Case 18-10265-LSS Doc 60-2 Filed 02/23/18 Page 1 of 14 Exhibit B New Management Services Agreement Term Sheet 01:22911567.1 SC1:4601202.2 Case 18-10265-LSS Doc 60-2 Filed 02/23/18 Page 2 of 14 New Management Services Agreement (the “Agreement”) Term Sheet1 Parties: Ascent Resources Marcellus Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries (the “Company Entities”) Ascent Resources Management Services, LLC (the “Manager”) Business Plan: Upon the approval of an Annual Budget by the post-bankruptcy Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), the Manager will implement a one-rig drilling plan and then subsequently work according to the annual budget then in effect (the “Annual Budget”), as timely approved by the Board in consultation with the Manager, to provide Services (as defined below) in connection with the management of the Company’s oil and gas properties (the “Properties”) which will be subject to further approval by the Board in the event that: (i) the drilling and completion capital expenditure exceeds the Annual Budget therefor by 10%; (ii) the land and acreage acquisition amount exceeds the Annual Budget therefor by 10% or (iii) the expenditure on any line item of the Annual Budget exceeds the Annual Budget therefor by 10%; provided that any amendment, modification or supplement to the Annual Budget may not increase the liabilities and obligations of the Manager in any material respect or materially increase the scope or amount of Services to be provided by Manager, without Manager’s prior written consent. Services: “Services” shall mean, on behalf of the Company Entities, the following services in connection with the then-effective Annual Budget, the Sale and the ongoing business of the Company Entities: 1. maintaining certain operational and financial performance targets as set forth in the then-effective Annual Budget and to be mutually agreed upon by the Board and the Manager, subject to market conditions. At a minimum, the performance targets will include reasonable variances around production, operating cash costs and capital expenditures; 2. identifying and negotiating potential acquisitions of oil and gas working interests for the Company Entities; provided that the Manager shall not consummate any acquisitions not contemplated by the then-effective Annual Budget during the period of such Annual Budget, without the prior written consent of the Board, other than (a) acquisitions not exceeding $5 million in the aggregate and (b) acreage trades in the ordinary course of business; 3. arranging for the Company Entities’ procurement and purchase of materials, equipment and supplies and contracting for labor and services in connection with the drilling, completion and production of 1 Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan. 01:22911902.1 SC1:4600505.7 Case 18-10265-LSS Doc 60-2 Filed 02/23/18 Page 3 of 14 oil and natural gas assets in the ordinary course of business and on a competitive pricing basis; 4. management of preparation of any engineering design and specifications necessary for development and operation of the Properties; 5. finance and accounting administration, management of preparation of all operational plans, government agency reporting, audits, third party reserve reports, accounts payable, joint interest billing accounting, accounts receivable, revenue accounting, cash and financial account management (including the opening, closing and management of bank and securities accounts), treasury risk management, payroll and tax accounting and compliance functions associated with each Company Entity’s business; 6. tax administration, including ad valorem taxes, sales and use taxes, and severance and production taxes; 7. applying for all necessary licenses, permits, certificates, surety bonds, orders, approvals and authorizations of any governmental entity necessary in connection with the operations of the Company Entities; 8. management of the operation, maintenance and repair of the Company Entities’ existing assets and infrastructure, including ordinary course procedures to maintain production; 9. supervision and administration of material contracts, easements and covenants which may have been entered into in connection with a Company Entity’s business, including payment on behalf of each Company Entity of amounts due or payable thereunder; 10. interviewing and negotiating contracts for outside professionals, contractors, consultants, accountants and attorneys as may be necessary from time to time in the ordinary course of business; 11. maintenance of each Company Entities’ books and records; 12. maintenance of material lease, ownership, contract and property records and databases relating to the business of the Company Entities and their assets; 13. managing matters relating to the operation and maintenance of properties, health, safety, security and the environment; 14. administering royalty payments, division orders and title changes and providing indirect and routine legal services; provided that, other than