parent has unanimously (a) approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the Transactions and (b) determined that this Agreement and the Transactions are fair to, and in the best interests of, Parent and its stockholders;

WHEREAS, the board of directors of Merger Sub has unanimously (a) determined that this Agreement and the Transactions are advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, Merger Sub and Parent, (b) declared it advisable to enter into this Agreement, (c) approved the execution, delivery and performance by Merger Sub of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions, and (d) resolved to recommend that Parent (as Merger Sub’s sole stockholder) adopt this Agreement;

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, and as a condition and inducement to Parent’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, certain stockholders of the Company are entering into a Voting Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto (the “Voting Agreement”) pursuant to which, and subject to the terms and conditions thereof, each such Person has agreed, among other things, to vote the shares of Common Stock held by such Person in favor of the adoption of this Agreement and the approval of the Transactions, including the Merger at the Company Stockholders Meeting;

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, and as a condition and inducement to Parent’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, (a) the Insider Stockholders and certain

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other Persons (collectively, the “Purchasers”) are entering into a Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Parent, pursuant to which the Purchasers will purchase from Parent, prior to the Effective Time and on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement, shares of the Series A Preferred Stock of Parent (such shares, the “Parent Preferred Stock” and such transaction, the “Preferred Stock Financing”), and (b) the Insider Stockholders are entering into a Contribution, Rollover and Sale Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit C hereto (the “Contribution Agreement”) with Parent, pursuant to which the Insider Stockholders will contribute and/or sell to Parent, prior to the Effective Time and on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Contribution Agreement, all of the issued and outstanding shares of Preferred Stock held by the Insider Stockholders in exchange for shares of Parent Preferred Stock (such transaction, the “Preferred Stock Contribution” and, together with the Preferred Stock Financing, the “Preferred Stock Transactions”); and

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with this Agreement and the Transactions.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1.1. Definitions. The following terms shall have the following meanings for purposes of this Agreement:

“Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement” means a confidentiality agreement on terms that, with respect to confidentiality and use, are no less restrictive to the Company’s counterparty thereto than those contained in the Confidentiality Agreement (including the standstill provision contained therein, but only to the extent such provisions apply after giving effect to Section 6.4(h)), and except for such changes to permit the Company to comply with its obligations under this Agreement.

“Additional Financing” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.10(a)(ii).

“Additional Financing Bank Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.10(a)(ix).

“Additional Financing Documents” means any binding Contracts entered into by Parent or any of its Affiliates in connection with the Additional Financing.

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such first Person. For purposes of this Agreement, “Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of securities, by contract, management control, or otherwise. “Controlled” and “Controlling” shall be construed accordingly.

“Agreement” means this Agreement, including the Company Disclosure Letter, the Parent Disclosure Letter and the annexes and exhibits hereto, as it and they may be amended from time to time.

“Alternative Financing” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.10(a)(iv).

“Book-Entry Shares” means shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock which, immediately prior to the Effective Time, are not represented by stock certificates, but are represented in book-entry form.

“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in the State of Texas or New York are authorized or required by Law or other action of a Governmental Authority to close.

“Buyer’s 401(k) Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.7(d).

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“Bylaws” means the Seventh Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended from time to time.

“Canceled Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b)(ii).

“Capitalization Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(c)(ii).

“CARES Act” means the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (Public Law 116-136) and all rules, regulations and guidance issued by any Governmental Authority with respect thereto, in each case as in effect from time to time.

“Certificate of Designation” means, with respect to any series of Preferred Stock that is authorized and issued by the Company on or after the date of this Agreement, the Certificate of Designations applicable to such series of Preferred Stock, which shall be in the form attached as Exhibit D hereto.

“Certificate of Incorporation” means the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended from time to time.

“Certificate of Merger” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

“Certificated Shares” means shares of Preferred Stock which, immediately prior to the Effective Time, are represented by stock certificates.

“Change of Recommendation” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(d).

“Closing” means the consummation of the Transactions.

“Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

“Closing Failure Fee” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3(b)(iv).

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Committed Debt Financing” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8(a).

“Committed Financing” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8(a).

“Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(c)(i).

“Company” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

“Company 401(k) Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.7(d).

“Company Acquisition Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(d).

“Company Benefit Plan” means each compensatory arrangement (including each “employee benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA and each other equity or equity-based incentive, compensation, severance, employment, consulting, change-in-control, retention, vacation, paid time off, fringe benefit, bonus, incentive, savings, retirement, deferred compensation, or other compensatory or benefit plan, agreement, program, policy or arrangement, whether or not subject to ERISA), (a) entered into, contributed to (or required to be contributed to), sponsored by or maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (b) for which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any Liability (contingent or otherwise), in any case other than a Multiemployer Plan.

“Company Board” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Company Disclosure Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5.

“Company Disclosure Letter” has the meaning set forth in the introductory language to Article IV.

“Company Equity Awards” means, collectively, the Company Options and the Company RSU Awards.

“Company Equity Plan” means the Company’s 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

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“Company Independent Petroleum Engineers” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.18(a).

“Company Intellectual Property” means all Intellectual Property owned or purported to be owned by Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

“Company Material Adverse Effect” means any Effect that, individually or in the aggregate, is or would reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition or operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided, however, that none of any of the following, nor any Effects resulting or arising from any of the following, shall constitute or be taken into account in determining whether there has been, is, or would reasonably be expected to be, a Company Material Adverse Effect:

(a) any changes or developments in domestic, foreign or global markets or domestic, foreign or global economic conditions generally, including (i) any changes or developments in or affecting the domestic or any foreign securities, equity, credit or financial markets or (ii) any changes or developments in or affecting domestic or any foreign interest or exchange rates;

(b) changes, proposed changes, pending changes, changes in the interpretation or enforcement of GAAP, COPAS or any Law or rules or regulations promulgated by any Governmental Authorities;

(d) changes in domestic, foreign or global political conditions (including the outbreak or escalation or worsening of war, hostilities, tariffs, sanctions, trade wars, political unrest, civil disobedience, protests, public demonstrations, sabotage, military actions, acts of terrorism, cyber-attacks or computer hacking or any response by any Governmental Authority to any of the foregoing), including any material worsening of such conditions threatened or existing on the date of this Agreement;

(e) changes or developments in the industries in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries operate (including changes in commodity prices, general market prices and regulatory changes affecting the oil and gas exploration, development or production industries in the United States or any area or areas where the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are located);

(f) the negotiation, announcement or the existence of this Agreement or the pendency, anticipated consummation or consummation of the Transactions, including any loss or change in relationship with any employee, officer, director, independent contractor, customer, supplier, vendor, distributor, or other business partner of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any other disruption to the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (provided that this clause (f) shall not apply to any representation or warranty to the extent that the purpose of such representation or warranty is to address, as applicable, the consequences resulting from the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the pendency or consummation of this Agreement and the Transactions);

(g) any weather event, flood, hurricane, tornado, volcanic eruption, earthquake, nuclear incident, epidemic, pandemic, outbreak of illness or other public health event (including COVID-19), quarantine restriction or other natural or man-made disaster or other force majeure event or act of God or occurrence or the escalation or worsening of any of the foregoing;

(h) any matter set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter;

(i) any change in the trading price or trading volume of the shares of Common Stock or any change in the credit ratings or ratings outlook for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or the availability or cost of equity, debt or other financing to Parent or Merger Sub (provided that the underlying causes thereof may be considered in determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred if not otherwise excluded hereunder);

(j) the failure to meet any internal, published, analyst or other third party’s projections, guidance, budgets, milestones, expectations, forecasts or estimates (provided that the underlying causes thereof may be considered in determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred if not otherwise excluded hereunder; provided, further, that this clause (j) shall not be construed as implying

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that the Company is making any representation or warranty hereunder with respect to any such internal or external projections, guidance, budgets, milestones, expectations, forecasts or estimates);

(k) any action required to be taken or omitted by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries at the written request of Parent or any action expressly required to be taken or refrained from being taken by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement, including any action consented to in writing by Parent;

(l) the expiration of any Contract in accordance with its terms;

(m) any actions or claims made or brought by any of the current or former stockholders of the Company (on their behalf or on behalf of the Company) against the Company or any of its directors, officers or employees arising out of this Agreement or the Merger;

(n) the failure to obtain any approvals or consents from any Governmental Authority in connection with the Transactions;

(o) the identity of, or facts specific to, Parent or any of its Affiliates as the acquiror of the Company or any changes arising therefrom;

(p) natural declines in well performance or reclassification or recalculation of reserves in the ordinary course of business; and

(q) any breach by Parent or any of its Affiliates of this Agreement;

except, with respect to clauses (a), (b), (d), (e) and (g), to the extent (and for the avoidance of doubt, only to the extent) that such impact is materially and disproportionately adverse to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to other similarly situated and comparable companies in the industries and in the geographic markets in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate (it being understood and agreed that, for the purposes of determining whether the Company has been materially and disproportionately adversely affected compared to other similarly situated similarly situated and comparable companies, the Company shall be compared to independent exploration and production companies primarily focused in the Delaware Basin), in which case only the incremental disproportionate adverse impact may be taken into account in determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred or would reasonably be expected to occur.

“Company Material Contracts” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.8(a).

“Company Option” means an option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted under the Company Equity Plan.

“Company Registered Intellectual Property” means Company Intellectual Property that is Registered Intellectual Property.

“Company Related Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3(f).

“Company Reserve Report” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.18(a).

“Company RSU Award” means each performance- and/or time-based restricted stock unit award in respect of a share of Common Stock granted under the Company Equity Plan or otherwise.

“Company SEC Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4(a).

“Company Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(c)(iii).

“Company Special Committee” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Company Stockholder Approval” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.

“Company Stockholders Meeting” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5(c).

“Company Superior Proposal” means an unsolicited bona fide, written Company Takeover Proposal (with references to twenty percent (20%) and eighty percent (80%) being deemed to be replaced with

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references to fifty percent (50%), respectively) by a third party, that is fully financed or has fully committed financing, which the Company Board (after considering the recommendation of the Company Special Committee) determines in good faith, after consultation with the Company’s outside legal and financial advisors, to be more favorable from a financial point of view to the Company and its stockholders than the Transactions (including any adjustment to the terms of the Transactions proposed by Parent pursuant to clause (B) of Section 6.4(d) and taking in consideration the timing and likelihood of consummation of such Company Superior Proposal).

“Company Takeover Proposal” means any offer, proposal or indication of interest that is not withdrawn from a Person or “group” (as defined in or under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of Persons (other than a proposal or offer by Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent) made after the date hereof relating to any transaction or series of related transactions involving: (a) any acquisition or purchase by any Person or “group” of Persons, directly or indirectly, of more than twenty percent (20%) of any class of outstanding voting or equity securities of the Company, or any tender offer or exchange offer that, if consummated, would result in any Person or “group” of Persons beneficially owning more than twenty percent (20%) (on a non-diluted basis) of any class of outstanding voting or equity securities of the Company, (b) any merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar transaction involving the Company and a Person or “group” (as defined in or under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of Persons pursuant to which the stockholders of the Company immediately preceding such transaction hold less than eighty percent (80%) of the equity interests in the surviving or resulting entity of such transaction or (c) any sale, lease, exchange, transfer, license or other disposition to a Person or “group” of Persons of more than twenty percent (20%) of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (measured by the fair market value thereof), or that generate twenty percent (20%) or more of the consolidated net revenues or net income of the Company and its Subsidiaries (for the twelve (12)-month period ending on the last day of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter).

“Company Termination Fee” means an amount equal to $8,000,000.

“Confidentiality Agreement” means that certain confidential information agreement between Ruckus Energy Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and the Company, dated as of March 28, 2023.

“Continuing Employee” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.7(a).

“Contract” means any contract, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, Lease, agreement, arrangement, commitment or other instrument or obligation that is legally binding; provided that Contracts shall exclude (a) statements of work, sales orders and purchase orders entered into in the ordinary course of business that do not contain any material terms other than pricing, and (b) the Company Equity Plan (or any award agreements entered into thereunder).

“Contribution Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Converted Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b)(iii).

“COPAS” means the accounting standards promulgated by the Council of Petroleum Accountants Society.

“Copyrights” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Intellectual Property.”

“Covered Persons” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.9(a).

“COVID-19” means SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19, and any variants, evolutions, mutations or additional waves thereof or related or associated epidemics, pandemics or disease outbreaks.

“COVID-19 Measures” means (a) any quarantine, “shelter in place,” “stay at home,” workforce reduction, social distancing, shutdown, closure, vaccination, sequester or any other applicable Law, Order or recommendations of a Governmental Authority, or any applicable directive or guidance from any applicable industry group, or (b) any commercially reasonable measures adopted by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) for the protection of the health and safety of the Company’s employees, customers, vendors, service providers or any other persons who physically interact with Representatives of the Company or

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visit any location over which the Company exercises any control, (ii) to preserve the assets utilized in connection with the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries or (iii) otherwise substantially consistent with actions taken by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or others in the industries and geographic regions in which affected businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries operate, in each case in connection with or in response to COVID-19 or any other global or regional health event, including the CARES Act.

“D&O Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.9(a).

“Data Security Requirements” means all of the following, in each case to the extent relating to data privacy, protection, or security and applicable to the conduct of the business of the Company or Subsidiary of the Company: (a) all applicable Laws; (b) the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ own respective policies, and procedures; and (c) material Contracts to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound.

“Debt Financing” means the Committed Debt Financing and/or any Alternative Financing obtained in replacement of all or any portion of the Committed Debt Financing.

“Debt Financing Commitments” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8.

“Derivative Transaction” means any swap transaction, option, warrant, forward purchase or sale transaction, futures transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction or collar transaction relating to one or more currencies, commodities (including natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil and condensate), bonds, equity securities, loans, interest rates, catastrophe events, weather-related events, credit-related events or conditions or any indexes, or any other similar transaction (including any put, call or other option with respect to any of these transactions) or combination of any of these transactions, including collateralized mortgage obligations or other similar instruments or any debt or equity instruments evidencing or embedding any such types of transactions, and any related credit support, collateral or other similar arrangements related to such transactions.

“DGCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time.

“Disclosed Conditions” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8(c).

“Dissenting Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.

“Effect” means any change, effect, development, circumstance, event or occurrence.

“Effective Time” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

“Enforceability Exceptions” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(c).

“Environmental Law” means any applicable Law (a) relating to pollution or the protection, preservation or restoration of the environment (including air, surface water, groundwater, drinking water supply, surface land, subsurface land, plant and animal life or any other natural resource), or any exposure to or release of, or the management, use, storage, recycling, treatment, generation, transportation, processing, handling, labeling, production or disposal of, any hazardous or toxic materials, substances or wastes or (b) that regulates, imposes liability (including for enforcement, investigatory costs, cleanup, removal or response costs, natural resource damages, contribution, injunctive relief, personal injury or property damage), with respect to any of the foregoing, or (c) that establishes standards of care with respect to any of the foregoing.

“Environmental Permits” means any Permit required under any applicable Environmental Law.

“Escrow Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(a).

“Escrow Agent” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(a).

“Escrow Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(a).

“Escrow Funds” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(b).

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

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“Evidence of Funding” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.10(a)(ix).

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Existing Credit Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated as of November 24, 2021, by and among Halcón Holdings, LLC, Macquarie Bank Limited, as administrative agent, the lenders from time to time party thereto, the guarantors party thereto and the Company, as amended or supplemented from time to time, including by (a) that certain First Amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated as of August 2, 2022, and (b) that certain Second Amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated as of November 14, 2022.

“Financing” means, collectively, the Committed Financing, any Alternative Financing and the Additional Financing.

“Financing Source Parties” means, collectively, the Financing Sources, their Affiliates and such Persons’ and their Affiliates’ respective current, former and future directors, officers, general or limited partners, shareholders, members, managers, controlling Persons, employees, Representatives and agents, and the respective successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.

“Financing Sources” means the entities that have committed to provide or to cause to provide, or otherwise entered into agreements in connection with, the Financing, including the parties to the Debt Financing Commitments, the Purchase Agreement, the Contribution Agreement, and the Additional Financing Documents, and any commitments to purchase the Debt Financing, the Parent Preferred Stock, or the Additional Financing, or any part thereof from such entities, and to any joinder agreements, credit agreements, purchase agreements or indentures (including the definitive agreements executed in connection with the Debt Financing Commitments (and the related fee letters), the Purchase Agreement, the Contribution Agreement and the Additional Financing Documents) relating thereto.

“Full Escrow Funding” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(a).

“GAAP” means U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.

“Governmental Authority” means any U.S., state, local or foreign government, any governmental, regulatory or administrative body, agency or authority, any court or judicial authority or arbitration tribunal (public or private), whether national, federal, state, provincial or local or otherwise, including any stock exchange, or any Person lawfully empowered by any of the foregoing to enforce or seek compliance with any applicable Law.

“Hazardous Materials” means any (a) chemical, substance, waste, pollutant, or contaminant that is regulated under any Environmental Law; (b) asbestos containing materials, whether in a friable or non-friable condition, lead-containing material, polychlorinated biphenyls, naturally occurring radioactive materials or radon; and (c) any Hydrocarbons.

“Hutchings Sealy #4 Well” means the Hutchings Sealy #4 vertical oil and gas well, formerly producing from the Ellenberger formation.

“Hydrocarbons” means any hydrocarbon-containing substance, crude oil, natural gas, condensate, drip gas and natural gas liquids, coalbed gas, ethane, propane, iso-butane, nor-butane, gasoline, scrubber liquids and other liquids or gaseous hydrocarbons or other substances (including minerals or gases), or any combination thereof, produced or associated therewith.

“Insider Stockholders” means, collectively, Luminus Management, LLC, Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., and each of their respective Affiliates that directly or indirectly hold any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock.

“Intellectual Property” means any and all common law or statutory rights in: (a) patents, patent applications, statutory invention registrations, registered designs, and similar or equivalent rights in inventions and designs, and all rights therein provided by international treaties and conventions (“Patents”); (b) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, trade names, logos and other designations of origin (“Marks”); (c) domain names, uniform resource locators, Internet Protocol addresses, social media handles and other

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names, identifiers and locators associated with Internet addresses, sites and services; (d) copyrights and any other equivalent rights in works of authorship (including rights in Software as a work of authorship) and any other related rights of authors and mask work rights (“Copyrights”); (e) trade secrets and industrial secret rights, and rights in know-how, data and confidential or proprietary business or technical information that derives independent economic value, whether actual or potential, from not being known to other persons (“Trade Secrets”); and (f) other similar or equivalent intellectual property rights anywhere in the world.

“Interim Covenant Exceptions” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(a).

“Interim Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(a).

“Intervening Event” means an event, fact, circumstance, development or occurrence that is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that is not actually known or reasonably foreseeable to the Company Board or the Company Special Committee as of the date of this Agreement (or if actually known or reasonably foreseeable as of the date of this Agreement, the material consequences of which were not known by the Company Board or the Company Special Committee at such time) and does not relate to: (a) a Company Takeover Proposal, (b) any actions required to be taken pursuant to this Agreement, (c) any change in price or trading volume of the Common Stock or (d) changes in the Company’s reserves estimates (including categorization thereof) or production volumes as compared to expected, forecasted or previously estimated amounts.

“IRS” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.10(a).

“IT Assets” means the computers, Software and Software platforms, databases, websites, servers, routers, hubs, switches, circuits, networks, data communications lines and all other information technology infrastructure and equipment of the Company and its Subsidiaries that are required in connection with the operation of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

“Joint Operating Agreements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.8(c).

“Knowledge of Parent” means the actual knowledge of the individuals set forth on Section 1.1(a) of the Parent Disclosure Letter.

“Knowledge of the Company” means the actual knowledge of the individuals set forth on Section 1.1(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter.

“Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.13(a).

“Leased Real Property” means real property that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries leases, subleases or occupies as tenant, subtenant or occupant pursuant to any Lease, excluding the Oil and Gas Properties.

“Leases” means leases, subleases, licenses, or other occupancy agreements (together with any and all amendments and modifications thereto and any guarantees thereof).

“Lenders” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8(a).

“Liabilities” means any and all debts, liabilities and obligations, whether fixed, contingent or absolute, matured or unmatured, accrued or not accrued, determined or determinable, secured or unsecured, disputed or undisputed, subordinated or unsubordinated, or otherwise.

“Liens” means liens, encumbrances, mortgages, charges, claims, restrictions, pledges, security interests, rights of first refusal, title defects, easements, rights-of-way, covenants, encroachments or other adverse claims of any kind with respect to a property or asset.

“Litigation” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.12.

“Marks” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Intellectual Property.”

“Merger” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Merger Consideration” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b)(i).

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“Merger Sub” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

“Multiemployer Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(37) of ERISA or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

“Multiple Employer Plan” means any plan that has two or more contributing sponsors at least two of whom are not under common control, within the meaning of Section 4063 of ERISA.

“NYSE American” means the NYSE American Stock Exchange.

“Oil and Gas Leases” means all Leases or similar agreements (including any series of related Leases with the same lessor) under which a Person leases, subleases or licenses or otherwise acquires or obtains rights to produce Hydrocarbons from real property interests.

“Oil and Gas Properties” means all interests in and rights with respect to (a) oil, gas, mineral, and similar properties of any kind and nature, including working, leasehold and mineral interests and operating rights and royalties, overriding royalties, production payments, net profit interests and other non-working interests and non-operating interests (including all Oil and Gas Leases, operating agreements, unitization and pooling agreements and orders, division orders, transfer orders, mineral deeds, royalty deeds, and in each case, interests thereunder), surface interests, fee interests, reversionary interests, reservations and concessions and (b) all Wells located on or producing from such Leases and properties.

“Order” means any award, judgment, injunction, binding ruling, decree or order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) issued, adopted, granted, awarded or entered by any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction.

“Organizational Documents” means the certificate of incorporation, articles of incorporation, charter, bylaws, articles of formation, certificate of formation, regulations, operating agreement, certificate of limited partnership, partnership agreement and all other similar documents, instruments or certificates executed, adopted or filed in connection with the creation, formation or organization of a Person, including any amendments, restatements and supplements thereto.

“Owned Real Property” means all real property owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, together with all structures, facilities, improvements and fixtures presently or hereafter located thereon or attached thereto, excluding the Oil and Gas Properties.

“Parent” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

“Parent Disclosure Letter” has the meaning set forth in the introductory language to Article V.

“Parent Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3(b).

“Parent Material Adverse Effect” means, with respect to Parent and Merger Sub, any Effect that has a material adverse effect on Parent’s or Merger Sub’s ability to timely consummate the Transactions (including the payment of the Merger Consideration and Preferred Stock Merger Consideration).

“Parent Preferred Stock” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Parent Related Parties” means, collectively, Parent, Merger Sub, or any of their respective former, current or future general or limited partners, stockholders, financing sources (including the Financing Source Parties), managers, members, Representatives or Affiliates.

“Patents” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Intellectual Property.”

“Paying Agent” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(a).

“Payment Fund” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(a).

“Permit” means any permit, certificate, registration, approval, identification number, license, notice, consent or other authorization required under any applicable Law.

“Permitted Liens” means: (a) Liens for Taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith through appropriate proceedings and for which adequate

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reserves have been recorded on the Company’s balance sheet in accordance with GAAP; (b) materialmen’s, warehouseman’s, mechanics’, carriers’, workmen’s and repairmen’s Liens, any statutory Liens for amounts that are not yet due or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, arising in the ordinary course of business; (c) pledges or deposits to secure obligations under workers’ compensation Laws or similar legislation or to secure public or statutory obligations, in each case in the ordinary course of business that, in the aggregate, are not material in amount; (d) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade Contracts, Leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (e) Liens (other than Liens securing indebtedness for borrowed money), defects or irregularities in title, easements, rights-of-way, covenants, restrictions, and other, similar matters that, in the aggregate, are not material in amount and that do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially impair the continued use and operation of the assets to which they relate or do not materially interfere with the operation, value or use of the property or assets affected; (f) with respect to any Owned Real Property, Leased Real Property, or Rights-of-Way, easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way, servitudes, Permits, surface Leases and other similar rights in respect of surface operations, and easements for pipelines, streets, alleys, highways, telephone lines, power lines, railways and other easements and rights-of-way, on, over or in respect of any of such properties of the Company or any its Subsidiaries, that are customarily granted in the oil and gas industry and do not materially interfere with the operation, value or use of such property or asset affected, but excluding, in any case, any monetary Lien; (g) Liens securing obligations under or secured pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement; (h) Liens securing indebtedness or Liabilities that are reflected in the Company SEC Documents; (i) non-exclusive licenses, sublicenses, covenants not to sue or similar rights granted with respect to Intellectual Property in the ordinary course of business; (j) with respect to the equity interests of the Company and its Subsidiaries, Liens arising under this Agreement or any of the Organizational Documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (k) Production Burdens payable to third parties that are deducted in the calculation of discounted present value in the Company Reserve Report and any Production Burdens payable to third parties affecting any Oil and Gas Properties that were acquired subsequent to the date of the Company Reserve Report in the ordinary course of business pursuant to Contracts that have been made available to Parent and its Representatives; (l) with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties, Liens (other than Liens securing indebtedness for borrowed money) arising in the ordinary course of business under operating agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, Oil and Gas Leases, farm-out agreements, division orders, Contracts for the sale, purchase, transportation, processing or exchange of oil, gas or other Hydrocarbons, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, development agreements, joint ownership arrangements and other agreements that are customarily granted in the oil and gas industry, do not materially interfere with the operation of such assets, and are not yet due or delinquent or, if delinquent, which are being contested in good faith by appropriate procedures; and (m) the matters set forth on Section s 1.1(b), 4.8(a)(iii) or 4.18(i) of the Company Disclosure Letter and (n) with respect to the Oil and Gas Leases, Liens (other than Liens securing indebtedness for borrowed money), defects or irregularities in title, easements, rights-of-way, covenants, restrictions, and other, similar matters that, in the aggregate, are not material in amount and that do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially impair the continued use and operation of such affected assets, and, would not otherwise reduce the net revenue interest share of the Company or Parent, as applicable, or such party’s Subsidiaries, in any Oil and Gas Lease below the net revenue interest share shown in the Company Reserve Report, with respect to such Lease, or increase the working interest of the Company or Parent, as applicable, or of such party’s Subsidiaries, in any Oil and Gas Lease above the working interest shown on the Company Reserve Report, with respect to such Oil and Gas Lease.

“Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, association, estate, joint stock company, limited liability company, Governmental Authority or any other organization or entity of any kind.

“Preferred Stock” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(c)(i).

“Preferred Stock Contribution” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Preferred Stock Financing” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Preferred Stock Merger Consideration” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b)(iv).

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“Preferred Stock Transactions” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Production Burdens” means any royalties (including lessor’s royalties), overriding royalties, production payments, net profit interests or other burdens upon, measured by or payable out of oil, gas or mineral production.

“Proxy Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.

“Purchase Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Purchasers” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Qualifying Additional Financing Documents” means Additional Financing Documents that contemplate Additional Financing in an amount that, in the aggregate and when taken together with the aggregate proceeds contemplated by the Committed Financings and other financial resources of Parent and Merger Sub, including cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries on the Closing Date, be sufficient for Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger upon the terms contemplated by this Agreement and pay all related fees and expenses.

“Recommendation” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(b).

“Registered Intellectual Property” means all United States, international or foreign (a) issued Patents and Patent applications; (b) registered Marks and applications to register Marks; (c) registered Copyrights and applications for Copyright registration; and (d) any other Intellectual Property right that is subject to any filing or recording with any Governmental Authority or other public or quasi-public legal authority (including domain names).

“Release” means any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing into, or migrating through, the environment.

“Representatives” means, with respect to a Person, such Person’s directors, officers, employees, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants and other advisors or representatives.

“Rights-of-Way” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.17.

“Schedule 13E-3” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5(a).

“Sealy Ranch Lease” means that certain Oil and Gas Lease between Bank of America, N.A., Trustee, under Deed dated January 1, 1984, by George Sealy, et al. as lessor and Sundown Energy LP as lessee, and dated effective October 1, 2013, a memorandum of which is recorded in Volume 990 at Page 119 of the real property records of Ward County, Texas and under File # C12395 of the real property records of Winkler County, Texas, as amended by (a) that certain Amendment of Oil and Gas Lease dated September 1, 2015, by and between Sealy Land Company, LTD and Sundown Energy LP recorded in Volume 1054, at Page 386 of the real property records of Ward County, Texas, (b) that certain Lease Tolling Agreement, executed on October 16, 2020, by and between Sealy Land Company, LTD and the Company, and (c) that certain Letter Agreement dated May 26, 2023, by and between Sealy Land Company, LTD and the Company.

“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Series A Certificate of Designation” means the Certificate of Designations of Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company.

“Series A Preferred Stock” means the Preferred Stock designated as Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant to the Series A Certificate of Designation.

“Series A-1 Amendment” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.22.

“Series A-1 Certificate of Designation” means the Certificate of Designations of Series A-1 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company, as amended by the Series A-1 Amendment.

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“Series A-1 Preferred Stock” means the Preferred Stock designated as Series A-1 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant to the Series A-1 Certificate of Designation.

“Software” means computer software programs in both source code and object code format, including databases, data files, application programming interfaces, user interfaces, and documentation relating thereto, as the context requires.

“Specified Acquisition” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(c).

“Specified Development Obligations” means the obligations set forth in Section 6.20 of the Company Disclosure Letter.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person of which, (a) an amount of the voting securities or ownership interests sufficient to elect at least a majority of its board of directors or other governing Person or body is owned directly or indirectly by such first Person or (b) more than fifty percent (50%) of the equity interests is owned directly or indirectly by such first Person.

“Surviving Corporation” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Takeover Law” means any “moratorium,” “control share acquisition,” “business combination,” “fair price” or other form of anti-takeover Laws of any jurisdiction or other applicable Laws that purport to limit or restrict business combinations or the ability to limit or restrict business combinations or the ability to acquire or to vote shares.

“Tax” means all U.S. federal, state, local or foreign taxes, imposts, levies or other similar assessments, including any net income, capital gains, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, transfer, ad valorem, franchise, profits, license, capital, withholding, payroll, estimated, employment, excise, goods and services, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, social security, environmental, alternative or add-on, value added, registration, occupancy, capital stock, unincorporated business, unemployment, disability, workers’ compensation, accumulated earnings, personal holding company, annual reports, windfall profits or other taxes or assessments, imposed by any Governmental Authority, together with all interest, penalties or additions to tax imposed with respect thereto.

“Tax Proceeding” means any audit, examination, investigation, claim, contest, dispute, Litigation or other similar proceeding with respect to Taxes by or against any Taxing Authority.

“Tax Returns” means any report, return (including any information return), declaration, claim for refund or other document filed or required to be filed with any Taxing Authority with respect to Taxes, including any attachment thereto and any amendment thereof.

“Taxing Authority” means any Governmental Authority responsible for the administration or the imposition of any Tax.

“Termination Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(b).

“Termination Expenses and Interest” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3(e).

“Trade Secrets” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Intellectual Property.”

“Transaction Approvals” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.

“Transactions” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Transfer Taxes” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(b).

“Treasury Regulations” means the regulations promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from time to time.

“Unaffiliated Company Stockholders” means the holders of Common Stock, excluding those shares of Common Stock held, directly or indirectly, by or on behalf of (a) the Insider Stockholders, and (b) any person that the Company has determined to be an “officer” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act.

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“Wells” means all oil or gas wells, whether producing, operating, shut-in or temporarily abandoned, located on an Oil and Gas Lease or any pooled, communitized or unitized acreage that includes all or a part of such Oil and Gas Lease or otherwise associated with an Oil and Gas Property of the applicable Person or any of its Subsidiaries, together with all oil, gas and mineral production from such well.

“Willful Breach” means, with respect to any breaches or failures to perform any of the covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement, a material breach that is a consequence of a deliberate act or deliberate failure to act undertaken by the breaching party with actual knowledge that such party’s act or failure to act would, or would reasonably be expected to, constitute a breach of this Agreement.

ARTICLE II

MERGER

2.1. Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with the DGCL, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company. Following the Merger, the Company shall continue as the Surviving Corporation and the separate existence of Merger Sub shall cease.

2.2. Closing. The Closing shall take place via the exchange of electronic documents and executed signature pages and the electronic transfer of funds (a) on the date that is two (2) Business Days after the date on which the last of the conditions precedent set forth in Article VII is satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of those conditions at such time), or (b) at such other place, date, or time as Parent and the Company may mutually agree in writing. The date on which the Closing occurs in accordance with the preceding sentence is referred to in this Agreement as the “Closing Date.”

2.3. Effective Time. As promptly as practicable on the Closing Date, the parties hereto shall cause a certificate of merger meeting the requirements of Section 251 of the DGCL (the “Certificate of Merger”) relating to the Merger to be properly executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the terms and conditions of the DGCL and in such form as is reasonably satisfactory to both Parent and the Company. The Merger shall become effective at the time the Certificate of Merger are filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the DGCL, or at such later time which the parties hereto shall have agreed and designated in the Certificate of Merger as the effective time of the Merger (such time and date, the “Effective Time”).

2.4. Effects of the Merger. The Merger shall have the effects set forth in this Agreement and the applicable provisions of the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises of the Company and Merger Sub shall vest in the Company as the Surviving Corporation in the Merger, and all Liabilities of the Company and Merger Sub shall become the Liabilities of the Company as the Surviving Corporation in the Merger.

2.5. Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. The certificate of incorporation of Merger Sub in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the form of the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation in the Merger as of the Effective Time, except that the name of the Surviving Corporation shall be “Battalion Oil Corporation”, and the bylaws of Merger Sub in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the form of the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation in the Merger as of the Effective Time, except that the references to Merger Sub’s name shall be replaced by references to “Battalion Oil Corporation”, each until amended in accordance with applicable Law and consistent with the obligations set forth in Section 6.9.

2.6. Directors and Officers. Until duly removed or until successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified, the directors of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger shall be the initial directors of the Surviving Corporation as of the Effective Time, and the officers of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the initial officers of the Surviving Corporation as of the Effective Time.

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ARTICLE III

CONVERSION OF SHARES; TREATMENT OF CAPITAL STOCK

3.1. Treatment of Capital Stock and Company Equity Awards. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any party or holder of any shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Company Equity Awards or any other securities of the Company:

(a) Merger Sub Common Stock. Each share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any holder thereof, be converted into and become one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Surviving Corporation, and all such shares shall constitute the only outstanding shares of capital stock of the Surviving Corporation.

(b) Treatment of Capital Stock.

(i) Each share of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (excluding Canceled Shares, Converted Shares and Dissenting Shares) and all rights in respect thereof, shall, by virtue of the Merger, be converted into the right to receive $9.80 in cash, without interest (the “Merger Consideration”), and such shares shall otherwise cease to be outstanding, shall automatically be canceled and retired and cease to exist, and each holder of Book-Entry Shares that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented any such shares of Common Stock shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the Merger Consideration.

(ii) Each share of Common Stock and Preferred Stock held by the Company as treasury stock or held by Parent or Merger Sub, in each case, immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “Canceled Shares”), shall be canceled and retired without any conversion thereof, and no payment or distribution shall be made with respect thereto.

(iii) Each share of Common Stock and Preferred Stock held by any direct or indirect Subsidiary of Parent (other than Merger Sub) or the Company (other than any such shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock held on behalf of third parties) immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “Converted Shares”) shall be converted into such number of shares of common stock of the Surviving Corporation so as to maintain relative ownership percentages.

(iv) Each share of Preferred Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (excluding Canceled Shares and Converted Shares) and all rights in respect of, shall, by virtue of the Merger, be converted into the right to receive the consideration contemplated by (A) in the case of Series A Preferred Stock, Section 8(b) of the Series A Certificate of Designation, (B) in the case of Series A-1 Preferred Stock, Section 8(b) of the Series A-1 Certificate of Designation; and (C) in the case of any other series of Preferred Stock, Section 8(b) of the applicable Certificate of Designation for such series of Preferred Stock (each of the foregoing, “Preferred Stock Merger Consideration”), in each case without interest, and such shares shall otherwise cease to be outstanding, shall automatically be canceled and retired and cease to exist, and each holder of Book-Entry Shares or Certificated Shares that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented any such shares of Preferred Stock shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the applicable Preferred Stock Merger Consideration.

(i) At the Effective Time, each Company RSU Award (other than any performance-based Company RSU Award) that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall fully vest and be canceled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash, without interest, equal to the Merger Consideration in respect of each share of Common Stock subject to such Company RSU Award, respectively, immediately prior to the Effective Time (but after giving effect to the first parenthetical in this Section 3.1(c)), less any applicable withholding Taxes.

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(ii) At the Effective Time, each performance-based Company RSU Award that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be canceled for no consideration immediately prior to the Effective Time and the holder thereof shall have no further rights with respect thereto.

(iii) At the Effective Time, each Company Option, whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall fully vest and be canceled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash, without interest, equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the excess of the Merger Consideration over the exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to such Company Option, if any, by (B) the total number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Company Option, less any applicable withholding Taxes. Any Company Option with an exercise price per share of Common Stock that is greater than or equal to the Merger Consideration shall be canceled for no consideration immediately prior to the Effective Time, and the holder of such Company Option shall have no further rights with respect thereto.

(iv) As promptly as reasonably practicable following the Closing Date, but in no event later than the next regularly scheduled payroll date that is at least ten (10) Business Days following the Closing Date, Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation to pay the Merger Consideration described in Section 3.1(c)(i) and Section 3.1(c)(ii) to holders of Company Equity Awards through the payroll system or payroll provider of the Surviving Corporation (after giving effect to any required Tax withholding). If any payment of the Merger Consideration cannot be made through the Company’s or the Surviving Corporation’s payroll system or payroll provider, then the Surviving Corporation will issue a check for such payment to such holder (less applicable withholding Taxes), which check will be sent by overnight courier to such holder as promptly as reasonably practicable following the Closing Date.

(v) Prior to the Effective Time, the Company Board (or, if appropriate, any committee thereof administering the Company Equity Plan) shall take all such actions as are necessary to approve and effectuate the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.1(c), including making any determinations and/or adoption resolutions of the Company Board or a committee thereof or any administrator of the Company Equity Plan as may be necessary and delivering appropriate notices, in each case subject to Parent’s approval (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned).

(d) Adjustments. If, between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, the outstanding shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock are changed into a different number or class of shares by reason of any stock split, division or subdivision of shares, stock dividend, reverse stock split, consolidation of shares, reclassification, recapitalization or other similar transaction, then the Merger Consideration and Preferred Stock Merger Consideration shall be appropriately and equitably adjusted, without duplication; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 3.1(d) shall be construed to permit the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any other Person to take any action that is otherwise prohibited by the terms of this Agreement.

3.2. Dissenting Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, shares of Common Stock that are outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time that are held by stockholders who shall have, in all respects, properly exercised and perfected a demand for and are entitled to appraisal for such shares in accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL and, as of the Effective Time, have complied in all respects with Section 262 of the DGCL and shall not have effectively withdrawn or lost such Person’s rights to such appraisal and payment under the DGCL with respect to such shares (collectively, the “Dissenting Shares”) shall not be converted into or represent the right to receive the Merger Consideration pursuant to Section 3.1(b). Such stockholders instead shall only be entitled to receive payment of the appraised value of such Dissenting Shares held by them in accordance with the provisions of, and as provided by, Section 262 of the DGCL, except that all Dissenting Shares held by stockholders who shall have failed to perfect or who effectively shall have waived, withdrawn, or otherwise are not entitled to, the right to appraisal of such shares of Common Stock under Section 262 of the DGCL shall thereupon be deemed to have been canceled and converted into and to have become exchangeable, as of the Effective Time, for the right to receive, without any interest thereon, and after giving effect to any required Tax withholdings, the Merger Consideration upon surrender in the manner provided in Section 3.3. The Company shall give Parent

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prompt notice of any notice or demand for appraisal or payment for shares of Common Stock or any withdrawals of such demands received by the Company.

3.3. Exchange of Common Stock and Preferred Stock; Paying Fund.

(a) Paying Agent; Paying Fund. At or prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall designate Wilmington Trust, National Association (the “Paying Agent”) to act as agent for the holders of shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock to receive the funds to which such holders shall become entitled pursuant to Section 3.1(b) and shall enter into a paying agent agreement reasonably acceptable to the Company relating to the Paying Agent’s responsibilities under this Agreement. At or prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, with the Paying Agent, in trust for the benefit of the holders of Common Stock and Preferred Stock cash sufficient to make payment of the cash consideration to which holders of such shares shall become entitled pursuant to Section 3.1(b) (excluding payments with respect to Canceled Shares, Converted Shares and Dissenting Shares) (such aggregate cash, the “Payment Fund”). The Payment Fund shall not be used for any other purpose, subject to Section 3.3(f).

(b) Exchange Procedures. As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, and in no event later than two (2) Business Days thereafter, the Surviving Corporation shall, and Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation to, cause the Paying Agent to mail to each holder of record of Book-Entry Shares or Certificated Shares whose shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock were converted into the right to receive the consideration payable pursuant to Section 3.1(b) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of such Book-Entry Shares or Certificated Shares in exchange for the Merger Consideration or Preferred Stock Merger Consideration, as applicable. Each holder of record of Book-Entry Shares or Certificated Shares, upon surrender to the Paying Agent of such Book-Entry Shares (which shall be deemed surrendered upon receipt by the Paying Agent of an “agent’s message” in customary form or such other evidence as the Paying Agent may reasonably request) or Certificated Shares, shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the amount of Merger Consideration or Preferred Stock Merger Consideration, as applicable, to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 3.1(b), and the Book-Entry Shares or Certificated Shares so surrendered shall forthwith be canceled. In the event of a transfer of ownership of Common Stock or Preferred Stock that is not registered in the transfer records of the Company, payment of the Merger Consideration or Preferred Stock Merger Consideration, as applicable, may be made to a Person other than the Person in whose name the Book-Entry Share or Certificated Share so surrendered is registered if such Book-Entry Share or Certificated Share shall be in proper form for transfer and the Person requesting such payment shall pay any transfer Taxes required by reason of the transfer or establish to the reasonable satisfaction of Parent and the Paying Agent that such Taxes have been paid or are not applicable. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 3.3(b), each Book-Entry Share and Certificated Share shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender the Merger Consideration or Preferred Stock Merger Consideration, as applicable, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein. No interest shall be paid or will accrue on any payment to holders of Book-Entry Shares or Certificated Shares pursuant to the provisions of this Article III.

(c) No Further Ownership Rights in Common Stock or Preferred Stock. The Merger Consideration or Preferred Stock Merger Consideration, as applicable, paid upon the surrender of Book-Entry Shares or Certificated Shares in accordance with the terms of this Article III shall be deemed to have been paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock formerly represented by such Book-Entry Shares or Certificated Shares, subject, however, to the Surviving Corporation’s obligation to pay any dividends or make any other distributions with a record date prior to the Effective Time that may have been declared or made by the Company on the shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms of this Agreement prior to the Effective Time. At the close of business on the day on which the Effective Time occurs, the share transfer books of the Company shall be closed, and there shall be no further registration of transfers on the share transfer books of the Surviving Corporation of the shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, any Book-Entry Share or Certificated Share is presented to the Surviving Corporation for transfer, it shall be canceled against delivery of and exchanged as provided in this Article III, subject to applicable Law in the case of Dissenting Shares.

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(d) Termination of Payment Fund. Any portion of the Payment Fund (including the proceeds of any investments thereof) that remains unclaimed by, or otherwise undistributed to, the holders of the Book-Entry Shares or Certificated Shares for twelve (12) months after the Effective Time shall be delivered to the Surviving Corporation, upon demand.

(e) No Liability. None of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company, the Surviving Corporation or the Paying Agent shall be liable to any Person in respect of any distributions from the Payment Fund delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Law.

(f) Investment of Payment Fund. The Paying Agent shall invest any cash included in the Payment Fund, as directed by Parent; provided that no such investment or loss thereon shall affect the amounts payable to holders of Book-Entry Shares and Certificated Shares pursuant to this Article III, and following any losses from any such investment, Parent shall promptly provide additional funds to the Paying Agent for the benefit of the holders of shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock at the Effective Time in the amount of such losses, which additional funds will be deemed to be part of the Payment Fund. Any interest or other income resulting from such investments shall be paid to Parent, upon demand.

(g) Withholding Rights. Each of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company and the Paying Agent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any amount payable hereunder such amounts, if any, as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder or any other applicable state, local or foreign Tax law. Such deductions and withholdings shall be made at a Tax rate reasonably determined by the Person deducting and withholdings such amounts. To the extent that amounts are so deducted and withheld by Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, such deducted and withheld amounts shall be remitted by Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or the Paying Agent, as applicable, to the applicable Governmental Authority and shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made. If the Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, intends to deduct or withhold any amounts from any payment under this Agreement other than (i) payments in respect of Company Equity Awards, or (ii) withholding resulting from the failure of any payee to provide a Form W-9 or any equivalent form required by the Paying Agent, Parent shall provide notice to such payee’s Representative thereof as soon as reasonably practicable prior to such deduction or withholding and the parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate to mitigate, reduce or eliminate such reduction or withholding in accordance with applicable Laws.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

Except as disclosed in the Company SEC Documents filed with, or furnished to, the SEC and publicly available prior to the date hereof (excluding any disclosures set forth in any “risk factors,” “forward-looking statements” and similar disclosures to the extent cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature, but including any factual information contained within such statements), or in the disclosure schedule delivered by the Company to Parent concurrently with the execution of this Agreement (the “Company Disclosure Letter”) (each section of which qualifies the correspondingly numbered representation or warranty specified therein and any such other representations or warranties where its applicability to, relevance as an exception to, or disclosure for purposes of, such other representation or warranty is reasonably apparent), the Company represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub as follows:

4.1. Due Incorporation; Capitalization; Indebtedness.

(a) The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted. Each of the Company’s Subsidiaries is a legal entity duly organized, validly existing and except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect (where such concept is recognized), in good standing under the Laws of its respective jurisdiction

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of organization. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, each of the Company’s Subsidiaries has all requisite corporate or similar organizational power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed, and has all necessary governmental approvals, to do business and (where such concept is recognized) is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the property owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such approvals, qualification or licensing necessary, except where the failure to be so duly approved, qualified or licensed and in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The Company has made available to Parent prior to the date of this Agreement a true and complete copy of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, in each case, as amended through the date hereof. The Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws are in full force and effect, and the Company is not in material violation of any of their provisions.

(i) The entire authorized capital stock of the Company is one hundred one million (101,000,000) shares of capital stock, consisting of one hundred million (100,000,000) shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and one million (1,000,000) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).

(ii) As of the close of business on December 13, 2023 (the “Capitalization Date”), (A) 16,456,563 shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding, which number does not include any shares of Common Stock held by the Company in treasury, (B) zero (0) shares of Common Stock were held by the Company in treasury, (C) 314,948 shares of Common Stock (assuming any applicable performance metrics were deemed satisfied at target levels or, if higher, projected level of achievement) were subject to Company RSU Awards, (D) 132,822 shares of Common Stock were subject to Company Options, (E) 1,067,966 shares of Common Stock were reserved for issuance and available for grants of future awards under the Company Equity Plan, (F) twenty-five thousand (25,000) shares of Series A Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding, (G) 38,000 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding, and (H) no other shares of capital stock or other voting securities were issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding (including any Converted Shares), and from the Capitalization Date through the date of this Agreement, the Company has not issued any shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Company RSU Awards, Company Options or any other shares of capital stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into, or exercisable for, any shares of its capital stock. All of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, Series A Preferred Stock and Series A-1 Preferred Stock are, and all shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock that may be issued prior to the Effective Time will be, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. No shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock are subject to or were issued in violation of applicable Law or the preemptive rights of any stockholder or any purchase option, call option, right of first refusal, subscription right or any similar right under any provision of the DGCL, other applicable Laws, the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or any agreement to which the Company is a party or otherwise bound. There are no equity-based or equity-linked awards or compensation other than equity awards under the Company Equity Plan. There are no outstanding promises to grant Company Options or Company RSU Awards to any Person.

(iii) Except as set forth in Section 4.1(c)(ii), as of the Capitalization Date, there are no (A) issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of or other voting or equity interests in the Company, (B) securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of or other voting or equity interests in the Company, (C) options, warrants, calls or other rights or agreements to acquire from the Company or its Subsidiaries, or other obligation of the Company or its Subsidiaries to issue, deliver, transfer or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered, transferred or sold, any shares of capital stock of or other voting or equity interests in the Company or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of or other voting or equity interests in the Company, (D) voting trusts,

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proxies or other similar agreements to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound with respect to the voting of any shares of capital stock of or other voting or equity interests in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (E) obligations requiring the registration for sale of any shares of capital stock of or other voting or equity interests in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (the items in clauses (A), (B) and (C) being referred to collectively as the “Company Securities”).

(iv) As of the date hereof, there are no outstanding obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Company Securities (other than issuances in connection with the purchase, vesting or settlement of Company Equity Awards outstanding as of the Capitalization Date in accordance with their terms, or as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation). No Subsidiary of the Company owns any shares of capital stock of the Company.

(d) All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of and other voting or equity interests in each of the Company’s Subsidiaries have been and are duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and are owned beneficially and of record wholly by the Company or one of the Company’s wholly owned Subsidiaries, free and clear of any Liens other than Permitted Liens. There are no outstanding (i) shares of capital stock of or other voting or equity interests in any of the Company’s Subsidiaries (other than those held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), (ii) securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of or other voting or equity interests in any Subsidiary of the Company or (iii) options, warrants or other rights or agreements to acquire from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or other obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, transfer or sell, or cause to be issued, transferred or sold, any shares of capital stock of or other voting or equity interests in any of the Company’s Subsidiaries or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of or other voting or equity interests in any of the Company’s Subsidiaries.

(e) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness, or other securities, the holders of which have the right to vote (or which are convertible into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with the stockholders of the Company on any matter.

4.2. Due Authorization.

(a) The Company has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and, subject to the filings under Section 2.3, to consummate the Transactions, and except for obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, no other corporate actions or proceedings on the part of the Company or its stockholders shall be necessary to authorize this Agreement and the Transactions. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, and, assuming the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5.9 are true and correct, the consummation by it of the Merger, have been duly authorized by the Company Board and, assuming that the Merger is consummated in accordance with the DGCL, except for filing the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the DGCL, no other corporate action on the part of the Company is necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the Transactions.

(b) The Company Board, after considering the recommendation of the Company Special Committee, has adopted resolutions unanimously (i) approving the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions, (ii) determining that this Agreement and the Transactions are fair to and in the best interests of the Company and the Company’s stockholders, (iii) approving and declaring advisable this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger, (iv) resolving that this Agreement and the Transactions shall be governed by and effected under Section 251 of the DGCL, (v) recommending that the stockholders of the Company adopt this Agreement (the “Recommendation”), and (vi) directed that the adoption of this Agreement be submitted to the stockholders of the Company for their consideration, which resolutions have not, except after the date of this Agreement as permitted by Section 6.4, been subsequently rescinded,

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modified or withdrawn. The Company Stockholder Approval is the only vote of holders of securities of the Company that is required to adopt this Agreement and approve the Merger and the other Transactions.

(c) The Company has duly and validly executed and delivered this Agreement. Assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by Parent and Merger Sub, this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium, reorganization or similar Laws now or hereafter in effect which affect the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by rules of Law governing specific performance, injunctive relief and equitable principles (the “Enforceability Exceptions”).

(d) As of the date hereof and at all times on or prior to the Effective Time, the Company and the Company Board have taken all actions necessary so that the restrictions applicable to business combinations contained in Section 203 of the DGCL are, and will be, inapplicable to the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the timely consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby. No other Takeover Law or similar provision of the Organizational Documents of the Company and its Subsidiaries is, or at the Effective Time will be, applicable to this Agreement and the Transactions. The Company does not have in effect any “poison pill,” stockholder rights plan or similar anti-takeover agreement or plan.

4.3. Consents and Approvals; No Violations. Except for in connection with or in compliance with (a) filing with the SEC of a proxy statement relating to the Company Stockholders Meeting (as amended or supplemented form time to time, including the letter to stockholders, notice of meeting and form of proxy, the “Proxy Statement”) and the Certificate of Merger as contemplated under Section 2.3, (b) the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as may be required in connection with the Transactions, (c) state securities takeover and “blue sky” Laws, as may be required in connection with the Merger, (d) the rules and regulations of, and any filings with and approvals of, the NYSE American, (e) the approval of the Company Board set forth in Section 4.2(a), (f) the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock to adopt this Agreement (the “Company Stockholder Approval”); (g) the DGCL; and (h) the approval of the Series A-1 Amendment by the Special Committee, the Company Board and the number of shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock required under the terms of the Series A-1 Certificate of Designations (collectively, the “Transaction Approvals”), the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions will not, subject to the accuracy of Parent’s and Merger Sub’s representations and warranties set forth in Section 5.9, (i) violate any Law or Order applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by which any of their respective material properties or assets are bound or affected; (ii) require any notification to or filing or registration by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with, or consent or approval with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of, or other action by, any Governmental Authority; (iii) violate or conflict with any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws; or (iv) require any consent of, notice to or other action by any Person under, constitute a default or breach or an event that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default or breach under, or cause or permit termination, cancelation, acceleration or other change of any right or obligation or the loss of any benefit under, any provision of any Company Material Contract, except in the case of clause (iv), as has not had, and would not be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

4.4. Financial Statements; Internal Controls and Procedures.

(a) The Company has timely filed or furnished all forms, documents and reports required to be filed or furnished by it with the SEC since January 1, 2021 (all such forms, documents and reports filed or furnished by the Company since such date, the “Company SEC Documents”). As of their respective dates or, if amended, as of the date of the last such amendment (and, in the case of registration statements and proxy statements, on the dates of effectiveness and the dates of the relevant meetings, respectively), the Company SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as the case may be, and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, and none of the Company SEC Documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be

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stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Since January 1, 2021, no executive officer of the Company has failed to make the certifications required of her or him under Section 302 or 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. None of the Company’s Subsidiaries is, or at any time since January 1, 2021 has been, required to file any forms, reports or other documents with the SEC or subject to the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act. As of the date hereof, there are no unresolved comments received from the SEC staff with respect to the Company SEC Documents, and the Company has not received notice from the SEC since January 1, 2021 that any of the Company SEC Documents are the subject of ongoing review.

(b) The consolidated financial statements (including all related notes and schedules) of the Company included in or incorporated by reference into the Company SEC Documents (i) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, as of the respective dates thereof, and the consolidated results of their operations and their consolidated cash flows for the respective periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments and to any other adjustments described therein, including the notes thereto) and (ii) were prepared in all material respects in conformity with GAAP (except, in the case of the unaudited statements, as permitted by the SEC) applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto).

(c) The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting (as such terms are defined in paragraphs (e) and (f), respectively, of Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act) as required by Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that all material information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or furnishes under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that all such material information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and to make the certifications required pursuant to Section s 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Based on its most recent evaluation of internal controls over financial reporting prior to the date hereof, management of the Company, with the participation of the Company’s principal executive and financial officers, has completed an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting in compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and has not identified (i) any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely affect in any material respect the Company’s ability to report financial information and (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that is reasonably likely to adversely affect in any material respect the Company’s ability to report financial information.

4.5. Company Information. Each document required to be filed by the Company with the SEC (including the Proxy Statement and the Schedule 13E-3) in connection with the Merger (the “Company Disclosure Documents”), and any amendments or supplements thereto, when filed, distributed or otherwise disseminated to the Company’s stockholders, as applicable, will comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act. The Company Disclosure Documents, at the time of the filing of such Company Disclosure Documents or any supplement or amendment thereto with the SEC and at the time such Company Disclosure Documents or any supplements or amendments thereto are first distributed or otherwise disseminated to the Company’s stockholders, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. For the avoidance of doubt, no representation or warranty is made by the Company with respect to (and nothing in this Section 4.5 shall apply to) statements made or incorporated by reference in any Company Disclosure Document based on information supplied by or on behalf of Parent, Merger Sub or any of their Affiliates specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference therein.

4.6. No Undisclosed Liabilities. There are no Liabilities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that would be required to be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries

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prepared in accordance with GAAP, except for (a) Liabilities that are reflected or reserved against on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries included in the Company SEC Documents (including any notes thereto), (b) Liabilities arising in connection with the Transactions, and (c) Liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business since June 30, 2023 that are not, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

4.7. Intellectual Property.

(a) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company Registered Intellectual Property is subsisting and valid and enforceable.

(b) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) exclusively own all Company Intellectual Property, in each case, free and clear of all Liens (except for Permitted Liens) and the consummation of the Transactions will not adversely affect such ownership and (ii) have a license or other right to use or practice any other Intellectual Property owned by a third party used in the operation of the business of the Company as currently conducted.

(c) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company has taken commercially reasonable measures to maintain the confidentiality of all Trade Secrets included in the Company Intellectual Property and, to the Knowledge of the Company, there has been no misappropriation or unauthorized disclosure or use of any Trade Secrets included in the Company Intellectual Property.

(d) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries does not infringe, violate or constitute misappropriation of, and since January 1, 2021 has not infringed, violated or constituted misappropriation of, any Intellectual Property of any third Person; provided that no representation or warranty is made with respect to any third Person’s products (including any third Person’s products that are distributed, supported or resold by the Company or its Subsidiaries); (ii) to the Knowledge of the Company, as of the date hereof, no third Person is infringing, violating, or misappropriating any material Company Intellectual Property; and (iii) as of the date hereof, there is no pending claim or asserted claim in writing or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened claim by any Person, and since January 1, 2021 the Company and its Subsidiaries have received no claim or asserted claim in writing asserting that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have infringed, violated or misappropriated, or is infringing, violating or misappropriating any Intellectual Property rights of any third Person.

(e) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its Subsidiaries use commercially reasonable measures to protect the security of the IT Assets and all information stored or contained therein or transmitted thereby against any unauthorized use, access, interruption, modification, or corruption, and to ensure that all IT Assets are fully functional and free from any bug, virus, malware, and the like. Since January 1, 2021, there have been no failures or breakdowns of any IT Assets that have caused the substantial disruption or interruption in or to the use of the IT Assets or the operation of the business of the Company or its Subsidiaries, except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(f) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries maintain commercially reasonable policies, procedures and rules regarding data privacy, protection and security, and (ii) the Company and its Subsidiaries are, and since January 1, 2021, have been, in compliance with all Data Security Requirements.

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4.8. Contracts.

(a) Section 4.8(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter contains an accurate and complete list, as of the date of this Agreement, of all Contracts (other than any Company Benefit Plan) in effect as of the date hereof, of the following types to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or bound (the “Company Material Contracts”):

(i) any Contract that is filed by the Company as a material Contract pursuant to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC, other than Contracts described in Item 601(b)(10)(iii) of Regulation S-K;

(ii) any Contract that expressly imposes any restriction on the right or ability of the Company and its Subsidiaries, collectively, to compete with any other Person (or in any line of business, market or geographical area), other than any such Contracts that may be cancelled without material liability to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries upon notice of 90 days or less;

(iii) any Contract containing any (A) “most favored nation” or similar provisions, (B) exclusivity provisions or (C) rights of first refusal or first offer, other than any such Contracts that may be cancelled without material liability to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries upon notice of 90 days or less, (in each case, other than any agreement in which any of the foregoing provisions is solely for the benefit of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries);

(iv) any Contract that in the year ended December 31, 2022 was (or in the year ending December 31, 2023 is reasonably expected to be) one of the ten (10) largest sources of revenues for the Company and its Subsidiaries for the applicable year based on amounts paid or payable;

(v) any Contract that in the year ended December 31, 2022 was (or in the year ending December 31, 2023 is reasonably expected to be) one of the ten (10) largest sources of payment obligations for the Company and its Subsidiaries, based on amounts paid or payable;

(vi) any Contract that involves a (A) revenue or profit sharing or similar agreement under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has outstanding commitments (other than any Company Benefit Plan) or (B) “minimum purchase” requirement, “take or pay,” “ship or pay” or similar obligations, in each case with outstanding commitments in an amount in excess of $50,000, in any calendar year;

(vii) any Contract relating to indebtedness for borrowed money of (or guarantees thereof by) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any such indebtedness owed by the Company or any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, and guarantees thereof);

(viii) any Contract that provides for the acquisition or disposition of any assets (other than acquisitions or dispositions of inventory or the purchase or sale of Hydrocarbons, in each case, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) or business (whether by merger, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise) or capital stock or other equity interests of any Person, in each case, with any material outstanding obligations as of the date of this Agreement;

(ix) each partnership, joint venture or limited liability company agreement;

(x) any Contract relating to any Derivative Transaction;

(xi) the Sealy Ranch Lease;

(xii) each joint development agreement, exploration agreement, participation, farmout, farming or program agreement or similar Contract that either (A) requires the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to make expenditures from and after January 1, 2023 that would reasonably be expected to be in excess of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) in the aggregate or (B) is material to the operation of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(xiii) any Contract for the gathering, transportation, processing, treating or sale of Hydrocarbons, other than any such Contracts that may be cancelled without material liability to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries upon notice of 30 days or less;

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(xiv) any Contract pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has an obligation to make an investment in or loan to any other Person (other than in or to any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company);

(xv) any Contract with any Governmental Authority, other than Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

(xvi) any Contract involving the settlement, conciliation or similar agreement of any Litigation or threatened Litigation (A) with any Governmental Authority or (B) pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are party thereto and that restricts in any material respect the operations or conduct of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries after the date hereof.

(b) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company is in breach of or default under any Company Material Contract and, to the Knowledge of the Company, as of the date hereof, no other party to any Company Material Contract is in breach of or default under any Company Material Contract, and no event has occurred through the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ action, that with notice or the lapse of time or both would constitute a breach of or default or result in the termination of or a right of termination or cancelation thereunder, accelerate the performance or obligations required thereby, or result in the loss of any benefit under any Company Material Contract, in each case except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. Each Company Material Contract (i) is a valid and binding obligation of the Company or the Subsidiary of the Company that is party thereto and, to the Knowledge of the Company, of each other party thereto, and (ii) is in full force and effect, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions, in each case except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice of any other party to a Company Material Contract to terminate for default, convenience or otherwise, or not renew, any Company Material Contract, in each case, except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(c) The Company has made available to Parent all joint operating agreements in effect as of the date hereof, to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or bound (collectively, the “Joint Operating Agreements”).

4.9. Insurance. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect and as of the date hereof, the Company maintains insurance policies with insurers in such amounts and against such risks as the management of the Company has in good faith determined to be prudent and appropriate. Section 4.9 of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth, as of the date hereof, a true and complete list of all material insurance policies issued in favor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a named insured or otherwise a beneficiary, as well as any historic incurrence-based policies still in force. Except as has not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, with respect to each such insurance policy, (i) such insurance policy is in full force and effect in accordance with its terms and all premiums due thereon have been paid, (ii) no written notice of cancelation or non-renewal of such policy has been received, nor will any such cancellation or termination result from the consummation of the Transactions, (iii) there is no claim pending under such insurance policy as to which coverage has been questioned, denied or disputed (other than reservation of rights), and (iv) there is no existing breach, default or event which, with or without notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute a breach or default or permit termination or modification of such policy.

4.10. Employees and Employee Benefit Plans.

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modifications, (iv) the most recently received IRS determination or opinion letter relating to such Company Benefit Plan, (v) the most recent actuarial report and/or financial statement relating to such Company Benefit Plan, (vi) nondiscrimination and coverage testing performed under the Code for the most recently completed year, (vii) copies of material notices, letters, or other correspondence from the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or other Governmental Authority relating to such Company Benefit Plan and (viii) any related trust agreements or other funding arrangements, custodial agreements or insurance policies.

(b) Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to be give rise to material Liability to the Company or its Subsidiaries: (i) all Company Benefit Plans comply and have been established, maintained, funded, operated, and administered in accordance with their terms and the requirements of all Laws applicable thereto; (ii) there are no actions, audits, investigations, suits or claims (other than routine claims for benefits) pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, involving any Company Benefit Plan; and (iii) there have been no non-exempt “prohibited transactions” within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 or 407 of ERISA with respect to any Company Benefit Plan.

(c) Except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to be give rise to material Liability to the Company or its Subsidiaries, each Company Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is the subject of a current favorable determination letter from the IRS or was established by adoption of a preapproved plan that is the subject of a current favorable opinion letter from the IRS upon which the Company is permitted to rely, and there are no existing circumstances or events that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the qualified status of each such Company Benefit Plan.

(d) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any Liability, or is reasonably expected to have any, Liability under Title IV of ERISA, including on account of at any time being considered a single employer under Section 414 of the Code with any other Person. None of the Company Benefit Plans is subject to Title IV of ERISA and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any Liability with respect to (i) a Multiemployer Plan, (ii) a Multiple Employer Plan or (iii) a multiple employer welfare arrangement (as defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA). Except as set forth in Section 4.10(d) of the Company Disclosure Letter, no Company Benefit Plan provides for medical or death benefits beyond termination of service, other than pursuant to Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as set forth in Section 4980B of the Code and Part 6 of Title I of ERISA. No Company Benefit Plan that provides health benefits is self-funded.

(e) Except as set forth in Section 4.10(e) of the Company Disclosure Letter, none of the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation of the Transactions will not (alone or in combination with any other event): (i) except as expressly provided under this Agreement or required by applicable Law, entitle any current or former employee, officer, director or consultant of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any severance pay or benefit or result in any compensation or benefit becoming due, or accelerate the time of payment or vesting of such compensation or benefits, or increase the amount of any compensation or benefits due to any such employee, officer, director or consultant, (ii) trigger any funding obligation under any Company Benefit Plan, (iii) result in any compensation or benefit (including vesting) to any “disqualified individual” (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code) that would reasonably be expected to, individually or in combination with any other compensation, constitute an “excess parachute payment” (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code). No Person is entitled to receive any additional payment (including any Tax gross-up or other payment) from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of the imposition of the excise Taxes required by Section 4999 of the Code or any Taxes required by Section 409A of the Code.

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treatment, and (iii) that are intended to be funded and/or book-reserved are funded and/or book reserved, as required under applicable Laws and GAAP, based upon reasonable actuarial assumptions.

(g) There are no labor unions, works councils, or other labor organizations representing any employees employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, since January 1, 2021 through the date hereof, there has not occurred and, to the Knowledge of the Company, there is not threatened, (i) any labor strike, slowdown, picketing, or work stoppage by, or lockout of, or to the Knowledge of the Company, union organizing activities with respect to, any employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any Litigation against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries alleging labor relations or employment law violations filed by an employee or union with the National Labor Relations Board or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or (iii) any application for representation or certification of a labor union, works council, or other labor organization seeking to represent any employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(h) Section 4.10(h)(i) of the Company Disclosure Letter contains a list of all Persons who are employees of the Company as of the date hereof, including any employee who is on a leave of absence of any nature, paid or unpaid, authorized or unauthorized, and sets forth for each such Person the following: (i) name, (ii) title or position (including whether full or part time) and whether classified as exempt or non-exempt for wage and hour purposes under applicable Law, (iii) hire date, (iv) current annual base compensation rate or hourly wage rate, as applicable, (v) commission, bonus, or other incentive-based compensation, (vi) amount of sick and vacation leave that is accrued and unused, and (vii) work location by city and state. Section 4.10(h)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Letter contains a list of all Persons who are engaged as independent contractors of the Company as of the date hereof, and sets forth for each such Person the following: (i) compensation, (ii) how such compensation is calculated (e.g., hourly rate, flat fee, etc.), (iii) a brief description of the nature of the services provided, (iv) the initial date of such Person’s engagement, and the end date of such Person’s engagement, if applicable, and (v) work location by city and state.

(i) Except as set forth in Section 4.10(i) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the employment of each employee of the Company is “at will,” and can be terminated at any time without notice to the Company. Except as set forth in Section 4.10(i) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the Company is not a recipient of any outsourced or temporary labor from any third party or contracts with a professional employer organization or similar entity. No officer, director or management level employee of the Company has informed the Company of any plan to terminate employment, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no such Person has any plans to terminate employment with the Company. To the Knowledge of the Company, no employee is a party to or bound by any Contract that (i) could adversely affect the performance of his or her duties other than for the benefit of the Company, (ii) could adversely affect the ability of the Company to conduct its businesses, (iii) restricts or limits in any way the scope or type of work in which he or she may be engaged other than for the benefit of the Company, or (iv) requires him or her to transfer, assign or disclose information concerning his or her work to anyone other than the Company.

(j) The Company is and has been in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws pertaining to employment and employment practices, including all Laws relating to labor relations, equal employment opportunities, fair employment practices, employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, reasonable accommodation, disability rights or benefits, immigration (including work visas and employment authorization), wages, hours, overtime compensation, child labor, hiring, promotion and termination of employees, plant closures and layoffs, affirmative action, pay transparency, pay equity, working conditions, meal and break periods, privacy, occupational health and safety, workers’ compensation, paid sick leave, leaves of absence, and unemployment insurance. All Persons characterized and treated by the Company as independent contractors or consultants satisfy (or satisfied) the requirements of applicable Laws to be treated as independent contractors, including wage Laws and no current or former independent contractor is (or was) entitled to be classified as an employee of the Company. No current or former independent contractor of the Company has made any claim, whether verbally or in writing, that they are (or were), or should be (or should have been) classified as, an

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employee of the Company. All current and former employees of the Company (as applicable) classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and state and local wage and hour Laws are (or were) properly classified.

(k) The Company is currently, and at all times has been, in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986, including maintaining timely, accurate and complete Form I-9s with respect to each of their respective former and current employees as required by and in accordance with applicable Law concerning immigration and employment eligibility verification obligations. All employees who are performing services for the Company in the United States are legally permitted to work in the United States and will be legally permitted to work in the United States for the Company immediately following the consummation of the Transactions.

(l) There has been no Litigation against the Company and there is no Litigation pending, or to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened to be brought or filed, by or with any Governmental Authority or arbitrator in connection with the employment of any current or former applicant, employee or independent contractor of the Company, including any claim relating to unfair labor practices, employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, equal pay, reasonable accommodation, disability rights or benefits, immigration, employee classification, child labor, privacy, workers’ compensation or workplace safety and insurance claims, paid sick leave, wage and hours or any other labor or employment related matter arising under applicable Laws.

(m) No allegations of discrimination, sexual harassment or misconduct in the course of being employed by, or providing services to, the Company have been made against (i) any employee of the Company holding a managerial position, or any current or former officer or director of the Company, or (ii) any other Company service provider who, directly or indirectly, supervises any other Company service provider. The Company has not entered into any settlement agreement or conducted any investigation related to allegations of sexual harassment or sexual misconduct by or regarding any employee or other Representative of the Company.

(n) In the past three years, the Company has not implemented or been involved in any “mass layoff”, “plant closing” or similarly defined conduct (as defined in the WARN Act). The Company has complied with the WARN Act, and it has no plans to undertake any action before the Closing Date that would trigger the WARN Act.

(o) Section 4.10 and Section 4.11 contains the sole and exclusive representations and warranties of the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof.

4.11. Taxes.

(a) All Tax Returns required to have been filed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been timely filed (taking into account extensions) and all such Tax Returns are true, complete and correct.

(b) All Taxes due and payable by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been timely paid (taking into account extensions), except for Taxes for which reserves have been established.

(d) None of the Company or its Subsidiaries has consented to extend or waive the statute of limitations for the assessment or collection of any Tax by any Governmental Authority.

(e) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has collected, deducted or withheld and timely paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority all amounts required to be so collected, deducted or withheld and paid over in accordance with applicable Laws relating to the payment and withholding of Taxes with respect to payments to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, stockholder or other third party.

(f) As of the date hereof, there is no Tax Proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

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(g) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) is a member of any affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary or similar group for purposes of filing Tax Returns or paying Taxes (other than a group the common parent of which is the Company or a group consisting only of the Company and/or any of its present or former Subsidiaries), (ii) has any liability for the Taxes of any Person (other than the Company and any Subsidiary) under Section 1.1502-6 of the Treasury Regulations (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law), as a transferee or successor or otherwise, or (iii) is a party to any written Tax sharing or Tax allocation agreement that is in effect (other than (x) any such agreement that is solely between or among the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries, or (y) any commercial agreement (or purchase agreement) the primary purpose of which is not related to Taxes).

(h) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has participated in a “reportable transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b).

(i) None of the Company or any Subsidiary has a branch, an office or a fixed place of business in a country other than the country in which it is organized. No claims have been made in the past three (3) years by any Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction where the Company or any of its Subsidiaries does not file Tax Returns that such entity is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction.

(j) None of the Company or any Subsidiary will be required to include any item of income in, or exclude any item or deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period or portion thereof ending after the Closing Date as a result of: (i) any change in a method of accounting under Section 481 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law), or use of an improper method of accounting, for a taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date; (ii) an installment sale or open transaction occurring on or prior to the Closing Date; (iii) a prepaid amount received on or before the Closing Date; (iv) any closing agreement under Section 7121 of the Code, or similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law executed on or prior to the Closing Date; or (v) any election under Section 108(i) of the Code.

(k) None of the Company or any Subsidiary has deferred any Taxes under Section 2302 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act of 2020.

(l) In the last two (2) years, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code in a distribution intended to qualify for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, it is agreed and understood that no representation or warranty is made by the Company in this Agreement with respect to Taxes, other than the representations in this Section 4.11 and, to the extent specifically relating to Taxes, Section 4.10.

4.12. Litigation. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, as of the date of this Agreement, (a) none of the Company or its Subsidiaries is subject to any Order, and (b) there is no charge, complaint, claim, action, suit, arbitration, prosecution or proceeding (whether civil, criminal or regulatory) in Law or in equity (“Litigation”), before any Governmental Authority, court or quasi-judicial or administrative agency of any federal, state, local or foreign jurisdiction, arbitrator or mediator, pending, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, against any of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

4.13. Compliance with Laws; Permits.

(a) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries are, and since January 1, 2021, have been, in compliance in all respects with all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws (including common law), statutes, codes, ordinances, rules, regulations, judgments, Orders, injunctions, decrees or agency requirements of Governmental Authorities (collectively, “Laws”).

(b) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its Subsidiaries hold, and are and since January 1, 2021 have been, in compliance with, all Permits necessary for the Company and its Subsidiaries to

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own, lease and operate their properties and assets, and to carry on and operate their businesses as currently conducted.

(c) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any of their respective directors, executives, Representatives, agents or employees) (i) has used or is using any corporate funds for any illegal contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity, (ii) has used or is using any corporate funds for any direct or indirect unlawful payments to any foreign or domestic governmental officials or employees, (iii) has violated or is violating any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, (iv) has established or maintained, or is maintaining, any unlawful fund of corporate monies or other properties or (v) has made any bribe, unlawful rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment of any nature.

(d) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 4.13, no representation or warranty shall be deemed to be made in this Section 4.13 in respect of environmental, Tax, employee benefits or labor matters.

4.14. Environmental Matters.

(a) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are, and since January 1, 2021 have been, in compliance in all material respects with applicable Environmental Laws, and each holds and since January 1, 2021 has been in material compliance with, all material Environmental Permits required for the conduct and operation of their respective businesses as currently conducted and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no such Environmental Permit is the subject of a notice of revocation, withdrawal, renewal, suspension, cancellation, or termination.

(b) Since January 1, 2021 none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice, demand, or claim alleging that the Company or such Subsidiary is in material violation of, or materially liable under, any Environmental Law or that any of the Owned Real Property, Leased Real Property, the Oil and Gas Properties, Oil and Gas Leases, or the Sealy Ranch Lease, is in material violation of any Environmental Law.

(c) To the Knowledge of the Company, none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any Owned Real Property, Leased Real Property, the Oil and Gas Properties, Oil and Gas Leases, or the Sealy Ranch Lease, is subject to any judgment, decree, Litigation or Order relating to compliance with, or material Liability under, Environmental Laws, Environmental Permits or the Release, treatment, remediation, removal or cleanup of Hazardous Materials.

(d) To the Knowledge of the Company, there has been no Release of, or exposure to, any Hazardous Materials in, on, at, under or from any of the Owned Real Property, Leased Real Property, the Oil and Gas Properties, Oil and Gas Leases, or the Sealy Ranch Lease, that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any material Liability under Environmental Laws for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(e) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries provided access to the following described documents that are in the possession or reasonable control of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries: (i) material environmental site assessments pertaining to recognized environmental conditions on or at any Owned Real Property, Leased Real Property, the Oil and Gas Properties, Oil and Gas Leases, or the Sealy Ranch Lease, and any real property formerly owned, leased or operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case, prepared by third-party contractors within the past five years, (ii) all material reports of audits of compliance with Environmental Laws by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries prepared within the past five years, (iii) material written notices of violation issued pursuant to any Environmental Law since January 1, 2021 that relate to the Company, its Subsidiaries, the Owned Real Property, Leased Real Property, the Oil and Gas Properties, Oil and Gas Leases, or the Sealy Ranch Lease, and (iv) Permits issued pursuant to Environmental Law and required for the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as conducted on the date hereof.

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(f) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Section 4.14 contains the sole and exclusive representations and warranties of the Company with respect to any environmental matters, including any Liability arising under any Environmental Laws.

4.15. Absence of Changes. Since June 30, 2023 through the date of this Agreement, except for events giving rise to, and the discussion and negotiation of, this Agreement or as a result of or in response to COVID-19 or in response to or to comply with COVID-19 Measures, the Company and its Subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses in all material respects in the ordinary course of business. Since June 30, 2023, there has not been any Effect that has had, or would be reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. Since December 31, 2022, the Company and its Subsidiaries have not taken any action that, if taken after the date of this Agreement, would constitute a breach of Section s 6.2(b)(i), 6.2(b)(ii), 6.2(b)(iii), 6.2(b)(vi), 6.2(b)(viii), 6.2(b)(ix), 6.2(b)(xi), 6.2(b)(xii), 6.2(b)(xiv) and 6.2(b)(xvi).

4.16. Real Property.

(a) Leased Real Property. Section 4.16(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all Leases for Leased Real Property, including, all applicable amendments, modifications, supplements, and waivers with respect thereto. Except as set forth in Section 4.16(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, with respect to each of the Leases: (i) such Lease is a valid and binding agreement of the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and to the Knowledge of the Company, each other party thereto, on the other hand, and is in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms; (ii) the Company or the applicable Subsidiary of the Company party to the respective Lease pertaining to the Company’s Leased Real Property has good, valid and marketable title to the leasehold estate under such Leases free and clear of any Liens other than Permitted Liens; (iii) no party other than the Company or the applicable Subsidiary of the Company party to the respective Lease is in possession or occupancy of the applicable Leased Real Property or any portion thereof; (iv) all consideration, rents, fees and payments due and owing pursuant to each Lease have been paid when due; and (v) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in breach or default in any material respect under any such Lease and no event has occurred or circumstances exist which, with the delivery of notice, the passage of time or both, would constitute such breach or default, or permit the termination, modification or acceleration of rent under such Lease.

(b) Owned Real Property. Section 4.16(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all Owned Real Property. Except as set forth in Section 4.16(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, in each case: (i) the Company or the applicable Subsidiary of the Company have good, valid and marketable fee title to each Owned Real Property, in each case, free and clear of all Liens and defects in title, except for Permitted Liens; (ii) except as shown on Section 4.16(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the Company or the applicable Subsidiary of the Company have not leased or otherwise granted to any Person the right to use or occupy any Owned Real Property or any portion thereof; (iii) no third party has any option, rights of first offer or rights of first refusal, or other right to acquire all or any portion of any Owned Real Property; and (iv) except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the ownership, use, maintenance and operation of each Owned Real Property by the Company or the applicable Subsidiary of the Company is in compliance with all Permits and Laws applicable to such Owned Real Property.

(c) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company has received any written notice with respect to any portion of the Leased Real Property, the Owned Real Property, or any Right-of-Way (i) of any appropriation, condemnation, eminent domain or similar proceeding with respect to the applicable such assets or any portion thereof, or (ii) from a Governmental Authority of any violation of any applicable Law.

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violate any of the Rights-of-Way and no event has occurred that allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination thereof or would result in any material impairment of the rights of the holder of any such Rights-of-Way, in each case. All pipelines operated by the Company and its Subsidiaries are located on or are subject to valid Rights-of-Way, or are located on real property owned or leased by the Company or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, and there are no gaps (including any gap arising as a result of any breach by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of the terms of any Rights-of-Way) in the Rights-of-Way that would be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

4.18. Oil and Gas Matters.

(a) Except as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and except for property (i) sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business since the date of the reserve report prepared by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. (collectively, the “Company Independent Petroleum Engineers”) relating to the Company interests referred to therein as of December 31, 2022 (the “Company Reserve Report”), or (ii) reflected in the Company Reserve Report or in the Company SEC Documents as having been sold or otherwise disposed of (other than sales or dispositions after the date hereof in accordance with Section 6.2), the Company and its Subsidiaries have good and defensible title to all Oil and Gas Properties forming the basis for the reserves reflected in the Company Reserve Report and in each case as attributable to interests owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries, free and clear of any Liens, except for Permitted Liens.

(b) The factual, non-interpretive data supplied by the Company to the Company Independent Petroleum Engineers relating to the Company interests referred to in the Company Reserve Report, by or on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries that was material to such firm’s estimates of proved oil and gas reserves attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries in connection with the preparation of the Company Reserve Report was, as of the time provided, accurate in all material respects. To the Knowledge of the Company, any assumptions or estimates provided by the Company or its Subsidiaries to the Company Independent Petroleum Engineers in connection with its preparation of the Company Reserve Report were made in good faith and on a reasonable basis based on the facts and circumstances in existence and that were known to the Company at the time such assumptions or estimates were made. The oil and gas reserve estimates of the Company set forth in the Company Reserve Report are derived from reports that have been prepared by the Company Independent Petroleum Engineers, and such reserve estimates fairly reflect, in all material respects, the oil and gas reserves of the Company at the dates indicated therein and are in accordance with SEC guidelines applicable thereto applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved. Except for changes generally affecting the oil and gas exploration, development and production industry (including changes in commodity prices) and normal depletion by production, there has been no material change in respect of the matters addressed in the Company Reserve Report.

(c) (i) all material rentals, shut-ins and similar payments owed to any Person or individual under (or otherwise with respect to) any Oil and Gas Leases have been properly and timely paid, (ii) all material royalties, minimum royalties, overriding royalties and other Production Burdens with respect to any Oil and Gas Properties owned or held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been timely and properly paid and (iii) none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (and, to the Company’s Knowledge, no third party operator) has materially violated any provision of, or taken or failed to take any act that, with or without notice, lapse of time, or both, would constitute a material default, breach or failure to meet a condition under the provisions of any Oil and Gas Lease (or entitle the lessor thereunder to cancel or terminate such Oil and Gas Lease) included in the Oil and Gas Properties owned or held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(d) All proceeds from the sale of Hydrocarbons produced from the Oil and Gas Properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries are being received by them in a timely manner in all material respects and are not being held in suspense (by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, any third party operator thereof or any other Person) for any reason other than awaiting preparation and approval of division order title opinions for recently drilled Wells and as described on Section 4.18(d) of the Company Disclosure Letter.

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(e) All of the Wells and all water, CO2, injection or other wells located on the Oil and Gas Properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries or otherwise associated with an Oil and Gas Property of the Company or its Subsidiaries have been drilled, completed and operated within the limits permitted by the applicable Contracts entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries related to such Wells and applicable Law in all material respects, and all drilling and completion (and plugging and abandonment) of such wells and all related development, production and other operations have been conducted in material compliance with all applicable Contracts and Laws. Except as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, there are no Wells that constitute a part of the Oil and Gas Properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries of which the Company or a Subsidiary has received a written notice, claim, demand or order from any Governmental Authority notifying, claiming, demanding or requiring that such Well(s) be temporarily or permanently plugged and abandoned.

(f) All Oil and Gas Properties operated by the Company or its Subsidiaries (and, to the Knowledge of the Company, all Oil and Gas Properties owned or held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and operated by a third party) have been operated in all material respects as a reasonably prudent operator in accordance with its past practices.

(g) Except as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has elected not to participate in any operation or activity proposed with respect to any of the Oil and Gas Properties owned or held by it (or them, as applicable) that could result in a penalty or forfeiture as a result of such election not to participate in such operation or activity that would be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole and is not reflected in the Company Reserve Reports.

(h) With respect to Oil and Gas Properties operated by the Company and its Subsidiaries, all currently producing Wells and all tangible equipment included therein, used in connection with the operation thereof or otherwise primarily associated therewith (including all buildings, plants, structures, platforms, pipelines, machinery, vehicles and other rolling stock) are, in all material respects, in a good state of repair and are adequate and sufficient to maintain normal operations in accordance with past practices (ordinary wear and tear excepted).

(i) Section 4.18(i) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth an accurate and complete list, in all material respects, of any preferential purchase, tag-along, right of first refusal, right of first option, purchase option, consent or similar right to which the Oil and Gas Properties of the Company or its Subsidiaries are subject. All Contracts listed in Section 4.18(i) of the Company Disclosure Letter have been made available to Parent.

(j) The Company has made available to Parent all Oil and Gas Leases to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party.

4.19. Derivative Transactions.

(a) All Derivative Transactions entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or for the account of any of its customers as of the date of this Agreement were entered into in accordance with applicable Laws in all material respects, and in accordance in all material respects with the investment, securities, commodities, risk management and other policies, practices and procedures employed by the Company and its Subsidiaries, and were entered into with counterparties believed at the time to be financially responsible and able to understand (either alone or in consultation with their advisers) and to bear the risks of such Derivative Transactions.

(b) (i) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries have duly performed in all material respects all of their respective obligations under the Derivative Transactions to the extent that such obligations to perform have accrued, and (ii) there are no breaches, violations, collateral deficiencies, requests for collateral or demands for payment, or defaults or allegations or assertions of such by any party thereunder, in each case that would be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(c) The Company SEC Documents accurately summarize, in all material respects, the outstanding positions under any Derivative Transaction of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including Hydrocarbon

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and financial positions under any Derivative Transaction of the Company attributable to the production and marketing of the Company or its Subsidiaries, as of the dates reflected therein.

4.20. Brokers and Finders. Except for Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc., neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has employed any investment banker, broker or finder in connection with the Transactions who would be entitled to any fee or any commission in connection with or upon consummation of the Merger.

4.21. Opinion of Financial Advisor. The Company Board has received the oral opinion (to be confirmed by delivery of a written opinion) of Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc. to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion and based on and subject to the various assumptions, qualifications, limitations and matters set forth therein, the Merger Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Common Stock (it being agreed that such opinion is for the benefit of the Company Board and may not be relied upon by Parent or Merger Sub).

4.22. No Additional Representations. The Company acknowledges and agrees that, except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article V (as qualified by the Parent Disclosure Letter) or in any certificate delivered by Parent pursuant to this Agreement (a) Parent or Merger Sub does not make, or has not made and the Company has not relied on, any express or implied representations or warranties relating to Parent, Merger Sub or their businesses or otherwise and (b) no Person has been authorized by Parent or Merger Sub to make any representation or warranty relating to themselves or their business or otherwise in connection with the Transactions, and if made, such representation or warranty must not be relied upon by the Company as having been authorized by such party. The Company further acknowledges and agrees that any estimates, projections, predictions, data, financial information, memoranda, presentations or any other materials or information provided or addressed to the Company or any of its Representatives are not and shall not be deemed to be or include representations or warranties unless any such materials or information is the subject of any express representation or warranty set forth in Article V or in any certificate delivered by Parent pursuant to this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company acknowledges and agrees that, except for any remedies available under this Agreement with respect to the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article V (as qualified by the Parent Disclosure Letter) or in any certificate delivered by Parent pursuant to this Agreement, neither Parent, Merger Sub nor any other Person will have or be subject to any Liability or other obligation to the Company or their Representatives or Affiliates or any other Person resulting from the Company’s or their Representatives’ or Affiliates’ use of any information, documents, projections, forecasts or other material made available to the Company or their Representatives or Affiliates in connection with the Transactions.

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB

Except as disclosed in the disclosure schedule delivered by Parent to the Company concurrently with the execution of this Agreement (the “Parent Disclosure Letter”) (each section of which qualifies the correspondingly numbered representation or warranty specified therein and any such other representations or warranties where its applicability to, relevance as an exception to, or disclosure for purposes of, such other representation or warranty is reasonably apparent), Parent and Merger Sub jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Company that:

5.1. Due Incorporation; Capitalization.

(a) Each of Parent and Merger Sub is duly organized, validly existing and, where such concept is applicable, in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization.

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Company prior to the date of this Agreement a true and complete copy of its Organizational Documents, in each case, as amended through the date hereof. Parent’s Organizational Documents are in full force and effect, and Parent is not in material violation of any of their provisions. All of the issued and outstanding equity interests of Merger Sub are owned by Parent free and clear of Liens.

5.2. Due Authorization.

(a) Each of Parent and Merger Sub has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and, subject to the filings under Section 2.3, to consummate the Transactions.

(b) The execution, delivery and performance by each of Parent and Merger Sub of this Agreement, and the consummation by Parent and Merger Sub of the applicable Transactions, including the Merger, have been duly and validly approved by the unanimous vote of the boards of directors or other governing body of Parent and Merger Sub and, immediately following execution and delivery of this Agreement, will be approved by the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, and no other corporate actions or proceedings on the part of Parent or Merger Sub or their respective stockholders shall be necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by Parent and Merger Sub of this Agreement and the Transactions. No vote of the stockholders of Parent or the holders of any other securities of Parent (equity or otherwise) is required by any applicable Law or the Organizational Documents of Parent or the applicable rules of any exchange on which securities of Parent are traded, in order for Parent to consummate the Transactions.

(c) Each of Parent and Merger Sub has duly and validly executed and delivered this Agreement. Assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Company, this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each of Parent and Merger Sub, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.

5.3. Consents and Approvals; No Violations. Except for in connection with or in compliance with the Transaction Approvals, stockholder and/or board approvals of Parent and Merger Sub and the filing with the SEC of the Proxy Statement, the execution, delivery and performance by Parent and the Merger Sub of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions will not (a) violate, in any material respect, any Law or Order applicable to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or by which any of their respective properties or assets are bound or affected; (b) require any notification to or filing or registration by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries with, or consent or approval with respect to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of, or other action by, any Governmental Authority; (c) violate or conflict with any provision of the Organizational Documents of Parent or Parent’s Subsidiaries; and (d) require any consent of, notice to or other action by any Person under, constitute a default or breach or an event that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default or breach under, or cause or permit termination, cancelation, acceleration or other change of any right or obligation or the loss of any benefit under, any provision of any material Contract to which Parent or a Merger Sub is a party or by which Parent or a Merger Sub or any of their assets or properties is bound or any Permit affecting the assets or business of Parent or a Merger Sub, except, in the case of clause (d) as has not had, and would not be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

5.4. Operations of Merger Sub. Merger Sub was formed specifically for the Transactions. Since its date of incorporation, Merger Sub has not, and prior to the Effective Time will not have, carried on any business or conducted any operations other than the execution of this Agreement, the performance of its obligations hereunder and matters ancillary thereto and has, and prior to the Effective Time will have, no assets, Liabilities or obligations of any nature other than those incident to its formation and pursuant to this Agreement and the Transactions.

5.5. Litigation. As of the date hereof, there is no Litigation to which Parent or Merger Sub is a party pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened that would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect. As of the date hereof, neither Parent nor Merger Sub is subject to any outstanding Order that would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

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5.6. Compliance with Laws. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect, since the date of their respective incorporation, each of Parent and Merger Sub has been and is in compliance with all applicable Laws.

5.7. Parent and Merger Sub Information. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by or on behalf of Parent or Merger Sub specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement and the Schedule 13E-3, at the time it (and any amendment or supplement thereto) is first filed with the SEC, will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. For the avoidance of doubt, no representation or warranty is made by Parent or Merger Sub with respect to (and nothing in this Section 5.7 shall apply to) statements made or incorporated by reference in the Proxy Statement based on information supplied by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

5.8. Financing.

(a) Parent has delivered to the Company true and complete copies of (a) an executed commitment letter dated as of October 27, 2023 from Fortress Credit Corp. and an executed commitment letter dated as of October 30, 2023 from AI Partners Asset Management Co., Ltd. (each, a “Lender” and together, the “Lenders”) (together with all exhibits, annexes and schedules thereto and the executed fee letter in connection therewith (which may be redacted to omit fee amounts, flex provisions, pricing terms and pricing caps; provided, that none of the redacted terms (x) could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the availability of the Committed Debt Financing or (y) affect the conditionality, enforceability, availability or aggregate principal amount of the Committed Debt Financing attached thereto or contemplated thereby) and as the same may be amended pursuant to Section 6.10, the “Debt Financing Commitments”), pursuant to which the Lenders have agreed, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, to provide or cause to be provided the debt amounts set forth therein (the “Committed Debt Financing”) and (b) the executed Purchase Agreement and Contribution Agreement (together with the Debt Financing Commitments, the “Financing Commitments”) which contemplate the Preferred Stock Financing (together with the Committed Debt Financing, the “Committed Financing”), in each case for the purposes of funding the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and related fees and expenses. Each of the Financing Commitments have been duly executed and validly delivered by the parties thereto.

(b) As of the date of this Agreement, none of the Financing Commitments has been amended, modified or supplemented and the respective commitments contained in the Financing Commitments have not been withdrawn, terminated, repudiated, rescinded, amended, supplemented or modified, in any respect, and no such withdrawal, termination, repudiation, rescission, amendment, supplement or modification is contemplated (except as permitted by Section 6.10). As of the date of this Agreement, no such amendment, modification or supplement is contemplated and the Financing Commitments are in full force and effect and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of each of Parent or Merger Sub and the other parties thereto, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions. Except for the Financing Commitments, as of the date of this Agreement, there are no Contracts or other agreements, arrangements or understandings (whether oral or written) or commitments to enter into agreements, arrangements or understandings (whether oral or written) to which Parent or any of its Affiliates is a party related to the Committed Financing other than as expressly contained in the Financing Commitments. Any and all commitment fees or other fees in connection with the Debt Financing Commitments that are payable on or prior to the date of this Agreement have been paid by or on behalf of Parent or Merger Sub on or prior to the date of this Agreement.

(c) There are no, and there will not be any, conditions precedent or other contingencies related to the funding of the full amount of the Committed Financing other than as expressly set forth in or contemplated by the Financing Commitments (the “Disclosed Conditions”). Other than the Disclosed Conditions, none of the Lenders or any other Person has any right to impose, and none of the Lenders, Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or any Subsidiary obligor have any obligation to accept, any condition precedent to any funding of all or any portion of the Committed Financing or any reduction to the aggregate amount available under the Financing Commitments (or any term or condition which would have the effect of reducing the aggregate amount available under the Financing

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Commitments). Other than the Financing Commitments, there are no agreements, side letters or any other arrangements or understandings (in each case, whether written or oral) with the Lenders or any other Person relating to the Committed Financing.

(d) As of the date of this Agreement, no event has occurred that (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) would or would reasonably be expected to (i) constitute a breach or default under the Financing Commitments by Parent, Merger Sub or, to the Knowledge of Parent or Merger Sub, any other Person, (ii) to the Knowledge of Parent or Merger Sub, result in the failure of any condition precedent under any of the Financing Commitments to be satisfied or (iii) to the Knowledge of Parent or Merger Sub, make any of the representations, warranties or statements set forth in any of the Financing Commitments inaccurate in any material respect.

(e) As of the date of this Agreement, none of Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates has received any notice or other communication from the Lenders with respect to (i) any actual or potential breach or default by Parent or the Lenders under any of the Debt Financing Commitments, (ii) any actual or potential failure by Parent, Merger Sub or any such Affiliate to satisfy any condition precedent or other contingency to be satisfied by Parent, Merger Sub or any such Affiliate set forth in the Debt Financing Commitments or (iii) any intention of any Lender to terminate any Debt Financing Commitment or to not provide all or any portion of the Committed Debt Financing.

(f) As of the date of this Agreement, assuming the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions contained in Section s 7.1 and 7.2, (other than the conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied as of the Closing) neither Parent nor Merger Sub has any reason to believe that any of the conditions to the Committed Financing will not be satisfied on a timely basis or that the Committed Financing will not be made available to Parent or Merger Sub on the Closing Date. As of the date of this Agreement, neither Parent nor Merger Sub is aware of any fact, circumstance or event that would reasonably be expected to prevent, delay or otherwise pose a potential impediment to the funding of any of the payment obligations of Parent under this Agreement.

(g) Subject to the terms and conditions of the Financing Commitments and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions contained in Section 7.2, the aggregate proceeds contemplated by the Financing Commitments, together with the proceeds from the Additional Financing, and other financial resources of Parent and Merger Sub, including cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries on the Closing Date, will be sufficient for Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger upon the terms contemplated by this Agreement and pay all related fees and expenses.

5.9. Ownership of Common Stock. As of the date of this Agreement, none of Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates beneficially owns, directly or indirectly (including pursuant to a derivative Contract) any shares of Common Stock, or other securities convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for shares of Common Stock or any other securities of the Company or any securities of any Subsidiary of the Company, and none of Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates has any rights to acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or any of the foregoing securities, except pursuant to this Agreement and the Contribution Agreement.

5.10. Brokers and Finders. Except for Jefferies LLC, Northland Capital Markets and Bond TI, neither Parent nor any of Parent’s Subsidiaries has employed any investment banker, broker or finder in connection with the Transactions who would be entitled to any fee or any commission in connection with or upon consummation of the Merger.

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of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Parent and Merger Sub acknowledge and agree that, except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article IV (as qualified by the Company Disclosure Letter) or any certificate delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement (a) the Company does not make, or has not made, and neither Parent nor Merger Sub has relied on, any express or implied representations or warranties relating to the Company, its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses or otherwise, (b) no Person has been authorized by the Company to make any representation or warranty relating to it or its business or otherwise in connection with the Transactions, and if made, such representation or warranty must not be relied upon by Parent or Merger Sub as having been authorized by such party. Parent and Merger Sub further acknowledge and agree that any estimates, projections, predictions, data, financial information, memoranda, presentations or any other materials or information provided or addressed to Parent or Merger Sub or any of their Representatives are not and shall not be deemed to be or include representations or warranties unless any such materials or information is the subject of any express representation or warranty set forth in Article IV or any certificate delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, each of Parent and Merger Sub acknowledge and agree that, except for any remedies available under this Agreement with respect to the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article IV (as qualified by the Company Disclosure Letter) or in any certificate delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, neither the Company nor any other Person will have or be subject to any Liability or other obligation to Parent, Merger Sub or their Representatives or Affiliates or any other Person resulting from Parent’s, Merger Sub’s or their Representatives’ or Affiliates’ use of any information, documents, projections, forecasts or other material made available to Parent, Merger Sub or their Representatives or Affiliates, including any information made available in the electronic data room maintained by or on behalf of the Company or its Representatives for purposes of the Transactions, teasers, marketing materials, consulting reports or materials, confidential information memoranda, management presentations, functional “break-out” discussions, responses to questions submitted on behalf of Parent, Merger Sub or their respective Representatives or in any other form in connection with the Transactions.

ARTICLE VI

COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

6.1. Access to Information, Employees and Facilities.

(a) For purposes of furthering the Transactions, from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the date this Agreement is terminated (the “Interim Period”), subject to Section 6.1(b) and Section 6.1(c), the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, give Parent and its Representatives, upon reasonable notice, reasonable access during normal business hours to the books and records, real property, offices and facilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and, during such normal business hours in the Interim Period, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, make the officers and employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries available to Parent and its Representatives and to furnish to Parent all financial, operating and other data and information, in each case, (i) as Parent shall from time to time reasonably request solely for the purpose of furthering the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and for integration planning purposes, and (ii) to the extent that such access and disclosure would not obligate the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to take any actions that would unreasonably interfere with the normal course of their businesses; provided that this Section 6.1 does not authorize any environmental testing or sampling of any Leased Real Property, Owned Real Property or Oil and Gas Property; and provided, further, that in no event shall access to the officers and/or employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries be made available to Parent or any of its Representatives for the purpose of negotiating and/or entering into any new employment or compensation arrangements without the Company’s prior written consent.

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result in the disclosure of Trade Secrets of any Person or (vi) result in the disclosure of information or access (A) regarding the valuation of the Company or (B) that is reasonably pertinent or likely to be reasonably pertinent to a Litigation where the Company or any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and Parent or any of its Affiliates, on the other hand, are adverse parties or reasonably likely to become adverse parties; provided that in such instances the Company shall inform Parent of the general nature of the information being withheld and, upon Parent’s request, exercise commercially reasonable efforts to provide such information, in whole or in part, in a manner that would not result in any of the outcomes described in this sentence. If any of the information or material furnished pursuant to Section 6.1(a) includes material or information subject to the attorney-client privilege, work product doctrine or any other applicable privilege concerning pending or threatened Litigation or governmental investigations, each party hereto understands and agrees that the parties hereto have a commonality of interest with respect to such matters and it is the desire, intention and mutual understanding of the parties hereto that the sharing of such material or information is not intended to, and shall not, waive or diminish in any way the confidentiality of such material or information or its continued protection under the attorney-client privilege, work product doctrine or other applicable privilege. All such information provided by the Company that is entitled to protection under the attorney-client privilege, work product doctrine or other applicable privilege shall remain entitled to such protection under these privileges, this Agreement and the joint defense doctrine. In no event shall the work papers of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ independent accountants and auditors be accessible to Parent or any of its Representatives unless and until such accountants and auditors have provided a consent related thereto in form and substance reasonably acceptable to such auditors or independent accountants.

(c) All information provided by the Company shall be held in confidence in accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement, which Confidentiality Agreement will remain in full force and effect until Closing and shall automatically terminate on and with effect from the Closing.

6.2. Conduct of Business.

(a) During the Interim Period, other than (i) as expressly required or permitted by this Agreement, (ii) with the prior written consent of Parent (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), (iii) as required by or reasonably responsive to a request or requirement of a Governmental Authority, applicable Law or the rules and regulations of the NYSE American, (iv) any actions taken reasonably and in good faith in response to or as a result of COVID-19 or in response to or to comply with COVID-19 Measures or (v) as set forth in Section 6.2(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter (the exceptions in clauses (i)-(v), the “Interim Covenant Exceptions”), the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to (x) use commercially reasonable efforts to conduct their respective businesses in all material respects in the ordinary course consistent with past practice, (y) use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain and preserve intact, in all material respects, their respective business organizations and (z) conduct their respective businesses in a manner that would reasonably be expected to cause the consolidated balance sheet metrics set forth in Section 6.2(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter to be true and correct in all material respects at all times through the Closing; provided that no action by the Company or its Subsidiaries with respect to matters specifically addressed by any provision of Section 6.2(b) or Section 6.20 (subject to the exceptions set forth therein) shall be deemed a breach of this sentence, unless such action would constitute a breach of such other provision.

(b) During the Interim Period, the Company shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to, other than pursuant to any Interim Covenant Exception or as set forth in Section 6.2(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter:

(i) amend their respective Organizational Documents (except for immaterial or ministerial amendments);

(ii) split, combine or reclassify any capital stock, voting securities or other equity interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than (A) to satisfy applicable Tax withholding and/or exercise prices upon vesting, settlement or exercise of any Company Equity Award outstanding as of the date hereof or granted after the date hereof without violation of this Agreement, or (B) any such transactions involving a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company;

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(iii) make, declare or pay any dividend, or make any other distribution on, or directly or indirectly redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, any shares of its capital stock, or any other securities or obligations convertible (whether currently convertible or convertible only after the passage of time or the occurrence of certain events) into or exchangeable for any shares of its capital stock, except for (A) any such transactions solely among the Company and its wholly owned Subsidiaries or among the Company’s wholly owned Subsidiaries, (B) the acceptance of shares of Common Stock, or withholding of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable, to satisfy withholding Taxes incurred in connection with the vesting and/or settlement of Company Equity Awards or (C) settlements in cash (in whole or in part);

(iv) grant any Company Equity Awards or other equity-based awards or interests, or grant any individual, corporation or other entity any right to acquire any shares of its capital stock, other than as set forth in Section 6.2(b)(iv) or Section 6.2(b)(x) of the Company Disclosure Letter;

(v) issue, purchase, sell or otherwise permit to become outstanding any additional shares of its capital stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into, or exercisable for, any shares of its capital stock or any options, warrants, or other rights of any kind to acquire any shares of its capital stock, except (i) due to the vesting and/or settlement of Company Equity Awards granted prior to the date hereof in accordance with their terms or otherwise in accordance with Section 6.2(b)(iv), or (ii) in transactions solely among the Company and its Subsidiaries or among the Company’s wholly owned Subsidiaries;

(vi) adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, recapitalization or other reorganization, other than (A) the Transactions and (B) any such transaction (1) solely among the Company and its wholly owned Subsidiaries or among the Company’s wholly owned Subsidiaries or (2) pursuant to Contracts in effect prior to the execution of this Agreement that have been disclosed to Parent;

(vii) incur, assume, endorse, guarantee or otherwise become liable for any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue or sell any debt securities or any rights to acquire any debt securities, except for (A) any indebtedness for borrowed money among the Company and/or its wholly owned Subsidiaries or among wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Company, (B) guarantees by the Company of indebtedness for borrowed money of wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Company or guarantees by Subsidiaries of the Company of indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company or any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries, which indebtedness is incurred in compliance with this clause (vii) or is outstanding on the date hereof, and (C) indebtedness incurred to replace, renew, extend, refinance or refund any indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company or its wholly owned Subsidiaries, in the case of this clause (C), up to an amount equal to the indebtedness being replaced, renewed, extended, refinanced or refunded (plus any related fees, expenses, premiums and accrued interest);

(viii) other than in accordance with Contracts in effect on the date hereof and set forth in Section 6.2(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, directly or indirectly (including by merger or consolidation with any Person) sell, lease, swap, exchange, farmout, license, sell and leaseback, abandon, mortgage or otherwise encumber or subject to any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) or otherwise dispose in whole or in part of any of its material properties, assets or rights or any interest therein, in each case other than (A) the sale of Hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or (B) the sale or other disposition of equipment that is surplus, obsolete or replaced made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

(ix) directly or indirectly acquire or agree to acquire (A) by merging or consolidating with, purchasing a substantial equity interest in or a substantial portion of the assets of, making an investment in or loan or capital contribution to or in any other manner, any corporation, partnership, association or other business organization or division thereof or (B) any assets that are otherwise material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case other than transactions solely among the Company and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries;

(x) except as required by applicable Law or any Company Benefit Plan made available to Parent prior to the date of this Agreement and in effect as of the date hereof, (A) establish, adopt,

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amend or terminate any Company Benefit Plan or create or enter into any plan, agreement, program, policy, trust, fund or other arrangement that would be a Company Benefit Plan if it were in existence as of the date of this Agreement; (B) increase the compensation (including paying or committing to pay any bonuses or incentive compensation (whether cash, equity, or equity-based)) or benefits, in the aggregate, of any current or former director, officer, employee or independent contractor, in each case of the Company or its Subsidiaries; or (C) accelerate the time of vesting or payment or funding of any payment or benefit under any Company Benefit Plan or otherwise;

(xi) implement or adopt any material change in its financial accounting principles or methods, other than as may be required by GAAP, COPAS or applicable Law;

(xii) (A) terminate or amend in a manner materially adverse to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any Company Material Contract, Joint Operating Agreement, Oil and Gas Lease, Right-of-Way or Lease other than, for the avoidance of doubt, any renewal or expiration in the ordinary course of business of such Company Material Contract, Joint Operating Agreement, Oil and Gas Lease, Right-of-Way or Lease according to such Company Material Contract’s, Oil and Gas Lease’s, Joint Operating Agreement’s, Right-of-Way or Lease’s terms on substantially the same terms, (B) enter into any Contract or Lease that, if entered into prior to the date hereof, would be a Company Material Contract, Joint Operating Agreement, Lease, Right-of-Way, or Oil and Gas Lease, or (C) waive any material right under or release, settle or compromise any material claim under any Company Material Contract, Joint Operating Agreement, Oil and Gas Lease, Right-of-Way or Lease;

(xiii) make any loan, advance or capital contribution to or investment in any Person (other than the Company or any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company), other than (A) advances for expenses required under customary joint operating agreements to operators of Oil and Gas Properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) expense advancements in the ordinary course of business to directors, officers and employees of the Company;

(xiv) without prejudice to Section 6.12, pay, discharge, settle or satisfy any pending or threatened Litigation, other than settlements that are solely for monetary damages of less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) individually and Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000) in the aggregate;

(xv) conduct their respective cash management practices other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (including with respect to the payment of accounts receivable and accrued liabilities, collection of accounts receivable, pricing, credit practices and operation of cash management generally);

(xvi) (A) change or revoke any material Tax election, (B) change any annual accounting period for Tax purposes, (C) change any method of accounting for Tax purposes or (D) settle any Tax Proceeding for an amount materially in excess of the amount reserved for Taxes on the financial statements of the Company (it being agreed and understood that none of clauses (i) through (xv) nor clause (xvii) of this Section 6.2(b) shall apply to Tax compliance matters other than clause (xiv) insofar as it relates to this clause (xvi)); or

(xvii) authorize any of, or agree or commit to do any of, the foregoing actions.

Nothing contained in this Agreement shall give Parent, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the operations of the Company prior to the Closing, except as expressly set forth herein. Prior to the Closing, the Company shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision over the operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

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into of such new line of business, as applicable, would reasonably be expected to (A) prevent, materially delay or materially impede the obtaining of, or adversely affect in any material respect the ability of Parent to procure, any authorizations, consents, orders, declarations or approvals of any Governmental Authority or the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period necessary to consummate the Transactions or (B) materially increase the risk of any Governmental Authority entering an order, ruling, judgment or injunction prohibiting the consummation of the Transactions or (ii) take any action that is intended to or will materially delay or materially impede the ability of Parent to otherwise perform its covenants and agreements under this Agreement or to consummate the Transactions.

6.3. Obligations of Merger Sub. Parent shall cause Merger Sub to perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the Merger on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

6.4. No Solicitation.

(a) No Solicitation or Negotiation. Except as expressly permitted by this Section 6.4, from the date hereof until the earlier to occur of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article VIII and the Effective Time, the Company shall not, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries and its and their respective officers and directors, and shall instruct its and its Subsidiaries’ other Representatives not to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or knowingly encourage or facilitate any proposal or offer or any inquiries regarding the making of any proposal or offer, including any proposal or offer to its stockholders, that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, a Company Takeover Proposal, or (ii) engage in, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any other Person any information with respect to, any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, a Company Takeover Proposal (other than, in response to an unsolicited inquiry that did not arise from a breach of this Section 6.4(a), solely to ascertain facts from the Person making such Company Takeover Proposal consistent with its fiduciary duties about such Company Takeover Proposal and the Person that made it, and to refer the inquiring Person to this Section 6.4). The Company shall, and the Company shall cause its Subsidiaries, and its and their respective officers and directors to, and shall cause its and its Subsidiaries’ other Representatives to, immediately cease any and all existing solicitation, discussions or negotiations with any Persons (or provision of any non-public information to any Persons) with respect to any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, a Company Takeover Proposal. The Company shall promptly (A) request in writing that each Person that has heretofore executed a confidentiality agreement within the six (6) month period immediately preceding the date hereof in connection with its consideration of a Company Takeover Proposal or potential Company Takeover Proposal promptly destroy or return to the Company all non-public information heretofore furnished by the Company or any of its Representatives to such Person or any of its Representatives in accordance with the terms of such confidentiality agreement and (B) terminate access to any physical or electronic data rooms relating to a possible Company Takeover Proposal by such Person and its Representatives. The Company shall not terminate, waive, amend, release or modify any provision of any confidentiality or standstill agreement to which the Company is a party with respect to any Company Takeover Proposal or potential Company Takeover Proposal, and shall enforce the provisions of any such agreement, which shall include seeking any injunctive relief available to enforce such agreement (provided, that the Company shall be permitted to grant waivers of, and not enforce, any standstill agreement, but solely to the extent that the Company Board (after considering the recommendation of the Company Special Committee) has determined in good faith, after consultation with the Company’s independent financial advisor and outside legal counsel, that failure to take such action would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law).

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(B) below would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law, then the Company and its Representatives may, in response to such Company Takeover Proposal, (A) furnish, pursuant to an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement, information (including non-public information) with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries and afford access to the business, properties, assets, books, records or other non-public information, or to any personnel, of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the Person that has made such written Company Takeover Proposal and its Representatives (provided that the Company shall, prior to or concurrently with the delivery to such Person, provide to Parent any information concerning the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is provided or made available to such Person or its Representatives unless such information has been previously provided to Parent) and (B) engage in or otherwise participate in discussions or negotiations with the Person making such Company Takeover Proposal and its Representatives regarding such Company Takeover Proposal; provided that the Company and its Representatives may contact any Person in writing (with a request that any response from such Person is in writing) with respect to a Company Takeover Proposal to clarify any ambiguous terms and conditions thereof which are necessary to determine whether the Company Takeover Proposal constitutes a Company Superior Proposal (without the Company Board (or any committee thereof, including the Company Special Committee) being required to make the determination in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii)). The Company shall promptly (and in any event within twenty-four (24) hours) notify Parent in writing if the Company Board makes the determinations set forth in this Section 6.4(b), and shall not take any of the actions set forth in clauses (A) and (B) prior to providing such notice.

(c) Notice. At any time after the date hereof and until the earlier to occur of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article VIII and the Effective Time, the Company shall promptly (and in no event later than twenty-four (24) hours after receipt) notify Parent (in writing) in the event that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or its or their Representatives receives any indication from any Person that it is considering making a Company Takeover Proposal, any inquiry or request for information that could reasonably be expected to lead to or contemplates a Company Takeover Proposal or any amendment or modification to the material terms of any Company Takeover Proposal, including the identity of the Person making the Company Takeover Proposal, inquiry or request, a summary of the material terms and conditions thereof, and a copy of any written proposal, offer or other documentation provided by such Person. The Company shall keep Parent informed (orally and in writing) in all material respects on a timely basis of the status and details (including, within twenty-four (24) hours after the occurrence of any amendment, modification, development, discussion or negotiation) of any such Company Takeover Proposal, inquiry, request, proposal or offer, including furnishing copies of any written inquiries, correspondence and draft documentation, and written summaries of any material oral inquiries or discussions.

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letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement (including an acquisition agreement, merger agreement, option agreement, expense reimbursement agreement, joint venture agreement or other agreement), commitment or agreement in principle with respect to, or that could reasonably be expected to lead to, any Company Takeover Proposal (other than an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement entered into in accordance with Section 6.4(b)) (a “Company Acquisition Agreement”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, prior to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, the Company Board, after considering the recommendation of the Company Special Committee, or the Company Special Committee may, in response to a Company Superior Proposal received by the Company after the date of this Agreement that did not result from a material breach of Section 6.4(a), (x) make a Change of Recommendation, or (y) cause the Company to validly terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 8.1(d)(ii) in order to enter into a binding Company Acquisition Agreement with respect to such Company Superior Proposal; provided that prior to making such Change of Recommendation or terminating this Agreement in accordance with Section 8.1(d)(ii), (A) the Company shall have given Parent at least five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice of its intention to take such action, including a summary of the material terms and conditions of, and the identity of the Person making any such Company Superior Proposal and contemporaneously provide to Parent a copy of the Company Superior Proposal and a copy of any proposed Company Acquisition Agreement and any other relevant transaction documents, (B) during such five (5)-Business Day period following the date on which such notice is received, the Company shall and shall cause its Representatives to, negotiate with Parent in good faith (to the extent Parent wishes to negotiate) to make such adjustments to the terms and conditions of this Agreement as Parent may propose, (C) upon the end of such notice period (or such subsequent notice period as contemplated by clause (D)), the Company Board (after considering the recommendation of the Company Special Committee) shall have considered in good faith any revisions to the terms of this Agreement proposed in writing by Parent, and shall have determined, after consultation with the Company’s independent financial advisor and outside legal counsel, that the Company Superior Proposal would nevertheless continue to constitute a Company Superior Proposal and the failure to make a Change of Recommendation or terminate this Agreement, as applicable, would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law, and (D) in the event of any change to any of the financial terms (including the form, amount and timing of payment of consideration) or any other material terms of such Company Superior Proposal, the Company shall, in each case, have delivered to Parent an additional notice consistent with that described in clause (A) above of this proviso and a new notice period under clause (A) of this proviso shall commence (provided that the notice period thereunder shall only be three (3) Business Days) during which time the Company shall be required to comply with the requirements of this Section 6.4(d) anew with respect to such additional notice, including clauses (A) through (D) above of this proviso. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall enter into any Company Acquisition Agreement unless this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms.

(e) Change of Recommendation in Response to Intervening Event. The foregoing notwithstanding, prior to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, the Company Board (after considering the recommendation of the Company Special Committee) may, in response to an Intervening Event, make a Change of Recommendation, and the Company Board (after considering the recommendation of the Company Special Committee) determines in good faith, after consultation with the Company’s independent financial advisor and outside legal counsel, that the failure of the Company Board, after considering the recommendation of the Company Special Committee, or the Company Special Committee to take such action would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law; provided, however, that the Company Board or the Company Special Committee shall not be entitled to effect such a Change of Recommendation until (i) the Company shall have given Parent at least five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice of its intention to effect such a Change of Recommendation and specifying the reasons therefor, which notice shall include a description the applicable Intervening Event in reasonable detail, (ii) during the five (5)-Business Day period following the date on which such notice is received, the Company shall and shall cause its Representatives to negotiate in good faith with Parent (to the extent Parent wishes to negotiate), to make adjustments to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and (iii) following the end of such five (5)-Business Day period, the Company Board (after considering the recommendation of the Company Special Committee) after consultation

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with the Company’s independent financial advisor and outside legal counsel and taking into account any revisions to the terms and conditions of this Agreement proposed by Parent, shall have determined in good faith that the failure of the Company Board (after considering the recommendation of the Company Special Committee) to make such a Change of Recommendation would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law.

(f) Nothing contained in this Section 6.4 shall prohibit the Company, the Company Board or a committee thereof, including the Company Special Committee, from (i) taking and disclosing to the stockholders of the Company a position contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a) or Rule 14d-9 promulgated under the Exchange Act, (ii) making any disclosure to the stockholders of the Company that is required by Law or stock exchange rule or listing agreement, (iii) complying with Item 1012(a) of Regulation M-A promulgated under the Exchange Act, (iv) informing any Person of the existence of the provisions contained in this Section 6.4 or (v) making any “stop, look and listen” communication to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to Rule 14d-9(f) under the Exchange Act (or any substantially similar communication); provided, however, that this Section 6.4(f) shall not be deemed to permit the Company Board to make a Change of Recommendation other than in accordance with Section 6.4(d) or Section 6.4(e). Nothing contained in this Section 6.4 shall be deemed to limit the proviso set forth in Section 6.8. In addition, it is understood and agreed that, for purposes of this Agreement, a factually accurate required public statement by the Company or the Company Board (or a committee thereof, including the Company Special Committee) that solely describes the Company’s receipt of a Company Takeover Proposal, the identity of the Person making such Company Takeover Proposal, the material terms of such Company Takeover Proposal and the operation of this Agreement with respect thereto will not be deemed to be (A) changing, qualifying, withholding, withdrawing or modifying, or a proposal by the Company Board (or a committee thereof, including the Company Special Committee) to change, qualify, withhold, withdraw or modify, the Recommendation, (B) an adoption, approval or recommendation with respect to such Company Takeover Proposal or (C) a Change of Recommendation.

(g) The Company agrees that any violation of the restrictions set forth in this Section 6.4 by any director or officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any financial advisor or legal counsel retained by or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, shall be deemed to be a breach of such restrictions by the Company.

(h) The parties agree that the provisions of paragraph 5 of the Confidentiality Agreement shall terminate immediately and no longer be in force and effect from and after the date of this Agreement.

6.5. Proxy Statement; Schedule 13E-3; Company Stockholders Meeting.

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the filing thereof (and any amendments or supplements thereto) or any responses or other communications to the SEC or its staff and shall in good faith consider such comments reasonably proposed by Parent for inclusion therein. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to resolve all SEC comments with respect to the Proxy Statement or the Schedule 13E-3 as promptly as practicable after receipt thereof and Parent shall provide all cooperation reasonably requested by the Company in connection therewith. The Company and Parent shall (i) provide each other with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on drafts of the Schedule 13E-3 prior to filing it with the SEC and (ii) include in the Schedule 13E-3 all comments reasonably proposed by the other party and its Representatives, and each of the Company and Parent agrees that all information relating to the other party, its Subsidiaries and its and their respective Representatives in the Schedule 13E-3 shall be in form and content satisfactory to such other party.

(b) If at any time prior to the Company Stockholders Meeting any information relating to the Company or Parent, or any of their respective Affiliates, is discovered by a party, which information should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement or the Schedule 13E-3, the party that discovers such information shall promptly notify the other party and the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to prepare (with the assistance of Parent) and mail to its stockholders such an amendment or supplement, in each case, to the extent required by applicable Law. The Company further agrees to use reasonable best efforts to cause the Proxy Statement or the Schedule 13E-3, as applicable, as so corrected or supplemented promptly to be filed with the SEC and to be disseminated to its stockholders, in each case as and to the extent required by applicable Law.

(c) The Company shall (i) take all actions required under the DGCL and the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws to duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its stockholders as promptly as reasonably practicable following the mailing of the Proxy Statement and the Schedule 13E-3 for the purpose of obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval (the “Company Stockholders Meeting”), and (ii) unless the Company Board has made a Change of Recommendation pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 6.4, use commercially reasonable efforts to solicit from its stockholders proxies in favor of the approval of this Agreement and approval of the Transactions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company will not be required to convene and hold the Company Stockholders Meeting at any time prior to the twentieth (20th) Business Day following the mailing of the Proxy Statement to the Company’s stockholders. The Company agrees that its obligations pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 6.5(c) shall not be affected by the commencement, public proposal, public disclosure or communication to the Company or any other Person of any Company Takeover Proposal or the occurrence of any Change of Recommendation.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) if requested by Parent on no more than two (2) occasions, the Company shall adjourn, delay or postpone the Company Stockholders Meeting (for a period of not more than thirty (30) calendar days), if Parent reasonably determines in good faith that the Company Stockholder Approval is unlikely to be obtained at the Company Stockholders Meeting, and (ii) the Company shall have the right to adjourn, delay or postpone the Company Stockholders Meeting (A) if the Company reasonably determines in good faith that the Company Stockholder Approval is unlikely to be obtained at the Company Stockholders Meeting, including due to an absence of quorum, then prior to the vote contemplated having been taken, for a period of not more than thirty (30) calendar days for each such adjournment, delay or postponement, for the purpose of soliciting additional votes in favor of obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, provided that the Company may not adjourn, postpone or delay the Company Stockholders Meeting more than a total of two (2) times pursuant to this clause (A) without the prior written consent of Parent, (B) to the extent necessary to ensure that any necessary supplement or amendment to the Proxy Statement is provided to the stockholders at least five (5) Business Days in advance of a vote on the adoption of this Agreement, and (C) in the event any Company Takeover Proposal is structured as a tender or exchange offer pursuant to Rule 14d-2 of the Exchange Act, to the extent necessary to ensure that the Company shall have ten (10) Business Days after the commencement thereof to take or disclose to the Company’s stockholders a position contemplated by Rule 14d-9 or Rule 14e-2(a) under the Exchange Act at least five (5) Business Days in advance of a vote on the adoption of this Agreement.

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6.6. Efforts.

(a) The Company, Parent and Merger Sub shall, and shall cause their respective Affiliates to, take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under any applicable Laws to consummate and make effective in the most expeditious manner possible the Transactions and to cause the conditions to the Transactions set forth in Article VII to be satisfied as promptly as practicable, including using all efforts to accomplish the following as promptly as reasonably practicable: (i) the preparation and filing of all forms, registrations and notifications to or with any Governmental Authority required to be filed to consummate the Transactions, (ii) satisfaction of the conditions to consummating the Transactions, (iii) taking of all actions necessary, proper or advisable to obtain (and to cooperate with each other in obtaining) any consent, authorization, expiration or termination of a waiting period, permit, Order or approval of, waiver or any exemption by, any Governmental Authority required to be obtained or made by the Company, Parent or Merger Sub or any of their respective Subsidiaries in connection with the Transactions or the taking of any action contemplated by this Agreement, and (iv) defending any lawsuits or other legal proceedings, whether judicial or administrative, challenging this Agreement or the consummation of the Transactions.

(b) Parent and the Company shall each keep the other apprised of the status of matters relating to the completion of the Transactions and work cooperatively in connection with obtaining all required consents, authorizations, Orders or approvals of, or any exemptions by, any Governmental Authority undertaken pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.6. In that regard, prior to the Closing, each party shall promptly consult with the other parties to this Agreement with respect to and provide any necessary information and assistance as the other parties may reasonably request with respect to (and, in the case of correspondence, provide the other parties (or their counsel) with copies of) all notices, submissions or filings made by or on behalf of such party or any of its Affiliates with any Governmental Authority or any other information supplied by or on behalf of such party or any of its Affiliates to, or correspondence with, any Person in connection with this Agreement and the Transactions. Each party to this Agreement shall promptly inform the other parties to this Agreement, and if in writing, furnish the other parties with copies of (or, in the case of oral communications, advise the other parties orally of) any communication from or to any Governmental Authority regarding the Transactions, and permit the other parties to review and discuss in advance, and consider in good faith the views of the other parties in connection with, any proposed communication or submission with any such Governmental Authority. No party or any of its Affiliates shall participate in any meeting or teleconference with any Governmental Authority in connection with this Agreement and the Transactions unless it consults with the other parties in advance and, to the extent not prohibited by such Governmental Authority, gives the other parties the opportunity to attend and participate thereat. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parent and the Company may, as each deems advisable and necessary, reasonably designate any competitively sensitive material provided to the other under this Section 6.6(b) as “Outside Counsel Only Material.” Such materials and the information contained therein shall be given only to the outside counsel of the recipient and will not be disclosed by such outside counsel to employees, officers or directors of the recipient unless express permission is obtained in advance from the source of the materials (Parent or the Company, as the case may be) or its legal counsel. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 6.6, materials provided pursuant to this Section 6.6 may be redacted (i) to remove references concerning the valuation or future plans of the Company and the Transactions, (ii) as necessary to comply with existing contractual obligations and (iii) as necessary to address reasonable privilege concerns; provided, that a party redacting materials shall use its reasonable best efforts to make appropriate substitute arrangements to permit reasonable disclosure of such information not in violation of any applicable Law, existing contractual obligation, or privilege.

6.7. Employee Matters.

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with: (i) at least the same annual base salary or base wage rate as in effect immediately prior to the Closing Date, and (ii) other employee benefits (excluding defined benefit pension, post-termination retiree or medical, nonqualified deferred compensation, retention, change in control and similar arrangements and benefits) that are comparable in the aggregate to such employee benefits provided under the Company Benefit Plans in which the Continuing Employee participated immediately prior to the Closing Date, in each case based on the compensation and benefit information disclosed in Section 4.10 of the Company Disclosure Letter. Without limiting the immediately preceding sentence, Parent shall provide, or shall cause its Subsidiaries to provide, for the one (1)-year period immediately following the Closing Date, each Continuing Employee with severance benefits equal to the greater of (i) the severance benefits for which such Continuing Employee was eligible as of immediately prior to the Closing Date (as disclosed on Section 6.7(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter), and (ii) the severance benefits provided for under the severance arrangements of Parent and its Subsidiaries for similarly situated employees of Parent and its Subsidiaries.

(b) Parent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to recognize periods of employment of Continuing Employees with the Company or its Affiliates to the same extent and for the same purposes as recognized under any comparable Company Benefit Plan of the Company and its Affiliates, including their predecessor entities, for purposes of (i) eligibility for participation, (ii) vesting, and (iii) determining level of benefits of the corresponding employee benefit plan (excluding any plan providing for defined benefit pension, nonqualified deferred compensation, retention, equity or equity-based compensation, or post-termination or retiree health or welfare benefits) offered by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to the Continuing Employees during the calendar year in which the Closing Date occurs; provided, however, that Parent and its Affiliates shall not be required to recognize such service to the extent such credit would result in duplication of benefits or compensation. Additionally, during the applicable plan year in which the Closing Date occurs, Parent shall, or cause one of its Subsidiaries to use commercially reasonable efforts to (A) waive any pre-existing condition limitations under all applicable group health care plans of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to the extent such condition was satisfied or waived under the comparable Company Benefit Plan prior to the Closing Date and (B) credit all Continuing Employees and their eligible dependents with all payments credited against out-of-pocket maximums and deductible payments and co-payments paid by such Person, in each case under the Company Benefit Plan providing health coverage during the portion of the plan year prior to the Closing Date for the purpose of determining the extent to which any such Person has satisfied his or her deductible and whether he or she has reached the out-of-pocket maximum under any health insurance plans of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries for such plan year.

(c) Parent shall, or shall cause its Subsidiaries to, assume and honor all Company Benefit Plans (other than the Company Equity Plan) set forth on Section 4.10(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter in accordance with their terms.

(d) If requested by Parent in writing not less than ten (10) Business Days before the Closing Date, the Company Board (or the appropriate committee thereof) shall adopt resolutions and take such corporate action as is necessary to terminate the Company’s 401(k) plan (the “Company 401(k) Plan”), effective as of the day prior to the Closing Date. The form and substance of such resolutions and any other actions taken in connection with the foregoing termination shall be subject to the review and approval of Parent (which review and approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). If the Company 401(k) Plan is terminated in connection with the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.7(d), then not later than ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, Parent shall, or shall cause one of its Subsidiaries to make available to Continuing Employees a defined contribution plan (the “Buyer’s 401(k) Plan”). Continuing Employees who, after the Closing Date, receive an eligible rollover distribution (within the meaning of section 402(f)(2) of the Code) from the Company’s 401(k) Plan shall, subject to the provisions of section 402 of the Code, be permitted to make a rollover contribution to the Buyer’s 401(k) Plan. To the extent that, pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.7(d), if a Continuing Employee is eligible to make a rollover contribution of a direct rollover distribution (within the meaning of section 401(a)(31) of the Code and the regulations thereunder) to the Buyer’s 401(k) Plan, such rollover contribution may include promissory notes for loans made to such Continuing Employee under the terms of the Company 401(k) Plan.

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(e) Nothing in this Section 6.7 shall (i) be treated as the establishment of, an amendment of, or undertaking to establish or amend, any Company Benefit Plan or any other compensation benefit plan, program, policy, agreement or arrangement or (ii) prohibit Parent or any of its Affiliates from establishing, amending, modifying or terminating any Company Benefit Plan or any other compensation or benefit plan, program, policy, agreement or arrangement or from terminating or modifying the employment or engagement of any Continuing Employee or other service provider. The provisions of this Section 6.7 are solely for the benefit of the respective parties to this Agreement and nothing in this Section 6.7, express or implied, shall confer upon any Continuing Employee, or legal Representative or beneficiary thereof or other Person, any rights or remedies, including third-party beneficiary right or any right to employment or continued employment (or any particular term or condition of employment) for any specified period, or compensation or benefits of any nature or kind whatsoever under this Agreement or a right of any employee or beneficiary of such employee or other Person under any other compensation or employee benefit plan, program, policy, agreement or arrangement that such employee or beneficiary or other Person would not otherwise have under the terms of any such benefit plan without regard to this Agreement.

6.8. Public Announcements. The Company and Parent agree that the initial press release to be issued with respect to the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall be joint and in a form agreed to by the parties and the parties shall consult with each other before issuing any subsequent press release or making any other public announcement with respect to this Agreement and the Transactions and shall not issue any such press release or make any such public announcement without the prior consent of the other party (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned); provided that (a) a party may, without the prior consent of the other party (but after prior consultation, to the extent practicable in the circumstances) issue such press release or make such public announcement to the extent required by applicable Law or the applicable rules of any stock exchange or by any regulatory authority, (b) each of the Company and Parent may make press releases or public communications concerning this Agreement and the Transactions that consist solely of information previously disclosed in previous press releases or announcements made by Parent and/or the Company in compliance with this Section 6.8 and (c) each of the Company and Parent may make any public statements in response to questions by the press, analysts, investors or analysts or those participating in investor calls or industry conferences, so long as such statements consist solely of information previously disclosed in previous press releases, public disclosures or public statements made by Parent and/or the Company in compliance with this Section 6.8; provided, further, that the Company may issue press releases or make public announcements with respect to any Company Takeover Proposal or from and after a Change of Recommendation (but without limiting the Company’s obligations under Section 6.4 of this Agreement) without consulting with, or obtaining the prior consent of, Parent.

6.9.

Indemnification and Insurance.

(a) For not less than six (6) years from and after the Effective Time, Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation, to the extent permitted by applicable Laws and the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company in effect as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, to: (i) indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Company) (each, a “D&O Claim”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Company (each, a “Covered Person”), or while a director or officer of the Company is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including any Subsidiary of the Company), against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding; and (ii) pay, on behalf of such Covered Person, expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by such Covered Person in defending any D&O Claim for which such Covered Person may be entitled to indemnification under this Section 6.9, in advance of the final disposition of such D&O Claim, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person to repay such amounts if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Surviving Corporation as authorized in this Section 6.9. In the event of any such D&O Claim, Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall cooperate with the Covered Person in the defense of any such D&O Claim.

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All rights to indemnification and advancement conferred hereunder shall continue as to a Person who has ceased to be a director, officer or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries after the date hereof and shall inure to the benefit of such Person’s heirs, successors, executors and personal and legal Representatives.

(b) For not less than six (6) years from and after the Effective Time, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation shall contain provisions no less favorable with respect to exculpation, limitations on liability of Covered Persons, indemnification of and advancement of expenses to Covered Persons than are set forth as of the date hereof in the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if any D&O Claim (whether arising before, at or after the Effective Time) is made against such Persons with respect to matters subject to indemnification hereunder on or prior to the sixth (6th) anniversary of the Effective Time, the provisions of this Section 6.9(a) shall continue in effect until the final disposition of such D&O Claim. Following the Effective Time, the indemnification Contracts in existence on the date of this Agreement set forth on Section 6.9(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter with any of the Covered Persons shall be assumed by the Surviving Corporation, without any further action, and shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with their terms.

(c) The Company will cause to be put in place, and Parent shall fully prepay immediately prior to the Effective Time a six (6)-year prepaid “tail” insurance policy (which policy by its express terms shall survive the Merger) of at least the same coverage and amounts and containing terms and conditions that are no less favorable to the covered individuals as the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ existing directors’ and officers’ insurance policy or policies with a claims period of six (6) years from the Effective Time for D&O Claims arising from facts, acts, events or omissions that occurred on or prior to the Effective Time. If the Company fails to obtain such tail policy prior to the Effective Time, Parent or the Surviving Corporation shall obtain such a tail policy. Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall cause any such policy (whether obtained by Parent, the Company or the Surviving Corporation) to be maintained in full force and effect, for its full term, and Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation to honor all its obligations thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall Parent, the Company or the Surviving Corporation be required to pay annual premiums for insurance under this Section 6.9(c) in excess of 300% of the amount of the annual premiums paid by the Company for fiscal year 2022 for such purpose, it being understood that Parent shall nevertheless be obligated to provide as much coverage as may be obtained for such 300% amount.

(d) In the event that Parent or the Surviving Corporation (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) sells all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then proper provision shall be made so that such continuing or surviving corporation or entity or transferee of such assets, as the case may be, shall assume the obligations set forth in this Section 6.9.

(e) The obligations under this Section 6.9 shall not be terminated or modified in any manner that is adverse to any Covered Persons (and their respective successors and assigns), it being expressly agreed that each Covered Person (including their respective successors and assigns) shall be a third-party beneficiary of this Section 6.9. In the event of any breach by the Surviving Corporation or Parent of this Section 6.9, the Surviving Corporation shall pay all reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, that may be incurred by Covered Persons in enforcing the indemnity and other obligations provided in this Section 6.9 as such fees are incurred, upon the written request of such Covered Person.

6.10. Financing.

(a) Obligations of Parent.

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Financing contemplated by the Debt Financing Commitments (including any flex provisions applicable thereto) at or prior to the Closing, and execute and deliver to the Company a copy of any material definitive agreements promptly following such execution, (C) promptly pay all commitment or other fees and amounts that become due and payable under or with respect to the Debt Financing Commitments as they become due and payable, (D) satisfy on a timely basis (or obtain a waiver of) all conditions to funding applicable to Parent and Merger Sub under the Debt Financing Commitments, and (E) enforce their rights under the Debt Financing Commitments, including seeking specific performance of the parties thereunder.

(ii) Parent and Merger Sub shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to, prior to the Closing Date, (A) consummate the Preferred Stock Transactions on the terms set forth in the Purchase Agreement and the Contribution Agreement and (B) arrange, consummate and obtain additional debt and/or equity financing on terms reasonably acceptable to Parent (which may include, for the avoidance of doubt, additional sales of Parent Preferred Stock pursuant to the Purchase Agreement) the proceeds of which will, when taken together with the aggregate proceeds contemplated by the Committed Debt Financing, the Preferred Stock Transactions and other financial resources of Parent and Merger Sub, including cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries on the Closing Date, be sufficient for Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger upon the terms contemplated by this Agreement and pay all related fees and expenses (such additional debt and/or equity financing, the “Additional Financing”), including reasonable best efforts to (1) negotiate applicable Additional Financing Documents, (2) promptly pay all commitment or other fees and amounts that become due and payable under or with respect to the Additional Financing as they become due and payable, (3) satisfy on a timely basis all conditions to funding applicable to Parent and Merger Sub under the Purchase Agreement, the Contribution Agreement and the Additional Financing Documents, and (4) enforce their rights under the Purchase Agreement, the Contribution Agreement and the Additional Financing Documents, including seeking specific performance of the parties thereunder. Parent shall keep the Company informed on a reasonably current basis in reasonable detail of the status of its efforts to arrange and obtain the Additional Financing. Parent and Merger Sub shall comply with all the terms and conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement, the Contribution Agreement and the Additional Financing Documents. The Additional Financing Documents shall acknowledge the Company’s right to seek the specific performance contemplated by Section 9.6(b). Upon the execution and delivery of any Additional Financing Document, Parent and Merger Sub shall be deemed to have made, on the date of such execution and delivery, all of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5.8 with respect to such Additional Financing Document and the applicable portion of the Additional Financing, mutatis mutandis (it being understood that, where any representation or warranty in Section 5.8 is expressly qualified by a specific date, such date for purposes of this sentence shall be the date of such execution and delivery).

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(including by making the conditions to obtaining the Committed Debt Financing less likely to occur) or otherwise prevent or delay or impair the ability or likelihood of Parent and Merger Sub to timely consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or adversely affect the ability of Parent and Merger Sub to enforce their rights against the other parties to the Debt Financing Commitments relative to the ability of Parent and Merger Sub to enforce their rights against such other parties to the Debt Financing Commitments as in effect on the date hereof; provided, that Parent and Merger Sub may modify, supplement or amend the Debt Financing Commitments to add Financing Sources, lead arrangers, bookrunners, syndication agents or similar entities that have not executed the Debt Financing Commitments as of the date hereof, to the extent that such modification, supplement or amendment does not result in any of the circumstances set forth in clauses (A) through (C) above. Subject to the foregoing, if new Debt Financing Commitments are entered into in accordance with any amendment, replacement, supplement or other modification of the Debt Financing Commitments permitted pursuant to this Section 6.10, such new commitment letters will be deemed to be a part of the “Committed Debt Financing” and deemed to be the “Debt Financing Commitments” for all purposes of this Agreement. Parent will promptly deliver to the Company copies of any termination, amendment, modification, waiver or replacement of any Debt Financing Commitment or any related documents (including fee letters, which letters may be delivered in redacted form removing fee amounts, flex provisions, pricing terms and pricing caps). Parent and Merger Sub shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to refrain from taking, directly or indirectly, any action that could reasonably be expected to result in a failure of any of the conditions contained in the Debt Financing Commitments or in any definitive agreement related to the Committed Debt Financing. Parent shall keep the Company informed on a reasonably current basis in reasonable detail of the status of its efforts to arrange the Committed Debt Financing.

(iv) In the event that any portion of any of the Committed Debt Financing becomes unavailable or Parent or Merger Sub becomes aware of any event or circumstance that makes any portion of the Committed Debt Financing unavailable on the terms and conditions (including the flex provisions) contemplated in the Debt Financing Commitments, Parent shall promptly notify the Company and Parent and Merger Sub shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to arrange to obtain alternative financing from alternative sources on terms not materially less beneficial, in the aggregate, to Parent (as determined in the reasonable judgment of Parent), in an amount sufficient to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and any related fees and expenses, as promptly as practicable following the occurrence of such event (the “Alternative Financing”). Parent shall deliver to the Company true, correct and complete copies of all agreements entered into with any such alternative source in connection with the Alternative Financing promptly following the execution thereof; provided, however, that Parent shall be permitted to redact fee amounts, flex provisions, pricing terms and pricing caps from any fee letters required to be delivered pursuant to this sentence. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to require Parent or Merger Sub to (A) bring any Litigation against any source of any Committed Debt Financing to enforce its rights under the Debt Financing Commitments, (B) seek or accept Alternative Financing on terms less favorable than the terms and conditions described in the Debt Financing Commitments (including the exercise of flex provisions) as determined in the reasonable judgment of Parent (upon prior consultation with the Company, and with Parent taking the Company’s comments into account in good faith) or (C) pay any fees in excess of those contemplated by the Debt Financing Commitments (whether to secure a waiver of any conditions contained therein or otherwise).

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any actual or anticipatory breach, or any default, termination or repudiation by any party to the Debt Financing Commitments or applicable definitive agreements related to all or any portion of the Committed Debt Financing of any provisions of the Debt Financing Commitments or definitive agreements related to the Committed Debt Financing, and (C) at any time for any reason Parent believes in good faith that it will not be able to obtain all or any portion of the Committed Debt Financing on the terms and conditions of, or in the manner or from the sources contemplated by, the Debt Financing Commitments or applicable definitive agreements related to the Committed Debt Financing. As soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event within two (2) Business Days of the delivery by the Company to Parent of a written request therefor, Parent shall provide any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to any circumstance referred to in clause (A), (B) or (C) of the immediately preceding sentence.

(vi) If any Debt Financing Commitment is amended, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified, including as a result of obtaining Alternative Financing in accordance with Section 6.10(a)(iv), or if Parent substitutes other financing for all or a portion of the Committed Debt Financing, Parent and Merger Sub shall comply with their respective covenants in this Section 6.10 with respect to the Debt Financing Commitment as so amended, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified and with respect to such other financing to the same extent that Parent and Merger Sub would have been obligated to comply with respect to the Committed Debt Financing.

(vii) Prior to the Closing, Parent shall not (and shall not permit any of its Affiliates or Representatives to) take any action, or enter into any transaction, or any agreement to effect any transaction that would reasonably be expected to (A) delay or impair the availability of the Committed Debt Financing at Closing or impede the satisfaction of the conditions to obtaining the Committed Debt Financing at the Closing or (B) otherwise adversely impact the ability of Parent to enforce its rights against the other parties to the Debt Financing Commitments or the definitive agreements with respect thereto.

(viii) For purposes of this Agreement, references to “Debt Financing” shall include the financing contemplated by the Debt Financing Commitments as permitted to be amended or modified by this Section 6.10(a) and references to “Debt Financing Commitments” shall include such documents as permitted to be amended or modified by this Section 6.10(a).

(ix) On or before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 27, 2024, Parent shall deliver to the Company evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company, including customary bank statements and other records of deposit, that (i) the bank account set forth on Section 6.10(a)(ix) of the Parent Disclosure Letter (the “Additional Financing Bank Account”) contains an amount of cash available for withdrawal equal to or greater than $200,000,000 minus the amount of Escrow Funds as of such date and (ii) the Persons authorized to draw on the Additional Financing Bank Account or to have access thereto are solely those Persons set forth on Section 6.10(a)(ix) of the Parent Disclosure Letter (such evidence, the “Evidence of Funding”). Following Parent’s delivery of such evidence in accordance with the foregoing, Merger Sub shall, and Parent shall cause Merger Sub to, at all times prior to the earlier of the Effective Time and the date on which this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Section 8.1, (A) maintain an amount of cash in the Additional Financing Bank Account available for withdrawal equal to or greater than $200,000,000 minus the amount of Escrow Funds as of any such date and (B) not authorize any Person to draw on the Additional Financing Bank Account or otherwise have access thereto unless otherwise consented to in writing by the Company.

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customary materials for rating agency presentations, information memoranda, lender and investor presentations and similar documents in connection with the Financing; (iii) furnishing Parent, Merger Sub and the Financing Sources with financial, due diligence, and other pertinent information (including the most recent field examinations, collateral audits and asset appraisals and surveys regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries and any financial statements required to satisfy the conditions in the Debt Financing Commitments) as may be reasonably requested by Parent; (iv) assist in the review of disclosure schedules related to the Financing for completeness and accuracy; (v) executing and delivering, as of the Effective Time, any definitive financing documents, security documents and any certificates, documents or instruments ancillary to the Financing and otherwise reasonably facilitating the pledging of, and granting and perfecting of Liens in, the collateral securing the Debt Financing; (vi) taking all actions necessary to permit the Financing Sources to conduct audit examinations, appraisals, surveys, and other evaluations with respect to the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ current assets, properties, rights, inventory and other collateral, and to evaluate its cash management and accounting systems, policies and procedures relating thereto; (vii) to the extent requested in writing at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, furnishing all documentation and other information required by regulators and authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering Laws and regulations, including the PATRIOT Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation at 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230; (viii) supplement the information provided pursuant to this Section 6.10(b) on a reasonably current basis to the extent that any the information previously provided pursuant to this Section 6.10(b), to the Knowledge of the Company, when taken as a whole, contains untrue statement(s) of a material fact or omits to state any material fact(s) necessary in order to make such information not misleading; and (ix) except as otherwise stated in this Agreement, taking all corporate or other actions, and providing such other assistance, necessary or reasonably requested by Parent to permit the consummation of the Financing and the proceeds thereof to be made available to Parent on the Closing Date to consummate the Merger. The Company hereby consents to the use of its and its Subsidiaries’ logos in connection with the Financing; provided, however, that such logos are used solely in a manner that is not intended to, or reasonably likely not to, harm or disparage the Company or the reputation or goodwill of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 6.10(b) shall require the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives to (1) provide any cooperation to the extent it would interfere unreasonably with the business or operations of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives, (2) pay any commitment or similar fee in connection with such Financing, (3) enter into any agreement, document or instrument in connection with the Financing that is effective or binding prior to the Effective Time (other than customary representation letters and authorization letters in connection with bank information memoranda and notices of prepayment), (4) provide any cooperation, or take any action, that, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, could cause the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives to incur any actual or potential liability in connection with the Financing or any of the foregoing (except in the case of the Company and its Subsidiaries at or after the Effective Time), (5) provide any cooperation, or take any action, that, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, would result in a violation of any confidentiality arrangement or material agreement or the loss of any attorney-client or other similar privilege; provided that in such instances the Company shall inform Parent of the general nature of the information being withheld and, upon Parent’s request, exercise commercially reasonable efforts to provide such information, in whole or in part, in a manner that would not result in any of the outcomes described in this clause (5), (6) make any representation or warranty prior to the Effective Time in connection with the Financing or the marketing or arrangement thereof (other than as contained in customary representation letters and authorization letters in connection with bank information memoranda (including customary 10b-5 and material non-public information representations)), (7) provide any cooperation, or take any action, that would cause any representation or warranty in this Agreement to be breached or any condition to the Closing set forth in this Agreement to fail to be satisfied, (8) cause any member of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives to adopt or approve any written consent, resolution or similar approval in respect of the Financing or any agreements or instruments entered into in connection therewith that are effective prior to the Effective Time, or (9) provide any cooperation, or take any action, following the Closing. 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under this Section 6.10(b), shall be deemed satisfied unless the Company commits a Willful Breach of its obligations under this Section 6.10(b). Parent shall indemnify the Company, each of its Subsidiaries and each of their respective Affiliates and Representatives against, be liable to such Person for and hold each such Person harmless from, any and all judgments, fines, loses, claims, damages, liabilities or fees, costs or expenses (including reasonable fees, costs and expenses of counsel, accountants and other advisors, but in all cases excluding all internal costs and expenses of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including any compensation payable to Company employees) (collectively, “Losses”) incurred or suffered by any such Person under or in connection with the Financing or any of their cooperation or assistance with respect to the Financing or the provision of any information utilized in connection therewith or otherwise arising from the Financing, except to the extent such Losses are caused by fraud, bad faith, gross negligence, or willful misconduct by the Company or any of its Affiliates or Representatives. Parent shall from time to time, promptly upon request by the Company, reimburse the Company, each of its Subsidiaries and each of their respective Affiliates and Representatives for any and all reasonable, documented out-of-pocket fees, costs or expenses (including reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses of counsel, accountants and other advisors) incurred by any of them in connection with any of their cooperation or assistance with respect to the Financing or the provision of any information utilized in connection therewith or otherwise arising from the Additional Financing including such cooperation and assistance contemplated by this Section 6.10(b).

(c) Parent and Merger Sub acknowledge and agree that, except as set forth in Section 7.2(d), the obtaining of any financing by Parent or any of its Affiliates is not a condition to the Closing.

6.11. Exchange Delisting. Prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall cooperate with Parent and use commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and do or cause to be done all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable on its part under applicable Laws and rules and policies of the NYSE American to enable the delisting by the Surviving Corporation of the Common Stock from the NYSE American and the deregistration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act as promptly as practicable after the Effective Time.

6.12. Transaction Litigation. The Company shall provide Parent prompt notice of any Litigation brought by any stockholder of the Company or purported stockholder of the Company against the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective directors or officers relating to the Transactions, and shall keep Parent informed on a reasonably prompt basis with respect to the status thereof. The Company shall give Parent the opportunity to participate (at Parent’s expense) in the defense or settlement of any such Litigation and reasonably cooperate with Parent in conducting the defense or settlement of such Litigation, and no such settlement or any disclosure in connection therewith shall be agreed without Parent’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). In the event of, and to the extent of, any conflict or overlap between the provisions of this Section 6.12 and Section 6.2 or Section 6.6, the provisions of this Section 6.12 shall control.

6.13. Rule 16b-3. During the Interim Period, the Company shall take all such reasonable steps as may be necessary to cause any dispositions of Company equity securities pursuant to the Transactions by each individual (including any Person who is deemed to be a “director by deputization” under applicable securities Laws) who is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act with respect to the Company to be exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, such steps to be taken in accordance with applicable SEC rules and regulations and interpretations of the SEC staff.

6.14. Takeover Law. Neither Parent nor the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall take any action that would cause any Takeover Law to become applicable to this Agreement and the Transactions, and each of Parent and the Company shall take all necessary steps within its control to exempt (or ensure the continued exemption of) the Transactions from any applicable Takeover Law now or hereafter in effect. If any Takeover Law may become, or may purport to be, applicable to the Transactions, each of Parent and the Company shall promptly take such reasonable actions as are necessary so that the Transactions may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated hereby and to otherwise act to eliminate or minimize the effects of any Takeover Law on any of the Transactions.

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letter with respect to each of the Existing Credit Agreement and (b) other customary documents relating to the release of any Liens securing, and guarantees of, the Existing Credit Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall this Section 6.15 require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to cause any such payoff letter or releases to be effective unless and until the Effective Time has occurred and Parent has provided or caused to be provided to the Company or its Subsidiaries funds to pay in full the then-outstanding principal amount of and accrued and unpaid interest and fees under the Existing Credit Agreement.

6.16. Resignations. Upon Parent’s written request at least five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be delivered to Parent resignations executed by each director of the Company Board and each officer of the Company in office as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, subject to, and effective upon, the Effective Time.

6.17. Termination of Affiliate Contracts. The Company shall cause all Affiliate Contracts set forth on Section 6.17 of the Company Disclosure Letter to be terminated on or prior to the Closing.

6.18. Approval of Sole Stockholder of Merger Sub. Immediately following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Parent (as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub) shall execute and deliver, in accordance with applicable Law and Merger Sub’s Organizational Documents, a written consent approving this Agreement, and immediately thereafter shall provide evidence thereof to the Company.

6.19. Control of Operations. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall give Parent, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the Company’s operations prior to the Effective Time. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision over its operations.

6.20. Certain Interim Period Operations.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 6.2 but subject in all respects to Section 6.19, during the Interim Period, the Company will (a) keep Parent fully apprised of any drilling, re-drilling, completion or other material operations proposed or conducted by the Company or its Affiliates with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties that are subject to the Specified Development Obligations, including (i) providing Parent with reasonably detailed daily drilling reports with respect to such Specified Development Obligations, (ii) promptly providing Parent with copies of any data provided to the Company with respect to such Specified Development Obligations, (iii) providing Parent with weekly mud logs reports with respect to such Specified Development Obligations and (iv) providing Parent with copies of, or reasonably detailed information with respect to, any logging programs implemented in connection with the Specified Development Obligations, in each case to enable Parent to monitor the progress of the Company and its Affiliates in respect of the Specified Development Obligations, (b) implement any changes or suggestions reasonably proposed by Parent regarding actions to be taken in connection with the Company’s compliance with the Specified Development Obligations, (c) use commercially reasonable efforts to complete the Specified Development Obligations in accordance with their terms, (d) not, and will cause its Affiliates not to, without the prior written approval of Parent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), make or commit to make any capital expenditures with respect to the Specified Development Obligations that the Company reasonably anticipates will individually or in the aggregate require capital expenditures of $100,000 or more, and (e) provide Parent with prompt written notice in the event that the Company reasonably expects to exceed any capital expenditure previously approved by Parent pursuant to this Section 6.20, which excess shall also require the prior written approval of Parent pursuant to clause (d).

(b) Parent and the Company hereby agree that any termination of the Oil and Gas Lease affecting the Oil and Gas Properties that are subject to the Specified Development Obligations, as a result of any breach of such Specified Development Obligations, by the Company or any of its Affiliates shall constitute a Company Material Adverse Effect.

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rig to be on site at the Hutchings Sealy #4 Well no later than 10 days following such rig release and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to sidetrack the Hutchings Sealy #4 Well prior to the Closing Date.

6.21. Novation of Derivative Transactions. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide all cooperation reasonably requested by Parent in connection with the novation of the Company’s existing Derivative Transactions listed on Section 6.21 of the Company Disclosure Letter from the bank counterparties party to such existing Derivative Transactions to Parent’s designated hedge counterparties (as applicable), such novation to be effective as of the Effective Time and at the sole cost and expense of Parent.

6.22. Amendment of the Series A-1 Certificate of Designation. Consistent with Section 5.15 of the Contribution Agreement, the Company shall, prior to the Effective Time, (a) amend the Series A-1 Certificate of Designation as set forth in Exhibit E (such amendment, the “Series A-1 Amendment”), and (b) file the Series A-1 Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the DGCL. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company shall take all actions reasonably necessary to obtain all requisite corporate approvals for the Series A-1 Amendment, including the approval of the Special Committee and the Company Board and all required approvals from holders of Series A-1 Preferred Stock.

ARTICLE VII

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE MERGER

7.1. Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations. The obligations of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub to complete the Closing and effect the Merger under Article III of this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent on or before the Effective Time:

(a) No Prohibition. No Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction shall have, after the date of this Agreement, (i) enacted, issued or promulgated any Law that is in effect or (ii) issued or granted any Order or injunction (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that is in effect, in each case which has the effect of restraining, enjoining or prohibiting the consummation of the Merger.

(b) Stockholder Approval. The Company Stockholder Approval shall have been obtained.

7.2. Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub. (a) The obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to complete the Closing and effect the Merger under Article III of this Agreement are further subject to the satisfaction (or waiver in writing by Parent and Merger Sub) of the following conditions precedent on or before the Effective Time:

(i) The representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Sections 4.1(c)(i)-(iii), shall be true and correct (except for any de minimis inaccuracies) as of the date hereof, and as of the Closing Date as though made as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty speaks as of any earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date);

(ii) The representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 4.1(a), Section 4.1(c)(iv), Section 4.2, Section 4.3(g)(iii), Sections 4.1(d) and (e) and Section 4.20 shall be true and correct as of the date hereof, and as of the Closing Date as though made as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty speaks as of any earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date) in each case in all respects;

(iii) The representations and warranties of the Company set forth in the second sentence of Section 4.15 shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date hereof, and as of the Closing Date as though made as of the Closing Date; and

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made on and as of such date and time (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty speaks as of any earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except, in each case, for such failures to be true and correct as have not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The Company shall have duly performed and complied with, in all material respects, the covenants, obligations and agreements contained in this Agreement to be performed and complied with by it at or prior to the Closing.

(c) Parent and Merger Sub shall have received a certificate executed on behalf of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer confirming that the conditions set forth in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 7.2 have been duly satisfied.

(d) The Preferred Stock Transactions shall have been consummated by the Insider Stockholders on the terms set forth in the Purchase Agreement and the Contribution Agreement.

(e) The Series A-1 Amendment shall have been approved by all necessary corporate actions under applicable Law, and shall have been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware pursuant to the DGCL.

7.3. Conditions to Obligations of the Company. The obligation of the Company to complete the Closing and effect the Merger are further subject to the satisfaction (or waiver in writing by the Company) of the following conditions precedent on or before the Effective Time:

(a) The representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub contained in this Agreement (including those referenced in Section 6.10(a)(ii)) shall be true and correct as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date (without giving effect to any “materiality” or “Parent Material Adverse Effect” qualifiers) as though made on and as of such date and time (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty speaks as of any earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except, in each case, for such failures to be true and correct as have not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Parent and Merger Sub shall have duly performed and complied with, in all material respects, the respective covenants, obligations and agreements contained in this Agreement to be performed and complied with by Parent and Merger Sub at or prior to the Closing.

(c) The Company shall have received a certificate executed on behalf of Parent by its Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer confirming that the conditions set forth in Section 7.3(a) and Section 7.3(b) have been duly satisfied.

7.4. Frustration of Closing Conditions. None of the Company, Parent or Merger Sub may rely, as a basis for not consummating the transactions contemplated hereby, on the failure of any condition set forth in this Article VII to be satisfied if such failure was caused by such party’s breach of this Agreement.

ARTICLE VIII

TERMINATION

8.1. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time on or prior to the Closing Date:

(a) With the mutual written consent of each of the Company and Parent at any time prior to the Effective Time;

(b) By written notice of either the Company or Parent, if the Closing shall not have occurred on or before 11:59 p.m. Central Time on April 12, 2024 (such date, the “Termination Date”); provided that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(b) will not be available to any party that has breached in any material respect any provision of this Agreement in any manner that shall have been the primary cause of the failure of the Closing to occur on or before the Termination Date (it

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being understood that a breach of this Agreement by Merger Sub shall be deemed to be a breach by Parent for all purposes of this Agreement);

(c) By written notice of either the Company or Parent, if (i) any permanent injunction or other judgment or Order issued by any court of competent jurisdiction or other legal or regulatory restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Transactions will be in effect, or any action has been taken by any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction, that, in each case, prohibits, makes illegal or enjoins the consummation of the Transactions and has become final and non-appealable; or (ii) any statute, rule, regulation or Order will have been enacted, entered, enforced or deemed applicable to the Transactions and is in effect that prohibits, makes illegal or enjoins the consummation of the Transactions, except that that neither the Company nor Parent may terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(c) unless such party has used its best efforts to remove such injunction and the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(c) will not be available to any party that has breached in any material respect any provision of this Agreement in any manner that was the primary cause of the issuance of such Order;

(d) By written notice of the Company:

(i) prior to the Closing, if Parent or Merger Sub shall have breached or failed to perform any of their respective representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform (A) would give rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Section 7.1 or Section 7.3 to be satisfied and (B) is incapable of being cured or, if curable, has not been cured, by Parent or Merger Sub prior to the earlier of the (x) Termination Date and (y) thirtieth (30th) Business Day after its receipt of written notice thereof from the Company; provided that the Company shall not have breached or failed to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement so as to cause the closing conditions in Section 7.1 and Section 7.2 not to be satisfied;

(ii) prior to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, in accordance with, and subject to compliance in all respects with the terms and conditions of Section 6.4(d), in order to enter into a Company Acquisition Agreement to effect a Company Superior Proposal (with such Company Acquisition Agreement being entered into substantially concurrently with the termination of this Agreement); provided that concurrently with such termination, the Company pays the Company Termination Fee pursuant to Section 8.3(b);

(iii) if the Merger shall not have been consummated on or before the date required by Section 2.2, all of the conditions set forth in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 would be satisfied (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing; provided, that if the condition set forth in Section 7.2(d) is not satisfied due, in whole or in part, to Parent and Merger Sub’s failure to obtain all or any portion of the Debt Financing or the Additional Financing, then such condition shall be deemed satisfied for purposes of this Section 8.1(d)(iii)) or waived and continued to be so satisfied or waived at the time of such termination if the Closing were held at the time of such termination, and the Company stood ready, willing and able to consummate the Merger on the date required by Section 2.2 at the time of termination;

(iv) if Parent fails to deliver Qualifying Additional Financing Documents to the Company on or before the later of (A) 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 12, 2024 or (B) the date that the Company causes the definitive Proxy Statement to be mailed to the Company’s stockholders;

(v) if Parent fails to deliver the Evidence of Funding to the Company on or before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 27, 2024; or

(vi) if Parent fails to consummate the Full Escrow Funding on or before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on January 23, 2024.

(e) By written notice of Parent:

(i) prior to the Closing, if the Company shall have breached or failed to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement (other

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than with respect to a breach of or failure to perform any covenant or agreement set forth in Section 6.4 or a Willful Breach of any covenant or agreement set forth in Section 6.5 or Section 6.22, as to which clause (iii) below shall apply), which breach or failure to perform (A) would give rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Section 7.1 or Section 7.2 to be satisfied, and (B) is incapable of being cured or, if curable, has not been cured, by the Company prior to the earlier of the (x) Termination Date and (y) thirtieth (30th) Business Day after its receipt of written notice thereof from Parent; provided that Parent or Merger Sub shall not have breached or failed to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement so as to cause the closing conditions in Sections 7.1 and 7.3 not to be satisfied;

(ii) prior to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, if a Change of Recommendation shall have occurred; provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(e)(ii) will not be available to Parent if such right is not exercised within five (5) Business Days after such Change of Recommendation shall have occurred; or

(iii) prior to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, if the Company shall have breached or failed to perform any of its covenants and agreements set forth in Section 6.4 in any material respect or committed a Willful Breach of any of its covenants or agreements set forth in Section 6.5 or Section 6.22.

(f) By written notice of either the Company or Parent, if the Company Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained at the Company Stockholders Meeting duly convened therefor (including any adjournments or postponements thereof permitted by this Agreement), in each case, at which a vote on the approval of this Agreement was taken.

8.2. Expenses; Transfer Taxes.

(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, each party hereto shall bear its own expenses in connection with this Agreement and the Transactions.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.3(b), all transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, property, conveyancing, value added, goods and services, registration and other such Taxes and related fees or costs imposed on or payable in connection with the Transactions (“Transfer Taxes”) shall be borne and paid by Parent, Merger Sub or the Surviving Corporation and expressly shall not be a liability of holders of Common Stock. For the avoidance of doubt, the payment of Merger Consideration and Preferred Stock Merger Consideration pursuant to Article III shall not be construed as discharging any obligation pursuant to this Section 8.2(b) of Parent, the Company, Merger Sub or the Surviving Corporation with respect to Transfer Taxes.

8.3. Effect of Termination.

(a) In the event of termination of this Agreement by either the Company or Parent pursuant to Section 8.1, this Agreement will forthwith become void and have no further force or effect, without any Liability on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries, except as provided in this Section 8.3, Section 6.1(c), Section 6.8, Section 8.2, and Article IX, which will survive any termination hereof, and provided that, subject to this Section 8.3, none of Parent, Merger Sub or the Company shall be relieved or released from any liabilities or damages arising out of its intentional fraud or Willful Breach.

For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of termination of this Agreement, the Financing Source Parties will have no liability to the Company, any of its Affiliates or any of its or their direct or indirect stockholders hereunder or under the Debt Financing Commitments or otherwise relating to or arising out of the transactions contemplated by such agreements (including for any willful and material breach), provided that the foregoing shall not preclude any liability of the Financing Sources to Parent or Merger Sub under the terms of the Debt Financing Commitments (and the related fee letters) or the Debt Financing.

(b) In the event that:

(i) this Agreement is terminated (x) by the Company pursuant to Section 8.1(d)(ii) or (y) by Parent pursuant to Section 8.1(e)(ii) or (iii) then the Company shall pay the Company Termination

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Fee to Parent, at or prior to the time of termination and as a condition to such termination in the case of termination by the Company, or as promptly as reasonably practicable (and, in any event, within two (2) Business Days following such termination) in the case of termination by Parent, in each case, payable by wire transfer of immediately available funds;

(ii) (A) this Agreement is terminated by (x) either Parent or the Company pursuant to Section 8.1(b) or Section 8.1(f), or (y) by Parent pursuant to Section 8.1(e)(i); (B) a Company Takeover Proposal shall have been publicly made, proposed or communicated (or shall have otherwise become publicly known) after the date of this Agreement and not withdrawn prior to the Company Stockholder Meeting (or, if earlier, prior to the time of termination of this Agreement); and (C) at any time on or prior to the twelve (12)-month anniversary of such termination, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries completes or enters into a definitive agreement with respect to, and thereafter completes, any Company Takeover Proposal, then, in any such event, the Company shall pay to Parent the Company Termination Fee (less the amount of any previously reimbursed Parent Expenses), such payment to be made promptly upon completion of the applicable Company Takeover Proposal, payable by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by Parent; provided that, for purposes of this Section 8.3(b)(ii), all references in the definition of Company Takeover Proposal to twenty percent (20%) or eighty percent (80%) shall be deemed references to fifty percent (50%);

(iii) this Agreement is terminated by the Company or Parent pursuant to Section 8.1(f) or by Parent pursuant to Section 8.1(e)(i) under circumstances in which the Company Termination Fee is not then payable pursuant to Section 8.3(b)(i) or Section 8.3(b)(ii), then the Company shall reimburse Parent and its Affiliates for all of their reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses of Financing Sources, counsel, accountants, investment bankers, experts and consultants to Parent and Merger Sub and their Affiliates) incurred by Parent or Merger Sub or on their behalf in connection with or related to the authorization, preparation, investigation, negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (the “Parent Expenses”), up to a maximum amount of $1,375,000; provided, that the payment by the Company of the Parent Expenses pursuant to this Section 8.3(b)(iii), shall not relieve the Company of any subsequent obligation to pay the Company Termination Fee pursuant to Section 8.3(b)(i) or Section 8.3(b)(ii) except to the extent indicated in such Section (it being understood that, in the event the Company Termination Fee does become payable pursuant to such Section, the amount of any Parent Expenses reimbursed pursuant to this Section 8.3(b)(iii) shall be credited against such obligation to pay the Company Termination Fee); or

(iv) this Agreement is terminated by (A) the Company pursuant to Section 8.1(d)(i), Section 8.1(d)(iii), Section 8.1(d)(iv), Section 8.1(d)(v) or Section 8.1(d)(vi) or (B) either Parent or the Company pursuant to Section 8.1(b) under circumstances where the Company would have been entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1(d)(i), Section 8.1(d)(iii), Section 8.1(d)(iv), Section 8.1(d)(v) or Section 8.1(d)(vi), then Parent shall pay to the Company a fee of $10,000,000 (the “Closing Failure Fee”) in accordance with Section 8.4(b)(ii); provided that if such termination (other than a termination pursuant to Section 8.1(d)(vi)) occurs at any time after 5:00 p.m. Central Time on January 23, 2024, then the “Closing Failure Fee” shall mean an amount equal to $20,000,000.

(c) The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that in no event shall the Company be required to pay the Company Termination Fee on more than one occasion.

(d) Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that the Company Termination Fee and Closing Failure Fee are not intended to be a penalty but rather are liquidated damages in a reasonable amount that will compensate Parent, in the circumstances in which such Company Termination Fee is paid, or the Company, in the circumstances in which such Closing Failure Fee is paid, for the efforts and resources expended and opportunities foregone while negotiating this Agreement and in reliance on this Agreement and on the expectation of the consummation of the Transactions, which amount would otherwise be impossible to calculate with precision.

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(e) Each of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub acknowledges that the agreements contained in this Section 8.3 are an integral part of the Transactions and that, without these agreements, the parties hereto would not enter into this Agreement. Accordingly, if a party hereto fails to promptly pay any amount due pursuant to this Section 8.3, and the other party commences a suit that results in a final and non-appealable judgment against the failing party for the amounts set forth in this Section 8.3 or a portion thereof, the failing party shall pay to the other party all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses of enforcement (including reasonable and documented attorney’s fees as well as expenses incurred in connection with any such action), together with interest on such amount or such portion thereof at the prime lending rate as published in the Wall Street Journal, in effect on the date such payment is required to be made (together, the “Termination Expenses and Interest”).

(f) Subject in all respects to Parent’s rights set forth in Section 9.6 and the reimbursement obligations of the Company under Section 8.3(b)(iii) and Section 8.3(e), in the event the Company Termination Fee is paid to Parent in circumstances for which such fee is payable pursuant to Section 8.3(b)(i) or Section 8.3(b)(ii), payment of the Company Termination Fee, together with any amount payable pursuant to Section 8.3(b)(iii) and Section 8.3(e), shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of Parent and the Parent Related Parties against the Company and its Subsidiaries and any of their respective former, current or future general or limited partners, stockholders, financing sources, managers, members, Representatives or Affiliates (collectively, “Company Related Parties”) for any losses or damages suffered as a result of the failure of the Transactions to be consummated, except in the case of intentional fraud of any covenant, agreement or obligation (in which case only the Company shall be liable for damages for such fraud), and upon payment of such amount, the Company Related Parties shall not have any further liability or obligation relating to or arising out of (i) this Agreement or the Transactions, (ii) the failure of the Merger or the other Transactions to be consummated or (iii) any breach (or threatened or alleged breach) (including any Willful Breach) of, or failure (or threatened or alleged failure) to perform under, this Agreement or any of the other documents delivered herewith or executed in connection herewith or otherwise, except for the liability of the Company in the case of intentional fraud of any covenant, agreement or obligation.

(g) Subject in all respects to the Company’s rights set forth in Section 9.6 and the reimbursement obligations of Parent under Section 8.3(e) and Section 6.10(b), in the event the Closing Failure Fee is paid to the Company in circumstances for which such fee is payable pursuant to Section 8.3(b)(iv), payment of the Closing Failure Fee, together with any amount payable pursuant to Section 8.3(e) and Section 6.10(b), shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of the Company and the Company Related Parties against Parent and the Parent Related Parties for any losses or damages suffered as a result of the failure of the Transactions to be consummated, except in the case of intentional fraud of any covenant, agreement or obligation (in which case only Parent shall be liable for damages for such fraud), and upon payment of such amount, Parent and the Parent Related Parties shall not have any further liability or obligation relating to or arising out of (i) this Agreement or the Transactions, (ii) the failure of the Merger or the other Transactions to be consummated or (iii) any breach (or threatened or alleged breach) (including any Willful Breach) of, or failure (or threatened or alleged failure) to perform under, this Agreement or any of the other documents delivered herewith or executed in connection herewith or otherwise, except for the liability of Parent in the case of intentional fraud of any covenant, agreement or obligation.

(h) In connection with any losses or damages suffered by any Company Related Party as a result of the failure of the Transactions to be consummated or for a breach or failure to perform hereunder or otherwise, other than in circumstances in which the Company is entitled to receive the Closing Failure Fee in accordance with Section 8.3(b)(iv) (in which case Section 8.3(g) shall apply), and without limiting the reimbursement obligations of Parent under Section 8. 3(e) and Section 6.10(b), the Company agrees, on behalf of itself and the Company Related Parties, that the maximum aggregate monetary liability of Parent and the Parent Related Parties shall be limited to an amount equal to the Closing Failure Fee as determined in accordance with Section 8.3(b)(iv) plus any amount payable pursuant to Section 8.3(e) and Section 6.10(b), and in no event shall the Company or any Company Related Party seek or be entitled to recover from Parent or any Parent Related Parties, and the Company on behalf of itself and the Company Related Parties hereby irrevocably waives and relinquishes any right to seek

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or recover, any monetary damages in the aggregate in excess of such amount, including for the liability of Parent or Merger Sub in the case of Willful Breach.

(i) In no event shall (i) Parent be entitled to receive more than one payment of the Company Termination Fee in connection with this Agreement or (ii) the Company be entitled to receive more than one payment of the Closing Failure Fee in connection with this Agreement.

(j) While Parent may pursue both a grant of specific performance in accordance with Section 9.6 and the payment of the Company Termination Fee under this Section 8.3, under no circumstances shall Parent be permitted or entitled to receive both a grant of specific performance that results in the consummation of the Merger and any money damages, including all or any portion of the Company Termination Fee. While the Company may pursue both a grant of specific performance in accordance with Section 9.6 and the payment of the Closing Failure Fee under this Section 8.3, under no circumstances shall the Company be permitted or entitled to receive both a grant of specific performance that results in the consummation of the Merger and any money damages, including all or any portion of the Closing Failure Fee.

(k) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, but subject to the Debt Financing Commitments and any other definitive agreements executed in connection with the Debt Financing, no Financing Source Party shall have any liability or obligation to the Company, any of its Affiliates or any of its or their direct or indirect stockholders relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the Financing Commitments, whether in equity or at law, in contract, in tort or otherwise, and the Company shall not seek, and shall cause its Affiliates not to seek, to recover any money damages, or obtain any equitable relief, from any Financing Source Party.

8.4. Escrow.

(a) Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Parent and the Company have entered into an escrow agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F (the “Escrow Agreement”), with Wilmington Trust, National Association, as escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”), pursuant to which, among other things, Parent shall (i) concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, deposit an amount in cash equal to $10,000,000 into a segregated escrow account established by the Escrow Agent (the “Escrow Account”) and (ii) subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, deposit amounts in cash into the Escrow Account such that, on or before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on January 23, 2024, the aggregate funds contained in the Escrow Account as of such time is equal to $20,000,000 (the “Full Escrow Funding”), in each case, for the purpose of funding Parent’s obligations under this Agreement, including Section 8.3(b)(iv).

(b) Distributions of funds contained in the Escrow Account (the “Escrow Funds”) shall occur as follows:

(i) if the Effective Time occurs and the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated in accordance with the terms hereof, Parent and the Company shall deliver join written instructions to the Escrow Agent instructing the Escrow Agent to distribute from the Escrow Account all of the Escrow Funds, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account(s) designated in such instructions, to the Paying Agent for the inclusion of such Escrow Funds in the Payment Fund (and, for the avoidance of doubt, the Escrow Funds will be deemed to be a part of the Payment Fund upon receipt by the Paying Agent);

(ii) if this Agreement is terminated in accordance with the terms hereof the Company is entitled to receive the Closing Failure Fee in accordance with Section 8.3(b)(iv), then the Company and Parent shall deliver joint written instructions to the Escrow Agent instructing the Escrow Agent to distribute from the Escrow Account all of the Escrow Funds, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account(s) designated in such instructions, to the Company in satisfaction of Parent’s obligations under Section 8.3(b)(iv); and

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Escrow Agent to distribute from the Escrow Account all of the Escrow Funds, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account(s) designated in such instructions, to Parent (or its designee).

(c) The Escrow Funds shall be held by the Escrow Agent in accordance with the Escrow Agreement. Distributions of the Escrow Funds shall be made as provided in this Section 8.4 and the Escrow Agreement.

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

9.1. Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties. None of the representations and warranties and, subject to the following sentence, covenants and agreements, in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time. This Section 9.1 shall not limit any covenant or agreement of the parties hereto that by its terms contemplates performance after the Effective Time.

9.2. Amendment; Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time, any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if, and only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Company, Parent and Merger Sub; provided, however, if such amendment or waiver is proposed after the Company Stockholder Approval is obtained, no such amendment or waiver shall be made or given that requires the approval of the stockholders of the Company under the DGCL unless the required further approval is obtained. After the Effective Time, this Agreement may not be amended. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no failure or delay by any party hereto in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any other right hereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Sections 8.3(a), 8.3(g), 8.3(h), 8.3(k), 9.6, 9.7 and 9.11 and this Section 9.2 (and any provision of this Agreement to the extent a modification, waiver or termination of such provision would modify the substance of Sections 8.3(a), 8.3(g), 8.3(h), 8.3(k), 9.6, 9.7 and 9.11 and this Section 9.2) may not be modified, waived or terminated in a manner that impacts or is adverse in any respect to the Financing Source Parties without the prior written consent of the related Financing Sources. The Company and the Company Board may not take or authorize any such actions contemplated by this Section 9.2 without the prior approval of the Company Special Committee.

9.3. Notice. Any notice, request, instruction or other document or other communication to be given hereunder by a party hereto shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (i) when received if given in person or by courier or a courier service (providing proof of delivery), (ii) on the date of transmission if sent by email by 9:00 p.m. Central Time on a Business Day or, otherwise, on the next succeeding Business Day, (iii) on the next Business Day if sent by an overnight delivery service marked for overnight delivery (providing proof of delivery), or (iv) five (5) Business Days after being deposited in the U.S. mail, certified or registered mail, postage prepaid:

(a) If to the Company, addressed as follows:

Battalion Oil Corporation
Two Memorial City Plaza
820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100
Houston, TX 77024

Attention:

Walter R. Mayer, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Email:

wmayer@battalionoil.com

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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
700 Louisiana Street, Suite 3400
Houston, TX 77002

Attention:

William T. Heller IV
Jeff M. Dobbs

Email:

wheller@mayerbrown.com
jdobbs@mayerbrown.com

and

Mayer Brown LLP
71 S. Wacker Dr.
Chicago, IL 60606

Attention:

Ryan H. Ferris

Email:

rferris@mayerbrown.com

(b) If to Parent or Merger Sub, or after the Closing, the Surviving Corporation, addressed as follows:

Fury Resources, Inc.
17503 La Cantera Pkwy, Suite 104-603
San Antonio, TX 78257

Attention:

Ariella Fuchs, President and General Counsel

Email:

afuchs@ruckusexp.com

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

K&L Gates LLP
1 Park Plaza, Twelfth Floor
Irvine, CA 92614

Attention:

Michael A. Hedge; Jason C. Dreibelbis

Email:

michael.hedge@klgates.com; jason.dreibelbis@klgates.com

or to such other individual or address as a party hereto may designate for itself by notice given as herein provided.

9.4. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and such counterparts may be delivered in electronic format (including by .pdf and email). Such delivery of counterparts shall be conclusive evidence of the intent to be bound hereby and each such counterpart and copies produced therefrom shall have the same effect as an original. To the extent applicable, the foregoing constitutes the election of the parties hereto to invoke any Law authorizing electronic signatures.

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San Jacinto” data room hosted by Donnelley Financial Services or (y) provided via email or fileshare site or other method by a Representative of the Company to Parent or Representatives of Parent prior to the entry into and execution of this Agreement. The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of like import used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. Any capitalized term used in any Exhibit, the Company Disclosure Letter or the Parent Disclosure Letter but not otherwise defined therein shall have the meaning given to such term in this Agreement. References from or through any date shall mean, unless otherwise specified, from and including or through and including, respectively. Any reference to any Contract or other document means such Contract or document as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented (if permitted under this Agreement) and includes all exhibits, schedules or other attachments thereto. All references to dollars or to “$” shall be references to United States dollars.

9.6. Specific Performance.

(a) The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage for which monetary relief (including any fees payable pursuant to Section 8.3), even if available, would not be an adequate remedy, would occur in the event that any provision of this Agreement is not performed in accordance with its specific terms or is otherwise breached, including if the parties hereto fail to take any action required of them hereunder to consummate the Merger and effect the Closing. Subject to Sections 9.6(b) and (c) and the following sentence, the parties acknowledge and agree that (a) the parties (on behalf of themselves or any third-party beneficiary to this Agreement) shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions, specific performance or other equitable relief to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in the courts described in Section 9.7(b) without proof of damages or otherwise, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled under this Agreement or at law or in equity, (b) the provisions set forth in Section 8.3 shall not be construed to diminish or otherwise impair in any respect any party’s right to specific enforcement and (c) the right of specific enforcement is an integral part of the Transactions and without that right neither the Company nor Parent would have entered into this Agreement. The right to specific enforcement hereunder shall include the right of the Company, on behalf of itself and any third-party beneficiaries to this Agreement, to cause Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger and the other Transactions on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. The parties hereto agree not to assert that a remedy of specific enforcement is unenforceable, invalid, contrary to Law or inequitable for any reason, and not to assert that a remedy of monetary damages would provide an adequate remedy or that the parties otherwise have an adequate remedy at law, other than an assertion that the exercise of specific performance was not effected in accordance with provisions of this Section 9.6. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that any party seeking an injunction or injunctions to prevent and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in accordance with this Section 9.6 shall not be required to provide any bond or other security in connection with any such Order or injunction. Notwithstanding the foregoing and subject to the rights of the parties to the Financing Commitments under the terms thereof, none of the Company Related Parties shall have any rights or claims (whether in contract or in tort or otherwise) against any Financing Source Party, solely in their respective capacities as investors, lenders or arrangers in connection with the Financing.

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall be entitled to seek specific performance to cause Parent and Merger Sub to draw down the Additional Financing or to consummate the Merger only if:

(i) all conditions in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 have been satisfied (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing; provided, that if the condition set forth in Section 7.2(d) is not satisfied due, in whole or in part, to Parent and Merger Sub’s failure to obtain all or any portion of the Debt Financing or the Additional Financing, then such condition shall be deemed satisfied for purposes of this Section 9.6(b)(i)) or waived;

(ii) Parent and Merger Sub have failed to complete the Closing by the date the Closing is required to occur pursuant to Section 2.2; and

(iii) the Debt Financing has been funded or will be funded at the Closing if the Additional Financing is funded at the Closing; and

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(iv) the Company has irrevocably confirmed that if specific performance is granted and the Additional Financing is funded, then the Closing will occur.

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall be entitled to seek specific performance to cause Parent and Merger Sub to enforce the terms of the Debt Financing Commitments (or, if Alternative Financing is being used, pursuant to the commitments with respect thereto) only if:

(i) all conditions in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 have been satisfied (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing; provided, that if any condition set forth in Section 7.2(d) is not satisfied due, in whole or in part, to Parent and Merger Sub’s failure to obtain all or any portion of the Debt Financing or the Additional Financing, then such condition shall be deemed satisfied for purposes of this Section 9.6(c)(i)) or waived;

(ii) Parent and Merger Sub have failed to complete the Closing by the date the Closing is required to occur pursuant to Section 2.2; and

(iii) all of the conditions to the consummation of the financing provided by the Debt Financing Commitments (or, if Alternative Financing is being used, pursuant to the commitments with respect thereto) have been satisfied (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing).

9.7. Governing Law and Venue; Submission to Jurisdiction; Selection of Forum; Waiver of Trial by Jury.

(a) This Agreement shall be deemed to be made in and in all respects shall be interpreted, construed and governed by and in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware without regard to the conflicts of laws provisions, rules or principles thereof (or any other jurisdiction).

(b) Each of the parties hereto agrees that: (i) all Litigation in connection with, arising out of or otherwise relating to this Agreement, any instrument or other document delivered pursuant to this Agreement (other than the Confidentiality Agreement) or the Transactions shall be heard and determined exclusively in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware declines to accept jurisdiction over any Litigation, any state or federal court within the State of Delaware); and (ii) solely in connection with such Litigation, (A) irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the such courts, (B) irrevocably waives any objection to the laying of venue in any such Litigation in such courts, (C) irrevocably waives any objection that such courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over any party, (D) agrees that mailing of process or other papers in connection with any such Litigation in the manner provided in Section 9.3 or in such other manner as may be permitted by applicable Law shall be valid and sufficient service thereof and (E) it shall not assert as a defense any matter or claim waived by the foregoing clauses (A) through (D) of this Section 9.7(b) or that any Order issued by such courts may not be enforced in or by such courts.

(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, but subject to the next sentence, each of the parties hereto agrees that (i) it will not bring or support any action, cause of action, claim, cross-claim or third-party claim of any kind or description, whether in law or in equity, whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, against the Financing Source Parties, in any way relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including but not limited to any dispute arising out of or relating in any way to the Financing Commitments, the Debt Financing or the definitive agreements executed in connection therewith or the performance thereof, in any forum other than the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, or, if under applicable law exclusive jurisdiction is vested in the federal courts, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (and, in each case, appellate courts thereof) and (ii) any such action, cause of action, claim, cross-claim or third-party claim shall be governed by the Laws of the State of New York. The Company further agrees that it shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates and its and their direct and indirect stockholders not to, bring or support any action, cause of action, claim, cross-claim or third-party claim of any kind or description, whether in law or in equity, whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, against any Financing Source Party, in any way relating to this Agreement or the

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transactions contemplated hereby, including any dispute arising out of or relating in any way to the Financing Commitments, the Debt Financing or the definitive agreements executed in connection therewith or the performance thereof.

(d) EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY THAT MAY BE CONNECTED WITH, ARISE OUT OF OR OTHERWISE RELATE TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE DEBT FINANCING COMMITMENTS, THE DEBT FINANCING, ANY INSTRUMENT OR OTHER DOCUMENT DELIVERED PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS IS EXPECTED TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY LITIGATION (INCLUDING ANY LITIGATION INVOLVING ANY OF THE FINANCING SOURCE PARTIES), DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, CONNECTED WITH, ARISING OUT OF OR OTHERWISE RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE DEBT FINANCING COMMITMENTS, THE DEBT FINANCING OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY, ANY INSTRUMENT OR OTHER DOCUMENT DELIVERED PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS. EACH PARTY HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES AND CERTIFIES THAT (I) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF THE OTHER PARTIES HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTIES WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (II) IT UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (III) IT MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (IV) IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND CERTIFICATIONS SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 9.7(d).

9.8. Binding Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

9.9. Entire Understanding. This Agreement, together with the Exhibits, the Company Disclosure Letter, the Parent Disclosure Letter and the Confidentiality Agreement constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and this Agreement is not intended to grant standing to any Person other than the parties hereto; provided, however, the parties agree that no provision of the Confidentiality Agreement shall limit in any respect the rights of Parent or any of its Affiliates to assign or syndicate any portion of the Equity Financings.

9.10. Assignment. This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns; provided that neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned (including by operation of law) by any of the parties without the prior written consent of the other parties. Any purported assignment in contravention of this Section 9.10 shall be null and void. The Company and the Company Board may not take or authorize any such actions contemplated by this Section 9.10 without the prior approval of the Company Special Committee.

9.11. Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is not intended to and does not confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder, except for: (a) if the Effective Time occurs, the right of the Company’s stockholders to receive the Merger Consideration or Preferred Stock Merger Consideration, as applicable; (b) if the Effective Time occurs, the right of the holders of Company RSU Awards and Company Options to receive such amounts as provided for in Section 3.1(c); (c) if the Effective Time occurs, the rights of the Covered Persons set forth in Section 6.9; and (d) prior to the Effective Time, the Company’s right, on behalf of its stockholders, to pursue damages against Parent and Merger Sub for the loss of the Merger Consideration or Preferred Stock Merger Consideration, as applicable, in the event of any breach of this Agreement by Parent or Merger Sub. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) following the Effective Time, the provisions of Section 6.9 shall be enforceable as provided in clause (d) thereof, (ii) the provisions of Section 8.3(g) and Section 8.3(k) shall be enforceable against the Company

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Related Parties (but not Parent or Merger Sub) by each Financing Source Party, and (iii) the provisions of this Section 9.11 and Sections 9.2, 9.6 and 9.7 shall be enforceable against all parties to this Agreement by each Financing Source Party.

9.12. Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions hereof or the validity or enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other situation or in any other jurisdiction. If the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction declares that any term or provision hereof is invalid or unenforceable, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law in an acceptable manner to the end that the Transactions are fulfilled to the extent possible.

9.13. Construction. The parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event that an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, the language shall be construed as mutually chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party. Any reference to any federal, state, local or foreign statute or Law shall be deemed also to refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise.

[Signature pages follow]

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EXECUTION VERSION

VOTING AGREEMENT

VOTING AGREEMENT, dated as of December 14, 2023 (this “Agreement”), among Fury Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and the stockholders of Battalion Oil Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), listed on Schedule A hereto (each, a “Stockholder” and, collectively, the “Stockholders”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, concurrently herewith, Parent, San Jacinto Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), and the Company are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (attached hereto as Exhibit A, the “Merger Agreement”; capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement), pursuant to which (and subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein) Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation in the merger (the “Merger”);

WHEREAS, as of the date of this Agreement, each Stockholder is the record and “beneficial owner” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of (a) certain shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Shares”) as set forth on Schedule A hereto under the heading “Covered Shares” (with respect to each Stockholder, the “Covered Shares”), (b) certain additional Shares as set forth on Schedule A hereto under the heading “Additional Shares” (with respect to each Stockholder, and together with any additional Shares or other securities of the Company of which such Stockholder acquires record or beneficial ownership after the date hereof, including, without limitation, by purchase, as a result of a stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, combination, reclassification, exchange or change of any such securities, or upon exercise or conversion of any securities, such Stockholder’s “Additional Shares”), and (c) shares of Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company (“Series A Preferred Stock”) and Series A-1 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company (“Series A-1 Preferred Stock”), in each case, as set forth on Schedule A hereto under the heading “Owned Preferred Shares” (with respect to each Stockholder, the “Owned Preferred Shares” and, together with the Covered Shares and the Additional Shares, the “Subject Shares”);

WHEREAS, as a condition and inducement to Parent and Merger Sub’s willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement and to proceed with the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, Parent and the Stockholders are entering into this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Stockholders acknowledge that Parent and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance on the representations, warranties, covenants and other agreements of the Stockholders set forth in this Agreement and would not enter into the Merger Agreement if any Stockholder did not enter into this Agreement.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, Parent and the Stockholders hereby agree as follows:

1. Agreement to Vote. From and after the date hereof until the Termination Date (as defined herein), each Stockholder irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that it shall at any meeting of the stockholders of the Company (whether annual or special and whether or not an adjourned or postponed meeting), however called, or in connection with any written consent of stockholders of the Company, except as otherwise approved in writing by Parent (a) when a meeting is held, appear at such meeting or otherwise cause the Covered Shares to be counted as present thereat for the purpose of establishing a quorum (including by proxy or other valid means), and respond to each request by the Company for written consent, if any and (b) vote (or consent), or cause to be voted at such meeting (or validly execute and return and cause such consent to be granted with respect to), all Covered Shares (i) in favor of the Merger, the adoption of the Merger Agreement and such other actions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (whether or not

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recommended by the Company Board) and (ii) against (A) any Company Takeover Proposal, (B) any action that that is intended to or would reasonably be expected to impede, interfere with, delay, postpone or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or any of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or this Agreement (including any change to the capitalization or dividend policy of the Company or any amendment or other change to the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws), and (C) any transaction that is intended to or would reasonably be expected to result in a breach in any material respect of any covenant, representation or warranty or other obligation or agreement of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under the Merger Agreement.

2. Grant of Irrevocable Proxy; Appointment of Proxy.

(a) EACH STOCKHOLDER HEREBY GRANTS TO, AND APPOINTS, PARENT, THE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF PARENT, AND ANY OTHER PERSON DESIGNATED IN WRITING BY PARENT, EACH OF THEM INDIVIDUALLY, SUCH STOCKHOLDER’S IRREVOCABLE (UNTIL THE TERMINATION DATE) PROXY AND ATTORNEY-IN-FACT (WITH FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION) TO VOTE THE COVERED SHARES AS INDICATED IN AND EXPRESSLY LIMITED TO AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 1. EACH STOCKHOLDER INTENDS THIS PROXY TO BE IRREVOCABLE (UNTIL THE TERMINATION DATE) AND COUPLED WITH AN INTEREST AND WILL TAKE SUCH FURTHER ACTION OR EXECUTE SUCH OTHER INSTRUMENTS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE INTENT OF THIS PROXY AND HEREBY REVOKES ANY PROXY PREVIOUSLY GRANTED BY SUCH STOCKHOLDER WITH RESPECT TO THE COVERED SHARES (THE STOCKHOLDER REPRESENTING TO THE COMPANY THAT ANY SUCH PROXY IS NOT IRREVOCABLE).

(b) The proxy granted in this Section 2 shall automatically expire, be revoked and of no further force or effect upon the Termination Date and Parent may further terminate this proxy at any time at its sole election by written notice provided to the applicable Stockholder.

(c) Except as expressly set forth in Section 1, no Stockholder shall be restricted from voting in favor of, against or abstaining with respect to any matter presented to the stockholders of the Company. In addition, nothing in this Agreement shall give Parent the right to vote any Shares at any meeting of the stockholders of the Company other than as provided in this Section 1. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing in this Section 2, with respect to a given Stockholder, the proxy and power of attorney granted hereunder shall be effective if, and only if, such Stockholder has failed to perform its obligations under Section 1 as of the date that is three (3) Business Days prior to the date of the any applicable meeting of the stockholders of the Company.

3. No Inconsistent Agreements. Each Stockholder hereby represents, covenants and agrees that, except as contemplated by this Agreement, such Stockholder (a) has not entered into, and shall not enter into at any time prior to the Termination Date, any voting agreement or voting trust with respect to any Subject Shares and (b) has not granted, and shall not grant at any time prior to the Termination Date, a proxy or power of attorney with respect to any Subject Shares, in either case, which is inconsistent with such Stockholder’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement.

4. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate upon the earliest of (a) the Effective Time, (b) any termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, (c) any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of the Merger Agreement (including the Schedules and Exhibits thereto) that (i) reduces the amount of the Merger Consideration payable pursuant thereto or otherwise modifies the form of the consideration for the Merger, (ii) is adverse to any Stockholder relative to the other stockholders of the Company, or (iii) would reasonably be expected to materially delay or jeopardize the Closing of the Merger, in each case without the express written approval of the Stockholders, and (d) written notice of termination of this Agreement by Parent to the Stockholders or mutual written agreement of each of the parties hereto (such earliest date being referred to herein as the “Termination Date”); provided, that Sections 1 and 2 of this Agreement (but no other Section of this Agreement) shall terminate at the time that the that Company Stockholder Approval is obtained; provided further, that the provisions set forth in Sections 8 and 13 to 27 shall survive the termination of this Agreement; provided further, that any liability incurred by

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any party hereto as a result of a material breach of a term or condition of this Agreement prior to such termination shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

5. Representations and Warranties of Stockholders. Each Stockholder, as to itself (severally and not jointly), hereby represents and warrants to Parent as follows:

(a) As of the date hereof, such Stockholder is the record and beneficial owner of, and has good and valid title to, the Subject Shares, free and clear of Liens other than as created by this Agreement or pursuant to applicable Law. Such Stockholder has sole voting power and sole power to demand appraisal rights with respect to the Covered Shares, and sole power of disposition and sole power to agree to all of the matters set forth in this Agreement with respect to the Subject Shares, in each case with no limitations, qualifications or restrictions on such rights, subject to applicable federal securities laws and the terms of this Agreement. As of the date hereof, other than the Subject Shares, such Stockholder does not own beneficially or of record any (i) shares of capital stock or voting securities of the Company, (ii) securities of the Company convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or voting securities of the Company or (iii) options or other rights to acquire from the Company any capital stock, voting securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or voting securities of the Company. Except as contemplated by this Agreement, the Subject Shares are not subject to any voting trust agreement or other Contract to which such Stockholder is a party restricting or otherwise relating to the voting or Transfer (as defined below) of the Subject Shares. Such Stockholder has not appointed or granted any proxy or power of attorney that is still in effect with respect to any Subject Shares, except as contemplated by this Agreement.

(b) Each such Stockholder which is an entity is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation and has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by each such Stockholder which is an entity, the performance by such Stockholder of its obligations hereunder and the consummation by such Stockholder of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by such Stockholder and no other actions or proceedings on the part of such Stockholder are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery by such Stockholder of this Agreement, the performance by such Stockholder of its obligations hereunder or the consummation by such Stockholder of the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by such Stockholder and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by Parent, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Stockholder, enforceable against such Stockholder in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

(c) Except for the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act, (i) no filing with, and no permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any Governmental Authority is necessary on the part of such Stockholder for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Stockholder or the consummation by such Stockholder of the transactions contemplated hereby, other than as contemplated by the Merger Agreement and (ii) neither the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by such Stockholder nor the consummation by such Stockholder of the transactions contemplated hereby nor compliance by such Stockholder with any of the provisions hereof shall (A) conflict with or violate, any provision of the organizational documents of any such Stockholder which is an entity, (B) result in any breach or violation of, or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of a Lien on such property or asset of such Stockholder pursuant to, any Contract to which such Stockholder is a party or by which such Stockholder or any property or asset of such Stockholder is bound or affected or (C) violate any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to such Stockholder or any of such Stockholder’s properties or assets, except, in the case of each of sub-clause (i) and (ii), as would not restrict, prohibit, materially delay or impair the performance by such Stockholder of its obligations under this Agreement.

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(d) As of the date hereof, there is no action, suit, investigation, complaint or other proceeding pending against any such Stockholder or, to the knowledge of such Stockholder, threatened against any Stockholder that restricts or prohibits (or, if successful, would restrict or prohibit) the exercise by Parent of its rights under this Agreement or the performance by any party of its obligations under this Agreement.

(e) Except as provided in the Merger Agreement or the Company Disclosure Letter, no broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission payable by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or at the direction of such Stockholder (acting in such capacity).

(f) Such Stockholder understands and acknowledges that Parent and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon such Stockholder’s execution and delivery of this Agreement and the representations and warranties of such Stockholder contained herein.

6. Representations and Warranties of Parent. Parent hereby represents and warrants to each Stockholder as follows:

(a) Parent is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Parent, the performance by Parent of its obligations hereunder and the consummation by Parent of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by Parent and no other actions or proceedings on the part of Parent are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery by Parent of this Agreement, the performance by Parent of its obligations hereunder or the consummation by Parent of the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Parent and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by each Stockholder, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Parent, enforceable against Parent in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

(b) Except for the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act, (i) no filing with, and no permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any Governmental Authority is necessary on the part of Parent for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Parent or the consummation by Parent of the transactions contemplated hereby, other than as contemplated by the Merger Agreement and (ii) neither the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by Parent nor the consummation by Parent of the transactions contemplated hereby nor compliance Parent with any of the provisions hereof shall (A) conflict with or violate, any provision of the organizational documents of Parent, (B) result in any breach or violation of, or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of a Lien on such property or asset of Parent pursuant to, any Contract to which Parent is a party or by which Parent or any property or asset of Parent is bound or affected or (C) violate any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to Parent or any of Parent’s properties or assets, except, in the case of each of sub-clause (i) and (ii), as would not restrict, prohibit, materially delay or impair the performance by Parent of its obligations under this Agreement.

(c) As of the date hereof, there is no action, suit, investigation, complaint or other proceeding pending against Parent or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened against Parent that restricts or prohibits (or, if successful, would restrict or prohibit) the exercise by each Stockholder of its rights under this Agreement or the performance by any party of its obligations under this Agreement.

7. Certain Covenants of Stockholder. Each Stockholder, for itself (severally and not jointly), hereby covenants and agrees as follows, in each case except as otherwise approved in writing by Parent:

(a) Prior to the Termination Date, such Stockholder shall not, and shall not authorize or permit any of its Subsidiaries or Representatives, directly or indirectly, to:

(i) solicit, initiate, endorse, encourage or facilitate the making by any Person (other than the other parties to the Merger Agreement) of any Company Takeover Proposal;

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(ii) enter into, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any Person any non-public information or data of or regarding the Company with respect to, or otherwise cooperate in any way with, any Company Takeover Proposal;

(iii) execute or enter into any Contract constituting or relating to any Company Takeover Proposal, or approve or recommend or propose to approve or recommend any Company Takeover Proposal or any Contract constituting or relating to any Company Takeover Proposal (or authorize or resolve to agree to do any of the foregoing actions); or

(iv) make, or in any manner participate in a “solicitation” (as such term is used in the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)) of proxies or powers of attorney or similar rights to vote, or seek to advise or influence any Person with respect to the voting of the Common Stock intending to facilitate any Company Takeover Proposal or cause stockholders of the Company not to vote to approve the Merger or any other transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

(b) Such Stockholder will immediately cease and cause to be terminated all existing discussions or negotiations with any Person conducted heretofore with respect to any of the matters described in Section 7(a) above.

(c) Parent acknowledges that this Agreement is being entered into by each Stockholder solely in its, his or her capacity as a record and/or beneficial owner of the Subject Shares and that (i) a representative of each Stockholder is a member of the Company Board, (ii) this Agreement is not intended to, and shall not, restrict or limit such representatives from acting in their capacities as members of the Company Board, including in the exercise of their fiduciary duties to the Company or its stockholders, and (iii) notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall Parent (directly or indirectly) bring any cause of action or make any claim against any Stockholder arising out of or relating to any action or inaction by such representatives in their capacities as members of the Company Board (including, without limitation, under Section 6.4 or Section 8.1 of the Merger Agreement).

(d) Prior to the Termination Date, and except as contemplated hereby, such Stockholder shall not (i) tender any Subject Shares into any tender or exchange offer, (ii) except for any Exempt Transfer, sell (constructively or otherwise), transfer, pledge, hypothecate, grant, encumber, assign, exchange, convert or otherwise dispose of (collectively “Transfer”), or enter into any Contract, option or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the Transfer of any of the Subject Shares or beneficial ownership or voting power thereof or therein (including by operation of law), (iii) grant any proxies or powers of attorney, deposit any Subject Shares into a voting trust or enter into a voting agreement with respect to any Subject Shares, or (iv) convert any Owned Preferred Shares, or any shares of preferred stock of the Company acquired by such Stockholder after the date of this Agreement, into Shares. Any Transfer in violation of this provision shall be void. If applicable, such Stockholder further authorizes and requests the Company to notify the Company’s transfer agent that there is a stop transfer order with respect to all of the Subject Shares and that this Agreement places limits on the voting of the Subject Shares. If so requested by Parent, such Stockholder agrees that the book-entry positions representing Covered Shares shall bear a legend stating that they are subject to this Agreement and to the irrevocable proxy granted in Section 2(a).

For purposes of this Agreement, an “Exempt Transfer” means any transfer of Shares: (x) if the Stockholder is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity, (a) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity that is a controlled Affiliate of such Stockholder or (b) to any investment fund or other entity controlling, controlled by, managing or managed by or under common control with such Stockholder or Affiliates of such Stockholder (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where such Stockholder is a partnership, to its general partner or a successor partnership or fund, or any other funds managed by such partnership), or (y) in a hedging or derivative transaction with respect to which such Stockholder conveys solely the economic consequences of ownership and retains, among other things, the sole right to vote, tender, dispose of and exercise dissenters’ rights with respect to such Subject Shares during the period in which this Section 7(d) remains in effect and such transaction does not prohibit or impede such Stockholder’s compliance with its obligations and covenants pursuant to the terms of this Agreement

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or the Contribution and Rollover Agreement entered into by such Stockholder as of the date hereof, or (z) that has received the prior written approval of Parent (which may be given or withheld in Parent’s sole discretion); provided, that in the case of an Exempt Transfer pursuant to clause (x)(a) or (x)(b), (A) prior to such Exempt Transfer becoming effective, such transferee will execute a joinder to this Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent and which shall bind such transferee to all of the obligations of a Stockholder herein and (B) the transferor Stockholder shall remain liable for any failure of such transferee to comply with or perform its obligations under this Agreement.

8. Fiduciary Duties. This Agreement is being entered into by each Stockholder solely in its capacity as a stockholder of the Company. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement shall restrict, limit or prevent any director or officer of the Company from taking any action in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company or otherwise discharging his or her fiduciary duties solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company, and no action or omissions by any such director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company shall be deemed to constitute a breach of any provision of this Agreement.

9. Waiver of Appraisal Rights. Each Stockholder hereby waives any rights of appraisal or rights to dissent from the Merger that such Stockholder may have under applicable Law.

10. Disclosure. Each Stockholder hereby authorizes Parent and the Company to publish and disclose in any announcement or disclosure required by the SEC and in the Proxy Statement as Parent reasonably determines to be necessary in connection with the consummation of the Merger, such Stockholder’s identity and ownership of the Subject Shares and the nature of such Stockholder’s obligations under this Agreement.

11. Further Assurances. From time to time, at the reasonable request of Parent and without further consideration, each Stockholder shall take such further action as may reasonably be necessary to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

12. Non-Survival of Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Stockholders contained herein shall not survive the closing of the Merger or the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, whichever occurs first.

13. Amendment and Modification. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented in any manner, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, except by an instrument in writing specifically designated as an amendment hereto, signed on behalf of each party and otherwise as expressly set forth herein.

14. Waiver. No failure or delay of any party in exercising any right or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right or power, or any course of conduct, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the parties hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies which they would otherwise have hereunder. Any agreement on the part of a party to any such waiver shall be valid only if set forth in a written instrument executed and delivered by such party.

15. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given (a) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, or if by e-mail, upon written confirmation of receipt e-mail or otherwise, (b) on the first Business Day following the date of dispatch if delivered utilizing a next-day service by a recognized next-day courier or (c) on the earlier of confirmed receipt or the fifth Business Day following the date of mailing if delivered by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. All notices hereunder shall be delivered to the addresses set forth below, or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such notice:

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(i) If to a Stockholder:

To the address set forth on Schedule A

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Dechert LLP
300 South Tryon Street, Suite 800
Charlotte, NC 28202
Attention: David Cosgrove
E-mail: David.cosgrove@dechert.com

(ii) If to Parent:

Fury Resources, Inc.
17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104-603
San Antonio, TX 78257
Attention: Ariella Fuchs, President and General Counsel
E-mail: afuchs@ruckusexp.com

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

K&L Gates LLP
1 Park Plaza, Twelfth Floor
Irvine, California 92614
Attention: Michael A. Hedge, Jason C. Dreibelbis
E-mail: michael.hedge@klgates.com; jason.dreibelbis@klgates.com

16. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Merger Agreement (including the Exhibits and Schedules thereto) and the Confidentiality Agreement constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all prior written agreements, arrangements, communications and understandings and all prior and contemporaneous oral agreements, arrangements, communications and understandings between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

17. No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any Person other than the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature under or by reason of this Agreement.

18. Governing Law. This Agreement and all disputes or controversies arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the laws of any other jurisdiction that might be applied because of the conflicts of laws principles of the State of Delaware.

19. Submission to Jurisdiction. Each of the parties irrevocably agrees that any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any other party or its successors or assigns shall be brought and determined in the Delaware Court of Chancery and any state appellate court therefrom within the State of Delaware (unless the Delaware Court of Chancery shall decline to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, in which case, in any Delaware state or federal court within the State of Delaware), and each of the parties hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts for itself and with respect to its property, generally and unconditionally, with regard to any such action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Each of the parties agrees not to commence any action, suit or proceeding relating thereto except in the courts described above in Delaware, other than actions in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce any judgment, decree or award rendered by any such court in Delaware as described herein. Each of the parties further agrees that notice as provided herein shall constitute sufficient service of process and the parties further waive any argument that such service is insufficient. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion or as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, (a) any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in Delaware as described herein for any reason, (b) that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court

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or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise) and (c) that (i) the suit, action or proceeding in any such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (ii) the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper or (iii) this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts.

20. Assignment; Successors. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement may be assigned or delegated, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise, by either party without the prior written consent of the other party, and any such assignment without such prior written consent shall be null and void; provided, however, that Parent may assign all or any of its rights and obligations hereunder to any direct or indirect Subsidiary of Parent; provided further, that no assignment shall limit the assignor’s obligations hereunder. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors and assigns.

21. Enforcement. The parties agree that irreparable damage may occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, each of the parties shall be entitled to seek specific performance of the terms hereof, including an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in the Delaware Court of Chancery and any state appellate court therefrom within the State of Delaware (unless the Delaware Court of Chancery shall decline to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, in which case, in any Delaware state or federal court within the State of Delaware), this being in addition to any other remedy to which such party is entitled at law or in equity. Each of the parties hereby further waives (a) any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and (b) any requirement under any law to post security as a prerequisite to obtaining equitable relief.

22. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable Law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or portion of any provision in such jurisdiction, and this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or portion of any provision had never been contained herein.

23. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

24. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts and such counterparts may be delivered in electronic format (including by .pdf and email), all of which shall be considered one and the same instrument and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other party; provided, however, that if any of the Stockholders fail for any reason to execute this Agreement, then this Agreement shall become effective as to the other Stockholders who execute this Agreement. To the extent applicable, the foregoing constitutes the election of the parties hereto to invoke any Law authorizing electronic signatures.

25. Non-Recourse. This Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of, or related to this Agreement may only be brought against, the entities that are expressly named as parties hereto and then only with respect to the specific obligations set forth herein with respect to such party. Except to the extent a named party to this Agreement (and then only to the extent of the specific obligations undertaken by such named party in this Agreement and not otherwise), no past, present or future director, manager, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner, equityholder, Affiliate, agent, attorney, advisor, consultant or Representative or Affiliate of any of the foregoing shall have any liability (whether in Contract, tort, equity or otherwise) for any one or more of the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements or other obligations or liabilities of any one or more parties hereto under this Agreement (whether for indemnification or otherwise) or for any claim based on, arising out of, or related to this Agreement.

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26. No Presumption Against Drafting Party. Each of the parties to this Agreement acknowledges that it has been represented by counsel in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Accordingly, any rule of law or any legal decision that would require interpretation of any claimed ambiguities in this Agreement against the drafting party has no application and is expressly waived.

27. No Ownership Interest. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to vest in Parent or any other Person any direct or indirect ownership or incidence of ownership of, or with respect to, any Subject Shares. Subject to the restrictions and requirements set forth in this Agreement, all rights, ownership and economic benefits of and relating to each Stockholder’s Subject Shares shall remain vested in and belong to such Stockholder, and this Agreement shall not confer any right, power or authority upon Parent or any other Person to direct any Stockholder in the voting of any of its Subject Shares (except as otherwise specifically provided for herein).

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EXECUTION VERSION

SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

THIS SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is made as of December 14, 2023, by and among Fury Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and the investors listed on Exhibit A attached to this Agreement (each a “Purchaser” and together the “Purchasers”).

The parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Purchase and Sale of Preferred Stock.

1.1 Sale and Issuance of Preferred Stock.

(a) The Company shall adopt and file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on or before the Closing (as defined below) the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in the form of Exhibit B attached to this Agreement (the “Restated Certificate”).

(b) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Purchaser agrees to purchase at the applicable Closing and the Company agrees to sell and issue to each Purchaser at the Closing that number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), as is determined pursuant to Exhibit A, at a purchase price of $1,000 per share of Series A Preferred Stock. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued to the Purchasers pursuant to this Agreement shall be referred to in this Agreement as the “Shares.”

1.2 Closing; Delivery.

(a) The purchase and sale of the Shares shall take place remotely via the exchange of documents and signatures promptly following satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 4 and Section 5, or at such other time and place as the Company and the Purchasers mutually agree upon, orally or in writing (which time and place are designated as the “Closing”).

(b) At the Closing, the Company shall deliver to each Purchaser a certificate (in electronic format) representing the Shares being purchased by such Purchaser at the Closing against payment of the purchase price therefor by check payable to the Company or by wire transfer to a bank account designated by the Company.

1.3 Use of Proceeds. In accordance with the directions of the Company’s Board of Directors, as it shall be constituted in accordance with the Stockholders’ Agreement (as defined below) and the Restated Certificate, the Company will use the proceeds from the sale of the Shares to finance the Transactions (as defined below) and for the repayment of debt, working capital and other general corporate purposes.

1.4 Defined Terms Used in this Agreement. In addition to the terms defined above, the following terms used in this Agreement shall be construed to have the meanings set forth or referenced below.

(a) “Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person who, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person, including, without limitation, any general partner, managing member, officer, director or trustee of such Person, or any venture capital fund or registered investment company now or hereafter existing that is controlled by one or more general partners, managing members or investment advisers of, or shares the same management company or investment adviser with, such Person.

(b) “Board” or “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(d) “Common Equity Investments” means sales of Common Stock by the Company for total aggregate cash proceeds (paid to the Company prior to or concurrently with the Closing) of at least $200,000,000.

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(e) “Contribution Agreement” means the Contribution, Rollover and Sale Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company and the parties thereto.

(f) “Contributions” means the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement.

(g) “Equity Interests” means (i) any type of equity ownership interest or voting interest in any Person, including (x) in the case of a corporation, any and all shares (however designated) of capital stock, (y) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock and (z) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, any and all partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited), (ii) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, any Person, or any subscriptions, calls, warrants or options of any kind entitling a Person to purchase or otherwise acquire shares, partnership, or membership interests or any other equity securities of any Person (including phantom share, share appreciation, profit participation or other similar rights) and (iii) in any case, any right to acquire, or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, any of the foregoing.

(h) “Indemnification Agreement” means the agreement between the Company and the directors designated by any Purchaser entitled to designate a member of the Board of Directors pursuant to the Stockholders’ Agreement, dated as of the date of the Closing, in the form of Exhibit D attached to this Agreement, which the Company shall execute upon request by any Purchaser on or after the Closing.

(i) “Knowledge” including the phrase “to the Company’s knowledge” shall mean the actual knowledge after reasonable investigation of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

(j) “Liability” means any obligation, liability, debt, loss, damage, adverse claim, fine, penalty, or deficiency of such Person of any kind, character or description, whether absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, asserted or unasserted, known or unknown, liquidated or unliquidated, due or to become due, fixed or unfixed, disputed or undisputed, joint or several, vested or unvested, executory, determined, determinable or otherwise and regardless of when or by whom asserted, including those arising under any law or any contract, arrangement or undertaking, whether or not the same is required to be accrued on the financial statements of such Person.

(k) “Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on the business, assets (including intangible assets), liabilities, financial condition, property or results of operations of the Company.

(l) “Merger Agreement” means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the Company, San Jacinto Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Merger Sub”) and Battalion Oil Corporation, a Delaware corporation, dated the date hereof.

(m) “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, association or other entity.

(n) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(o) “Stockholders’ Agreement” means the Stockholders’ Agreement among the Company, the Purchasers, and certain other stockholders of the Company, dated as of the date of the Closing, in the form of Exhibit E attached to this Agreement.

(p) “Transactions” means the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

(q) “Transaction Agreements” means this Agreement, the Contribution Agreement and the Stockholders’ Agreement.

2. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby represents and warrants to each Purchaser that, except as set forth on the Disclosure Schedule attached as Exhibit C to this

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Agreement, which exceptions shall be deemed to be part of the representations and warranties made hereunder, the following representations are true and complete as of the date hereof, except as otherwise indicated. The Disclosure Schedule shall be arranged in sections corresponding to the numbered and lettered sections and subsections contained in this Section 2, and the disclosures in any section or subsection of the Disclosure Schedule shall qualify other sections and subsections in this Section 2 only to the extent it is readily apparent from a reading of the disclosure on its face that such disclosure is applicable to such other sections and subsections.

For purposes of these representations and warranties (other than those in Subsections 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, and 2.6), the term the “Company” shall include any subsidiaries of the Company, unless otherwise noted herein.

2.1 Organization, Good Standing, Corporate Power and Qualification. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted. The Company is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would have a Material Adverse Effect.

2.2 Capitalization.

(a) The authorized capital of the Company consists, immediately prior to the Closing, of:

(i) Not less than 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”). As of the Rollover and Sale Closing, all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock will have been duly authorized, will be fully paid and nonassessable and will have been issued in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws. Parent holds no Common Stock in its treasury.

(ii) Not more than 155,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”), all of which have been designated as “Series A Preferred Stock,” none of which are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Closing. The rights, privileges and preferences of the Preferred Stock are as stated in the Restated Certificate and as provided by the Delaware General Corporation Law. The Company holds no Preferred Stock in its treasury.

(b) The issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Company, the holder of such Equity Interests and the number and class of such interests as of the date of this Agreement are set forth on Subsection 2.2(b) of the Disclosure Schedule. Except for the conversion privileges of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be issued under this Agreement and the Contribution Agreement, and the Company’s obligation to consummate the Common Equity Investment, there are no outstanding options, warrants, rights (including conversion or preemptive rights and rights of first refusal or similar rights) or agreements, orally or in writing, to purchase or acquire from the Company, or for the Company to issue, any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, or any Equity Interests. There are no outstanding obligations of the Company (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any Equity Interests of the Company. The Company is not subject to, and no Person has any right to and, to the Company’s knowledge, there is no condition or circumstance that would reasonably be expected to give rise to or provide a basis for the assertion of a valid claim by any Person to the effect that such Person is entitled to acquire any Equity Interests of the Company. There are no outstanding stock-appreciation rights, stock-based performance units, “phantom” stock rights or other similar contracts or obligations of any character (contingent or otherwise) pursuant to which any Person is or may be entitled to receive any payment or other value based on the revenues, earnings or financial performance, equity value or other attribute of the Company. There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of the Company outstanding having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any matters on which any stockholders of the Company may vote. There are no declared or accrued but unpaid dividends or distributions with respect to any Equity Interests of the Company and there is no liability for distributions accrued and unpaid by the Company.

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2.3 Subsidiaries. Merger Sub is the only subsidiary of the Company. Except for Merger Sub, the Company does not currently own or control, directly or indirectly, any interest in any other corporation, partnership, trust, joint venture, limited liability company, association, or other business entity. The Company is not a participant in any joint venture, partnership or similar arrangement. Merger Sub does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any interest in any other corporation, partnership, trust, joint venture, limited liability company, association, or other business entity. Other than the Liabilities of Merger Sub pursuant to the Transaction Agreements and the Merger Agreement (and the other agreements referred to therein and entered into in connection therewith) and any fees, expenses and costs incurred or payable by Merger Sub in connection with the transactions contemplated in the Transaction Agreements and the Merger Agreement (and the other agreements referred to therein and entered into in connection therewith), Merger Sub does not have any Liabilities.

2.4 Authorization. All corporate action required to be taken by the Company’s Board of Directors and stockholders in order to authorize the Company to enter into the Transaction Agreements, and to issue the Shares at the Closing and the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Shares, has been taken or will be taken prior to the Closing. All action on the part of the officers of the Company necessary for the execution and delivery of the Transaction Agreements, the performance of all obligations of the Company under the Transaction Agreements to be performed as of the Closing, and the issuance and delivery of the Shares has been taken or will be taken prior to the Closing. The Transaction Agreements, when executed and delivered by the Company, shall constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms except (a) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, or other laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or (b) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.

2.5 Valid Issuance of Shares. The Shares, when issued, sold and delivered in accordance with the terms and for the consideration set forth in this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free and clear of all restrictions, liens or other encumbrances (other than restrictions on transfer under the Stockholders’ Agreement, the Restated Certificate, applicable state and federal securities laws, or liens or encumbrances created by or imposed by a Purchaser). Assuming the accuracy of the representations of the Purchasers in Section 3 of this Agreement and subject to any filings required by applicable state and federal securities laws, the Shares will be issued in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws. The Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Shares has been duly reserved for issuance, and upon issuance in accordance with the terms of the Restated Certificate, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of all restrictions, liens or other encumbrances (other than restrictions on transfer under the Stockholders’ Agreement, the Restated Certificate, applicable state and federal securities laws or liens or encumbrances created by or imposed by a Purchaser). Assuming the accuracy of the representations of the Purchasers in Section 3 of this Agreement, the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Shares will be issued in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws.

2.6 Governmental Consents and Filings; Consent Generally. Assuming the accuracy of the representations made by the Purchasers in Section 2.11 of this Agreement, no consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, qualification, designation, declaration or filing with, any federal, state or local governmental authority is required on the part of the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for (a) the filing of the Restated Certificate, which will have been filed as of the Closing, and (b) filings pursuant to Regulation D of the Securities Act, and applicable state securities laws, which have been or will be made in a timely manner. The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements, and the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and thereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein by the Company do not and will not violate, conflict with or result in a breach of, or a default under, (i) any provision of the Company’s Restated Certificate or Bylaws (together, “Charter Documents”), (ii) any provision of any material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it or its property are subject to or bound or affected or (iii) to the knowledge of the Company, any applicable law or regulation.

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2.7 Litigation. There is no claim, demand, action, suit, proceeding, arbitration, complaint, charge, inquiry, hearing, order, judgment, temporary or permanent injunction, or investigation pending, threatened in writing, or to the Company’s knowledge, threatened orally, in each case (a) against the Company or Merger Sub or their respective assets or properties, (b) against any officer or director or employee of the Company or Merger Sub arising out of their employment or board relationship with the Company or Merger Sub (as applicable), or (c) that questions the validity of the Transaction Agreements or the right of the Company to enter into them, or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements. Neither the Company, Merger Sub nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any of their respective officers or directors (in their role as such) is a party or is named as subject to the provisions of any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or government agency or instrumentality (in the case of officers or directors, such as would affect the Company). There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation by the Company or Merger Sub pending or which the Company or Merger Sub intends to initiate.

2.8 Compliance with Other Instruments. Neither the Company nor Merger Sub is in violation or default (a) of any provisions of its Charter Documents or, with respect to Merger Sub, similar governing documents, (b) of any instrument, judgment, order, writ or decree, (c) under any note, indenture or mortgage, (d) under any material contract to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or (e) of any provision of federal or state statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or Merger Sub, in the case of sub-clauses (c) or (d), the violation of which would have a Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements will not result in any such violation or be in conflict with or constitute, with or without the passage of time and giving of notice, a default under any of the foregoing listed in clauses (a) through (e).

2.9 Rights of Registration and Voting Rights. Except as contemplated in the Stockholders’ Agreement, the Company is not under any obligation to register under the Securities Act any of its currently outstanding Equity Interests or the Shares. Except as contemplated in the Stockholders’ Agreement, to the Company’s knowledge, no stockholder of the Company has entered into any agreements with respect to the voting or transfer of capital shares of the Company.

2.10 Corporate Documents. The Charter Documents of the Company are in the form provided to the Purchasers.

2.11 No Liabilities. Other than the Liabilities of the Company pursuant to the Transaction Agreements and the Merger Agreement (and the other agreements referred to therein and entered into in connection therewith) and any fees, expenses and costs incurred or payable by the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated in the Transaction Agreements and the Merger Agreement (and the other agreements referred to therein and entered into in connection therewith), the Company does not have any Liabilities.

2.12 CFIUS. The Company does not engage in (i) the design, fabrication, development, testing, production, or manufacture of one or more “critical technologies,” as defined in Section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, including all implementing regulations thereof (the “DPA”); (ii) the ownership, operation, maintenance, supply, manufacture, or servicing of “critical infrastructure,” as defined in the DPA; or (iii) the maintenance or collection, directly or indirectly, of “sensitive personal data,” as defined in the DPA.

3. Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers. Each Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Company, severally and not jointly, as to itself as of the date hereof, that:

3.1 Authorization. The Purchaser has full power and authority to enter into the Transaction Agreements. The Transaction Agreements to which the Purchaser is a party, when executed and delivered by the Purchaser and assuming due and valid authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Company and the other Purchasers, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of such Purchaser, enforceable against such Purchaser in accordance with their terms, except as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and any other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies.

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3.2 Purchase Entirely for Own Account. This Agreement is made with such Purchaser in reliance upon such Purchaser’s representation to the Company, which by such Purchaser’s execution of this Agreement, such Purchaser hereby confirms, that the Shares to be acquired by such Purchaser will be acquired for investment for such Purchaser’s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof, and that such Purchaser has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same. By executing this Agreement, such Purchaser further represents that such Purchaser does not presently have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any Person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such Person or to any third Person, with respect to any of the Shares. Such Purchaser has not been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Shares.

3.3 Disclosure of Information. Such Purchaser has had an opportunity to discuss the Company’s business, management, financial affairs and the terms and conditions of the offering of the Shares with the Company’s management and has had an opportunity to review the Company’s facilities. The foregoing, however, does not limit or modify the representations and warranties of the Company in Section 2 of this Agreement or the right of the Purchasers to rely thereon.

3.4 Restricted Securities. Such Purchaser understands that the Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act, by reason of a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act which depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy of such Purchaser’s representations as expressed herein. Such Purchaser understands that the Shares are “restricted securities” under applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, such Purchaser may need to hold the Shares indefinitely unless they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such registration and qualification requirements is available. Except as set forth in the Stockholders’ Agreement, the Purchaser acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to register or qualify the Shares, or the Common Stock into which they may be converted, for resale. The Purchaser further acknowledges that, except as otherwise set forth in the Stockholders’ Agreement, if an exemption from registration or qualification is available, it may be conditioned on various requirements including, but not limited to, the time and manner of sale, the holding period for the Shares, and on requirements relating to the Company which are outside of the Purchaser’s control, and which the Company is under no obligation and may not be able to satisfy.

3.5 No Public Market. Such Purchaser understands that no public market now exists for the Shares, and that the Company has made no assurances that a public market will ever exist for the Shares.

3.6 Legends. Such Purchaser understands that the Shares and any securities issued in respect of or exchange for the Shares, may be notated with one or all of the following legends:

(a) “THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AND HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION THEREOF. NO SUCH TRANSFER MAY BE EFFECTED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR HOLDER CAN DEMONSTRATE TO THE COMPANY’S REASONABLE SATISFACTION THAT SUCH EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE.”

(b) Any legend set forth in, or required by, the Stockholders’ Agreement.

(c) Any legend required by the securities laws of any state to the extent such laws are applicable to the Shares represented by the certificate, instrument or book entry so legended.

3.7 Accredited Investor. Such Purchaser is an accredited investor as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.

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or any use of this Agreement, including (a) the legal requirements within its jurisdiction for the purchase of the Shares, (b) any foreign exchange restrictions applicable to such purchase, (c) any governmental or other consents that may need to be obtained, and (d) the income tax and other tax consequences, if any, that may be relevant to the purchase, holding, redemption, sale, or transfer of the Shares. The Purchaser’s subscription and payment for and continued beneficial ownership of the Shares will not violate any applicable securities or other laws of the Purchaser’s jurisdiction.

3.9 Restricted Persons. Such Purchaser is not, and is not owned or controlled by any person who is the target of any sanctions imposed by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, or any other government (including, but not limited to, being identified on a sanctions list maintained by such governments or being located in, resident in, headquartered in, or organized under the laws of any territory that is targeted by comprehensive sanctions by any such government).

3.10 No General Solicitation. Neither such Purchaser, nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, stockholders or partners has either directly or indirectly, including, through a broker or finder (a) engaged in any general solicitation, or (b) published any advertisement in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares.

3.11 Exculpation Among Purchasers. Such Purchaser acknowledges that it is not relying upon any Person, other than the Company and its officers and directors, in making its investment or decision to invest in the Company. Such Purchaser agrees that neither any Purchaser nor the respective controlling Persons, officers, directors, partners, agents, or employees of any Purchaser shall be liable to any other Purchaser for any action heretofore taken or omitted to be taken by any of them in connection with the purchase of the Shares.

3.12 Residence. If such Purchaser is an individual, then such Purchaser resides in the state or province identified in the address of such Purchaser set forth on Exhibit A; if such Purchaser is a partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other entity, then the office or offices of such Purchaser in which its principal place of business is identified in the address or addresses of such Purchaser set forth on Exhibit A.

4. Conditions to the Purchasers’ Obligations at Closing. The obligations of each Purchaser to purchase Shares at the Closing are subject to the fulfillment, on or before the Closing, of each of the following conditions, unless otherwise waived by the Purchaser:

4.1 Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 2 shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing.

4.2 Performance. The Company shall have performed and complied with all covenants, agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by the Company on or before the Closing.

4.3 Compliance Certificate. The Chief Executive Officer of the Company shall deliver to the Purchasers at the Closing a certificate certifying that the conditions specified in Subsections 4.1 and 4.2 have been fulfilled.

4.4 Qualifications. All authorizations, approvals or permits, if any, of any governmental authority or regulatory body of the United States or of any state that are required in connection with the lawful issuance and sale of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall be obtained and effective as of the Closing.

4.5 Board of Directors. As of the Closing, the authorized size of the Board shall be five directors, and the Board shall be constituted as set forth in the Stockholders’ Agreement and the Restated Certificate.

4.6 Merger Agreement. All conditions precedent to the closing of the Transactions (the “Transaction Closing”) set forth in the Merger Agreement shall have been satisfied or waived as determined by the parties to the Merger Agreement (other than those conditions which, by their nature, are to be satisfied at the Transaction Closing, but subject to satisfaction or waiver by such party of such conditions as of the Transaction Closing).

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4.7 Contribution Agreement. The Contributions shall have been consummated concurrently with or immediately prior to the Closing.

4.8 Stockholders’ Agreement. The Company, each Purchaser (other than the Purchaser relying upon this condition to excuse such Purchaser’s performance hereunder), and the other stockholders of the Company named as parties thereto, shall have executed and delivered the Stockholders’ Agreement.

4.9 Restated Certificate. The Company shall have filed the Restated Certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware on or prior to the Closing.

4.10 Secretary’s Certificate. The Secretary of the Company shall have delivered to the Purchasers at the Closing a certificate certifying (a) the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company as in effect at the Closing, (b) resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company approving the Transaction Agreements and the transactions contemplated under the Transaction Agreements, and (c) resolutions of the stockholders of the Company approving the Restated Certificate.

4.11 Contemporaneous Issuance. The Common Equity Investments shall have been consummated prior to or concurrently with the Closing.

5. Conditions of the Company’s Obligations at Closing. The obligations of the Company to sell Shares to the Purchasers at the Closing are subject to the fulfillment, on or before the Closing, of each of the following conditions, unless otherwise waived by the Company:

5.1 Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of each Purchaser contained in Section 2.11 shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing other than de minimis changes.

5.2 Performance. The Purchasers shall have, in all material respects, performed and complied with all covenants, agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by them on or before the Closing.

5.3 Qualifications. All authorizations, approvals or permits, if any, of any governmental authority or regulatory body of the United States or of any state that are required in connection with the lawful issuance and sale of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall be obtained and effective as of the Closing.

5.4 Merger Agreement. All conditions precedent to the Transaction Closing shall have been satisfied or waived as determined by the parties to the Merger Agreement (other than those conditions which, by their nature, are to be satisfied at the Transaction Closing, but subject to satisfaction or waiver by such party of such conditions as of the Transaction Closing).

5.5 Series A-1 Amendment. The Company shall have filed the Series A-1 Amendment (as defined in the Contribution Agreement) with the Secretary of State of Delaware on or prior to the Closing.

5.6 Contribution Agreement. The Contributions shall have been consummated concurrently with or immediately prior to the Closing.

5.7 Stockholders’ Agreement. Each Purchaser, and the other stockholders of the Company named as parties thereto shall have executed and delivered the Stockholders’ Agreement.

6. Miscellaneous.

6.1 Termination.

(a) If the Merger Agreement is validly terminated for any reason pursuant to its terms, this Agreement will automatically terminate in its entirety.

(b) Solely with respect to each Purchaser that is a party to the Contribution Agreement, in the event that such Purchaser’s aggregate Rollover Value (as defined in the Contribution Agreement)

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equals or exceeds such Purchaser’s Maximum Rollover Amount (as defined in the Contribution Agreement), then this Agreement will automatically terminate in its entirety with respect to such Purchaser and shall be of no further force or effect and such Purchaser shall have no further rights or obligations under this Agreement and shall no longer be deemed a Purchaser for purposes of this Agreement, in each case, other than with respect to Section 6.4 and Section 6.9.

6.2 Survival of Warranties. Unless otherwise set forth in this Agreement, the representations and warranties of the Company and the Purchasers contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Closing and shall in no way be affected by any investigation or knowledge of the subject matter thereof made by or on behalf of the Purchasers or the Company; provided that if this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 6.1, the representations and warranties of the Company and the Purchaser contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall terminate upon such date of termination.

6.3 Successors and Assigns. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the parties. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.

6.4 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the internal law of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any law other than the law of the State of Delaware.

6.5 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

6.6 Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.

6.7 Notices. All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon the earlier of actual receipt, or (a) personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent, if sent by electronic mail or facsimile during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not sent during normal business hours, then on the recipient’s next business day, (c) five days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one business day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, freight prepaid, specifying next business day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the respective parties at their address as set forth on the signature page or Exhibit A, or to such e-mail address, facsimile number or address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with this Subsection 6.7. If notice is given to the Company, a copy shall also be sent to K&L Gates LLP, 1 Park Plaza, Twelfth Floor, Irvine, CA 92614, Attention: Michael Hedge, Email: michael.hedge@klgates.com and if notice is given to the Purchasers, a copy shall also be given to Dechert LLP, 300 South Tryon Street, Suite 800, Charlotte, NC, 28202, Attention: David Cosgrove, Email: david.cosgrove@dechert.com.

6.8 No Finder’s Fees. Each party represents that it neither is nor will be obligated for any finder’s fee or commission in connection with this transaction. Each Purchaser agrees to indemnify and to hold harmless the Company from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a finder’s or broker’s fee arising out of this transaction (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which each Purchaser or any of its officers, employees or representatives is responsible. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Purchaser from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a finder’s or broker’s fee arising out of this transaction (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Company or any of its officers, employees or representatives is responsible.

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6.9 Expenses. At the Closing, the Company shall pay (or reimburse the Purchasers for) the reasonable fees and expenses of Dechert LLP, the counsel for the Purchasers, in respect of the negotiation and consummation of the Transaction Agreements and the transactions contemplated therein, in an amount not to exceed, in the aggregate, $100,000.

6.10 Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this Agreement may be amended, terminated or waived only with the written consent of the Company and the written consent of a majority of the Purchasers (such majority to be determined using the number of Shares purchased by each Purchaser pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the number of Shares acquired pursuant to the Contribution Agreement); provided that any amendments, changes or modifications to the price per Share or number of Shares acquired hereunder shall require the written consent of each Purchaser. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Subsection 6.9 shall be binding upon the Purchasers and each transferee of Shares (or the Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof), each future holder of all such securities, and the Company.

6.11 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.

6.12 Delays or Omissions. No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party under this Agreement, upon any breach or default of any other party under this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power or remedy of such non-breaching or non-defaulting party nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any party of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver on the part of any party of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement, must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.

6.13 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Exhibits hereto), the Restated Certificate and the other Transaction Agreements constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and any other written or oral agreement relating to the subject matter hereof existing between the parties are expressly canceled.

6.14 Specific Performance. Each of the parties hereby agrees that there is no adequate remedy at law for the damage which any party might sustain if the other party fails to perform the specific terms and conditions of this Agreement or otherwise breach its terms. Accordingly, the parties agree that in the event of any breach or threatened breach by any party of any covenant, obligation or other provision set forth in this Agreement, any other party shall be entitled, at each such party’s option, to the remedies of specific performance and an injunction or injunctions, in each case, to prevent any breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, without proof of actual damages or otherwise, in addition to all other remedies at law or in equity available to such party.

6.15 Dispute Resolution. The parties (a) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the jurisdiction of the state courts of the State of Delaware and to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement, (b) agree not to commence any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement except in the state courts of the State of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and (c) hereby waive, and agree not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL: EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER TRANSACTION AGREEMENTS, THE SECURITIES OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF

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EXHIBIT A

SCHEDULE OF PURCHASERS

	Purchaser			Aggregate Purchase Price Amount
	Name: Luminus Energy Partners Master Fund, Ltd Address: c/o Luminus Management, LLC 1811 Bering Drive Suite 400 Houston, TX 77057 Attn: Jonathan Barrett E-mail: jbarrett@luminusmgmt.com			$42,519,622 less such Purchaser’s aggregate Rollover Value pursuant to the Contribution Agreement; provided, that if such Purchaser’s Aggregate Purchase Price Amount is equal to or less than $0, then Subsection 6.1(b) shall apply with respect to such Purchaser.
	Name: OCM HLCN HOLDINGS, L.P. Address: c/o Oaktree Capital Management, LLC 333 South Grand Avenue, 28th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90071 Attention: Jordan Mikes E-mail: jmikes@oaktreecapital.com			$27,556,191 less such Purchaser’s aggregate Rollover Value pursuant to the Contribution Agreement; provided, that if such Purchaser’s Aggregate Purchase Price Amount is equal to or less than $0, then Subsection 6.1(b) shall apply with respect to such Purchaser.
	Name: Lion Point Master, LP Address: 250 West 55th Street, 35th Floor New York, NY 10019 Attention: Didric Cederholm E-mail: dcederholm@lionpoint.com; ops@lionpoint.com			$9,320,478

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EXECUTION VERSION

CONTRIBUTION, ROLLOVER AND SALE AGREEMENT

This Contribution, Rollover and Sale Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of December 14, 2023, is made by and among Fury Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), the Rollover Sellers listed on Schedule A attached to this Agreement (the “Rollover Sellers” or the “Sellers”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Parent, the Rollover Sellers and the other parties thereto, dated as of the date hereof (the “Purchase Agreement”).

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Parent, San Jacinto Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), and Battalion Oil Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), have entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof (the “Merger Agreement”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation in the Merger and as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent;

WHEREAS, immediately prior to the closing of the Merger, but subject to the consummation thereof, each Rollover Seller desires to contribute to Parent all of the shares of (i) Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series A Shares”), of the Company, (ii) Series A-1 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Series A-1 Shares”), of the Company, and (iii) any new preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share of the Company (“New Preferred Stock” and, together with the Series A Shares and Series A-1 Shares, the “Company Preferred Stock”), in each case, owned by such Rollover Seller on the date hereof as set forth on Schedule A attached hereto, or acquired by such Rollover Seller after the date hereof and prior to the Rollover and Sale Closing (as defined below), other than any Rollover Excess Shares (as defined below) (collectively, the “Rollover Shares”), in exchange for the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock (as defined below) of Parent determined as set forth herein in each case, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (the “Contribution and Rollover”);

WHEREAS, Parent and the Rollover Sellers intend that the Contribution and Rollover, together with the issuance of shares of Series A Preferred Stock of Parent pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Common Equity Investments, and the initial issuance of shares of Common Stock by Parent to Ruckus Energy Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, be treated for United States federal income tax purposes as a transaction described in Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) (such treatment, the “Intended Tax Treatment”).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto do hereby mutually covenant and agree as follows:

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ARTICLE 1
CONTRIBUTION AND ROLLOVER

1.1 Contribution and Rollover.

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, concurrently with or immediately prior to the Closing, and in any case prior to the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement), each Rollover Seller shall convey, contribute, transfer and assign to Parent, and Parent shall accept, all of the Rollover Shares free and clear of all restrictions, liens or other encumbrances (other than restrictions on transfer under applicable state and federal securities laws).

(b) In connection with each Rollover Seller’s contribution of such Rollover Seller’s Rollover Shares to Parent, Parent shall, immediately prior to the Transaction Closing and immediately following conveyance, contribution, transfer, assignment and acceptance of the Rollover Shares pursuant to Section 1.1(a), issue to each Rollover Seller a number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Parent (“Series A Preferred Stock”), equal to the lesser of such Seller’s (i) aggregate Rollover Value (as of the Rollover and Sale Closing Date) or (ii) Maximum Rollover Amount, as applicable, divided by $1,000 (such shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the “Consideration Shares”), free and clear of all restrictions, liens or other encumbrances (other than restrictions on transfer under the Stockholders’ Agreement, the Restated Certificate, applicable state and federal securities laws, or liens or encumbrances created by or imposed by a Rollover Seller).

(c) Tax Treatment. The parties shall file all income tax returns in a manner consistent with the Intended Tax Treatment, and no party shall take any position in any income tax return that is inconsistent with the Intended Tax Treatment unless required to do so by a “determination” as defined in Section 1313 of the Code.

(d) Rollover Value. For purposes of this Agreement and notwithstanding anything in the applicable Certificate of Designations to the contrary, the “Rollover Value” attributable to each Series A Share, each Series A-1 Share and each share of New Preferred Stock is the amount set forth on Schedule A hereto under the heading “Rollover Value.”

1.2 Preferred Stock Sales.

(a) In the event that the aggregate Rollover Value of any New Preferred Stock acquired by a Rollover Seller after the date hereof and prior to the Rollover and Sale Closing, when aggregated with the Rollover Value of such Rollover Seller’s Series A Shares and Series A-1 Shares, exceeds such Seller’s Maximum Rollover Amount, then subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, concurrently with or immediately prior to the Transaction Closing, and in any case prior to the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement), such Rollover Seller shall sell, convey, transfer and assign to Parent all of such Seller’s Rollover Excess Shares, free and clear of all restrictions, liens or other encumbrances (other than restrictions on transfer under applicable state and federal securities laws), in exchange for an amount in cash equal to the Rollover Excess Amount attributable to such Rollover Excess Shares;

(b) Rollover Excess Amount. For purposes of this Agreement and notwithstanding anything in the applicable Certificate of Designations to the contrary, the “Rollover Excess Amount” with respect to any Rollover Seller shall be an amount equal to the aggregate Rollover Value of all shares of Company Preferred Stock held by such Rollover Seller as of the Rollover and Sale Closing Date (calculated as set forth in Section 1.1(d) and Schedule A hereto) less the Maximum Rollover Amount set forth next to such Rollover Seller’s name on Schedule A hereto; provided that if such amount is a negative number, the “Rollover Excess Amount” for such Rollover Seller shall be deemed to be $0.00.

1.3 Rollover and Sale Closing.

(a) The date on which the Contribution and Rollover and Preferred Stock Sales close (the “Rollover and Sale Closing”) is referred to as the “Rollover and Sale Closing Date.”

(b) At the Rollover and Sale Closing:

(i) Each Rollover Seller shall deliver to Parent duly executed instruments of transfer for such Rollover Seller’s Rollover Shares and, if applicable, Rollover Excess Shares, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Parent; and

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(ii) Parent shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to each Rollover Seller, (A) such Rollover Seller’s Consideration Shares and (B) if applicable, an amount equal to such Rollover Seller’s Rollover Excess Amount, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated in writing by such Rollover Seller not less than two business days prior to the Rollover and Sale Closing Date.

1.4 New Preferred Stock. If any New Preferred Stock is issued to the Sellers after the date hereof and prior to the Rollover and Sale Closing, such New Preferred Stock shall be issued pursuant to a Certificate of Designation in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (with the conversion price thereof to be calculated based on the trading price of the common stock of the Company immediately prior to such issuance in a manner consistent with the calculation of the conversion prices for the Series A Shares and Series A-1 Shares) (a “New Series Certificate of Designation”), or otherwise pursuant to transaction documents in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Parent.

1.5 Additional Series A Preferred Stock / Common Stock. Parent hereby acknowledges and agrees that:

1.5.1 any sale of Series A Preferred Stock by Parent on or after the date hereof, shall be sold pursuant to the terms and conditions of the form Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B; and

1.5.2 any sale of Common Stock by Parent on or after the date hereof through the Transaction Closing, shall be sold pursuant to the terms and conditions of the form Subscription Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit C.

ARTICLE 2
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT

Parent hereby represents and warrants to each Rollover Seller that, except as set forth on the Disclosure Schedule attached as Schedule B to this Agreement, which exceptions shall be deemed to be part of the representations and warranties made hereunder, the following representations are true and complete as of the date hereof, except as otherwise indicated. The Disclosure Schedule shall be arranged in sections corresponding to the numbered and lettered sections and subsections contained in this Section 2, and the disclosures in any section or subsection of the Disclosure Schedule shall qualify other sections and subsections in this Section 2 only to the extent it is readily apparent from a reading of the disclosure on its face that such disclosure is applicable to such other sections and subsections.

For purposes of these representations and warranties (other than those in Sections 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, and 2.5), the term the “Parent” shall include any subsidiaries of Parent, unless otherwise noted herein.

2.1 Organization, Good Standing, Corporate Power and Qualification. Parent is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted. Parent is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify would have a Material Adverse Effect.

2.2 Capitalization.

2.2.1 The authorized capital of Parent consists, immediately prior to the Rollover and Sale Closing, of:

(a) Not less than 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”). As of the Rollover and Sale Closing, all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock will have been duly authorized, will be fully paid and nonassessable and will have been issued in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws. Parent holds no Common Stock in its treasury.

(b) Not more than 155,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”), all of which have been designated as “Series A Preferred Stock,” none of which are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Rollover and Sale Closing. The rights,

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privileges and preferences of the Preferred Stock are as stated in the Restated Certificate and as provided by the Delaware General Corporation Law. Parent holds no Preferred Stock in its treasury.

2.2.2 The issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Parent, the holder of such Equity Interests and the number and class of such interests as of the date of this Agreement are set forth on Section 2.2.2 of the Disclosure Schedule. Except for the conversion privileges of the Series A Preferred Stock to be issued under the Purchase Agreement and this Agreement, and Parent’s obligation to consummate the Common Equity Investment, there are no outstanding options, warrants, rights (including conversion or preemptive rights and rights of first refusal or similar rights) or agreements, orally or in writing, to purchase or acquire from Parent, or for Parent to issue, any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, or any Equity Interests. There are no outstanding obligations of Parent (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any Equity Interests of Parent. Parent is not subject to, and no Person has any right to and, to Parent’s knowledge, there is no condition or circumstance that would reasonably be expected to give rise to or provide a basis for the assertion of a valid claim by any Person to the effect that such Person is entitled to acquire any Equity Interests of Parent. There are no outstanding stock-appreciation rights, stock-based performance units, “phantom” stock rights or other similar contracts or obligations of any character (contingent or otherwise) pursuant to which any Person is or may be entitled to receive any payment or other value based on the revenues, earnings or financial performance, equity value or other attribute of Parent. There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of Parent outstanding having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any matters on which any stockholders of Parent may vote. There are no declared or accrued but unpaid dividends or distributions with respect to any Equity Interests of Parent and there is no liability for distributions accrued and unpaid by Parent.

2.3 Subsidiaries. Merger Sub is the only subsidiary of Parent. Except for Merger Sub, Parent does not currently own or control, directly or indirectly, any interest in any other corporation, partnership, trust, joint venture, limited liability company, association, or other business entity. Parent is not a participant in any joint venture, partnership or similar arrangement. Merger Sub does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any interest in any other corporation, partnership, trust, joint venture, limited liability company, association, or other business entity. Other than the Liabilities of Merger Sub pursuant to the Transaction Agreements and the Merger Agreement (and the other agreements referred to therein and entered into in connection therewith) and any fees, expenses and costs incurred or payable by Merger Sub in connection with the transactions contemplated in the Transaction Agreements and the Merger Agreement (and the other agreements referred to therein and entered into in connection therewith), Merger Sub does not have any Liabilities.

2.4 Authorization. All corporate action required to be taken by Parent’s Board of Directors and stockholders in order to authorize Parent to enter into this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements, and to issue the Series A Preferred Stock at the Rollover and Sale Closing and the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, has been taken or will be taken prior to the Rollover and Sale Closing. All action on the part of the officers of Parent necessary for the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements, the performance of all obligations of Parent under this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements to be performed as of the Rollover and Sale Closing, and the issuance and delivery of the Series A Preferred Stock has been taken or will be taken prior to the Rollover and Sale Closing. This Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements, when executed and delivered by Parent, shall constitute valid and legally binding obligations of Parent, enforceable against Parent in accordance with their respective terms except (a) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, or other laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or (b) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.

2.5 Valid Issuance of Shares. The Series A Preferred Stock, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms and for the consideration set forth in this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free and clear of all restrictions, liens or other encumbrances (other than restrictions on transfer under the Stockholders’ Agreement, the Restated Certificate, applicable state and federal securities laws, or liens or encumbrances created by or imposed by a Rollover Seller). Assuming the accuracy of the representations of the Rollover Sellers in Section 3 of this Agreement and subject to any filings required by

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applicable state and federal securities laws, the Series A Preferred Stock will be issued in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws. The Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock has been duly reserved for issuance, and upon issuance in accordance with the terms of the Restated Certificate, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of all restrictions, liens or other encumbrances (other than restrictions on transfer under the Stockholders’ Agreement, the Restated Certificate, applicable state and federal securities laws or liens or encumbrances created by or imposed by a Rollover Seller). Assuming the accuracy of the representations of the Rollover Sellers in Article 3 of this Agreement, the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock will be issued in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws.

2.6 Governmental Consents and Filings; Consent Generally. Assuming the accuracy of the representations made by the Rollover Sellers in Section 3 of this Agreement, no consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, qualification, designation, declaration or filing with, any federal, state or local governmental authority is required on the part of Parent in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for (a) the filing of the Restated Certificate, which will have been filed as of the Rollover and Sale Closing, and (b) filings pursuant to Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and applicable state securities laws, which have been or will be made in a timely manner. The execution and delivery by Parent of this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements, and the performance by Parent of its obligations hereunder and thereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein by Parent do not and will not violate, conflict with or result in a breach of, or a default under, (i) any provision of Parent’s Restated Certificate or Bylaws (together, “Parent’s Charter Documents”), (ii) any provision of any material agreement or instrument to which Parent is a party or by which it or its property are subject to or bound or affected or (iii) to the knowledge of Parent, any applicable law or regulation.

2.7 Litigation. There is no claim, demand, action, suit, proceeding, arbitration, complaint, charge, inquiry, hearing, order, judgment, temporary or permanent injunction, or investigation pending, threatened in writing, or to Parent’s knowledge, threatened orally, in each case (a) against Parent or Merger Sub or their respective assets or properties, (b) against any officer or director or employee of Parent or Merger Sub arising out of their employment or board relationship with Parent or Merger Sub (as applicable), or (c) that questions the validity of this Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements or the right of Parent to enter into them, or to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements. Neither Parent, Merger Sub nor, to Parent’s knowledge, any of their respective officers or directors (in their role as such) is a party or is named as subject to the provisions of any order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any court or government agency or instrumentality (in the case of officers or directors, such as would affect Parent). There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation by Parent or Merger Sub pending or which Parent or Merger Sub intends to initiate.

2.8 Compliance with Other Instruments. Neither Parent nor Merger Sub is in violation or default (a) of any provisions of its Charter Documents or with respect to Merger Sub, similar governing documents, (b) of any instrument, judgment, order, writ or decree, (c) under any note, indenture or mortgage, (d) under any material contract to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or (e) of any provision of federal or state statute, rule or regulation applicable to Parent or Merger Sub, in the case of sub-clauses (c) or (d), the violation of which would have a Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements will not result in any such violation or be in conflict with or constitute, with or without the passage of time and giving of notice, a default under any of the foregoing listed in clauses (a) through (e).

2.9 Rights of Registration and Voting Rights. Except as contemplated in the Stockholders’ Agreement, Parent is not under any obligation to register under the Securities Act any of its currently outstanding Equity Interests or the Series A Preferred Stock. Except as contemplated in the Stockholders’ Agreement, to Parent’s knowledge, no stockholder of Parent has entered into any agreements with respect to the voting or transfer of capital shares of Parent.

2.10 Corporate Documents. The Charter Documents of Parent are in the form provided to the Rollover Sellers.

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2.11 No Liabilities. Other than the Liabilities of Parent pursuant to the Transaction Agreements and the Merger Agreement (and the other agreements referred to therein and entered into in connection therewith) and any fees, expenses and costs incurred or payable by Parent in connection with the transactions contemplated in the Transaction Agreements and the Merger Agreement (and the other agreements referred to therein and entered into in connection therewith), Parent does not have any Liabilities.

ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLERS

Each Rollover Seller hereby represents and warrants to Parent, severally and not jointly, as to itself as of the date hereof, that:

3.1 Authorization. Such Seller has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement. This Agreement, when executed and delivered by such Seller and assuming due and valid authorization, execution and delivery hereof by Parent and the other Sellers, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of such Seller, enforceable against such Seller in accordance with their terms, except as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and any other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies.

3.2 Title to Rollover Shares. Such Seller (a) is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Transferred Shares owned by such Rollover Seller as of the date hereof as set forth opposite such Seller’s name on Schedule A, as applicable, attached hereto, and will be the sole record and beneficial owner of any Transferred Shares acquired by such Seller after the date hereof and prior to the closing of the Rollover and Sale Closing, and (b) has, and will have at the Rollover and Sale Closing, good and indefeasible title to all such Transferred Shares, free and clear of all restrictions, liens or other encumbrances (other than restrictions on transfer under the Transaction Agreements or applicable state and federal securities laws), and that such Seller has and will have full authority to surrender all such Transferred Shares pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Such Seller will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents reasonably deemed appropriate or necessary by Parent in connection with the surrender of the Seller’s Transferred Shares pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

3.3 Issued and Outstanding Company Preferred Stock. At the Rollover and Sale Closing, such Seller’s Transferred Shares will constitute one-hundred percent (100%) of the shares of Company Preferred Stock beneficially owned by such Seller.

3.4 Acquisition Entirely for Own Account. This Agreement is made with such Rollover Seller in reliance upon such Rollover Seller’s representation to Parent, which by such Rollover Seller’s execution of this Agreement, such Rollover Seller hereby confirms, that the Series A Preferred Stock to be acquired by such Rollover Seller will be acquired for investment for such Rollover Seller’s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof, and that such Rollover Seller has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same. By executing this Agreement, such Rollover Seller further represents that such Rollover Seller does not presently have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any Person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such Person or to any third Person, with respect to any of the Series A Preferred Stock. Such Rollover Seller has not been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Series A Preferred Stock.

3.5 Disclosure of Information. Such Rollover Seller has had an opportunity to discuss Parent’s business, management, financial affairs and the terms and conditions of the Contribution and Rollover with Parent’s management and has had an opportunity to review Parent’s facilities. The foregoing, however, does not limit or modify the representations and warranties of Parent in Section 2 of this Agreement or the right of the Rollover Sellers to rely thereon.

3.6 Restricted Securities. Such Rollover Seller understands that the Series A Preferred Stock have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act, by reason of a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act which depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy of such Rollover Seller’s representations as expressed herein. Such Rollover Seller understands that the Series A Preferred Stock are “restricted securities” under applicable

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U.S. federal and state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, such Rollover Seller may need to hold the Series A Preferred Stock indefinitely unless they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such registration and qualification requirements is available. Except as set forth in the Stockholders’ Agreement, such Rollover Seller acknowledges that Parent has no obligation to register or qualify the Series A Preferred Stock, or the Common Stock into which they may be converted, for resale. Such Rollover Seller further acknowledges that, except as otherwise set forth in the Stockholders’ Agreement, if an exemption from registration or qualification is available, it may be conditioned on various requirements including, but not limited to, the time and manner of sale, the holding period for the Series A Preferred Stock, and on requirements relating to Parent which are outside of such Rollover Seller’s control, and which Parent is under no obligation and may not be able to satisfy.

3.7 No Public Market. Such Rollover Seller understands that no public market now exists for the Series A Preferred Stock, and that Parent has made no assurances that a public market will ever exist for the Series A Preferred Stock.

3.8 Legends. Such Rollover Seller understands that the Series A Preferred Stock and any securities issued in respect of or exchange for the Series A Preferred Stock, may be notated with one or all of the following legends:

3.8.1 “THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AND HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION THEREOF. NO SUCH TRANSFER MAY BE EFFECTED WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR HOLDER CAN DEMONSTRATE TO THE COMPANY’S REASONABLE SATISFACTION THAT SUCH EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE.”

3.8.2 Any legend set forth in, or required by, the Stockholders’ Agreement.

3.8.3 Any legend required by the securities laws of any state to the extent such laws are applicable to the Series A Preferred Stock represented by the certificate, instrument or book entry so legended.

3.9 Accredited Investor. Such Rollover Seller is an accredited investor as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.

3.10 Foreign Investors. If such Rollover Seller is not a United States person (as defined by Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code), such Rollover Seller hereby represents that it has satisfied itself as to the full observance of the laws of its jurisdiction in connection with any invitation to subscribe for the Series A Preferred Stock or any use of this Agreement, including (a) the legal requirements within its jurisdiction for the purchase of the Series A Preferred Stock, (b) any foreign exchange restrictions applicable to such purchase, (c) any governmental or other consents that may need to be obtained, and (d) the income tax and other tax consequences, if any, that may be relevant to the purchase, holding, redemption, sale, or transfer of the Series A Preferred Stock. Such Rollover Seller’s Contribution and Rollover and continued beneficial ownership of the Series A Preferred Stock will not violate any applicable securities or other laws of such Rollover Seller’s jurisdiction.

3.11 CFIUS Foreign Person Status. Such Rollover Seller is not a “foreign person” or a “foreign entity,” as defined in Section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, including all implementing regulations thereof (the “DPA”). Such Rollover Seller is not controlled by a “foreign person,” as defined in the DPA. Such Rollover Seller does not permit any foreign person affiliated with such Rollover Seller, whether affiliated as a limited partner or otherwise, to obtain through such Rollover Seller any of the following with respect to Parent: (a) access to any “material nonpublic technical information” (as defined in the DPA) in the possession of Parent; (b) membership or observer rights on the Board of Directors or equivalent governing body of Parent or the right to nominate an individual to a position on the Board of Directors or equivalent governing body of Parent; (c) any involvement, other than through the voting of shares, in the substantive decision-making of Parent regarding (i) the use, development, acquisition, or release of any “critical technology” (as defined in the DPA), (ii) the use, development, acquisition, safekeeping, or release of “sensitive personal data” (as defined in the DPA) of U.S. citizens maintained or

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collected by Parent, or (iii) the management, operation, manufacture, or supply of “covered investment critical infrastructure” (as defined in the DPA); or (iv) “control” of Parent (as defined in the DPA).

3.12 No General Solicitation. Neither such Rollover Seller, nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, stockholders or partners has either directly or indirectly, including, through a broker or finder (a) engaged in any general solicitation, or (b) published any advertisement in connection with the offer and acquisition of the Series A Preferred Stock.

3.13 Exculpation Among Rollover Sellers. Such Rollover Seller acknowledges that it is not relying upon any Person, other than Parent and its officers and directors, in making its investment or decision to invest in Parent. Such Rollover Seller agrees that neither any Rollover Seller nor the respective controlling Persons, officers, directors, partners, agents, or employees of any Rollover Seller shall be liable to any other Rollover Seller for any action heretofore taken or omitted to be taken by any of them in connection with the acquisition of the Series A Preferred Stock.

3.14 Residence. If such Rollover Seller is an individual, then such Rollover Seller resides in the state or province identified in the address of such Rollover Seller set forth on Schedule A attached hereto; if such Rollover Seller is a partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other entity, then the office or offices of such Rollover Seller in which its principal place of business is identified in the address or addresses of such Rollover Seller set forth on Schedule A attached hereto.

ARTICLE 4
CLOSING CONDITIONS

4.1 Conditions to Sellers’ Obligations. The obligations of each Seller to deliver such Seller’s Transferred Shares pursuant to the terms of this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment, on or before the Rollover and Sale Closing, of each of the following conditions, unless otherwise waived by the Sellers:

4.1.1 Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of Parent contained in Article 2 shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Rollover and Sale Closing.

4.1.2 Performance. Parent shall have performed and complied with all covenants, agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by Parent on or before the Rollover and Sale Closing.

4.1.3 Qualifications. All authorizations, approvals or permits, if any, of any governmental authority or regulatory body of the United States or of any state that are required in connection with the lawful issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to this Agreement shall be obtained and effective as of the Rollover and Sale Closing.

4.1.4 Compliance Certificate. The Chief Executive Officer of Parent shall deliver to the Sellers at the Rollover and Sale Closing a certificate certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.1.1 and 4.1.2 have been fulfilled.

4.1.5 Board of Directors. As of the Rollover and Sale Closing, the authorized size of the Board shall be five directors, and the Board shall be constituted as set forth in the Stockholders’ Agreement and the Restated Certificate.

4.1.6 Merger Agreement. All conditions precedent to the closing of the Transactions (the “Transaction Closing”) set forth in the Merger Agreement shall have been satisfied or waived as determined by the parties to the Merger Agreement (other than those conditions which, by their nature, are to be satisfied at the Transaction Closing, but subject to satisfaction or waiver by such party of such conditions as of the Transaction Closing).

4.1.7 Stockholders’ Agreement. Parent, each Rollover Seller (other than the Rollover Seller relying upon this condition to excuse such Rollover Sellers’ performance hereunder), and the other stockholders of Parent named as parties thereto, shall have executed and delivered the Stockholders’ Agreement.

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4.1.8 Restated Certificate and Bylaws. Parent shall have filed the Restated Certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware on or prior to the Closing and shall have amended and restated the Bylaws of Parent in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E.

4.1.9 Secretary’s Certificate. The Secretary of Parent shall have delivered to the Sellers at the Rollover and Sale Closing a certificate certifying (a) the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Parent as in effect at the Rollover and Sale Closing, (b) resolutions of the Board of Directors of Parent approving this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements and the transactions contemplated under this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements, and (c) resolutions of the stockholders of Parent approving the Restated Certificate.

4.1.10 Contemporaneous Issuance. The Common Equity Investments shall have been consummated prior to or concurrently with the Rollover and Sale Closing.

4.1.11 Available Financing. The Chief Executive Officer of Parent shall have delivered to the Sellers two (2) business days prior to the Rollover and Sale Closing a certificate certifying that Parent has sufficient available funds to complete the Transaction Closing and pay, if applicable, the Rollover Excess Amount and such certificate shall include supporting data reflecting such finances, including without limitation, a detailed funds flow, bank account ledger, escrow statements and debt financing commitments.

4.1.12 Capitalization Table. The Chief Executive Officer of Parent shall have delivered to the Rollover Sellers two (2) business days prior to the Rollover and Sale Closing a certificate certifying to the accuracy of a pro forma equity capitalization table of Parent giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Purchase Agreement and the Common Equity Investments, which shall be attached to such certificate.

4.2 Conditions to Parent’s Obligations. The obligations of Parent to deliver the Series A Preferred Stock and pay the Rollover Excess Amount pursuant to the terms of this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment, on or before the Rollover and Sale Closing, of each of the following conditions, unless otherwise waived by Parent:

4.2.1 Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of each Seller contained in Article 3 shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Rollover and Sale Closing other than de minimis changes.

4.2.2 Performance. Each Seller shall have, in all material respects, performed and complied with all covenants, agreements, obligations and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by them on or before the Rollover and Sale Closing.

4.2.3 Qualifications. All authorizations, approvals or permits, if any, of any governmental authority or regulatory body of the United States or of any state that are required in connection with the lawful issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to this Agreement shall be obtained and effective as of the Closing.

4.2.4 Merger Agreement. All conditions precedent to the Transaction Closing shall have been satisfied or waived as determined by the parties to the Merger Agreement (other than those conditions which, by their nature, are to be satisfied at the Transaction Closing, but subject to satisfaction or waiver by such party of such conditions as of the Transaction Closing).

4.2.5 Series A-1 Amendment. The Company shall have filed the Series A-1 Amendment (as defined below) with the Secretary of State of Delaware on or prior to the Rollover and Sale Closing.

4.2.6 Stockholders’ Agreement. Each Rollover Seller, and the other stockholders of Parent named as parties thereto shall have executed and delivered the Stockholders’ Agreement.

ARTICLE 5
MISCELLANEOUS

5.1 Termination. If the Merger Agreement is validly terminated for any reason pursuant to its terms, this Agreement will automatically terminate in its entirety.

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5.2 Survival of Warranties. Unless otherwise set forth in this Agreement, the representations and warranties of Parent and the Sellers contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Closing and shall in no way be affected by any investigation or knowledge of the subject matter thereof made by or on behalf of the Sellers or Parent; provided, that if this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 5.1, the representations and warranties of Parent and the Sellers contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall terminate upon such date of termination.

5.3 Successors and Assigns. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the parties. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.

5.4 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the internal law of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any law other than the law of the State of Delaware.

5.5 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

5.6 Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.

5.7 Notices. All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon the earlier of actual receipt, or (a) personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent, if sent by electronic mail or facsimile during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not sent during normal business hours, then on the recipient’s next business day, (c) five days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one business day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, freight prepaid, specifying next business day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the respective parties at their address as set forth on the signature page or Schedule A, or to such e-mail address, facsimile number or address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with this Section 5.7. If notice is given to Parent, a copy shall also be sent to K&L Gates LLP, 1 Park Plaza, Twelfth Floor, Irvine, CA 92614, Attention: Michael Hedge, Email: michael.hedge@klgates.com and if notice is given to the Sellers, a copy shall also be given to Dechert LLP, 300 South Tryon Street, Suite 800, Charlotte, NC, 28202, Attention: David Cosgrove, Email: david.cosgrove@dechert.com.

5.8 No Finder’s Fees. Each party represents that it neither is nor will be obligated for any finder’s fee or commission in connection with this transaction. Each Seller agrees to indemnify and to hold harmless Parent from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a finder’s or broker’s fee arising out of this transaction (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which each Rollover Seller or any of its officers, employees or representatives is responsible. Parent agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Seller from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a finder’s or broker’s fee arising out of this transaction (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which Parent or any of its officers, employees or representatives is responsible.

5.9 Transaction Costs. Except as set forth in the Purchase Agreement or any other agreement between a Seller and Parent, each party hereto shall pay its own fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection herewith and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the fees, costs and expenses of its financial advisors, accountants and counsel.

5.10 Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this Agreement may be amended, terminated or waived only with the written consent of Parent and the written consent of a majority of the Sellers (such majority to be determined using the number of Transferred Shares held by such Seller as of the date of such

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amendment, termination or waiver); provided, that any amendments, changes or modifications to the number of Rollover Shares contributed, the number of Series A Preferred Stock issued hereunder, or the Rollover Value shall, in each case, require the written consent of each Rollover Seller. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 5.10 shall be binding upon the Sellers and each transferee of Series A Preferred Stock (or the Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof), each future holder of all such securities, and Parent.

5.11 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.

5.12 Delays or Omissions. No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party under this Agreement, upon any breach or default of any other party under this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power or remedy of such non-breaching or non-defaulting party nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any party of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver on the part of any party of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement, must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.

5.13 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Schedules hereto), the Restated Certificate and the other Transaction Agreements constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and any other written or oral agreement relating to the subject matter hereof existing between the parties are expressly canceled.

5.14 Specific Performance. Each of the parties hereby agrees that there is no adequate remedy at law for the damage which any party might sustain if the other party fails to perform the specific terms and conditions of this Agreement or otherwise breach its terms. Accordingly, the parties agree that in the event of any breach or threatened breach by any party of any covenant, obligation or other provision set forth in this Agreement, any other party shall be entitled, at each such party’s option, to the remedies of specific performance and an injunction or injunctions, in each case, to prevent any breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, without proof of actual damages or otherwise, in addition to all other remedies at law or in equity available to such party.

5.15 Matters Regarding Series A-1 Shares.

5.15.1 By executing and delivering this Agreement, each Rollover Seller provides its irrevocable approval, agreement and written consent to the amendment to the Certificate of Designations in respect of the Series A-1 Shares in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D (the “Series A-1 Amendment”).

5.15.2 Each Rollover Seller agrees to take such further actions, including executing any additional written consent or vote, as may be reasonably requested by the Company or Parent in order to effect the foregoing and the intent of this Section 5.15.

5.16 Dispute Resolution. The parties (a) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the jurisdiction of the state courts of the State of Delaware and to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement, (b) agree not to commence any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement except in the state courts of the State of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and (c) hereby waive, and agree not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL: EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER TRANSACTION AGREEMENTS, THE SECURITIES OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR THEREOF. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER

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Schedule A

Rollover Value and Rollover Sellers

Rollover Value per Rollover Share:

Rollover Share			Rollover Value
Series A Share			$1,240.00; provided, that if the Rollover and Sale Closing does not take place on or prior to February 5, 2024, such amount shall increase at an annual rate of 16% from and after such date until the Rollover and Sale Closing occurs.
Series A-1 Share			$1,086.00; provided, that if the Rollover and Sale Closing does not take place on or prior to February 5, 2024, such amount shall increase at an annual rate of 16% from and after such date until the Rollover and Sale Closing occurs.
New Preferred Stock			The Redemption Price determined pursuant to Section 8(a) of the New Series Certificate of Designation as of the Rollover and Sale Closing Date (determined as if this Agreement, and the other ancillary agreements to which the Sellers are parties, had not been entered into).

Rollover Sellers

Rollover Seller	Rollover Shares as of December 14, 2023				Maximum Rollover Amount
Rollover Seller	Series A Shares		Series A-1 Shares		Maximum Rollover Amount
Name: Luminus Energy Partners Master Fund, Ltd Address: c/o Luminus Management, LLC 1811 Bering Drive Suite 400 Houston, TX 77057 Attn: Jonathan Barrett E-mail: jbarrett@luminusmgmt.com		13,336		20,269		$	42,519,622.00
Name: OCM HLCN HOLDINGS, L.P. Address: c/o Oaktree Capital Management, LLC 333 South Grand Avenue, 28th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90071 Attention: Jordan Mikes E-mail: jmikes@oaktreecapital.com		6,526		9,921		$	27,556,191.00

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EXECUTION VERSION

BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS

Pursuant to Section 151 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

SERIES A-[•] REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

(Par Value $0.0001 Per Share)

Battalion Oil Corporation (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “General Corporation Law”), hereby certifies that, pursuant to the authority expressly granted to and vested in the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as amended from time to time in accordance with its terms and the General Corporation Law, the “Certificate of Incorporation”), which authorizes the Board of Directors to issue shares of the preferred stock of the Corporation (the “Preferred Stock”), in one or more series of Preferred Stock and to fix for each such series such voting powers, full or limited, and such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional, or other special rights and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 151 of the General Corporation Law, the Board of Directors duly adopted on [•], 202[•] the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the rights, powers and preferences, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions, of the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock as set forth in this Certificate of Designations are hereby approved and adopted by the Board of Directors and Series A-[•] Preferred Stock is hereby authorized out of the Corporation’s authorized preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share; and the form, terms and provisions of this Certificate of Designations are hereby approved, adopted, ratified and confirmed in all respects as follows:

General.

(a) The shares of such series shall be designated the Series A-[•] Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (hereinafter referred to as the “Series A-[•] Preferred Stock”).

(b) Each share of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock shall be identical in all respects with the other shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock.

(c) The authorized number of shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock shall initially be [•] ([•]), which number may from time to time be increased or decreased by resolution of the Board of Directors as permitted by the General Corporation Law.

(d) For purposes of this Certificate of Designations, “Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents however designated of corporate stock or other equity participations, including partnership interests, whether general or limited, of such Person and any rights (other than debt securities convertible or exchangeable into an equity interest), warrants or options to acquire an equity interest in such Person. The Series A-[•] Preferred Stock shall, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon a liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Corporation, rank:

(i) senior to the Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation (“Common Stock”), and any other class or series of Capital Stock of the Corporation, the terms of which do not expressly provide that such class or series ranks senior to or on a parity with the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon a liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Corporation (collectively, together with any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable for or convertible into such Capital Stock, the “Junior Stock”);

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(ii) on a parity with (A) the Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, (B) the Series A-1 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, and (C) any other class or series of Capital Stock of the Corporation, the terms of which provide that such class or series ranks on a parity with the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon a liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Corporation (such Capital Stock, together with any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable for or convertible into such Capital Stock, the “Parity Stock”); and

(iii) junior to any class or series of Capital Stock of the Corporation (other than Common Stock), the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series ranks senior to the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights or rights upon a liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Corporation (collectively, together with any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable for or convertible into such Capital Stock, the “Senior Stock”).

(e) For purposes of this Certificate of Designations, the following terms have meanings set forth in the Section indicated:

Term			Section
30 Day Date			Section 8(c)
Board of Directors			Preamble
Business Day			Section 4(b)
Capital Stock			Section 1(d)
Certificate of Incorporation			Preamble
Change of Control			Section 8(b)(iv)
CoC Conversion Consideration			Section 8(b)(ii)
Common Stock			Section 1(d)(i)
Conversion Notice			Section 7(a)
Conversion Price			Section 7(a)
Conversion Ratio			Section 7(a)
Corporation			Preamble
Corporation Event			Section 7(f)
Debt			Section 7(b)(ii)
Dividend Payment Date			Section 2(a)
Dividend Period			Section 2(a)
General Corporation Law			Preamble
Holder			Section 3(a)
Issuance Date			Section 2(a)
Issuer Conversion Notice			Section 7(b)
Junior Stock			Section 1(d)(i)
Liquidation			Section 3(a)
Liquidation Distribution			Section 3(a)
Liquidation Preference			Section 3(a)
Mandatory CoC Redemption Offer			Section 8(b)(ii)
Mandatory Conversion Conditions			Section 7(b)
Material Adverse Effect			Section 7(b)
Maturity Date			Section 8(b)(vii)
NYMEX Prices			Section 7(b)(v)
NYSE American Issuance Limitation			Section 9(a)

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Term			Section
Optional CoC Conversion			Section 8(b)(iii)
Optional CoC Redemption Offer			Section 8(b)(iii)
Optional Holder Conversion			Section 7(a)
Parity Stock			Section 1(d)(ii)
PDP PV-20			Section 7(b)(i)
Permitted Holder			Section 8(b)(iv)
Person			Section 8(b)(ix)
Preferred Stock			Preamble
Proved Developed Producing Reserves			Section 7(b)(iv)
Purchase Agreement			Section 5(b)
Redemption Notice			Section 8(a)
Redemption Price			Section 8(a)
Schedule 14C Action			Section 9(c)
SEC			Section 9(c)
Senior Stock			Section 1(d)(iii)
Series A-[•] Dividend			Section 2(a)
Series A-[•] Dividend Rate			Section 2(a)
Series A-[•] Preferred Stock			Section 1(a)
Stockholder Approval			Section 9(b)
Subject Transaction			Section 9(d)
Term Loan Credit Agreement			Section 8(b)(vi)
Term Loan Restricted Period			Section 8(b)(v)
Unpaid Dividend Accrual			Section 2(d)
Working Capital Adjustments			Section 7(b)(iii)

Dividends.

(a) Holders of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, and the Corporation shall pay, out of funds lawfully available therefor, cumulative dividends at the rate per share of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock equal to the Series A-[•] Dividend Rate (the “Series A-[•] Dividend”). The “Series A-[•] Dividend Rate” shall mean fourteen and one-half percent (14.50%) per annum on the then-applicable Liquidation Preference (as defined herein). The period from the closing date of the issuance of the shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock (the “Issuance Date”) to and including December 31, 2023, and each period from but excluding a Dividend Payment Date to and including the following Dividend Payment Date is herein referred to as a “Dividend Period.” “Dividend Payment Date” shall mean March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing on December 31, 2023.1

(b) Series A-[•] Dividends shall be payable quarterly in arrears at the Series A-[•] Dividend Rate and shall compound quarterly and accumulate, whether or not earned or declared, from the most recent date on which dividends have been paid, or, if no dividends have been paid, from the Issuance Date (subject, in each case, to the Unpaid Dividend Accrual).

(c) If a Series A-[•] Dividend is declared by the Board of Directors, then such Series A-[•] Dividend shall be paid in cash. The Board of Directors shall not be required to declare any Series A-[•] Dividends, and any declaration of a Series A-[•] Dividend shall be solely at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

Note to Company: Will need to be updated for any preferred issued in 2024.

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(d) If a Series A-[•] Dividend is not declared and paid in cash on a Dividend Payment Date, then in full discharge of such Series A-[•] Dividend for such Dividend Period, the Liquidation Preference of each outstanding share of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock, regardless of its date of issue, shall automatically increase on such Dividend Payment Date by an amount equal to sixteen percent (16.00%) per annum multiplied by the Liquidation Preference in effect immediately after the immediately prior Dividend Payment Date (or the Issuance Date in respect of the first Dividend Period) (such automatic increase, the “Unpaid Dividend Accrual”), which, for the avoidance of doubt, will be pro-rated for the period of time elapsed during such Dividend Period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any portion of the Unpaid Dividend Accrual that increased the Liquidation Preference during any historical Dividend Period can be paid by the Corporation in cash, out of funds lawfully available therefor, at any time as and if declared by the Board of Directors; provided that, after any such payment, the Liquidation Preference shall automatically decrease by the amount of such payment.

(e) All cash dividends paid or declared for payment on a Dividend Payment Date with respect to the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock and the Parity Stock shall be shared pro rata based on the then-current dividends due on shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock and (i) in the case of any series of non-cumulative Parity Stock, the aggregate of the current and unpaid dividends due on such series of Parity Stock, and (ii) in the case of any series of cumulative Parity Stock, the aggregate of the current and accumulated and unpaid dividends due on such series of Parity Stock.

(f) Holders of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock shall fully participate, on an as-converted basis, in any dividends declared and paid or distributions on Common Stock as if the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock were converted into shares of Common Stock as of the record date for such dividend or distribution, at the Conversion Ratio in effect on such record date.

Liquidation.

(a) Prior to conversion pursuant to Section 7, in the event of a liquidation (complete or partial), dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary (a “Liquidation”), after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock (each, a “Holder”) shall be entitled to receive, in respect of any shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock held by them, out of assets of the Corporation available for distribution to stockholders of the Corporation or their assignees, and subject to the rights of any outstanding shares of Senior Stock and before any amount shall be distributed to the holders of Junior Stock, a liquidating distribution (the “Liquidation Distribution”) in an amount equal to the greater of (i) the then-applicable Liquidation Preference, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any adjustment for any Unpaid Dividend Accrual (or payment thereof), and (ii) the amount such Holder would have been entitled to receive had such Holder converted its shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock at the then-applicable Conversion Ratio immediately prior to such Liquidation. The “Liquidation Preference” shall equal $1,000 per share of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock, which amount shall be adjusted as the result of any Unpaid Dividend Accrual (or payment thereof), and as otherwise set forth herein. In addition, in connection with any conversion or redemption of the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock, the Liquidation Preference shall be adjusted to include all accrued and unpaid dividends (at the Series A-[•] Dividend Rate) between the immediately prior Dividend Payment Date (or the Issuance Date with respect to the first Dividend Period) and the date immediately prior to the effective date of such conversion or redemption. If, upon a Liquidation, the assets of the Corporation, or proceeds thereof, distributable among the holders of the then outstanding shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock and the holders of any shares of Parity Stock ranking on a parity with the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock with respect to any distribution of assets upon Liquidation are insufficient to pay in full the amount of all such Liquidation Preference payable with respect to the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock and any such Parity Stock, then the holders of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock and such Parity Stock shall share ratably in any distribution of assets in proportion to the full respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled.

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Corporation becoming aware of any instituted proceeding in respect thereof. Such notice shall state a distribution or payment date, the amount of the Liquidation Preference and the place where the Liquidation Preference shall be distributable or payable.

(c) After the payment in cash or proceeds to the Holders of the full amount of the Liquidation Distribution with respect to outstanding shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock, the Holders shall have no right or claim, based on their ownership of shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock, to the remaining assets of the Corporation, if any. Whenever any such distribution shall be paid in property other than cash, the value of such distribution shall be the fair market value of such property as determined in the good faith reasonable discretion of the Board of Directors or liquidating trustee, as the case may be.

Voting.

(a) General. Except as otherwise required by the General Corporation Law, other applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or this Certificate of Designations, Holders shall not be entitled to any vote on matters submitted to the Corporation’s stockholders for approval. In any case in which the Holders shall be entitled to vote pursuant to the General Corporation Law, other applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or this Certificate of Designations, each Holder entitled to vote with respect to such matter shall be entitled to one vote per share of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock.

(b) Protective Provisions. In addition to any vote required by the General Corporation Law, other applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or this Certificate of Designations, for so long as any of the shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock shall remain outstanding, the Corporation shall not, either directly or indirectly by amendment, merger, consolidation or otherwise, take any of the following actions, including whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, without (in addition to any other vote required by the General Corporation Law, other applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or this Certificate of Designations), the written consent or affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (662∕3%) of the then outstanding shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock voting as a separate class to:

(i) authorize, create, or increase the authorized amount of, or issue any class or series of Senior Stock, or reclassify or amend the provisions of any existing class of securities of the Corporation into shares of Senior Stock;

(ii) authorize, create or issue any stock or debt instrument or other obligation that is convertible or exchangeable into shares of its Senior Stock (or that is accompanied by options or warrants to purchase such Senior Stock);

(iii) amend, alter or repeal any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or this Certificate of Designations, in either case, in a manner that materially adversely affects the special rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock;

(iv) declare or pay any dividends or other distributions in cash or property with respect to its Common Stock or other Junior Stock;

(v) redeem, repurchase or acquire shares of its Common Stock or other Junior Stock (other than with respect to customary repurchase rights or tax withholding arrangements with respect to equity awards or benefit plans); or

(vi) redeem, repurchase, recapitalize or acquire shares of its Parity Stock other than (A) pro rata offers to purchase all, or a pro rata portion, of the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock and such Parity Stock, (B) as a result of a reclassification of Parity Stock for or into other Parity Stock or Junior Stock, (C) the exchange or conversion of Parity Stock for or into other Parity Stock or Junior Stock or (D) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of Parity Stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such Parity Stock or the security being converted or exchanged.

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action; (y) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purposes of such action, if applicable; and (z) the other material terms of such action. Such notice shall be given at least two Business Days prior to the applicable date or effective date specified above. For the purposes of this Certificate of Designations, “Business Day” shall mean each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in Houston, Texas or New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close. If at any time the Corporation shall cancel any of the proposed actions for which notice has been given under this Section 4(b) prior to the consummation thereof, the Corporation shall give prompt notice of such cancellation to each holder of record of the shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock appearing on the stock books of the Corporation as of the date of such notice at the address of said Holder shown therein. For the avoidance of doubt, if a holder of record of shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock does not respond to the aforementioned notice, such non-response shall in no way be deemed to constitute the written consent or affirmative vote of such Holder regarding any of the aforementioned actions in this Section 4(b) or described within such notice.

Reservation of Common Stock.

(a) At any time that any Series A-[•] Preferred Stock is outstanding, the Corporation shall from time to time take all lawful action within its control to cause the authorized Capital Stock of the Corporation to include a number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Ratio multiplied by the number of shares of outstanding Series A-[•] Preferred Stock.

(b) If (i) the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange and (ii) any shares of Common Stock to be reserved for the purpose of conversion of the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock require registration or listing with or approval of any governmental authority, stock exchange or other regulatory body under any federal or state law or regulation or otherwise before such shares may be validly issued or delivered upon conversion, then the Corporation shall, at its sole cost and expense, in good faith and as expeditiously as possible, subject to Section 5.02 (Information Statement) of the Purchase Agreement, dated on or about December [•], 2023, among the Corporation and the initial Holders (the “Purchase Agreement”), endeavor to secure such registration, listing or approval, as the case may be.

Uncertificated Shares

The shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock shall be in uncertificated, book-entry form as permitted by the Seventh Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”) and the General Corporation Law. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall send to the registered owner thereof any written notice as required by the General Corporation Law.

Conversion.

(a) Commencing on the date that is one hundred and twenty (120) days2 after the Issuance Date, each Holder shall have the option from time to time, exercisable by delivery of written notice to the Corporation substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex A-2 (the “Conversion Notice”), to the extent permitted by applicable law, to convert all or a portion of such Holder’s shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock into Common Stock at the Conversion Ratio (an “Optional Holder Conversion”); provided that the Corporation shall not be required to honor such request if such Holder has previously delivered a Conversion Notice, in respect of an Optional Holder Conversion, during the same fiscal quarter. The “Conversion Ratio” means, for each share of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock, the quotient of (i) the Liquidation Preference as of the date of the conversion and (ii) the then applicable Conversion Price. The “Conversion Price” shall initially be $[•], which may be adjusted from time to time as set forth herein.

(b) If based on the Corporation’s financial statements for any fiscal quarter and a reserve report as of the same date prepared by an independent reserve engineering firm as of the end of a fiscal quarter that, as of such date, (x) the PDP PV-20 value divided by (y) the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, calculated on a fully-diluted basis (including the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock), is equal to or exceeds one hundred and thirty percent (130%) of the Conversion Price (the “Mandatory Conversion Conditions”, then the Corporation shall have the option from time to time until such time that the Mandatory Conversion Conditions are no longer satisfied (based on the Corporation’s financial statements for each

Note to Company: Under consideration by Parent.

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subsequent fiscal quarter and the Corporation’s reserve report for each subsequent fiscal quarter (without the requirement that such reserve report is prepared by an independent reserve engineer)) or a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) has occurred since the date of the most recent financial statements that met the Mandatory Conversion Conditions, exercisable by delivery of written notice to the Holders at the address of such Holders shown on the stock books of the Corporation in the form attached hereto as Annex A-2 (the “Issuer Conversion Notice”), to convert some or all outstanding shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock into Common Stock using the then applicable Conversion Ratio (the “Issuer Forced Conversion”).

(i) “PDP PV-20” means, as of any date of determination, the sum of (A) the net present value of estimated future cashflows from the Proved Developed Producing Reserves, utilizing a twenty percent (20%) discount rate and using NYMEX Prices, plus or minus, (B) the mark-to-market value (whether positive or negative) of the Corporation’s hedge position, plus or minus, (C) Working Capital Adjustments (whether positive or negative), minus, (D) general and administrative expenses as reported in the Corporation’s financial statements for the trailing twelve (12) month period multiplied by four (4), and minus (E) existing Debt.

(ii) “Debt” means, without duplication, all of the principal of and accreted value and accrued and unpaid interest in respect of the Corporation’s (A) indebtedness for borrowed money, (B) other indebtedness that is evidenced by bonds, notes, letters of credit or similar instruments, (C) notes payable and (D) the then-applicable redemption price of any of the Corporation’s outstanding redeemable or purchasable capital stock that is not convertible into Common Stock taken into account in Section 7(b)(y).

(iii) “Working Capital Adjustments” means the Corporation’s current assets minus current liabilities.

(iv) “Proved Developed Producing Reserves” means oil and gas properties designated as proved, developed and producing (in accordance with SEC rules and regulations) in the Corporation’s reserve report.

(v) “NYMEX Prices” means, as of any date of determination, the forward month prices for the most comparable hydrocarbon commodity applicable to such future production month for a sixty (60) month period (or such shorter period if forward month prices are not quoted for a reasonably comparable hydrocarbon commodity for the full sixty month period), with such prices held constant thereafter using at a price equal to the average of prices between the forty ninth (49th) month and sixtieth (60th) month, as such prices are (A) quoted on the NYMEX (or its successor) calculated as of a date not more than five (5) days prior to the date of determination and (B) adjusted for energy content, quality and basis differentials; provided that with respect to estimated future production for which prices are defined, within the meaning of SEC guidelines, by contractual arrangements excluding escalation based upon future conditions, then contract prices shall be applied to future production subject to such arrangements.

(vi) All of the financial metrics in subclauses (i)-(iii) above (other than (i)(A)) shall use the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles. All of the reserve information in subclause (i)(A) and (iv)-(v) above shall use the Corporation’s reserve report based as of the same date.

(c) In the event a Holder has elected an Optional Holder Conversion pursuant to Section 7(a) or in the event the Corporation has elected an Issuer Forced Conversion pursuant to Section 7(b) above, the Corporation shall deliver, no later than two Business Days following the conversion date, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Ratio.

(d) Any Common Stock delivered as a result of conversion pursuant to this Section 7 shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, free and clear of any preemptive right, liens, claims, rights or encumbrances other than those arising under the General Corporation Law, the Bylaws or transfer restrictions under the Securities Act and state securities laws. Immediately following the settlement of any conversion, if any, the rights of the holders of converted Series A-[•] Preferred Stock shall cease and the Persons entitled to receive shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock shall be treated for all purposes as having become the owners of such shares of Common Stock. Concurrently with such conversion, the converted shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock shall cease to be

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outstanding, shall be canceled and the shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock formerly designated pursuant to this Certificate of Designations shall be restored to authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock.

(e) If, after the Issuance Date, the Corporation (i) makes a distribution on its Common Stock in securities (including Common Stock) or other property or assets, (ii) subdivides or splits its outstanding Common Stock into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, (iii) combines or reclassifies its Common Stock into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock or (iv) issues by reclassification of its Common Stock any securities (including any reclassification in connection with a merger, consolidation or business combination in which the Corporation is the surviving Person or another constituent corporation is issuing equity securities in exchange for Common Stock, including a transaction contemplated by the proviso in clause (1) of the definition of Change of Control), then the Conversion Price in effect at the time of the record date for such distribution or of the effective date of such subdivision, split, combination, or reclassification shall be proportionately adjusted so that the conversion of the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock after such time shall entitle the holder to receive the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock (or shares of any securities into which such shares of Common Stock would have been combined, consolidated, merged, reclassified or exchanged pursuant to clauses (ii) and (iii) above) that such holder would have been entitled to receive if the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock had been converted into Common Stock immediately prior to such record date or effective date, as the case may be, and in the case of a merger, consolidation or business combination in which the Corporation is the surviving Person or another constituent corporation is issuing equity securities in exchange for Common Stock, the Corporation shall provide effective provisions to ensure that the provisions in this Certificate of Designations relating to the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock shall not be abridged or amended and that the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock shall thereafter retain the same powers, preferences and relative participating, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereon, that the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock had immediately prior to such transaction or event either in the Corporation if the surviving corporation or in the constituent corporation. An adjustment made pursuant to this Section 7(e) shall become effective immediately after the record date in the case of a distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination, reclassification (including any reclassification in connection with a merger, consolidation or business combination in which the Corporation is the surviving Person or a constituent corporation) or split. Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever any event described above shall occur.

(f) At least fifteen (15) days prior to the consummation of any recapitalization, reorganization, consolidation, Change of Control, spin-off or other business combination (not otherwise addressed in Section 7(e) above) (a “Corporation Event”), the Corporation shall notify each Holder of such event (such notice to set forth in reasonable detail the material terms and conditions of such Corporation Event and the securities, cash or other assets, if any, which a holder of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock and Common Stock (each on a per share basis) would receive upon the consummation of such event, to the extent known by the Corporation at the time); provided that the Corporation shall not be obligated to provide any holder with information that is otherwise not publicly available.

(g) Upon any adjustment to the Conversion Price pursuant to this Section 7, the Corporation promptly shall deliver to each Holder a certificate signed by an appropriate officer of the Corporation, setting forth in reasonable detail the event requiring the adjustment and the method by which such adjustment was calculated and specifying the increased or decreased Conversion Price then in effect following such adjustment.

(h) The Corporation shall pay any and all issue, documentary, stamp and other taxes, excluding any income, franchise, property or similar taxes, that may be payable in respect of any issue or delivery of Common Stock on conversion of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock pursuant hereto. However, the holder of any Series A-[•] Preferred Stock shall pay any tax that is due because Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof are issued in a name other than such holder’s name.

(i) No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon the conversion of any Series A-[•] Preferred Stock. All Common Stock (including fractions thereof) issuable upon conversion of more than one share of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock by a holder thereof shall be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the conversion would result in the issuance of any fractional stock. If, after the aforementioned aggregation, the conversion would result in the issuance of a fraction of a share of Common Stock, the Corporation shall not issue a fractional share of Common Stock but shall round the fractional share of

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Common Stock to the nearest whole share of Common Stock (and a 0.5 of a share of Common Stock shall be rounded up to the next higher share of Common Stock).

(j) The Corporation agrees that it will act in good faith to make any adjustment(s) required by this Section 7 equitably and in such a manner as to afford the Holders the benefits of the provisions hereof, and will not intentionally take any action to deprive such Holders of the express benefit hereof.

(k) Any conversion made pursuant to this Section 7, including any Issuer Forced Conversion made pursuant to Section 7(b), is subject to compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including any relevant stock exchange rules.

Redemption

(a) The Corporation has the option in its sole discretion, from time to time other than in connection with a Liquidation and to the extent permitted by applicable law, to redeem all or a portion of the then outstanding shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock, for an amount per share of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock equal to the Redemption Price, subject to a holder’s right to elect conversion set forth below. The “Redemption Price” means (a) for the period commencing on the Issuance Date and ending on the date that is one hundred and nineteen (119) days after the Issuance Date, one hundred percent (100%) of the Liquidation Preference at such time; (b) for the period commencing on the day that is one hundred and twenty (120) days after the Issuance Date and ending on the date that is one hundred and seventy-nine (179) days after the Issuance Date, one hundred and two percent (102%) of the Liquidation Preference at such time; (c) for the period commencing on the day that is one hundred and eighty (180) days after the Issuance Date and ending on the first (1st) anniversary of the Issuance Date, one hundred and five percent (105%) of the Liquidation Preference at such time; (d) for the period commencing on the day immediately after the first (1st) anniversary of the Issuance Date and ending on the second (2nd) anniversary of the Issuance Date, one hundred and eight percent (108%) of the Liquidation Preference at such time; and (e) any time after the second (2nd) anniversary of the Issuance Date, one hundred and twenty percent (120%) of the Liquidation Preference at such time. The Corporation may exercise its redemption option under this Section 8(a) by delivery of written notice to the Holders in the form attached as Annex B (the “Redemption Notice”), provided, however, that, to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 7(a), the Holders shall have five (5) Business Days from the date of receipt of any such Redemption Notice to, in lieu of being paid the cash Redemption Price, elect to convert the shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock subject to such Redemption Notice in accordance with Section 7(a). Such redemption shall be completed on a date specified in the Redemption Notice, which shall be not less than ten (10) and not more than twenty (20) Business Days following the date of the Redemption Notice. If the Corporation redeems only a portion of the then outstanding shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock, the shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock subject to such redemption shall be allocated pro rata among the outstanding shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock.

(b) Change of Control.

(i) At any time on or prior to the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day following the Issuance Date, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, at the option of the Corporation, either (A) each Holder shall have all of their shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock redeemed in exchange for, exchanged for, or converted into the right to receive, a cash payment per share of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock equal to the Redemption Price as of such date or (B) each Holder shall be entitled to receive the same form and amount of consideration such Holder would have received pursuant to the applicable acquisition agreement if, immediately prior to the record date for payments relating to such Change of Control, such share of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock had been converted into a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient of (1) the Liquidation Preference as of such date multiplied by one hundred and seven point five percent (107.5%) and (2) the VWAP over fifteen (15) consecutive trading days ending on the third (3rd) trading day prior to the closing of the Change of Control transaction.

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prior to the consummation of such Change of Control and the Holders shall have five (5) Business Days from the date of receipt of any such notice to, in lieu of being paid the cash Redemption Price, elect to receive from the acquirer in the Change of Control transaction the same form and amount of consideration such Holder would have received pursuant to the applicable acquisition agreement if, immediately prior to the record date for payments relating to such Change of Control, such share of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock had been converted into a number of shares of Common Stock at the Conversion Ratio (“CoC Conversion Consideration”).

(iii) At any time after the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day following the Issuance Date and prior to the end of the Term Loan Restricted Period, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control that occurs, the Corporation shall have the option to offer each Holder a cash payment per share of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock it holds equal to the Redemption Price (the “Optional CoC Redemption Offer”). The Corporation shall notify each Holder at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the consummation of such Change of Control if it is electing to exercise the Optional CoC Redemption Offer, and the Holders shall have five (5) Business Days from the date of receipt of any such notice to, in lieu of being paid the cash Redemption Price, elect to receive the CoC Conversion Consideration from the acquirer in the Change of Control transaction in connection with the consummation of such Change of Control. If the Corporation does not elect to offer the Optional CoC Redemption Offer, the Holder shall be entitled to receive the CoC Conversion Consideration from the acquirer in the Change of Control transaction in connection with the consummation of such Change of Control.

(iv) (A) a “Change of Control” means (1) the consummation of any transaction by the Corporation the result of which is that any Person or “group” (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), other than any Permitted Holder, becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock of the Corporation, measured by voting power rather than number of shares, units or the like; provided that a transaction in which the Corporation becomes a subsidiary of another Person shall not constitute a Change of Control if, immediately following such transaction, the Persons who were beneficial owners of the voting stock of the Corporation immediately prior to such transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power of the voting stock of such other Person of whom the Corporation has become a subsidiary or (2) the sale of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets; and (B) the “Permitted Holder” means any holder of shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock as of the Issuance Date and its affiliates.

(v) “Term Loan Restricted Period” means the period from the Issuance Date until the earliest of (a) the termination of the Term Loan Credit Agreement, (b) the first Business Day immediately following the first anniversary of the Maturity Date of the Term Loan Credit Agreement (as in effect on the date hereof), and (c) such time, if any, as the Term Loan Credit Agreement may be amended in a manner that would not cause the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock to be “Disqualified Capital Stock” under the Term Loan Credit Agreement as a result of the Corporation being obligated to effect the Mandatory CoC Redemption Offer pursuant to clause (ii) above.

(vi) “Term Loan Credit Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated as of November 24, 2021, by and among the Corporation, Halcón Holdings, LLC, Macquarie Bank Limited and the lenders from time to time party thereto, as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

(vii) “Maturity Date” means November 24, 2025.

(viii) “VWAP” means the dollar volume-weighted average price for the Common Stock on its trading market during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time (or such other time as the trading market publicly announces is the official open of trading), and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time (or such other time as the trading market publicly announces is the official close of trading), as reported by Bloomberg, L.P. through its “Volume at Price” function or, if the foregoing does not apply, the dollar volume-weighted average price of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time (or such other time as the trading market publicly announces is the official open of trading), and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York City Time (or such other time as the trading market publicly announces is

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the official close of trading), as reported by Bloomberg, L.P., or, if no dollar volume-weighted average price is reported for such security by Bloomberg, L.P. for such hours, the average of the highest closing bid price and the lowest closing ask price of any of the market makers for such security as reported in the “pink sheets” by Pink Sheets LLC (formerly the National Quotation Bureau, Inc.). If the VWAP cannot be calculated for the Common Stock on a particular date on any of the foregoing bases, the VWAP of the Common Stock shall be the fair market value of the Common Stock as determined by an independent nationally recognized investment banking firm mutually agreed to by the Corporation and holders of at least two-thirds (662∕3%) of the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock then outstanding.

(ix) “Person” means any individual, corporation, company, voluntary association, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, government or any agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof or any other form of entity.

(c) The Holders and the Corporation agree that each will cooperate in good faith to determine the U.S. federal income tax treatment of any redemption by the Corporation of the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock and will (and will cause its affiliates to), in connection with any such redemption, reasonably cooperate (i) to structure such redemption in a manner that permits each Holder to report the redemption payment as received in part or full payment in exchange for its Series A-[•] Preferred Stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes if such structure can be achieved without any unreimbursed cost or expense to the Corporation (provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Holders and the Corporation acknowledge (A) that it may not be possible to structure any such redemption in a manner that permits a Holder to report a redemption payment as received in part or full payment in exchange for its Series A-[•] Preferred Stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in which case the Corporation shall still be entitled to make any such redemption pursuant to this Section 8 as it determines is appropriate (and in the amounts it determines is appropriate) and (B) that different Holders may be subject to different treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes), (ii) to allow each Holder a reasonable opportunity to transfer its Series A-[•] Preferred Stock to an affiliate or third party prior to such redemption; provided that the Corporation shall not be required to assist in such transfer (other than in respect of registering such transfer on the books and records of the Corporation) and, for the avoidance of doubt, such transfer shall be subject to the other terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock, and (iii) if such redemption is funded by, or occurs in connection with, an issuance of equity by the Corporation, to cause the Person or Persons acquiring such equity to purchase the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock from the Holders directly and to make any necessary amendments to this Certificate of Designations following such purchase as agreed between such purchaser(s) and the Corporation. If, as a result of the previous sentence, any such redemption of shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock is delayed for more than thirty (30) days from the date on which the Corporation otherwise planned to make such redemption (the “30 Day Date”) and the redemption occurs, the Series A-[•] Dividend shall stop accumulating (including with respect to any Unpaid Dividend Accrual) on the shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock that are to be redeemed from the 30 Day Date until the date of such redemption and the Redemption Price for such redemption shall be that applicable at the 30 Day Date. The Corporation further agrees that, for every taxable year in which the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock remains outstanding (other than tax year 2023), it shall use reasonable best efforts to conduct and/or update its current “earnings and profits study” (or similar analysis) to determine its then-current and accumulated earnings and profits.

NYSE American Issuance Limitation.

(a) No Holder will be entitled to receive converted shares of Common Stock or other shares of Common Stock issuable upon redemption, dividend payments, or as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Designations to the extent such issuance would result in a violation of the NYSE American Company Guide or rules of the national securities exchange upon which the Common Stock is then listed (the “NYSE American Issuance Limitation”), unless either (i) the Corporation obtains the Stockholder Approval and the Schedule 14C Action has been completed, or (ii) the Corporation determines upon advice of counsel that Stockholder Approval and the Schedule 14C Action are not required to effect the conversion, in each such case, the NYSE American Issuance Limitation will no longer apply.

(b) “Stockholder Approval” means stockholder approval of the proposal to issue Common Stock upon conversion of the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock for purposes of Rule 713 of the New York Stock Exchange American Listed Company Manual, or to comply with the applicable rules of the national securities exchange upon which the Common Stock is then listed.

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(c) “Schedule 14C Action” means, collectively, (i) the filing of an Information Statement on Schedule 14C relating to the issuance of converted shares of Common Stock or other shares of Common Stock issuable upon redemption, dividend payments, or as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Designations with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the receipt from the SEC of notice that it has no comments thereon, (ii) the mailing of such Information Statement to the Corporation’s shareholders and (iii) the expiration of the 20 calendar day waiting period under Rule 14c-2(b).

(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Holders (together with their respective affiliates) collectively beneficially own fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding Common Stock at the time a transaction is contemplated pursuant to which the NYSE American Issuance Limitation would reduce the consideration being issued to the Holders in connection with such transaction (“Subject Transaction”), the Corporation shall notify the Holders of such Subject Transaction and the related NYSE American Issuance Limitation at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the consummation of such Subject Transaction and give the Holders five (5) Business Days from the date of receipt of any such notice to provide a Stockholder Approval, and if such Stockholder Approval is timely received, the Corporation shall not consummate such Subject Transaction until the Schedule 14C Action removing the NYSE American Issuance Limitation has been completed.

10.

Additional Procedures.

(a) In connection with any conversion pursuant to Section 7 or redemption in accordance with Section 8, the Holder must deliver transfer instruments reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation, at the principal office of the Corporation (or such other place mutually acceptable to the Holder and the Corporation) together with written notice that such Holder elects to convert all or such lesser number of shares as specified therein.

(b) Transfers of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock held in uncertificated, book-entry form shall be made only upon the transfer books of the Corporation kept at an office of the Corporation upon receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered owner of such uncertificated shares, or from a duly authorized attorney or from an individual presenting proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer the stock. The Corporation may refuse any requested transfer until furnished evidence reasonably satisfactory to it that such transfer is made in accordance with the terms of this Certificate of Designations.

11.

No Other Rights.

The shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock shall not have any powers, designations, preferences or relative, participating, optional, or other special rights, nor shall there be any qualifications, limitations or restrictions or any powers, designations, preferences or rights of such shares, other than as set forth herein or in the Certificate of Incorporation, or as may be provided by law.

12.

Other Provisions.

(a) The shares of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock shall not be subject to the operation of any retirement or sinking fund.

(b) In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Certificate of Designations shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Furthermore, in lieu of any such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision, the Corporation shall use its reasonable best efforts to add as a part of this Certificate of Designations a provision as similar in terms to such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable, unless the requisite parties separately agree to a replacement provision that is valid, legal and enforceable.

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in United States Dollars to the Holders in accordance with the payment instructions as such Holders may deliver by written notice to the Corporation from time to time.

(d) Unless otherwise agreed to by the Corporation and the applicable Holder, any certificate representing the Series A-[•] Preferred Stock (and the Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof) will bear a restrictive legend substantially in the form set forth below, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Certificate of Designations, and will be subject to the restrictions set forth therein. In addition, any such certificate may have notations, additional legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules, and agreements to which the Corporation and all of the Holders of Series A-[•] Preferred Stock in their capacity as Holders are subject, if any.

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT WHILE A REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING THERETO IS IN EFFECT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERS SET FORTH IN THE CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS FILED WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE STATE OF DELAWARE PURSUANT TO SECTION 202 OF THE DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW (THE “CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS”). NO TRANSFER, SALE, ASSIGNMENT, PLEDGE, HYPOTHECATION OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE MADE EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS. A COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE BY THE CORPORATION TO THE HOLDER UPON REQUEST.

13.

Effective Date.

This Certificate of Designations shall become effective on [•], 202[•].

[The Remainder of this Page Intentionally Left Blank]

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EXECUTION VERSION

BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
TO
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS

Pursuant to Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

SERIES A-1 REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
(Par Value $0.0001 Per Share)

WHEREAS, pursuant to the authority expressly granted to and vested in the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as amended from time to time in accordance with its terms and the DGCL, the “Certificate of Incorporation”), the Board has previously authorized the creation and issuance of a series of preferred stock, with a par value of $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation designated as the “Series A-1 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series A-1 Preferred Stock”), with terms set forth in that certain Certificate of Designation filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on September 6, 2023 (the “Certificate of Designations”);

WHEREAS, the Board, by unanimous written consent, approved and adopted resolution for purposes of amending certain provisions of the Certificate of Designations (this “Amendment”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 4(b) of the Certificate of Designation, the holders of at least two-thirds (662∕3%) of the then outstanding shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock (the “Requisite Series A-1 Holders”), by written consent, approved this Amendment on the terms set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that, pursuant to the authority expressly vested in the Board and in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL, the Certificate of Designations be, and hereby is amended as follows:

Section 7(a) of the Certificate of Designations is amended and restated to read as follows:

(a) Each Holder shall have the option from time to time, commencing on the date that is two hundred and forty (240) days after the Issuance Date, exercisable by delivery of written notice to the Corporation substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex A-1 (the “Conversion Notice”), to the extent permitted by applicable law, to convert all or a portion of such Holder’s shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock into Common Stock at the Conversion Ratio (an “Optional Holder Conversion”); provided that the Corporation shall not be required to honor such request if such Holder has previously delivered a Conversion Notice, in respect of an Optional Holder Conversion, during the same fiscal quarter. The “Conversion Ratio” means, for each share of Series A-1 Preferred Stock, the quotient of (i) the Liquidation Preference as of the date of the conversion and (ii) the then applicable Conversion Price. The “Conversion Price” shall initially be $7.63, which may be adjusted from time to time as set forth herein.

Section 8(a) of the Certificate of Designations is amended and restated to read as follows:

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Preferred Stock equal to the Redemption Price, subject to a holder’s right to elect conversion set forth below. The “Redemption Price” means (a) for the period commencing on the Issuance Date and ending on the date that is one hundred and nineteen (119) days after the Issuance Date, one hundred percent (100%) of the Liquidation Preference at such time; (b) for the period commencing on the day that is one hundred and twenty (120) days after the Issuance Date and ending on the date that is two hundred and thirty-nine (239) days after the Issuance Date, one hundred and two percent (102%) of the Liquidation Preference at such time; (c) for the period commencing on the day that is two hundred and forty (240) days after the Issuance Date and ending on the first (1st) anniversary of the Issuance Date, one hundred and five percent (105%) of the Liquidation Preference at such time; (d) for the period commencing on the day immediately after the first (1st) anniversary of the Issuance Date and ending on the second (2nd) anniversary of the Issuance Date, one hundred and eight percent (108%) of the Liquidation Preference at such time; and (e) any time after the second (2nd) anniversary of the Issuance Date, one hundred and twenty percent (120%) of the Liquidation Preference at such time. The Corporation may exercise its redemption option under this Section 8(a) by delivery of written notice to the Holders in the form attached as Annex B (the “Redemption Notice”), provided, however, that, to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 7(a), the Holders shall have five (5) Business Days from the date of receipt of any such Redemption Notice to, in lieu of being paid the cash Redemption Price, elect to convert the shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock subject to such Redemption Notice and in accordance with Section 7(a). Such redemption shall be completed on a date specified in the Redemption Notice, which shall be not less than ten (10) and not more than twenty (20) Business Days following the date of the Redemption Notice. If the Corporation redeems only a portion of the then outstanding shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock, the shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock subject to such redemption shall be allocated pro rata among the outstanding shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock.

3. Clauses (i) through (iii) of Section 8(b) of the Certificate of Designations are amended and restated to read as follows:

(i) At any time on or prior to the two hundred fortieth (240th) day following the Issuance Date, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, at the option of the Corporation, either (A) each Holder shall have all of their shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock redeemed in exchange for, exchanged for or converted into the right to receive a cash payment per share of Series A-1 Preferred Stock equal to the Redemption Price as of such date or (B) each Holder shall be entitled to receive the same form and amount of consideration such Holder would have received pursuant to the applicable acquisition agreement if, immediately prior to the record date for payments relating to such Change of Control, such share of Series A-1 Preferred Stock had been converted into a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient of (1) the Liquidation Preference as of such date multiplied by one hundred and seven point five percent (107.5%) and (2) the VWAP over fifteen (15) consecutive trading days ending on the third (3rd) trading day prior to the closing of the Change of Control transaction.

(ii) At any time after both the two hundred fortieth (240th) day following the Issuance Date and the end of the Term Loan Restricted Period, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Corporation shall offer each Holder a cash payment per share of Series A-1 Preferred Stock equal to the Redemption Price (the “Mandatory CoC Redemption Offer”); provided, however, that, notice of such Mandatory CoC Redemption Offer shall be provided to each Holder at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the consummation of such Change of Control and the Holders shall have five (5) Business Days from the date of receipt of any such notice to, in lieu of being paid the cash Redemption Price, elect to receive from the acquirer in the Change of Control transaction the same form and amount of consideration such Holder would have received pursuant to the applicable acquisition agreement if, immediately prior to the record date for payments relating to such Change of Control, such share of Series A-1 Preferred Stock had been converted into a number of shares of Common Stock at the Conversion Ratio (“CoC Conversion Consideration”).

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EXECUTION VERSION

ESCROW AGREEMENT

This ESCROW AGREEMENT dated this 14th day of December, 2023 (this “Escrow Agreement”), is entered into by and among Fury Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), Battalion Oil Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Company” and together with Parent, the “Parties,” and individually, a “Party”), and WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national association, as escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Escrow Agreement, Parent and Company are entering into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Parent, Company and San Jacinto Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which Company will merge with and into Merger Sub (the “Merger”), with Company surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent;

WHEREAS, on September 29, 2023, Parent and the Escrow Agent entered into that certain Escrow Agreement, pursuant to which the Escrow Agent established an escrow account (the “Subscription Escrow Account”) into which certain Persons have deposited amounts to fund Parent’s acquisition of Company pursuant to and in accordance with the Merger Agreement;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Parent may be required to pay a termination fee to Company of up to $20,000,000 (the “Termination Fee”) if the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances as set forth in the Merger Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Parties desire for the Escrow Agent to open an account (the “Termination Fee Escrow Account”) into which the Escrow Agent will transfer funds from the Subscription Escrow Account in an amount equal to the Termination Fee, to be held and disbursed by the Escrow Agent in accordance with the Escrow Agreement and the Merger Agreement, and the Escrow Agent agrees to hold and distribute such funds in accordance with the terms of this Escrow Agreement and the Merger Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Schedule I to this Escrow Agreement sets forth the wire transfer instructions for each of Company and Parent.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1
ESCROW DEPOSIT, DISTRIBUTION, AND INVESTMENT

Section 1.1. Deposit of Escrow Funds. Parent and Company hereby appoint the Escrow Agent as their escrow agent for the purposes set forth herein, and the Escrow Agent hereby accepts such appointment and its duties as provided herein. Upon the execution and delivery of this Escrow Agreement, the Escrow Agent will transfer (or cause to be transferred), funds in the amount equal to $10,000,000 (the “Initial Escrow Property”) from the Subscription Escrow Account to the Termination Fee Escrow Account, by wire transfer of immediately available funds. Within 40 days following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Parent and Company shall deliver joint written instructions to the Escrow Agent to transfer (or cause to be transferred), additional funds in the amount of $10,000,000 (the “Additional Escrow Property” and, together with the Initial Escrow Property, the “Escrow Property”) from the Subscription Escrow Account to the Termination Fee Escrow Account, by wire transfer of immediately available funds. The Escrow Property shall be held, disbursed and invested as provided in this Escrow Agreement. Prior to the earlier of the consummation of the Merger or the termination of the Merger Agreement, the Parties shall provide the Escrow Agent with certified tax identification numbers by furnishing appropriate forms W-9 or W-8, as applicable, and such other forms and documents that the Escrow Agent may request. The Escrow Property shall be left un-invested.

Section 1.2. Disbursements. Upon receipt of joint written instructions (“Joint Instructions”), signed by an authorized representative (“Authorized Representative”) of each of Parent and Company (as set forth

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on Exhibit A-1 and A-2), the Escrow Agent shall promptly, but in any event within one (1) Business Day after receipt of Joint Instructions, disburse the Escrow Property (or a portion thereof) as provided in such Joint Instructions by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account(s) designated in such instructions, but only to the extent that funds have been delivered to the Escrow Agent in accordance with Section 1.1 and that any callback required by the Escrow Agent pursuant to Section 1.3 has been completed. In addition to the foregoing, the Escrow Agent shall also comply with any final, non-appealable judgment or order issued or entered by a court of competent jurisdiction with respect to the Escrow Property (a “Judgment”). If the Escrow Agent complies with any such Judgment, then it shall not be liable to any Party or any other person by reason of such compliance. In the absence of written instruction to the contrary, if any residual interest posts to the Termination Fee Escrow Account after the final distribution of the Escrow Property the Escrow Agent shall (i) deem any residual interest of less than $50 as an additional fee payable to the Escrow Agent, or (ii) deem any residual interest greater than $50 as payable to Parent using the payment instructions set forth on Schedule I. The Escrow Agent will furnish monthly statements to the Parties via the addresses set forth on Exhibit C hereto.

Section 1.3. Security Procedure for Funds Transfer. Concurrently with the execution of this Escrow Agreement, the Parties shall deliver to the Escrow Agent exhibits in the form of Exhibit A-1 and Exhibit A-2 to this Escrow Agreement listing individuals of such Party who are authorized to provide the Escrow Agent with a written instruction to distribute funds from the account and any other written instruction permitted pursuant to the terms of this Escrow Agreement (each an “Authorized Representative”). Each Party understands and agrees that the Escrow Agent shall have no obligation or duty to act upon a written instruction for the disbursement of Escrow Property under this Escrow Agreement if such written instruction is not signed by an Authorized Representative of such Party and such written instruction is not delivered to, and able to be authenticated by, the Escrow Agent in accordance with this Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agent shall follow internal policies and procedures for when confirming the validity or authenticity of funds transfer instructions received in the name of the Parties, which may include a callback to one or more of the Authorized Representatives in Exhibit A-1 and Exhibit A-2, in particular if the wire instructions included on Schedule I hereto have changed. Once delivered to the Escrow Agent, Exhibit A-1 or Exhibit A-2 may be revised or rescinded only in writing signed by an Authorized Representative of the applicable Party. Such revisions or rescissions shall be effective only after actual receipt and following such period of time as may be necessary to afford the Escrow Agent a reasonable opportunity to act on it. If a revised Exhibit A-1 or Exhibit A-2 or a rescission of an existing Exhibit A-1 or Exhibit A-2 is delivered to the Escrow Agent by an entity that is a successor-in-interest to either Party, such document shall be accompanied by additional documentation satisfactory to the Escrow Agent showing that such entity has succeeded to the rights and responsibilities of the Party in question. The Parties understand that the Escrow Agent’s inability to receive or confirm funds transfer instructions may result in a delay in accomplishing such funds transfer, and agree that the Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any loss caused by any such delay.

Section 1.4. Tax Reporting. With respect to any payments or distributions made pursuant to this Escrow Agreement by the Escrow Agent, the Escrow Agent shall not be deemed the “Payor”, as defined under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and shall have no responsibility for preparing or conducting any tax reporting. The Escrow Agent’s engagement is purely ministerial in nature and conducted upon receipt of written direction from the Parties, and the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to rely conclusively and without further inquiry on such written direction.

ARTICLE 2
DUTIES OF THE ESCROW AGENT

Section 2.1. Scope of Responsibility. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the Escrow Agent is obligated only to perform the duties specifically set forth in this Escrow Agreement, which shall be deemed purely ministerial in nature. Under no circumstances will the Escrow Agent be deemed to be a fiduciary to any Party or any other person under this Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agent shall not be responsible or liable for the failure of any Party to perform in accordance with this Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agent shall neither be responsible for, nor chargeable with, knowledge of any default under this Escrow Agreement, the terms and conditions of any other agreement, including but not limited to the Merger Agreement, instrument, or document other than this Escrow Agreement, whether or not a copy of such agreement has been provided to the Escrow Agent; and the Escrow Agent shall have no duty to know or

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inquire as to the performance or nonperformance of any provision of any such agreement, instrument, or document. References in this Escrow Agreement to any other agreement, instrument, or document are for the convenience of the Parties, and the Escrow Agent has no duties or obligations with respect thereto. This Escrow Agreement sets forth all matters pertinent to the escrow contemplated hereunder, and no additional covenants or obligations of the Escrow Agent shall be inferred or implied from the terms of this Escrow Agreement or any other agreement.

Section 2.2. Attorneys and Agents. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to rely on and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Escrow Agent in accordance with the advice of counsel or other professionals retained or consulted by the Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent shall be reimbursed as set forth in Section 3.1 for any and all compensation (fees, expenses and other costs) paid and/or reimbursed to such counsel and/or professionals. The Escrow Agent may perform any and all of its duties through its agents, representatives, attorneys, custodians, and/or nominees and shall not be responsible for the acts or omissions of such agents, representatives, attorneys, custodians and/or nominees appointed with due care.

Section 2.3. Reliance. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to request and receive written instructions from the Parties and shall not be liable for any losses or damages of any nature that may arise from any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the written direction or consent of the Parties or their respective agents, representatives, successors, or assigns. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for acting or refraining from acting upon any notice, request, consent, direction, requisition, certificate, order, affidavit, letter, or other paper or document believed by it in good faith to be genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent by the proper person or persons, without further inquiry into the person’s or persons’ authority.

Section 2.4. Right Not Duty Undertaken. The permissive rights of the Escrow Agent to do things enumerated in this Escrow Agreement shall not be construed as duties and, with respect to such permissive rights, the Escrow Agent shall not be answerable for other than its gross negligence or willful misconduct.

ARTICLE 3
PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE ESCROW AGENT

Section 3.1. Indemnification. The Parties hereby agree, jointly and severally, to defend, release and indemnify the Escrow Agent, its directors, officers, employees and agents (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties” and individually, an “Indemnified Party”), and hold the Indemnified Parties harmless from any and against all liabilities, losses, actions, suits or proceedings at law or in equity, and any other expenses, fees or charges of any character or nature (whether brought by any Party or third party) (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees and expenses and the costs of enforcement of this Escrow Agreement, the indemnifications provided herein, or any provision thereof) which an Indemnified Party may incur or with which it may be threatened by reason of acting as or on behalf of the Escrow Agent under this Escrow Agreement or arising out of the existence of the Termination Fee Escrow Account, except to the extent the same shall have been finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been directly caused by the Indemnified Parties’ gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Escrow Agent shall have a first lien against the Termination Fee Escrow Account to secure the obligations of the Parties. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Parties agree, solely as between themselves, that any obligation for indemnification under this Section 3.1 (or for reasonable fees and expenses of the Escrow Agent described in Section 3.1) shall be borne by the Party or Parties determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be responsible for causing the loss, damage, liability, cost or expense against which the Escrow Agent is entitled to indemnification or, if no such determination is made, then one half by Parent and one half by Company.

Section 3.2. Limitation of Liability. THE ESCROW AGENT SHALL NOT BE LIABLE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FOR ANY (I) DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES ARISING OUT OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED HEREUNDER, OTHER THAN DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES WHICH HAVE BEEN FINALLY ADJUDICATED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION TO HAVE DIRECTLY RESULTED FROM THE ESCROW AGENT’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, OR (II) SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF THE ESCROW AGENT AND THE PARTIES

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HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH LOSSES OR DAMAGES AND REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION.

Section 3.3. Termination, Resignation or Removal. Upon the disbursement of the entire Escrow Property, this Escrow Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect (other than the provisions of Section 3.1 and Section 3.4, which shall survive such termination). The Escrow Agent may resign by furnishing written notice of its resignation to the Parties, specifying the date upon which such resignation shall take effect, and the Parties may remove the Escrow Agent by furnishing to the Escrow Agent a joint written notice of its removal, specifying the date upon which such removal shall take effect, along with payment of all fees and expenses to which it is entitled through the effective date of such resignation or removal. Such resignation or removal, as the case may be, shall be effective thirty (30) calendar days after the delivery of such notice or upon the earlier appointment of a successor, and the Escrow Agent’s sole responsibility thereafter shall be to safely keep the Escrow Property and to deliver the same to a successor escrow agent as shall be appointed by the Parties, as evidenced by a joint written notice filed with the Escrow Agent or in accordance with a court order. If the Parties have failed to appoint a successor escrow agent prior to the expiration of thirty (30) calendar days following the delivery of such notice of resignation or removal, the Escrow Agent may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor escrow agent or for other appropriate relief, and any such resulting appointment shall be binding upon the Parties.

Section 3.4. Compensation. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to compensation for its services as stated in the fee schedule attached hereto as Exhibit B, which compensation shall be paid by Parent upon the deposit of funds into the Termination Fee Escrow Account. The Escrow Agent shall have, and is hereby granted, a prior lien upon the Escrow Property with respect to its unpaid fees, non-reimbursed expenses and unsatisfied indemnification rights, superior to the interests of any other persons or entities and is hereby granted the right to set off and deduct any unpaid fees, non-reimbursed expenses and unsatisfied indemnification rights from the Escrow Property. The terms of this paragraph shall survive termination of this Escrow Agreement and/or the earlier resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent.

Section 3.5. Disagreements. If any conflict, disagreement or dispute arises between, among, or involving any of the parties hereto concerning the meaning or validity of any provision hereunder or concerning any other matter relating to this Escrow Agreement, or the Escrow Agent is in doubt as to the action to be taken hereunder, the Escrow Agent shall be fully protected and may, at its option, retain the Escrow Property until the Escrow Agent (i) receives a Judgment directing delivery of the Escrow Property, (ii) receives Joint Instructions directing delivery of the Escrow Property, in which event the Escrow Agent shall be authorized to disburse the Escrow Property in accordance with such Judgment or Joint Instructions, or (iii) files an interpleader action in any court of competent jurisdiction, and upon the filing thereof, the Escrow Agent shall be relieved of all liability as to the Escrow Property and shall be entitled to recover attorneys’ fees, expenses and other costs incurred in commencing and maintaining any such interpleader action. The Parties hereto further agree to pursue any redress or recourse in connection with such dispute without making the Escrow Agent a party to the same. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to act on any such agreement or court order without further question, inquiry, or consent.

Section 3.6. Merger or Consolidation. Any corporation or association into which the Escrow Agent may be converted or merged, or with which it may be consolidated, or to which it may sell or transfer all or substantially all of its corporate trust business and assets as a whole or substantially as a whole, or any corporation or association resulting from any such conversion, sale, merger, consolidation or transfer to which the Escrow Agent is a party, shall be and become the successor escrow agent under this Escrow Agreement and shall have and succeed to the rights, powers, duties, immunities and privileges as its predecessor, without the execution or filing of any instrument or paper or the performance of any further act.

Section 3.7. Attachment of Escrow Property; Compliance with Legal Orders. In the event that any Escrow Property shall be attached, garnished or levied upon by any court order, or the delivery thereof shall be stayed or enjoined by an order of a court, or any order, judgment or decree shall be made or entered by any court order affecting the Escrow Property, the Escrow Agent is hereby expressly authorized, in its sole discretion, to respond as it deems appropriate or to comply with all writs, orders or decrees so entered or issued, or which it is advised by legal counsel of its own choosing is binding upon it, whether with or without jurisdiction. In the event that the Escrow Agent obeys or complies with any such writ, order or decree it

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shall not be liable to any of the Parties or to any other person, firm or corporation, should, by reason of such compliance notwithstanding, such writ, order or decree be subsequently reversed, modified, annulled, set aside or vacated. Escrow Agent shall receive and may conclusively rely upon an opinion of counsel.

Section 3.8 Force Majeure. The Escrow Agent shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligation under this Escrow Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; wars; acts of terrorism; civil or military disturbances; sabotage, epidemic, pandemic, riots; interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communications services; accidents; work stoppages, labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority or governmental action; it being understood that the Escrow Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

Section 3.9 No Financial Obligation. Escrow Agent shall not be required to use or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its obligations or duties or the exercise of any of its rights or powers, and shall not be required to take any action which, in the Escrow Agent’s sole and absolute judgment, could involve it in expense or liability unless furnished with security and indemnity which it deems, in its sole and absolute discretion, to be satisfactory.

ARTICLE 4
MISCELLANEOUS

Section 4.1. Successors and Assigns. This Escrow Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the Parties and the Escrow Agent and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No other persons shall have any rights under this Escrow Agreement. No assignment of the interest of any of the Parties shall be binding unless and until written notice of such assignment shall be delivered to the other Party and the Escrow Agent and shall require the prior written consent of the other Party and the Escrow Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld). Notwithstanding anything in the agreement to the contrary, no assignment shall be deemed final until the successor or assignee has completed the requisite Know Your Customer (KYC) information as may be required by the Escrow Agent.

Section 4.2. Definition of Business Day. “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or any day that is a federal legal holiday or banking institutions are required by law to close.

Section 4.3. Escheat. The Parties are aware that under applicable state law, property which is presumed abandoned may under certain circumstances escheat to the applicable state. The Escrow Agent shall have no liability to the Parties, their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns, or any other party, should any or all of the Escrow Property escheat by operation of law.

Section 4.4. Notices. All notices, requests, demands, and other communications required or permitted under this Escrow Agreement shall be in writing, in English, and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered (i) by email with a pdf attachment, (ii) by overnight delivery with a reputable national overnight delivery service, or (iii) by mail or by certified mail, return receipt requested, and postage prepaid. If any notice is mailed, it shall be deemed given five Business Days after the date such notice is deposited in the United States mail. If notice is given to a party, it shall be given at the address for such party set forth below. It shall be the responsibility of the Parties to notify the Escrow Agent and the other Party in writing of any name or address changes. In the case of communications delivered to the Escrow Agent, such communications shall be deemed to have been given on the date received by the Escrow Agent.

If to Parent:

Fury Resources, Inc.
17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104-603
San Antonio, TX 78257
Attention: Ariella Fuchs
Email address: afuchs@ruckusexp.com

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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

K&L Gates LLP
1 Park Plaza, Twelfth Floor
Irvine, CA 92614

Attention:

Michael A. Hedge; Jason C. Dreibelbis

Email:

michael.hedge@klgates.com; jason.dreibelbis@klgates.com

If to Company:

Battalion Oil Corporation
820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100
Houston, TX 77024

Attention:

Walter Mayer, General Counsel

Email:

wmayer@battalionoil.com

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Mayer Brown LLP
700 Louisiana Street Suite 3400
Houston, TX 77002

Attention:

William T. Heller IV
Jeff M. Dobbs

Email:

wheller@mayerbrown.com
jdobbs@mayerbrown.com

and

Mayer Brown LLP
71 S. Wacker Dr.
Chicago, IL 60606

Attention:

Ryan H. Ferris

Email:

rferris@mayerbrown.com

If to the Escrow Agent:

Wilmington Trust, National Association
50 South 6th Street, Suite 1290
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Attn: Lance Schonert
Telephone: 612-217-5681
Email: LSchonert@wilmingtontrust.com

Section 4.5. Governing Law. The rights and obligations of the parties shall be governed by, and this Escrow Agreement shall be interpreted, construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware excluding its conflict of laws rules to the extent such rules would apply the law of another jurisdiction. The parties hereby (i) irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of any federal or state court sitting in the County of New Castle, Wilmington, DE, (ii) waive any objection to the laying of venue in any suit, action or proceeding arising out of this Escrow Agreement in such courts, and (iii) waive any objection that such courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over any party.

Section 4.6. Entire Agreement. This Escrow Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties related to the Escrow Property and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written. In the event of any direct conflict of the terms of this Escrow Agreement with the terms of the Merger Agreement, as with respect to the rights of Parent and Company, the terms of the Merger Agreement shall control and prevail provided, in no event shall the Escrow Agent be bound by the terms of the Merger Agreement. This Escrow Agreement is not intended to confer upon any person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies.

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Section 4.7. Amendment. This Escrow Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded, rescinded, or canceled only by a written instrument executed by the Parties and the Escrow Agent. All fees, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses) incurred by the Escrow Agent in connection with any amendment, modification or supplement shall be payable, jointly and severally, by the Parties.

Section 4.8. Waivers. The failure of any party to this Escrow Agreement at any time or times to require performance of any provision under this Escrow Agreement shall in no manner affect the right at a later time to enforce the same performance. A waiver by any party to this Escrow Agreement of any such condition or breach of any term, covenant, representation, or warranty contained in this Escrow Agreement, in any one or more instances, shall neither be construed as a further or continuing waiver of any such condition or breach nor a waiver of any other condition or breach of any other term, covenant, representation, or warranty contained in this Escrow Agreement.

Section 4.9. Severability. If a court of competent jurisdiction declares any provision hereof invalid, it will be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, so that the remainder of the provision and this Escrow Agreement will continue in full force and effect.

Section 4.10. Electronic Signatures, Counterparts. This Escrow Agreement and related notices, demands and other communications related thereto may be executed by the parties hereto individually or in any number of combinations, in one or more counterparts (including by means of electronically signed, telecopied or PDF signature pages), each of which shall be an original and all of which shall together constitute one and the same agreement.

Section 4.11. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY LITIGATION RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS ESCROW AGREEMENT.

[The remainder of this page left intentionally blank.]

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EXHIBIT A-1

CERTIFICATE AS TO AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES
OF PARENT

Fury Resources, Inc. (the “Parent”) hereby designates each of the following persons as its Authorized Representatives for purposes of this Agreement, and confirms that the title, contact information and specimen signature of each such person as set forth below is true and correct. Each such Authorized Representative is authorized to initiate and approve transactions of all types for the Escrow Account[s] established under the Agreement to which this Exhibit A-1 is attached, on behalf of the Parent.

	Name (print):			Abraham Mirman
	Specimen Signature:
	Title:			Chief Executive Officer, Ruckus Energy Holdings, LLC
	Telephone Number (required): If more than one, list all applicable telephone numbers.			Office: 631-704-7744 Cell:
	E-mail (required): If more than one, list all applicable email addresses.			Email 1: amirman@ruckusexp.com Email 2:

	Name (print):			Ariella Fuchs
	Specimen Signature:
	Title:			President, General Counsel and Secretary, Ruckus Energy Holdings, LLC
	Telephone Number (required): If more than one, list all applicable telephone numbers.			Office: 914-827-7486 Cell:
	E-mail (required): If more than one, list all applicable email addresses.			Email 1: afuchs@ruchusexp.com Email 2:

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EXHIBIT A-2

CERTIFICATE AS TO AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES
OF COMPANY

Battalion Oil Corporation (the “Company”) designates each of the following persons as its Authorized Representatives for purposes of this Agreement, and confirms that the title, contact information and specimen signature of each such person as set forth below is true and correct. Each such Authorized Representative is authorized to initiate and approve transactions of all types for the Escrow Account[s] established under the Agreement to which this Exhibit A-2 is attached, on behalf of the Company.

	Name (print):			Matthew Steele
	Specimen Signature:
	Title:			Chief Executive Officer
	Telephone Number (required): If more than one, list all applicable telephone numbers.			Office: 832-541-8334
	E-mail (required): If more than one, list all applicable email addresses.			Email: msteele@battalionoil.com

	Name (print):			Walter Mayer
	Specimen Signature:
	Title:			Senior Vice President and General Counsel
	Telephone Number (required): If more than one, list all applicable telephone numbers.			Office: 713-652-7039
	E-mail (required): If more than one, list all applicable email addresses.			Email: wmayer@battalionoil.com

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EXHIBIT B

Fees of Escrow Agent

Acceptance Fee:WAIVED

Initial Fees as they relate to Wilmington Trust acting in the capacity of Escrow Agent — includes review of the Escrow Agreement; acceptance of the Escrow appointment; setting up of Escrow Account(s) and accounting records; and coordination of receipt of funds for deposit to the Escrow Account(s). Acceptance Fee payable at time of Escrow Agreement execution

Escrow Agent Administration Fee (one-time): $3,500

For ordinary administrative services by Escrow Agent — includes daily routine account management; investment transactions; cash transaction processing (including wire and check processing); monitoring claim notices pursuant to the agreement; disbursement of funds in accordance with the agreement; and mailing of trust account statements to all applicable parties. Tax reporting is included. The fee agreed upon for the services rendered hereunder is intended as compensation for the Escrow If the Escrow Agent is directed to render any service not contemplated in this Escrow Agreement, the Escrow Agent shall be compensated for such extraordinary services.

Wilmington Trust’s fee is based on the following assumptions:

•

Number of Escrow Accounts to be established: 1

•

Number of Deposits to Escrow Account(s): Not more than 5

•

Number of Withdrawals from Escrow Fund(s): Not more than 5 to the parties to the agreement

•

Funds held Un-invested

Out-of-Pocket Expenses:Billed At Cost

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EXECUTION COPY

FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER is made as of January 24, 2024 (this “Amendment”) by and among Battalion Oil Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Fury Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and San Jacinto Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”).

WHEREAS, the Company, Parent and Merger Sub are parties to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 14, 2023 (the “Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, the Company, Parent and Merger Sub desire to amend certain terms of the Agreement to the extent provided herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of foregoing and the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

1. Amendments.

a. Amendments to Section 1.1

1. Definition of “Closing Failure Fee”. The definition of “Closing Failure Fee” in Section 1.1 of the Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following language:

“Closing Failure Fee” means an amount equal to the Initial Deposit Escrow Amount; provided, however, that if this Agreement is terminated for any reason (other than a termination pursuant to Section 8.1(d)(vi)) at any time after 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 5, 2024, then the “Closing Failure Fee” shall mean an amount equal to the Initial Deposit Escrow Amount plus the Subsequent Deposit Escrow Amount.

2. Definition of “Initial Escrow Deposit Amount”. The following definition of “Initial Escrow Deposit Amount” shall be inserted in Section 1.1 of the Agreement below the definition of “Hydrocarbons” and above the definition of “Insider Stockholders”:

“Initial Escrow Deposit Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(a).

3. Definition of “Subsequent Escrow Deposit Amount”. The following definition of “Subsequent Escrow Deposit Amount” shall be inserted in Section 1.1 of the Agreement below the definition of “Specified Development Obligations” and above the definition of “Subsidiary”:

“Subsequent Escrow Deposit Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(a).

b. Amendment to Section 8.1(b). The reference to “April 12, 2024” in Section 8.1(b) of the Agreement is hereby amended to be “June 12, 2024”.

c. Amendment to Section 8.1(d)(vi). The reference to “January 23, 2024” in Section 8.1(d)(vi) of the Agreement is hereby amended to be “February 5, 2024”.

d. Amendment to Section 8.3(a). In Section 8.3(a) of the Agreement, the language “Section 8.4” shall be inserted after “Section 8.2,” and before “and Article IX”.

e. Amendment to Section 8.3(b)(iv). Section 8.3(b)(iv) of the Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following language:

this Agreement is terminated (A) for any reason pursuant to Section 8.1 (including Section 8.1(d)(vi)), then the Company shall retain the Initial Escrow Deposit Amount (it being understood that such retention shall be deemed to be a payment by Parent to the Company of the Closing Failure Fee in an amount equal to the Initial Escrow Deposit Amount), or (B) (1) by the Company pursuant to Section 8.1(d)(i), Section 8.1(d)(iii), Section 8.1(d)(iv) or Section 8.1(d)(v) or (2) by either Parent or the Company pursuant to Section 8.1(b) under circumstances where the Company would have been entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1(d)(i), Section 8.1(d)(iii), Section 8.1(d)(iv) or

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Section 8.1(d)(v), and in the case of the foregoing clauses (1) and (2), such termination takes place after 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 5, 2024, then the Company shall retain the Initial Escrow Deposit Amount as contemplated by the immediately preceding clause (A) (it being understood that such retention shall be deemed to be a partial payment by Parent to the Company of the Closing Failure Fee in an amount equal to the Initial Escrow Deposit Amount) and Parent shall pay to the Company the remainder of the Closing Failure Fee in accordance with Section 8.4(b)(iii).

f. Amendment to Section 8.4(a). Section 8.4(a) of the Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following language:

Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Parent and the Company have entered into an escrow agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F (th “Escrow Agreement”), with Wilmington Trust, National Association, as escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”), pursuant to which, among other things, Parent shall (i) concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, deposit an amount in cash equal to $10,000,000 (the “Initial Escrow Deposit Amount”) into a segregated escrow account established by the Escrow Agent (the “Escrow Account”) and (ii) subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement but in any event no later than 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 5, 2024, deposit an amount in cash equal to $15,000,000 (the “Subsequent Escrow Deposit Amount”) into the Escrow Account (the deposit of the Subsequent Escrow Deposit Amount into the Escrow Account, the “Full Escrow Funding”) for the purpose of funding Parent’s obligations under this Agreement, including Section 8.3(b)(iv).

g. Amendment to Section 8.4(b). Section 8.4(b) of the Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following language:

(b) Distributions of funds contained in the Escrow Account (the “Escrow Funds”) shall occur as follows:

(i) concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Amendment, Parent and the Company shall deliver joint written instructions to the Escrow Agent in the form attached hereto as Annex I instructing the Escrow Agent to distribute from the Escrow Account an amount in cash equal to $9,999,999.99, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account(s) designated in such instructions, to the Company (for the avoidance of doubt, Parent and the Company agree that the amounts distributed to the Company pursuant to this Section 8.4(b)(i) shall be retained by the Company and are not refundable or otherwise under an obligation to be returned to Parent, any Financing Sources or any of their respective Affiliates under any circumstances or in any respect);

(ii) if the Effective Time occurs and the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated in accordance with the terms hereof, Parent and the Company shall deliver join written instructions to the Escrow Agent instructing the Escrow Agent to distribute from the Escrow Account all of the Escrow Funds, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account(s) designated in such instructions, to the Paying Agent for the inclusion of such Escrow Funds in the Payment Fund (and, for the avoidance of doubt, the Escrow Funds will be deemed to be a part of the Payment Fund upon receipt by the Paying Agent);

(iii) if this Agreement is terminated in accordance with the terms hereof and the Company is entitled to receive the Closing Failure Fee in accordance with Section 8.3(b)(iv)(B), then the Company and Parent shall deliver joint written instructions to the Escrow Agent instructing the Escrow Agent to distribute from the Escrow Account all of the Escrow Funds, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account(s) designated in such instructions, to the Company in satisfaction of Parent’s obligations under Section 8.3(b)(iv)(B); and

(iv) if this Agreement is terminated in accordance with the terms hereof and the Company is not entitled to receive the Closing Failure Fee in accordance with Section 8.3(b)(iv)(B), then the Company and Parent shall deliver joint written instructions to the Escrow Agent instructing the Escrow Agent to distribute from the Escrow Account all of

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the Escrow Funds, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account(s) designated in such instructions, to Parent (or its designee).

2. Other Terms.

a. Interpretation; Effectiveness. The Agreement shall not be amended or otherwise modified by this Amendment except as set forth in Section 1 of this Amendment. The provisions of the Agreement that have not been amended hereby shall be unchanged and shall remain in full force and effect. The provisions of the Agreement amended hereby shall remain in full force and effect as amended hereby. The amendments set forth in herein shall be effective immediately on the date hereof.

b. Reference to the Agreement. On and after the date hereof, each reference in the Agreement to “this Agreement,” “hereof,” “herein,” “herewith,” “hereunder” and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise expressly stated, be construed to refer to the Agreement as amended by this Amendment. No reference to this Amendment need be made in any instrument or document at any time referring to the Agreement and a reference to the Agreement in any such instrument or document shall, unless otherwise expressly stated, be deemed to be a reference to the Agreement as amended by this Amendment.

c. Miscellaneous. The provisions of Sections 9.4 (Counterparts), 9.5 (Interpretation), 9.7 (Governing Law and Venue; Submission to Jurisdiction; Selection of Forum; Waiver of Trial by Jury), 9.9 (Entire Understanding), 9.12 (Severability) and 9.13 (Construction) of the Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and form part of this Amendment as if set forth herein, mutatis mutandis.

[Signature pages follow]

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JOINT RELEASE INSTRUCTION

January 24, 2024

VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL

Wilmington Trust, National Association
50 South 6th Street, Suite 1290
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Attn: Lance Schonert
Telephone No.: (612) 217-5681
Email: LSchonert@wilmingtontrust.com

Re: Written Instructions to Release Escrow Funds

Dear Mr. Schonert:

Reference is made hereby to that certain Escrow Agreement, dated as of December 14, 2023 (the “Escrow Agreement”), by and among Fury Resources, Inc. (“Parent”), Battalion Oil Corporation (the “Company”) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national association, as escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”). All capitalized terms used but not defined in this letter have the meanings given to them in the Escrow Agreement.

Pursuant to Section 1.2 of the Escrow Agreement, the Company and Parent hereby instruct Escrow Agent to disburse $9,999,999.99 from the Escrow Property in the Termination Fee Escrow Account to the Company by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account, and using the wire instructions, set forth below:

Bank Name: [****]
ABA No.: [****]
Account Name: [****]
Account No.: [****]

For the avoidance of doubt, (a) this letter is executed and delivered to the Escrow Agent jointly by Parent and the Company and is expressly intended to serve as Joint Instructions to the Escrow Agent contemplated by Section 1.2 of the Escrow Agreement and (b) since Escrow Property will remain in the Termination Fee Escrow Account after giving effect to the disbursement contemplated above, the Escrow Agreement remains in full force and effect and has not terminated automatically pursuant to Section 3.3 of the Escrow Agreement.

This letter may be executed in two or more counterparts and delivered by .PDF or electronic mail, each of which will be deemed an original but all of which will constitute but one instrument.

[Signature page follows]

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EXECUTION COPY

SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER is made as of February 6, 2024 (this “Amendment”) by and among Battalion Oil Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Fury Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and San Jacinto Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”).

WHEREAS, the Company, Parent and Merger Sub are parties to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 14, 2023 (the “Agreement”), which was amended pursuant to that certain First Amendment to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 23, 2024; and

WHEREAS, the Company, Parent and Merger Sub desire to amend certain terms of the Agreement to the extent provided herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of foregoing and the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

1. Amendments.

a. Amendments to Section 1.1.

1. Definition of “Closing Failure Fee”. The definition of “Closing Failure Fee” in Section 1.1 of the Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following language:

“Closing Failure Fee” means an amount equal to the Initial Deposit Escrow Amount plus the Subsequent Deposit Escrow Amount.

2. Definition of “Closing Superior Proposal”. The definition of Company Superior Proposal in Section 1.1 of the Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following language:

“Company Superior Proposal” means a bona fide, written Company Takeover Proposal (with references to twenty percent (20%) and eighty percent (80%) being deemed to be replaced with references to fifty percent (50%), respectively) by a third party, which the Company Board (after considering the recommendation of the Company Special Committee) determines in good faith, after consultation with the Company’s outside legal and financial advisors, to be more favorable from a financial point of view to the Company and its stockholders than the Transactions (including any adjustment to the terms of the Transactions proposed by Parent pursuant to clause (B) of Section 6.4(d) and taking in consideration the timing and likelihood of consummation of such Company Superior Proposal).

3. Definition of “Company Termination Fee”. The definition of Company Termination Fee in Section 1.1 of the Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following language:

“Company Termination Fee” means an amount equal to $3,500,000.

4. Definition of “Hutchings Sealy #4 Well”. The definition of “Hutchings Sealy #4 Well” in Section 1.1 of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety.

5. Definition of “Qualified Additional Financing Documents”. The definition of Qualified Additional Financing Documents in Section 1.1 of the Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following language:

“Qualifying Additional Financing Documents” means Additional Financing Documents that contemplate Additional Financing in an amount equal to $100,000,000, in the aggregate.

6. Definition of “Specified Development Obligations”. The definition of “Specified Development Obligations” in Section 1.1 of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety.

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b. Amendment to Article IV. The lead-in to Article IV of the Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following language:

Except as (x) disclosed in the Company SEC Documents filed with, or furnished to, the SEC and publicly available prior to the date hereof (excluding any disclosures set forth in any “risk factors,” “forward-looking statements” and similar disclosures to the extent cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature, but including any factual information contained within such statements), or in the disclosure schedule delivered by the Company to Parent concurrently with the execution of this Agreement (the “Company Disclosure Letter”) (each section of which qualifies the correspondingly numbered representation or warranty specified therein and any such other representations or warranties where its applicability to, relevance as an exception to, or disclosure for purposes of, such other representation or warranty is reasonably apparent), or (y) except as has not had or would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub as follows:

c. Amendment to Section 6.2(a). Section 6.2(a) of the Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following language:

During the Interim Period, other than (i) as expressly required or permitted by this Agreement, (ii) with the prior written consent of Parent (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), (iii) as required by or reasonably responsive to a request or requirement of a Governmental Authority, applicable Law or the rules and regulations of the NYSE American, (iv) any actions taken reasonably and in good faith in response to or as a result of COVID-19 or in response to or to comply with COVID-19 Measures or (v) as set forth in Section 6.2(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter (the exceptions in clauses (i)-(v), the “Interim Covenant Exceptions”), the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to (x) use commercially reasonable efforts to conduct their respective businesses in all material respects in the ordinary course consistent with past practice, and (y) use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain and preserve intact, in all material respects, their respective business organizations; provided that no action by the Company or its Subsidiaries with respect to matters specifically addressed by any provision of Section 6.2(b) or Section 6.20 (subject to the exceptions set forth therein) shall be deemed a breach of this sentence, unless such action would constitute a breach of such other provision.

d. Amendment to Section 6.4(a). Section 6.4(a) of the Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following language:

(i) Solicitation or Negotiation Prior to Delivery of Evidence of Funding. From and after the date of this Agreement until the date on which Parent delivers Evidence of Funding to the Company pursuant to Section 6.10(a)(ix), the Company, its Subsidiaries and each of its and their respective Representatives shall have the right to (A) solicit, initiate, or knowingly encourage or facilitate any proposal or offer or any inquiries regarding the making of any proposal or offer, including any proposal or offer to its stockholders, that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, a Company Takeover Proposal, or (B) engage in, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any other Person any information with respect to, any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, a Company Takeover Proposal.

(ii) No Solicitation or Negotiation After Delivery of Evidence of Funding. Except as expressly permitted by this Section 6.4, from the date on which Parent delivers Evidence of Funding to the Company pursuant to Section 6.10(a)(ix) until the earlier to occur of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article VIII and the Effective Time, the Company shall not, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries and its and their respective officers and directors, and shall instruct its and its Subsidiaries’ other Representatives not to, directly or indirectly, (A) solicit, initiate, or knowingly encourage or facilitate any proposal or offer or any inquiries regarding the making of any proposal or offer, including any proposal or offer to its stockholders, that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, a Company Takeover Proposal, or (B) engage in, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any other Person any information with respect to, any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, a Company Takeover

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Proposal (other than, in response to an unsolicited inquiry that did not arise from a breach of this Section 6.4(a), solely to ascertain facts from the Person making such Company Takeover Proposal consistent with its fiduciary duties about such Company Takeover Proposal and the Person that made it, and to refer the inquiring Person to this Section 6.4). Upon delivery by Parent of Evidence of Funding to the Company pursuant to Section 6.10(a)(ix), the Company shall, and the Company shall cause its Subsidiaries, and its and their respective officers and directors to, and shall cause its and its Subsidiaries’ other Representatives to, immediately cease any and all existing solicitation, discussions or negotiations with any Persons (or provision of any non-public information to any Persons) with respect to any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, a Company Takeover Proposal. Upon delivery by Parent of Evidence of Funding to the Company pursuant to Section 6.10(a)(ix), the Company shall promptly (I) request in writing that each Person that has heretofore executed a confidentiality agreement within the six (6) month period immediately preceding such date in connection with its consideration of a Company Takeover Proposal or potential Company Takeover Proposal promptly destroy or return to the Company all non-public information heretofore furnished by the Company or any of its Representatives to such Person or any of its Representatives in accordance with the terms of such confidentiality agreement and (II) terminate access to any physical or electronic data rooms relating to a possible Company Takeover Proposal by such Person and its Representatives.

(iii) Waiver of Standstills. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, terminate, waive, amend, release or modify any standstill provision of any confidentiality or standstill agreement to which the Company is a party with respect to any Company Takeover Proposal or potential Company Takeover Proposal, and any such action taken by the Company, in and of itself, shall not be deemed a breach of any provision of this Agreement in any respect.

e. Amendment to Section 6.4(b). Section 6.4(b) of the Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following language:

Superior Proposals. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if at any time from and after the date hereof and prior to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, the Company receives a written Company Takeover Proposal that is not withdrawn from any Person (and, if such written Company Takeover Proposal is received after the date that Parent delivers Evidence of Funding to the Company pursuant to Section 6.10(a)(ix), such written Company Takeover Proposal did not result from a material breach of Section 6.4(a)(ii)), and if the Company Board (after considering the recommendation of the Company Special Committee) has determined in good faith, after consultation with the Company’s independent financial advisor and outside legal counsel, (i) that such Company Takeover Proposal is bona fide and constitutes or could reasonably be expected to lead to a Company Superior Proposal, and (ii) failure to take the actions set forth in clauses (A) and (B) below would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law, then the Company and its Representatives may, in response to such Company Takeover Proposal, (A) furnish, pursuant to an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement, information (including non-public information) with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries and afford access to the business, properties, assets, books, records or other non-public information, or to any personnel, of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the Person that has made such written Company Takeover Proposal and its Representatives (provided that the Company shall, prior to or concurrently with the delivery to such Person, provide to Parent any information concerning the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is provided or made available to such Person or its Representatives unless such information has been previously provided to Parent) and (B) engage in or otherwise participate in discussions or negotiations with the Person making such Company Takeover Proposal and its Representatives regarding such Company Takeover Proposal; provided that the Company and its Representatives may contact any Person in writing (with a request that any response from such Person is in writing) with respect to a Company Takeover Proposal to clarify any ambiguous terms and conditions thereof which are necessary to determine whether the Company Takeover Proposal constitutes a Company Superior Proposal (without the Company Board (or any committee thereof, including the Company Special Committee) being required to make the determination in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii)). The Company shall promptly (and in any event within twenty-four (24) hours) notify Parent in writing if the Company Board makes the

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determinations set forth in this Section 6.4(b), and shall not take any of the actions set forth in clauses (A) and (B) prior to providing such notice.

f. Amendment to Section 6.4(d). The second sentence of Section 6.4(d) of the Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following language:

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, prior to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, the Company Board, after considering the recommendation of the Company Special Committee, or the Company Special Committee may, in response to a Company Superior Proposal received by the Company after the date of this Agreement that, if received after the date on which Parent delivers Evidence of Funding to the Company pursuant to Section 6.10(a)(ix), did not result from a material breach of Section 6.4(a), (x) make a Change of Recommendation, or (y) cause the Company to validly terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 8.1(d)(ii) in order to enter into a binding Company Acquisition Agreement with respect to such Company Superior Proposal; provided that prior to making such Change of Recommendation or terminating this Agreement in accordance with Section 8.1(d)(ii), (A) the Company shall have given Parent at least five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice of its intention to take such action, including a summary of the material terms and conditions of, and the identity of the Person making any such Company Superior Proposal and contemporaneously provide to Parent a copy of the Company Superior Proposal and a copy of any proposed Company Acquisition Agreement and any other relevant transaction documents, (B) during such five (5)-Business Day period following the date on which such notice is received, the Company shall and shall cause its Representatives to, negotiate with Parent in good faith (to the extent Parent wishes to negotiate) to make such adjustments to the terms and conditions of this Agreement as Parent may propose, (C) upon the end of such notice period (or such subsequent notice period as contemplated by clause (D)), the Company Board (after considering the recommendation of the Company Special Committee) shall have considered in good faith any revisions to the terms of this Agreement proposed in writing by Parent, and shall have determined, after consultation with the Company’s independent financial advisor and outside legal counsel, that the Company Superior Proposal would nevertheless continue to constitute a Company Superior Proposal and the failure to make a Change of Recommendation or terminate this Agreement, as applicable, would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law, and (D) in the event of any change to any of the financial terms (including the form, amount and timing of payment of consideration) or any other material terms of such Company Superior Proposal, the Company shall, in each case, have delivered to Parent an additional notice consistent with that described in clause (A) above of this proviso and a new notice period under clause (A) of this proviso shall commence (provided that the notice period thereunder shall only be three (3) Business Days) during which time the Company shall be required to comply with the requirements of this Section 6.4(d) anew with respect to such additional notice, including clauses (A) through (D) above of this proviso. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall enter into any Company Acquisition Agreement unless this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms.

g. Amendment to Section 6.20. Section 6.20 of the Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following language:

6.20[Intentionally Omitted]

h. Amendment to Section 7.2(a). Section 7.2(a) of the Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following language:

The obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to complete the Closing and effect the Merger under Article III are further subject to the satisfaction (or waiver in writing by Parent and Merger Sub) of the following conditions precedent on or before the Effective Time: each of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date (without giving effect to any “materiality” or “Company Material Adverse Effect” qualifiers) as though made on and as of such date and time (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty speaks as of any earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except, in each case, for such failures to be

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true and correct as have not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

i. Amendment to Section 8.1(d)(iv). Section 8.1(d)(iv) of the Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following language:

if Parent fails to deliver Qualifying Additional Financing Documents to the Company on or before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 15, 2024;

j. Amendment to Section 8.1(d)(vi). The reference to “February 5, 2024” in Section 8.1(d)(vi) of the Agreement is hereby amended to be “February 15, 2024”.

k. Amendment to Section 8.3(b)(iv). Section 8.3(b)(iv) of the Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced in its entirety with the following language:

this Agreement is terminated (A) for any reason pursuant to Section 8.1 other than (x) those contemplated by clause (B) below or (y) under circumstances in which the Company Termination Fee is payable to Parent pursuant to Section 8.3(b)(i) or Section 8.3(b)(ii), then the Company shall retain the Initial Escrow Deposit Amount (it being understood that such retention shall be deemed to be a payment by Parent to the Company of the Closing Failure Fee in an amount equal to the Initial Escrow Deposit Amount), or (B) (1) by the Company pursuant to Section 8.1(d)(i), Section 8.1(d)(iii), Section 8.1(d)(iv), Section 8.1(d)(v) or Section 8.1(d)(vi) or (2) by either Parent or the Company pursuant to Section 8.1(b) under circumstances where the Company would have been entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1(d)(i), Section 8.1(d)(iii), Section 8.1(d)(iv), Section 8.1(d)(v) or Section 8.1(d)(vi), and in the case of the foregoing clauses (1) and (2), such termination takes place after 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 5, 2024, then the Company shall retain the Initial Escrow Deposit Amount as contemplated by the immediately preceding clause (A) (it being understood that such retention shall be deemed to be a partial payment by Parent to the Company of the Closing Failure Fee in an amount equal to the Initial Escrow Deposit Amount) and Parent shall pay to the Company the remainder of the Closing Failure Fee in accordance with Section 8.4(b)(iii).

l. New Section 8.3(l). Section 8.3 of the Agreement is hereby amended to include the following language as new subsection (l):

In connection with any losses or damages suffered by any Parent Related Party as a result of the failure of the Transactions to be consummated or for a breach or failure to perform hereunder or otherwise, other than in circumstances in which Parent is entitled to receive the Company Termination Fee in accordance with Section 8.3(b)(i) or Section 8.3(b)(ii) (in which case Sections 8.3(f) and (m) shall apply), Parent agrees, on behalf of itself and the Parent Related Parties, that the maximum aggregate monetary liability of the Company and the Company Related Parties shall be limited to an amount equal to the Company Termination Fee as determined in accordance with Section 8.3(b)(i) or Section 8.3(b)(ii), as applicable, plus, if applicable, the Initial Escrow Deposit Amount (to the extent that Parent is entitled to the return of such amount pursuant to Section 8.3(m)) and in no event shall Parent or any Parent Related Party seek or be entitled to recover from the Company or any Company Related Parties, and Parent on behalf of itself and the Parent Related Parties hereby irrevocably waives and relinquishes any right to seek or recover, any monetary damages in the aggregate in excess of such amount, including for the liability of the Company in the case of Willful Breach.

m. New Section 8.3(m). Section 8.3 of the Agreement is hereby amended to include the following language as new subsection (m):

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that (i) the Full Escrow Funding has been consummated on or before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on February 15, 2024 and (ii) Parent is entitled to receive the Company Termination Fee pursuant to Section 8.3(b)(i) (other than if this Agreement is terminated by Parent pursuant to Section 8.1(e)(iii)), then the Company shall return to Parent, and Parent shall be entitled to receive from the Company, an amount equal to the Initial Escrow Deposit Amount.

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n. Amendment to Section 8.4(a). The reference to “February 5, 2024” in Section 8.4(a) of the Agreement is hereby amended to be “February 15, 2024”.

2. Third Party Beneficiary. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Amendment, Parent shall deliver to the Company an amendment to certain Additional Financing Documents, in form reasonably acceptable to the Company, which contemplate that the Company is a direct third party beneficiary entitled to directly enforce, against the Financing Source contemplated therein, such Financing Source’s obligation to deposit their portion of the Additional Financing into the Escrow Account (for purposes of funding the Subsequent Escrow Deposit Amount).

3. Other Terms.

a. Interpretation; Effectiveness. The Agreement shall not be amended or otherwise modified by this Amendment except as set forth in Sections 1 and 2 of this Amendment. The provisions of the Agreement that have not been amended hereby shall be unchanged and shall remain in full force and effect. The provisions of the Agreement amended hereby shall remain in full force and effect as amended hereby. The amendments set forth in herein shall be effective immediately on the date hereof.

[Signature pages follow]

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Annex B

December 14, 2023

The Board of Directors of Battalion Oil Corporation
820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100
Houston, Texas 77024
Attn: Mr. Matthew Steele, CEO & Director

Dear Board of Directors:

We understand that Fury Resources, Inc. (the “Parent”), San Jacinto Merger Sub, Inc. (the “Merger Sub”), and Battalion Oil Corporation (the “Company”), propose to enter into the Agreement (defined below) pursuant to which, among other things, the Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company (the “Transaction”) and that, in connection with the Transaction, (a) each outstanding share of common stock, par value $.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), of the Company will be converted into the right to receive $9.80 in cash (the “Merger Consideration”), subject to certain adjustments as provided for in the Agreement (as to which adjustments we express no opinion), and (b) the Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Parent.

The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has requested that Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc. (“Houlihan Lokey”) provide an opinion (the “Opinion”) to the Board as to whether, as of the date hereof, the Merger Consideration to be received by the holders of Common Stock in the Transaction pursuant to the Agreement is fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders.

In connection with this Opinion, we have made such reviews, analyses and inquiries as we have deemed necessary and appropriate under the circumstances. Among other things, we have:

reviewed the following agreements:

a draft dated December 13, 2023 of the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Parent, Merger Sub and the Company (the “Agreement”);

a draft dated December 13, 2023 of the Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement by and among the Purchasers (as defined in the Agreement) and Parent (the “Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement”);

a draft dated December 13, 2023 of the Voting Agreement by and among certain stockholders of the Company; and

a draft dated December 13, 2023 of the Contribution, Rollover and Sale Agreement by and among the Insider Stockholders (as defined in the Agreement) and Parent (the “Contribution Agreement”);

reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information relating to the Company that we deemed to be relevant, including certain publicly available research analyst estimates with respect to the future financial performance of the Company;

reviewed certain information relating to the historical, current and future operations, financial condition and prospects of the Company made available to us by the Company, including (i) financial projections (and adjustments thereto) prepared by the management of the Company relating to the Company for the fiscal years ending 2023 through 2027, and (ii) certain information regarding the Company’s proven reserves prepared by the Company (the “Reserve Information”);

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 4650, Houston, Texas 77002 832.319.5150 HL.com

Broker/dealer services through Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc. and Houlihan Lokey Advisors, LLC

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spoken with certain members of the management of the Company regarding the business, operations, financial condition and prospects of the Company, the Transaction and related matters;

compared the financial and operating performance of the Company with that of other public companies that we deemed to be relevant;

considered publicly available financial terms of certain transactions that we deemed to be relevant;

conducted such other financial studies, analyses and inquiries and considered such other information and factors as we deemed appropriate.

We have relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all data, material and other information furnished, or otherwise made available, to us, discussed with or reviewed by us, or publicly available, and do not assume any responsibility with respect to such data, material and other information. In addition, management of the Company has advised us, and we have assumed, that the financial projections (and adjustments thereto) and Reserve Information reviewed by us have been reasonably prepared in good faith on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of such management as to the future financial results and condition of the Company and the other matters covered thereby, and we express no opinion with respect to such projections or Reserve Information or the assumptions on which they are based. We have relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, that there has been no change in the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects of the Company since the respective dates of the most recent financial statements and other information, financial or otherwise, provided to us that would be material to our analyses or this Opinion, and that there is no information or any facts that would make any of the information reviewed by us incomplete or misleading.

We have relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, that (a) the representations and warranties of all parties to the agreements identified in item 1 above and all other related documents and instruments that are referred to therein are true and correct, (b) each party to all such agreements and such other related documents and instruments will fully and timely perform all of the covenants and agreements required to be performed by such party, (c) all conditions to the consummation of the Transaction will be satisfied without waiver thereof, and (d) the Transaction will be consummated in a timely manner in accordance with the terms described in all such agreements and such other related documents and instruments, without any amendments or modifications thereto. We have relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, that (i) the Transaction will be consummated in a manner that complies in all respects with all applicable foreign, federal and state statutes, rules and regulations, and (ii) all governmental, regulatory, and other consents and approvals necessary for the consummation of the Transaction will be obtained and that no delay, limitations, restrictions or conditions will be imposed or amendments, modifications or waivers made that would have an effect on the Transaction or the Company that would be material to our analyses or this Opinion. We have also relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, at the direction of the Company, that any adjustments to the Merger Consideration pursuant to the Agreement will not be material to our analyses or this Opinion. In addition, we have relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, that the final forms of any draft documents identified above will not differ in any respect from the drafts of said documents.

Furthermore, in connection with this Opinion, we have not been requested to make, and have not made, any physical inspection or independent appraisal or evaluation of any of the assets, properties or liabilities (fixed, contingent, derivative, off-balance-sheet or otherwise) of the Company or any other party, nor were we provided with any such appraisal or evaluation (other than with respect to the Reserve Information). We did not estimate, and express no opinion regarding, the liquidation value of any entity or business. We have undertaken no independent analysis of any potential or actual litigation, regulatory action, possible unasserted claims or other contingent liabilities, to which the Company is or may be a party or is or may be subject, or of any governmental investigation of any possible unasserted claims or other contingent liabilities to which the Company is or may be a party or is or may be subject.

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This Opinion is necessarily based on financial, economic, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to us as of, the date hereof. We have not undertaken, and are under no obligation, to update, revise, reaffirm or withdraw this Opinion, or otherwise comment on or consider events occurring or coming to our attention after the date hereof. We have relied upon, without independent verification, the assessment of management as to the potential impact on the Company of certain market, cyclical and other trends in and prospects for, and governmental and regulatory matters relating to, the oil and gas industry, which are subject to significant volatility and which, if different than as assumed, could have a material impact on our analyses or this Opinion.

This Opinion is furnished for the use of the Board (in its capacity as such) in connection with its evaluation of the Transaction and may not be used for any other purpose without our prior written consent. This Opinion is not intended to be, and does not constitute, a recommendation to the Board, any security holder or any other party as to how to act or vote with respect to any matter relating to the Transaction or otherwise.

In the ordinary course of business, certain of our employees and affiliates, as well as investment funds in which they may have financial interests or with which they may co-invest, may acquire, hold or sell, long or short positions, or trade, in debt, equity, and other securities and financial instruments (including loans and other obligations) of, or investments in, the Company, Parent or any other party that may be involved in the Transaction and their respective affiliates or security holders or any currency or commodity that may be involved in the Transaction.

Houlihan Lokey and certain of its affiliates have in the past provided and are currently providing investment banking, financial advisory and/or other financial or consulting services to Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (“Oaktree”), an affiliate of Brookfield Corporation, or one or more security holders or affiliates of, and/or portfolio companies of investment funds affiliated or associated with, Oaktree (collectively, with Oaktree, the “Oaktree Group”), for which Houlihan Lokey and its affiliates have received, and may receive, compensation, including, among other things, (i) having acted as financial advisor to the special committee of the board of directors of Oaktree Specialty Lending Corporation, currently managed by a member of the Oaktree Group, in connection with its merger transaction with Oaktree Strategic Income II, Inc., which closed in January 2023, (ii) having acted as financial advisor to a lender group, of which one or more members of the Oaktree Group were members, in relation to their interests as lenders to Array Canada, Inc. in connection with its refinancing transaction, which closed in September 2021, and (iii) having acted as investment banker to Salem Harbor Power Development LP, a member of the Oaktree Group, in connection with its currently pending chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Houlihan Lokey and certain of its affiliates may provide investment banking, financial advisory and/or other financial or consulting services to the Company, the Parent, members of the Oaktree Group, other participants in the Transaction or certain of their respective affiliates or security holders in the future, for which Houlihan Lokey and its affiliates may receive compensation. In addition, Houlihan Lokey and certain of its affiliates and certain of our and their respective employees may have committed to invest in private equity or other investment funds managed or advised by Oaktree, other participants in the Transaction or certain of their respective affiliates or security holders, and in portfolio companies of such funds, and may have co-invested with members of the Oaktree Group, other participants in the Transaction or certain of their respective affiliates or security holders, and may do so in the future. Furthermore, in connection with bankruptcies, restructurings, distressed situations and similar matters, Houlihan Lokey and certain of its affiliates may have in the past acted, may currently be acting and may in the future act as financial advisor to debtors, creditors, equity holders, trustees, agents and other interested parties (including, without limitation, formal and informal committees or groups of creditors) that may have included or represented and may include or represent, directly or indirectly, or may be or have been adverse to, the Company, Parent, members of the Oaktree Group, other participants in the Transaction or certain of their respective affiliates or security holders, for which advice and services Houlihan Lokey and its affiliates have received and may receive compensation.

Houlihan Lokey has also acted as financial advisor to the Company in connection with, and has participated in certain of the negotiations leading to, certain potential transactions and the Transaction and will receive a fee for such services in connection with the Transaction, a substantial portion of which is contingent upon either (i) the consummation of the Transaction or (ii) termination of the Agreement. In addition, we will receive a fee for rendering this Opinion, which is not contingent upon the successful

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completion of the Transaction. The Company has agreed to reimburse certain of our expenses and to indemnify us and certain related parties for certain potential liabilities arising out of our engagement.

We have not been requested to opine as to, and this Opinion does not express an opinion as to or otherwise address, among other things: (i) the underlying business decision of the Board, the Company, its security holders or any other party to proceed with or effect the Transaction, (ii) the terms of any arrangements, understandings, agreements or documents related to, or the form, structure or any other portion or aspect of, the Transaction or otherwise (other than the Merger Consideration to the extent expressly specified herein), (iii) the fairness of any portion or aspect of the Transaction to the holders of any class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of the Company, or to any other party, except if and only to the extent expressly set forth in the last sentence of this Opinion, (iv) the relative merits of the Transaction as compared to any alternative business strategies or transactions that might be available for the Company or any other party, (v) the fairness of any portion or aspect of the Transaction to any one class or group of the Company’s or any other party’s security holders or other constituents vis-à-vis any other class or group of the Company’s or such other party’s security holders or other constituents (including, without limitation, the allocation of any consideration amongst or within such classes or groups of security holders or other constituents or any aspects relating to the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, Preferred Stock Merger Consideration (as defined in the Agreement) or Contribution Agreement), (vi) whether or not the Company, its security holders or any other party is receiving or paying reasonably equivalent value in the Transaction, (vii) the solvency, creditworthiness or fair value of the Company or any other participant in the Transaction, or any of their respective assets, under any applicable laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or similar matters, or (viii) the fairness, financial or otherwise, of the amount, nature or any other aspect of any compensation to or consideration payable to or received by any officers, directors or employees of any party to the Transaction, any class of such persons or any other party, relative to the Merger Consideration or otherwise. Furthermore, no opinion, counsel or interpretation is intended in matters that require legal, regulatory, accounting, insurance, tax or other similar professional advice. It is assumed that such opinions, counsel or interpretations have been or will be obtained from the appropriate professional sources. Furthermore, we have relied, with the consent of the Board, on the assessments by the Board, the Company and its advisors, as to all legal, regulatory, accounting, insurance, tax and other similar matters with respect to the Company and the Transaction or otherwise. The issuance of this Opinion was approved by a committee authorized to approve opinions of this nature.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, the Merger Consideration to be received by the holders of Common Stock in the Transaction pursuant to the Agreement is fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc.

HOULIHAN LOKEY CAPITAL, INC.

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Annex C

§ 262. Appraisal rights.

(a) Any stockholder of a corporation of this State who holds shares of stock on the date of the making of a demand pursuant to subsection (d) of this section with respect to such shares, who continuously holds such shares through the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, who has otherwise complied with subsection (d) of this section and who has neither voted in favor of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance nor consented thereto in writing pursuant to § 228 of this title shall be entitled to an appraisal by the Court of Chancery of the fair value of the stockholder’s shares of stock under the circumstances described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section. As used in this section, the word “stockholder” means a holder of record of stock in a corporation; the words “stock” and “share” mean and include what is ordinarily meant by those words; the words “depository receipt” mean a receipt or other instrument issued by a depository representing an interest in 1 or more shares, or fractions thereof, solely of stock of a corporation, which stock is deposited with the depository; the words “beneficial owner” mean a person who is the beneficial owner of shares of stock held either in voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person; and the word “person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity.

(b) Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a constituent, converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation in a merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance to be effected pursuant to § 251 (other than a merger effected pursuant to § 251(g) of this title), § 252, § 254, § 255, § 256, § 257, § 258, § 263, § 264, § 266 or § 390 of this title (other than, in each case and solely with respect to a converted or domesticated corporation, a merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance authorized pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of § 265 or § 388 of this title):

(1) Provided, however, that no appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock, which stock, or depository receipts in respect thereof, at the record date fixed to determine the stockholders entitled to receive notice of the meeting of stockholders, or at the record date fixed to determine the stockholders entitled to consent pursuant to § 228 of this title, to act upon the agreement of merger or consolidation or the resolution providing for the conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance (or, in the case of a merger pursuant to § 251(h) of this title, as of immediately prior to the execution of the agreement of merger), were either: (i) listed on a national securities exchange or (ii) held of record by more than 2,000 holders; and further provided that no appraisal rights shall be available for any shares of stock of the constituent corporation surviving a merger if the merger did not require for its approval the vote of the stockholders of the surviving corporation as provided in § 251(f) of this title.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(1) of this section, appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a constituent, converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation if the holders thereof are required by the terms of an agreement of merger or consolidation, or by the terms of a resolution providing for conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, pursuant to § 251, § 252, § 254, § 255, § 256, § 257, § 258, § 263, § 264, § 266 or § 390 of this title to accept for such stock anything except:

a. Shares of stock of the corporation surviving or resulting from such merger or consolidation, or of the converted entity or the entity resulting from a transfer, domestication or continuance if such entity is a corporation as a result of the conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, or depository receipts in respect thereof;

b. Shares of stock of any other corporation, or depository receipts in respect thereof, which shares of stock (or depository receipts in respect thereof) or depository receipts at the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance will be either listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 holders;

c. Cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts described in the foregoing paragraphs (b)(2)a. and b. of this section; or

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d. Any combination of the shares of stock, depository receipts and cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts described in the foregoing paragraphs (b)(2)a., b. and c. of this section.

(3) In the event all of the stock of a subsidiary Delaware corporation party to a merger effected under § 253 or § 267 of this title is not owned by the parent immediately prior to the merger, appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of the subsidiary Delaware corporation.

(4) [Repealed.]

(c) Any corporation may provide in its certificate of incorporation that appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of its stock as a result of an amendment to its certificate of incorporation, any merger or consolidation in which the corporation is a constituent corporation, the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the corporation or a conversion effected pursuant to § 266 of this title or a transfer, domestication or continuance effected pursuant to § 390 of this title. If the certificate of incorporation contains such a provision, the provisions of this section, including those set forth in subsections (d), (e), and (g) of this section, shall apply as nearly as is practicable.

(d) Appraisal rights shall be perfected as follows:

(1) If a proposed merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance for which appraisal rights are provided under this section is to be submitted for approval at a meeting of stockholders, the corporation, not less than 20 days prior to the meeting, shall notify each of its stockholders who was such on the record date for notice of such meeting (or such members who received notice in accordance with § 255(c) of this title) with respect to shares for which appraisal rights are available pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of this section that appraisal rights are available for any or all of the shares of the constituent corporations or the converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation, and shall include in such notice either a copy of this section (and, if 1 of the constituent corporations or the converting corporation is a nonstock corporation, a copy of § 114 of this title) or information directing the stockholders to a publicly available electronic resource at which this section (and, § 114 of this title, if applicable) may be accessed without subscription or cost. Each stockholder electing to demand the appraisal of such stockholder’s shares shall deliver to the corporation, before the taking of the vote on the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, a written demand for appraisal of such stockholder’s shares; provided that a demand may be delivered to the corporation by electronic transmission if directed to an information processing system (if any) expressly designated for that purpose in such notice. Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of such stockholder’s shares. A proxy or vote against the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance shall not constitute such a demand. A stockholder electing to take such action must do so by a separate written demand as herein provided. Within 10 days after the effective date of such merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, the surviving, resulting or converted entity shall notify each stockholder of each constituent or converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation who has complied with this subsection and has not voted in favor of or consented to the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, and any beneficial owner who has demanded appraisal under paragraph (d)(3) of this section, of the date that the merger, consolidation or conversion has become effective; or

(2) If the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance was approved pursuant to § 228, § 251(h), § 253, or § 267 of this title, then either a constituent, converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation before the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, or the surviving, resulting or converted entity within 10 days after such effective date, shall notify each stockholder of any class or series of stock of such constituent, converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation who is entitled to appraisal rights of the approval of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance and that appraisal rights are available for any or all shares of such class or series of stock of such constituent, converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation, and shall include in such notice either a copy of this section (and, if 1 of the constituent corporations

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or the converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation is a nonstock corporation, a copy of § 114 of this title) or information directing the stockholders to a publicly available electronic resource at which this section (and § 114 of this title, if applicable) may be accessed without subscription or cost. Such notice may, and, if given on or after the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, shall, also notify such stockholders of the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance. Any stockholder entitled to appraisal rights may, within 20 days after the date of giving such notice or, in the case of a merger approved pursuant to § 251(h) of this title, within the later of the consummation of the offer contemplated by § 251(h) of this title and 20 days after the date of giving such notice, demand in writing from the surviving, resulting or converted entity the appraisal of such holder’s shares; provided that a demand may be delivered to such entity by electronic transmission if directed to an information processing system (if any) expressly designated for that purpose in such notice. Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs such entity of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of such holder’s shares. If such notice did not notify stockholders of the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, either (i) each such constituent corporation or the converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation shall send a second notice before the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance notifying each of the holders of any class or series of stock of such constituent, converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation that are entitled to appraisal rights of the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance or (ii) the surviving, resulting or converted entity shall send such a second notice to all such holders on or within 10 days after such effective date; provided, however, that if such second notice is sent more than 20 days following the sending of the first notice or, in the case of a merger approved pursuant to § 251(h) of this title, later than the later of the consummation of the offer contemplated by § 251(h) of this title and 20 days following the sending of the first notice, such second notice need only be sent to each stockholder who is entitled to appraisal rights and who has demanded appraisal of such holder’s shares in accordance with this subsection and any beneficial owner who has demanded appraisal under paragraph (d)(3) of this section. An affidavit of the secretary or assistant secretary or of the transfer agent of the corporation or entity that is required to give either notice that such notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. For purposes of determining the stockholders entitled to receive either notice, each constituent corporation or the converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation may fix, in advance, a record date that shall be not more than 10 days prior to the date the notice is given, provided, that if the notice is given on or after the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, the record date shall be such effective date. If no record date is fixed and the notice is given prior to the effective date, the record date shall be the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the notice is given.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section (but subject to this paragraph (d)(3)), a beneficial owner may, in such person’s name, demand in writing an appraisal of such beneficial owner’s shares in accordance with either paragraph (d)(1) or (2) of this section, as applicable; provided that (i) such beneficial owner continuously owns such shares through the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance and otherwise satisfies the requirements applicable to a stockholder under the first sentence of subsection (a) of this section and (ii) the demand made by such beneficial owner reasonably identifies the holder of record of the shares for which the demand is made, is accompanied by documentary evidence of such beneficial owner’s beneficial ownership of stock and a statement that such documentary evidence is a true and correct copy of what it purports to be, and provides an address at which such beneficial owner consents to receive notices given by the surviving, resulting or converted entity hereunder and to be set forth on the verified list required by subsection (f) of this section.

(e) Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, the surviving, resulting or converted entity, or any person who has complied with subsections (a) and (d) of this section and who is otherwise entitled to appraisal rights, may commence an appraisal proceeding by filing a petition in the Court of Chancery demanding a determination of the value of the stock of all such stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time within 60 days after the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, any person

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entitled to appraisal rights who has not commenced an appraisal proceeding or joined that proceeding as a named party shall have the right to withdraw such person’s demand for appraisal and to accept the terms offered upon the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance. Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, any person who has complied with the requirements of subsections (a) and (d) of this section, upon request given in writing (or by electronic transmission directed to an information processing system (if any) expressly designated for that purpose in the notice of appraisal), shall be entitled to receive from the surviving, resulting or converted entity a statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares not voted in favor of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance (or, in the case of a merger approved pursuant to § 251(h) of this title, the aggregate number of shares (other than any excluded stock (as defined in § 251(h)(6)d. of this title)) that were the subject of, and were not tendered into, and accepted for purchase or exchange in, the offer referred to in § 251(h)(2) of this title)), and, in either case, with respect to which demands for appraisal have been received and the aggregate number of stockholders or beneficial owners holding or owning such shares (provided that, where a beneficial owner makes a demand pursuant to paragraph (d)(3) of this section, the record holder of such shares shall not be considered a separate stockholder holding such shares for purposes of such aggregate number). Such statement shall be given to the person within 10 days after such person’s request for such a statement is received by the surviving, resulting or converted entity or within 10 days after expiration of the period for delivery of demands for appraisal under subsection (d) of this section, whichever is later.

(f) Upon the filing of any such petition by any person other than the surviving, resulting or converted entity, service of a copy thereof shall be made upon such entity, which shall within 20 days after such service file in the office of the Register in Chancery in which the petition was filed a duly verified list containing the names and addresses of all persons who have demanded appraisal for their shares and with whom agreements as to the value of their shares have not been reached by such entity. If the petition shall be filed by the surviving, resulting or converted entity, the petition shall be accompanied by such a duly verified list. The Register in Chancery, if so ordered by the Court, shall give notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing of such petition by registered or certified mail to the surviving, resulting or converted entity and to the persons shown on the list at the addresses therein stated. The forms of the notices by mail and by publication shall be approved by the Court, and the costs thereof shall be borne by the surviving, resulting or converted entity.

(g) At the hearing on such petition, the Court shall determine the persons who have complied with this section and who have become entitled to appraisal rights. The Court may require the persons who have demanded an appraisal for their shares and who hold stock represented by certificates to submit their certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery for notation thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings; and if any person fails to comply with such direction, the Court may dismiss the proceedings as to such person. If immediately before the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance the shares of the class or series of stock of the constituent, converting, transferring, domesticating or continuing corporation as to which appraisal rights are available were listed on a national securities exchange, the Court shall dismiss the proceedings as to all holders of such shares who are otherwise entitled to appraisal rights unless (1) the total number of shares entitled to appraisal exceeds 1% of the outstanding shares of the class or series eligible for appraisal, (2) the value of the consideration provided in the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance for such total number of shares exceeds $1 million, or (3) the merger was approved pursuant to § 253 or § 267 of this title.

(h) After the Court determines the persons entitled to an appraisal, the appraisal proceeding shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Court of Chancery, including any rules specifically governing appraisal proceedings. Through such proceeding the Court shall determine the fair value of the shares exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, together with interest, if any, to be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value. In determining such fair value, the Court shall take into account all relevant factors. Unless the Court in its discretion determines otherwise for good cause shown, and except as provided in this subsection, interest from the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance through the date of payment of the judgment shall be compounded quarterly and shall accrue at 5% over the Federal Reserve discount rate (including any surcharge) as established from time to time during the period between the effective date of the merger, consolidation or conversion

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and the date of payment of the judgment. At any time before the entry of judgment in the proceedings, the surviving, resulting or converted entity may pay to each person entitled to appraisal an amount in cash, in which case interest shall accrue thereafter as provided herein only upon the sum of (1) the difference, if any, between the amount so paid and the fair value of the shares as determined by the Court, and (2) interest theretofore accrued, unless paid at that time. Upon application by the surviving, resulting or converted entity or by any person entitled to participate in the appraisal proceeding, the Court may, in its discretion, proceed to trial upon the appraisal prior to the final determination of the persons entitled to an appraisal. Any person whose name appears on the list filed by the surviving, resulting or converted entity pursuant to subsection (f) of this section may participate fully in all proceedings until it is finally determined that such person is not entitled to appraisal rights under this section.

(i) The Court shall direct the payment of the fair value of the shares, together with interest, if any, by the surviving, resulting or converted entity to the persons entitled thereto. Payment shall be so made to each such person upon such terms and conditions as the Court may order. The Court’s decree may be enforced as other decrees in the Court of Chancery may be enforced, whether such surviving, resulting or converted entity be an entity of this State or of any state.

(j) The costs of the proceeding may be determined by the Court and taxed upon the parties as the Court deems equitable in the circumstances. Upon application of a person whose name appears on the list filed by the surviving, resulting or converted entity pursuant to subsection (f) of this section who participated in the proceeding and incurred expenses in connection therewith, the Court may order all or a portion of such expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s fees and the fees and expenses of experts, to be charged pro rata against the value of all the shares entitled to an appraisal not dismissed pursuant to subsection (k) of this section or subject to such an award pursuant to a reservation of jurisdiction under subsection (k) of this section.

(k) Subject to the remainder of this subsection, from and after the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, no person who has demanded appraisal rights with respect to some or all of such person’s shares as provided in subsection (d) of this section shall be entitled to vote such shares for any purpose or to receive payment of dividends or other distributions on such shares (except dividends or other distributions payable to stockholders of record at a date which is prior to the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance). If a person who has made a demand for an appraisal in accordance with this section shall deliver to the surviving, resulting or converted entity a written withdrawal of such person’s demand for an appraisal in respect of some or all of such person’s shares in accordance with subsection (e) of this section, either within 60 days after such effective date or thereafter with the written approval of the corporation, then the right of such person to an appraisal of the shares subject to the withdrawal shall cease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an appraisal proceeding in the Court of Chancery shall not be dismissed as to any person without the approval of the Court, and such approval may be conditioned upon such terms as the Court deems just, including without limitation, a reservation of jurisdiction for any application to the Court made under subsection (j) of this section; provided, however that this provision shall not affect the right of any person who has not commenced an appraisal proceeding or joined that proceeding as a named party to withdraw such person’s demand for appraisal and to accept the terms offered upon the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance within 60 days after the effective date of the merger, consolidation, conversion, transfer, domestication or continuance, as set forth in subsection (e) of this section. If a petition for an appraisal is not filed within the time provided in subsection (e) of this section, the right to appraisal with respect to all shares shall cease.

(l) The shares or other equity interests of the surviving, resulting or converted entity to which the shares of stock subject to appraisal under this section would have otherwise converted but for an appraisal demand made in accordance with this section shall have the status of authorized but not outstanding shares of stock or other equity interests of the surviving, resulting or converted entity, unless and until the person that has demanded appraisal is no longer entitled to appraisal pursuant to this section.

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Annex D

EXECUTION VERSION

VOTING AGREEMENT

RECITALS

AGREEMENT

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Merger Agreement and such other actions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (whether or not recommended by the Company Board) and (ii) against (A) any Company Takeover Proposal, (B) any action that that is intended to or would reasonably be expected to impede, interfere with, delay, postpone or adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or any of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or this Agreement (including any change to the capitalization or dividend policy of the Company or any amendment or other change to the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws), and (C) any transaction that is intended to or would reasonably be expected to result in a breach in any material respect of any covenant, representation or warranty or other obligation or agreement of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under the Merger Agreement.

2. Grant of Irrevocable Proxy; Appointment of Proxy.

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any party hereto as a result of a material breach of a term or condition of this Agreement prior to such termination shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

5. Representations and Warranties of Stockholders. Each Stockholder, as to itself (severally and not jointly), hereby represents and warrants to Parent as follows:

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6. Representations and Warranties of Parent. Parent hereby represents and warrants to each Stockholder as follows:

7. Certain Covenants of Stockholder. Each Stockholder, for itself (severally and not jointly), hereby covenants and agrees as follows, in each case except as otherwise approved in writing by Parent:

(a) Prior to the Termination Date, such Stockholder shall not, and shall not authorize or permit any of its Subsidiaries or Representatives, directly or indirectly, to:

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(i) solicit, initiate, endorse, encourage or facilitate the making by any Person (other than the other parties to the Merger Agreement) of any Company Takeover Proposal;

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dispose of and exercise dissenters’ rights with respect to such Subject Shares during the period in which this Section 7(d) remains in effect and such transaction does not prohibit or impede such Stockholder’s compliance with its obligations and covenants pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the Contribution and Rollover Agreement entered into by such Stockholder as of the date hereof, or (z) that has received the prior written approval of Parent (which may be given or withheld in Parent’s sole discretion); provided, that in the case of an Exempt Transfer pursuant to clause (x)(a) or (x)(b), (A) prior to such Exempt Transfer becoming effective, such transferee will execute a joinder to this Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent and which shall bind such transferee to all of the obligations of a Stockholder herein and (B) the transferor Stockholder shall remain liable for any failure of such transferee to comply with or perform its obligations under this Agreement.

9. Waiver of Appraisal Rights. Each Stockholder hereby waives any rights of appraisal or rights to dissent from the Merger that such Stockholder may have under applicable Law.

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(i)

If to a Stockholder:

To the address set forth on Schedule A

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Dechert LLP
300 South Tryon Street, Suite 800
Charlotte, NC 28202
Attention: David Cosgrove
E-mail: David.cosgrove@dechert.com

(ii)

If to Parent:

Fury Resources, Inc.
17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104-603
San Antonio, TX 78257
Attention: Ariella Fuchs, President and General Counsel
E-mail: afuchs@ruckusexp.com

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

K&L Gates LLP
1 Park Plaza, Twelfth Floor
Irvine, California 92614
Attention: Michael A. Hedge, Jason C. Dreibelbis
E-mail: michael.hedge@klgates.com; jason.dreibelbis@klgates.com

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herein for any reason, (b) that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise) and (c) that (i) the suit, action or proceeding in any such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (ii) the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper or (iii) this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts.

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covenants, agreements or other obligations or liabilities of any one or more parties hereto under this Agreement (whether for indemnification or otherwise) or for any claim based on, arising out of, or related to this Agreement.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]

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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

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WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with this Agreement and the Transactions.

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1.1. Definitions. The following terms shall have the following meanings for purposes of this Agreement:

“Additional Financing” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.10(a)(ii).

“Additional Financing Bank Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.10(a)(ix).

“Additional Financing Documents” means any binding Contracts entered into by Parent or any of its Affiliates in connection with the Additional Financing.

“Agreement” means this Agreement, including the Company Disclosure Letter, the Parent Disclosure Letter and the annexes and exhibits hereto, as it and they may be amended from time to time.

“Alternative Financing” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.10(a)(iv).

“Buyer’s 401(k) Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.7(d).

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“Bylaws” means the Seventh Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended from time to time.

“Canceled Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b)(ii).

“Capitalization Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(c)(ii).

“Certificate of Incorporation” means the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended from time to time.

“Certificate of Merger” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

“Certificated Shares” means shares of Preferred Stock which, immediately prior to the Effective Time, are represented by stock certificates.

“Change of Recommendation” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(d).

“Closing” means the consummation of the Transactions.

“Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

“Closing Failure Fee” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3(b)(iv).

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Committed Debt Financing” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8(a).

“Committed Financing” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8(a).

“Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(c)(i).

“Company” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

“Company 401(k) Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.7(d).

“Company Acquisition Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(d).

“Company Board” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Company Disclosure Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5.

“Company Disclosure Letter” has the meaning set forth in the introductory language to Article IV.

“Company Equity Awards” means, collectively, the Company Options and the Company RSU Awards.

“Company Equity Plan” means the Company’s 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

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“Company Independent Petroleum Engineers” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.18(a).

“Company Intellectual Property” means all Intellectual Property owned or purported to be owned by Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(b) changes, proposed changes, pending changes, changes in the interpretation or enforcement of GAAP, COPAS or any Law or rules or regulations promulgated by any Governmental Authorities;

(h) any matter set forth in the Company Disclosure Letter;

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