SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS,INC. 2015 long term INCENTIVEPLAN (Effective September16, 2015)

EX-10.1 2 exh_101.htm EXHIBIT 10.1

Exhibit 10.1

SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.

2015 long term INCENTIVE PLAN

(Effective September 16, 2015)

table of contents

SECTION 1 ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSE AND TERM OF PLAN		1
1.1	Establishment	1
1.2	Purpose	1
1.3	Term of Plan	1
SECTION 2 DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION		1
2.1	Definitions	1
2.2	Construction	7
SECTION 3 ADMINISTRATION		7
3.1	Administration by the Committee	7
3.2	Authority of Officers	8
3.3	Powers of the Committee	8
3.4	Administration with Respect to Insiders	9
3.5	Indemnification	10
SECTION 4 SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN		10
4.1	Maximum Number of Shares Issuable	10
4.2	Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure	12
SECTION 5 ELIGIBILITY AND AWARD LIMITATIONS		12
5.1	Persons Eligible for Awards	12
5.2	Award Agreements	12
5.3	Award Grant Restrictions	13
5.4	Fair Market Value Limitations for Incentive Stock Options	13
5.5	Repurchase Rights, Right of First Refusal and Other Restrictions on Stock	14
SECTION 6 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS		14
6.1	Exercise Price	14
6.2	Exercisability, Vesting and Term of Options	14
6.3	Payment of Exercise Price	15
SECTION 7 RESTRICTED STOCK		16
7.1	Award of Restricted Stock	16
7.2	Restrictions	17
7.3	Delivery of Shares of Common Stock	18
SECTION 8 OTHER STOCK-BASED, PERFORMANCE AWARDS AND DIVIDENDS, OR DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS		18
8.1	Grant of Other Stock-Based and Performance Awards	18
8.2	Other Stock-Based Award and Performance Awards Terms	18
8.3	Dividends or Dividend Equivalents.	21
8.4	Elections and Limitations for Director Awards.	21
SECTION 9 EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE		22
9.1	Option Exercisability and Award Vesting	22
9.2	Extension of Option if Exercise Prevented by Law	23

9.3	Extension if Participant Subject to Section 16(b)	23
SECTION 10 WITHHOLDING TAXES		24
10.1	Tax Withholding	24
10.2	Share Withholding	24
10.3	Incentive Stock Options	24
SECTION 11 PROVISION OF INFORMATION		24
SECTION 12 COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAW, OTHER APPLICABLE LAWS AND COMPANY POLICIES		25
SECTION 13 NONTRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS AND STOCK		26
SECTION 14 NONCOMPETITIVE ACTIONS		26
SECTION 15 TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF PLAN		26
SECTION 16 STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL		27
SECTION 17 NO GUARANTEE OF TAX CONSEQUENCES		27
SECTION 18 SEVERABILITY		27
SECTION 19 GOVERNING LAW		28
SECTION 20 SUCCESSORS		28
SECTION 21 RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER		28
SECTION 22 NO SPECIAL EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE RIGHTS		28
SECTION 23 REORGANIZATION OF COMPANY		28
SECTION 24 CODE SECTION 409A		29
SECTION 25 ADJUSTMENTS UPON A CHANGE IN CONTROL		30

SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
2015 long term INCENTIVE PLAN

SECTION 1

ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSE AND TERM OF PLAN

1.1

Establishment

The Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is hereby established and adopted by the Board effective as of September 16, 2015 (the “Effective Date”).

1.2

Purpose

The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of the Company and its stockholders by providing an incentive to attract, retain and reward persons performing services for the Company and by motivating such persons to contribute to the growth and profitability of the Company.

1.3

Term of Plan

The Plan shall continue in effect until the earlier of its termination by the Board or the date on which all of the shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan have been issued and all restrictions on such shares of Stock under the terms of the Plan and the agreements evidencing Awards granted under the Plan have lapsed. However, all Awards shall be granted on or before the date which is ten (10) years from Effective Date. If the Plan is approved by the Company’s Stockholders on or within twelve (12) months of the Effective Date, no future awards will be granted under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended (“2005 Plan”), but all outstanding awards under the 2005 Plan shall continue under the 2005 Plan until they expire according to their terms.

SECTION 2

DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

2.1

Definitions

Whenever used herein, the following terms shall have their respective meanings set forth below:

(a) “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another Person. The term “control” includes, without limitation, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. With respect to any Award that is deferred compensation subject to Code Section 409A, for the purposes of applying Code Section 409A to such Award the term Affiliate shall mean all Persons with whom the Participant’s employer would be considered a single employer under Code Section 414(b) or 414(c) as defined and modified in Code Section 409 as determined by the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to Nonstatutory Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, if necessary for such Awards to be exempt from Code Section 409A, as determined by the Committee, for purposes of grants of such Awards, Affiliate shall only include an entity if the Stock would constitute “service recipient stock” within the meaning of Code Section 409A.

(b) “Award” means a grant of an Option, Restricted Stock, Other Stock-Based Award, including without limitation, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Awards, Dividends, Dividend Equivalents or Director Awards to a Participant under this Plan.

(c) “Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant setting forth the terms, conditions and restrictions of the Award granted to the Participant and any shares of Stock acquired upon the exercise thereof. The Award Agreement consists of the Award Agreement and the Notice of Grant of an Award incorporated therein by reference, or such other form or forms as the Committee may approve from time to time.

(d) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(e) “Cashless Exercise” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3(a) hereto.

(f) A “Change in Control” means any of the following events occurring with respect to the Company:

(i) any “person” (as defined in section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, and as such term is modified in sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, provided however, that excluded are the following: (1) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (2) a trustee or any fiduciary holding securities under any Compensation Plan (as defined below), (3) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, (4) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company (for the purposes of this paragraph, “Compensation Plan” shall mean any compensation arrangement, plan, policy, practice or program established, maintained or sponsored by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, for its employees generally or any specific group of employees, or to which the Company or any subsidiary of the Company contributes, and which includes, by way of example and not limitation, any incentive plan, bonus plan, 401(k) plan, pension plan, savings plan, equity or cash incentive plan, phantom stock plan, stock appreciation right plan, stock option plan, restricted stock award plan, retirement plan, deferred compensation plan, or supplemental benefit arrangement);

(ii) during any period of not more than two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause (i), (iii) or (iv) of this definition whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof;

(iii) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation or entity, other than (A) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity), in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holder of securities under a Compensation Plan, at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company (or such surviving entity) outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (B) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no person acquires more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities;

(iv) the consummation of a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; or

(v) an ownership change of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Stock..

(g) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any applicable notices, rulings and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(h) “Committee” means the Board or, if so appointed by the Board, the compensation committee of the Board or any other committee duly appointed by the Board to administer the Plan, which such committee may be one or more persons; provided however, that during any period the Company is a “Publicly Held Corporation” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) or applicable securities laws the Committee shall consist of not less than two directors of the Board who fulfill the “outside director” requirements of Code Section 162(m) and who are non-employee directors under the Rule 16b-3.

(i) “Company” means Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor corporation thereto.

(j) “Consultant” means an individual who is a natural person engaged to provide consulting or advisory services (other than as an Employee or a Director) to the Company or its Affiliates, provided that the identity of such individual, the nature of such services or the entity to which such services are provided are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital raising transaction, and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities or would not preclude the Company from offering or selling securities to such individual pursuant to the Plan in reliance on either the exemption from registration provided under the Securities Act or, if the Company is required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, registration on a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act.

