Stock Options for Chesapeake

Send us Feedback

Chesapeake Energy (CHK)

	SUMMARY

	BULLS

	BEARS

	TOPICS

	DATA CENTRAL

	STOCK CHART

	SEC FILINGS

	BALANCE

	INCOME

	CASH FLOW

CHK » Topics » Stock Options

These excerpts taken from the CHK 10-Q filed Aug 11, 2008.

STOCK OPTIONS

Section 6.1 Grant of Options by the Committee. The Committee may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant Options to Non-Employee Directors. Each grant of an Option shall be evidenced by an Option Agreement executed by the Company and the Participant, and shall contain such terms and conditions and be in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve.

Section 6.2 Formula Grants. Each Non-employee Director serving on the Board will be granted an option to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock on the first business day of each calendar quarter (the first business day of each January, April, July and October) starting with the Company’s fiscal quarter commencing on July 1, 2002. Options granted under this Section 6.2 will be immediately exercisable. The price at which shares of Common Stock subject to any Option granted under this Section 6.2 will be equal to the Fair Market Value on the date of grant. The number of shares of Common Stock underlying, and the exercise price of, any Option issued under this Section 6.2 will be subject to adjustment as provided in Article VII and Article IX. The term of each Option granted under this Section 6.2 will be for a period which expires ten (10) years after the Date of Grant. An Option held by a Participant who ceases to be a Director of the Company may expire earlier pursuant to Section 6.3(e) or as otherwise provided by the Committee.

Section 6.3 Conditions of Options. Each Option shall be subject to the following conditions:

(a) Exercise Price. The Option Agreement for each Option shall state the price at which the Option may be exercised. No Option shall be granted at an exercise price which is less than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant, except that the Committee may grant Options for the purchase of up to ten percent (10%) of the shares subject to the Plan may be granted at an exercise price which is not less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant.

(b) Form of Payment. The payment of the exercise price of an Option shall be subject to the following:

(i)

The full exercise price for shares of Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of any Option shall be paid at the time of such exercise (except that, in the case of an exercise arrangement approved by the Committee and described in clause (iii) below, payment may be made as soon as practicable after the exercise).

(ii)

The exercise price shall be payable in cash (including a check acceptable to the Committee, bank draft or money order) or by tendering, by either actual delivery of shares or by attestation, shares of Common Stock acceptable to the Committee and valued at Fair Market Value as of the day of exercise, or any combination thereof, as determined by the Committee.

(iii)

The Committee may permit a Participant to elect to pay the exercise price upon the exercise of an Option by irrevocably authorizing a third party to sell shares of Common Stock (or a sufficient portion of the shares) acquired upon exercise of the Option and remit to the Company a sufficient portion of the sale proceeds to pay the entire exercise price and any tax withholding resulting from such exercise.

(c) Exercise of Options. Except as provided in Section 6.2, Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable, in whole or in such installments and at such times, and shall expire at such time, as shall be provided by the Committee in the Option Agreement. Exercise of an Option shall be by written notice stating the election to exercise in the form and manner determined by the Committee. Every share of Common Stock acquired through the exercise of an Option shall be deemed to be fully paid at the time of exercise and payment of the exercise price.

(d) Other Terms and Conditions. Among other conditions that may be imposed by the Committee with respect to Options granted pursuant to Section 6.1, if deemed appropriate, are those relating to (i) the period or periods and the conditions of exercisability of any Option; (ii) the minimum periods during which Participants must be Directors of the Company or its Subsidiaries, or must hold Options before they may be exercised; (iii) the minimum periods during which shares acquired upon exercise must be held before sale or transfer shall be permitted; (iv) conditions under which such Options or shares may be subject to forfeiture; (v) the frequency of exercise or the minimum or maximum number of shares that may be acquired at any one time and (vi) the achievement by the Company of specified performance criteria.

(e) Exercise of Options After a Participant’s Termination. Unless the Committee otherwise determines, Options granted to a Participant whose service as a Director terminates during the Option period for any reason other than cause may be exercised, to the extent exercisable, until the earlier of (a) three (3) years after termination of the Participant’s service on the Board or (b) the expiration of the Option. In the event a Participant’s membership on the Board is terminated by reason of death, the personal representative of the deceased Participant may so exercise any unexercised vested Option granted to the Participant under the Plan. If a Participant’s membership on the Board is terminated for cause, the Participant’s Option will expire thirty (30) days after such termination. Discharge for cause will include termination for malfeasance or gross misfeasance in the performance of duties, conviction of illegal activity in connection therewith, or any conduct detrimental to the interests of the Company, and in any event the determination of the Board with respect thereto will be final and conclusive.

(f) Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of Options will be used for general corporate purposes.

(g) Shareholder Rights. No Participant shall have any rights as a shareholder with respect to any share of Common Stock subject to an Option prior to the purchase of such share of Common Stock by exercise of the Option.

STOCK OPTIONS

Section 6.1 Grant of Options. The Committee may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant Nonqualified Stock Options to Eligible Employees. Each grant of an Option shall be evidenced by an Option Agreement executed by the Company and the Participant, and shall contain such terms and conditions and be in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve, subject to the requirements of Section 6.2.

