PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement. This summary does not contain all of the
information that you should consider, and you should review all of the information contained in the proxy statement before voting.
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
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Date:
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Monday, May 8, 2017
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Time:
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9:00 a.m., CDT
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Location:
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EP Energy's headquarters at 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002 (meeting to be held on the first floor)
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Record Date:
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March 13, 2017
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Voting:
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Holders of Class A common stock ("common stock") as of the record date are entitled to vote. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote.
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Proposals and Voting Recommendation
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Board
Recommendation
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Page Reference
(for more detail)
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Election of Class III Directors
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Gregory A. Beard
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For
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Scott R. Browning
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For
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Keith O. Rattie
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For
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Brent J. Smolik
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For
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Robert M. Tichio
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For
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Advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers
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For
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66
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Ratification of our independent registered public accounting firm
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For
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67
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Voting Methods
You can vote in one of four ways:
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Visit
www.proxyvote.com
to vote VIA THE INTERNET
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Call 1-800-690-6903 to vote BY TELEPHONE
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Sign, date and return your proxy card in the prepaid enclosed envelope to vote BY MAIL
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Attend the meeting to vote IN PERSON
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You
are entitled to attend the Annual Meeting only if you were an EP Energy stockholder as of the close of business on the record date, March 13, 2017, or hold a valid proxy for
the Annual Meeting. If you are not a stockholder of record but hold shares through a broker, bank, trustee, or nominee (i.e., in street name), in order to attend the Annual Meeting you should
provide proof of beneficial ownership as of the record date. Examples of proof of ownership include the following: (1) a letter from your bank or broker stating that you owned EP Energy common
stock on March 13, 2017; (2) a brokerage account statement indicating that you owned EP Energy common stock on March 13, 2017; or (3) the voting instruction form provided
by your broker indicating that you owned EP Energy common stock on March 13, 2017.
You
should be prepared to present a valid form of government-issued personal identification for admittance. If you do not provide a valid form of identification or comply with other
procedures outlined above, you will not be admitted to the Annual Meeting.
Table of Contents
EP ENERGY CORPORATION
PROXY STATEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
EP ENERGY CORPORATION
1001 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002
PROXY STATEMENT
2017 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS MAY 8, 2017
We are furnishing you this proxy statement in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our board
of directors (the "Board") for use at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") of EP Energy Corporation ("EP Energy")
. The Annual Meeting will be held at
EP Energy's headquarters at 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002, on Monday, May 8, 2017. The Annual Meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m., CDT, and will be held on the first floor. The
proxies also may be voted at any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting.
As
a holder of EP Energy's Class A common stock ("common stock"), you are invited to attend the Annual Meeting and are requested to vote on the items of business described in this
proxy statement. However, you do not need to attend the Annual Meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may simply complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card, or follow the instructions
below to submit your proxy over the telephone or on the Internet. This proxy statement includes information that we are required to provide you under Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules
and that is designed to assist you in voting your shares.
Unless stated otherwise or the context otherwise requires, all references in this proxy statement to "us," "we," "our," "company" or "EP Energy" are to EP Energy
Corporation.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
1. Who may vote?
Stockholders holding shares of EP Energy's common stock as of the close of business on the record date, March 13, 2017, and present in person or
represented by a properly executed proxy are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, or any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting. You have one vote for each share of common stock held
as of the record date, which may be voted on each proposal presented at the Annual Meeting.
2. What is the record date and what does it mean?
The record date for the Annual Meeting is March 13, 2017. The record date was established by our Board as required by Delaware law. Owners of record of EP
Energy's common stock at the close of business on the record date are entitled to:
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receive notice of the Annual Meeting; and
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vote at the Annual Meeting, and any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting.
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3. How many shares of EP Energy common stock were outstanding on the record date?
There were 250,737,103 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting at the close of business on the record date. Class A
common stock is the only class of stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
4. What items of business will be voted on at the Annual Meeting?
The items of business scheduled to be voted on at the Annual Meeting are:
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the election of five Class III directors to hold office until our 2020 annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are duly
elected and qualified;
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a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers; and
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the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year
ending December 31, 2017.
5. How does the Board recommend that I vote?
The Board recommends that you vote your shares:
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FOR
the election of each of the Class III nominees to the Board;
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FOR
the proposal regarding a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of our named
executive officers; and
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FOR
the approval of the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as
our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017.
6. How do I vote?
You may vote by any of the following methods:
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By Telephone or Internet
If you have telephone or Internet access, you may
submit your proxy vote by following the instructions provided on your proxy card or voting instruction form. Telephone and Internet voting will close at 11:59 p.m. eastern daylight time on
May 7, 2017.
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By Mail
You may submit your proxy vote by mail by signing a proxy card if
your shares are registered directly in your name or, for shares held beneficially in "street name," by following the voting instructions included by your broker, bank, trustee or nominee, and mailing
it in the enclosed envelope. If you provide specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted as you have instructed.
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In Person at the Annual Meeting
If your shares are registered directly in
your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., you are considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to
vote in person at the Annual Meeting. If your shares are held in a brokerage account or by another nominee or trustee, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in "street name." As the
beneficial owner, you are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. Since a beneficial owner is not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the meeting unless you obtain
a "legal proxy" from the broker, bank, trustee or nominee that holds your shares, giving you the right to vote the shares at the meeting. See question 13, "Who can attend the Annual Meeting?" below
for additional information.
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7. If I vote by telephone or Internet and received a proxy card in the mail, do I need to return my proxy card?
No.
8. Can I change my vote?
If you are a stockholder of record, you may revoke your proxy by the following methods:
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voting at a later time by telephone or Internet until 11:59 p.m. eastern daylight time on May 7, 2017;
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delivering a proxy with a later date or a written revocation of your most recent proxy to our General Counsel and Corporate Secretary,
Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman, EP Energy Corporation, P.O. Box 4660, Houston, Texas 77210-4660 at any time before the voting polls are closed at the Annual Meeting; or
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giving notice of revocation to the Inspector of Election at the Annual Meeting at any time before the voting polls are closed at the Annual
Meeting.
If
you are a "street name" stockholder and you vote by proxy, you may later revoke your proxy by informing the holder of record in accordance with that entity's procedures.
9. What happens if I do not specify a choice for a proposal when returning a proxy?
You should specify your choice for each proposal on your proxy card or voting instruction form. Shares represented by proxies will be voted in accordance with the
instructions given by the stockholders. If you are a registered stockholder and your proxy card is signed and returned without voting instructions, it will be voted according to the recommendation of
the Board. If you are a beneficial stockholder and fail to provide voting instructions, your broker, bank or other holder of record is permitted to vote your shares on the ratification of
Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm.
However, absent instructions from you, the record holder may not vote on the election of
the five Class III directors or on the advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers.
Without your voting instructions on these proposals, a "broker
non-vote" will occur.
10. What happens if other matters come up at the Annual Meeting?
The matters described in the notice of Annual Meeting are the only matters we know of which will be voted on at the Annual Meeting. If other matters are properly
presented at the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy card or voting instruction form will vote your shares according to their best judgment.
11. Who will count the votes?
A representative or designee of Broadridge Financials Solutions, an independent tabulator appointed by the Board, will count the votes and act as the Inspector of
Election. The Inspector of Election shall have the authority to receive, inspect, electronically tally and determine the validity of the proxies received.
12. What is a "quorum"?
To transact any business at the Annual Meeting, a "quorum" must be present. A "quorum" is a majority of the holders of our outstanding shares of common stock that
are entitled to vote and are present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting. If you submit a properly executed proxy, you will be considered part of the quorum even if you abstain
from voting. Broker non-votes are treated as present for the purpose of determining a quorum.
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13. Who can attend the Annual Meeting?
Admission to the Annual Meeting is limited to stockholders of EP Energy, persons holding validly executed proxies from stockholders who held EP Energy common
stock on March 13, 2017, the record date, and invited guests of EP Energy.
If
you are a stockholder of EP Energy, you must bring certain documents with you in order to be admitted to the Annual Meeting. The purpose of this requirement is to help us verify that
you are actually a stockholder of EP Energy. Please read the following rules carefully because they specify the documents that you must bring with you to the Annual Meeting in order to be admitted.
The items that you must bring with you differ depending upon whether you are a record holder or hold your stock in "street name" through your broker, bank, trustee or other nominee.
Proof
of ownership of EP Energy stock must be shown at the door. Failure to provide adequate proof that you were a stockholder on the record date may prevent you from being admitted to
the Annual Meeting.
If you were a record holder of EP Energy common stock on March 13, 2017,
then you must bring a valid form of government-issued
personal identification (such as a driver's license or passport).
If a broker, bank, trustee or other nominee was the record holder of your shares of EP Energy common stock on March 13, 2017,
then
you must bring:
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valid government-issued personal identification (such as a driver's license or passport); and
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proof that you owned shares of EP Energy common stock on March 13, 2017.
Examples
of proof of ownership include the following: (1) a letter from your bank or broker stating that you owned EP Energy common stock on March 13, 2017; (2) a
brokerage account statement indicating that you owned EP Energy common stock on March 13, 2017; or (3) the voting instruction form provided by your bank or broker indicating that you
owned EP Energy common stock on March 13, 2017.
If you are a proxy holder for a stockholder of EP Energy, then you must bring:
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the validly executed proxy naming you as the proxy holder, signed by a stockholder of EP Energy who owned shares of EP Energy common stock on
March 13, 2017;
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valid government-issued personal identification (such as a driver's license or passport); and
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if the stockholder whose proxy you hold was not a record holder of EP Energy common stock on March 13, 2017, proof of the stockholder's
ownership of shares of EP Energy common stock on March 13, 2017, in the form of a letter or statement from a broker, bank, trustee or other nominee indicating that the stockholder owned EP
Energy common stock on March 13, 2017.
You
may not use cameras, recording equipment or other electronic devices during the Annual Meeting.
14. How are votes counted?
In the election of directors (Proposal Number 1), you may vote "FOR" all or some of the nominees or your vote may be "WITHHELD" with respect to one or more
of the nominees.
For
the advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers (Proposal Number 2) and the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered
public accounting firm for 2017 (Proposal Number 3), you may vote "FOR," "AGAINST," or "ABSTAIN." If you elect to "ABSTAIN," the abstention has the same effect as a vote "AGAINST."
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If
you provide specific instructions with regard to certain items, your shares will be voted as you instruct on such items. If you are a registered stockholder and no instructions are
indicated on a properly executed proxy card or over the telephone or Internet, the shares will be voted as recommended by the Board. If you are a beneficial stockholder and fail to provide voting
instructions, your broker, bank or other holder of record is permitted to vote your shares on the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm.
However, absent
instructions from you, the record holder may not vote on the election of the five Class III directors or on the advisory vote on the compensation of our
named executive officers.