land-related litigation necessary for the formation of drilling units in West Virginia, the Manager shall not commence, continue, resolve or settle, in any manner or in any place, any existing or potential cause of action, litigation or other proceeding in excess of 01:22911902.1 2 SC1:4600505.7 Case 18-10265-LSS Doc 60-2 Filed 02/23/18 Page 4 of 14 $2 million without the Board’s prior written consent; 15. notwithstanding directors and officers insurance (which will be procured, administered and maintained by the Board), procuring, administering and maintaining the insurance coverages required by the Agreement and such other coverages as may be reasonably necessary from time to time (as determined by the Manager in good faith and permitted by the then-effective Annual Budget) in the ordinary course of business; 16. personnel and staffing decisions, including but not limited to hiring, termination, compensation and benefits as permitted by the then-effective Annual Budget; 17. managing the marketing of production from the Company Entities’ oil and natural gas wells; 18. providing quarterly updates to the Board on key performance metrics such as production, EBITDAX, LOE, and capital expenditures compared to the then-effective Annual Budget; 19. facilitating the Sale; 20. recommending, and if approved by the Company2, reasonably assisting the Company Entities’ efforts to raise funding whether by way of debt or otherwise, including assisting in the preparation, review, distribution and promotion of any offering memorandum in respect thereof and 21. providing other management services reasonably required to support the ongoing business of the Company Entities. Standards of Performance: In performing the Services: (a) The Manager will act at all times in good faith; (b) The Manager will protect and promote the Company Entities’ interests and shall ensure that it shall devote sufficient resources to the Company Entities and shall use its reasonable best efforts to complete the Services on a timely basis; (c) The Manager will ensure that any proposed transaction between the Company Entities and an affiliate of the Manager is presented to the Board for approval, and is on terms no less favorable than those that could be obtained from an unaffiliated third party; provided that the Board may approve specific exceptions on a case by case basis; (d) The Manager will ensure that it and any individual, company, partnership (whether general or limited), limited liability company, corporation, trust, estate, association, nominee, governmental entity or 2 For purposes of this Term Sheet, “approval by the Company” means approval by the Board or an officer of the Company authorized by the Board. 01:22911902.1 3 SC1:4600505.7 Case 18-10265-LSS Doc 60-2 Filed 02/23/18 Page 5 of 14 other entity (each, a “Person”) who will perform any portion of the Services have all legal, business and professional certifications, licenses and consents required to perform the Services; (e) The Manager will in all material respects observe all laws applicable to it, the Company Entities, the Properties or the Services; (f) The Manager will use reasonable best efforts to comply with all policies, procedures, directives, timelines and schedules of the Company Entities related to the Properties and the Services and (g) The Manager will act as a reasonably prudent operator and in a manner that meets or exceeds prevailing industry practices in the Marcellus play in West Virginia. Initial Term: Subject to the Termination Rights of the Manager and the Company detailed herein below, the Agreement will have an initial term of one year commencing on the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”). After the Initial Term, the Agreement will be renewed on an annual basis unless either Party delivers a termination notice not less than 90 days prior to the conclusion of the applicable term. The Agreement shall not renew past the third anniversary of the Effective Date unless the Company Entities and the Manager reach a written agreement on the fees and economic terms in connection with provision of the Services. The Agreement may also be terminated as provided under the “Termination Right (Not For Cause)” or “Termination For Cause” sections below. Company Expenses: The Manager will be reimbursed for all costs and expenses incurred pursuant to the Annual Budget and any Board approved expenditures exceeding the Annual Budget as provided under the “Business Plan” section above, in each case which shall cover all out of pocket expenses of the kind described on Exhibit 1 incurred by it in connection with providing the Services. The Manager shall provide the Company with an invoice on a regular basis, which shall be payable on demand to the Manager, for the general and administrative costs and other expenses incurred by the Manager on behalf of the Company Entities in respect of the performance of the Services; provided that no such invoice shall be paid later than the timeframe indicated thereon and no costs or