Section 6.2 Conditions of Options. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the following conditions:

(a) Exercise Price. The Option Agreement for each Option shall state the exercise price which shall be set by the Committee on the Date of Grant. No Option shall be granted at an exercise price which is less than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant, except that Options for the purchase of up to ten percent (10%) of the shares subject to the Plan may be granted at an exercise price which is not less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant.

(b) Form of Payment. The payment of the exercise price of an Option shall be subject to the following:

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(c) Exercise of Options. Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable, in whole or in such installments and at such times, and shall expire at such time, as shall be provided by the Committee in the Option Agreement. Exercise of an Option shall be by written notice stating the election to exercise in the form and manner determined by the Committee. Every share of Common Stock acquired through the exercise of an Option shall be deemed to be fully paid at the time of exercise and payment of the exercise price.

(d) Other Terms and Conditions. Among other conditions that may be imposed by the Committee, if deemed appropriate, are those relating to (i) the period or periods and the conditions of exercisability of any Option; (ii) the minimum periods during which Participants must be employed by the Company or its Subsidiaries, or must hold Options before they may be exercised; (iii) the minimum periods during which shares acquired upon exercise must be held before sale or transfer shall be permitted; (iv) conditions under which such Options or shares may be subject to forfeiture; (v) the frequency of exercise or the minimum or maximum number of shares that may be acquired at any one time and (vi) the achievement by the Company of specified performance criteria.

-4-

(e) Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of Options will be used for general corporate purposes.

(f) Shareholder Rights. No Participant shall have any rights as a shareholder with respect to any share of Common Stock subject to an Option prior to the purchase of such share of Common Stock by exercise of the Option.

STOCK OPTIONS

Section 6.1 Grant of Options. The Committee may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant Nonqualified Stock Options to Eligible Persons. Each grant of an Option shall be evidenced by an Option Agreement executed by the Company and the Participant, and shall contain such terms and conditions and be in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve, subject to the requirements of Section 6.2.

Section 6.2 Conditions of Options. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the following conditions:

(b) Form of Payment. The payment of the exercise price of an Option shall be subject to the following:

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

-4-

maximum period that Participants will be allowed to be inactively employed or on a leave of absence before their vesting is suspended until they return to active employment; (v) conditions under which such Options or shares may be subject to forfeiture; (vi) the frequency of exercise or the minimum or maximum number of shares that may be acquired at any one time and (vii) the achievement by the Company of specified performance criteria.

(e) Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of Options will be used for general corporate purposes.

STOCK OPTIONS

Section 6.1 Grant of Options. The Committee may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant Nonqualified Stock Options to Eligible Persons. Each grant of an Option shall be evidenced by an Option Agreement executed by the Company and the Participant, and shall contain such terms and conditions and be in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve, subject to the requirements of Section 6.2.

Section 6.2 Conditions of Options. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the following conditions:

(b) Form of Payment. The payment of the exercise price of an Option shall be subject to the following:

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

-4-

(d) Other Terms and Conditions. Among other conditions that may be imposed by the Committee, if deemed appropriate, are those relating to (i) the period or periods and the conditions of exercisability of any Option; (ii) the minimum periods during which Participants must be employed by the Company or its Subsidiaries, or must hold Options before they may be exercised; (iii) the minimum periods during which shares acquired upon exercise must be held before sale or transfer shall be permitted; (iv) the maximum period that Participants will be allowed to be inactively employed or on a leave of absence before their vesting is suspended until they return to active employment; (v) conditions under which such Options or shares may be subject to forfeiture; (vi) the frequency of exercise or the minimum or maximum number of shares that may be acquired at any one time and (vii) the achievement by the Company of specified performance criteria.

(e) Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of Options will be used for general corporate purposes.

STOCK OPTIONS

Section 6.1 Grant of Options. The Committee may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant Options to Eligible Persons. Subject to Article V, these Options may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options, or a combination of both. Each grant of an Option shall be evidenced by an Option Agreement executed by the Company and the Participant, and shall contain such terms and conditions and be in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve, subject to the requirements of Section 6.2.

Section 6.2 Conditions of Options. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the following conditions:

(a) Exercise Price. As limited by Section 6.2(e) below, the Option Agreement for each Option shall state the exercise price which shall be set by the Committee on the Date of Grant. No Option shall be granted at an exercise price which is less than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant, except that Nonqualified Stock Options for the purchase of up to ten percent (10%) of the shares subject to the Plan may be granted at an exercise price which is not less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant.

(b) Form of Payment. The payment of the exercise price of an Option shall be subject to the following:

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

-4-

(d) Other Terms and Conditions. Among other conditions that may be imposed by the Committee, if deemed appropriate, are those relating to (i) the period or periods and the conditions of exercisability of any Option; (ii) the minimum periods during which Participants must be employed by the Company or its Subsidiaries, or must hold Options before they may be exercised; (iii) the minimum periods during which shares acquired upon exercise must be held before sale or transfer shall be permitted; (iv) the maximum period that Participants will be allowed to be inactively employed or on a leave of absence before their vesting is suspended until they return to active employment; (v) conditions under which such Options or shares may be subject to forfeiture; (vi) the frequency of exercise or the minimum or maximum number of shares that may be acquired at any one time and (vii) the achievement by the Company of specified performance criteria.

(e) Special Restrictions Relating to Incentive Stock Options. In addition to being subject to all applicable terms, conditions, restrictions and/or limitations established by the Committee, Options issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options shall comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code (or any successor Section thereto), including, without limitation, the requirement that the exercise price of an Incentive Stock Option not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant, the requirement that each Incentive Stock Option, unless sooner exercised, terminated or cancelled, expire no later than 10 years from its Date of Grant, the requirement that Incentive Stock Options be granted only to Employees, and the requirement that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined on the Date of Grant) of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year (under this Plan or any other plan of the Company or any Subsidiary) not exceed $100,000. Incentive Stock Options which are in excess of the applicable $100,000 limitation will be automatically recharacterized as Nonqualified Stock Options as provided under Section 6.3 of this Plan. No Incentive Stock Options shall be granted to any Employee if, immediately before the grant of an Incentive Stock Option, such Employee owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its Subsidiaries (as determined in accordance with the stock attribution rules contained in Sections 422 and 424(d) of the Code). Provided, the preceding sentence shall not apply if, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, the exercise price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Incentive Stock Option, and such Incentive Stock Option by its terms is exercisable no more than five years from the date such Incentive Stock Option is granted.

(f) Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of Options will be used for general corporate purposes.

Section 6.3 Options Not Qualifying as Incentive Stock Options. With respect to all or any portion of any Option granted under this Plan not qualifying as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code, such Option shall be considered a Nonqualified Stock Option granted under this Plan for all purposes. Further, this Plan and any Incentive Stock Options granted hereunder shall be deemed to have incorporated by reference all the provisions and requirements of Section 422 of the Code (and the Treasury Regulations issued thereunder) necessary to ensure that all Incentive Stock Options granted hereunder shall be “incentive stock options” described in Section 422 of the Code. Further, in the event that the $100,000 limitation contained in Section 6.2(e) herein is exceeded in any Incentive Stock Option granted under this Plan, the portion of the Incentive Stock Option in excess of such limitation shall be treated as

-5-

a Nonqualified Stock Option under this Plan subject to the terms and provisions of the applicable Option Agreement, except to the extent modified to reflect recharacterization of the Incentive Stock Option as a Nonqualified Stock Option.

STOCK OPTIONS

Section 6.2 Conditions of Options. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the following conditions:

(b) Form of Payment. The payment of the exercise price of an Option shall be subject to the following:

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(d) Other Terms and Conditions. Among other conditions that may be imposed by the Committee, if deemed appropriate, are those relating to (i) the period or periods and the conditions of exercisability of any Option; (ii) the minimum periods during which Participants must be employed by the Company or its Subsidiaries, or must hold Options before they may be exercised; (iii) the minimum periods during which shares acquired upon exercise must be held before sale or transfer shall be permitted; (iv) the maximum period that Participants will be allowed to be inactively employed or on a leave of absence before their vesting is suspended until they return to active employment; (v) conditions under which such Options or shares may be subject to forfeiture; (vi) the frequency of exercise or the minimum or maximum number of shares that may be acquired at any one time and (vii) the achievement by the Company of specified performance criteria.

(e) Special Restrictions Relating to Incentive Stock Options. In addition to being subject to all applicable terms, conditions, restrictions and/or limitations established by the Committee, Options issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options shall comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code (or any successor Section thereto), including, without limitation, the requirement that the exercise price of an Incentive Stock Option not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant, the requirement that each Incentive Stock Option, unless sooner exercised, terminated or canceled, expire no later than 10 years from its Date of Grant, the requirement that Incentive Stock Options be granted only to Employees, and the requirement that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined on the Date of Grant) of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year (under this Plan or any other plan of the Company or any Subsidiary) not exceed $100,000. Incentive Stock Options which are in excess of the applicable $100,000 limitation will be automatically recharacterized as Nonqualified Stock Options as provided under Section 6.3 of this Plan. No Incentive Stock Options shall be granted to any Employee if, immediately before the grant of an Incentive Stock Option, such Employee owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its Subsidiaries (as determined in accordance with the stock attribution rules contained in Sections 422 and 424(d) of the Code). Provided, the preceding sentence shall not apply if, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, the exercise price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Incentive Stock Option, and such Incentive Stock Option by its terms is exercisable no more than five years from the date such Incentive Stock Option is granted.

(f) Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of Options will be used for general corporate purposes.

STOCK OPTIONS

Section 6.1 Grant of Options. The Committee may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant Options to Eligible Employees. These Options may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options, or a combination of both. Each grant of an Option shall be evidenced by an Option Agreement executed by the Company and the Participant, and shall contain such terms and conditions and be in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve, subject to the requirements of Section 6.2.

Section 6.2 Conditions of Options. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the following conditions:

(a) Exercise Price. As limited by Section 6.2(e) below, each Option shall state the exercise price which shall be set by the Committee on the Date of Grant. Except as provided below, no Option shall be granted at an exercise price which is less than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Nonqualified Stock Options, not exceeding ten percent (10%) of the Options which can be issued under this Plan, may be granted at an exercise price which is not less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant.

(b) Form of Payment. The exercise price of an Option may be paid (i) in cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the order of the Company; (ii) by tendering, by either actual delivery of shares or by attestation, shares of Common Stock acceptable to the Committee and valued at Fair Market Value as of the day of exercise; or (iii) a combination of the foregoing. In addition to the foregoing, any Option granted under the Plan may be exercised by a broker-dealer acting on behalf of a Participant if (A) the broker-dealer has received from the Participant or the Company a notice evidencing the exercise of such Option and instructions signed by the Participant requesting the Company to deliver the shares of Common Stock subject to such Option to the broker-dealer on behalf of the Participant and specifying the account into which such shares should be deposited, (B) adequate provision has been made with respect to the payment of any withholding taxes due upon such exercise or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, upon the premature disposition of such shares and (C) the broker-dealer and the Participant have otherwise complied with Section 220.3(e)(4) of Regulation T, 12 CFR, Part 220 and any successor rules and regulations applicable to such exercise.

- 4 -

(e) Special Restrictions Relating to Incentive Stock Options. In addition to being subject to all applicable terms, conditions, restrictions and/or limitations established by the Committee, Options issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options shall comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code (or any successor Section thereto), including, without limitation, the requirement that the exercise price of an Incentive Stock Option not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant, the requirement that each Incentive Stock Option, unless sooner exercised, terminated or cancelled, expire no later than 10 years from its Date of Grant, the requirement that Incentive Stock Options be granted only to Eligible Employees, and the requirement that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined on the Date of Grant) of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year (under this Plan or any other plan of the Company or any Subsidiary) not exceed $100,000. Incentive Stock Options which are in excess of the applicable $100,000 limitation will be automatically recharacterized as Nonqualified Stock Options as provided under Section 6.3 of this Plan. No Incentive Stock Options shall be granted to any Eligible Employee if, immediately before the grant of an Incentive Stock Option, such Eligible Employee owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its Subsidiaries (as determined in accordance with the stock attribution rules contained in Sections 422 and 424(d) of the Code). Provided, the preceding sentence shall not apply if, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, the exercise price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Incentive Stock Option, and such Incentive Stock Option by its terms is exercisable no more than five years from the date such Incentive Stock Option is granted.

(f) Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to Options will be used for general corporate purposes.

Section 6.3 Options Not Qualifying as Incentive Stock Options. With respect to all or any portion of any Option granted under this Plan not qualifying as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code, such Option shall be considered a Nonqualified Stock Option granted under this Plan for all purposes. Further, this Plan and any Incentive Stock Options granted hereunder shall be deemed to have incorporated by reference all the provisions and requirements of Section 422 of the Code (and the Treasury Regulations issued thereunder) necessary to ensure that all Incentive Stock Options granted hereunder shall be “incentive stock options” described in Section 422 of the Code. Further, in the event that the $100,000 limitation contained in Section 6.2(e) herein is exceeded in any Incentive Stock Option granted under this Plan, the portion of the Incentive Stock Option in excess of such limitation shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option under this Plan subject to the terms and provisions of the applicable Option Agreement, except to the extent modified to reflect recharacterization of the Incentive Stock Option as a Nonqualified Stock Option.

- 5 -

This excerpt taken from the CHK 10-Q filed Nov 9, 2007.

STOCK OPTIONS

Section 5.1 Grant of Options. The Committee may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant Nonqualified Stock Options to any Eligible Persons and Incentive Stock Options to Employees. Subject to the limitations of Section 5.2(e), these Options may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options, or a combination of both. Each grant of an Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement executed by the Company and the Participant, and shall contain such terms and conditions and be in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve, subject to the requirements of Section 5.2.

Section 5.2 Conditions of Options. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the following conditions:

(a) Exercise Price. As limited by Section 5.2(e) below, the Award Agreement for each Option shall state the exercise price set by the Committee on the Date of Grant. No Option shall be granted at an exercise price which is less than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant.

(b) Form of Payment. The payment of the exercise price of an Option shall be subject to the following:

(i)

The full exercise price for shares of Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of any Option shall be paid at the time of such exercise.

(ii)

(iii)

The Committee may permit an Option granted under the Plan to be exercised by a participant in conjunction with a broker-dealer acting on behalf of a Participant, such broker-dealer to remit the exercise price and any applicable withholding taxes directly to the Company, through procedures approved by the Committee.

(c) Exercise of Options. Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable, in whole or in such installments and at such times, and shall expire at such time, as shall be provided by the Committee in the Award Agreement. Exercise of an Option shall be by written notice stating the election to exercise in the form and manner determined by the Committee. Every share of Common Stock acquired through the exercise of an Option shall be deemed to be fully paid at the time of exercise and payment of the exercise price. Upon the exercise of any Option, the Company shall issue and deliver to the Participant who exercised the Option a certificate representing the number of shares of Common Stock purchased thereby.