Without your voting instructions on these proposals, a "broker non-vote" will occur.
15. How many votes must each proposal receive to be approved?
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With respect to the election of the five Class III directors, our amended and restated Bylaws provide for the election of directors by a
plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting. This means that the five nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative "For" votes will be elected. "Withheld" votes and broker non-votes will
have no effect on the outcome of the director elections.
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With respect to the advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers, the proposal must receive the affirmative vote of a
majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote to be considered approved. Abstentions have the same effect as a vote "against" the advisory
resolution. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the advisory vote. While the vote is advisory and non-binding in nature, the Compensation Committee will take into account the
outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation matters.
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With respect to the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year
ending December 31, 2017, the proposal must receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the
matter to be considered approved. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote "against" the proposal.
16. How can I view the stockholder list?
A complete list of the registered stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available to view during the Annual Meeting. You may access this
list at EP Energy's offices at 1001 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002 during ordinary business hours for a period of ten days before the Annual Meeting.
17. Who pays for the proxy solicitation related to the Annual Meeting?
We do. In addition to sending you or making available to you these materials, some of our directors and officers as well as management and non-management
employees may contact you by telephone, mail, email or in person. You may also be solicited by means of press releases issued by EP Energy, postings on our website,
www.epenergy.com,
and advertisements
in periodicals. None of our officers or employees will receive any extra compensation for soliciting your proxy.
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18. If I want to submit a stockholder proposal for the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, when is it due?
If you want to submit a proposal for possible inclusion in next year's proxy statement, you must submit it
in
writing
to the Corporate Secretary, EP Energy Corporation, P.O. Box 4660, Houston, Texas 77210-4660, telephone (713) 997-1200 and facsimile
(713) 997-4099.
EP Energy must receive your proposal on or before November 29, 2017.
EP Energy will consider only proposals meeting the requirements of
Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act").
Additionally,
under our amended and restated Bylaws, for a stockholder to bring any matter before the 2018 annual meeting that is not included in the 2018 proxy statement, the
stockholder's written notice must be received not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the 2017 Annual Meeting. Under this criterion, stockholders
must provide us with a notice of a matter to be brought before the 2018 annual meeting during the period from January 8, 2018 to February 7, 2018.
If
the 2018 annual meeting is held more than 30 days before or 60 days after May 8, 2018, for a stockholder seeking to bring any matter before the 2018 annual
meeting, the stockholder's written notice must be received not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days before the date of the 2018 annual meeting or, if the first public announcement of
the date of such annual meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such annual meeting, by the tenth day after we publicly announce the date of the 2018 annual meeting.
You
are advised to review our amended and restated Bylaws, which contain additional requirements about advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations.
19. What is "householding" and how does it work?
Under the rules adopted by the SEC, we may deliver a single set of proxy materials to one address shared by two or more of our stockholders. This delivery method
is referred to as "householding" and can result in significant cost savings. To take advantage of this opportunity, we have delivered only one set of proxy materials to multiple stockholders who share
an address, unless we received contrary instructions from the impacted stockholders prior to the mailing date. We agree to deliver promptly, upon written or oral request, a separate copy of the proxy
materials, as requested, to any stockholder at the shared address to which a single copy of these documents was delivered. If you prefer to receive separate copies of the proxy statement or annual
report, contact Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. by calling 1-866-540-7095 or in writing at 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717, Attention: Householding Department.
20. Where can I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting?
We will announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting and final results will be announced by the filing of a Current Report on Form 8-K within
four business days after the Annual Meeting.
21. How can I obtain a copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K?
We have filed our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 with the SEC. It is available free of charge at the SEC's
website at
www.sec.gov
. Upon written request, we will provide, without charge, a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2016 to any of our stockholders of record, or to any stockholder who owns our common stock listed in the name of a bank or broker as nominee, at the close of business on
March 13, 2017. Any request for a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K should be mailed to our General Counsel & Corporate Secretary at EP Energy Corporation,
P.O. Box 4660, Houston, Texas 77210-4660, or by calling (713) 997-1200.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
About EP Energy
We are an independent exploration and production company engaged in the acquisition and development of unconventional onshore oil and natural
gas properties in the United States. On May 24, 2012, affiliates of Apollo Global Management LLC (together with its subsidiaries, Apollo), Riverstone Holdings LLC (Riverstone),
Access Industries (Access) and Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC) (collectively, our "Sponsors") and other co-investors acquired the predecessor entity to EP Energy. On August 30, 2013, we
reorganized to form a new corporate holding structure under the name EP Energy Corporation. In January 2014, we completed our initial public offering, and our common stock is listed on the New
York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "EPE." Our Sponsors and other legacy stockholders, as a group, continue to control a majority of our voting common stock and as a result we are a
"controlled company" within the meaning of NYSE rules and qualify for exemption from certain corporate governance requirements.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a code of ethics, referred to as our "Code of Conduct," that applies to all of our directors and employees, including our Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and senior financial and accounting officers. In addition to other matters, our Code of Conduct establishes policies to deter wrongdoing and to promote
honest and ethical conduct. A copy of our Code of Conduct is available on our website at
www.epenergy.com
. We will post to our website all waivers to,
or amendments of, our Code of Conduct, which are required to be disclosed by applicable law.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
Our Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines in accordance with the corporate governance rules of the NYSE. The Corporate Governance
Guidelines address matters including qualifications for directors, standards for independence of directors, election of directors, responsibilities of directors, mandatory retirement for directors,
limitation on serving on other boards/committees, management succession, director access to management and outside advisors, director compensation, prohibition on hedging and pledging of company
stock, director orientation and continuing education, and annual self-evaluation of the Board and its committees. The Board recognizes that effective corporate governance is an on-going process, and
the Board, either directly or through the Governance and Nominating Committee, will review and revise as necessary our Corporate
Governance Guidelines annually, or more frequently if deemed necessary. A copy of our Corporate Governance Guidelines is available on our website at
www.epenergy.com
.
Director Independence
We qualify as a "controlled company" under the NYSE rules, which eliminates the requirements that we have a majority of independent directors on
our Board and that we have compensation and governance and nominating committees composed entirely of independent directors.
If
at any time we cease to be a "controlled company" under applicable stock exchange rules, our Board will take all action necessary to comply with the applicable stock exchange rules,
including appointing a majority of independent directors to our Board and establishing certain committees composed entirely of independent directors, subject to a permitted "phase-in" period. We will
cease to qualify as a "controlled company" once our Sponsors, as a group, cease to control a majority of our voting stock.
Our
Board has affirmatively determined that each of Michael S. Helfer, Thomas R. Hix and Keith O. Rattie is independent as independence is defined in Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange
Act, under the NYSE
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rules
and in accordance with standards of independence contained in our Corporate Governance Guidelines. In reaching this determination, the Board reviewed each director's commercial and charitable
relationships as well as any potential related party transactions and determined that none of these relationships or transactions affect the independence of these directors.
Audit Committee Financial Expert
The Audit Committee plays an important role in promoting effective accounting, financial reporting, risk management and compliance procedures
and controls. All members of our Audit Committee meet the financial literacy standard required by the NYSE rules and at least one
member qualifies as having accounting or related financial management expertise under the NYSE rules. In addition, the Board has affirmatively determined that Messrs. Hix (chairman of our Audit
Committee) and Rattie are "audit committee financial experts."
Board Leadership Structure
As stated in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board does not have a formal policy addressing whether or not the roles of Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer should be separate or combined. The directors serving on our Board possess considerable professional, financial and industry experience, significant experience as directors of
both public and private companies and a unique knowledge of the challenges and opportunities that the company faces. As such, the Board believes that it is in the best position to evaluate the needs
of the company and to determine how best to organize the company's leadership structure to meet those needs.
At
present, the Board has chosen to combine the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Brent J. Smolik serves in the combined role. The Board believes this
structure promotes strong alignment of strategic development and execution, effective implementation of strategic initiatives and clear accountability for the company's success or failure. In
addition, the Board believes that combining the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions does not impede its oversight of the company and at present, the Board has not designated a separate lead
director.
While
the Board has concluded that our current leadership structure is appropriate at this time, the Board will continue to periodically review our leadership structure and may make such
changes in the future as it deems appropriate.
Board's Role in Risk Oversight
The Board has oversight responsibility with regard to assessment of the major risks inherent in the business of the company and measures to
address and mitigate such risks. The Board is actively involved in overseeing risk management. For example, the Board:
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oversees the long-term strategic direction of the company, and in doing so regularly reviews the company's strategic plans, the principal
issues and risks that the company may face and management's efforts to monitor and mitigate those risks;
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oversees management of the company's commodity price risk through regular review with management of the company's hedging and price risk
management strategy;
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reviews results of capital programs;
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has established a thorough delegation of authority, with specific dollar limits on the commitment authority of members of senior management;
and
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reviews management's capital spending plans, reviews and approves the company's capital budget and long-range plan and requires that management
present for Board approval significant departures from those plans.
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While
the Board is ultimately responsible for risk oversight at our company, the committees of the Board assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by considering the
risks within their respective areas of expertise. For example, the Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its risk oversight responsibilities relating to the company's risk management
policies and procedures. As part of this process, the Audit Committee meets periodically with management to review, discuss and provide oversight with respect to the major financial risk exposures and
the steps management has taken to monitor, control and manage such exposures. The Compensation Committee likewise assists the Board in fulfilling its risk oversight responsibilities with respect to
the management of risks associated with compensation-program design by reviewing whether there are risks arising from our compensation programs and practices that are reasonably likely to have a
material adverse effect on the company. The Governance and Nominating Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its risk oversight
responsibilities relating to the management of risks associated with corporate governance, board organization and membership, and policies governing conflicts of interest.
As
mentioned above, the Board's role in risk management is one of oversight. Company management is responsible for day-to-day management of risks the company faces.
Executive Sessions of the Board
The Board holds regular executive sessions in which non-management Board members meet without any members of management present. The purpose of
these executive sessions is to promote open and candid discussion among the non-management directors. The Board has selected Thomas R. Hix, Chairman of the Audit Committee, to preside over all
executive sessions of the Board, including non-management executive sessions and executive sessions of the independent directors. During 2016, non-management members of the Board met in executive
session four times and the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Governance and Nominating Committee each met in executive session without members of management present.
Board and Committee Evaluations
Each year the Board and each Board committee participates in a self-assessment or evaluation of the effectiveness of the Board and its
committees. During 2016, our directors participated in a self-assessment of the Board and committee members likewise participated in a self-assessment of their respective committees. The Board and the
committees discussed the results of these assessments and, as necessary, any action resulting from these assessments.
Management Succession
The Board periodically reviews with the CEO the management succession and development plan which includes the succession of the CEO in the event
of an emergency or retirement, as well as the succession of other employees critical to our company's continued operations and success.