(k) “Director” means a member of the Board who is not, at the time of grant of an Award, an Employee of the Company or any Company Affiliate, parent of the Company or a Subsidiary (within the meaning of 16b-3 under the Exchange Act) and who is certified by the Board as an independent director; provided, however, that a person who is a control person or director of an entity that is the beneficial owner of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of outstanding shares of the Company shall not be deemed to be a “non-employee” director.

(l) “Disability” is as such term is defined in the Participant’s Award Agreement.

(m) “Dividends and Dividend Equivalents” means an Award as specified in Section 8.3.

(n) “Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1 hereto.

(o) “Employee” means any individual treated as an employee (including a Director who is also treated as an employee) of the Company on the records of the Company or of any of the Company’s Affiliates on the records of such Affiliate and, with respect to any Incentive Stock Option granted to such individual, who is an employee of the Company or a parent or a Subsidiary of the Company for purposes of Sections 422, 424 and 3401(c) of the Code; provided, however, that neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee shall be sufficient to constitute employment for purposes of the Plan. The Company shall determine in good faith and in the exercise of its discretion whether an individual has become or has ceased to be an Employee and the effective date of such individual’s employment or termination of employment, as the case may be. For purposes of an individual’s rights, if any, under the Plan as of the time of the Company’s determination, all such determinations by the Company shall be final, binding and conclusive, notwithstanding that the Company, the Board, the Committee or any court of law or governmental agency subsequently makes a contrary determination.

(p) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(q) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of a share of Stock or other property as determined by the Committee, in its discretion, or by the Company, in its discretion, if such determination is expressly allocated to the Company herein, subject to the following:

(i) If, on such date, the Stock is listed or traded on a national or regional securities exchange or market system, constituting the primary market for the Stock, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the average of the highest and lowest sales price of a share of Stock (or the mean of the closing bid and asked prices of a share of Stock if the Stock is so quoted instead) on the determination date (or, if no sales occur on such date, on the last preceding date on which such sales of Stock are so reported) as quoted on such exchange or market system and as reported in The Wall Street Journal, pink sheets or such other source as the Committee deems reliable.

(ii) If, on such date, the Stock is not listed or traded on a national or regional securities exchange or market system, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be as determined by the Committee in its discretion using a reasonable method exercised in good faith without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its terms, will never lapse, and if it is determined by the Committee to be applicable, in any other manner permitted in accordance with Code Section 409A and the notices, rulings and regulations thereunder, or 422(b) and the notices, rulings and regulations thereunder, if applicable.

(r) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to be (as set forth in the Award Agreement) and which qualifies as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code.

(s) “Insider” means an Officer, a Director or other person whose transactions in Stock are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

(t) “New Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 hereto.

(u) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option not intended to be (as set forth in the Award Agreement) or which does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

(v) “Notice of Grant of an Award” means the Notice of Grant of an Award executed by the Company and the Participant on the date of the grant of the Award.

(w) “Officer” means any person designated by the Board as an officer of the Company.

(x) “Option” means a right to purchase Stock pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan. An Option may be either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

(y) “Option Expiration Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(a) hereto.

(z) “Other Stock-Based Awards” means Awards described in Section 8 and shall include, without limitation, Stock Appreciation Rights.

(aa) “Participant” means a person who has been granted one or more Awards hereunder.

(bb) “Performance Awards” means Awards described in Section 8.

(cc) “Permitted Transferee” has the meaning provided such term in Section 13.

(dd) “Person” means any individual or other natural person, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, group, trust or other legal entity.

(ee) “Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1 hereto.

(ff) “Publicly Held Corporation” has the meaning of such term in Section 4.2.

(gg) “Restricted Stock” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 7 hereof.

(hh) “Restriction Period” means the period of time determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement during which the transfer of Restricted Stock by the Participant is restricted.

(ii) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time, or any successor rule or regulation.

(jj) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(kk) “Section 409A Plan” has the meaning described in Section 24.

(ll) “Service” means a Participant’s employment or Service with the Company or any of its Affiliates, whether in the capacity of an Employee, a Director or a Consultant. A Participant’s Service shall not be deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which the Participant renders Service to the Company or Affiliate (or in the case of an Incentive Stock Option the parent or Subsidiary of the Company) or a change in the Company or Affiliate (or in the case of an Incentive Stock Option the parent or Subsidiary of the Company) for which the Participant renders such Service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s Service. Furthermore, a Participant’s Service with the Company or an Affiliate (or in the case of an Incentive Stock Option the parent or Subsidiary of the Company) shall not be deemed to have terminated if the Participant takes any military leave, temporary illness leave, authorized vacation or other bona fide leave of absence; provided, however, that if any such leave exceeds three (3) months, the Participant’s Service shall be deemed to have terminated unless the Participant’s right to return to Service with the Company is provided by either statute or contract. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise designated by the Company or provided by statute or contract, a leave of absence shall not be treated as Service. The Participant’s Service shall be deemed to have terminated either upon an actual termination of Service or upon the company for which the Participant performs Service ceasing to be the Company or an Affiliate (or in the case of an Incentive Stock Option the parent or Subsidiary of the Company). Subject to the foregoing, the Company, in its discretion, shall determine whether the Participant’s Service has terminated and the effective date of such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Award that is subject to 409A, separation from Service shall be determined by the Committee under the applicable rules of Code Section 409A.

(mm) “Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share, as adjusted from time to time in accordance with Section 4.2 hereto.

(nn) “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a stock-based right granted under Section 8.1.

(oo) “Subsidiary” means any corporation (whether now or hereafter existing) which constitutes a “subsidiary” of the Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

(pp) “Substitute Awards” has the meaning in Section 4.1.

(qq) “Ten Percent Owner Participant” means a Participant who, at the time an Option is granted to the Participant, owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or parent or Subsidiary within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code.

(rr) “Term” has the meaning described in Section 15.

2.2

Construction

Captions and titles contained herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of the Plan. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular. Words of the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter, and vice versa. Use of the term “or” is not intended to be exclusive, unless the context clearly requires otherwise. Section headings as used herein are inserted solely for convenience and reference and do not constitute any part of the interpretation or construction of the Plan.

SECTION 3

ADMINISTRATION

3.1

Administration by the Committee

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. All questions of interpretation of the Plan, construction of its terms, or of any Award shall be determined by the Committee, and such determinations shall be final and binding upon all persons having an interest in the Plan or such Award.

3.2

Authority of Officers

Any Officer shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Company with respect to any matter, right, obligation, determination or election which is the responsibility of or which is allocated to the Company herein, provided the Officer has apparent authority with respect to such matter, right, obligation, determination or election.

3.3

Powers of the Committee

In addition to any other powers set forth in the Plan and subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the full and final power and authority, in its discretion:

(a) to determine the persons to whom, and the time or times at which, Awards shall be granted and the number of shares of Stock to be subject to each Award;

(b) to designate Awards as Restricted Stock or Options or Other Stock-Based Awards or Performance Awards or Dividends or Dividend Equivalents, and to designate Options as Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options;

(d) to determine the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to each Award (which need not be identical) and any shares of Stock acquired upon the exercise and/or vesting thereof, including, without limitation, (i) the exercise price of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, (ii) the method of payment for shares of Stock purchased upon the exercise and/or vesting of an Award, (iii) the method for satisfaction of any tax withholding obligation arising in connection with the Award or such shares of Stock, including by the withholding or delivery of shares of Stock, (iv) the timing, terms and conditions, including but not limited to performance goals, of the exercisability of the Award or the vesting of any shares of Stock, (v) the time of the expiration of the Award, (vi) the effect of the Participant’s termination of Service with the Company on any of the foregoing, (vii) the provision for electronic delivery of Awards and/or book entry, and (viii) all other terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to the Award or such shares of Stock not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan;

(e) to approve one or more forms of the Award Agreement;

