FORM OF
SHAREHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
WATERBRIDGE INFRASTRUCTURE LLC
WBR HOLDINGS LLC
NDB HOLDINGS LLC
DESERT ENVIRONMENTAL HOLDINGS LLC
AND
DEVON WB HOLDCO L.L.C.
Dated as of [ ], 2025
Exhibit 10.5
FORM OF
SHAREHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
WATERBRIDGE INFRASTRUCTURE LLC
WBR HOLDINGS LLC
NDB HOLDINGS LLC
DESERT ENVIRONMENTAL HOLDINGS LLC
AND
DEVON WB HOLDCO L.L.C.
Dated as of [ ], 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Article I DEFINITIONS |
1 |
|
Section 1.1 |
Certain Defined Terms |
1 |
Section 1.2 |
Construction |
3 |
Article II TRANSFER |
4 |
|
Section 2.1 |
Binding Effect on Transferees |
4 |
Section 2.2 |
Additional Purchases |
4 |
Section 2.3 |
Charter Provisions |
4 |
Section 2.4 |
Legend |
4 |
Article III BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
4 |
|
Section 3.1 |
Board |
4 |
Section 3.2 |
Committees |
7 |
Section 3.3 |
Board Observer |
7 |
Section 3.4 |
Restrictions on Other Agreements |
8 |
Section 3.5 |
Reimbursement of Expenses |
8 |
Section 3.6 |
Indemnity Agreements |
8 |
Article IV MISCELLANEOUS |
8 |
|
Section 4.1 |
Headings |
8 |
Section 4.2 |
Entire Agreement |
8 |
Section 4.3 |
Further Actions; Cooperation |
9 |
Section 4.4 |
Notices |
9 |
Section 4.5 |
Applicable Law |
10 |
Section 4.6 |
Severability |
10 |
Section 4.7 |
Successors and Assigns |
10 |
Section 4.8 |
Amendments |
11 |
Section 4.9 |
Waiver |
11 |
Section 4.10 |
Counterparts |
11 |
Section 4.11 |
Submission To Jurisdiction |
11 |
Section 4.12 |
Injunctive Relief |
11 |
Section 4.13 |
Recapitalizations, Exchanges, Etc. Affecting the Common Shares; New Issuance |
12 |
Section 4.14 |
Termination |
12 |
Section 4.15 |
No Third Party Beneficiaries |
12 |
|
FORM OF SHAREHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT
THIS SHAREHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of [ ], 2025, by and between WBR Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“WBR Holdings”), NDB Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“NDB Holdings”), Desert Environmental Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with WBR Holdings and NDB Holdings, the “Five Point Members”), Devon WB Holdco L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“Devon” and, together with the Five Point Members, the “Initial Shareholders”), and WaterBridge Infrastructure LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”). Unless otherwise indicated, references to articles and sections shall be to articles and sections of this Agreement.
WHEREAS, (a) the Initial Shareholders are holders of Class B Shares (as hereinafter defined) and (b) WBR Holdings is also a holder of Class A Shares (as hereinafter defined); and
WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to provide the rights set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
“Affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b‑2 promulgated under the Exchange Act; provided that no Shareholder shall be deemed an Affiliate of any other Shareholder solely by reason of any investment in the Company or any provision of this Agreement.
“Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Applicable Listing Standards” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.1(g).
“Appointing Party” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.3.
A Person shall be deemed to “Beneficially Own” securities if such Person is deemed to be a “beneficial owner” thereof within the meaning of Rules 13d‑3 and 13d‑5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of this Agreement.
“Board” shall mean the board of directors of the Company.
“Board Observer” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.3.
“Class A Share” shall mean a Class A share representing a limited liability company interest in the Company having the rights and obligations specified in the Operating Agreement.
“Class B Share” shall mean a Class B share representing a limited liability company interest in the Company having the rights and obligations specified in the Operating Agreement.
“Common Shares” shall mean the Company’s Class A Shares and Class B Shares, and any and all securities of any kind whatsoever of the Company that may be issued and outstanding on or after the date
hereof in respect of, in exchange for, or upon conversion of Common Shares pursuant to a merger, consolidation, share split, share dividend, or recapitalization of the Company or otherwise.
“Company” shall have the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Company Director Nominees” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.1(c).
“Company Securities” shall mean (i) any Common Shares and (ii) any other securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Company.
“control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), with respect to the relationship between or among two or more Persons, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the affairs or management of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
“Devon” shall have the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Devon Shareholders” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.1(a)(v).
“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Five Point Members” shall have the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Five Point Shareholders” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.1(a)(i).
“Independent Director” shall mean any director of the Company whom the Board determines, in its sole discretion, qualifies as an “independent director” of the Company; provided that such director otherwise satisfies the applicable independence standards of the principal U.S. stock exchange on which the Class A Shares (or any successor securities) are listed for trading and those imposed by applicable law.
