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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



FORM 10-K/A

(Mark One)    

ý

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2014

OR

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                        to                       

Commission file number:

Denver Parent Corporation 333-191602
Venoco, Inc. 001-33152



Denver Parent Corporation
Venoco, Inc.



Delaware
Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  44-0821005
77-0323555

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

370 17th Street, Suite 3900
Denver, Colorado

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

80202-1370
(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (303) 626-8300

N/A
(Former name or former address, and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class   Name of Exchange on Which Registered
None   N/A

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

           Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

           Denver Parent Corporation Yes o No ý
Venoco, Inc. Yes o No ý

           Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

           Denver Parent Corporation Yes ý No o
Venoco, Inc. Yes ý No o

           Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Denver Parent Corporation Yes o    No ý
Venoco, Inc. Yes o    No ý

           Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Denver Parent Corporation Yes ý    No o
Venoco, Inc. Yes ý    No o

           Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this Chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.

Denver Parent Corporation ý
Venoco, Inc. ý

           Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Venoco, Inc.

Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer ý
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o

Denver Parent Corporation

Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer ý
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o

           Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Venoco, Inc. Yes o No ý
Denver Parent Corporation Yes o No ý

           All of the registrants' common equity was held by affiliates on June 30, 2014. As of March 31, 2015, there were 30,297,459 shares of common stock of Denver Parent Corporation and 29,936,378 shares of common stock of Venoco, Inc. outstanding.

   


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EXPLANATORY NOTE

        This Form 10-K/A (this "Amendment") is a combined report being filed by Denver Parent Corporation ("DPC") and Venoco, Inc. ("Venoco"), a direct 100% owned subsidiary of DPC. DPC is a holding company formed to acquire all of the common stock of Venoco in a going private transaction that was completed in October 2012. As a result of the going private transaction, Venoco's common stock is no longer publicly traded. Venoco and DPC are filing this combined report to satisfy reporting requirements under the indentures governing their respective senior notes. Neither Venoco nor DPC intend to file a proxy or information statement with respect to their 2015 annual shareholder meetings or any action by written consent in lieu of such meetings.

        Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, (i) references to "DPC" refer only to DPC, (ii) references to the "Company," "we," "our" and "us" refer, for periods following the going private transaction, to DPC and its subsidiaries, including Venoco and its subsidiaries, and for periods prior to the going private transaction, to Venoco and its subsidiaries and (iii) references to "Venoco" refer to Venoco and its subsidiaries. Each registrant included herein is filing on its own behalf all of the information contained in this report that pertains to such registrant. When appropriate, disclosures specific to DPC or Venoco are identified as such. Neither registrant included herein is filing any information that does not relate to such registrant, and therefore neither registrant makes any representation as to any such information. Where the information provided is substantially the same for both companies, such information has been combined. Where information is not substantially the same for both companies, we have provided separate information.

        We operate DPC and Venoco as one business, with one management team. Management believes combining this Amendment for DPC and Venoco provides the following benefits:

    Enhances investors' understanding of DPC and Venoco by enabling investors to view the business as a whole, the same manner management views and operates the business;

    Provides a more readable presentation of required disclosures with less duplication, since a substantial portion of the disclosures apply to both DPC and Venoco; and

    Creates time and cost efficiencies through the preparation of one combined report instead of two separate reports.

        All of Venoco's net assets are owned by DPC and all of DPC's operations are conducted by Venoco.

        On April 15, 2015, DPC and Venoco filed a combined Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (the "Original Filing"). This Amendment completes the items identified below that were originally omitted from the Original Filing in the expectation that an amendment to the Original Filing would be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") within 120 days after the end of our 2014 fiscal year.

        As a result, this Form 10-K/A amends only Part III, Item 10 (Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance), Item 11 (Executive Compensation), Item 12 (Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters), Item 13 (Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence) and Item 14 (Principal Accounting Fees and Services) of the Original Filing. All other items in the Original Filing are unchanged and this Amendment does not amend, update or change any other information in the Original Filing.

        Pursuant to Rule 12b-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), this Form 10-K/A contains new certifications by the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of DPC and Venoco, filed as exhibits hereto.


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PART III

Item 10.    Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance

Directors

        The following table sets forth, as of April 15, 2015, the names, ages, and titles of each member of the Board of Directors of Venoco (the "Venoco Board"). Timothy Marquez has been the sole director of DPC since its formation.

Name
  Age   Position   Director
Since
  Current
Term to
Expire
 

Timothy M. Marquez

    56   Executive Chairman     2004     2016  

Joel L. Reed

    64   Director     2012     2017  

Richard S. Walker

    57   Director     2012     2015  

        Joel L. Reed served as a director of Venoco from September 1998 to March 2002 and from August 2005 until the completion of the going private transaction in October 2012. He was reappointed to the Venoco Board in November 2012. Starting in 1994, Mr. Reed was a partner of a predecessor entity of, and later co-founded, Relational Group, an investment banking firm that included Relational Investors and Relational Advisors. In late 2005, Relational Advisors separated from Relational Group and became RA Capital Advisors, a member of RA Capital Group. Mr. Reed has served as RA Capital Group's lead principal. He is also a founder of two private equity firms, Titan Investment Partners and HRA Real Estate Management I LLC. Mr. Reed was the CFO and later President and CEO of Wagner & Brown Ltd. of Midland, Texas, a privately owned group of companies engaged in energy, real estate, manufacturing, agribusiness and investment services, from 1984 to 1994. From 1981 to 1984, Mr. Reed was a member of the founding group of Ensource, Inc., a NYSE-listed company, as well as its controller and CFO. A graduate of Oklahoma State University, Mr. Reed holds bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting and is a certified public accountant who has elected inactive license status. In determining Mr. Reed's qualifications to serve on the Venoco Board, the Venoco Board has considered, among other things, his experience and expertise in finance, accounting, banking and management.

        Richard S. Walker served as a director of Venoco from June 2007 until the completion of the going private transaction in October 2012. He was reappointed to the Venoco Board in November 2012. Mr. Walker is currently Executive Vice President and Managing Director of the Houston office of DHR International, a leading retained executive search firm. Prior to entering the executive search industry in 2005, Mr. Walker was a Managing Director of JPMorgan directing investment banking relationships with a variety of energy clients operating across all industry segments including exploration and production, service and supply, pipeline and midstream operations as well as power generation, transmission and distribution. Mr. Walker worked with JPMorgan and its predecessors from 1994 to 2005. Prior to joining JPMorgan Chase & Co., Mr. Walker worked from 1990 through early 1994 with NationsBank (the predecessor of Bank of America), both in Houston and in London. From 1981 through early 1990, Mr. Walker worked for Texas Commerce Bank, in Houston (also a predecessor to JPMorgan). Mr. Walker is a 1980 graduate of Loyola University, New Orleans, with a bachelor's of business administration and a 1981 graduate of Bowling Green State University, Ohio, with a master's of business administration. Mr. Walker is a certified public accountant licensed in the State of Texas. In determining Mr. Walker's qualifications to serve on the Venoco Board, the Venoco Board has considered, among other things, his experience and expertise in finance, accounting and banking and in the oil and natural gas industry.

        Timothy Marquez is sole director and Chief Executive Officer of DPC and has served in those roles since DPC's formation in January 2012. He co-founded Venoco in September 1992 and served as

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its CEO from Venoco's formation until June 2002. He founded Marquez Energy in 2002 and served as its CEO until Venoco acquired it in March 2005. Mr. Marquez returned as Venoco's Chairman, CEO and President in June 2004. He became Venoco's Executive Chairman in August 2012. Mr. Marquez has a B.S. in petroleum engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. Mr. Marquez began his career with Unocal Corporation, where he worked for 13 years managing assets offshore California and in the North Sea and performing other managerial and engineering functions. In determining Mr. Marquez's qualifications to serve on the Venoco Board, the Venoco Board has considered, among other things, his experience and expertise in the petroleum industry, including exploration, production, and management, and his roles as co-founder and controlling stockholder of Venoco.

