THIS AMENDMENT IS DATED JANUARY 9, 2006 TO THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT DATED AUGUST 12, 2005, BELOW.

DEBENTURE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

DENBENTURE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of August 12, 2005, by and between Hyperdynamics Corp.., a company organized under the laws of state of Delaware, (the “Company”), and the undersigned Holder (the “Holder”).

WHEREAS, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Subscription Agreement between the Holder and the Company (the “Subscription Agreement”), the Company has agreed to issue and sell to the Holder convertible debentures of the Company (the “Debentures”), which will be convertible into shares of the Company's common stock, $.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company.

WHEREAS, to induce the Holder to execute and deliver the Subscription Agreement, Warrant Agreement, Security Agreement, Irrevocable Transfer Agent Agreement and the Debenture Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the “1933 Act”), and applicable state securities laws, with respect to the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, Warrant Agreement and Debenture Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual covenants contained hereinafter and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Holder hereby agree as follows:

1.   DEFINITIONS.

As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

a. “Closing Date” shall mean the date in the preamble of this Agreement.

b. “Debenture” or "Debentures" mean the convertible debenture issued by the Company to the Holder.

c. “Holder” shall mean Dutchess Private Equities Fund, II, LP

d. "Effective Date" shall mean the date the SEC has declared the Registration Statement effective and the Company has filed all necessary amendments, including the letter to request accelerated effectiveness and the following Prospectus covering the resale of Shares.

e. "Face Amount" means one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) to be invested by The Holder.

f. "Filing Date" shall mean the date the Registration Statement has been filed with the SEC and no stop order of acceptance has been issued by the SEC.

g. “Person” means a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a partnership, an organization, a business, an individual, a governmental or political subdivision thereof or a governmental agency.

h. "Potential Material Event" means any of the following: (i) the possession by the Company of material information not ripe for disclosure in a Registration Statement, which shall be evidenced by determinations in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company that disclosure of such information in the Registration Statement would be detrimental to the business and affairs of the Company, or (ii) any material engagement or activity by the Company which would, in the good faith determination of the Board of Directors of the Company, be adversely affected by disclosure in a Registration Statement at such time, which determination shall be accompanied by a good faith determination by the Board of Directors of the Company that the Registration Statement would be materially misleading absent the inclusion of such information.

i. “Principal Market” means either The American Stock Exchange, Inc., The New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the Nasdaq National Market, The Nasdaq SmallCap Market, the National Association of Securities Dealer’s, Inc. OTC electronic bulletin board, whichever is the principal market on which the Common Stock is listed.

 

j. “Register,” “Registered,” and “Registration” refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") one or more Registration Statements in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule 415 under the 1933 Act or any successor rule providing for offering securities on a continuous basis ("Rule 415"), and effectiveness of such Registration Statement(s).

k. “Registrable Securities” means the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable (i) pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, (ii) any shares of capital stock issued or issuable with respect to the such shares of Common Stock and Warrants, if any, as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise, which have not been (x) included in a Registration Statement that has been declared effective by the SEC, or (y) sold under circumstances meeting all of the applicable conditions of Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in force) under the 1933 Act.

l. “Registration Statement” means a registration statement of the Company filed under the 1933 Act.

All capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meaning ascribed to them as in the Subscription Agreement or Debenture Agreement.

2. REGISTRATION.

a. Mandatory Registration. Within fifteen (15) days of the Company filing its Form 10K for 2005, but in no event later than October 15, 2005 (the "Filing Deadline"), the Company shall prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement or Registration Statements (as is necessary) on Form SB-2 (or, if such form is unavailable for such a registration, on such other form as is available for such a registration), covering the resale of all of the Registrable Securities, which Registration Statement(s) shall state that, in accordance with Rule 416 promulgated under the 1933 Act, such Registration Statement also covers such indeterminate number of additional shares of Common Stock as may become issuable upon stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. The Company shall initially register for resale an amount of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable on the date preceding the filing of the Registration Statement based on the Fixed Conversion Price (as defined in the Debenture Agreement) of the Company’s Common Stock on such date and the amount reasonably calculated that represents the number of shares issuable pursuant to the terms of the Offering, including those Shares underlying the Warrant Agreement. The total amount of Shares shall be both 1) the amount specified in the Warrant Agreement and 2) the Face Amount of the Debenture divided by the Fixed Conversion Price. For example, if the Fixed Conversion Price is one dollar (1.00) per share, the amount of Shares to be registered will be one million five hundred thousand (1,500,000) shares. (1,500,000/1.00). In the event the Company cannot register sufficient shares of Common Stock, due to the remaining number of authorized shares of Common Stock being insufficient, the Company will use its best efforts to register the maximum number of shares it can based on the remaining balance of authorized shares and will use its best efforts to increase the number of its authorized shares as soon as reasonably practicable.

b. The Company shall use its best efforts to have the Registration Statement filed with the SEC by the Filing Deadline. If the Registration Statement covering the Registrable Securities required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof is not filed by the Filing Deadline,, then the Company shall pay the Holder the sum of two percent (2%) of the Face Amount of the Debentures, outstanding as liquidated damages, and not as a penalty, for each thirty (30) calendar day period, pro rata, compounded daily, following the Filing Deadline until the Registration Statement is filed. In addition, for each thirty (30) calendar period the Registration Statement goes without filing, the Conversion Price of the Debentures will decrease by ten percent (10%). For example, in the event that upon the one (1) day after the Filing Deadline, the Registration Statement has not been filed with the SEC, the Conversion Price shall decrease by ten cents (.10) per share. (1.00*10%=.10).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the amounts payable by the Company pursuant to this Section shall not be payable to the extent any delay in the filing of the Registration Statement occurs because of an act of, or a failure to act or to act timely by the Holder. The damages set forth in this Section shall continue until the obligation is fulfilled and shall be paid within three (3) business days after each thirty (30) day period, or portion thereof, until the Registration Statement is filed. Failure of the Company to make payment within said three (3) business days shall be considered a default.  

The Company acknowledges that its failure to have the Registration Statement filed by the Filing Deadline will cause the Holder to suffer damages in an amount that will be difficult to ascertain. Accordingly, the parties agree that it is appropriate to include in this Agreement a provision for liquidated damages. The parties acknowledge and agree that the liquidated damages provision set forth in this section represents the parties’ good faith effort to quantify such damages and, as such, agree that the form and amount of such liquidated damages are reasonable and will not constitute a penalty. The payment of liquidated damages shall not relieve the Company from its obligations to register the Common Stock and deliver the Common Stock pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Subscription Agreement and the Debenture.

c. The Company shall use its best efforts to have the Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC within ninety (90) calendar days after the Filing Date. If the Registration Statement covering the Registrable Securities required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof has not become effective within ninety (90) calendar days following the Filing Date, then the Company shall pay the Holder the sum of two percent (2%) of the Face Amount as liquidated damages and not as a penalty for each thirty (30) calendar day period, pro rata, compounded daily, following the one ninety (90) calendar day period until the Registration Statement is declared effective.

If the Registration Statement covering the Registrable Securities required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof has become effective, but after the effective date the Holder’s right to sell is suspended, then the Company shall pay the Holder the sum of two percent (2%) of the Face Amount plus interest and penalties due to the Holder for the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Subscription Agreement for each thirty (30) calendar day period, pro rata, compounded daily, following the suspension until such suspension ceases.

  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the amounts payable by the Company pursuant to this Section shall not be payable to the extent any delay in the effectiveness of the Registration Statement occurs because of an act of, or a failure to act or to act timely by the Holder. The damages set forth in this Section shall continue until the obligation is fulfilled and shall be paid within three (3) business days after each thirty (30) day period, or portion thereof, until the Registration Statement is declared effective or such suspension is released. Failure of the Company to make payment within said three (3) business days shall be considered a default.  

The Company acknowledges that its failure to have the Registration Statement become effective within said ninety (90) calendar day period or to permit the suspension of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, will cause the Holder to suffer damages in an amount that will be difficult to ascertain. Accordingly, the parties agree that it is appropriate to include in this Agreement a provision for liquidated damages. The parties acknowledge and agree that the liquidated damages provision set forth in this section represents the parties’ good faith effort to quantify such damages and, as such, agree that the form and amount of such liquidated damages are reasonable and will not constitute a penalty. The payment of liquidated damages shall not relieve the Company from its obligations to register the Common Stock and deliver the Common Stock pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Subscription Agreement and the Debenture.

d.  The Company agrees not to include any other securities, in this Registration Statement without Holder prior written consent, unless for the Holder. Furthermore, the Company agrees that it will not file any other Registration Statement, including those on Form S-8, for other securities (other than those for existing option holders, strategic partners or in connection with a merger or acquisition), until three hundred and sixty (360) calendar days after the Effective Date unless it has written approval from the Holder. Failure to obtain written approval from the Holder will cause the Holder to suffer damages that will be difficult to ascertain. Accordingly, the parties agree that it is appropriate to include a provision for liquidated damages and the Company agrees to pay, the Holder the sum of two percent (2%) of the Face Amount as liquidated damages and not as a penalty for each thirty (30) calendar day period, pro rata, compounded daily, until the unauthorized Registration Statement is withdrawn.

3. RELATED OBLIGATIONS.

At such time as the Company is obligated to prepare and file a Registration Statement with the SEC pursuant to Section 2(a), the Company will use its best efforts to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof and, with respect thereto, the Company shall have the following obligations:

 

 

b. The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such Registration Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the 1933 Act, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective during the Registration Period, and, during such period, comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by such Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Holder thereof as set forth in such Registration Statement. In the event the number of shares of Common Stock available under a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement is at any time insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities, the Company shall amend such Registration Statement, or file a new Registration Statement (on the short form available therefor, if applicable), or both, so as to cover all of the Registrable Securities, in each case, as soon as practicable, but in any event within thirty (30) calendar days after the necessity therefor arises (based on the then Purchase Price of the Common Stock and other relevant factors on which the Company reasonably elects to rely), assuming the Company has sufficient authorized shares at that time, and if it does not, within thirty (30) calendar days after such shares are authorized. The Company shall use it best efforts to cause such amendment and/or new Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable following the filing thereof.

Prior to conversion of all the Shares, if at any time the conversion of all the Shares outstanding would result in an insufficient number of authorized shares of Common Stock being available to cover all the conversions, or in the event, that Holder deems that the Shares authorized will become insufficient, then in such event, the Company will move to call and hold a shareholder’s meeting within thirty (30) calendar days of such event for the sole purpose of authorizing additional shares of Common Stock to facilitate the conversions. In such an event the Company shall recommend to all shareholders and management of the Company to vote their shares in favor of increasing the authorized number of shares of Common Stock. The Company represents and warrants that under no circumstances will it deny or prevent Holder’s right to convert the Shares as permitted under the terms of this Subscription Agreement or this Registration Rights Agreement. The Holder retains the right to request additional shares upon the determination the company may not be able to facilitate conversions in the future.

c The Company shall furnish to the Holder whose Registrable Securities are included in any Registration Statement and its legal counsel without charge (i) promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC at least one copy of such Registration Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits, the prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and, with regards to such Registration Statement(s), any correspondence by or on behalf of the Company to the SEC or the staff of the SEC and any correspondence from the SEC or the staff of the SEC to the Company or its representatives, (ii) upon the effectiveness of any Registration Statement, a copy of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto (or such other number of copies as the Holder may reasonably request) and (iii) such other documents, including copies of any preliminary or final prospectus, as the Holder may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities. The Company filing the documents described in this paragraph through EDGAR shall constitute delivery.

 

d. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to (i) register and qualify the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under the applicable securities or "blue sky" laws of such states of the United States as specified by the Holder, (ii) prepare and file in those jurisdictions, such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv) take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(d), (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify Holder who holds Registrable Securities of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the registration or qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.

e. As promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event, the Company shall notify Holder in writing of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (“Registration Default”) and use all diligent efforts to promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such Registration Statement and take any other necessary steps to cure the Registration Default, (which, if such Registration Statement is on Form S-3, may consist of a document to be filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act (as defined below) and to be incorporated by reference in the prospectus) to correct such untrue statement or omission, and deliver ten (10) copies of such supplement or amendment to Holder (or such other number of copies as Holder may reasonably request). Failure to cure the Registration Default within five (5) business days shall result in the Company paying liquidated damages of two percent (2%) of the Face Amount for each thirty (30) calendar day period or portion thereof, beginning on the date of suspension. The Company shall also promptly notify Holder in writing (i) when a prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and when a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment has become effective (notification of such effectiveness shall be delivered to Holder by facsimile on the same day of such effectiveness and by overnight mail), (ii) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or related prospectus or related information, (iii) of the Company's reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate, (iv) in the event the Registration Statement is no longer effective or, (v) the Registration Statement is stale for a period of more than five (5) Trading Days as a result of the Company’s failure to timely file its financials.

The Company acknowledges that its failure to cure the Registration Default within three (3) business days will cause the Holder to suffer damages in an amount that will be difficult to ascertain. Accordingly, the parties agree that it is appropriate to include in this Agreement a provision for liquidated damages. The parties acknowledge and agree that the liquidated damages provision set forth in this section represents the parties’ good faith effort to quantify such damages and, as such, agree that the form and amount of such liquidated damages are reasonable and will not constitute a penalty.

It is the intention of the parties that interest payable under any of the terms of this Agreement shall not exceed the maximum amount permitted under any applicable law. If a law, which applies to this Agreement which sets the maximum interest amount, is finally interpreted so that the interest in connection with this Agreement exceeds the permitted limits, then: (1) any such interest shall be reduced by the amount necessary to reduce the interest to the permitted limit; and (2) any sums already collected (if any) from the Company which exceed the permitted limits will be refunded to the Company. The Holder may choose to make this refund by reducing the amount that the Company owes under this Agreement or by making a direct payment to the Company. If a refund reduces the amount that the Company owes the Holder, the reduction will be treated as a partial payment. In case any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be excessive in scope or otherwise invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be adjusted rather than voided, if possible, so that it is enforceable to the maximum extent possible, and the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. 

f. The Company shall use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or the suspension of the qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction and, if such an order or suspension is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at the earliest possible moment and to notify Holder who holds Registrable Securities being sold of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose.

g. The Company shall permit Holder and a single firm of counsel, designated as selling shareholders' counsel by the Holder who hold a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold, to review and comment upon a Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto at least seven (7) business days prior to their filing with the SEC, and not file any document in a form to which such counsel reasonably objects. The Company shall not submit to the SEC a request for acceleration of the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or file with the SEC a Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto without the prior approval of such counsel, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

h. At the request of any Holder, the Company shall cause to be furnished to Holder, on the date of the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, an opinion, dated as of such date, of counsel representing the Company for purposes of such Registration Statement, in the form of Exhibit D attached to the Subscription Agreement.

i. The Company shall make available for inspection by (i) Holder and (ii) one firm of attorneys and one firm of accountants or other agents retained by the Holder (collectively, the "Inspectors") all pertinent financial and other records, and pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the “Records”), as shall be reasonably deemed necessary by each Inspector, and cause the Company's officers, directors and employees to supply all information which any Inspector may reasonably request; provided, however, that each Inspector shall hold in strict confidence and shall not make any disclosure (except to a Holder) or use of any Record or other information which the Company determines in good faith to be confidential, and of which determination the Inspectors are so notified, unless (a) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement or is otherwise required under the 1933 Act, (b) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a final, non-appealable subpoena or order from a court or government body of competent jurisdiction, or (c) the information in such Records has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this or any other agreement of which the Inspector has knowledge. Holder agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt notice to the Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, the Records deemed confidential.

j. The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure of information concerning a Holder provided to the Company unless (i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, (iii) the release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final, non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction, or (iv) such information has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement or any other agreement. The Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such information concerning a Holder is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt written notice to Holder and allow Holder, at the Holder's expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, such information.

k. The Company shall use its best efforts to secure designation and quotation of all the Registrable Securities covered by any Registration Statement on the Principal Market. If, despite the Company's best efforts, the Company is unsuccessful in satisfying the preceding sentence, it shall use its best efforts to cause all the Registrable Securities covered by any Registration Statement to be listed on each other national securities exchange and automated quotation system, if any, on which securities of the same class or series issued by the Company are then listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange or system. If, despite the Company's best efforts, the Company is unsuccessful in satisfying the two preceding sentences, it will use its best efforts to secure the inclusion for quotation with Pink Sheets, LLC. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligation under this Section 3(k).

l. The Company shall cooperate with the Holder to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive legend) representing the Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant to a Registration Statement and enable such certificates to be in such denominations or amounts, as the case may be, as the Holder may reasonably request and registered in such names of the Persons who shall acquire such Registrable Securities from the Holder, as the Holder may request.

m. The Company shall provide a transfer agent for all the Registrable Securities not later than the Closing Date of the first Registration Statement filed pursuant hereto.

n. If requested by the Holder holding a majority of the Registrable Securities, the Company shall (i) as soon as reasonably practical incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as Holder reasonably determines should be included therein relating to the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, information with respect to the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering; (ii) make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as notified of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment; and (iii) supplement or make amendments to any Registration Statement if reasonably requested by Holder.

o. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.

p. Intentionally omitted.

q. The Company shall otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC in connection with any registration hereunder.

r. Within one (1) business day after the Registration Statement which includes Registrable Securities is declared effective by the SEC, the Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to deliver, to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities, with copies to the Holder, confirmation that such Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. Failure to do so will result in the Face Amount on the Debentures to be increased by two percent (2%) per day, as liquidated damages.

s. Subsequent to the SEC declared the Registration Statement cleared of all comments and the Company's acceptance of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Company shall file a prospectus covering the resale of the Shares ("Prospectus") within two (2) trading days. In the event the Company does not file the Prospectus within two (2) trading days of the Effective Date, then the Company shall pay the Holder the sum of five percent (5%) of the Face Amount due to the Holder for each two (2) trading day period, pro rata, compounded daily, following the two (2) trading day period until the Prospectus is filed

t. The Company shall take all other reasonable actions necessary to expedite and facilitate disposition by the Holder of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement.

4. OBLIGATIONS OF THE HOLDER.

a. At least five (5) calendar days prior to the first anticipated filing date of a Registration Statement the Company shall notify Holder in writing of the information the Company requires from Holder. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to complete the registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Registrable Securities of the Holder that Holder shall furnish in writing to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it as shall reasonably be required to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Company may reasonably request. The Holder covenants and agrees that, in connection with any resale of Registrable Securities by it pursuant to a Registration Statement, it shall comply with the "Plan of Distribution" section of the current prospectus relating to such Registration Statement.

b. The Holder, by Holder's acceptance of the Registrable Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of any Registration Statement hereunder.

c. Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(f) or the first sentence of 3(e), Holder will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement(s) covering such Registrable Securities until Holder's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 3(f) or the first sentence of 3(e).

5. EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION.

All reasonable expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, incurred in connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and qualifications fees, printing and accounting fees, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company shall be paid by the Company.

6. INDEMNIFICATION.

In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a Registration Statement under this Agreement:

a.  To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will, and hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend Holder who holds such Registrable Securities, the directors, officers, partners, employees, agents, representatives of, and each Person, if any, who controls Holder within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), (each, an “Indemnified Person”), against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs, attorneys' fees, amounts paid in settlement or expenses, joint or several (collectively, “Claims”), incurred in investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim, suit, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by or before any court or governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency, body or the SEC, whether pending or threatened, whether or not an indemnified party is or may be a party thereto ("Indemnified Damages"), to which any of them may become subject insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing made in connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities or other "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in which Registrable Securities are offered ("Blue Sky Filing"), or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the final prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Company files any amendment thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading, or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any other law, including, without limitation, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder relating to the offer or sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii) being, collectively, "Violations"). Subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 6(c) with respect to the number of legal counsel, the Company shall reimburse the Holder and each such controlling person, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any reasonable legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (i) shall not apply to a Claim arising out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by any Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto, if such prospectus were timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(c); (ii) shall not be available to the extent such Claim is based on (a) a failure of the Holder to deliver or to cause to be delivered the prospectus made available by the Company or (b) the Indemnified Person's use of an incorrect prospectus despite being promptly advised in advance by the Company in writing not to use such incorrect prospectus; and (iii) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person and shall survive the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Holder pursuant to the Registration Statement.

b.  In connection with any Registration Statement in which Holder is participating, Holder agrees to severally and not jointly indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner as is set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement, each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act (collectively and together with an Indemnified Person, an "Indemnified Party"), against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any of them may become subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by Holder expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement; and, subject to Section 6(c), Holder will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b) and the agreement with respect to contribution contained in Section 7 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of Holder, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, further, however, that the Holder shall be liable under this Section 6(b) for only that amount of a Claim or Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to Holder as a result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Holder pursuant to the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(b) with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Party if the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus were corrected on a timely basis in the prospectus, as then amended or supplemented.

c.  Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim, such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or the Indemnified Party, as the case may be; provided, however, that an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the indemnifying party, the representation by such counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. The indemnifying party shall pay for only one separate legal counsel for the Indemnified Persons or the Indemnified Parties, as applicable, and such counsel shall be selected by Holder holding a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement to which the Claim relates, if the Holder is entitled to indemnification hereunder, or the Company, if the Company is entitled to indemnification hereunder, as applicable. The Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person shall cooperate fully with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person which relates to such action or claim. The indemnifying party shall keep the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person fully appraised at all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without its written consent, provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person of a release from all liability in respect to such Claim. Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be surrogated to all rights of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made. The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.

d.  The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages are incurred.

e.  The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to (i) any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.

7. CONTRIBUTION.

To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that: (i) no contribution shall be made under circumstances where the maker would not have been liable for indemnification under the fault standards set forth in Section 6; (ii) no seller of Registrable Securities guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any seller of Registrable Securities who was not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation; and (iii) contribution by any seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the net amount of proceeds received by such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities.

 

8. 8. REPORTS UNDER THE EXHANGE ACT.

 

 

With a view to making available to the Investors the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act or any similar rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit the Investors to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration ("Rule 144") the Company agrees to:

 

 

(a) make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144;

 

 

(b) file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act so long as the Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood that nothing herein shall limit the Company's obligations under Section 4(c) of the Securities Purchase Agreement) and the filing of such reports and other documents as are required by the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and

 

(c) furnish to each Investor so long as such Investor owns Registrable Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit the Investors to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration.

9. NO ASSIGNMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

The rights under this Agreement shall not be assignable.

10. AMENDMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance thereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company and Holder of the Registrable Securities. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 10 shall be binding upon Holder and the Company. No such amendment shall be effective to the extent that it applies to less than all of the Holders of the Registrable Securities. No consideration shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or consent to a waiver or modification of any provision of any of this Agreement unless the same consideration also is offered to all of the parties to this Agreement.

11. MISCELLANEOUS.

a. A Person is deemed to be a Holder of Registrable Securities whenever such Person owns of record such Registrable Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or elections from two or more Persons with respect to the same Registrable Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions, notice or election received from the registered owner of such Registrable Securities.

b. Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered (i) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile (provided a confirmation of transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the sending party); or (iii) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses and facsimile numbers for such communications shall be:

If to the Company:

Kent Watts

Hyperdynamics Corp.

9700 Bissonnet, Suite 1700

Houston, Texas 77036

Telephone: (713) 353-9400

Facsimile: (713) 353-9421

If to the Holder:

At the address listed in the Questionnaire.

Each party shall provide five (5) business days prior notice to the other party of any change in address, phone number or facsimile number.

c.  Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof.

d.  All disputes arising under this agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to principles of conflict of laws. The parties to this agreement will submit all disputes arising under this agreement to arbitration in Boston, Massachusetts before a single arbitrator of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). The arbitrator shall be selected by application of the rules of the AAA, or by mutual agreement of the parties, except that such arbitrator shall be an attorney admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. No party to this agreement will challenge the jurisdiction or venue provisions as provided in this section.

e.  This Agreement and the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Subscription Agreement) constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein and therein.

f. This Agreement and the Transaction Documents supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

g. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

h.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one instrument. Execution and delivery of this Agreement by exchange of facsimile copies bearing the facsimile signature of a party shall constitute a valid and binding execution and delivery of this Agreement by such party. Such facsimile copies shall constitute enforceable original documents.

i. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

j. All consents and other determinations to be made by the Holder pursuant to this Agreement shall be made, unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, by Holder holding a majority of the Registrable Securities.

k. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party.

12. Waiver

The Holder's delay or failure at any time or times hereafter to require strict performance by Company of any undertakings, agreements or covenants shall not waiver, affect, or diminish any right of the Holder under this Agreement to demand strict compliance and performance herewith. Any waiver by the Holder of any Event of Default shall not waive or affect any other Event of Default, whether such Event of Default is prior or subsequent thereto and whether of the same or a different type. None of the undertakings, agreements and covenants of the Company contained in this Agreement, and no Event of Default, shall be deemed to have been waived by the Holder, nor may this Agreement be amended, changed or modified, unless such waiver, amendment, change or modification is evidenced by an instrument in writing specifying such waiver, amendment, change or modification and signed by the Holder.

13. Payment of Penalties

Any accrued penalties incurred herein by the Company for failure to act in a timely manner, as described in this Agreement, shall be charged to the Face Amount of the Debenture (as defined in the Debenture), unless specifically noted otherwise.

14. Waiver of Jury Trial.

AS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR EACH PARTY HERETO TO ENTER INTO THIS WARRANT, THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING RELATED IN ANY WAY TO THIS WARRANT AND/OR ANY AND ALL OF THE OTHER DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS TRANSACTION.

* * *

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written. Duly authorized to sign on behalf of:

HYPERDYNAMICS CORP.

By: /s/Kent Watts

Name: Kent Watts

Title: Chief Executive Officer

DUTCHESS PRIVATE EQUITIES FUND, II, L.P.

BY ITS GENERAL PARTNER DUTCHESS

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC 

By: /s/Douglas H. Leighton

                                                Name: Douglas H. Leighton

Title: A Managing Member

 

 

EXHIBIT A

FORM OF NOTICE OF EFFECTIVENESS

OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Date: __________

[TRANSFER AGENT]

Re: Hyperdynamics Corp.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are counsel to Hyperdynamics Corp., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and have represented the Company in connection with that certain Subscription Agreement (the "Subscription Agreement") entered into by and among the Company and _________________________ (the "Holder") pursuant to which the Company has agreed to issue to the Holder shares of the Company's common stock, $.001 par value per share (the "Common Stock") on the terms and conditions set forth in the Subscription Agreement. Pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, the Company also has entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Holder (the "Registration Rights Agreement") pursuant to which the Company agreed, among other things, to register the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), including the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable under the Subscription Agreement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). In connection with the Company's obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, on ____________ ___, 2005, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S- ___ (File No. 333-________) (the "Registration Statement") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") relating to the Registrable Securities which names the Holder as a selling shareholder thereunder.

In connection with the foregoing, we advise you that [a member of the SEC's staff has advised us by telephone that the SEC has entered an order declaring the Registration Statement effective] [the Registration Statement has become effective] under the 1933 Act at [enter the time of effectiveness] on [enter the date of effectiveness] and to the best of our knowledge, after telephonic inquiry of a member of the SEC’s staff, no stop order suspending its effectiveness has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose are pending before, or threatened by, the SEC and the Registrable Securities are available for resale under the 1933 Act pursuant to the Registration Statement.

Very truly yours,

[Company Counsel]

By: ____________________

cc:

[Holder]