expenses payable pursuant to such invoice may include a profit component. Cost Allocation: To the extent reasonably practicable, when allocating the general and administrative costs and expenses, the Manager shall allocate to the Company all general and administrative costs that are directly attributable to the Services (the “Direct SG&A”), including costs and expenses of the type described in Exhibit 1, (a) of any of the Manager’s personnel that are working for the Company Entities, including any field personnel, (b) of any third party service providers for the Company Entities or (c) associated with reductions in workforce 01:22911902.1 4 SC1:4600505.7 Case 18-10265-LSS Doc 60-2 Filed 02/23/18 Page 6 of 14 attributable to a sale of the Company Entities’ assets. For all other remaining general and administrative costs and expenses of the type described in Exhibit 1 (the “Allocated SG&A”), the percentage allocated to the Company shall be calculated using a formula based on the following indicative factors and weighted percentages: Records: Indicative Factor Weighted Percentage Total Net Acreage (developed and undeveloped) 20 Total Production in Mcfe 20 SEC Reserves Volumes 10 SEC Reserves PV 10 10 Rig Count 10 Frac Crew Count 10 Drilling and Completion Capital Expenditures 20 The Manager will maintain complete and accurate books and records in connection with all aspects of its performance of the Services in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis, including financial statements of the Company, monthly reports summarizing expenses incurred by the Manager related to the Services, and records and books of account with respect to all operational, financial, sales, general and administrative documents related to the Services. Such records and books of account will be retained in digital format for a period of at least one year after the termination of the Agreement. The Manager shall provide quarterly unaudited financial statements 60 days after the quarter end and annual audited financial statements 90 days after year end. Operating Agreements: The operation of the Company Entities’ assets will be governed by and subject to the terms of the applicable operating agreements, gas balancing agreements and participation agreements (collectively, the “Operating Agreements”). As part of the Services, the Manager shall 01:22911902.1 5 SC1:4600505.7 Case 18-10265-LSS Doc 60-2 Filed 02/23/18 Page 7 of 14 perform all services under the Operating Agreements where any of the Company Entities are designated as the operator, including those necessary to drill wells, install facilities and otherwise perform the activities contemplated by the Operating Agreements. If either Party delivers a notice of termination, the Company will have the option to retain any field personnel dedicated solely to the assets of the Company and keep operating contracts in place. The Company shall be directly liable for any severance obligations of any field personnel not retained. Non-Exclusivity: The duties of the Manager shall not preclude the Manager from providing services of a like nature to any of the ARO Entities (as defined below) and the Manager shall not be liable to account to the Company for any amount earned from any such transaction or the provision of any such services, provided that nothing herein shall diminish the obligations of the Manager set forth under the “Standards of Performance.” ARMS NonCompete: In the event of either a termination by the Manager (other than in the event of a sale of all, or substantially all, of the Company’s assets or equity interests of the Company) or a Termination for Cause (as defined below), for the 18-month period following delivery of the notice of termination, the Manager shall not, and shall cause Ascent Resources Operating, LLC or its directly or indirectly wholly owned subsidiaries (the “ARO Entities”) to not, without obtaining the prior written consent of the Company, negotiate to acquire or acquire an oil and gas lease or an interest in an oil and gas lease (including but not limited to any “top lease”) covering any of the lands (i) in units in which the Company holds record title to an oil and gas lease or other interest in an oil and gas lease, mineral interest, royalty interest or working interest, as of the Effective Date, (ii) in which the Company operates or maintains an oil or natural gas well, as of the Effective Date, or (iii) which are pooled with or contiguous to any such lands as described in subparts (i) and (ii) above (collectively, the “Covered Land”). If any real property interest is acquired by an ARO Entity in breach of the foregoing, the Company shall have an option for a 30-day period after the Company acquires actual knowledge of such fact (the “Option Period”) within which to purchase and acquire any such property or interest for an amount equal to the acquisition costs incurred to acquire such interest by the applicable ARO Entity. The closing of such acquisition by the Company shall occur not later than the