“Initial Shareholders” shall have the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Necessary Action” shall mean, with respect to a specified result, all actions (to the extent such actions are permitted by applicable law and, in the case of any action by the Company that requires a vote or other action on the part of the Board, to the extent such action is consistent with the duties (including fiduciary duties, if any) that the Company’s directors have in such capacity) necessary to cause such result, including (a) voting or providing a written consent or proxy with respect to Class A Shares or Class B Shares or other Company Securities owned of record or Beneficially Owned, (b) causing the adoption of members’ resolutions and amendments to the organizational documents of the Company, (c) causing members of the Board (to the extent such members were designated by the Person obligated to undertake the Necessary Action) to act (subject to any applicable duties (including fiduciary duties, if any)) in a certain manner or causing them to be removed in the event they do not act in such a manner, (d) executing agreements and instruments and (e) making or causing to be made, with governmental, administrative or regulatory authorities, all filings, registrations or similar actions that are required to achieve such result.
“Operating Agreement” shall mean the First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, dated [ ], 2025, as may be amended and/or restated from time to time.
“Person” shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.
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“Shareholders” shall mean (i) the Initial Shareholders and (ii) each other Person that is or becomes a party to or bound by the provisions of this Agreement as a Shareholder in accordance with the terms hereof.
“Voting Power” of the Company shall mean the voting power of the then issued and outstanding Company Securities entitled to vote in the election of directors of the Company.
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(a) For so long as this Agreement is in effect, each of the Shareholders, severally and not jointly, agrees with the Company (and only with the Company), and the Company agrees with each of the Shareholders, severally and not jointly, that it shall take all Necessary Action so as to cause to be elected to the Board, and to cause to continue in office, the following number of directors:
(i) a number of directors equal to a majority of the Board, plus one director, all of which shall be designated by the Five Point Members, for so long as the Five Point Members and their Affiliates, including each other Person that is or becomes a party to or bound by the provisions of this Agreement by or on behalf of the Five Point Members and in accordance with the terms hereof (collectively, the “Five Point Shareholders”), collectively have Beneficial Ownership of at least 40% of the Voting Power of the Company;
(ii) a number of directors equal to three directors, all of which shall be designated by the Five Point Members, for so long as the Five Point Shareholders collectively have Beneficial Ownership of less than 40% but at least 30% of the Voting Power of the Company;
(iii) a number of directors equal to two directors, all of which shall be designated by the Five Point Members, for so long as the Five Point Shareholders collectively have Beneficial Ownership of less than 30% but at least 20% of the Voting Power of the Company;
(iv) one director designated by the Five Point Members, for so long as the Five Point Shareholders collectively have Beneficial Ownership of less than 20% but at least 10% of the Voting Power of the Company; and
(v) one director designated by Devon, for so long as Devon and its Affiliates, including each other Person that is or becomes a party to or bound by the provisions of this Agreement by or on behalf of Devon and in accordance with the terms hereof (collectively, the “Devon Shareholders”), collectively have Beneficial Ownership of at least 10% of the Voting Power of the Company.
The Company agrees with each Shareholder, severally and not jointly, that it will (x) include in the slate of director nominees recommended by the Board each individual designated by such Shareholder in accordance with this Section 3.1(a) and (y) take all Necessary Actions to cause the election of each such designee to the Board, including nominating each such designee to be elected as a director and recommending to the Company’s shareholders that each such designee be elected as a director at any applicable meeting of the Company’s shareholders, in each case subject to applicable law.
(b) For so long as any of the Initial Shareholders is entitled to designate one or more directors pursuant to this Section 3.1, the applicable Initial Shareholder(s) will have the right to remove any director previously designated by such Initial Shareholder(s) to the Board (with or without cause), from time to time and at any time, from the Board, exercisable upon written notice to the Company and the Initial Shareholders, and, upon such notification, the Company and each Initial Shareholder and its Affiliates will take all Necessary Action to cause such removal within seven days of receipt of such notice.
(c) Each of the Initial Shareholders agrees with the Company (and only with the Company), severally and not jointly, that such Initial Shareholder shall (i) vote all Company Securities held by such
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Initial Shareholder (whether at any annual or special meeting, by written consent or otherwise) in such manner as may be necessary to elect and/or maintain in office as a member of the Board the slate of nominees recommended by the Company for election as directors at each applicable annual or special meeting of its stockholders at which directors are to be elected (the “Company Director Nominees”), and (ii) take all other Necessary Action to cause the Board to elect and/or maintain in office as members of the Board the Company Director Nominees.
(d) In the event that a vacancy is created at any time by the death, disability, retirement, resignation or removal of any director who is designated by an Initial Shareholder in accordance with this Section 3.1, the Initial Shareholder responsible for designating such director, to the extent such Initial Shareholder remains entitled to designate such director pursuant to this Section 3.1, shall have the exclusive right to designate a new designee for election to the Board to fill such vacancy, and the Company and each Initial Shareholder and its Affiliates shall take all Necessary Action to cause the vacancy created thereby to be filled as promptly as practicable by such new designee of such Initial Shareholder. In the event that the size of the Board is expanded, the Company and each Initial Shareholder and its Affiliates shall take all Necessary Action to cause the Board to continue to have the number of the Initial Shareholders’ designees that correspond to the requirements of Section 3.1(a).
(e) In the event that at any time the number of directors entitled to be designated by the Initial Shareholders pursuant to Section 3.1(a) decreases, each Initial Shareholder shall take all Necessary Action to cause a sufficient number of directors designated by the applicable Initial Shareholders to resign from the Board and/or not stand for re‑election not later than the end of each such designated director’s then existing term such that the number of designated directors after such resignation(s) equals the number of directors the applicable Initial Shareholders are then entitled to designate pursuant to Section 3.1(a), it being understood that a decrease or increase in the size of the Board shall not change the number of directors that may be designated by the applicable Initial Shareholder other than as set forth in Section 3.1(a)(i). If any vacancy is created by such resignation prior to the end of a resigning director’s then existing term, such position may remain vacant until the next annual meeting of shareholders of the Company or be filled by a majority vote of the Board. Such designated director need not resign from the Board at or prior to the end of such director’s term if the Company’s nominating committee advises such director that it intends to recommend the nomination of such director for election at the next annual meeting coinciding with the end of such director’s term, or otherwise (and for the avoidance of doubt, such director shall no longer be considered a designee of the applicable Initial Shareholder).
(f) For the avoidance of doubt, the rights granted to the Initial Shareholders by the Company to designate directors are additive to, and not intended to limit in any way, the rights of the Initial Shareholders or any of their Affiliates to nominate or elect to remove directors under the Company’s certificate of formation, Operating Agreement or the Act (as defined in the Operating Agreement).
(g) The parties hereto acknowledge that, as of the date hereof, the Company is subject to certain corporate governance and independence standards, including with respect to the composition of the Board and certain committees thereof, under applicable U.S. federal securities law and certain U.S. stock exchange listing requirements applicable to the Company (“Applicable Listing Standards”). At such times as the Company is required by applicable law, or U.S. stock exchange listing standards applicable to the Company, to have a certain number of Independent Directors serving on the Board and/or any committee thereof (subject in each case to any applicable phase‑in periods), the Five Point Members shall nominate such number of individuals that qualify as Independent Directors necessary to satisfy the Applicable Listing Standards prior to the Trigger Event (as defined in the Operating Agreement), after which Independent Directors will be nominated by action of the majority of the Board or applicable Board committee.
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If to the Five Point Members, to:
NDB Holdings LLC
5555 San Felipe Street, Suite 1200
Houston, Texas 77056
Email: Harrison.Bolling@h2obridge.com
Attn: Harrison Bolling
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Latham & Watkins LLP
811 Main Street, Suite 3700
7
Houston, Texas 77002
Email: ryan.maierson@lw.com; thomas.brandt@lw.com
Attn: Ryan J. Maierson; Thomas G. Brandt
If to Devon, to:
Devon Energy Corporation
333 West Sheridan Avenue
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102-5015
Email: jeff.ritenour@dvn.com; joe.pullampally@dvn.com; edward.highberger@dvn.com
Attn: Jeff Ritenour; Joe Pullampally; Edward Highberger
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
1000 Louisiana Street, Suite 6800
Houston, Texas 77002
Email: mingda.zhao@skadden.com; emery.choi@skadden.com; michael.hong@skadden.com
Attn: Mingda Zhao; Emery J. Choi; Michael Hong
If to the Company, to:
WaterBridge Infrastructure LLC
5555 San Felipe Street, Suite 1200
Houston, Texas 77056
Email: Harrison Bolling
Attn: Harrison.Bolling@h2obridge.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Latham & Watkins LLP
811 Main Street, Suite 3700
Houston, Texas 77002
Email: ryan.maierson@lw.com; thomas.brandt@lw.com
Attn: Ryan J. Maierson; Thomas G. Brandt
If to a Shareholder that is not listed above, then to the address set forth in the written agreement of such Shareholder provided for in Section 2.1 hereof.
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[Signature page follows.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly as of the date first above written.
WATERBRIDGE INFRASTRUCTURE LLC
By:___________________________________
Name:
Title:
WBR HOLDINGS LLC
By:___________________________________
Name:
Title:
NDB HOLDINGS LLC
By:___________________________________
Name:
Title:
DESERT ENVIRONMENTAL HOLDINGS LLC
By:___________________________________
Name:
Title:
DEVON WB HOLDCO L.L.C.
By:___________________________________
Name:
Title:
[Signature Page To Shareholders’ Agreement]