Web Access
We provide access through our website to current information relating to corporate governance, including a copy of each of the Board's standing
committee charters, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Code of Conduct, our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and amended and restated Bylaws, our related party transaction policy,
biographical information concerning each director, and other matters regarding our corporate governance principles. We also provide access through our website to all filings submitted by EP Energy to
the SEC. Our website is
www.epenergy.com,
and access to this information is free of any charge to the user. Information contained on our website is not
part of this proxy statement.
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Process for Communication with the Board
Our Board has established a process for interested parties to communicate with the Board. Such communications should be in writing, addressed to
the Board or an individual director, c/o Ms. Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, EP Energy Corporation, P.O. Box 4660,
Houston, Texas 77210-4660. Depending on the subject matter, the General Counsel & Corporate Secretary will:
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forward the communication to the director or directors to whom it is addressed;
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refer the inquiry to the appropriate corporate department if it is matter that does not appear to require direct attention by the Board or an
individual director; or
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not forward the communication if it is primarily commercial in nature or if it relates to an improper or irrelevant topic.
These
procedures may change from time to time, and you are encouraged to visit our website at
www.epenergy.com
for the most current means
of contacting our directors.
Director Attendance at Annual Meeting
In consideration of the company's "controlled company" status, the company does not currently have a policy with respect to board members'
attendance at annual meetings of stockholders. Seven of our twelve Board members attended our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Messrs. Beard, Handler, Hannan, Tichio, and Wilson were unable
to attend due to prior commitments.
Related Party Transactions
Our Board has adopted a written related party transactions policy. The policy defines a related party transaction as one in which EP Energy is a
participant, the amount involved equals or exceeds $120,000, and a related party has a direct or indirect material interest. The policy defines a related party as any executive officer, director or
director nominee, person known to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of EP Energy's voting securities, immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons, or firm or corporation in which any
of the foregoing persons is employed as an officer, is a general partner, or in which such person has a 10% or greater beneficial ownership interest.
The
policy includes procedures to review and approve, as necessary, any related party transactions prior to the transaction being entered into, or ratify any related party transactions
that have not been previously approved. Other than certain pre-approved transactions specifically set forth in the policy, any related party transaction involving executive officers or their immediate
family members other than the CEO or the general counsel are referred to the CEO and general counsel for approval. Any related person transaction involving the general counsel and his or her immediate
family members will be referred to the CEO for approval. Any related person transaction involving 5% or greater stockholders,
directors, director nominees or the CEO and their immediate family members will be referred to the Governance and Nominating Committee for approval. All related party transactions are reported
annually to the Governance and Nominating Committee.
In
determining whether to approve a related party transaction, the CEO, general counsel or Governance and Nominating Committee, as applicable, will consider
whether:
-
-
the terms of the transaction are fair to EP Energy and would be on the same basis if the transaction did not involve a related party;
-
-
there are business reasons to enter into the transaction;
-
-
the transaction would impair the independence of an outside director;
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-
-
the transaction would present an improper conflict of interest for any director or executive officer; and
-
-
the transaction is material.
The
policy for approval of related party transactions can be found on our website at
www.epenergy.com
.
In
addition, under our stockholders agreement, the consummation of any transaction involving us, on the one hand, and any legacy stockholder, director or affiliate of any legacy
stockholder or director, on the other hand (each such transaction, a "Related Person Transaction"), will in each case require the approval of a majority of the directors, other than those directors
that are (or whose affiliates are) party to such Related Person Transaction or have been designated by the legacy stockholders who are party, or whose affiliates are party to, such Related Person
Transaction. This approval is not required for (among other things): (i) any transaction that is consummated in the ordinary course of business, on arm's length terms and
de minimis
in nature (it
being understood that any transaction or series of related transactions that involves goods, services, property or other
consideration valued in excess of $10,000 will not be deemed to be
de minimis
); and (ii) an acquisition of additional securities by a legacy
stockholder pursuant to an exercise of its preemptive rights under the stockholders agreement.
Apollo
Global Securities, LLC, an affiliate of Apollo, and Riverstone Capital Services LLC, an affiliate of Riverstone, each acted as a co-manager and
initial purchaser in connection with EP Energy LLC's issuance in November 2016 of its 8.00% senior secured notes due 2024. Apollo Global Securities, LLC received $421,875 of the
gross spread in the sale of the notes. Riverstone Capital Services LLC received $140,625 of the gross spread in the sale of the notes.
In
connection with our August 2016 term loan refinancing transaction, each of the Apollo, Riverstone and Access Sponsors elected to exchange all or a portion of their
existing Tranche B-3 term loans maturing May 2018 and Tranche B-2 term loans maturing April 2019 (such loans purchased by the Sponsors on the open market from non-affiliated holders) for
a like principal amount of our 1.5 lien term loans due 2021 (the "New Term Loans"). Below is a breakdown of the amount of New Term Loans held by each Sponsor immediately following the exchange:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Apollo:
|
|
$
|
1,944,384
|
|
|
|
|
Riverstone:
|
|
$
|
540,107
|
|
|
|
|
Access:
|
|
$
|
540,107
|
|
|
During
2016, we were party to certain supply agreements with Hexion Inc. (f/k/a Momentive Performance Materials Holdings LLC), to provide fracturing
materials for our Eagle Ford drilling operations. Hexion is an affiliate of Apollo, one of our Sponsors. We made payments to Hexion in 2016 in the amount of $5,890,576 pursuant to these contracts. The
supply agreements were entered into as market-based, arm's length transactions, and none of our Apollo-appointed Board members has a direct or indirect material interest in these payments. The supply
agreements with Hexion terminated in May 2016.
11
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AND COMMITTEES
The Board held eleven meetings during 2016. Each director attended at least 75% of his board and committee meetings, with the
exception of Mr. Beard, who was unable to do so due to certain prior commitments.
Board Composition
The supervision of our management and the general course of our affairs and business operations are entrusted to our Board. Our Board is
currently comprised of 13 directors, with (i) five designated by Apollo, (ii) two designated by Riverstone, (iii) one designated by Access, (iv) one designated by KNOC,
(v) our chief executive officer and (vi) three independent directors. Apollo has the right to designate any director as the Chairman of the Board and our chief executive officer,
Mr. Smolik, currently serves in that capacity.
Our
Board is divided into three classes. The members of each class serve staggered, three-year terms. Upon the expiration of the term of a class of directors, directors in that class
will stand for re-election for an additional three-year term at the annual meeting of stockholders in the year in which their term expires.
-
-
Gregory A. Beard, Scott R. Browning, Keith O. Rattie, Brent J. Smolik, and Robert M. Tichio are Class III directors, whose initial terms
will expire at the 2017 Annual Meeting and each of whom are standing for re-election at this annual meeting;
-
-
Wilson B. Handler, John J. Hannan, Michael S. Helfer* and M. Cliff Ryan, Jr. are Class I directors, whose terms will expire at the 2018
annual meeting of stockholders; and
-
-
Thomas R. Hix, Giljoon Sinn, Donald A. Wagner and Rakesh Wilson are Class II directors, whose terms will expire at the 2019 annual
meeting of stockholders.
-
*
-
Mr. Helfer
has announced his intent to retire from the Board on May 9, 2017, the day following the 2017 Annual Meeting.
Any
additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of
one-third of our directors.
As
ownership in us by a Sponsor decreases, our stockholders agreement provides for the reduction in the number of directors such Sponsor may designate. The tables below state the number
of director(s) that each Sponsor may designate to the Board pursuant to the stockholders agreement based on such Sponsor's ownership of common stock, in each case, expressed as a percentage of its
ownership of common stock as of the first day of effectiveness of the company's registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with our initial public offering (the "Effective
Time") (e.g., 75% means that the Sponsor holds 75% of the common stock that it held as of the Effective Time).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Apollo Ownership
|
|
Non-Independent
Directors
|
|
Independent
Directors
|
|
At least 75%
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
2
|
|
Between 50% and 75%
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
2
|
|
Between 25% and 50%
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
1
|
|
Between 10% and 25%
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
0
|
|
Less than 10%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Riverstone Ownership
|
|
Non-Independent
Directors
|
|
Independent
Directors
|
|
50%
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
1
|
|
Between 20% and 50%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
1
|
|
Less than 20%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Access Ownership
|
|
Non-Independent
Directors
|
|
Independent
Directors
|
|
At least 50%
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
0
|
|
Less than 50%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KNOC Ownership
|
|
Non-Independent
Directors
|
|
Independent
Directors
|
|
At least 50%
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
0
|
|
Less than 50%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
A
director that is designated by any Sponsor pursuant to the stockholders agreement may be removed and replaced at any time and for any reason (or for no reason) only at the direction
and upon the approval of such Sponsor for so long as such Sponsor has the right to designate the applicable director. The replacement of any director will be designated by the Sponsor that designated
any such vacant seat unless such Sponsor has lost its right to designate the applicable director pursuant to the above. If the Sponsor has lost its right to designate the applicable director and the
legacy stockholders hold at least 50% of our outstanding common stock, the legacy stockholders will have the right to designate a replacement director by a vote of the legacy stockholders holding a
majority-in-interest of our outstanding common stock then held by the legacy stockholders (each such director, a "Replacement Director"); provided, that such Replacement Director is "independent" of
us, the legacy stockholders and their affiliates under the rules of the NYSE.
Board Observers
Our stockholders agreement provides certain Sponsors and legacy stockholders with certain rights with respect to the designation of observers to
the Board. Each observer generally may attend the meetings of our Board as an observer (and not as a director) and receive the same meeting-related information given to Board members. No observer has
a vote on our Board. The members of the Board can exclude any board observer from any board meeting to protect attorney-client privilege, in connection with a conflict of interest, or for any other
reason with the consent of the legacy stockholder that appointed the board observer, which consent cannot be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. The tables below state the number of board
observers that each Sponsor (other than Apollo, which has no such right) and other significant legacy stockholders may designate pursuant to the stockholders agreement based on such legacy
stockholder's
ownership of common stock, in each case, expressed as a percentage of its ownership of common stock as of the Effective Time (e.g., 50% means that the legacy stockholder holds 50% of the common
stock that it held as of the Effective Time).
|
|
|
|
|
Riverstone Ownership
|
|
Board Observer
|
|
Between 20% and 50%
|
|
|
2
|
|
Less than 20%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Access Ownership
|
|
Board Observer
|
|
Between 20% and 50%
|
|
|
1
|
|
Less than 20%
|
|
|
0
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
KNOC Ownership
|
|
Board Observer
|
|
Between 20% and 50%
|
|
|
1
|
|
Less than 20%
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Significant Legacy Stockholders
|
|
Board Observer
|
|
At least 50%
|
|
|
1
|
|
Less than 50%
|
|
|
0
|
|
Committees of the Board
Our stockholders agreement provides that for so long as each Sponsor has the right to designate a director or an observer to the Board, we will
cause any committee of our Board to include in its membership such number of members that is consistent with, and reflects, the right of each Sponsor to designate a director or observer to the Board,
except to the extent that such membership would violate applicable securities laws or stock exchange or stock market rules.