fifth business day following expiration of the Option Period. The limitation set forth in this clause shall not apply to the acquisition by any ARO Entity of (i) any Person that directly or indirectly owns any Covered Land; provided that the Covered Land directly or indirectly owned by such Person does not constitute all or substantially all of such Person’s assets and (ii) any portfolio where 01:22911902.1 6 SC1:4600505.7 Case 18-10265-LSS Doc 60-2 Filed 02/23/18 Page 8 of 14 Covered Land constitutes no more than 15% of such portfolio. Indemnities: The Agreement will include standard mutual indemnification provisions. D&O Insurance The Board shall procure its own director and officer insurance. Termination Right (Not For Cause): The Company can terminate the Agreement upon 90 days written notice to the Manager. If the Company exercises its Termination Right (Not For Cause): (i) the Manager shall provide administrative and management services to the Company until the termination date in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof; (ii) no further consideration shall be granted beginning on the termination date in accordance with Exhibit 2 and the Manager shall retain all Consideration (as defined in the Disclosure Statement) granted through the termination date; (iii) the Company shall have the option to repurchase the New ARM Holdings Warrants granted as of the termination date, pursuant to the terms of the New Warrant Agreement and (iv) the Company shall have the option to retain any field personnel dedicated solely to the Properties. The Manager can terminate the Agreement upon 120 days written notice to the Company. If the Manager exercises its Termination Right (Not For Cause): (i) the Manager shall provide administrative and management services to the Company until the termination date in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof; (ii) the Company shall use best efforts to accelerate a management transition at such time; (iii) each Party shall bear their respective direct costs of transition, it being understood that any new infrastructure costs required by the Company will be borne by the Company; (iv) no further Consideration shall be granted, any portion of the Consideration not yet granted shall be forfeited and previously granted Consideration shall be subject to clawback, in each case, upon the delivery of the Manager’s notice to terminate the Agreement and in accordance with Exhibit 2 and (v) the Company shall have the option to retain any field personnel dedicated solely to the Properties. Termination For Cause: The Company may, at any time upon resolution of the Board, terminate the Agreement for Cause by providing five days’ prior written notice to 01:22911902.1 7 SC1:4600505.7 Case 18-10265-LSS Doc 60-2 Filed 02/23/18 Page 9 of 14 the Manager; provided that at the time of the occurrence of the Cause (as defined below), the Company shall have (i) met its payment obligations under the Agreement to the Manager and (ii) sufficient capital and resources to perform the Services in accordance with the then-effective Annual Budget. The Board shall use commercially reasonable efforts to engage in good faith discussions with the Manager during the 20 day period following receipt of the written notice by the Manager. If the Company exercises its Termination Right For Cause: (i) the Manager shall provide administrative and management services to the Company until the termination date in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof; (ii) no further Consideration shall be granted, any portion of the Consideration not yet granted shall be forfeited and previously granted Consideration shall be subject to clawback, in each case, upon the delivery of the Company’s notice to terminate the Agreement and in accordance with Exhibit 2 and (iii) the Company shall have the option to retain any field personnel dedicated solely to the Properties. “Cause” means either: (a) the Manager’s failure to perform, or gross negligence in performing, the Services, and such failure or gross negligence continues for 20 days after receipt of written notice (stating in reasonable detail the nature of the breach) from the Company or (b) fraud or willful misconduct by the Manager. Transition Costs: Upon delivery of the notice of termination and until the termination date, at the Company’s request, the Manager shall cooperate in good faith and take all commercially reasonable steps to transition the administration and management of the Company Entities, including the transfer of all information and data required to operate the Properties, to the successor manager. The costs and expenses incurred in connection with such transition shall be borne by the Company Entities. Force Majeure: If a Party is rendered unable, wholly or in part, by reason of a Force Majeure Event (as defined below) to perform its obligations under the Agreement, other than obligations to make payments or provide indemnification or defense when due under the Agreement, then such Party’s