(d) Other Terms and Conditions. Among other conditions that may be imposed by the Committee, if deemed appropriate, are those relating to (i) the period or periods and the conditions of exercisability of any Option; (ii) the minimum periods during which Participants must be employed by the Company, a Subsidiary or Affiliated Entity, or must hold Options before they may be exercised; (iii) the minimum periods during which shares acquired upon exercise must be held before sale or transfer shall be permitted; (iv) the maximum period that Participants will be allowed to be inactively employed or on a leave of absence before their vesting is suspended until they return to active employment; (v) conditions under which such Options or shares may be subject to forfeiture; (vi) the frequency of exercise or the minimum or maximum number of shares that may be acquired at any one time; (vii) the achievement by the Company of specified performance criteria; and (viii) protection of business matters.

(e) Special Restrictions Relating to Incentive Stock Options. Options issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options shall only be granted to Employees of the Company or a Subsidiary and not to Employees of an Affiliated Entity unless such entity is classified as a “disregarded entity” of the Company or the applicable Subsidiary under the Code. In addition to being subject to all applicable terms, conditions, restrictions and/or limitations established by the Committee, Options issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options shall comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code (or any successor Section thereto), including, without limitation, the requirement that the exercise price of an Incentive Stock Option not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant, the requirement that each Incentive Stock Option, unless sooner exercised, terminated or canceled, expire no later than 10 years from its Date of

Grant, and the requirement that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined on the Date of Grant) of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year (under this Plan or any other plan of the Company or any Subsidiary) not exceed $100,000. Incentive Stock Options which are in excess of the applicable $100,000 limitation will be automatically recharacterized as Nonqualified Stock Options as provided under Section 5.3 of this Plan. No Incentive Stock Options shall be granted to any Employee if, immediately before the grant of an Incentive Stock Option, such Employee owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its Subsidiaries (as determined in accordance with the stock attribution rules contained in Sections 422 and 424(d) of the Code). Provided, the preceding sentence shall not apply if, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, the exercise price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Incentive Stock Option, and such Incentive Stock Option by its terms is exercisable no more than five years from the date such Incentive Stock Option is granted.

(f) Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of Options will be used for general corporate purposes.

Section 5.3 Options Not Qualifying as Incentive Stock Options. With respect to all or any portion of any Option granted under this Plan not qualifying as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code, such Option shall be considered a Nonqualified Stock Option granted under this Plan for all purposes. Further, this Plan and any Incentive Stock Options granted hereunder shall be deemed to have incorporated by reference all the provisions and requirements of Section 422 of the Code (and the Treasury Regulations issued thereunder) necessary to ensure that all Incentive Stock Options granted hereunder shall be “incentive stock options” described in Section 422 of the Code. Further, in the event that the $100,000 limitation contained in Section 5.2(e) herein is exceeded in any Incentive Stock Option granted under this Plan, the portion of the Incentive Stock Option in excess of such limitation shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option under this Plan subject to the terms and provisions of the applicable Award Agreement, except to the extent modified to reflect recharacterization of the Incentive Stock Option as a Nonqualified Stock Option.

Section 5.4 Nonassignability. Options are not transferable otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any attempted transfer, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of, or the levy of execution, attachment or similar process upon, any Option contrary to the provisions hereof shall be void and ineffective, shall give no right to any purported transferee, and may, at the sole discretion of the Committee, result in forfeiture of the Option involved in such attempt.

These excerpts taken from the CHK 10-Q filed Nov 7, 2006.

STOCK OPTIONS

Section 6.1 Grant of Options. The Committee may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant Nonqualified Stock Options to Eligible Persons. Each grant of an Option shall be evidenced by an Option Agreement executed by the Company and the Participant, and shall contain such terms and conditions and be in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve, subject to the requirements of Section 6.2.

Section 6.2 Conditions of Options. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the following conditions:

(b) Form of Payment. The payment of the exercise price of an Option shall be subject to the following:

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

-4-

(e) Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of Options will be used for general corporate purposes.

STOCK OPTIONS

Section 6.2 Conditions of Options. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the following conditions:

(b) Form of Payment. The payment of the exercise price of an Option shall be subject to the following:

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

-4-

(e) Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of Options will be used for general corporate purposes.

STOCK OPTIONS

Section 6.1 Grant of Options. The Committee may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant Nonqualified Stock Options to Eligible Persons. Each grant of an Option shall be evidenced by an Option Agreement executed by the Company and the Participant, and shall contain such terms and conditions and be in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve, subject to the requirements of Section 6.2.

Section 6.2 Conditions of Options. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the following conditions:

(b) Form of Payment. The payment of the exercise price of an Option shall be subject to the following:

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

-4-

(d) Other Terms and Conditions. Among other conditions that may be imposed by the Committee, if deemed appropriate, are those relating to (i) the period or periods and the conditions of exercisability of any Option; (ii) the minimum periods during which Participants must be employed by the Company or its Subsidiaries, or must hold Options before they may be exercised; (iii) the minimum periods during which shares acquired upon exercise must be held before sale or transfer shall be permitted; (iv) the maximum period that Participants will be allowed to be inactively employed or on a leave of absence before their vesting is suspended until they return to active employment; (v) conditions under which such Options or shares may be subject to forfeiture; (vi) the frequency of exercise or the minimum or maximum number of shares that may be acquired at any one time and (vii) the achievement by the Company of specified performance criteria.

(e) Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of Options will be used for general corporate purposes.

STOCK OPTIONS

Section 6.2 Conditions of Options. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the following conditions:

(b) Form of Payment. The payment of the exercise price of an Option shall be subject to the following:

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(d) Other Terms and Conditions. Among other conditions that may be imposed by the Committee, if deemed appropriate, are those relating to (i) the period or periods and the conditions of exercisability of any Option; (ii) the minimum periods during which Participants must be employed by the Company or its Subsidiaries, or must hold Options before they may be exercised; (iii) the minimum periods during which shares acquired upon exercise must be held before sale or transfer shall be permitted; (iv) the maximum period that Participants will be allowed to be inactively employed or on a leave of absence before their vesting is suspended until they return to active employment; (v) conditions under which such Options or shares may be subject to forfeiture; (vi) the frequency of exercise or the minimum or maximum number of shares that may be acquired at any one time and (vii) the achievement by the Company of specified performance criteria.

(e) Special Restrictions Relating to Incentive Stock Options. In addition to being subject to all applicable terms, conditions, restrictions and/or limitations established by the Committee, Options issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options shall comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code (or any successor Section thereto), including, without limitation, the requirement that the exercise price of an Incentive Stock Option not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant, the requirement that each Incentive Stock Option, unless sooner exercised, terminated or canceled, expire no later than 10 years from its Date of Grant, the requirement that Incentive Stock Options be granted only to Employees, and the requirement that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined on the Date of Grant) of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year (under this Plan or any other plan of the Company or any Subsidiary) not exceed $100,000. Incentive Stock Options which are in excess of the applicable $100,000 limitation will be automatically recharacterized as Nonqualified Stock Options as provided under Section 6.3 of this Plan. No Incentive Stock Options shall be granted to any Employee if, immediately before the grant of an Incentive Stock Option, such Employee owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its Subsidiaries (as determined in accordance with the stock attribution rules contained in Sections 422 and 424(d) of the Code). Provided, the preceding sentence shall not apply if, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, the exercise price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Incentive Stock Option, and such Incentive Stock Option by its terms is exercisable no more than five years from the date such Incentive Stock Option is granted.

(f) Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of Options will be used for general corporate purposes.

STOCK OPTIONS

Section 6.1 Grant of Options. The Committee may, from time to time, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may determine, grant Options to Participants. These Options may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock Options, or a combination of both. Each grant of an Option shall be evidenced by an Option Agreement executed by the Company and the Participant, and shall contain such terms and conditions and be in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve, subject to the requirements of Section 6.2.

Section 6.2 Conditions of Options. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the following conditions:

(a) Exercise Price. As limited by Section 6.2(e) below, each Option shall state the exercise price which shall be set by the Committee at the Date of Grant. Except as provided below, no Nonqualified Stock Option shall be granted at an exercise price which is less than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Nonqualified Stock Options, not exceeding ten percent (10%) of the Options which can be issued under this Plan, may be granted at an exercise price which is not less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant.

(b) Form of Payment. The exercise price of an Option may be paid (i) in cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the order of the Company; (ii) by delivering shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value on the date of payment equal to the amount of the exercise price; (iii) by directing the Company to withhold from the shares of Common Stock to be delivered to the Participant upon exercise of the Option shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value on the date of payment equal to the amount of the exercise price; or (iv) a combination of the foregoing. In addition to the foregoing, any Option granted under the Plan may be exercised by a broker-dealer acting on behalf of a Participant if (A) the broker-dealer has received from the Participant or the Company a notice evidencing the exercise of such Option and instructions signed by the Participant requesting the Company to deliver the shares of Common Stock subject

-4-

to such Option to the broker-dealer on behalf of the Participant and specifying the account into which such shares should be deposited, (B) adequate provision has been made with respect to the payment of any withholding taxes due upon such exercise or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, upon the disposition of such shares and (C) the broker-dealer and the Participant have otherwise complied with Section 220.3(e)(4) of Regulation T, 12 CFR, Part 220 and any successor rules and regulations applicable to such exercise.

(d) Other Terms and Conditions. Among other conditions that may be imposed by the Committee, if deemed appropriate, are those relating to (i) the period or periods and the conditions of exercisability of any Option; (ii) the minimum periods during which Participants must be employed by the Company, its Subsidiaries or a partnership or limited liability company which is controlled by the Company, or must hold Options before they may be exercised; (iii) the minimum periods during which shares acquired upon exercise must be held before sale or transfer shall be permitted; (iv) conditions under which such Options or shares may be subject to forfeiture; (v) the frequency of exercise or the minimum or maximum number of shares that may be acquired at any one time and (vi) the achievement by the Company of specified performance criteria.