Executive Officers

        Information regarding Venoco's executive officers is set forth in the Original Filing under the heading "Business and Properties—Executive Officers of the Registrant."

Corporate Governance

General

        In connection with its oversight of our operations and governance, the Venoco Board has adopted, among other things, the following:

    Corporate Governance Guidelines to implement certain policies regarding the governance of Venoco;

    Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to provide guidance to Venoco's directors, officers and employees with regard to certain ethical and compliance issues;

    Categorical Standards of Director Independence (the "Categorical Standards") to assist the Venoco Board in assessing directors' independence (see "—Director Independence and Categorical Standards"); and

    Charters of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee of the Venoco Board.

        The Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Categorical Standards can be viewed on Venoco's website at www.venocoinc.com under the heading "About" and the subheading "Corporate Governance." Copies of the foregoing documents and disclosures are available without charge to any person who requests them. Requests should be directed to Venoco, Inc., Attn: Secretary, 370 17th Street, Suite 3900, Denver, Colorado 80202-1370.

        The Venoco Board meets regularly to review significant developments affecting us and to act on matters requiring its approval. Directors are requested to make attendance at meetings of the Board and Board committees a priority, to come to meetings prepared, having read any materials provided to them prior to the meetings and to participate actively in the meetings. Directors are expected to attend the annual stockholders' meeting if one is held.

Board Committees

        The composition and primary responsibilities of Venoco's Audit Committee and Compensation Committee are described below.

        Venoco's Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs. Reed and Walker, with Mr. Walker acting as Chairman. The primary function of the Audit Committee is to assist the Venoco Board in its oversight of our financial reporting process. Among other things, the committee is responsible for reviewing and selecting our independent registered public accounting firm and reviewing our accounting practices. The Venoco Board has determined that each member of the committee qualifies as an "audit

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committee financial expert" as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of SEC Regulation S-K and that both members of the committee are independent under the Categorical Standards. See "—Directors" for a summary of the business experience of each member of the committee.

        Venoco's Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs. Walker and Reed with Mr. Reed acting as Chairman. The Compensation Committee's primary function is to discharge the Venoco Board's responsibilities relating to the compensation of Venoco's Executive Chairman, CEO and other executive officers. Among other things, the committee reviews and approves corporate goals and objectives relevant to CEO compensation, evaluates the performance of the CEO in light of those goals and objectives and sets the compensation of the CEO. See "Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis" for discussion of Venoco's processes and procedures for considering and determining executive and director compensation. The Venoco Board has determined that each member of the committee is (i) independent under the Categorical Standards, (ii) a "non-employee director" as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and (iii) an "outside director" as defined in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code").

        Venoco no longer has a standing nominating committee, primarily because following the completion of the going private transaction, the current composition and size of the board of directors permits candid and open discussion regarding potential new members of the Venoco Board and because Venoco has only one stockholder, which is an affiliate of Mr. Marquez. The entire Venoco Board currently operates as the nominating committee, and recommends to Venoco's shareholder nominees for election to the Venoco Board. Because Mr. Marquez is the sole director of DPC, it has no standing committees. Venoco no longer has a formal policy regarding security holder nominations of candidates for the Venoco Board, but the board will consider any proposed nomination brought to its attention. Proposals may be directed by mail to the following address: Venoco, Inc., Attn: Secretary, 370 17th Street, Suite 3900, Denver, Colorado 80202-1370.

Director Independence and Categorical Standards

        As discussed under "—Board Committees," the Venoco Board has determined that, other than Mr. Marquez, each member of the Venoco Board is independent under the Categorical Standards. The Categorical Standards are similar to the director independence standards set forth in the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") except that they are more stringent in some respects. Accordingly, a director who qualifies as independent under the Categorical Standards would also be considered independent under the rules of the NYSE. Pursuant to the Categorical Standards, a director may not be considered independent if he or she:

    is an employee, or has an immediate family member who is an executive officer, of Venoco, until three years after the end of such employment relationship, provided that employment as an interim Chairman of the Board or interim executive officer shall not disqualify a director from being considered independent following service in either capacity;

    has received, or has an immediate family member who has received, more than $100,000 in direct compensation from Venoco in any 12-month period within the past three years, other than director and committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for prior service (provided such compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service), provided that compensation received by a director for prior service as an interim Chairman of the Board or interim executive officer, and compensation received by an immediate family member for service as a non-executive employee of the company, need not be considered in determining independence under this test;

    is affiliated with or employed by, or has an immediate family member who is affiliated with or employed in a professional capacity by, a current or former internal or external auditor of

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      Venoco, until three years after the end of the affiliation or the employment or auditing relationship;

    is employed, or has an immediate family member who is employed, as an executive officer of another company where any of the Venoco's current executive officers serve on the other company's compensation committee, until three years after the end of such service or the employment relationship; or

    is an employee, or an immediate family member is an executive officer, of a company that has made payments to, or has received payments from, Venoco for property or services in an amount that, in any of the last three fiscal years, exceeded the greater of (i) $1 million or (ii) 2% of such other company's consolidated gross revenues.

        The Venoco Board would also consider any of the foregoing relationships that exist with DPC.

Code of Business Conduct

        Venoco has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to provide guidance to directors, officers, including its Executive Chairman, CEO, COO, CFO and Chief Accounting Officer, and employees, with regard to certain ethical and compliance issues, which complies with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Venoco's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on its website at venocoinc.com. To access the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Venoco's other corporate governance materials, click on "About" and then click on "Corporate Governance." Venoco will disclose on its website any amendment or waiver of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics in the manner required by SEC rules.

Item 11.    Executive Compensation

        As discussed above, we operate DPC and Venoco as one business, with one management team. Each of DPC's executive officers is also an executive officer of Venoco. DPC is a holding company that has no employees and pays no compensation directly. Instead, all compensation paid to DPC's executive officers is paid to such officers by Venoco, in amounts approved by the Compensation Committee of the Venoco Board. The executive officers of DPC are not separately compensated for their services as such. Accordingly, this section provides disclosure regarding compensation paid by Venoco to the executive officers, and all contracts, awards and other agreements or arrangements referred to in this section are between Venoco and the relevant officer except where specified otherwise.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

        Venoco's Compensation Committee believes that:

    Executive interests should be aligned with stockholder interests;

    Executive compensation should be structured to provide appropriate incentives and reasonable rewards for the contributions made and performance achieved; and

    A competitive compensation package must be provided to attract, motivate and retain experienced and talented executives.

        Venoco's executive compensation program is designed to align pay with short-term and long-term company performance. The intent of the program is to put a substantial portion of compensation at risk and tied to performance, and to reward unique or exceptional contributions to overall sustainable

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value creation for stockholders. The Compensation Committee's intent is to maintain an executive compensation program that:

    Encourages growth in Venoco's oil and gas reserves and cash flow, balance sheet discipline, cost containment and achievement of production targets;

    Aligns executive and stockholder interests through substantial ongoing equity-based incentive awards for executives;

    Attracts, motivates and retains superior executive talent over the long-term; and

    Provides compensation opportunities for high-performing executives.

        The components of Venoco's executive compensation are presented below and discussed in more detail later in this report:

    a base salary that is generally between the 50th and 75th percentile of base salary offered by other oil and natural gas exploration and production enterprises similar to Venoco, the actual positioning of which is determined by individual performance, experience and personal competencies, and with the 75th or higher percentiles reserved for executives with skill sets that are critical for maximization of our asset value;

    annual cash incentive compensation generally targeted at the 50th percentile for achieving expected performance levels; and

    long-term equity-based incentive compensation generally targeted at the 50th percentile, with upside approaching the 75th percentile (to reward achievement of company objectives, individual responsibility and productivity, and high quality work).