(f) to amend, modify, extend, cancel, or renew any Award, or to waive any restrictions or conditions applicable to any Award or any shares acquired upon the exercise thereof; provided, however, that no such amendment, modification, extension or cancellation shall materially adversely affect a Participant’s Award without a Participant’s consent;

(g) to accelerate, continue, extend or defer the exercisability and/or vesting of any Award, including with respect to the period following a Participant’s termination of Service with the Company;

(h) to prescribe, amend or rescind rules, guidelines and policies relating to the Plan, or to adopt supplements to, or alternative versions of, the Plan, including, without limitation, as the Committee deems necessary or desirable to comply with the laws of, or to accommodate the tax policy or custom of, foreign jurisdictions whose citizens may be granted Awards;

(i) to correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award Agreement and to make all other determinations and take such other actions with respect to the Plan or any Award as the Committee may deem advisable to the extent not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan or applicable law; and

(j) notwithstanding the foregoing, except as provided in Sections 4.1, 4.2 and Section 25, the terms of an outstanding Award may not be amended by the Committee, without approval of the Company’s stockholders, to: (i) reduce the exercise price of an outstanding Option or to reduce the exercise price of an outstanding Stock Appreciation Right, (ii) cancel an outstanding Option or outstanding Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for other Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the cancelled Option or the cancelled Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, or (iii) cancel an outstanding Option with an exercise price that is greater than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of cancellation or cancel an outstanding Stock Appreciation Right with an exercise price that is greater than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of cancellation in exchange for cash or another Award. In addition, no Option reloading will be permitted.

3.4

Administration with Respect to Insiders

With respect to participation by Insiders in the Plan, at any time that any class of equity security of the Company is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Plan shall be administered in compliance with the requirements, if any, of Rule 16b-3 and all other applicable laws, including any required blackout periods. At any time the Company is required to comply with Securities Regulation BTR, all transactions under this Plan respecting the Company’s securities shall comply with Securities Regulation BTR and the Company’s insider trading policies, as revised from time to time, or such other similar Company policies, including but not limited to policies relating to blackout periods. Any ambiguities or inconsistencies in the construction of an Award shall be interpreted to give effect to such limitation. To the extent any provision of the Plan or Award Agreement or action by the Committee or Company fails to so comply, such provision or action shall be deemed null and void to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Committee in its discretion.

3.5

Indemnification

EACH PERSON WHO IS OR WAS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OR THE COMMITTEE SHALL BE INDEMNIFIED BY THE COMPANY AGAINST AND FROM ANY DAMAGE, LOSS, LIABILITY, COST AND EXPENSE THAT MAY BE IMPOSED UPON OR REASONABLY INCURRED BY HIM IN CONNECTION WITH OR RESULTING FROM ANY CLAIM, ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING TO WHICH HE MAY BE A PARTY OR IN WHICH HE MAY BE INVOLVED BY REASON OF ANY ACTION TAKEN OR FAILURE TO ACT UNDER THE PLAN (INCLUDING SUCH INDEMNIFICATION FOR A PERSON’S OWN, SOLE, CONCURRENT OR JOINT NEGLIGENCE OR STRICT LIABILITY), EXCEPT FOR ANY SUCH ACT OR OMISSION CONSTITUTING WILLFUL OR INTENTIONAL MISCONDUCT, FRAUD OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE. SUCH PERSON SHALL BE INDEMNIFIED BY THE COMPANY FOR ALL AMOUNTS PAID BY HIM IN SETTLEMENT THEREOF, WITH THE COMPANY’S APPROVAL, OR PAID BY HIM IN SATISFACTION OF ANY JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING AGAINST HIM, PROVIDED HE SHALL GIVE THE COMPANY AN OPPORTUNITY, AT ITS OWN EXPENSE, TO HANDLE AND DEFEND THE SAME BEFORE HE UNDERTAKES TO HANDLE AND DEFEND IT ON HIS OWN BEHALF. THE FOREGOING RIGHT OF INDEMNIFICATION SHALL NOT BE EXCLUSIVE OF ANY OTHER RIGHTS OF INDEMNIFICATION TO WHICH SUCH PERSONS MAY BE ENTITLED UNDER THE COMPANY’S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS, AS A MATTER OF LAW, OR OTHERWISE, OR ANY POWER THAT THE COMPANY MAY HAVE TO INDEMNIFY THEM OR HOLD THEM HARMLESS.

SECTION 4

SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN

4.1

Maximum Number of Shares Issuable

Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2 and Section 25, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued with respect to Awards under the Plan shall be nine million (9,000,000) and shall consist of authorized but unissued or reacquired shares of Stock or any combination thereof. The maximum aggregate number of such shares of Stock authorized for issuance in the foregoing sentence that may be issued as Incentive Stock Options shall be nine million (9,000,000) shares of Stock. Shares of Stock of an outstanding Award that for any reason expire or are terminated, forfeited or canceled shall again be available for issuance under the Plan; provided, however, that amounts withheld for taxes or are withheld for the purchase price for Options or SARs shall not again be available for issuance under the Plan. Awards that by their terms are to be settled solely in cash shall not be counted against the number of shares of Stock available for the issuance of Awards under the Plan. Shares of stock issued under Awards granted in assumption, substitution or exchange for previously granted Awards of a company acquired by the Company (“Substitute Awards”) do not reduce the shares of Stock available under the Plan and available shares under a stockholder approved plan of an acquired company (as appropriately adjusted to reflect the transaction) may be used for Awards under the Plan and do not reduce the Plan’s share reserve as provided herein (subject to New York Stock Exchange listing requirements, as long as the Stock is listed on this exchange or the applicable other exchange requirements on which the Stock is listed).

Subject to the maximum number of shares of Stock available for Awards under the Plan as provided in the preceding paragraph of this Section 4.1, during any period that the Company is a “Publicly Held Corporation” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) the following rules shall apply to grants of Awards that are intended to meet the performance-based exception under Code Section 162(m):

(a) Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2 and Section 25, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be subject to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights with respect to Awards granted in any calendar year to any Participant shall be seven million five hundred thousand (7,500,000) shares of Stock, and the exercise price per share of Stock for an Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be equal to at least the Fair Market Value per share of Stock on the grant date of the Award. If such an Award may be settled in cash as permitted under the terms of the Award, the number of shares of Stock for the cash amount shall be counted toward the individual share limit provided in this subsection (a) calculated as of the date of grant.

(b) Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4.2 and Section 25, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock subject to Awards, other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, that may be settled in Stock including, without limitation, Restricted Stock or any Other Stock-Based Award with respect to Awards granted in any calendar year to any Participant shall be seven million five hundred thousand (7,500,000). If such an Award is to be settled in cash rather than Stock pursuant to its terms, the number of shares of Stock that could be issued for the cash amount shall be counted toward the individual share limit in this subsection (b) calculated as of the date of grant.

(c) Subject to adjustment as permitted under Section 4.2 or Section 25, the maximum aggregate cash subject to Awards, including, without limitation, Performance Awards intended to meet the performance-based exception under Code Section 162(m) to be settled solely in cash with respect to Awards granted in any calendar year that may be made to any Participant shall be five million dollars ($5,000,000) calculated as of the date of grant.

(d) With respect to any Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted to a Participant that is canceled or repriced, the number of shares of Stock subject to such Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall continue to count against the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be the subject of Options or Stock Appreciation Right granted to such Participant hereunder but only to the extent such is required in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code.

(e) The limitations of subsections (a), (b), (c) and (d) above shall be construed and administered so as to comply with the performance-based exception in Code Section 162(m) and shall only apply to the extent required to meet the performance-based exception under Code Section 162(m) for Awards intended by the Committee to meet the performance-based exception under Code Section 162(m).

4.2

Adjustments for Changes in Capital Structure

In the event of any stock dividend or extraordinary cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, combination, reclassification or similar change in the capital structure of the Company, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the number and class of shares of Stock subject to the Plan and to any outstanding Awards, and in the exercise price per share of any outstanding Awards and with respect to Options, if applicable, in accordance with Code Sections 424 and 409A. If a majority of the shares of Stock, which are of the same class as the shares of Stock that are subject to outstanding Awards, are exchanged for, converted into, or otherwise become (whether or not pursuant to a change in control) shares of another company (the “New Shares”), the Committee may, in its sole discretion, unilaterally amend the outstanding Awards to provide that such Awards are exercisable for New Shares. In the event of any such amendment, the number of shares subject to, and the exercise price per share of, the outstanding Awards shall be adjusted in a fair and equitable manner as determined by the Committee, in its discretion, and with respect to Options in accordance with Code Sections 424 and 409A and the regulations thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number, and in no event may the exercise price of any Award be decreased to an amount less than the par value, if any, of the stock subject to the Award. The adjustments determined by the Committee pursuant to this Section 4.2 shall be final, binding and conclusive.

SECTION 5

ELIGIBILITY AND AWARD LIMITATIONS

5.1

Persons Eligible for Awards

Awards may be granted only to Employees, Consultants, and Directors. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, “Employees,” “Consultants,” and “Directors” shall include prospective Employees, prospective Consultants and prospective Directors to whom Awards are granted in connection with written offers of employment or other service relationships with the Company subject to their actual commencement of Service. Eligible Persons may be granted more than one (1) Award. Eligibility in accordance with this Section shall not entitle any Person to be granted an Award, or, having been granted an Award, to be granted an additional Award.

5.2

Award Agreements

Each Participant to whom an Award is granted shall be required to enter into an Award Agreement with the Company, in such a form as is provided by the Committee. The Award Agreement shall contain specific terms as determined by the Committee, in its discretion, with respect to the Participant’s particular Award. Such terms need not be uniform among all Participants or any similarly situated Participants. The Award Agreement may include, without limitation, vesting, forfeiture and other provisions specific to the particular Participant’s Award, as well as, for example, provisions to the effect that the Participant (i) shall not disclose any confidential information acquired during employment with the Company or while providing service to the Company, (ii) shall abide by all the terms and conditions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as may be imposed by the Committee, (iii) shall not interfere with the employment or other Service of any Employee or service provider of the Company, (iv) shall not compete with the Company or become involved in a conflict of interest with the interests of the Company, (v) shall forfeit an Award if terminated for Cause, (vi) shall not be permitted to make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code when applicable, (vii) shall be subject to transfer restrictions respecting the Award or Stock, (viii) shall be subject to any other agreement between the Participant and the Company regarding shares of Stock that may be acquired under an Award including, without limitation, an agreement restricting the transferability of the Award or shares of Stock by Participant or any other restrictions or requirements of any stockholders’ agreement that is in effect from time to time, and (ix) any provisions or definitions the Committee deems necessary or desirable to comply with Code Section 409A. An Award Agreement shall include such terms and conditions as are determined by the Committee, in its discretion, to be appropriate with respect to any individual Participant.

5.3

Award Grant Restrictions

Any person who is not an Employee on the effective date of the grant of an Award to such person may be granted only a Nonstatutory Stock Option, Restricted Stock or Other Stock-Based Award. An Incentive Stock Option Award granted to an Employee of the Company, or its parent or Subsidiary as defined in Code Section 424(f), or to a prospective Employee of the Company, or its parent or its Subsidiary as defined in Code Section 424(f) upon the condition that such person become an Employee shall be deemed granted effective on the date such person commences service as an Employee with the Company, with an exercise price determined as of such date in accordance with Section 6.1.

5.4

Fair Market Value Limitations for Incentive Stock Options

To the extent that Options designated as Incentive Stock Options (granted under all stock option plans of the Company or parent or Subsidiary as defined in Code Section 422, including the Plan) become exercisable by a Participant for the first time during any calendar year for Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value greater than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), the portion of such options which exceeds such amount shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 5.4, Options designated as Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of Stock shall be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Stock is granted. If the Code is amended to provide for a different limitation from that set forth in this Section 5.4, such different limitation shall be deemed incorporated herein effective as of the date and with respect to such Options as required or permitted by such amendment to the Code. If an Option is treated as an Incentive Stock Option in part and as a Nonstatutory Stock Option in part by reason of the limitation set forth in this Section 5.4, the Company at the request of the Participant may designate which portion of such Option the Participant is exercising. In the absence of such designation, the Participant shall be deemed to have exercised the Incentive Stock Option portion of the Option first. Separate certificates representing each such portion shall be issued upon the exercise of the Option.

5.5

Repurchase Rights, Right of First Refusal and Other Restrictions on Stock

Shares of Stock under the Plan may be subject to a right of first refusal, one or more repurchase options, or other conditions and restrictions pursuant to a contract entered into by the Company and its stockholders or otherwise as determined by the Committee or as provided in the Award Agreement, in the Committee’s discretion. The Company shall have the right to assign at any time any repurchase right it may have, whether or not such right is then exercisable, to one or more persons as may be selected by the Company. Upon request by the Company, each Participant shall execute any agreement, including but not limited to, the Award Agreement evidencing such transfer restrictions prior to the receipt of shares of Stock hereunder and shall promptly present to the Company any and all certificates representing shares of Stock acquired hereunder for the placement on such certificates of appropriate legends evidencing any such transfer restrictions.

SECTION 6

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS

Options shall be evidenced by Award Agreements specifying the number of shares of Stock covered thereby, in such form as the Committee shall from time to time establish. No Option or purported Option shall be a valid and binding obligation of the Company unless evidenced by an Award Agreement. Award Agreements may incorporate all or any of the terms of the Plan by reference and shall comply with and be subject to the following terms and conditions:

6.1

Exercise Price

The exercise price for each Option shall be established in the discretion of the Committee; provided, however, that (a) subject to adjustments permitted under the Plan under Section 4.2 and Section 25, and other than with respect to Substitute Awards, the exercise price per share for an Option shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the Option, (b) no Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Owner Participant shall have an exercise price per share of Stock less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the effective date of grant of the Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option (whether an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option) may be granted with an exercise price lower than the minimum exercise price set forth above if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner qualifying under the provisions of Sections 424 and 409A of the Code.

6.2

Exercisability, Vesting and Term of Options

(a) Exercisability. Options shall be exercisable at such time or times, or upon such event or events, and subject to such terms, conditions, performance criteria and restrictions as shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option; provided, however, that (i) no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of such Option provided that an Option, that is not an Incentive Stock Option, may be exercised for the thirty (30)-day period after the expiration of a limitation on the Participant’s ability to exercise due to Section 16-b(3), the Company’s insider trading policy or other applicable law which may extend beyond the ten (10)-year term for this limited purpose, (ii) no Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Owner Participant shall be exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years after the effective date of grant of such Option, and (iii) no Option granted to a prospective Employee, prospective Consultant or prospective Director may become exercisable prior to the date on which such person commences Service with the Company. Subject to the foregoing, unless otherwise specified by the Committee in the grant of an Option, any Option granted hereunder shall terminate ten (10) years after the effective date of grant of the Option, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its provisions.

(b) Vesting. The Committee shall specify the vesting schedule, if any, in the applicable Award Agreement.

(c) Incentive Stock Options. Unless otherwise provided in the Option Agreement with respect to death or Disability of the Participant, the Incentive Stock Options may only be exercised within six (6) months after the Participant’s termination of Service.

