Thursday, April 26, 2012

Press Release: "Chesapeake Energy Corporation's Board and CEO Aubrey K. McClendon Agree to Negotiate Early Termination of Founder Well Participation Program"

A very different tone versus the Corporate General Counsel's initial response:
Chesapeake General Counsel: "Whatcha Lookin' At?" (CHK)

Via MarketWatch:
OKLAHOMA CITY, Apr 26, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- --Board to Review FWPP Financing Arrangements 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation CHK -0.44% today announced that its Board of Directors has determined that it does not intend to extend the company's Founder Well Participation Program (FWPP) with its chief executive officer, Aubrey K. McClendon, beyond its present 10-year term ending December 31, 2015. The Board of Directors and Mr. McClendon have committed to negotiate the early termination of the FWPP and the amendment to Mr. McClendon's employment agreement necessary to effectuate the early termination. The FWPP, which was approved by shareholders for a 10-year term in 2005, in conjunction with Mr. McClendon's employment agreement with the company, provides Mr. McClendon a contractual right to participate and invest as a working interest owner (with up to a 2.5% working interest) in new wells drilled on the company's leasehold. 

Following consultation with the company's Board of Directors, Mr. McClendon will separately disclose supplemental information regarding the interests he has acquired through the company's Founder Well Participation Program as of December 31, 2011. The company also announced the Board of Directors is reviewing the financing arrangements between Mr. McClendon (and the entities through which he participates in the FWPP) and any third party that has had or may have a relationship with the company in any capacity....MORE