        While the Compensation Committee believes the total compensation of Venoco's executive officers should be targeted between the 50th and 75th percentile of the comparative industry peer group, it does not mechanically apply the above compensation components. Rather, careful consideration is given to the appropriate percentage mix of such components so that each of Venoco's executive officers is individually and appropriately incentivized. In addition, the Compensation Committee approves case-specific compensation plans to accommodate individual circumstances or non-recurring situations, as appropriate. The competitive market is determined by reference to the compensation practices of an industry peer group as set forth below.

Industry Peer Group

        The companies selected by Venoco's Compensation Committee for the peer group represent independent exploration and production companies that focus on the acquisition, exploration, exploitation and development of oil and natural gas properties. The composition of Venoco's peer group is reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee to ensure that the companies continue to remain relevant for comparative purposes. Venoco's peer group for 2014 is as follows:

Bonanza Creek

 

Resolute Energy Corporation

Breitburn Energy Partners LP

 

SM Energy

Clayton Williams Energy

 

Swift Energy Company

Memorial Production Partners

 

Vanguard Natural Resources

PDC Energy, Inc.

 

Warren Resources

QEP Resources

 

Whiting Petroleum Corporation

QR Energy

   

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        Venoco's Compensation Committee also considers competitive market practices from sources such as Equilar Insight Benchmarking Surveys and HR Roundtable Organizations, which present synthesized, general data from a broad cross-section of companies in various industries.

Setting Compensation

        Venoco's management provides the Compensation Committee with summary compensation information to assist it in understanding the totality of Venoco's executive compensation and benefit programs. This information shows the total dollar value of an executive officer's accumulated compensation and benefits. These summaries provide the Compensation Committee with important information useful in analyzing and understanding the design, operation and effectiveness of Venoco's executive compensation programs.

        The Compensation Committee approves the compensation of Venoco's executive officers. In making its determinations, the Compensation Committee reviews the summary compensation information for each executive officer and considers the executive officer's base salary, potential payments under selected performance scenarios and termination of employment and change-in-control scenarios, as well as accumulated equity and equity-based incentives in DPC, all in light of peer group practices. The purpose of this process is to analyze the total amount of actual and projected compensation of Venoco's executive officers and to determine whether any one component of compensation should be changed. The Compensation Committee then considers whether the actual and projected compensation is aligned with its compensation philosophy and competitive market practices. Venoco's CEO and Executive Chairman also provide the Compensation Committee with recommendations regarding the compensation levels for the other executive officers based on a review of Venoco's peer group companies and the individual performance of each executive.

        According to its charter, the Compensation Committee may, subject to limits imposed by applicable law, delegate some or all of its authority to a subcommittee consisting of one or more of its members.

        The Compensation Committee has determined that the compensation of Venoco's executive officers, both the total and its components, is generally consistent with the Compensation Committee's expectations, philosophy and current market practices.

Elements of Compensation

        There are three primary components of Venoco's executive compensation program: base salary, annual cash bonuses and long-term incentive awards. Perquisites are a minor element of Venoco's executive compensation program. Each element is described below.

        Base Salary.    The Compensation Committee believes that base salary is a critical element of executive compensation for attracting and retaining outstanding employees at all levels. The base salaries of Venoco's executive officers are reviewed by the Compensation Committee on an annual basis and adjusted from time to time to realign salaries with market levels, after taking into account individual responsibilities, performance and experience. Base salary is generally targeted for all executive officers between the 50th and 75th percentile of base salary offered by companies in Venoco's peer group, with the 75th or higher percentiles reserved for executives with skill sets that are critical for maximization of our asset value. Individual salaries take into account the individual's performance,

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experience and personal competencies. Base salaries were increased for Venoco's named executive officers continuing in their prior positions from 2013 to 2014 by an average of 0.5%.

Name
  2013 Base Salary   2014 Base Salary  

Timothy M. Marquez

  $ 787,500   $ 787,500  

Edward J. O' Donnell(1)

  $ 708,750   $ 708,750  

Mark A. DePuy(4)

  $ 341,750   $ 708,750  

Timothy A. Ficker(2)

  $ 448,640   $ 448,640  

Terry L. Anderson(3)

  $ 356,160   $ 356,160  

Brian Donovan(5)

  $ 213,487   $ 275,000  

Ian Livett

  $ 294,000   $ 305,760  

(1)
Mr. O'Donnell resigned his position with Venoco effective May 9, 2014

(2)
Mr. Ficker resigned his position with Venoco effective November 3, 2014

(3)
Mr. Anderson resigned his position with Venoco effective October 1, 2014

(4)
Mr. DePuy was promoted from Chief Operating Officer to Chief Executive Officer effective June 1, 2014.

(5)
Mr. Donovan was promoted from Assistant General Counsel to General Counsel effective October 1, 2014.

        Base salary increases in 2014 reflect the Compensation Committee's review of updated salary levels of comparable positions in Venoco's peer group companies, as well as Mr. DePuy's promotion to CEO and Mr. Donovan's promotion to General Counsel. The Compensation Committee views 2014 salary levels as consistent with its compensation philosophy.

        Annual Cash Bonuses.    The Compensation Committee may award or recommend cash bonuses to Venoco's executive officers pursuant to Venoco's 2007 Senior Executive Bonus Plan (the "Senior Executive Bonus Plan"). Under the Senior Executive Bonus Plan, the Compensation Committee sets a target award, which may be expressed as a percentage of an executive officer's base salary, and the related performance criteria. The Senior Executive Bonus Plan allows the Compensation Committee to eliminate or reduce the actual award payable to any participant that would otherwise be payable under the plan, based on the individual performance of the participant. In addition, the Compensation Committee may award or recommend discretionary annual bonuses to Venoco's executive officers for outstanding performance, which are awarded outside the Senior Executive Bonus Plan. The Senior Executive Bonus Plan is a performance-based plan designed to be compliant with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, which, when Venoco had publicly traded equity, could have otherwise limited the deductibility of bonuses paid to certain of its named executive officers.

        The Senior Executive Bonus Plan provides that if Venoco is required to restate its financial results due to material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements under applicable securities laws, the Compensation Committee has the discretion to recover incentive compensation from any participants who benefitted from prior actions or decisions that necessitated such financial restatements.

        The bonus opportunity under the Senior Executive Bonus Plan is stated as a percentage of base salary and is set using the Compensation Committee's philosophy to target bonus levels (as a percentage of base salary) consistent with the competitive market for executives in similar positions.

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For 2014, the bonus opportunity at a 100% of target level payout for Venoco's named executive officers was as follows:

Name
  Percentage
of Salary
  Total  

Timothy M. Marquez

    170 % $ 1,338,750  

Edward J. O'Donnell(1)

    170 % $ 1,204,875  

Mark A. DePuy

    170 % $ 1,204,875  

Timothy A. Ficker(2)

    120 % $ 538,367  

Terry L. Anderson(3)

    80 % $ 284,927  

Brian Donovan

    70 % $ 192,500  

Ian Livett

    80 % $ 254,392  

(1)
Mr. O'Donnell resigned his position with Venoco effective May 9, 2014

(2)
Mr. Ficker resigned his position with Venoco effective November 3, 2014

(3)
Mr. Anderson resigned his position with Venoco effective October 1, 2014

        Under the Senior Executive Bonus Plan, seven performance criteria were selected for 2014, each comprising 14.3% of the target bonus: (i) average daily net production, (ii) reserve replacement, (iii) finding and development costs, (iv) debt covenant compliance, (v) lease operating expenses plus general and administrative expenses, (vi) acquisition reserve growth and (vii) minimum quarterly distributions paid by a master limited partnership ("MLP") to be formed by Venoco. For each of the seven metrics, the bonus payout targets for 2014 are summarized as follows:

 
  Minimum
Bonus Level
Performance
  Target
Performance
  Maximum
Bonus Level
Performance
 

Average Daily Net Production (BOE/d)

    10,000     10,900     11,800  

Reserve Replacement (% increase)

    10 %   15 %   20 %

Finding and Development Costs, per BOE

  $ 20.00   $ 15.00   $ 10.00  

Debt Compliance

            Pass  

Lease Operating Expenses plus G&A Expenses, per BOE

  $ 30.50   $ 27.50   $ 25.50  

Acquisition Reserve Growth

    10.0     15.0     20.0  

MLP Minimum Quarterly Distributions

    100 %   100 %   105 %

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        Under the Senior Executive Bonus Plan, actual results for the year are compared to each of the seven individual performance criteria in order to determine payout multiples, which can range from 0 to 2. The payout multiples determined for each performance criterion are multiplied by 14.3% to reflect the weighting assigned to each of the seven criteria. The weighted multiples are aggregated to determine the appropriate payout percentage achieved for the year. Based on the Company's performance relative to the 2014 performance criteria as adjusted, the Compensation Committee determined the appropriate payout multiples and payout percentages to be as follows:

Performance Criteria
  Payout Multiple
Achieved
  Payout Percentage
Achieved
 

Average Daily Net Production

        %

Reserve Replacement

        %

Finding and Development Costs

        %

Debt Compliance

        %

Lease Operating Expenses plus G&A Expenses

        %

Acquisition Reserve Growth

        %

MLP Minimum Quarterly Distributions

        %

Discretionary Adjustment

        50 %

Performance Factor

          50 %

        A discretionary adjustment, outside of the Senior Executive Bonus Plan, was made for successful completion of certain key projects during 2014, including the successful continued development of a new structure in the South Ellwood field, the disposition of the West Montalvo assets in October at a price reflective of oil prices prior to recent declines, a reduction of annual overhead costs of approximately $26.7 million, and the initiation of a debt restructuring process that proved to be successful.

        Actual 2014 awards were as follows:

 
  2014 Annual Incentive Awards    
 
 
  Actual Award
Including
Discretionary
Adjustment($)
 
 
  Target Award
(% of Base Salary)
  Actual Award
(% of Base Salary)
 

Timothy M. Marquez

    170 %   85 % $ 669,375  

Edward J. O'Donnell(1)

    170 %        

Mark A. DePuy

    170 %   85 % $ 602,438  

Timothy A. Ficker(2)

    120 %        

Ian Livett

    80 %   40 % $ 122,304  

Terry L. Anderson(3)

    80 %        

Brian Donovan

    70 %   35 % $ 96,250  

(1)
Mr. O'Donnell resigned his position with Venoco effective May 9, 2014

(2)
Mr. Ficker resigned his position with Venoco effective November 3, 2014

(3)
Mr. Anderson resigned his position with Venoco effective October 1, 2014

        Long-Term Incentive Compensation.    We believe the use of long-term incentive compensation based on the value of the equity of Venoco or DPC creates an ownership culture that encourages the long-term performance of Venoco's executive officers.

        2012 Plan.    Certain changes in our long-term incentive programs occurred as a result of the going-private transaction, but the Compensation Committee has generally attempted to replicate the economic effects of the programs in place prior to the transaction to the extent feasible. As part of the

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terms and conditions of the going private transaction, all then-existing stock options (whether vested or unvested) were extinguished upon the closing of the transaction for a cash payment equal to the then-existing "spread" inherent in the option (i.e., the excess, if any, of the merger consideration of $12.50 per share over the option exercise price, multiplied by the number of shares subject to the option). All shares of restricted stock were converted into the right to receive cash equal to the merger consideration of $12.50 per share at the time such restricted share otherwise vests according to its terms; however, in the case of an award subject to one or more market-based vesting conditions, it is assumed that those conditions are satisfied at the target level (such rights referred to hereafter as "Rights to Receive" or "RTR units").

        In November 2012, the Venoco Board adopted a new cash-settled long-term incentive plan, known as the Venoco, Inc. 2012 Stock-Based Cash Incentive Plan (the "2012 Plan") to replace the plans that were in place prior to the going private transaction. Under the 2012 Plan, Venoco is authorized to issue cash-settled share appreciation rights ("SARs"), cash-settled restricted share units ("RSUs"), and other cash-settled awards to Venoco's employees, directors and other service providers. Although the awards are issued and settled by Venoco, the awards are measured based on the value of DPC's stock, which the Venoco Board believes is a more appropriate vehicle for measuring and driving long-term stockholder value creation. Because Venoco is no longer publicly traded, it is not practical to use total shareholder return as the performance metric on which these awards vest. Instead, the Compensation Committee decided to have such RSU awards vest based on the achievement of the performance measures used to determine the annual cash bonus payout. Vesting of the RSU awards is subject to a four-year graded vesting schedule (the "Grant Period") such that twenty-five percent (25%) of a long term incentive grant ("LTI Grant") will be eligible for vesting each calendar year on a cumulative basis (i.e., 25% in the first year, 50% in the second year, 75% in the third year, and 100% in the fourth year).

        On each anniversary date of the date of a RSU grant, the officers will vest in and be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the fair market value of a number of shares of DPC stock equal to the number of restricted share units vesting on such date. The number of restricted share units vesting on any such date is equal to the product of the "Earned Percentage" for that year's grant (defined below) multiplied by the cumulative graded vesting percentage (i.e., 25% on the first anniversary, 50% on the second anniversary, 75% on the third anniversary, and 100% on the fourth anniversary) of such grant, less any amounts previously vested for such grant. The Earned Percentage for any grant is generally the level of attainment of the performance measures used to determine the annual bonuses for the year in which the grant is made. For example, if the performance measures used to determine the annual bonuses for the year in which the grant is made are achieved at 75%, then the Earned Percentage for each year in the Grant Period would equal 75% and, therefore, 75% of the grant eligible for vesting in each year will have been earned and will be paid to the individual on or shortly following each anniversary date (subject to the individual's continued employment through that date). The actual amount payable shall be equal to the number of units vested multiplied by the share price of DPC shares as determined by the most recent independent valuation preceding the vesting date.

        If the performance measures used to determine the annual bonuses for a particular year are greater than 100%, and the Earned Percentage for any prior LTI Grant was less than 100%, then the excess of the current year performance over 100% will be "carried back" to increase the prior LTI Grant's Earned Percentage(s). The excess will be applied first to the LTI Grants in the earliest year in the Grant Period until the Earned Percentage for that year's LTI Grant has been increased to a maximum of 100%; any excess after increasing the Earned Percentage for the LTI Grant for the earliest year will be applied to the LTI Grant for the second earliest year until the Earned Percentage for that year's grant has been increased to a maximum of 100%; any excess after increasing the Earned Percentage for the LTI Grant for the second earliest year will be applied to the LTI Grant for the most recent prior year until the Earned Percentage for that year's LTI Grant has been increased to a

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maximum of 100%. For example (continuing the first example above), if in Year 2 the performance measures are achieved at 115%, then the excess over 100% (i.e., 15%) will be carried back to increase the Earned Percentage for the prior year's LTI Grant to 90%.

        If the performance measure for a year is attained at a level greater than 100%, and after "carrying back" the excess over 100% to increase the Earned Percentage(s) for prior years' LTI Grants to 100%, there continues to be excess, then an amount equal to 50% of the remaining excess will be applied to the current year's LTI Grant and may yield an Earned Percentage for the current year's grant of up to 120%. For example (continuing the example above), if in Year 2 the performance measure is attained at 175%, then the excess of the Year 2 performance over 100% will be carried back to increase the Earned Percentage for the first year's LTI Grant to 100%, and one-half of the remaining excess of 50% will be applied to increase the Earned Percentage for the current year's grant up to a maximum of 120%. Refer to "Grants of Plan-Based Awards" for LTI Grants made to executive officers in 2014.

        As discussed above, the Compensation Committee determined that Venoco achieved its 2014 annual performance metrics at a level of 50% of target. Accordingly, the Earned Percentage for the 2014 RSU LTI Grants is 50%. The tranche of the 2014 LTI RSU Grant that was eligible to vest in 2014 (i.e. 25% of the 2014 LTI Grants) vested at 50% and will be paid in April 2015. For purposes of determining the amount payable per unit, the Compensation Committee had DPC's stock independently valued as of December 31, 2014 and based on such determination will pay out $2.01 per unit. As previously disclosed in our 2013 Form 10-K/A, the 2013 Earned Percentage for the LTI Grants made in 2013 is 70%.

        Deferral of Restricted Stock Conversion Payout Amounts.    In early 2013, the Company and each of the named executive officers entered into deferral agreements pursuant to which certain amounts payable in regards to RTR units would not be paid as and when vesting occurred as required by the merger agreement governing the going private transaction, but would instead be paid in early 2014. The deferral agreements were entered into to ease short-term cash flow concerns, and as a result, provide that each executive shall be entitled to receive on the ultimate payment date an additional amount equal to 25% of the amount deferred.

        Venoco made the following deferred payouts in January 2014 to its named executive officers:

 
  Deferred
Payouts
($)
 

Timothy M. Marquez

  $ 7,273,560  

Edward J. O'Donnell

  $ 397,094  

Timothy A. Ficker

  $ 989,031  

Terry L. Anderson

  $ 709,664  

Mark A. DePuy

  $  

        Employee Stock Ownership Plan.    On December 31, 2012, Venoco and DPC adopted an employee stock ownership plan, a tax-qualified retirement plan pursuant to which all employees of Venoco (including Venoco's executive officers) will generally have the ability to receive contributions that are invested primarily in DPC stock.

CFO Services

        On November 3, 2014, Venoco engaged Opportune LLP ("Opportune") to provide various accounting advisory and consulting services to it and DPC. As part of that engagement, Scott Pinsonnault of Opportune served as interim CFO of Venoco and DPC from that date until his appointment as permanent CFO of both companies effective May 1, 2015 (see "Employment and Other Agreements" below). During his period of service as interim CFO, Mr. Pinsonnault's services to the

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Company were billed by Opportune in the amount of $178,301 for services performed through December 31, 2014, and he was not separately compensated by Venoco or DPC.

Perquisites and Other Compensation

        Venoco has provided, and intends to continue to maintain, relatively modest executive benefits and perquisites for its executive officers. However, the Compensation Committee in its discretion may revise, amend or add to Venoco's executive officers' benefits and perquisites if it deems such action advisable.

Tax and Accounting Implications

        Deductibility of Executive Compensation.    As part of its role, the Compensation Committee historically reviewed and considered the deductibility of executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, which, prior to the going private transaction, made it such that Venoco could not deduct compensation of more than $1.0 million in any tax year that was paid to certain individuals unless certain requirements were satisfied. Effective as of the going private transaction, Venoco and its legal counsel believe that Section 162(m) should no longer apply to us.

        Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.    We account for stock-based payments in accordance with the requirements of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 718.

Employment and Other Agreements

        As of December 31, 2014 Venoco had employment agreements with two of its executive officers pursuant to which the executive officer will receive benefits if his employment is terminated (other than for misconduct) by Venoco, by the executive officer's death or disability or in certain circumstances following a change in control. These arrangements reinforce and encourage Venoco's executive officers' continued attention and dedication to their duties without the distraction arising from the possibility of a change in control of our company and are intended to facilitate a smooth transition in the event of a change in control of our company. In addition, these arrangements provide Venoco's executive officers with severance to help ease their financial transition from our company. The details and amounts of these benefits are described in "—Executive Officer Compensation in 2014—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control."

        On April 27, 2015, Mr. Donovan entered into an employment agreement with Venoco pursuant to which he will receive an annual salary of $286,000 and an annual bonus with a target amount equal to 75% of his annual salary. The other terms of the agreement are substantially similar to those of the current executive officers of the company other than Timothy Marquez, the Executive Chairman.

        On April 27, 2015, Mr. Marquez entered into an amendment to his existing employment agreement pursuant to which he will receive $1,500,000 in recognition of his leadership in completing the recent restructuring transaction through which Venoco raised approximately $175 million of new debt capital and achieved debt cancellation of $44 million. An additional $1,500,000 will be paid after the date on which Venoco (in the judgment of the Compensation Committee) has received final regulatory approval from the California State Lands Commission for the proposed lease line adjustment in the South Ellwood field, which approval may include reasonable mitigation requirements, and pursuant to which Venoco may pursue a drilling permit relating to the area covered by the adjustment.

        Effective May 1, 2015, Mr. Pinsonnault was appointed as CFO of Venoco and DPC on a permanent basis and entered into an employment agreement with Venoco pursuant to which he will receive an annual salary of $425,000 and an annual bonus with a target amount equal to 90% of his

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annual salary. The other terms of the agreement are substantially similar to those of the current executive officers of the company other than Mr. Marquez.

Risk Considerations

        The Compensation Committee and management have reviewed Venoco's compensation policies and practices and believe they encourage prudent business decisions and do not create or encourage excessive risks or risk taking that is reasonably likely to result in a material adverse impact on the Company.

Consideration of Shareholder Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

        Following the going private transaction, Venoco has not held a shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation.

Compensation Committee Report

        We, the Compensation Committee of the Board, have reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (set forth above) with the management of the Company, and, based on such review and discussion, have recommended to the Board inclusion of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

    Compensation Committee:

 

 

Joel L. Reed, Chairman
Richard S. Walker

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Executive Officer Compensation in 2014

Summary Compensation Table

        The following table summarizes the total compensation paid or earned by persons who served as Venoco's principal executive officer or principal financial officer during 2014 (other than Mr. Pinsonnault, who, as described in "—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—CFO Services," was not compensated by either Venoco or DPC for his services in 2014) and Venoco's other executive officers who were serving as executive officers as of December 31, 2014 or who are otherwise required to be disclosed herein (the "named executive officers").

 
   
   
  Bonus    
   
   
 
Name and Principal Position
  Year   Salary
($)
  Discretionary
Bonus
($)(1)
  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(1)
  Stock
Awards
($)(2)
  All Other
Compensation
($)(8)
  Total
($)
 

Timothy M. Marquez

   
2014
 
$

787,500
 
$

669,375
 
$

 
$

3,150,052
 
$

32,124
 
$

4,639,051
 

Executive Chairman

    2013   $ 787,500   $ 93,712   $ 843,413   $ 1,388,085   $ 30,435   $ 3,143,145  

    2012   $ 750,000   $ 150,000   $ 1,389,750   $ 2,918,199   $ 29,900   $ 5,237,849  

Edward J. O'Donnell

   
2014
 
$

255,331
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

25,505
 
$

280,836
 

(former CEO)(3)

    2013   $ 708,750   $ 84,342   $ 759,071   $ 827,889   $ 41,828   $ 2,421,880  

    2012   $ 520,433   $ 67,500   $ 1,250,775   $ 273,191   $ 188,917   $ 2,300,816  

Mark A. DePuy

   
2014
 
$

577,828
 
$

602,438
 
$

 
$

546,051
 
$

42,557
 
$

1,768,874
 

CEO(4)

    2013   $ 341,250   $ 19,110   $ 171,990   $ 183,689   $ 25,609   $ 741,648  

    2012   $ 325,000   $   $ 283,400   $   $ 28,236   $ 636,636  

Tim A. Ficker

   
2014
 
$

375,591
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

44,889
 
$

420,480
 

(former CFO)(5)

    2013   $ 448,640   $ 37,686   $ 339,171   $ 423,941   $ 44,554   $ 1,293,992  

    2012   $ 427,275   $ 158,129   $ 558,876   $ 552,321   $ 43,904   $ 1,704,505  

Terry L. Anderson

   
2014
 
$

268,489
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

28,986
 
$

297,475
 

(former General Counsel

    2013   $ 356,160   $ 19,945   $ 179,504   $ 212,990   $ 29,572   $ 798,171  

and Secretary)(6)

    2012   $ 339,200   $ 141,904   $ 258,810   $ 372,418   $ 31,644   $ 1,143,976  

Brian Donovan

   
2014
 
$

236,871
 
$

96,250
 
$

 
$

72,768
 
$

22,945
 
$

428,834
 

General Counsel and Secretary(7)

                                           

Ian Livett

   
2014
 
$

305,760
 
$

122,304
 
$

 
$

470,397
 
$

55,702
 
$

954,163
 

Vice President-Southern

                                           

California Operations

                                           

(1)
Amounts shown represent annual incentive bonus awards under the Senior Executive Bonus Plan and related discretionary adjustment, which are discussed in "—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Compensation—Annual Cash Bonuses." Amounts for 2014 reflect cash compensation earned in 2014 but not paid until 2015.

(2)
Amounts shown reflect the awards described in "—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Compensation—Long Term Incentive Compensation." Amounts shown do not reflect compensation actually received by Venoco's executive officers or the actual value that may be recognized by the executive officers with respect to these awards in the future. Instead, the amounts shown are the grant date fair values determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in the notes to Venoco's audited financial statements included in the Original Filing.

(3)
Mr. O'Donnell resigned his position with Venoco effective May 9, 2014.

(4)
Mr. DePuy was promoted from Chief Operating Officer to Chief Executive Officer effective June 1, 2014.

(5)
Mr. Ficker resigned his position with Venoco effective November 3, 2014.

(6)
Mr. Anderson resigned his position with Venoco effective October 1, 2014

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(7)
Mr. Donovan was promoted from Assistant General Counsel to General Counsel and Secretary effective October 1, 2014.

(8)
The amounts for 2014 entitled "All Other Compensation" are detailed in the following table:

Name
  Qualified
Retirement
Plan
Employer
Match
  Premium
Towards
Health
Insurance
Plans
  Housing
Allowance
  Premium
Towards
Life
Insurance
Plans
  Secured
Parking
Fees
  Health
Club
Dues
  HSA  

Timothy M. Marquez(a)

  $   $ 25,880   $   $ 659   $ 2,200   $ 3,385   $  

Edward J. O'Donnell

  $ 15,250   $ 8,055   $   $ 275   $ 1,925   $   $  

Mark A. DePuy

  $ 15,090   $ 19,398   $   $ 659   $ 3,340   $ 2,760   $ 1,310  

Timothy A. Ficker

  $ 15,250   $ 23,723   $   $ 604   $ 3,045   $ 2,267   $  

Terry L. Anderson

  $ 15,250   $ 12,069   $   $ 357   $   $   $ 1,310  

Brian Donovan

  $ 15,250   $ 2,969   $   $ 522   $ 2,874   $ 1,330   $  

Ian Livett

  $ 15,250   $ 14,483   $ 24,000   $ 659   $   $   $ 1,310  

(a)
In addition, prior to May 2014 Venoco provided office space that it was not using in its Denver, Colorado office to Mr. Marquez's wife and four other persons. Mrs. Marquez, on a volunteer basis, assisted with the coordination of Venoco's charitable giving programs for 2014. Other activities conducted by those persons in that office space include performing services for other charitable institutions and conducting personal business for Mr. and Mrs. Marquez. Because such office space would have otherwise been vacant, we believe that the aggregate incremental cost to our company is de minimis.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

        The following table summarizes grants of plan-based awards under the Senior Executive Bonus Plan and the 2012 Plan to Venoco's named executive officers during 2014 and possible future payouts pursuant to those awards.

 
   
  Estimated Possible Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(1)
  Estimated Possible Payouts
Under Incentive
Plan Awards(2)
   
   
   
  Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and
SAR
Awards
($)
 
 
   
  ESOP
Awards:
Number of
Shares
(#)(3)
   
   
 
 
   
  SARs:
Number
of Units
(#)(4)
  Base
Price of
SARs
($)
 
Name
  Grant
Date
  Threshold
($)
  Target
($)
  Maximum
($)
  Threshold
(#)
  Target
(#)
  Maximum
(#)
 

Timothy M. Marquez

  4/1/2014       $ 1,338,750   $ 2,677,500         8,088     9,706     1,567     406,963   $ 12.24   $ 3,150,052  

Edward J. O'Donnell

  4/1/2014       $ 1,204,875   $ 2,409,750         2,619     3,143     1,567     66,418   $ 12.24   $ 546,051  

Mark A. DePuy

  4/1/2014       $ 982,308   $ 1,964,615         2,619     3,143     1,567     66,418   $ 12.24   $ 546,051  

Timothy A. Ficker

  4/1/2014       $ 538,367   $ 1,076,734         2,619     3,143     1,567     66,418   $ 12.24   $ 546,051  

Terry L. Anderson

  4/1/2014       $ 284,927   $ 569,854         2,619     3,143     1,567     66,418   $ 12.24   $ 546,051  

Brian Donovan(5)

  4/1/2014       $ 165,801   $ 331,619         1,371         1,375     5,256   $ 12.24   $ 72,768  

Ian Livett

  4/1/2014       $ 244,608   $ 489,216         2,102     2,522     1,501     57,221   $ 12.24   $ 470,397  

(1)
Non-equity incentive awards consist of annual bonuses payable under the Senior Executive Bonus Plan. Amounts reported in the table represent estimates at the beginning of 2014 expected to be paid under performance guidelines established by the Compensation Committee. See "—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Compensation—Annual Cash Bonuses" for a discussion of payment criteria and actual awards paid.

(2)
Amounts shown reflect the RSU awards described in "—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Compensation—Long Term Incentive Compensation." The awards are subject to vesting requirements as described in that section.

(3)
ESOP units granted to executive officers in 2014 at a grant date fair value of $12.24 per unit.

(4)
SARs granted to executive officers in 2014 at a grant date fair value of $7.45 per unit.

(5)
RSU awards granted to Mr. Donovan in 2014 were a service based grant and not subject to performance vesting.

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

        The following table summarizes the holdings of all equity-based awards held by Venoco's named executive officers as of December 31, 2014. Each equity-based grant is shown separately for each named executive officer.

 
  Option Awards(1)   Stock Awards(2)  
Name
  Grant
Date
for all
Awards
Listed(3)
  Number of
Units
Underlying
Options(#)
Exercisable
  Number of
Units
Underlying
Options(#)
Unexercisable
  Option
Exercise
Price
($)
  Option
Expiration
Date
  Number of
Shares or
Units That
Have Not
Vested(#)(3)
  Market
Value of
Shares or
Units That
Have Not
Vested($)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Units That
Have Not
Vested(#)(5)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market
Value of
Unearned
Units That
Have Not
Vested($)
 

Timothy M. Marquez

    4/1/2014     101,741     305,222   $ 12.24     3/31/2024     1,567   $ 3,150     8,088   $ 16,257  

    4/1/2013     199,144     199,144   $ 20.00     3/31/2023     2,252   $ 4,527     3,516   $ 7,067  

    4/1/2012                             175,162   $ 352,076  

    11/13/2012     990,550       $ 12.50     11/13/2022     65,612   $ 820,150          

Edward J. O'Donnell(4)

                                       

Mark A. DePuy

    4/1/2014     16,605     49,813   $ 12.24     3/31/2024     1,567   $ 3,150     2,619   $ 5,264  

    4/1/2013     22,820     22,820   $ 20.00     3/31/2023     2,252   $ 4,527     1,125   $ 2,261  

    11/13/2012     18,750     6,250   $ 12.50     12/15/2021     6,250   $ 78,125          

Timothy A. Ficker(4)

                                       

Terry L. Anderson(4)

                                       

Brian Donovan

    4/1/2014     1,314     3,942   $ 12.24     3/31/2024     1,375   $ 2,764     1,371   $ 2,756  

    4/1/2013     4,341     4,341   $ 8.33     3/31/2023     1,815   $ 3,648     1,360   $ 2,734  

    4/1/2012                             2,578   $ 5,182  

    11/13/2012     23,397       $ 12.50     11/13/2022     671   $ 8,388          

Ian Livett

    4/1/2014     14,305     42,916   $ 12.24     3/31/2024     1,501   $ 3,017     2,102   $ 4,225  

    4/1/2013     18,101     18,101   $ 8.33     3/31/2023     2,207   $ 4,436     1,654   $ 3,325  

    4/1/2012                             3,176   $ 6,384  

    11/13/2012     2,832       $ 12.50     11/13/2022     224   $ 2,800          

(1)
Option awards include SARs granted under the 2012 Plan.

(2)
Stock awards include (i) rights-to-receive awards (RTR) issued at $12.50 per unit in replacement of unvested restricted stock outstanding as of the closing of the going private transaction, (ii) ESOP units granted under the ESOP, and (iii) 2012, 2013 and 2014 LTI Grants in the form of restricted share units.

(3)
Represents RTRs and ESOP units. The RTRs will be cash settled upon vesting at $12.50 per unit. The RTRs are subject to the original service conditions attached to the unvested restricted stock they replaced. ESOP units vest over four years. Once four years of service have been completed all historical and future grants are fully vested.

(4)
Officer voluntarily terminated and therefore all awards were forfeited.

(5)
Represents 2012, 2013 and 2014 LTI Grants in the form of restricted stock units. Vesting of LTI Grants is subject to a four-year graded vesting schedule such that twenty-five percent (25%) will be eligible for vesting each calendar year on a cumulative basis (i.e., 25% in the first year, 50% in the second year, 75% in the third year, and 100% in the fourth year), as described above under the heading entitled "Long-Term Incentive Compensation." The restricted stock units are cash settled at the fair value of the DPC share.

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Option Exercises and Stock Vested

        The following table sets forth SAR exercises that occurred during 2014 as well as RTRs and RSUs held by our named executive officers that vested during fiscal 2014.

 
  SAR Awards   Stock Awards  
Name
  Number of
Units
Exercised
  Value
Realized
on Exercise(1)
  Number of
Units
Vested
  Value
Realized
on Vesting(2)
 

Timothy M. Marquez

      $     755,432   $ 10,873,599  

Edward J. O'Donnell

      $     50,296   $ 705,687  

Mark A. DePuy

      $     6,511   $ 81,329  

Timothy A. Ficker

      $     147,109   $ 2,032,061  

Terry L. Anderson

      $     81,797   $ 1,161,266  

Brian Donovan

    2,170   $ 8,485     4,328   $ 53,647  

Ian Livett

    9,050   $ 35,386     2,894   $ 35,645  

(1)
Value realized is the difference between the grant date option price and the exercise price.

(2)
Value realized is based on $12.50 per share for RTRs and $12.24 per share for RSUs.

Pension Benefits

        Neither Venoco nor DPC had any tax-qualified defined benefit plans or supplemental executive retirement plans in 2014 that provided for payments or other benefits to their executive officers in connection with their retirement.

Non-Qualified Defined Contribution and Other Deferred Compensation Plans

        Neither Venoco nor DPC had any non-qualified defined contribution plan or other deferred compensation plans in 2014 that provided for payments or other benefits to their executive officers.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control/Golden Parachute Compensation

        The table below reflects estimated amounts of compensation payable by Venoco to its named executive officers upon their termination of employment with Venoco. The table omits named executive officers from whom no agreement or arrangement provided for such compensation as of December 31, 2014. The table also omits executives who resigned their employment in 2014, as each of such executives received only accrued but unpaid obligations upon their termination. The amounts shown assume that such termination was effective as of December 31, 2014, and thus include amounts earned through such time and are estimates of the amounts which would be paid out to the executive officers upon their termination. The actual amounts to be paid out can only be determined at the time of such executive officer's termination.

        Regardless of the manner in which an executive officer terminates, he is entitled to receive amounts earned during his term of employment. Such amounts include:

    non-equity incentive compensation earned during the fiscal year, to the extent vested;

    long-term incentive awards, to the extent vested (if an executive officer is terminated for misconduct, SARs, whether vested or unvested, are generally cancelled at the date of termination);

    amounts contributed and vested under Venoco's qualified retirement plans; and

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    unused vacation pay.

        If Venoco terminates an executive officer's employment for a reason other than change in control, death, disability or such executive officer's misconduct, then Venoco will pay him a lump sum in cash equal to two times the sum of (i) his base compensation and (ii) an amount equal to the greater of a specified dollar amount or the highest incentive award paid or payable during the three years preceding his termination of employment.

        However, if Venoco terminates an executive officer's employment for a reason relating to a change in control of Venoco, his death or disability, or if he terminates employment for good reason in conjunction with a change in control, then such executive officer will receive:

    a cash lump-sum payment equal to three times the sum of:

    the executive officer's base salary;

    an amount equal to the highest incentive award paid or payable to the executive officer under Venoco's incentive compensation plans during the current year and the three years prior to termination; and

    an amount equal to the maximum contribution allowed under Venoco's qualified retirement plan; and

    life, disability, accident and group health insurance benefits for the 36-month period following the executive officer's termination, except that such premiums charged to the executive officer cannot exceed the premiums he paid while an active employee of Venoco, and if any benefit is taxable to him, Venoco will make him whole on a net after-tax basis; and

    the opportunity to cancel all of his outstanding share-based awards then held by him for a lump sum in cash equal to the sum of the value of all such awards, calculated as though all required goals had been achieved.

        A "change in control" of Venoco is generally deemed to occur under the employment agreements if (i) any person or group other than Timothy Marquez (or a member of his family) becomes a beneficial owner of more than 50% of Venoco's voting stock, (ii) Venoco's stockholders approve a plan to liquidate Venoco or to sell all or substantially all of Venoco's assets or (iii) Mr. Marquez (together with members of his family) is no longer the largest beneficial owner of Venoco's voting securities and

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is no longer Venoco's CEO or Chairman. The completion of the going private transaction was not deemed a change in control for purposes of the employment agreements.

Name
  Event   Cash
Severance
Payment
($)
  Cashout of
Stock-Based
Awards/Accelerated
Vesting
($)(1)
  Continuation of
Medical/Welfare
Benefits
(present value)
($)
  Total
($)
 

Timothy M. Marquez

  Voluntary Termination and                          

  Termination For Misconduct:   $   $   $   $  

  Involuntary Termination Not For                          

  Misconduct:   $ 4,354,500   $   $   $ 4,354,500  

  Involuntary or Good Reason                          

  Termination (Change-in-Control)(2),                          

  Disability, or Death:   $ 6,584,250   $ 1,198,699   $ 79,615   $ 7,862,564  

Mark A. DePuy

  Voluntary Termination and                          

  Termination For Misconduct:   $   $   $   $  

  Involuntary Termination Not For                          

  Misconduct:   $ 2,622,376   $   $   $ 2,622,376  

  Involuntary or Good Reason                          

  Termination (Change-in-Control)(2),                          

  Disability, or Death:   $ 3,986,064   $ 88,800   $ 60,170   $ 4,135,034  

(1)
Under the applicable employment agreements with Venoco's executive officers, each has a right in certain instances relating to termination of employment to require us to cancel all his outstanding stock based awards in exchange for a lump sum amount of cash equal to the "spread" inherent in each SAR and the value of each RSU outstanding, calculated as though all required goals had been achieved. The amounts shown also reflect where applicable the assumed value of awards vested following an involuntary termination not for misconduct.

(2)
The employment agreements do not specify a particular period in which a termination, or resignation for good reason, must occur following a change in control for the amounts shown to be payable, but we believe that such termination or resignation would have to occur within a reasonable time following the change in control. A termination or resignation in the six month period preceding a change in control event can also result in the amounts shown becoming payable in certain circumstances.

Director Compensation

        Venoco uses a combination of cash and share-based incentive compensation to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on the Venoco Board. Cash payments to Venoco's directors for service during 2013 and 2014 are summarized in the following table. Mr. Marquez is DPC's sole director and receives no compensation for his services in that capacity, or for his service on Venoco's Board.