6.3

Payment of Exercise Price

(a) Forms of Consideration Authorized. Except as otherwise provided below, payment of the exercise price for the number of shares of Stock being purchased pursuant to any Option shall be made in cash, by check or cash equivalent or upon approval by the Committee in its sole discretion by any of the following (i) subject to Section 6.3(b)(i) below, by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock owned by the Participant having a Fair Market Value not less than the exercise price; (ii) subject to the Company’s rights set forth in Section 6.3(b)(ii) below, by causing the Company to withhold from the shares of Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Option the number of whole shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value, as determined by the Company, not less than the exercise price (a “Cashless Exercise”); (iii) by such other consideration as may be approved by the Committee from time to time to the extent permitted by applicable law; or (iv) by any combination of cash or any of the foregoing or any combination of (i-iii) thereof. The Committee may at any time or from time to time grant Options which do not permit all of the foregoing forms of consideration to be used in payment of the exercise price or which otherwise restrict one or more forms of consideration.

(b) Limitations on Forms of Consideration.

(i) Tender of Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares of Stock to the extent such tender or attestation would constitute a violation of the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock.

(ii) Cashless Exercise. The Company reserves, at any and all times, the right, in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, to establish, decline to approve or terminate any program or procedures for the exercise of Options by means of a Cashless Exercise in order to comply with applicable law.

SECTION 7

RESTRICTED STOCK

7.1

Award of Restricted Stock

(a) Grant. In consideration of the performance of employment or Service by any Participant who is an Employee, Consultant or Director, Stock may be awarded under the Plan by the Committee as Restricted Stock with such restrictions during the Restriction Period as the Committee may designate in its discretion, any of which restrictions may differ with respect to each particular Participant. Restricted Stock may also be awarded as an Other Stock-Based Award subject to performance goals under Section 8.2. Restricted Stock shall be awarded for no additional consideration or such additional consideration as the Committee may determine, which consideration may be equal to or more than the Fair Market Value of the shares of Restricted Stock on the grant date. The terms and conditions of each grant of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.

(b) Immediate Transfer Without Immediate Delivery of Restricted Stock. Unless otherwise specified in the Participant’s Award Agreement, each Restricted Stock Award shall constitute an immediate transfer of the record and beneficial ownership of the shares of Restricted Stock to the Participant in consideration of the performance of Services as an Employee, Consultant or Director, as applicable, entitling such Participant to all voting, dividends and other ownership rights in such shares of Stock.

As specified in the Award Agreement, a Restricted Stock Award may limit the Participant’s dividend and voting rights during the Restriction Period in which the shares of Restricted Stock are subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” (within the meaning given to such term under Code Section 83) and restrictions on transfer. In the Award Agreement, the Committee may apply any restrictions to the dividends that the Committee deems appropriate.

Shares awarded pursuant to a grant of Restricted Stock may be issued in the name of the Participant and held, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, by the Committee or Company (or their delegates) or in trust or in escrow pursuant to an agreement satisfactory to the Committee, or by book entry or otherwise as determined by the Committee, until such time as the restrictions on transfer have expired. All such terms and conditions shall be set forth in the particular Participant’s Award Agreement. The Company or Committee (or their delegates) shall issue to the Participant a receipt evidencing the certificates held by it which are registered in the name of the Participant.

7.2

Restrictions

(a) Forfeiture of Restricted Stock. Restricted Stock awarded to a Participant may be subject to the following restrictions until the expiration of the Restriction Period: (i) a restriction that constitutes a “substantial risk of forfeiture” (as defined in Code Section 83), or a restriction on transferability; (ii) unless otherwise specified by the Committee in the Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock that is subject to restrictions which are not satisfied shall be forfeited and all rights of the Participant to such Stock shall terminate; and (iii) any other restrictions that the Committee determines in advance are appropriate, including, without limitation, rights of repurchase or first refusal in the Company or provisions subjecting the Restricted Stock to a continuing substantial risk of forfeiture in the hands of any transferee. Any such restrictions shall be set forth in the particular Participant’s Award Agreement.

(b) Issuance of Certificates. Reasonably promptly after the date of grant with respect to shares of Restricted Stock, the Company shall take the actions as it determines necessary in its sole discretion to cause the Stock to be issued subject to the forfeiture provisions and other requirements as the Committee determines necessary, including, without limitation, issuing a Stock certificate, registered in the name of the Participant to whom such shares of Restricted Stock were granted, evidencing such shares; provided, however, that the Company shall not cause to be issued such a Stock certificate unless it has received a Stock power duly endorsed in blank with respect to such shares of Restricted Stock. Each such stock certificate shall bear the following legend or any other legend approved by the Company:

The transferability of this certificate and the shares of stock represented hereby are subject to the restrictions, terms and conditions (including forfeiture and restrictions against transfer) contained in the Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan and an Award Agreement entered into between the registered owner of such shares and Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. A copy of the Plan and Award Agreement are on file in the corporate offices of Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc.

Such legend shall not be removed from the certificate evidencing such shares of Restricted Stock until such shares vest pursuant to the terms of the Award Agreement.

(d) Removal of Restrictions. The Committee, in its discretion, shall have the authority to remove any or all of the restrictions on the Restricted Stock if it determines that, by reason of a change in applicable law or another change in circumstance arising after the grant date of the Restricted Stock, such action is appropriate.

7.3

Delivery of Shares of Common Stock

Subject to withholding taxes under Section 10 and to the terms of the Award Agreement, a Stock certificate evidencing the shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which the restrictions in the Award Agreement have been satisfied shall be delivered to the Participant or other appropriate recipient free of such restrictions. Such delivery shall be affected for all purposes when the Company shall have deposited such certificate in the United States mail, addressed to the Participant or other appropriate recipient.

SECTION 8

OTHER STOCK-BASED, PERFORMANCE AWARDS AND DIVIDENDS, OR DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS

8.1

Grant of Other Stock-Based and Performance Awards

Other Stock-Based Awards may be awarded by the Committee to selected Participants that are denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise related to, shares of Stock, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan and the goals of the Company. Performance Awards may be granted by the Committee in its sole discretion awarding cash or Stock (including Restricted Stock) or a combination thereof based upon the achievement of goals as determined by the Committee. Types of Other Stock-Based Awards or Performance Awards include, without limitation, purchase rights, phantom stock, Stock Appreciation Rights, restricted units, performance units, Restricted Stock or Stock subject to performance goals, shares of Stock awarded that are not subject to any restrictions or conditions, convertible or exchangeable debentures related to the Stock, other rights convertible into shares of Stock, Awards valued by reference to the value of Stock or the performance of the Company or a specified Subsidiary, Affiliate division or department, Awards based upon performance goals established by the Committee and settlement in cancellation of rights of any person with a vested interest in any other plan, fund, program or arrangement that is or was sponsored, maintained or participated in by the Company or any Subsidiary. Stock Appreciation Rights will be subject to the same terms respecting Nonstatutory Stock Options as provided in Sections 6.2 and 6.3 hereof unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement. Other Stock-Based Awards may be awarded either alone or in addition to or in tandem with any other Awards. Other Stock Based Awards and Performance Awards may be paid in Stock, cash or a combination thereof.

8.2

Other Stock-Based Award and Performance Awards Terms

(a) Written Agreement. The terms and conditions of each grant of an Other Stock-Based Award or Performance Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement.

(b) Purchase Price. To the extent that a Stock Appreciation Right is intended to be exempt from Code Section 409A or if the Company is a Publicly Held Corporation and the Stock Appreciation Right is intended to meet the performance-based exception in Code Section 162(m), the exercise price per share of Stock shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of the grant of the Stock Appreciation Right and shall otherwise comply with Code Section 409A and/or Code Section 162(m).