The
Board has established three standing committees to assist the Board in carrying out its duties: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Governance and Nominating
Committee. We describe the committees, their current membership and their principal responsibilities below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Board
|
|
Audit
|
|
Compensation
|
|
Governance and
Nominating
|
Gregory A. Beard
|
|
Member
|
|
|
|
Chair
|
|
Member
|
Scott R. Browning
|
|
Member
|
|
|
|
Member
|
|
Member
|
Wilson B. Handler
|
|
Member
|
|
|
|
Member
|
|
Member
|
John J. Hannan
|
|
Member
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael S. Helfer*
|
|
Member
|
|
Member
|
|
Member
|
|
Chair
|
Thomas R. Hix*
|
|
Member
|
|
Chair
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Keith O. Rattie*
|
|
Member
|
|
Member
|
|
|
|
Member
|
M. Cliff Ryan, Jr.
|
|
Member
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Giljoon Sinn
|
|
Member
|
|
|
|
Member
|
|
Member
|
Brent J. Smolik
|
|
Chairman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert M. Tichio
|
|
Member
|
|
|
|
Member
|
|
Member
|
Donald A. Wagner
|
|
Member
|
|
|
|
Member
|
|
Member
|
Rakesh Wilson
|
|
Member
|
|
|
|
Member
|
|
Member
|
Number of 2016 Meetings
|
|
11
|
|
6
|
|
4
|
|
7
|
-
*
-
Independent
Board member.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee consists of three members: Messrs. Hix (Chair), Helfer and Rattie. Each member of the Audit Committee satisfies the
financial literacy and independence requirements of the NYSE rules. In addition, the Board has affirmatively determined that Messrs. Hix and Rattie are "audit committee financial experts." No
Audit Committee member serves on more than three audit committees of public companies, including our Audit Committee.
The
primary purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to:
-
-
the company's independent registered public accounting firm's qualifications and independence;
-
-
the company's independent petroleum engineering consultants;
14
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-
-
the audit of the company's financial statements;
-
-
the performance of the company's internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm; and
-
-
the preparation of the report of the Audit Committee to be included in the company's annual proxy statement under the rules of the SEC.
The
Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, oversight and dismissal of the company's independent auditor, Ernst & Young LLP, and the
independent auditor reports directly to the Audit Committee. In addition, the Audit Committee provides an open avenue of communication between the internal auditors, the independent auditor and the
Board.
During
2016, the Audit Committee conducted a number of activities pursuant to its oversight responsibility and in accordance with its charter,
including:
-
-
selected Ernst & Young LLP as the company's independent auditor;
-
-
selected Ryder Scott Company, L.P. as the company's independent petroleum engineering consultants;
-
-
reviewed and approved the fees payable to each of Ernst & Young LLP and Ryder Scott Company, L.P.;
-
-
obtained and reviewed the report by the company's independent auditor describing, among other matters, the independent auditor's internal
quality control procedures and all relationships between the independent auditor and EP Energy;
-
-
reviewed with EP Energy's Chief Accounting Officer and the independent auditor all critical accounting policies and practices, significant
changes in EP Energy's selection and application of accounting principles, judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements and other significant financial reporting
issues;
-
-
reviewed and discussed with management the evaluation conducted by management of EP Energy's ability to continue as a going concern,
including related controls and processes;
-
-
reviewed and discussed with management and the independent auditor any significant related party transactions;
-
-
reviewed with the head of EP Energy's internal audit function the scope of internal audit activities and the results of audits that have been
performed, as well as the adequacy of internal audit staffing and resources;
-
-
met on at least a quarterly basis with the head of EP Energy's internal audit function, the independent auditor and management to discuss the
effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures, and, if applicable, any changes in EP Energy's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during its most recent fiscal quarter that
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting;
-
-
discussed the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and management's assessment of its effectiveness; and
-
-
engaged in an annual self-evaluation to determine its effectiveness as a committee.
The
Audit Committee Charter can be found on our website at
www.epenergy.com
.
15
Table of Contents
Policy for Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services
During 2016, the Audit Committee approved a pre-approval policy for audit, non-audit and tax services to be provided by our independent
auditors, as required under applicable law, and the pre-approved limit on fees for each of these categories. The Audit Committee's current practice is to consider for pre-approval annually all
categories of audit and permitted non-audit and tax services proposed to be provided by our independent auditors for a fiscal year. The Audit Committee will also consider for pre-approval annually the
maximum amount of fees and the manner in which the fees are determined for each type services proposed to be provided by the independent auditors for the fiscal year. The Audit Committee must
separately pre-approve any service that is not included in the approved list of services or any proposed services exceeding the pre-approved cost levels. See "Principal Accountant Fees and Services"
on page 68 of this proxy statement for the aggregate fees paid to Ernst & Young LLP for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee consists of nine members: Gregory A. Beard (chair), Scott R. Browning, Wilson B. Handler, Michael S. Helfer, Thomas
R. Hix, Giljoon Sinn, Robert M. Tichio, Donald A. Wagner and Rakesh Wilson. We are a "controlled company" under the NYSE rules; as a result, we are not required to have a compensation committee
composed entirely of independent directors.
The
primary purpose of the Compensation Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibility to:
-
-
oversee the company's management compensation policies and practices;
-
-
formulate, evaluate and approve the compensation and employment arrangements of the company's executive officers;
-
-
set, review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to officer compensation;
-
-
evaluate the performance of the President and his direct reports and based on this evaluation approve the compensation of such individuals;
-
-
oversee all compensation programs involving the issuance of equity under any equity compensation programs the company may institute from time
to time; and
-
-
review and discuss with management the company's compensation discussion and analysis to be included in the company's annual proxy statement
filed with the SEC.
The
Compensation Committee Charter can be found on our website at
www.epenergy.com
.
See
the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" beginning on page 32 of this proxy statement for a discussion of our processes and procedures for determining and establishing
executive compensation.
Compensation Consultant Independence and Payments
The Compensation Committee has retained Frederic W. Cook & Co. ("FW Cook") as its independent compensation consultant. The
compensation consultant is directly accountable to the Compensation Committee and the committee reviews all fees paid to the consultant for executive compensation advice. The Compensation Committee
reviews, on an annual basis, the performance of the compensation consultant and provides the consultant with feedback. In addition, the Compensation Committee evaluated and confirmed that the
compensation consultant has no conflicts of interest in its provision of executive compensation consulting services to the committee. Fees paid to FW Cook in 2016 for executive compensation consulting
to the Compensation Committee were $148,550.
16
Table of Contents
PROPOSAL NO. 1 Election of Directors
The Board has nominated the following individuals for election as Class III Directors of the company to hold office until
the company's 2020 annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified:
Gregory
A. Beard
Scott R. Browning
Keith O. Rattie
Brent J. Smolik
Robert M. Tichio
Each
of the Class III nominees is currently serving as a director of the company. Their biographical information is contained in the "Directors and Executive Officers" section
below.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION
OF EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Directors and Nominees
The company currently has a classified Board, with directors divided into three classes. The members of each class serve staggered, three-year
terms (other than with respect to the initial terms of the Class I and Class II directors, which were for one and two years, respectively). Upon the expiration of the term of a class of
directors, directors in that class will stand for re-election for an additional three-year term at the annual meeting of stockholders in the year in which their term expires.
The
following table sets forth certain information, as of the date of this proxy statement, regarding the company's Class III director nominees, as well as the Class I and
Class II continuing directors.
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Position and Offices
|
|
Age
|
Class III Director Nominees
|
Gregory A. Beard
|
|
Director
|
|
45
|
Scott R. Browning
|
|
Director
|
|
28
|
Keith O. Rattie
|
|
Director
|
|
63
|
Brent J. Smolik
|
|
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
55
|
Robert M. Tichio
|
|
Director
|
|
39
|
Class I Directors
|
Wilson B. Handler
|
|
Director
|
|
32
|
John J. Hannan
|
|
Director
|
|
64
|
Michael S. Helfer*
|
|
Director
|
|
71
|
M. Cliff Ryan, Jr.
|
|
Director
|
|
33
|
Class II Directors
|
Thomas R. Hix
|
|
Director
|
|
69
|
Giljoon Sinn
|
|
Director
|
|
47
|
Donald A. Wagner
|
|
Director
|
|
53
|
Rakesh Wilson
|
|
Director
|
|
41
|
-
*
-
Mr. Helfer
has announced his intent to retire from the Board on May 9, 2017, the day following the 2017 Annual Meeting.
21
Table of Contents
The
biographies of each of the Board members below contain information regarding the person's service as a director, business experience, board positions held currently or at any time
during the last five years, information regarding involvement in certain legal or administrative proceedings, if applicable, and the experiences, qualifications, attributes or skills of each Board
member. Each of the Class III Director nominees has agreed to be named in this proxy statement and to serve as a director if elected.
DIRECTORS STANDING FOR RE-ELECTION
Class III Director Nominees (term expiring
at 2017 Annual Meeting)
|
|
|
Gregory A. Beard
Age 45
|
|
Director since 2013
|
Mr. Beard
has been a member of our Board since August 2013 and previously served as a member of the Board of Managers of our predecessor entity, EPE Acquisition, LLC, from May 2012 to
August 2013. He is a member of the Senior Management Committee of Apollo Global Management. Mr. Beard joined Apollo in June 2010 as the Global Head of Natural Resources and Senior Partner based
in the New York office. Mr. Beard has 24 years of investment experience, including 10 years at Riverstone Holdings where he was a founding member, Managing Director and lead deal
partner in many of the firm's top oil and gas and energy service investments. While at Riverstone, Mr. Beard was involved in all aspects of the investment process including sourcing,
structuring, monitoring and exiting transactions. Mr. Beard began his career as a Financial Analyst at Goldman Sachs, where he played an active role in that firm's energy-sector principal
investment activities. Mr. Beard has also served on the board of directors of many oil and natural gas companies, including Belden & Blake Corporation, Canera Resources, Cobalt
International Energy, Eagle Energy, Legend Natural Gas I-IV, Mariner Energy, Phoenix Exploration, Titan Operating, Vantage Energy and Virginia Uranium. Mr. Beard has served on the Board
of various oilfield services companies, including CDM Max, CDM Resource Management, and International Logging. Mr. Beard currently serves on the board of directors of certain private companies,
including Apex Energy, LLC, Caelus Energy Alaska, LLC, CSV Midstream Solutions GP LLC, Double Eagle Energy Holdings, LLC, Double Eagle Energy
Holdings II, LLC, Jupiter Resources GP LLC, Pegasus Optimization Partners, LLC, Pinnacle Agriculture Holdings LLC, Talos Energy, LLC and Tumbleweed
Royalty, LLC. He previously served as a director of Athlon Energy Inc. and NRI Management Group, LLC. Mr. Beard received his BA from the University of Illinois at Urbana.
Mr. Beard was appointed to our Board by Apollo.
Based
upon Mr. Beard's extensive investment and management experience, particularly in the energy sector, his strong financial background and his service on the boards of multiple oil and
natural gas E&P companies and oilfield services companies, which have provided him with a deep working knowledge of our operating environment, we believe that he possesses the requisite skills to
serve as a member of our Board.
|
|
|
Scott R. Browning
Age 28
|
|
Director since 2016
|
Mr. Browning
has been a member of our Board since June 2016. Mr. Browning joined Apollo in 2014 and is a member of the Natural Resources group. Prior to joining Apollo,
Mr. Browning was an investment professional at Natural Gas Partners from 2013 to 2014, where he was involved in the execution and monitoring of investments in the energy sector. He worked in
the Investment Banking Division at Goldman, Sachs & Co. in the Natural Resources group from 2011 to 2013. Mr. Browning received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with
Highest Honors from The University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Browning was appointed to our Board by Apollo.
We
believe that Mr. Browning's energy industry experience and investment and financial expertise bring valuable expertise to our Board of Directors.
22
Table of Contents
|
|
|
Keith O. Rattie
Age 63
|
|
Director since 2015
|
Mr. Rattie
has been a member of our Board since January 2015. Mr. Rattie is the retired Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Questar Corporation. He served as President of
Questar from January 2001 to July 2010, as its Chief Executive Officer from May 2002 to July 2010, and as its Chairman from May 2003 to July 2012. He retired as a Questar director in May 2014. He also
served as chairman of the board of QEP Resources following its spin-off from Questar from July 2010 until May 2012. He retired from the QEP board in February 2014. Mr. Rattie currently serves
on the board of directors of Ensco plc, where he chairs the Audit Committee, and on the board of Rockwater Energy Solutions. In addition, he previously served as a director of Zions First
National Bank from 2003 to 2015. He is the past chair of INGAA, and has served on the National Petroleum Council and the board of the Gas Technology Institute. Mr. Rattie has a BS degree in
electrical engineering from the University of Washington and an MBA from St. Mary's College.
As
the former CEO of a publicly traded company, Mr. Rattie brings extensive management, business and leadership skills to our Board. Mr. Rattie also provides the Board with valuable
upstream and downstream E&P operations experience.
|
|
|
Brent J. Smolik
Age 55
|
|
Director since 2013
|
Mr. Smolik
has been our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board since August 30, 2013, President and Chief Executive Officer of EP Energy LLC since May 2012
and previously served as Chairman of the Board of Managers of EPE Acquisition, LLC, from May 2012 to August 2013. He was previously Executive Vice President and a member of the Executive
Committee of El Paso Corporation and President of our predecessor, EP Energy Corporation (a/k/a El Paso Exploration & Production Company) from November 2006 to May 2012. Mr. Smolik was
President of ConocoPhillips Canada from April 2006 to October 2006. Prior to the Burlington Resources merger with ConocoPhillips, he was President of Burlington Resources Canada from September 2004 to
March 2006. From 1990 to 2004, Mr. Smolik worked in various engineering and asset management capacities for Burlington Resources Inc., including the Chief Engineering role from 2000 to
2004. Mr. Smolik currently serves as a director of the American Exploration and Production Council. He previously served on the boards of directors of Cameron International Corporation,
America's Natural Gas Alliance, and the Independent Petroleum Association of America. Mr. Smolik received his Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University.
As
the President and Chief Executive Officer of EP Energy, Mr. Smolik is the only officer of our company to sit on the board. With over 33 years of energy industry experience,
Mr. Smolik brings a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of our business to the Board and provides the Board with essential insight and guidance from an inside perspective on the
day-to-day operations of our company.
|
|
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Robert M. Tichio
Age 39
|
|
Director since 2013
|
Mr. Tichio
has been a member of our Board since September 2013. Mr. Tichio is a Partner of Riverstone Holdings LLC and joined Riverstone in 2006. Prior to joining Riverstone,
Mr. Tichio was in the Principal Investment Area of Goldman Sachs which manages the firm's private corporate equity investments. Mr. Tichio began his career at J.P. Morgan in the
Mergers & Acquisitions group where he concentrated on assignments that included public company combinations, asset sales, takeover defenses and leveraged buyouts. In addition to serving on the
boards of a number of Riverstone portfolio companies and their affiliates, Mr. Tichio has been a director of Northern Blizzard Resources Inc. since June 2011 and of Centennial Resource
Development, Inc. since October 2016. Mr. Tichio previously served as a member of the board of directors of Gibson Energy (TSE:GEI) from 2008 to 2013 and Midstates Petroleum
23
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Company, Inc.
from 2012 to 2015. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College. Mr. Tichio was appointed to our Board by Riverstone.
We
believe Mr. Tichio's extensive energy industry background, particularly his expertise in mergers and acquisitions, brings important experience and skill to our Board of Directors.
CONTINUING DIRECTORS
Class I Directors (term expiring at 2018
Annual Meeting)
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Wilson B. Handler
Age 32
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Director since 2013
|
Mr. Handler
has been a member of our Board since November 2013. Mr. Handler joined Apollo in 2011 and is a member of the Natural Resources group. Prior to joining Apollo,
Mr. Handler was an investment professional at First Reserve, where he was involved in the execution and monitoring of investments in the energy sector. Previously, he worked in the Investment
Banking Division at Lehman Brothers in the Natural Resources group. Currently, Mr. Handler serves on the board of directors of certain private companies, including American Petroleum
Partners, LLC, CSV Midstream Solutions GP LLC, Jupiter Resources GP LLC, and Resource Energy Partners, LLC, and previously served as a director of Athlon
Energy Inc. Mr. Handler graduated from Dartmouth College with an AB in Economics and Government. Mr. Handler was appointed to our Board by Apollo.
Based
upon Mr. Handler's extensive investment experience, his knowledge of the company and experience in the energy industry, we believe he possesses the requisite skills to serve as a member
of our Board.
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John J. Hannan
Age 64
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Director since 2013
|
Mr. Hannan
has been a member of our Board since December 2013. Mr. Hannan is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Apollo Investment Corporation, a public investment company. He served
as Chief Executive Officer of Apollo Investment Corporation from 2006 to 2008. Mr. Hannan, a senior partner of Apollo Management, L.P., co-founded Apollo Management, L.P. in 1990.
Mr. Hannan is an advisor to Apollo's Natural Resources group. He has been on several public boards including Vail Resorts, Inc. and Goodman Global, Inc., and is currently on the
board of Environmental Solutions Worldwide and Brown University. Mr. Hannan is actively involved in charitable organizations. He received a BBA from Adelphi University and an MBA from Harvard
Business School. Mr. Hannan was appointed to our Board by Apollo.
Based
on Mr. Hannan's strong investment and management experience and his service on multiple boards of directors, we believe that Mr. Hannan possesses the requisite set of skills to
serve as a member of our Board.
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Michael S. Helfer*
Age 71
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Director since 2014
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Mr. Helfer
has been a member of our Board since January 2014. He is also a director of Banco Nacional de Mexico, S.A., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Citigroup Inc. He is
currently Senior Adviser to JBKI, a family office in Houston, Texas, and Director of The Jerold B. Katz Foundation. He is also a member of the Audit Advisory Committee of the General Accountability
Office, and Treasurer and a member of the Board of Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, Massachusetts. Mr. Helfer was Vice Chairman of Citigroup, Inc. from June 2012 until his
retirement in March 2014. From February 2003 until May 2012, he served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Citigroup. Mr. Helfer is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and
the American Law Institute. He was Managing Director of Ice Glen Group LLC, which provided financial and strategic advice to clients. He has served as Chairman of the
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New
York Clearing House Association, Chairman of the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia, as a member of the Board of Directors of Lincoln Center Theater, and as a Trustee of the Wexner
Center for the Arts. He graduated from Claremont Men's College (now Claremont McKenna College) with a BA in Economics and received a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
Based
upon Mr. Helfer's extensive management, business and leadership experience, we believe that he possesses the requisite set of skills to serve as a member of our Board. Mr. Helfer
also provides the Board with valuable public company governance experience.
-
*
-
As disclosed in the Company's Form 8-K dated March 15, 2017, Mr. Helfer has announced his intent to
retire from the Board on May 9, 2017, the day following the 2017 Annual Meeting.
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M. Cliff Ryan, Jr.
Age 33
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Director since 2017
|
Mr. Ryan
has been a member of our Board since February 2017. Mr. Ryan is a Managing Director of Riverstone Holdings LLC and joined Riverstone in 2007. Prior to joining Riverstone,
Mr. Ryan worked in the Investment Banking Division of Credit Suisse. While at Credit Suisse, Mr. Ryan worked on mergers and acquisitions and leveraged finance in the global energy
sector. Currently, Mr. Ryan serves on the board of directors of certain private companies, including Carrier Energy Partners I, Carrier Energy Partners II, Liberty Oilfield Services, Liberty
Resources II, PetroLegacy I, and Rock Oil Holdings III. He previously served as a director of Mistral Energy and Rock Oil Holdings. Mr. Ryan graduated from Harvard College with an A.B. in
Economics. Mr. Ryan was appointed to our Board by Riverstone.
Mr. Ryan's
experience in investment banking, along with his service on multiple boards within the energy industry, brings valuable expertise to our Board.
Class II Directors (term expiring at 2019
Annual Meeting)
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Thomas R. Hix
Age 69
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Director since 2014
|
Mr. Hix
has served as a member of our Board since April 2014. Mr. Hix has been a business consultant since January 2003, and previously served as Senior Vice President of Finance and
Chief Financial Officer of Cooper Cameron Corporation from 1995 until his retirement in 2003. Prior to that time, Mr. Hix held several executive level finance and accounting positions in the
energy industry. Mr. Hix currently serves on the board of directors of the general partner of Western Gas Equity Partners LP, as a director of Rowan Companies, PLC, and as a
director of Health Care Service Corporation (a Chicago-based company operating through its Blue Cross and Blue Shield divisions in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas). Mr. Hix
previously served as a director of El Paso Corporation from 2004 to May 2012. Mr. Hix holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Texas Tech University and an MBA from
Pepperdine University.
As
a former chief financial officer of a large, publicly-traded energy company, Mr. Hix has significant expertise in finance and accounting. Mr. Hix also provides the Board with valuable
public company operating and management experience.
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Giljoon Sinn
Age 47
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Director since 2017
|
Mr. Sinn
has been a member of our Board since February 2017. Mr. Sinn joined Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC) in 1996 and worked in the Drilling/Subsea and New Venture Business
groups where he concentrated on production engineering, well intervention/re-entry, drilling/completion, subsea operations and managed offshore production assets in Vietnam. He is currently serving as
President and a
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board
member of KNOC Eagle Ford Corporation. Mr. Sinn received his master's degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Adelaide, Australia. Mr. Sinn was appointed to our
Board by KNOC.
Based
on Mr. Sinn's educational background and significant experience in the oil and gas industry, we believe that Mr. Sinn has the expertise and requisite set of skills to serve as a
member of our Board.
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Donald A. Wagner
Age 53
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Director since 2013
|
Mr. Wagner
has been a member of our Board since August 2013 and previously served as a member of the Board of Managers of our predecessor entity, EPE Acquisition, LLC, from May 2012 to
August 2013. Mr. Wagner is a Managing Director of Access Industries, having been with Access since 2010. He is responsible for sourcing and executing new investment opportunities in North
America, and he oversees Access' current North American investments. From 2000 to 2009, Mr. Wagner was a Senior Managing Director of Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C., responsible for
investments in several areas and heading the industry group focused on investments in basic industries. Previously, Mr. Wagner was a Managing Director of Lazard
Freres & Co. LLC and had a 15-year career at that firm and its affiliates in New York and London. He is a board member of Access portfolio company Warner Music Group and was on
the board of NYSE-listed RSC Holdings from November 2006 until August 2009. Mr. Wagner graduated summa cum laude with an AB in physics from Harvard College. Mr. Wagner was appointed to
our Board by Access.
Based
upon Mr. Wagner's experience as a director of various companies, including public companies, and over 25 years of experience in investing, banking and private equity, we believe
that Mr. Wagner possesses the requisite set of skills to serve as a member of our Board.
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Rakesh Wilson
Age 41
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Director since 2013
|
Mr. Wilson
has been a member of our Board since August 2013 and previously served as a member of the Board of Managers of our predecessor entity, EPE Acquisition, LLC, from May 2012 to
August 2013. Mr. Wilson is a Senior Partner of Apollo and joined Apollo in 2009. Prior to joining Apollo, Mr. Wilson was at Morgan Stanley's Commodities Department in the principal
investing group responsible for generating, evaluating and executing investment ideas across the energy sector. Mr. Wilson began his career at Goldman Sachs in equity research and then moved to
its investment banking division in New York and Asia. Mr. Wilson currently serves on the board of directors of certain private companies, including American Petroleum Partners, LLC, CSV
Midstream Solutions GP LLC, Jupiter Resources GP LLC, Resource Energy Partners, LLC, and Express Energy Services, LLC. He previously served as a director of
Athlon Energy Inc., Parallel Petroleum and Talos Energy, LLC. Mr. Wilson graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and received his MBA from INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France.
Mr. Wilson was appointed to our Board by Apollo.
We
believe that Mr. Wilson's extensive international investment and risk management experience, his knowledge of the company and his service on multiple boards have provided him with a strong
understanding of the financial, operational and strategic issues facing public companies in our industry, and that he possesses the requisite set of skills to serve as a member of our Board.
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Total compensation for each of our named executive officers is shown in the Summary Compensation Table on page 52. While we describe our
executive compensation programs and
relevant decisions in greater detail in this CD&A, actions the Compensation Committee took in 2016 in relation to our named executive officers are highlighted below:
-
-
Base Salary.
No base salary
increases were awarded in 2016 (salaries were likewise frozen in 2015). The salary freeze was part of the company's efforts to control costs.
-
-
Cash Incentive Awards for 2016
Performance.
Target awards remained the same as 2015 levels. Financial and operational performance metrics set for the 2016 annual cash incentive
awards (the "2016 scorecard") were, in the aggregate, achieved at above target levels. In addition to above target achievement of the 2016 scorecard, the company achieved a number of strategic
milestones in 2016, including the divestiture of the Company's Haynesville asset, execution of a sliding scale royalty agreement and lease extension with University Lands, extension of debt maturities
and over $1 billion of debt reduction, addition of significant 2017 and 2018 hedges and significant reduction of G&A spending. The Compensation Committee considered these achievements in its
evaluation of bonus pool funding. The Compensation Committee also considered the company's 2016 TSR relative to our performance peer group, which was 64.98% (second quartile). Based on the 2016
scorecard achievement, TSR results and other factors noted above, bonus payouts to our named executive officers for 2016 performance were above target.
-
-
Long-Term Incentive Awards in
2016.
2016 grants were made in the form of 50% performance units and 50% time-based restricted stock. The long-term incentive grant values were
targeted at market-median levels. The awards were designed to link pay to performance, create a strong focus on multi-year stock price growth and provide additional features to attract and retain top
talent.
-
o
-
Performance unit awards granted in 2016 incorporated three performance periods
(January 1, 2016-December 31, 2016; January 1, 2016-December 31, 2017; and January 1, 2016-December 31, 2018) with one-third of the units tied to the relative
TSR results of each period. Based on the relative TSR results for the performance period January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016, the first tranche had a final value of $159.92 per
unit. These units were settled in cash at the election of the Compensation Committee in February 2017.
II. SETTING EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing and approving all compensation for our CEO and those executive officers reporting
directly to him, which includes all of our named executive officers. The Compensation Committee receives information and advice from its independent compensation consultant as well as from our human
resources department and management to assist in compensation determinations.
The Compensation Committee has retained FW Cook as its independent compensation consultant. FW Cook advises the committee on an ongoing basis
with regard to the general compensation landscape and trends in executive and director compensation matters, including (i) competitive benchmarking, (ii) annual and long-term incentive
plan design, (iii) performance metrics, (iv) compensation
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risk-management,
and (v) updates on compensation trends and regulatory matters affecting compensation. FW Cook attends meetings of the Compensation Committee, participates in the committee's
executive sessions, and is directly accountable to the committee. In addition, the Compensation Committee reviews FW Cook's performance on an annual basis and provides feedback. FW Cook is an
independent compensation consulting firm and provides no services to us other than the executive compensation consulting services provided to the committee.
While the Compensation Committee is responsible for approving and monitoring all compensation for our named executive officers, management plays
a supporting role in determining executive compensation. At the Compensation Committee's request, management recommends appropriate company-wide financial and non-financial performance goals for
annual incentive awards, which the Committee considers in establishing the scorecard. Management works with the Compensation Committee to establish the agenda and prepare meeting information for each
Compensation Committee meeting. In addition, our CEO assists the Compensation Committee by providing his evaluation of the performance of the executive officers who report directly to him and
recommends compensation levels for such officers. The Compensation Committee evaluates the performance of the CEO and makes compensation decisions for him independently.
The Compensation Committee, with assistance from its independent compensation consultant, has established two peer groups that it utilizes in
the executive compensation program: (i) a compensation peer group, which is used to compare the competitiveness of the company's executive compensation program; and (ii) a performance
peer group, which is used to measure the company's relative TSR results for performance-based elements of executive pay.
As
part of its annual review, in early 2016, the Compensation Committee added Energen Corp. and Laredo Petroleum, Inc. to the compensation peer group and removed Halcon Resources
Corp., SandRidge Energy, Inc. and Ultra Petroleum Corp. These changes were made after consideration of the revenue, market cap and EBITDA of each peer group member to ensure a peer group that
is similar in size and scope for compensation benchmarking purposes. The revised compensation peer group was used by the committee in 2016 to compare the competitiveness of the company's executive
compensation program to that of its peers.
In
addition, in early 2016 the Compensation Committee adopted a performance peer group to evaluate the company's performance for purposes of administering performance-based elements of
the executive compensation program this includes measuring the company's relative TSR for both the discretionary overlay on the annual incentive program and the payout level of
performance units.
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Both
peer groups are detailed in the following table. Differences between the peer groups reflect the Compensation Committee's determination regarding the suitability of a specific peer
company for these applications.
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Peer Comparator
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2016 Compensation Peer Group
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2016 Performance Peer Group
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Antero Resources Corporation
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X
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Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation
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X
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Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc.
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X
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Cimarex Energy Co.
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X
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X
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Concho Resources, Inc.
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X
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X
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Continental Resources, Inc.
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X
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X
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Denbury Resources Inc.
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X
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X
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Energen Corp.
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X
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X
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Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
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X
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X
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Newfield Exploration Co.
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X
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X
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Oasis Petroleum Inc.
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X
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X
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PDC Energy, Inc.
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X
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Pioneer Natural Resources Co.
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X
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X
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QEP Resources, Inc.
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X
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X
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Range Resources Corporation
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X
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SM Energy Company
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X
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X
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Southwestern Energy Company
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X
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Whiting Petroleum Corp.
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X
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X
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WPX Energy, Inc.
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X
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As part of our compensation analysis process and with input from FW Cook, the Compensation Committee reviews the compensation paid to our CEO
and other named executive officers relative to the compensation paid to similarly-situated executives at our peer companies. This practice is often referred to as "benchmarking." The Compensation
Committee also utilizes survey data representing the market of companies in which we compete for executive talent as an additional means of benchmarking for 2016, we used the 2016
Energy 27 Compensation Survey. We believe benchmarks are helpful and provide a point of reference, although they are not definitive.
The
Compensation Committee sets total direct compensation targets (sum of base salary, annual cash incentive and long-term incentive awards) for our executives near the market median of
our peers. However, because comparative data is just one of several considerations used in determining executive officer compensation, actual pay may vary from the median of comparative compensation
based on various factors, including:
-
-
scorecard and TSR performance;
-
-
individual performance;
-
-
scope of job responsibilities;
-
-
market conditions;
-
-
competitive pressures for that position within the industry; and
-
-
internal equity considerations.
For
example, 2016 total target cash compensation (2016 base salary plus target annual cash incentive) for our named executive officers was on average at 94% of the market median of our
compensation peer
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group
and survey data. Long-term incentive grants made in 2016 were positioned 2% above the market-median of our compensation peer group and survey data. In addition, 2016 target total direct
compensation was positioned on average at 99% of market median of our compensation peer group and survey data.
III. ELEMENTS OF TOTAL COMPENSATION PROGRAM
The table below summarizes the elements of EP Energy's 2016 executive compensation program.
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Compensation Element
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Objective
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Key Features
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Base Salary
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To provide a minimum, fixed level cash compensation
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Reviewed annually; no increases made in 2016
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Annual Cash Incentive Awards
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To motivate and reward named executive officers' contributions to achievement of pre-established performance goals, as well as individual performance
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Target bonus opportunity established for each named executive officer; actual bonus payable from 0% to 200% of target
Paid after year end once the Compensation Committee has determined company performance relative to pre-established performance goals and individual performance
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Compensation Element
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Objective
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Key Features
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Long-Term Incentive Awards
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To reward stock price appreciation, align pay with performance, and provide an additional retention element
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Target value allocated 50% in performance units and 50% in restricted stock
Performance units
grants with three performance periods (1 year, 2 year and
3 year calendar periods), with one-third of the units tied to the relative TSR results of each period
each unit with value $0-$200, payout dependent upon company's relative TSR results
may be either cash or stock settled at election of the Compensation
Committee
payout capped at
100% of target if company TSR is negative for the performance period, regardless of relative ranking
Restricted stock
grants with 3-year ratable vesting
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Compensation Element
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Objective
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Key Features
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Qualified 401(k) Plan
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To provide retirement savings in a tax-efficient manner
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Retirement benefits are provided under the following qualified plan:
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) plan covering all employees
company contributes an amount equal to 100% of each
participant's voluntary contributions under the plan, up to a maximum of 6% of eligible compensation (based on IRS limits)
company contributes an additional "retirement contribution" equal to 5% of each participant's eligible compensation annually (based on IRS
limits)
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Health & Welfare Benefits
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To provide reasonable health and welfare benefits to executives and their dependents and promote healthy living
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Health and welfare benefits available to all employees, including medical, dental, vision and disability coverage
Named executive officers also participate in our Senior
Executive Survivor Benefits Plan
Senior Executive Survivor Benefits Plan
:
provides executive officers with survivor benefit coverage in lieu of
the coverage provided generally to employees under our group life insurance plan in the event of a named executive officer's death
amount of survivor benefit is 2
1
/
2
times the executive officer's annual salary
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Compensation Element
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Objective
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Key Features
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Severance
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To provide a measure of financial security in the event an executive's employment is terminated without cause
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Severance payable in the event of an executive's involuntary termination of employment without cause or termination by the executive for "good reason," as set forth under the terms of the executive's employment agreement.
Benefits include:
3X sum of annual salary + target bonus for CEO; 2X sum of annual salary + target bonus for other named executive officers
pro-rata bonus for year in which termination occurs
36 months of
benefits continuation for CEO; 24 months for other named executive officers
No severance is payable in the event an executive is terminated for cause.
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Perquisites
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Limited perquisites provided to assist executives in carrying out duties and increase productivity
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Includes financial planning assistance and subsidized annual physical examinations
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IV. 2016 COMPENSATION DECISIONS
We entered into employment agreements with each of our named executive officers in May 2012. The employment agreements provide for, among other
things, base salaries and annual performance bonus targets. Under the agreements, base salary levels for our named executive officers are reviewed on an annual basis by the Compensation Committee and
may be increased at the committee's discretion.
At
its February 2016 meeting, the Compensation Committee determined it would be appropriate to continue the freeze of base salaries for our named executive officers that was implemented
in 2015. The Compensation Committee believed this action was appropriate to reflect the company's ongoing efforts to reduce costs and preserve liquidity in light of the steep drop in oil prices in
2015 and through early 2016 and to better position the company for long-term success. As such, our named executive officers did not receive base salary increases in 2016. In addition, no adjustments
were made to the named executive officers' 2016 target bonus opportunities, which the Compensation Committee believes continue to be appropriate and commensurate with the responsibilities of the
respective executives. The following table sets forth the base salaries and annual target bonus opportunities for our named executive officers for 2016.
Annual Base Salaries and
Target Bonus Opportunities
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Name
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2016
Base Salary
($)
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2016 Target
Bonus
Opportunity
(% of salary)
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Brent J. Smolik
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865,000
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100
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%
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Dane E. Whitehead
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466,000
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100
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%
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Clayton A. Carrell
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485,000
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100
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%
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Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman
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387,000
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70
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%
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Joan M. Gallagher
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340,000
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60
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%
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2016 Scorecard.
In February 2016, the Compensation Committee approved our 2016 scorecard for use in determining 2016 cash
incentive awards. The 2016
scorecard consists of six categories of company-wide financial, operational and safety performance goals. These scorecard goals and weightings were set in alignment with our strategic plan objectives
and capital budget for the year and reflect the company's focus on efficient capital deployment. Each category includes individual scorecard metrics with a threshold, target and maximum achievement
level, although no one metric is determinative to the overall scorecard weighting or bonus determination process. This is due to the number of scorecard components and in part due to the Committee's
discretion to reduce or modify cash incentive payouts based on company performance and external factors outside of the specific scorecard goals. In approving the 2016 scorecard, the Compensation
Committee retained discretion to adjust scorecard achievement for extraordinary or unplanned events that deviated from 2016 capital plan assumptions. In addition, while the scorecard plays an
important role in determining eligibility for cash incentive payouts, the Compensation Committee retains discretion to adjust actual cash incentive payouts based on TSR, business conditions and other
company performance factors as it deems appropriate.
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Table of Contents
The
following table summarizes the 2016 scorecard, its key components and weightings, and the level of achievement of each component. In addition, definitions of each of the scorecard
components are included immediately below the scorecard table.
2016 SCORECARD
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Scorecard
Category
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Objectives
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Key Metrics
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Weighting
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Achievement
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Profit
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Focus on near term cash flow generation, results largely driven by oil production growth and maximizing cash flow margin
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Adjusted EBITDAX
($MM) (1)
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25%
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Good
. Above target performance driven by gas and NGL outperformance coupled with lower costs.
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Production & Reserves
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Production drives cash flow and funding of capital program
Continuous focus to replace current production with future reserves
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base oil volumes
(MBbld/d) (2)
oil
volumes (MBbl/d) (3)
equivalent volumes (MBoe/d) (4)
reserve additions (5)
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25%
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Fair/Good
. Base oil volumes below target due to steeper declines in Eagle Ford.
Total oil volumes slightly below target, but above threshold,
improved due to uplift outperformance.
Equivalent volumes above maximum goal due to gas and NGL outperformance.
Reserve additions significantly above maximum goal due to value-added activities in Wolfcamp.
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Costs
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Minimizing operating costs is a primary value driver
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total adjusted cash
costs (6)
total
adjusted cash G&A (7)
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20%
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Excellent
. Adjusted cash costs better (lower) than target driven by additional LOE deflation and efficiency savings, lower production taxes, lower G&A and higher equivalent volumes.
Adjusted cash G&A significantly better (lower) than both target and maximum goal.
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Long-Term Value Creation
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Deliver or exceed on returns targeted in capital plan
Focus on capital discipline and company leverage
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before tax IRR (unloaded)
at $2.00/MMBtu and $40/Bbl (8)
oil and gas capital expenditures ($MM) (9)
free cash flow ($MM) (10)
gross development costs/well (11)
§
Eagle Ford
§
Wolfcamp
§
Altamont
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20%
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Excellent
. Returns above maximum goal driven by lower costs, Altamont recompletion results and Wolfcamp performance.
Well costs better (lower) than
target in all areas driven by operational execution and additional deflation.
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Health & Safety
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Safety is core company value
Designed to enhance accountability for both employees and contractors
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safety goals relating to
combined employee and contractor recordable injuries rate
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10%
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Good.
Safety metrics better than target.
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43
Table of Contents
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Ethics & Compliance
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Designed to enhance accountability for both employees and contractors and ensure high standards of ethical conduct
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certification of compliance
with our Code of Conduct by 100% of employees
no material weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting
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Discretionary overlay
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Pass
þ
Fail
o
100% of employees and contractors reviewed and certified compliance with our Code of Conduct; no material weaknesses found in ICFR for 2016. This category graded on a pass/fail basis only.
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(1)
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Adjusted EBITDAX*
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Earnings before interest and debt expense, income taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization, and exploration expenses. Management will also adjust out impacts from non-cash items such as impairment charges and mark-to-market effects on
financial derivatives.
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(2)
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Base Oil Volumes
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Volume, based on sales of oil, from existing producing wells at the start of the year.
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(3)
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Oil Volumes*
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Volume as reported publicly in financial results based on sales of oil.
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(4)
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Equivalent Volumes*
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Volume as reported publicly in financial results based on sales of oil, gas, and natural gas liquids, with metric reference in equivalent terms.
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(5)
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Reserve Additions*
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Reserve Additions is the year-end proved extensions, discoveries, reserves revisions for price, and performance and other additions and acquisitions as defined by the SEC and reported in our Form 10-K, Supplemental Oil & Natural Gas
Disclosures.
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(6)
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Total Adjusted Cash Costs*
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The sum of the following items, divided by production volume to give $/Bbl:
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transportation
expenses
lease
operating expenses
production taxes
taxes other than production and income taxes
general and administrative expenses (excludes non-cash portion of compensation expense).
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(7)
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Total Adjusted Cash G&A*
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The sum of general and administrative expenses (excludes non-cash portion of compensation expense), capitalized G&A, and G&A related payroll taxes.
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(8)
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Before Tax Internal Rate of Return
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The before-tax economic rate of return of wells completed.
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(9)
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Oil and Gas Capital Expenditures
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Total dollars invested to find, develop, and extract reserves.
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(10)
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Free Cash Flow
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Total cash flow from operations and proceeds from divestitures less capital expenditures and acquisition costs.
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(11)
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Gross Development Cost/Well
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A measure of capital spent to make a well productive. This includes drilling, completion, and facilities capital. This measure is expressed on a per well basis.
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*
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Actual
results are typically adjusted for certain circumstances that deviate from plan assumptions. The typical adjustments include commodity price impacts, unbudgeted
acquisitions and divestitures, material shifts in capital expenditures, and unbudgeted transaction costs.
44
Table of Contents
Range of Individual Bonus Amounts.
In addition to company performance, individual performance plays an important role in
determining annual
incentives. Each named executive officer has individual accountabilities which are evaluated and taken into account in determining his or her specific bonus amounts. Pursuant to the terms of the
executives' employment agreements, the actual percentage of cash incentive bonuses could be at any level between 0% to 200% of target.
2016 Scorecard Results.
In February 2017, the Compensation Committee reviewed the performance of the company relative to the
2016 scorecard. In
reviewing performance relative to the scorecard goals, the Compensation Committee excluded the impacts of certain items that deviate from yearly plan assumptions, including commodity prices, sale of
the company's Haynesville asset and production taxes. The Compensation Committee determined that these items were not related to the ongoing operation of EP Energy in a manner consistent with
the way the performance goals and ranges were set for compensation-related purposes. Based on these adjustments, the Compensation Committee determined that EP Energy achieved a formulaic scorecard
performance level of 141%.
The
Compensation Committee also considered certain qualitative factors critical to the company's success in 2016. Specifically, the Compensation Committee noted the management team's
efforts in connection with the successful divestiture of the company's Haynesville asset and the successful negotiation and execution of the sliding scale royalty agreement and lease extension with
University Lands relating to the company's Wolfcamp acreage. In addition, the company extended its debt maturities, reduced its outstanding debt by approximately $1 billion, and added
significant 2017 and 2018 hedges. The Compensation Committee also considered steps the company took in 2016 to reduce operating and administrative costs and to become a more efficient and
cost-effective organization. The Compensation Committee considered these achievements in its evaluation of bonus pool funding. The Compensation Committee also considered the company's 2016 TSR
relative to our performance peer group, which had a final percentile ranking of 64.98% (second quartile). Based on the 2016 scorecard achievement and after considering the qualitative factors and TSR
results noted above, the Compensation Committee felt it appropriate to approve the scorecard achievement level without a downward discretionary adjustment. Consequently, the Compensation Committee
approved a 2016 scorecard achievement level of 141% for 2016 annual cash incentive awards.
The
Compensation Committee also evaluated each executive officer's individual performance and contributions during 2016 and discussed with our CEO his recommendation as to the
appropriate bonus levels for the executive officers reporting to him. Based on this review, the committee elected to make an upward performance adjustment to the bonus amount for Mr. Carrell to
recognize his efforts to achieve cost reductions and well performance improvements in 2016, as well as his contributions in a number of strategic company initiatives, including the execution of the
Wolfcamp sliding scale royalty agreement and lease extension with University Lands, the sale of the Haynesville asset and promotion of drilling partnerships in Wolfcamp and Altamont.
2016 Annual Incentives.
Based on the policies described above, the Compensation Committee approved the following annual
incentive bonuses for our
named executive officers for 2016 performance. The amount was calculated in accordance with the following formula:
45
Table of Contents
The following table sets forth each named executive officer's annual cash incentive for 2016 performance.
Target vs. Actual
Annual Cash Incentives
for 2016 Performance
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Name
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Target
Cash Incentive Bonus
($)
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Percentage of
Target Bonus Approved
(%)
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Actual
Incentive Bonus (1)
($)
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Brent J. Smolik
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865,000
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139
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%
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1,200,000
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Dane E. Whitehead (2)
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466,000
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Clayton A. Carrell
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485,000
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154
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%
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745,000
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Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman
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270,900
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139
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%
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376,000
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Joan M. Gallagher
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204,000
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139
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%
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283,000
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-
(1)
-
Cash
incentive awards for the named executive officers were paid in March 2017 and are reported in the "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" column of the Summary
Compensation Table.
-
(2)
-
No
cash incentive award for 2016 performance was paid to Mr. Whitehead due to his voluntary termination in early 2017.
We maintain our 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, or
omnibus plan
, pursuant to which various types of
long-term incentives may be granted. Participation in the omnibus plan is limited to those officers and employees who are in a position to contribute meaningfully to our long-term growth and
profitability. The omnibus plan is administered by the Compensation Committee, and the committee is authorized to make all grants of long-term incentive awards, as well as to make decisions and
interpretations required to administer the plan.
Long-term
incentive awards are approved and granted on an annual cycle, typically in the first quarter of each year. Awards made by the Compensation Committee in 2016 were made in an
approximate 50/50 combination of performance units and time-based restricted stock. The committee felt it appropriate to incorporate performance units into the long-term incentive program, along with
restricted stock, to further align the interests of our executive officers with our stockholders and to create an additional pay-for-performance link. Each performance unit has a target value of $100,
and upon vesting, the value will range from $0-200 based on our TSR over the applicable performance period compared with the TSR of our performance peer group. The performance units may be either
stock or cash-settled at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.
In
order to phase in the vesting to a traditional three-year schedule, performance unit awards granted in 2016 incorporated three performance periods (1-year, 2-year and 3-year calendar
periods), with one-third of the units tied to the relative TSR results of each period.
46
Table of Contents
The
following table reflects the payout value of the performance units at the end of the applicable performance period based on our TSR performance during such period as compared with
our peer group:
Performance Units Determination of Value
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Relative TSR Position
Compared to Peer Group
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Value of
Performance Unit
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Below 25th Percentile
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$
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0
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25th Percentile
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$
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50
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50th Percentile
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$
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100
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75th Percentile or Higher
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$
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200
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If
our TSR ranking at the end of the performance period is between the stated percentage levels set forth in the table above, the value of the performance units earned will be
interpolated between the value levels. However, if the absolute TSR for the company is negative (
i.e.
, without comparison to the TSR of the peer group)
during the relevant performance period, the maximum value of each performance until will be limited to a target value of $100.
The
Compensation Committee approved the grant value of each named executive officer's long-term incentive awards and conversion methodology in early 2016, with a grant date of
March 16, 2016. No adjustments were made to the named executive officers' long-term incentive grant value for 2016, which the Compensation Committee believes continue to be appropriate and
commensurate with the responsibilities of the respective executives. The following table highlights each named executive officer's 2016 long-term incentive grant value.
2016 Long-Term Incentive Awards
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Name
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2016 Long-Term Incentive
Grant Value (1)
($)
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Brent J. Smolik
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5,400,000
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Dane E. Whitehead (2)
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2,400,000
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Clayton A. Carrell
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2,400,000
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Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman
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1,450,000
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Joan M. Gallagher
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1,000,000
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-
(1)
Value
converted into an approximate 50/50 combination of performance units and restricted stock. We used the target unit price of $100 to convert 50% of the grant
value into performance units, and we used a 10-day average of the closing sales price of our common stock immediately prior to and including the grant date, March 16, 2016, to convert the other
50% of the grant value into restricted stock. The 10-day average closing share price over this measurement period was $5.12.
(2)
In
connection with his voluntary termination in March 2017, Mr. Whitehead forfeited his 2016 long-term incentive awards in full.
The
number of performance units and restricted shares awarded in March 2016 to each named executive officer is reflected in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table.
47
Table of Contents
Early 2017 Compensation Matters
Performance Unit Settlement 1
st
tranche (January 1, 2016 December 31, 2016 performance period)
Performance unit awards granted in 2016 incorporated three performance periods (January 1, 2016-December 31, 2016;
January 1, 2016-December 31, 2017; and January 1, 2016-December 31, 2018) with one-third of the units tied to the relative TSR results of each period. Based on the relative
TSR results for the performance period January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016, the first tranche of units had a value of $159.92, which units were settled in cash at the election of
the Compensation Committee in February 2017. The following table highlights the first quarter 2017 payout of the performance units:
Performance Unit Settlement 2016 Long-Term Incentive Awards
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Name
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Performance Units
Granted (#)
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First Tranche
Vesting
(1/1/16-12/31/16
perf. period)
(#)
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Cash Settlement
Value ($)
|
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Brent J. Smolik
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27,000
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9,000
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1,439,280
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Dane E. Whitehead (1)
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12,000
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4,000
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Clayton A. Carrell
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12,000
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4,000
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639,680
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Marguerite N. Woung-Chapman
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7,250
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2,417
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386,527
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Joan M. Gallagher
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5,000
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1,667
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266,587
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|
-
(1)
Mr. Whitehead
forfeited the performance unit settlement due to his voluntary termination in early 2017.
The
settlement value of the first tranche of performance units is reported in the "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" of the Summary Compensation Table.
Also in early February 2017, the Compensation Committee approved long-term incentive awards for 2017 for our named executive officers to be
issued from our 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan. In a change from 2016 grants, which were made in an approximate 50/50 mix of performance units and restricted stock, 2017 grants will be made in an
approximate 70/30 mix of restricted stock and performance units, which the Compensation Committee believes to be an appropriate mix for retention and motivational purposes. The restricted stock
will vest ratably over a three-year period. The performance units will have the same performance and settlement terms as those issued in 2016, but in a change from 2016 awards, will incorporate a
three-year performance period (January 1, 2017 December 31, 2019) to measure the company's TSR relative to that of its peers. The performance units will vest in full and be
settled in cash or stock, at the election of the Compensation Committee, upon completion of the three-year performance period.
Long-term
incentive grants for 2017 will be issued near the end of the first quarter and will be reported in next year's Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
in accordance with SEC reporting requirements regarding long-term incentive award issuances.
V.
Other Compensation Matters
We adopted stock ownership guidelines in early 2015 to emphasize our commitment to senior management and independent director stock ownership.
These stock ownership guidelines are designed to
48
Table of Contents
emphasize
stock ownership and to further align the interest of our executive officers and directors with our stockholders. These requirements are as follows:
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Position
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Minimum Aggregate Value
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Chief Executive Officer
|
|
5X base salary
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Other Named Executive Officers
|
|
2X base salary
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Independent Directors
|
|
5X cash retainer (1)
|
-
(1)
Pursuant
to our director compensation program, a director may elect to receive the annual cash retainer in the form of restricted stock in lieu of cash. The election
to receive the retainer in the form of stock does not change the ownership threshold a director is required to meet to be in compliance with the guidelines, which is five times the value of the cash
retainer, or $350,000.
Each
executive officer and independent director is required to meet the ownership threshold within five years of his or her election as an executive officer or director (or from the date
of adoption of this policy, whichever is later). Based on the date of adoption of this policy, each of our current executive officers and independent directors will be required to be in compliance
with the ownership thresholds set forth above by the first quarter of 2020.
We have a clawback policy that applies to our executive officers and other individuals designated by our Board. Under the policy, if it is
determined that a covered employee engaged in fraud, misconduct or a violation of company policy that causes us to restate our reported financial or operating results due to material non-compliance
with financial reporting requirements, the Board will review the incentive compensation paid, granted, vested or accrued to such employee during the three fiscal years prior to the date of such
restatement. To the extent practicable and as permitted by applicable law, the Board will determine, in its discretion, whether to seek to recover or cancel the difference between any incentive
compensation paid during the three years preceding such restatement that was based on having met or exceeded performance targets that would not have been met based upon the restated financial or
operational results and the incentive compensation that would have been paid or granted to the covered employee or the incentive compensation in which the covered employee would have vested had the
actual payment, granting or vesting been calculated based on the restated financial or operational results.
We have a robust anti-hedging policy that prohibits employees and non-employee directors from engaging in any kind of hedging transaction that
seeks to reduce or limit that person's economic risk associated with his or her ownership in EP Energy securities, which includes short-selling or the purchase or sale of puts, calls, options or other
derivative securities based on the company's securities.
In
addition, our executives and non-employee directors are prohibited from holding EP Energy securities in a margin account or otherwise entering into any pledge arrangement that, in
either case, would permit a third party to sell EP Energy securities without the individual's consent or knowledge.
During 2016, the Compensation Committee requested FW Cook to perform a risk assessment of our company's incentive compensation arrangements for
all employees, including our named executive officers. Based on its review, FW Cook concluded the company's compensation
programs do not motivate undue risk and that the compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the company. See "Compensation Policies and
Practices as they Relate to Risk
49
Table of Contents
Management"
on page 64 of this proxy statement for additional detail regarding the compensation risk assessment.
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code imposes an annual deduction limit of $1 million on the amount of compensation paid to
each of the CEO and the three other highest compensated executive officers of the company, not including the CFO. The deduction limit does not apply to performance-based compensation that satisfies
the requirements of Section 162(m). The company is currently eligible for a post-IPO transition rule under which amounts paid under our 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, including annual cash
incentive awards and long-term incentive equity grants, are exempt from the deduction limitations of Section 162(m). The transition rule will expire in connection with our annual meeting of
stockholders in 2018.
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