 
  2013   2014  

Annual Retainer

  $ 55,000   $ 55,000  

Board Meeting Fees

  $ 1,500   $ 1,500  

Committee Meeting Fees

  $ 1,000   $ 1,000  

Lead Director

  $ 10,000   $ 10,000  

Audit Committee Chair

  $ 17,500   $ 17,500  

Audit Committee Members

  $ 5,000   $ 5,000  

Compensation Committee Chair

  $ 15,000   $ 15,000  

Compensation Committee Members

  $ 4,000   $ 4,000  

        In some circumstances committee members may be compensated for time directly spent on committee matters other than attendance at meetings, in amounts not to exceed $3,000 per quarter. Directors who are Venoco's employees receive no compensation for their services as director.

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Director Summary Compensation Table

        The following table summarizes the compensation earned by Venoco's non-employee directors during 2014.

Name(1)
  Fees Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)
  Stock Awards
Grant Date
Fair Value
($)(2)
  SARs
Grant Date
Fair Value
($)(3)
  Total
($)
 

Joel L. Reed

  $ 109,000   $ 24,370   $ 138,123   $ 271,493  

Richard Walker

  $ 100,500   $ 24,370   $ 138,123   $ 262,993  

(1)
Mr. Marquez is not included in this table because he is an employee and therefore receives no compensation for his services as a director. The compensation received by Mr. Marquez as an employee is shown in "—Executive Officer Compensation in 2014—Summary Compensation Table."

(2)
Non-employee directors were granted 1,991 performance based RSUs in 2014 at a grant date fair value of $12.24 per unit.

(3)
Non-employee directors were granted 18,540 SARs in 2014 at a grant date fair value of $7.45 per unit.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

        Neither Venoco nor DPC had any compensation committee interlocks with any entity in 2014.

Item 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

        At December 31, 2014, all of the Company's share based awards are settled solely in cash.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

        Mr. Marquez and his wife Bernadette Marquez own, through a family trust (the "Marquez Trust"), approximately 93% of the outstanding shares of DPC. A foundation controlled by Mr. and Mrs. Marquez (the "Marquez Foundation") owns an additional 1% of such common stock. Venoco's sole stockholder of record is DPC. Because Mr. and Mrs. Marquez control DPC, they may be deemed to beneficially own all of Venoco's outstanding common stock under applicable SEC rules. The business address of Mr. and Mrs. Marquez is c/o Venoco, Inc., 370 17th Street, Suite 3900, Denver, Colorado 80202- 1370. No other person beneficially owns more than 5% of DPC's outstanding stock and no other officer or director of DPC beneficially owns more than 1% of such stock.

Item 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

        The Board has determined that, other than Mr. Marquez, each member of the Venoco Board is independent under the Categorical Standards. See "Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance—Corporate Governance—Director Independence and Categorical Standards."

Transactions with Related Persons

Policy Regarding Related Person Transactions

        The Audit Committee of the Venoco Board has adopted a written policy regarding the review and approval of transactions between Venoco and any "related person." Under the policy, related persons

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include Venoco's directors and executive officers, holders of five percent or more of Venoco's common stock, immediate family members of any of those persons and any entities in which any of the foregoing persons hold a significant interest. The policy applies to any "related person transaction," which is generally defined as any transaction involving Venoco and a related person where the amount involved exceeds $20,000, subject to some exceptions, including for (i) transactions in which the interest of the related person arises solely from his or her ownership of Venoco's common stock and all stockholders participate in the transaction on a pro rata basis and (ii) compensation-related transactions that are approved or recommended by the Compensation Committee of Venoco's Board.

        The policy provides that when a related person transaction is proposed, the Audit Committee will consider all material information relating to the transaction and the related person's relationship with Venoco, and will approve the transaction only if it is in, or not inconsistent with, the best interests of Venoco and its stockholders to do so. In circumstances where it is not practicable or desirable to wait until the next Audit Committee meeting, the Chairman of the committee may review the transaction, applying the same standard. In the event Venoco's CEO, CFO or General Counsel becomes aware of a related person transaction that was not previously approved or ratified under the policy, the Audit Committee (or the Chairman) will review the transactions and evaluate all available options, including ratification, amendment, termination or rescission of the transaction. Except as otherwise indicated, each of the transactions described in "—Related Transactions" were reviewed and approved pursuant to the policy.

Related Transactions

        Aircraft Lease Agreement.    In 2011, Venoco entered into a non- exclusive aircraft sublease agreement with TimBer, LLC, a company owned by Mr. Marquez and his wife. Venoco incurred approximately $0.7 million of costs related to the agreement in 2014.

Item 14.    Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Fees Paid to Principal Accountants

        The following table presents the aggregate fees billed for the indicated services performed by Ernst & Young LLP by Venoco and DPC for the 2013 and 2014 fiscal years.

 
  2013(2)   2014  

Audit fees(1)

  $ 586,500   $ 608,000  

Audit-related fees

         

Tax fees

         

All other fees

    188,000      

Total

  $ 774,500   $ 608,000  

(1)
Audit fees include fees for the year-end audit and related quarterly reviews.

(2)
Audit fees for 2013 also include issuance of comfort letters and consents.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy

        The charter of the Audit Committee of Venoco's Board includes certain policies and procedures regarding the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services performed by an outside accountant. The committee is required to pre-approve all engagement letters and fees for all auditing services (including providing comfort letters in connection with securities underwritings) and permissible non-audit services, subject to any exception under Section 10A of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. Pre-approval authority may be delegated to a committee member or a subcommittee, and any such member or subcommittee shall report any decisions to the full committee at its next scheduled meeting. All of the services described in "Fees Paid to Principal Accountants" were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to its pre-approval policies as in effect as of the relevant times.

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PART IV

Item 15.    Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a)   Exhibits

Exhibits   Description
  10.1   Employment Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2015, by and between Venoco, Inc. and Brian Donovan.

 

10.2

 

Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2015, by and between Venoco, Inc. and Tim Marquez.

 

31.1

 

Certificate of Principal Executive Officer of Venoco, Inc. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

31.2

 

Certificate of Principal Financial Officer of Venoco, Inc. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

31.3

 

Certificate of Principal Executive Officer Denver Parent Corporation pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

31.4

 

Certificate of Principal Financial Officer of Denver Parent Corporation pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.1

 

Certificate of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of Venoco, Inc. pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.2

 

Certificate of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of Denver Parent Corporation pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

    VENOCO, INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ MARK A. DEPUY

        Name:   Mark A. DePuy
        Title:   Chief Executive Officer
        Date:   April 28, 2015

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature
 
Title
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ MARK A. DEPUY

Mark A. DePuy
  Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   April 28, 2015

/s/ SCOTT M. PINSONNAULT

Scott M. Pinsonnault

 

Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

 

April 28, 2015

/s/ HEATHER HATFIELD

Heather Hatfield

 

Director of Financial Reporting (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

April 28, 2015

/s/ TIMOTHY M. MARQUEZ

Timothy M. Marquez

 

Director

 

April 28, 2015

/s/ JOEL L. REED

Joel L. Reed

 

Director

 

April 28, 2015

/s/ RICHARD S. WALKER

Richard S. Walker

 

Director

 

April 28, 2015

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        Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

    DENVER PARENT CORPORATION

 

 

By:

 

/s/ TIMOTHY M. MARQUEZ

        Name:   Timothy M. Marquez
        Title:   Chief Executive Officer
        Date:   April 28, 2015

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature
 
Title
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 
/s/ TIMOTHY M. MARQUEZ

Timothy M. Marquez
  Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer); Sole Director   April 28, 2015

/s/ SCOTT M. PINSONNAULT

Scott M. Pinsonnault

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

April 28, 2015

/s/ HEATHER HATFIELD

Heather Hatfield

 

Director of Financial Reporting (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

April 28, 2015

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