(c) Performance Goals and Other Terms. In its discretion, the Committee may specify such criteria, periods or performance goals for vesting in Other Stock-Based Awards or Performance Awards and payment thereof to the Participant as it shall determine; and the extent to which such criteria, periods or goals have been met shall be determined by the Committee. All terms and conditions of Other Stock-Based Awards and Performance Awards shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement.

If any Other Stock-Based Award or Performance Award is intended by the Committee to meet the performance-based exception in Code Section 162(m), the following shall apply:

(i) Performance Period. The Committee shall establish a performance period which shall be a period of time, as may be determined in the discretion of the Committee and set out in the Award Agreement, over which performance is measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to and the payment value of an Other Stock-Based Award or Performance Award in accordance with Code Section 162(m). For each performance period, the Committee shall establish the number of Other Stock-Based Awards or Performance Awards and their contingent values which may vary depending on the degree to which performance criteria established by the Committee are met and shall establish the Awards and performance criteria within the time period required under Code Section 162(m) if such Awards are intended to meet the performance-based exception under Code Section 162(m).

(ii) Performance Criteria. The Committee may establish performance goals applicable to Other Stock-Based Awards or Performance Awards based upon performance criteria specified in item (iii) below in one or more of the following categories: (x) performance of the Company as a whole and/or any Company Affiliate, (y) performance of a segment of the Company’s or its Affiliates’ business, business unit or division, and (z) individual performance. Performance criteria for the Company shall relate to the achievement of predetermined financial, operational or strategic objectives for the Company, as a whole and/or a Company Affiliate, and performance criteria for a segment of the Company’s business or business unit or division shall relate to the achievement of financial, operational or strategic objectives of the segment for which the Participant is accountable. The performance criteria in Section 8.2 (c)(iii) may be used on an absolute or relative basis to measure the performance of the Company as a whole and/or a Company Affiliate or any business unit, division or segment of the Company and/or an Affiliate or any combination thereof as determined by the Committee or as compared to the performance of a group of comparable companies or published or special index or as compared to various stock market indices as the Committee may determine appropriate in its sole discretion.

(iii) Performance criteria shall include any of the following (alone or in any combination): pre-tax or after tax profit levels, earnings per share, earnings before interest and taxes, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, gross profit or gross profit growth, net operating profits before or after tax, and net income; share price, including, without limitation, growth measures and total stockholder return; return on assets, equity, capital or investment; return on capital; cash flow and cash flow return on investment; economic value added and economic profit; growth in earnings per share; stock price performance, sales, costs, gross revenue, net revenue or revenue growth, margins, production volumes or reserves added (and any of the foregoing as compared to a peer group as established by the Committee in its discretion); improvement in capital structure, levels of operating efficiency or expense, maintenance expense, productivity ratios, economic value or other added value, working capital targets, enterprise value, safety records; completion of acquisitions or business expansion or measures of customer satisfaction and customer service as determined from time to time including the relative improvement therein. Individual performance criteria shall relate to a Participant’s overall performance, taking into account, among other measures of performance, the attainment of individual goals and objectives. The performance goals may differ among Participants and shall be established in accordance with Code Section 162(m). To the extent permitted under Code Section 162(m) with respect to Awards intended to meet the performance-based exception under Code Section 162(m), the Committee is authorized at any time during the first ninety (90) days of a performance period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), or at any time thereafter (but only to the extent the exercise of such authority after such period would not cause the Awards granted to any Participant for the performance period to fail to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code), in its sole and absolute discretion, to adjust or modify the calculation of a performance goal for such performance period to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants based on the following events: asset write-downs; litigation or claim judgments or settlements; the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or regulatory rules affecting reported results; any reorganization and restructuring programs; extraordinary, unusual or infrequently occurring items as described in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 (or any successor or pronouncement thereto) and/or in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders for the applicable year; acquisitions or divestitures; any other specific unusual or nonrecurring events, or objectively determinable category thereof; and a change in the Company’s fiscal year. The Committee may also specify the application of any of the foregoing in the Award if necessary to comply with Code Section 162(m).

(iv) Modification. If the Committee determines, in its discretion exercised in good faith, that the established performance measures or objectives are no longer suitable to the Company’s objectives because of a change in the Company’s business, operations, corporate structure, capital structure, or other conditions the Committee deems to be appropriate, the Committee may modify the performance measures and objectives to the extent it considers such modification to be necessary, provided, however, that with respect to Awards intended to qualify for the performance-based exception of Code Section 162(m), the Committee shall not permit any such modification that would cause the Awards to fail to qualify for the performance-based exception.

(v) Compliance with Code Section 162(m). With respect to Awards intended to meet the performance-based exception of Code Section 162(m), the Committee shall administer the Awards and take all action that it determines are necessary, including but not limited to certifying that performance goals have been met, so that Awards intended to meet the performance-based exception comply with Code Section 162(m).

(d) Payment. Other Stock-Based Awards or Performance Awards may be paid in shares of Stock, cash or other consideration or a combination thereof related to such shares, in a single payment or in installments on such dates as determined by the Committee, all as specified in the Award Agreement.

8.3

Dividends or Dividend Equivalents.

Except with respect to dividends on Restricted Stock (unless the Award Agreement for the Restricted Stock eliminates dividend rights), the Participant shall not be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, dividends or dividend equivalents with respect to the number of shares of Stock covered by the Award unless (and to the extent) otherwise as determined by the Committee and set forth in a separate Award Agreement. The Committee in the Award Agreement may provide such terms and conditions for the Award of Dividends or Dividend Equivalents as it shall determine in its discretion. The Committee may also provide in such Award Agreement that the amounts of any Dividends or Dividend Equivalent shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional shares of Stock. In addition, with respect to any Performance Award, whether or not intended to meet the performance-based exception under Code Section 162(m), any Dividends or Dividend Equivalents granted with respect to such Award, including a Restricted Stock Award, shall be subject to achieving the same performance goals as the underlying Performance Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no grant of a Dividend or Dividend Equivalent may be granted with respect to an Option or SAR.

8.4

Elections and Limitations for Director Awards.

(a) Elections. On the last day of each calendar quarter (each such date, an “Election Date”), a Director may elect to receive a percentage (the percentage so elected being the “Elected Percentage”) of the Director’s fees (including both Board and Board committee annual retainer fees, if any, and Board or Board committee meeting and per diem fees) the Company otherwise would pay in cash to the Director for his or her service as a Director during the quarterly period immediately following such Election Date (the “Service Period”) in Stock. The number of shares of Stock, as the case may be, paid or credited to a Director during the Service Period shall be determined on the first day of the month immediately following the Service Period by multiplying the amount of the Director’s fees for such Service Period by his or her Elected Percentage and dividing that result by the Fair Market Value per share of Stock on such date, with the result rounded down to the nearest whole number. Any election made by a Director pursuant to this paragraph must take the form of a written document signed by the Director and filed with the secretary of the Company and designate the Elected Percentage of the cash fees the Director elects to forego in the next Service Period in exchange for Stock.

(b) Limitations. Subject to adjustments pursuant to Sections 4.2 and 25, the amount of an Award granted to each Director in a calendar year shall not exceed one hundred eighty thousand dollars ($180,000) in value of the aggregate of Stock and cash Awards; provided, however, that in the case of a chair of a committee of the Board, such maximum may be increased by up to an additional fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) in the aggregate; and provided, further that in the case of the non-executive chairman of the Board, such maximum may be increased by up to an additional eighty thousand dollars ($80,000) in the aggregate.

SECTION 9

EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE

9.1

Exercisability and Award Vesting

Subject to earlier termination of the Option or other Award as otherwise provided herein and unless otherwise provided by the Committee in the Award Agreement, an Award and Option shall be vested and an Option shall be exercisable after a Participant’s termination of Service only during the applicable time period determined in accordance with this Section 9.1 and thereafter shall terminate:

(a) Disability or Death. If the Participant’s Service terminates because of the Disability or death of the Participant, the unvested portion of any Award shall be forfeited and terminated and the vested portion of an Option may be exercised by the Participant or the applicable of his guardian or legal representative or estate for a period of six (6) months after the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated due to Disability or one (1) year after the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated due to death, respectively, but in any event no later than the date of expiration of the Option’s term, which in no event shall exceed ten (10) years from the date of grant, as set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option, except as provided in Section 6.2(a)(i) for a Nonstatutory Stock Option or SAR (the “Option Expiration Date”).

(b) Change in Control.

Notwithstanding any contrary provision in the Plan, in the event of a Change in Control, the vesting of any unvested Awards shall not be accelerated, and such Awards shall not become fully exercisable, except upon the occurrence of a trigger event following such Change in Control expressly provided in the Participant’s Award Agreement. If a Participant is a “disqualified individual” (as defined in Section 280G of the Code) and the accelerated vesting of an Incentive Award and/or the termination of the restricted period occurs with respect to a Change in Control, together with any other payments which the Participant has the right to receive from the Company, whether or not under this Plan, would constitute a “parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G of the Code), then such accelerated vesting and/or termination of the restricted period provided under the paragraph above shall be reduced to the extent necessary (beginning with Options) so that the present value thereof (as determined for parachute purposes) to the Participant will be $l.00 less than three times the Participant’s “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G of the Code), but only if such reduction produces a better net after-tax position to the Participant. Such determinations shall be made by the Company in good faith.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Award Agreement, the provisions of this Section 9.1(b) may not be terminated, amended, or modified to adversely affect any Award theretofore granted under the Plan without the prior written consent of the Participant with respect to his outstanding Awards subject, however, to the last paragraph of this Section 9.1(b).

(d) Other Termination of Service. If the Participant’s Service with the Company terminates for any reason, except Disability, death, termination after a Change in Control, or Cause, any Award or Option, to the extent unvested shall be forfeited by the Participant on the date on which the Participant’s Service is terminated, and any vested Option may be exercised by the Participant at any time prior to the expiration of six (6) months after the date on which the Participant’s Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

9.2

Extension of Option if Exercise Prevented by Law

Notwithstanding the foregoing, other than termination for Cause, if the exercise of an Option within the applicable time periods set forth in Section 9.1 is prevented by the provisions of Section 12 below, the Option shall remain exercisable until thirty (30) days (or such longer period of time as determined by the Committee, in its discretion) after the date the Participant is notified by the Company that the Option is exercisable, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date subject to the limited extension as provided in Section 6.2(a)(i).

9.3

Extension if Participant Subject to Section 16(b)

Notwithstanding the foregoing, other than termination for Cause, if a sale within the applicable time periods set forth in Section 9.1 of shares of Stock acquired upon the exercise of the Option would subject the Participant to liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, the Option (if exercisable) shall remain exercisable until the earliest to occur of (i) the tenth (10th) day following the date on which a sale of such shares by the Participant would no longer be subject to such liability, (ii) six (6) months after the Participant’s termination of Service, or (iii) the Option Expiration Date subject to the limited extension as provided in Section 6.2(a)(i).

SECTION 10

WITHHOLDING TAXES

10.1

Tax Withholding

All Awards are subject to, and the Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local taxes, domestic or foreign, required by law or regulation to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of the Plan or an Award hereunder and all Awards are subject to the Company’s right hereunder.

10.2

Share Withholding

With respect to tax withholding required upon the exercise of Options, upon the lapse of restrictions on Restricted Stock, or upon any other taxable event arising as a result of any Awards, the Committee in its discretion, may elect to satisfy the withholding requirement, in whole or in part, by having the Company withhold shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value on the date the tax is to be determined equal to the minimum statutory total tax which could be imposed on the transaction (or such higher amount if consistent with the equity treatment of the Award under the applicable accounting rules). All such elections shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that the Committee, in its discretion, deems appropriate. Any fraction of a share of Stock required to satisfy such obligation shall be disregarded and the amount due shall instead be paid in cash by the Participant.

10.3

Incentive Stock Options

With respect to shares of Stock received by a Participant pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option, if such Participant disposes of any such shares within (i) two (2) years from the date of grant of such Option or (ii) one (1) year after the transfer of such shares to the Participant, the Company shall have the right to withhold from any salary, wages or other compensation payable by the Company to the Participant an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state and local tax withholding requirements attributable to such disqualifying disposition.

SECTION 11

PROVISION OF INFORMATION

Each Participant shall be given access to information concerning the Company equivalent to that information generally made available to the Company’s common stockholders.

SECTION 12

COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAW,
OTHER APPLICABLE LAWS AND COMPANY POLICIES

The Plan, Award Agreements, the grant of Awards and the issuance of shares of Stock shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state and foreign law with respect to securities and all other applicable laws, regulations and requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the stock is listed or traded. Options may not be exercised and Stock may not be issued if the issuance of shares of Stock would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, no Option may be exercised and no shares of Stock may be issued unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act shall at the time be in effect with respect to the shares issuable or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issuable may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. If the shares of Stock issuable pursuant to an Award are not registered under the Securities Act, the Company may imprint on the certificate for such shares the following legend or any other legend which legal counsel for the Company considers necessary or advisable to comply with the Securities Act:

THE SHARES OF STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED EXCEPT UPON SUCH REGISTRATION OR UPON RECEIPT BY THE COMPANY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED FOR SUCH SALE OR TRANSFER.

The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to the exercise of any Option or the issuance of shares of Stock, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.

Unless otherwise specifically provided in an Award Agreement, all Awards and all shares of stock issued and any payments are subject to the Company’s clawback policies adopted by the Company at any time and as amended from time to time.

SECTION 13

NONTRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS AND STOCK

During the lifetime of the Participant, an Award shall be exercisable only by the Participant or the Participant’s guardian or legal representative. Subject to the following paragraph, an Award may be assignable or transferable by the Participant only by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as defined in Section 414(p) of the Code, and only if it is so specified in the Award Agreement; provided, however, that an Incentive Stock Option may only be assignable or transferable by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted by the Committee in the Award Agreement, and in accordance with applicable law, in its discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be assignable or transferable subject to the applicable limitations, if any, under the Securities Act, and the General Instructions to Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act. However, the transferee or transferees must be any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, in each case with respect to the Participant, any person sharing the Participant’s household (other than a tenant or employee of the Company), a trust in which these persons have more than fifty percent (50%) of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the Participant) control the management of assets, or any other entity in which these persons (or the Participant) own more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests (collectively, “Permitted Transferees”); provided further that, (a) there may be no consideration for any such transfer and (b) subsequent transfers of Options transferred as provided above shall be prohibited except subsequent transfers back to the original holder of the Option and transfers to other Permitted Transferees of the original holder.

SECTION 14

NONCOMPETITIVE ACTIONS

The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement a requirement to enter into a noncompetition agreement in connection with the Award or the effect of a violation of a noncompetition agreement on an Award.

SECTION 15

TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF PLAN

The Committee may terminate or amend the Plan at any time. However, no grant of Awards shall be made after the tenth (10^th) anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Term”). Subject to changes in applicable law, regulations or rules that would permit otherwise, without the approval of the Company’s stockholders within the time required, there shall be (a) no increase in the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan (except by operation of the provisions of Section 4.2 and Section 25), (b) no change in the class of persons eligible to receive Awards or purchase Stock under the Plan or to extend the Term of the Plan, (c) no repricing of an Option or SAR or other amendment as provided in Section 3.3(j) (except by operation of Sections 4.2 or 25 hereof) and (d) no other amendment of the Plan that would require approval of the Company’s stockholders under any applicable law, regulation or rule or the stock exchange or market system on which the Stock is traded. No termination or amendment of the Plan shall affect any then outstanding Award unless expressly provided by the Committee or otherwise provided in the Plan. In any event, no termination or amendment of the Plan may materially adversely affect any then outstanding Award without the consent of the Participant, unless such termination or amendment is required to enable an Award designated as an Incentive Stock Option to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option or is necessary to comply with any applicable law, regulation or rule, including Code Section 409A or as otherwise permitted under the Plan, including upon a Change in Control.

SECTION 16

STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL

The Plan is adopted by the Board as of the Effective Date and shall be approved by the stockholders of the Company on or within twelve (12) months of the date of adoption thereof by the Board. Any Awards granted under the Plan prior to such stockholder approval shall not vest or otherwise become payable or exercisable until such stockholder approval is obtained and if an Award does vest or become payable or exercisable due to an acceleration event or alternate payment event prior to such stockholder approval such Award and any payment related thereto shall be forfeited if such stockholder approval is not obtained. In addition, Options or performance-based compensation under Section 8.2 granted prior to stockholder approval of the Plan or in excess of the Stock previously approved by the stockholders shall become exercisable and otherwise shall not be paid no earlier than the date of stockholder approval of the Plan or stockholder approval of such increase in the Stock, as the case may be.

SECTION 17

NO GUARANTEE OF TAX CONSEQUENCES

Neither the Company, the Board nor the Committee makes any commitment or guarantee that any federal, state or local tax treatment will apply or be available to any person participating or eligible to participate hereunder.

SECTION 18

SEVERABILITY

In the event that any provision of this Plan shall be held illegal, invalid or unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall be fully severable, but shall not affect the remaining provisions of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision was not included herein.

SECTION 19

GOVERNING LAW

The Plan and Awards shall be interpreted, construed and constructed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its conflicts of law provisions, except as may be superseded by applicable laws of the United States.

SECTION 20

SUCCESSORS

All obligations of the Company under the Plan with respect to Awards granted hereunder shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.

SECTION 21

RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER

The holder of an Award shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Stock covered by the Award until the date of issue of a stock certificate to him or her for such shares. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, no adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued.

SECTION 22

NO SPECIAL EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE RIGHTS

Nothing contained in the Plan or Award Agreement shall confer upon any Participant receiving a grant of any Award any right with respect to the continuation of his or her Service with the Company (or any Affiliate) or interfere in any way with the right of the Company (or Affiliate), subject to the terms of any separate employment agreement to the contrary, at any time to terminate such Service or to increase or decrease the compensation of the Participant from the rate in existence at the time of the grant of any Award.

SECTION 23

REORGANIZATION OF COMPANY

The existence of an Award shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company or its stockholders to make or authorize any or all adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations or other changes in Company’s capital structure or its business, or any merger or consolidation of the Company, or any issue of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the shares of Stock or the rights thereof, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.

SECTION 24

CODE SECTION 409A

To the extent that any Award is deferred compensation subject to Code Section 409A, the Award Agreement shall comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A including, without limitation, to the extent required using applicable definitions from Code Section 409A, and to the extent required by Code Section 409A, using a more restrictive definition of Change in Control to comply with Code Section 409A or a more restrictive definition of Disability as provided in Code Section 409A. To the extent an Award is deferred compensation subject to Code Section 409A, the Award shall specify a time and form of payment schedule. In addition if any Award constitutes deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code (a “Section 409A Plan”), then the Award shall be subject to the following requirements, if and to the extent required to comply with Code Section 409A, and as determined by the Committee and specified in the Award Agreement:

(a) Payments under the Section 409A Plan may not be made earlier than (i) the Participant’s separation from service, (ii) the date of the Participant’s Disability, (iii) the Participant’s death, (iv) a specified time (or pursuant to a fixed schedule) specified in the Award Notice at the date of the deferral of such compensation, (v) a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, or (vi) the occurrence of an unforeseeable emergency;

(b) The time or schedule for any payment of the deferred compensation may not be accelerated, except to the extent provided in applicable Treasury Regulations or other applicable guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service; and

(c) elections with respect to the deferral of such compensation or the time and form of distribution of such deferred compensation shall comply with the requirements of Section 409A(a)(4) of the Code.

With respect to any Award that is subject to Code Section 409A, in the case of any Participant who is specified employee, a distribution on account of a separation from service may not be made before the date which is six (6) months after the date of the Participant’s separation from service (or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death). For purposes of the foregoing, the terms “separation from service” and “specified employee”, all shall be defined in the same manner as those terms are defined for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, and the limitations set forth herein shall be applied in such manner (and only to the extent) as shall be necessary to comply with any requirements of Section 409A of the Code that are applicable to the Award as determined by the Committee. If an Award is subject to Code Section 409A, as determined by the Committee, the Committee may interpret or amend any Award to comply with Code Section 409A without a Participant’s consent even if such amendment would have an adverse effect on a Participant’s Award. With respect to an Award that is subject to Code Section 409A, the Board may amend or interpret the Plan as it deems necessary to comply with Section 409A, including, without limitation, limiting the Committee’s or Company’s discretion with respect to an Award that constitutes deferred compensation to the extent it would violate Code Section 409A, and no Participant consent shall be required even if such an amendment would have an adverse effect on a Participant’s Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Company, the Committee, any Company Affiliate or their directors, members, officers, employees or agents of any of the foregoing guarantee or are responsible for the tax consequences to a Participant for an Award including, without limitation, an excise tax under Code Section 409A.

SECTION 25

ADJUSTMENTS UPON A CHANGE IN CONTROL

If a Change in Control occurs, except a Change in Control solely on account of Section 2.1(f)(ii), then the Committee, at its sole discretion, shall have the power and right to (but subject to any accelerated vesting specified in an Award Agreement):

(a) cancel, effective immediately prior to the occurrence of the Change in Control, each outstanding Award (whether or not then exercisable) (including the cancellation of any Options not in the money for which the exercise price is greater than the consideration to be received), and with respect to Options and SARs that currently have an exercise price less than the consideration to be received immediately prior to the Change in Control, pay to the Participant an amount in cash equal to the excess of (i) the value, as determined by the Committee, of the property (including cash) received by the holders of Stock as a result of such Change in Control over (ii) the exercise price of such Award, if any; provided, however, this subsection shall be inapplicable to an Award granted within six (6) months before the occurrence of the Change in Control but only if the Participant is an Insider and such disposition is not exempt under Rule 16b-3 (or other rules preventing liability of the Insider under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act) and, in that event, the provisions hereof shall be applicable to such Award after the expiration of six (6) months from the date of grant; or

(b) provide for the exchange or substitution of each Award outstanding immediately prior to such Change in Control (whether or not then exercisable) for another award with respect to the Stock or other property for which such Award is exchangeable and, incident thereto, make an equitable adjustment as determined by the Committee, in its discretion, in the exercise price of the Award, if any, or in the number of shares of Stock or amount of property (including cash) subject to the Award; or

The Committee, in its discretion, shall have the authority to take whatever action it deems to be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the provisions of this Section 25.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Officer of the Company certifies that the foregoing sets forth the Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan as duly adopted by the Board.

	SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.


	By:	/s/ Robert Rigdon
	Name:	Robert Rigdon
	Title:	Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan]