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Put-Call Option Agreement

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CALL AGREEMENT

THIS CALL AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), is made and entered into as of among , a Delaware limited liability company ("Buyer") and ("Seller").

WHEREAS, contemporaneous with the formation of , a Delaware limited liability company (the "Company"), (i) Seller acquired membership units ("Units") in the Company (the "Interest"), (ii) Buyer acquired Units, and (iii) and an affiliate of Buyer acquired Units; and

WHEREAS, Buyer and Seller have agreed that Buyer shall have the option as set forth in Section 1 below, and upon execution by , a Delaware limited partnership ("EEX E&P"), EEX E&P shall have the option set forth in Section 2 below.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, Buyer and Seller agree as follows:

1. Call Option.

a. Ability to Call. At any time after the termination of that certain Natural Gas Inventory Forward Sale Contract dated the date hereof, between Seller and (formerly Tesoro E&P Company, L.P.) (the "Forward Sale Agreement"), Buyer shall have the option to purchase, and thereupon Seller shall have the obligation to sell, the Interest at a price equal to the Call Price as defined in paragraph 1b (such option to sell and reciprocal obligation to purchase are hereinafter referred to as the "Call"). If Buyer wishes to exercise the Call, Buyer shall deliver a written notice (the "Call Notice") to Seller notifying Seller of its desire to exercise the Call. The closing for the purchase by Buyer of the Interest upon exercise of the Call shall occur at Buyer's principal office, or at such other place as shall be mutually agreeable to Seller and Buyer, within three business days after the receipt by Seller of the Call Notice (such date of closing is hereinafter referred to as the "Call Closing Date").

b. Call Price. For purposes of this Letter Agreement, "Call Price" shall mean a price equal to the lesser of and the fair market value of the Interest, provided that the fair market value shall not exceed the equity percentage represented by the Interest in the oil and gas reserves of (to be renamed EEX E&P Company, L.P.) (measured by the PV-10 value of such reserves, meaning the value of future net cash flows from proved reserves before taxes discounted at a rate of 10%). At Buyer's option, the Call Price may be paid in cash or common stock of ("EEX Stock"), or a combination of cash and EEX Stock, the value of shares of which will be determined based on the average closing price of EEX Stock for the five business days preceding the Call Closing Date.

c. Termination of Call. The Call shall terminate five years after the date of termination of the Forward Sale Contract.

2. Option to Terminate Forward Sale Agreement.

3. Notices. All notices, requests, demands, and other communications required or permitted to be given or made hereunder by any party hereto shall be in writing and shall be delivered in accordance with, and pursuant to the terms and conditions regarding notices set forth in the Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company.

4. Binding Effect; Assignment; No Third Party Benefit. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests, or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto, and their respective successors and permitted assigns, any rights, benefits, or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

5. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be unenforceable, this Agreement shall be considered divisible and such provision shall be deemed inoperative to the extent it is deemed unenforceable, and in all other respects this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect; provided, however, that if any such provision may be made enforceable by limitation thereof, then such provision shall be deemed to be so limited and shall be enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Law.

6. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THEREOF.

7. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, the parties hereto.

REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement, or caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives, all as of the day and year first above written.

BUYER:

By:

Name:

Title:

SELLER:

By:

Name:

Title:

Upon execution of this Agreement by EEX E&P or by its duly authorized representative, where indicated below, EEX E&P will have the option to terminate the Forward Sale Agreement as provided in Section 2 above.

EEX E&P COMPANY, L.P.

By: EEX Exploration and Production Company, LLC, its General Partner

By:

Name:

Title:

Enter text✕

What a Put-Call Option Agreement Is and When Parties Use It

A Put-Call Option Agreement is a bilateral contract granting one party the right to sell (put) and/or the other party the right to buy (call) a specified interest in a company or asset at a set price or formula. These agreements define exercise windows, notice procedures, payment and settlement mechanics, and remedies for breach. They are commonly used in shareholder buyouts, venture financing, joint ventures, and succession planning to provide predictable exit rights, manage minority interests, and allocate valuation risk between parties.

Why Parties Include Put and Call Rights in Agreements

Put-call provisions create clear exit options, reduce deadlock risk, and set objective mechanics for transfers and funding. They can preserve business continuity by defining valuation, timing, and dispute-resolution paths.

Why Parties Include Put and Call Rights in Agreements

Common Users and Roles for Put-Call Agreements

Parties should ensure signatory authority and corporate approvals are documented so exercise notices and settlement obligations are enforceable.

  • Founders and majority shareholders negotiating orderly exits or safeguarding minority interests.
  • Investors and venture capital firms seeking predictable exit mechanics tied to financing rounds.
  • Family business owners planning succession and avoiding trustee or probate issues.

Core Elements to Include in a Professional Put-Call Agreement

A complete agreement describes what can be bought or sold, who may exercise rights, how price is determined, exact timelines for notice and payment, and steps for closing and dispute resolution. Each clause should be explicit to minimize ambiguity and litigation risk.

Option Grant

Define precisely what interest the put or call covers (shares, membership units, percentage interest) and whether rights are exclusive, transferable, or assignable to third parties.

Strike Price

Specify fixed price, formula (e.g., multiple of EBITDA), appraisal method, or tied valuation metrics. Include timing and procedures for valuation disputes.

Exercise Period

State the time windows when the option may be exercised, any blackout periods, and conditions that trigger immediate or deferred exercise rights.

Notice Requirements

Spell out how notices are delivered (email, certified mail, e-signature portal), required content, and when a notice is considered received and effective.

Payment & Settlement

Describe payment timing, escrow arrangements, installment options, security for payment, and procedures for transferring certificates or membership interests.

Remedies & Dispute Resolution

Include specific remedies for breach, indemnities, liquidated damages if appropriate, and the governing process for arbitration or court proceedings.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete a Put-Call Agreement

Follow a predictable sequence to reduce omissions and ensure corporate and regulatory compliance.

  • 01
    Review corporate authority: Confirm board or member approval
  • 02
    Complete material fields: Enter names, dates, subject interest
  • 03
    Agree valuation method: Document formula or appraiser process
  • 04
    Sign and date: All authorized parties must execute

Where to Send and How Notices Are Processed

Clarify routing for notices, exercise documents, and closing funds so parties know where obligations land and how to verify receipt.

  • Primary Notice: Send to the address listed in the agreement
  • Email Copies: Attach signed PDF to an authorized contact
  • Escrow Instructions: Provide wiring details and beneficiary info
  • Closing Delivery: Use courier or eDelivery per contract

Configuring an Online Signing Workflow

When using an eSignature platform, set authentication, fields, reminders, and retention before sending to ensure legal validity and auditability.

Field Configuration
Signer Authentication Email plus optional SMS code
Required Fields Names, dates, signatures, price
Reminder Schedule 3 reminders at set intervals
Record Retention Retain signed PDF and audit trail

Digital Signing and File Format Considerations

Ensure your eSignature provider supports required exports, audit logs, and any industry-specific compliance (for example HIPAA BAA for health-related agreements).

  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX accepted
  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
  • Authentication: Email, SMS code, or SSO

Key Dates and Deadlines to Track in an Agreement

Identify all contractual and legal deadlines clearly so exercise windows and payment obligations are unambiguous.

Option Exercise Window:

Exact start and end dates for exercising options

Notice Cure Period:

Time allowed to cure defaults after notice

Payment Due Date:

Date funds must be wired or deposited

Closing Date:

Scheduled date for transfer and recordation

Record Retention Deadline:

How long to keep executed documents

Transaction Milestones from Agreement to Settlement

A sequential milestone view helps stakeholders track progress from negotiation through final transfer and post-closing obligations.

01

Negotiation Complete

Parties finalize terms and sign

02

Exercise Notice

Holder serves formal written notice

03

Funding and Escrow

Buyer wires funds to escrow

04

Transfer and Recording

Securities updated and certificates issued

Common Drafting and Execution Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Vague valuation language that leaves critical inputs undefined, causing disputes and appraisal litigation.
  • Failure to verify corporate authority or obtain necessary board or member authorizations before signing, which may void transfers.
  • Using informal notice methods without specifying effective delivery rules, leading to contested receipt and timing issues.
  • Omitting tax and withholding language, which can create unexpected liabilities and delay closings.

Legal and Financial Risks of an Incorrect Agreement

Tax Exposure: Potential capital gains or constructive dividends
Breach Damages: Contract damages and litigation costs
Invalid Notice: Missed deadlines invalidate exercise
Enforceability Issues: Improper authorization defeats transfer
Regulatory Noncompliance: Securities law or state filing risk
Escrow Shortfalls: Payment failure delays closing

Security, Compliance, and Audit Trail Essentials

Encryption: AES-256 at rest
Transport Security: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit
Audit Trail: Detailed timestamp and IP logs
Certification: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001
HIPAA Support: BAA available where needed
Access Controls: Role-based authentication

How Put-Call Agreements Compare with Buy-Sell Agreements

Compare key attributes to determine which structure fits your transaction and governance objectives.

Criteria Put-Call Buy-Sell
Control Mechanism targeted rights broad transfer restrictions
Typical Use exit liquidity succession planning
Valuation Method formula or appraisal often fixed or formula
Activation Trigger party exercise death, disability, or event

eSignature Provider Comparison Relevant to Put-Call Agreements

Standard vendor capabilities affect execution, auditability, and compliance when signing Put-Call Option Agreements electronically.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Verify Verify Verify Verify
Bulk Send Yes (premium) Verify Verify Verify Verify
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Real-World Examples of Put-Call Agreement Use

Practical examples show how provisions operate in typical scenarios and the outcomes parties can expect.

Venture Investment Exit

A startup investor negotiated a call option tied to EBITDA multiples to ensure fair exit pricing

  • The call triggered on defined financial performance
  • The explicit formula avoided appraisal costs and led to a timely, documented buyout with defined payment terms and minimal dispute.

Family Business Succession

Siblings used a put option to buy out a retiring owner at a pre-agreed multiple

  • The put required 90 days' notice and appraisal fallback
  • Clear notice procedures and escrowed funds enabled immediate settlement and kept the business operating without litigation during the succession.

Signatory Roles and Typical Authority

Founder / CEO

A founder or CEO acting on behalf of a corporate party should have board authorization documented in meeting minutes or a written resolution. Without this internal approval, transfers or option exercises may be voidable and delay closings.

Investor Representative

An investor signatory should provide proof of authority—such as a fund resolution or power of attorney—when executing to ensure the exercise or sale clears internal governance and compliance checks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Put-Call Option Agreements

Answers to common concerns about enforceability, e-signing, notary needs, tax consequences, amendments, and cancellation procedures.


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