American Natural Energy Corporation 2012 Stock Option Plan

EXHIBIT 10.1

AMERICAN NATURAL ENERGY CORPORATION
(the "Company")

2012 STOCK OPTION PLAN

1.            PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

The Company hereby establishes a stock option plan for directors, senior officers, Employees, Management Company Employees and Consultants (as such terms are defined below) of the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively "Eligible Persons"), to be known as the "Stock Option Plan" (the "Plan"). The purpose of the Plan is to give to Eligible Persons, as additional compensation, the opportunity to participate in the success of the Company by granting to such individuals options, exercisable over periods of up to maximum ten (10) years as determined by the board of directors of the Company, to buy shares of the Company at a price not less than the Market Price prevailing on the date the option is granted less the applicable discount, if any, permitted by the policies of the Exchanges and approved by the Board.

2.            DEFINITIONS

In this Plan, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

3.            GRANT OF OPTIONS

3.1          Option Terms

Pursuant to paragraph 7.3 of the Plan, the Board shall have the authority to issue Options and set the terms of Options in accordance with the terms of the Plan and applicable policies of the Exchanges.

The Board may from time to time authorize the issue of Options to Eligible Persons.Subject to the limitations in Section 6.2(a) applicable to U.S. Participants and Section 6.3(c) applicable to Incentive Stock Options, the Option Price for each Option shall be not less than the Discounted Market Price on the Grant Date provided that if an Option is granted within 90 days of the distribution of Shares by the Company pursuant to a prospectus, the Option Price must be the greater of the Discounted Market Price and the per share price paid for Shares acquired under such distribution. The 90 day period begins: (a) on the date a final receipt is issued for the prospectus, or, in the case of an initial public offering of Shares, on the date of listing of the Shares; or (ii) in the case of a prospectus that qualifies the distribution of Shares upon the exercise of special warrants, on the date of issuance of such special warrants.

The Expiry Date for each Option shall be set by the Board at the time of issue of the Option and shall not be more than ten (10) years after the Grant Date, subject to the operation of paragraph 4.5. Options shall not be assignable (or transferable) by the Optionee.

3.2          Previously Granted Options

In the event that on the date this Plan is implemented and effective (the "Effective Date") there are outstanding stock options (the "Pre-Existing Options") that were previously granted by the Company pursuant to any stock option plan in place prior to the Effective Date (a "Pre-Existing Plan"), all such Pre-Existing Options shall, effective as of the Effective Date, be governed by and subject to the terms of the Plan.

3.3          Limits on Shares Issuable on Exercise of Options

At the time of grant of any Option, the aggregate number of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan which may be made subject to Options at any time and from time to time (including those issuable upon the exercise of Pre-Existing Options) together with those Shares reserved for issuance at such time under any other established or proposed share compensation arrangement of the Company shall not exceed 10% of the total number of issued and outstanding Shares, on a non-diluted basis, as constituted on the Grant Date of such Option.

Any Shares subject to an Option which has been granted under the Plan and which has been subsequently cancelled or terminated in accordance with the terms of the Plan, without having been exercised, will again be available for issuance pursuant to the exercise of Options granted under the Plan.

The number of Shares which may be issuable under the Plan and all of the Company's other previously established or proposed share compensation arrangements, within a one-year period:

3.4          Option Agreements

Each Option shall be confirmed by the execution of an Option Agreement. Each Optionee shall have the option to purchase from the Company the Option Shares at the time and in the manner set out in the Plan and in the Option Agreement applicable to that Optionee. In respect of Options granted to Employees, Consultants, Consultant Companies or Management Company Employees, the Company is representing herein and in the applicable Option Agreement that the Optionee is a bona fide Employee, Consultant, Consultant Company or Management Company Employee, as the case may be, of the Company or its subsidiary.

4.            EXERCISE OF OPTION

4.1          When Options May be Exercised

Subject to paragraphs 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 and 6.2, including, without limitation: (i) any restriction (including vesting requirements) on the number or percentage of Option Shares which may be purchased by the Optionee during any particular time period; (ii) any restriction on the exercise of Options pursuant to the requirements of a Black-Out Period or any regulatory authority having jurisdiction; and (iii) termination of the Option in accordance with the terms of the Plan, the unexercised portion of an Option may be exercised by the Optionee in whole or in part at any time after the Grant Date up to the Expiry Time and shall not be exercisable thereafter.

4.2          Manner of Exercise

The Option shall be exercisable by delivering to the Company written notice specifying the number of Option Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised together with payment in full of the Option Price for each such Option Share by way of certified cheque, bank draft, money order or cash. Upon receipt of such notice and payment by the Company, there will be a binding contract for the issue of the Option Shares in respect of which the Option is exercised, upon and subject to the provisions of the Plan. Upon an Optionee exercising an Option and paying the Company the aggregate purchase price for the Option Shares in respect of which the Option has been exercised, the Company shall as soon as practicable issue and deliver a certificate representing the Shares so purchased.

4.3          Vesting of Option Shares

The Board, subject to the policies of the Exchanges, may determine and impose terms upon which each Option shall become Vested in respect of Option Shares. Unless otherwise specified by the Board at the time of granting an Option, and subject to the other limits on Option grants set out in paragraph 3.3 hereof, all Options granted under the Plan shall vest and become exercisable in full upon grant, except Options granted to Consultants performing Investor Relations Activities, which Options must vest in stages over twelve months with no more than one-quarter of the Options vesting in any three month period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that a Pre-Existing Plan imposed vesting requirements on a Pre-Existing Option, such vesting requirements must be satisfied before any such Pre-Existing Options shall become Vested.

4.4          Ceasing to be an Eligible Person and Death

4.5          Extension of Expiry Date During Black-Out Period

If the Expiry Date in respect of any Option occurs during or within five (5) trading days following a BlackOut Period imposed by the Company, the Expiry Date of the Option shall be automatically extended to the date that is ten (10) trading days following the end of such Black-Out Period (the "Extension Period"); provided that if an additional Black-Out Period is subsequently imposed by the Company during the Extension Period, then such Extension Period shall be deemed to commence following the end of such additional Black-Out Period to enable the exercise of such Options within ten (10) trading days following the end of the last imposed Black-Out Period.

4.6          Effect of a Take-Over Bid

If a bona fide offer (an "Offer") for Shares is made to the Optionee or to shareholders of the Company generally or to a class of shareholders which includes the Optionee, which Offer, if accepted in whole or in part, would result in the offeror becoming a control person of the Company, within the meaning of subsection 1(1) of the Securities Act, the Company shall, immediately upon receipt of notice of the Offer, notify each Optionee of full particulars of the Offer, whereupon (subject to the approval of the Exchanges) all Option Shares subject to such Option will become Vested and the Option may be exercised in whole or in part by the Optionee so as to permit the Optionee to tender the Option Shares received upon such exercise, pursuant to the Offer. However, if:

then, subject to the limitations in Section 6.2(d) applicable to U.S. Participants, the Option Shares received upon such exercise, or in the case of sub-paragraph (b) above, the Option Shares that are not taken up and paid for, may be returned by the Optionee to the Company and reinstated as authorized but unissued Shares and with respect to such returned Option Shares, the Option shall be reinstated as if it had not been exercised and the terms upon which such Option Shares were to become Vested pursuant to paragraph 4.3 shall be reinstated. If any Option Shares are returned to the Company under this paragraph 4.6, the Company shall immediately refund the exercise price to the Optionee for such Option Shares.

4.7          Acceleration of Expiry Date

If at any time when an Option granted under the Plan remains unexercised with respect to any Unissued Option Shares, an Offer is made by an offeror, the Board may, upon notifying each Optionee of full particulars of the Offer, declare all Option Shares issuable upon the exercise of Options granted under the Plan, Vested, and declare that the Expiry Date for the exercise of all unexercised Options granted under the Plan is accelerated so that all Options will either be exercised or will expire prior to the date upon which Shares must be tendered pursuant to the Offer, provided that any accelerated vesting of Options granted to Consultants performing Investor Relations Activities shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Exchanges. The Board shall give each Optionee as much notice as possible of the acceleration of the Options under this paragraph, except that not less than 5 business days’ and not more than 35 days’ notice is required.

4.8          Compulsory Acquisition or Going Private Transaction

If and whenever, following a take-over bid or issuer bid, there shall be a compulsory acquisition of the Shares of the Company pursuant to Division 6 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) or any successor or similar legislation, or any amalgamation, merger or arrangement in which securities acquired in a formal take-over bid may be voted under the conditions described in Section 8.2 of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions, then following the date upon which such compulsory acquisition, amalgamation, merger or arrangement is effective, an Optionee shall be entitled to receive, and shall accept, for the same exercise price, in lieu of the number of Shares to which such Optionee was theretofore entitled to purchase upon the exercise of his or her Options, the aggregate amount of cash, shares, other securities or other property which such Optionee would have been entitled to receive as a result of such bid if he or she had tendered such number of Shares to the take-over bid.

4.9          Effect of a Change of Control

If a Change of Control occurs, all Option Shares subject to each outstanding Option will become Vested, whereupon such Option may be exercised in whole or in part by the Optionee, subject to the approval of the Exchanges, if necessary.

4.10        Exclusion From Severance Allowance, Retirement Allowance or Termination Settlement

If the Optionee retires, resigns or is terminated from employment or engagement with the Company or any subsidiary of the Company (including, in the case of a Management Company Employee or Consultant, termination of the company providing such management or consulting services to the Company or its subsidiary), the loss or limitation, if any, pursuant to the Option Agreement with respect to the right to purchase Option Shares which were not Vested at that time or which, if Vested, were cancelled, shall not give rise to any right to damages and shall not be included in the calculation of nor form any part of any severance allowance, retiring allowance or termination settlement of any kind whatsoever in respect of such Optionee.

4.11        Shares Not Acquired

Any Unissued Option Shares not acquired by an Optionee under an Option which has expired may be made the subject of a further Option pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.

5.            ADJUSTMENT OF OPTION PRICE AND NUMBER OF OPTION SHARES

5.1          Share Reorganization

Whenever the Company issues Shares to all or substantially all holders of Shares by way of a stock dividend or other distribution, or subdivides all outstanding Shares into a greater number of Shares, or combines or consolidates all outstanding Shares into a lesser number of Shares (each of such events being herein called a "Share Reorganization") then effective immediately after the record date for such dividend or other distribution or the effective date of such subdivision, combination or consolidation, for each Option:

5.2          Special Distribution

Subject to the prior approval of the Exchanges, whenever the Company issues by way of a dividend or otherwise distributes to all or substantially all holders of Shares;

then to the extent that such dividend or distribution does not constitute a Share Reorganization (any of such non-excluded events being herein called a "Special Distribution"), and effective immediately after the record date at which holders of Shares are determined for purposes of the Special Distribution, for each Option the Option Price will be reduced, and the number of Unissued Option Shares will be correspondingly increased, by such amount, if any, as is determined by the Board in its sole and unfettered discretion to be appropriate in order to properly reflect any diminution in value of the Option Shares as a result of such Special Distribution.

5.3          Corporate Organization

Whenever there is:

(any such event being herein called a "Corporate Reorganization") the Optionee will have an option to purchase (at the times, for the consideration, and subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Plan) and will accept on the exercise of such option, in lieu of the Unissued Option Shares which he would otherwise have been entitled to purchase, the kind and amount of shares or other securities or property that he would have been entitled to receive as a result of the Corporate Reorganization if, on the effective date thereof, he had been the holder of all Unissued Option Shares or if appropriate, as otherwise determined by the Board.

5.4          Determination of Option Price and Number of Unissued Option Shares

If any questions arise at any time with respect to the Option Price or number of Unissued Option Shares deliverable upon exercise of an Option following a Share Reorganization, Special Distribution or Corporate Reorganization, such questions shall be conclusively determined by the Company's auditor, or, if they decline to so act, any other firm of Chartered Accountants in Vancouver, British Columbia, that the Board may designate and who will have access to all appropriate records and such determination will be binding upon the Company and all Optionees.

5.5          Regulatory Approval

Any adjustment to the Option Price or the number of Unissued Option Shares purchasable under the Plan pursuant to the operation of any one of paragraphs 5.1, 5.2 or 5.3 is subject to the approval of the Exchanges and any other governmental authority having jurisdiction.

6.            OPTIONS GRANTED TO U.S. PARTICIPANTS

6.1          Maximum Number of Shares for Incentive Stock Options

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary (including, but not limited to, Section 3.3), the number of Shares available for granting Incentive Stock Options under the Plan may not exceed 10% of the total number of Shares outstanding on a non-diluted basis as of the later of: (i) date this Plan is initially adopted by the Board of Directors or (ii) the date the Plan is approved (or re-approved) by the shareholders of the Company, subject to adjustment in accordance with Article 5.

6.2          Special Requirements for Incentive Stock Options and Nonqualified Stock Options

The stock option agreement relating to any Option granted to a U.S. Participant shall specify whether such Option is an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option. If no such specification is made, the Option will be (a) an Incentive Stock Option if all of the requirements under the Code are satisfied or (b) in all other cases, a Nonqualified Stock Option. In addition to the other provisions of this Plan (and notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary), the following limitations and requirements will apply to any Option granted to a U.S. Participant:

6.3          Special Requirements for Incentive Stock Options

In addition to the other provisions of this Plan (and notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary), the following limitations and requirements will apply to an Incentive Stock Option:

7.            MISCELLANEOUS

7.1          Right to Employment

                Neither this Plan nor any of the provisions hereof shall confer upon any Optionee any right with respect to employment or continued employment with the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or interfere in any way with the right of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company to terminate such employment.

7.2          Necessary Approvals

                The Plan shall be effective only upon the approval of the shareholders of the Company given by way of an ordinary resolution. Any Options granted under this Plan prior to such approval shall only be exercised upon the receipt of such approval. Disinterested Shareholder Approval (as required by the Exchanges) will be obtained for any reduction in the exercise price of any Option granted under this Plan if the Optionee is an Insider of the Company at the time of the proposed amendment. The obligation of the Company to sell and deliver Shares in accordance with the Plan is subject to the approval of the Exchanges and any governmental authority having jurisdiction. If any Shares cannot be issued to any Optionee for any reason, including, without limitation, the failure to obtain such approval, then the obligation of the Company to issue such Shares shall terminate and any Option Price paid by an Optionee to the Company shall be immediately refunded to the Optionee by the Company.

7.3          Administration of the Plan

                The Board shall, without limitation, have full and final authority in their discretion, but subject to the express provisions of the Plan, to interpret the Plan, to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan and to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable in respect of the Plan. Except as set forth in paragraph 5.4, the interpretation and construction of any provision of the Plan by the Board shall be final and conclusive. Administration of the Plan shall be the responsibility of the appropriate officers of the Company and all costs in respect thereof shall be paid by the Company.

7.4          Withholding Taxes

                The Company or any subsidiary of the Company may take such steps as are considered necessary or appropriate for the withholding and/or remittance of any taxes which the Company or any subsidiary of the Company is required by any law or regulation of any governmental authority whatsoever to withhold and/or remit in connection with any Option or Option exercise including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the withholding and/or remitting of all or any portion of any payment or the withholding of the issue of Common Shares to be issued upon the exercise of any Option until such time as the Optionee has paid to the Company or any subsidiary of the Company (in addition to the exercise price payable for the exercise of Options) the amount which the Company or subsidiary of the Company reasonably determines is required to be withheld and/or remitted with respect to such taxes.

7.5          Amendments to the Plan

                The Board may from time to time, subject to applicable law and to the prior approval, if required, of the shareholders, the Exchanges or any other regulatory body having authority over the Company or the Plan, suspend, terminate or discontinue the Plan at any time, or amend or revise the terms of the Plan or of any Option granted under the Plan and the Option Agreement relating thereto, provided that no such amendment, revision, suspension, termination or discontinuance shall in any manner adversely affect any Option previously granted to an Optionee under the Plan without the consent of that Optionee.

7.6          Form of Notice

                A notice given to the Company shall be in writing, signed by the Optionee and delivered to the head business office of the Company.

7.7          No Representation or Warranty

                The Company makes no representation or warranty as to the future market value of any Shares issued in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.

7.8          Compliance with Applicable Law

                If any provision of the Plan or any Option Agreement contravenes any law or any order, policy, by-law or regulation of any regulatory body or Exchange having authority over the Company or the Plan, then such provision shall be deemed to be amended to the extent required to bring such provision into compliance therewith.

7.9          No Assignment

                No Optionee may assign any of his or her rights under the Plan or any option granted thereunder.

7.10        Rights of Optionees

                An Optionee shall have no rights whatsoever as a shareholder of the Company in respect of any of the Unissued Option Shares (including, without limitation, voting rights or any right to receive dividends, warrants or rights under any rights offering).

7.11        Conflict

                In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Plan and an Option Agreement, the provisions of this Plan shall govern.

7.12        Governing Law

                The Plan and each Option Agreement issued pursuant to the Plan shall be governed by the laws of the province of British Columbia.

7.13        Time of Essence

                Time is of the essence of this Plan and of each Option Agreement. No extension of time will be deemed to be or to operate as a waiver of the essentiality of time.

7.14        Entire Agreement

                This Plan and the Option Agreement sets out the entire agreement between the Company and the Optionees relative to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, undertakings and understandings, whether oral or written.

Approved by the Board of Directors on ●, 2012

SCHEDULE "A"

AMERICAN NATURAL ENERGY CORPORATION

STOCK OPTION PLAN - OPTION AGREEMENT

[The following legend is required in respect of Options with an Option Price based on the Discounted Market Price: Without prior written approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and compliance with all applicable securities legislation, the securities represented by this agreement and any securities issued upon exercise thereof may not be sold, transferred, hypothecated or otherwise traded on or through the facilities of the TSX Venture Exchange or otherwise in Canada or to or for the benefit of a Canadian resident until ●, [four months and one day after the date of grant].

     This Option Agreement is entered into between ● (the "Company") and the Optionee named below pursuant to the Company's Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), a copy of which is attached hereto, and confirms that:

all on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the Plan. For greater certainty, Option Shares continue to be exercisable until the termination or cancellation thereof as provided in this Option Agreement and the Plan.

     The Optionee acknowledges that any Option Shares received by him upon exercise of the Option have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Blue Sky laws of any state (collectively, the "Securities Acts"). The Optionee acknowledges and understands that the Company is under no obligation to register, under the Securities Acts, the Option Shares received by him or to assist him in complying with any exemption from such registration if he should at a later date wish to dispose of the Option Shares.

[Following to be included in Option Agreements with "U.S. Persons" - The Optionee acknowledges that the Option Shares shall bear a legend restricting the transferability thereof, such legend to be substantially in the following form:

"The shares represented by this certificate have not been registered or qualified under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended or state securities laws. The shares may not be offered for sale, sold, pledged or otherwise disposed of unless so registered or qualified, unless an exemption exists or unless such disposition is not subject to U.S. federal or state securities laws, and the Company may require that the availability of any exemption or the inapplicability of such securities laws be established by an opinion of counsel, which opinion of counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company."]

     To the extent that the Option is potentially subject to taxation under either Canada or the U.S. or both jurisdictions, the Optionee acknowledges that the Optionee has had adequate opportunity to obtain advice of independent tax counsel with respect to the tax treatment of the Option (including federal, state and provincial, as applicable). Furthermore, non-U.S. Optionees who are granted Options that are not subject to the restrictions applicable to U.S. Participants but who subsequently become subject to U.S. source income are strongly encouraged to seek advice of independent tax counsel to determine the applicability of U.S tax law to such Options.

     By signing this Option Agreement, the Optionee acknowledges that the Optionee has read and understands the Plan and agrees to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.

Acknowledgement – Personal Information

The Optionee hereby acknowledges and consents to:

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Option Agreement as of the ● day of ●, ●.