obligations shall be suspended to the extent affected by the Force Majeure Event. Any Party claiming any Force Majeure Event shall provide prompt written notice thereof to the other Parties including full particulars of such Force Majeure Event. Force Majeure Event: A Force Majeure Event includes any cause or event not reasonably within the control of the Party whose performance is sought to be excused thereby that cannot, despite the exercise of commercially 01:22911902.1 8 SC1:4600505.7 Case 18-10265-LSS Doc 60-2 Filed 02/23/18 Page 10 of 14 reasonable remediation or mitigation efforts, be prevented, avoided or removed and that prevents the total or partial performance of obligations of the affected Party under the Agreement. The following causes and events (the list of which is not exhaustive) shall be considered Force Majeure Events to the extent such causes and events present the characteristics described in the preceding sentence: lack of availability of drilling and completion equipment; governmental ordered drilling, hydraulic fracturing, and other oil and natural gas development moratoriums and delays, the inability or delay in obtaining governmental permits, landowner restrictions and objections or lack of access to sufficient water, act of God, act of the public enemy, war, blockade, public riot, lightning, fire, storm, flood, freeze, drought, excessive rainfall, snowfall or other act of nature, explosion, governmental action (including changes in laws or regulations, policies or, in each case, the enforcement thereof), governmental inaction, including but not limited to delays in obtaining court approvals necessary to obtain drilling rights, or any strike, work stoppage or other organized labor difficulty. Tax: The Company will be entitled to deduct and withhold from amounts otherwise payable to the Manager under the Agreement such amounts as the Company is required to deduct and withhold under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any other applicable tax law, with respect to the making of such payment, if any. To the extent that amounts are so withheld, such withheld amounts will be treated for all purposes of the Agreement as having been paid to the Manager in respect of whom such deduction and withholding was made. Independent Contractor: The relationship of the Manager to the Company Entities is as an independent contractor. Nothing herein will be construed to create a joint venture, partnership or an employee/employer relationship between the Manager and any of the Company Entities. Nothing in the Agreement will be deemed or construed to impose on the Manager an express or implied fiduciary duty to any of the Company Entities. Assignment: The Company may, without the Manager’s prior consent, make a collateral assignment of all or part of its right, title and interest in the Agreement to any financing entity. Any such financing entity may further sub-assign all or any portion of the Company’s rights hereunder to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company. Any financing entity may, in connection with any default under any financing document, assign any rights assigned to it hereunder to any Person without the consent of the Manager or the Company. The Manager agrees that, upon receipt of written notice of such permitted assignment, it will deliver all documents, data, notices, and other communications reasonably required to be delivered to the Company hereunder to the Company and to the financing entities or to any other permitted assignee 01:22911902.1 9 SC1:4600505.7 Case 18-10265-LSS Doc 60-2 Filed 02/23/18 Page 11 of 14 at such address as such Persons will designate to the Manager in writing. Except as set forth above, the Agreement will not be assignable by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Party. The Agreement will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Governing Law: New York 01:22911902.1 10 SC1:4600505.7 Case 18-10265-LSS Doc 60-2 Filed 02/23/18 Page 12 of 14 Exhibit 1 Costs and Expenses Subject to the Annual Budget (to the extent applicable) the following is a list of general and administrative costs and other expenses of the Manager that shall be reimbursable by the Company to the Manager pursuant to the terms of the Agreement: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Personnel salaries and bonuses Personnel burdens, benefits and other perquisites Pension, retirement and insurance plans Unemployment, payroll and other taxes Administrative contractors or consultants Office rent and occupancy costs Office equipment and rentals Office supplies Office utilities Data processing Office maintenance and repairs Employee parking Telephone and communications Postage and delivery expense Business meals Professional dues and subscriptions Training expenses Outsourced accounting services Computer and software support Banking and industry relationships, bank fees and service charges General land services, title opinions, prosecution of court proceedings necessary to obtain clear title and other title curative expenses Information technology services including the provision of computer networks and databases, technology systems, and phone networks and plans Regulatory and governmental consulting or lobbying services Engineering, operations or other technical consulting or counseling services Approvals, authorizations, licenses or permits required in connection with ownership and operation of the Properties or operation of the business Audit expense Independent geological, geophysical and engineering services Tax related services and consultants Hedge advisors Valuation consultants Investor reporting expense Legal services (other than legal services for prosecuting or defending claims regarding breach of the Agreement) 01:22911902.1 11 SC1:4600505.7 Case 18-10265-LSS • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Doc 60-2 Filed 02/23/18 Page 13 of 14 Acquisition and due diligence costs – engineering, title, general land services associated with a Property acquisition, third-party consultants, environmental, broker fees, travel, meals and lodging directly related to Property acquisitions for the Company Entities Divestiture costs ‒ engineering, title, third-party consultants, financial advisors, environmental, broker fees, travel, meals and lodging directly related to assets of the Company Entities Formation and offering costs of the Company or any Company Entity Travel costs associated with Company Entity meetings, Board meetings, meeting with any Company investors or debtholders, travel to the Company Entities’ field offices and general business travel and entertainment. Banking fees for account/ cash management Financing services, fees and expenses, including any amendment, restatement or replacement thereof and any waiver thereunder Financial advisory services, administrative agent fees and collateral agent fees COPAS overhead fees and standard district office expenses rebillable under the applicable operating agreement All costs associated with and necessary for drilling, completion, operating and production of the Properties Insurance Franchise or state taxes Third Party marketing fees, including but not limited to gathering, processing, fractionation, transportation and related expenses, if applicable Risk management expenses Board meeting expenses Director fees and expenses All other costs and expenses included in the then-effective Annual Budget 01:22911902.1 12 SC1:4600505.7 Case 18-10265-LSS Doc 60-2 Filed 02/23/18 Page 14 of 14 Exhibit 2 Grant Schedule The Consideration shall be granted in equal installments every three months from the Effective Date until fully granted on the third anniversary of the Effective Date in accordance with the schedule below. Upon termination in accordance with the terms of the Agreement, no further Consideration shall be granted and any Consideration previously granted shall be subject to claw back in accordance with the schedules below. Schedule 1: Consideration Grant and Clawback in the Event of Termination From Effective Date (month) Start Base Grant (% Granted) End 0 3 4 6 7 9 10 12 13 15 16 18 19 21 22 24 25 27 28 30 31 33 34 36 Thereafter Equity Warrants 8.33% 16.67% 25.00% 33.33% 41.67% 50.00% 58.33% 66.67% 75.00% 83.33% 91.67% 100.00% n/a 8.33% 16.67% 25.00% 33.33% 41.67% 50.00% 58.33% 66.67% 75.00% 83.33% 91.67% 100.00% n/a % of Consideration Granted to Date Subject to Clawback ARMS Termination Company Company Termination (Not for Cause) Termination for and Sale Cause Equity Warrants Equity Warrants Equity Warrants Warrants (Termination) (Sale)3 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 0.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 0.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 0.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 0.00% 100.00% 14.29% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 0.00% 100.00% 31.43% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 0.00% 100.00% See Schedule 42.86% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 0.00% 100.00% 2 Below 51.02% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 0.00% 100.00% 57.14% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 0.00% 100.00% 61.90% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 0.00% 100.00% 65.71% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 0.00% 100.00% 68.83% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 0.00% 100.00% 71.43% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 0.00% 100.00% Schedule 2: Equity Clawback in the Event of Company Termination and Sale Termination 3 Start End 9/25/17 9/26/18 9/27/18 12/27/18 3/27/19 12/26/18 3/26/19 Thereafter Clawback all equity Consideration granted in excess of: Greater of (i) $12.5 million in total equity value of the Company and (ii) 35.71% of total equity Consideration 57.14% of total equity Consideration 78.57% of total equity Consideration N/A Only applies to a sale prior to a Sale Process Termination (as defined in the Restructuring Support Agreement). 01:22911902.1 13 SC1:4600505.7