(e) Special Restrictions Relating to Incentive Stock Options. Options issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options shall not be granted to directors who are not also Eligible Employees and shall, in addition to being subject to all applicable terms, conditions, restrictions and/or limitations established by the Committee, comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code (or any successor Section thereto), including, without limitation, the requirement that the exercise price of an Incentive Stock Option not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant, the requirement that each Incentive Stock Option, unless sooner exercised, terminated or cancelled, expire no later than 10 years from its Date of Grant, the requirement that Incentive Stock Options be granted only to Eligible Employees of the Company or a Subsidiary, and the requirement that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined on the Date of Grant) of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a Participant during any calendar year (under this Plan or any other plan of the Company or any Subsidiary) not exceed $100,000. Incentive Stock Options which are in excess of the applicable $100,000 limitation will be automatically recharacterized as Nonqualified Stock Options as provided under Section 6.3 of this Plan. No Incentive Stock Options shall be granted to any Eligible Employee if, immediately before the grant of an Incentive Stock Option, such Eligible Employee owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its Subsidiaries (as determined in accordance with the stock attribution rules contained in Sections 422 and 424(d) of the Code). Provided, the preceding sentence shall not apply if, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, the exercise price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Incentive Stock Option, and such Incentive Stock Option by its terms is exercisable no more than five years from the date such Incentive Stock Option is granted.

(f) Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to Options will be used for general corporate purposes.

(g) Shareholder Rights. No Participant shall have a right as a shareholder with respect to any share of Common Stock subject to an Option prior to purchase of such shares of Common Stock by exercise of the Option.

-5-

Incentive Stock Options granted hereunder shall be deemed to have incorporated by reference all the provisions and requirements of Section 422 of the Code (and the Treasury Regulations issued thereunder) which are required to provide that all Incentive Stock Options granted hereunder shall be “incentive stock options” described in Section 422 of the Code. Further, in the event that the Committee grants Incentive Stock Options under this Plan to a Participant, and, in the event that the applicable limitation contained in Section 6.2(e) herein is exceeded, then, such Incentive Stock Options in excess of such limitation shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options under this Plan subject to the terms and provisions of the applicable Option Agreement, except to the extent modified to reflect recharacterization of the Incentive Stock Options as Nonqualified Stock Options.

STOCK OPTIONS

Section 6.2 Conditions of Options. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the following conditions:

(b) Form of Payment. The payment of the exercise price of an Option shall be subject to the following:

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

-4-

(d) Other Terms and Conditions. Among other conditions that may be imposed by the Committee, if deemed appropriate, are those relating to (i) the period or periods and the conditions of exercisability of any Option; (ii) the minimum periods during which Participants must be employed by the Company or its Subsidiaries, or must hold Options before they may be exercised; (iii) the minimum periods during which shares acquired upon exercise must be held before sale or transfer shall be permitted; (iv) the maximum period that Participants will be allowed to be inactively employed or on a leave of absence before their vesting is suspended until they return to active employment; (v) conditions under which such Options or shares may be subject to forfeiture; (vi) the frequency of exercise or the minimum or maximum number of shares that may be acquired at any one time and (vii) the achievement by the Company of specified performance criteria.

(f) Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of Options will be used for general corporate purposes.

-5-

STOCK OPTIONS

Section 6.2 Conditions of Options. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the following conditions:

- 4 -

(f) Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to Options will be used for general corporate purposes.

- 5 -

STOCK OPTIONS

Section 5.2 Conditions of Options. Each Option so granted shall be subject to the following conditions:

(a) Exercise Price. As limited by Section 5.2(e) below, the Award Agreement for each Option shall state the exercise price set by the Committee on the Date of Grant. No Option shall be granted at an exercise price which is less than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant.

(b) Form of Payment. The payment of the exercise price of an Option shall be subject to the following:

(i)

The full exercise price for shares of Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of any Option shall be paid at the time of such exercise.

(ii)

(iii)

(c) Exercise of Options. Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable, in whole or in such installments and at such times, and shall expire at such time, as shall be provided by the Committee in the Award Agreement. Exercise of an Option shall be by written notice stating the election to exercise in the form and manner determined by the Committee. Every share of Common Stock acquired through the exercise of an Option shall be deemed to be fully paid at the time of exercise and payment of the exercise price. Upon the exercise of any Option, the Company shall issue and deliver to the Participant who exercised the Option a certificate representing the number of shares of Common Stock purchased thereby.

(d) Other Terms and Conditions. Among other conditions that may be imposed by the Committee, if deemed appropriate, are those relating to (i) the period or periods and the conditions of exercisability of any Option; (ii) the minimum periods during which Participants must be employed by the Company, a Subsidiary or Affiliated Entity, or must hold Options before they may be exercised; (iii) the minimum periods during which shares acquired upon exercise must be held before sale or transfer shall be permitted; (iv) the maximum period that Participants will be allowed to be inactively employed or on a leave of absence before their vesting is suspended until they return to active employment; (v) conditions under which such Options or shares may be subject to forfeiture; (vi) the frequency of exercise or the minimum or maximum number of shares that may be acquired at any one time; (vii) the achievement by the Company of specified performance criteria; and (viii) protection of business matters.

(e) Special Restrictions Relating to Incentive Stock Options. Options issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options shall only be granted to Employees of the Company or a Subsidiary and not to Employees of an Affiliated Entity unless such entity is classified as a “disregarded entity” of the Company or the applicable Subsidiary under the Code. In addition to being subject to all applicable terms, conditions, restrictions and/or limitations established by the Committee, Options issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options shall comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code (or any successor Section thereto), including, without limitation, the requirement that the exercise price of an Incentive Stock Option not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant, the requirement that each Incentive Stock Option, unless sooner exercised, terminated or canceled, expire no later than 10 years from its Date of

(f) Application of Funds. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of Options will be used for general corporate purposes.

Stock Options

2.1 General Terms. With respect to Stock Options granted on or after the effective date of the Plan, the following provisions of this Article II shall apply. The Stock Options granted under this Article II are intended to be “nonqualified stock options” as described in Sections 83 and 421 of the Code.

2.2 Grant and Terms for Stock Options. Stock Options shall be granted on the following terms and conditions. No Stock Option shall be exercisable more than ten (10) years from the date of grant. Subject to such limitations, the Committee shall have the discretion to fix the period (“Option Period”) during which Stock Options may be exercised. At all times during the period commencing with the date a Stock Option is granted to a Participant and ending on the earlier of the expiration of the Option Period applicable to such Stock Option or the date which is three (3) months prior to the date the Stock Option is exercised by such Participant, such Participant must be an employee of either (i) the Company, (ii) a parent or a subsidiary of the Company, or (iii) a successor to the Company or parent or a subsidiary of such successor issuing or assuming a Stock Option in a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies. Provided, in the case of a Participant who has incurred a Disability, the aforesaid three (3) month period shall mean a one (1) year period. Provided further, in the event a Participant’s employment is terminated by reason of death, the Participant’s personal representative may exercise any unexercised Stock Option granted to the Participant under the Plan at any time within three (3) years after the Participant’s death but in any event not after the expiration of the Option Period applicable to such Stock Option.

- 8 -

(a) Option Price. The option price (“Option Price”) for shares of Stock subject to any Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee, but in no event shall the Option Price be less than the par value of the Stock.

(b) Acceleration of Otherwise Unexercisable Stock Options on Retirement, Death, Disability or Other Special Circumstances. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit (i) a Participant who terminates employment due to Retirement, (ii) a Participant who terminates employment due to a Disability, (iii) the personal representative of a deceased Participant, or (iv) any other Participant who terminates employment upon the occurrence of special circumstances (as determined by the Committee) to purchase (within three (3) months of such date of termination of employment or one (1) year in the case of a Participant suffering a Disability or three (3) years in the case of a deceased Participant) all or any part of the shares subject to any Stock Option on the date of the Participant’s Retirement, Disability, death, or as the Committee otherwise so determines, notwithstanding that all installments, if any, with respect to such Stock Option, had not yet accrued on such date.

(c) Number of Stock Options Granted. Participants may be granted more than one Stock Option. In making any such determination, the Committee shall obtain the advice and recommendation of the officers of the Company, its parent, or a subsidiary of the Company who have supervisory authority over such Participants. The granting of a Stock Option under the Plan shall not affect any outstanding Stock Option previously granted to a Participant under the Plan (or any other plans of the Company).

Stock Options

We granted stock options in previous years under several stock compensation plans. Outstanding options expire ten years from the date of grant and become exercisable over a four-year period.

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The following table provides information related to stock option activity during the Current Period:


	Number of Shares Underlying Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted Average Contract Life in Years	Aggregate Intrinsic Value^(a) ($ in thousands)
Outstanding at January 1, 2006	20,256,013		$	6.14
Exercised	(13,198,705	)		5.32
Forfeited	(72,713	)		9.18

Outstanding at September 30, 2006	6,984,595		$	7.65	5.54	$	149,081

Exercisable at September 30, 2006	5,688,614		$	7.31	5.30	$	123,403

(a)	The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the current market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option.

The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the Current Period was approximately $345.0 million.

As of September 30, 2006, there was $2.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.52 years.

During the Current Quarter, the Prior Quarter, the Current Period and the Prior Period, we recognized excess tax benefits related to stock options of $2.8 million, $7.4 million, $81.3 million and $15.8 million, respectively, which were recorded as adjustments to additional paid-in capital and deferred income taxes with respect to such benefits.

EXCERPTS ON THIS PAGE:

10-Q (7 sections)	Aug 11, 2008

10-Q	Nov 9, 2007

10-Q (10 sections)	Nov 7, 2006

Chesapeake Energy (CHK)

CHK » Topics » Stock Options

Table of Contents

EXCERPTS ON THIS PAGE:

RELATED TOPICS for CHK: