UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. )

Filed by the Registrant

Filed by a party other than the Registrant

Check the appropriate box:

Preliminary Proxy Statement

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

Definitive Proxy Statement

Definitive Additional Materials

Soliciting Material under § 240.14a-12

Battalion Oil Corporation

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):

No fee required

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials

Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11


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BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100
Houston, Texas 77024
832.538.0300

NOTICE OF 2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

October 8, 2024

To the Stockholders of Battalion Oil Corporation:

The 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Battalion Oil Corporation (the “Company”) will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., Central Time, at Two Memorial City Plaza, 820 Gessner Road, Magnolia Conference Room (Suite 280), Houston, Texas 77024, for the following purposes:

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1.

To elect six directors to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders in accordance with our certificate of incorporation and bylaws;

2.

To approve, in a non-binding advisory vote, the executive compensation of the Company’s named executive officers;

3.

To determine, in a non-binding advisory vote, whether a stockholder vote to approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers should occur every one, two or three years; and

4.

To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

If you were a stockholder as of the close of business on September 24, 2024 (the “Record Date”), you are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment thereof. Admittance at the Annual Meeting will be limited to stockholders of record as of the Record Date. Stockholders will need to provide a valid photo ID and proof of ownership of our common stock (e.g., the Notice, voting instruction form or brokerage statement).

We are pleased to furnish our proxy materials, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, to each stockholder of record, over the Internet, as permitted by Securities and Exchange Commission rules. This process will enable us to provide you with a convenient way to access our proxy materials, while reducing the amount of paper necessary to produce these materials, as well as the costs associated with mailing these materials to all stockholders of record. Accordingly, on or about October 8, 2024, the Company mailed the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) to all stockholders of record as of the Record Date and posted its proxy materials on the website referenced in the Notice. As more fully described in the Notice, all stockholders may choose to access the proxy materials on the website referred to in the Notice or may request a printed set of the proxy materials.

Your vote is important. Please vote your proxy promptly so your shares can be represented, even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person. You can vote by Internet or by telephone by using the voting procedures described in the Notice, or by requesting a printed copy of the proxy materials (including the proxy card), and completing, signing and returning the proxy card enclosed by mail. All stockholders of record as of the Record Date are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting.

By order of the Board of Directors of
Battalion Oil Corporation:

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Jonathan D. Barrett
Chairman of the Board

Please note that pursuant to the terms of the previously disclosed transaction with Fury Resources, Inc., the Company has agreed to hold a special stockholders meeting as promptly as practicable for the purpose of voting upon the adoption of the Merger Agreement and upon other related matters. Therefore, the 2024 Annual Meeting may be cancelled if the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement close prior to the 2024 Annual Meeting date. Should this occur, the Company will issue a press release announcing the cancellation of the 2024 Annual Meeting.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR
THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON November 21, 2024

The Notice and our proxy materials, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, are available on the Internet at www.proxyvote.com and at http://www.battalionoil.com/investors/annual-report-proxy-materials/.


Table of Contents

General Information

1

Electronic Availability of Proxy Statement and Annual Report

1

Attendance and Participation

1

Voting and Revocation of Proxies

1

Proposal 1 —Election of Directors

3

Director Nominees and Board Recommendations

4

Votes Required

6

Our Board of Directors and Its Committees

6

Meetings of Our Board of Directors and Committees of the Board

6

Corporate Governance Matters

8

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

11

Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics

12

Executive Officers of the Company

13

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

14

Executive Compensation

14

Our Compensation Committee

15

The Role of Our Independent Compensation Consultant

15

Summary Compensation Table

16

Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table

17

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

20

Director Compensation

20

2023 Director Compensation

20

Discussion of Director Compensation Table

21

Accountants and Audit Committee

22

Audit Committee Report

22

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

23

Attendance at the Annual Meeting by Deloitte Representative

23

Fees

23

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy

23

Proposal 2 — Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation

24

Proposal 3 — Advisory Vote on Frequency of Stockholder Vote on Executive Compensation

24

Submission of Stockholder Proposals for Our Next Annual Meeting of Stockholders

25

Other Matters

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820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100 Houston, Texas 77024
Telephone: 832.538.0300

Proxy Statement

FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON November 21, 2024

General Information

These proxy materials are being furnished to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the board of directors (“Board”) of Battalion Oil Corporation, a Delaware corporation (referred to in this proxy statement as “Battalion,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), for use at the annual meeting of stockholders, and any adjournments or postponements thereof, to be held on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., Central Time, at Two Memorial City Plaza, 820 Gessner Road, Magnolia Conference Room (Suite 280), Houston, Texas 77024.

Electronic Availability of Proxy Statement and Annual Report

As permitted under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), Battalion is making this proxy statement and its Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 available to its stockholders electronically via the Internet. On or about October 8, 2024, Battalion mailed a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) to its stockholders of record, as of the close of business on September 24, 2024 (the “Record Date”), which Notice sets forth instructions for accessing Battalion’s proxy materials electronically and instructions on how a stockholder can request to receive paper or e-mail copies of Battalion’s proxy materials.

Attendance and Participation

Attendance at the Annual Meeting will be limited to stockholders of record as of the Record Date. To be admitted to the Annual Meeting, you will be required to provide a photo ID and documentation showing that you owned common stock as of the Record Date. If you are a beneficial owner, you will also be required to provide the notice or voting instruction form you received from your broker, bank or other nominee or a brokerage statement reflecting your ownership of common stock as of the Record Date.

Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person, the Company strongly recommends that you vote your shares in advance (as described below) to ensure that your vote is counted, should you later be unable to attend the Annual Meeting.

Voting and Revocation of Proxies

If you provide specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted as you instruct. Whether you hold shares directly as a stockholder of record, or beneficially in street name, you may direct how your shares are voted at the annual meeting. If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote by submitting a proxy or by voting at the annual meeting, and if you hold your shares in street name, you may vote by submitting voting instructions to your broker, trustee or other nominee.

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You may cast your vote by proxy as follows:

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Internet at www.proxyvote.com by following the instructions on the Notice, or if you received proxy materials by mail, the proxy card;

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Telephone by calling 1-800-690-6903 and following the voice prompts; or

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Mailing the completed, signed and dated proxy card if you received proxy materials by mail, in the pre-addressed postage-paid envelope enclosed therewith.

Unless you otherwise direct in your proxy, the individuals named in the proxy card will vote the shares represented by such proxy in accordance with the recommendations of our Board. If you hold your shares in street name, please refer to the proxy card forwarded by your broker, trustee or other nominee to see which voting options are available to you and for instructions on how to vote. If you vote by Internet or by telephone, you need not return your proxy card. Proxies granted by telephone or over the Internet, in accordance with the procedures set forth on the proxy card, will be valid under Delaware law.

If you sign the proxy card of your broker, trustee or other nominee but do not provide voting instructions, your shares will not be voted unless your broker, trustee or other nominee has discretionary authority to vote. When a broker, trustee or other nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner is unable to vote on a particular proposal because such broker, trustee or other nominee does not have discretionary authority to vote in the absence of timely instructions from the beneficial owner, this is referred to as a “broker non-vote.” It is therefore particularly important that you indicate on the proxy card of your broker, trustee or other nominee how you want your shares to be voted in the election of the six director nominees named in this proxy statement and the other proposals to be voted upon at our annual meeting.

The Board is not aware of any business to be brought before the annual meeting other than as indicated in the Notice. If any other matter does come before the meeting, the persons named in the proxy card will vote the shares represented by the proxy in his or her best judgment.

Revocation of Proxy. A proxy may be revoked by a stockholder at any time prior to it being voted by delivering a revised proxy (by one of the methods described above) bearing a later date; voting in person at the annual meeting; or notifying our Corporate Secretary of the revocation in writing at our address set forth above in time to be received before the annual meeting.

Attendance at the meeting alone will not effectively revoke a previously executed and delivered proxy. If a proxy is properly executed and is not revoked by the stockholder, the shares it represents will be voted at the meeting in accordance with the instructions from the stockholder. If the proxy card is signed and returned without specifying choices, the shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of our Board. If your shares are held in an account at a broker, trustee or other nominee, you should contact your broker, trustee or other nominee to change your vote.

Record Date and Vote Required for Approval. The record date with respect to this solicitation is September 24, 2024. Our voting stock consists of issued and outstanding shares of our common stock. Except as otherwise required by law or the Company’s certificate of incorporation, holders of our preferred stock shall not be entitled vote on matters submitted to the Company’s stockholders for approval. All holders of record of our common stock as of the close of business on September 24, 2024, are entitled to vote at the annual meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof for which a new record date has not been established. As of the record date, we had 16,456,563 shares of common stock outstanding each of which entitles its holder to one vote on each matter submitted to our stockholders. Our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights. In accordance with our bylaws, the holders of a majority of our common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the annual meeting, represented in attendance or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at the annual meeting. If a quorum is not present at the annual meeting, a vote for adjournment will be taken among the stockholders present or represented by proxy. If a majority of the stockholders present or represented by proxy vote for adjournment, it is our intention to adjourn the meeting until a later date and to vote proxies received at such adjourned meeting. The place and date to which the annual meeting would be adjourned

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would be announced at the meeting, but would in no event be expected to be more than 30 days after the date of the annual meeting.

Election of director nominees requires that each director be elected by a majority of the votes present in attendance or represented by proxy at the annual meeting and entitled to vote on this matter, thus the number of shares voted “FOR” a nominee must exceed the number of shares voted as “Withhold” from such nominee. For purposes of determining the outcome for each nominee broker non-votes will not be counted as entitled to vote and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.

As an advisory vote, the proposal to approve the compensation of our named executive officers is not binding upon the Company. Additionally, the proposal regarding frequency of a stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation will be determined on an advisory basis by whichever of the choices —“1 YEAR,” “2 YEARS,” or “3 YEARS”— receives the greatest number of votes cast. Although advisory in nature, the Compensation Committee of our Board, which is responsible for overseeing our executive compensation program, values the opinions expressed by our stockholders and will consider the outcomes of those votes when making future compensation decisions.

Proxy Solicitation. We will bear all costs relating to the solicitation of proxies. Our officers, directors and employees may solicit proxies personally, by mail, telephone, e-mail or other electronic means.

Submission of Stockholder Proposals. The deadline for submitting stockholder proposals for inclusion in our proxy statement for our next annual meeting is 120 calendar days before the one year anniversary of the date of this proxy statement. See “Submission of Stockholder Proposals for Our Next Annual Meeting of Stockholders” below for additional information.

We will provide to any stockholder, without charge and upon written request, a copy (without exhibits, unless otherwise specified) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, as filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. Any such request should be directed to: Battalion Oil Corporation, Attn: Corporate Secretary, 820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77024, telephone number: (832) 538-0300. The Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 is not part of the proxy solicitation materials.

Proposal 1 
Election of Directors

Our Board is committed to recruiting and retaining directors for election who will provide value to the Board through their diversity of skills, experiences and backgrounds to support the oversight of the Company’s strategy and business objectives. The Board and the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee annually evaluate the needs of the Board as a whole and each Directors’ skills, experience and overall qualifications including independence.

Our bylaws state that the number of Directors will not be less than one nor more than seven directors. Our certificate of incorporation provides that each director nominee will then stand for election to a term expiring at the subsequent annual meeting of stockholders. Notwithstanding the expiration date of their term, each Director holds office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, incapacity, resignation or removal. As of the date of this proxy statement, our Board consists of six (6) directors, five (5) of whom have been determined to be independent directors, as set forth in the applicable corporate governance rules of the NYSE American.

All of our current directors, Jonathan D. Barrett, David Chang, Gregory S. Hinds, Ajay Jegadeesan, William D. Rogers and Matthew B. Steele have been nominated for re-election at the 2024 Annual Meeting. If Messrs. Barrett, Chang, Hinds, Jegadeesan, Rogers and Steele each receive a majority of votes cast in favor of his continued service on the Board, each will serve for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders.

If any nominee should for any reason become unable to serve prior to the date of the annual meeting, the shares represented by all valid proxies will be voted for the election of such other person as the Board may designate as a replacement following recommendation by the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee, or the Board may reduce the number to eliminate the vacancy.

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Director Nominees and Board Recommendations

The following table reflects the names and ages of our current directors, the positions and offices held and the length of their continuous service as a director:

Name

    

Director
Since

    

Age

    

Position

Jonathan D. Barrett

May 2020

56

Director (Chairman of the Board);
Committee: Nominating & Corporate Governance

David Chang

Oct. 2019

44

Director;
Committees: Compensation (Chair) and Reserves

Gregory S. Hinds

Oct. 2019

61

Director;
Committees: Reserves (Chair), Audit and Compensation

Ajay Jegadeesan

May 2023

42

Director;
Committees: Reserves and Nominating & Corporate Governance

William D. Rogers

Jun. 2021

64

Director;
Committees: Audit (Chair), Nominating & Corporate Governance (Chair) and Compensation

Matthew B. Steele

Apr. 2023

46

Director;
Chief Executive Officer

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The Board unanimously proposes and recommends that you vote “FOR” each of the nominees for re-election to the board of directors.

Directors:

Jonathan D. Barrett | Independent Director and Chairman of the Board

Director Bio and Qualification Highlights:

Mr. Barrett is the President of Luminus Management (“Luminus”), an investment management firm focused on investments across the capital structure of companies within the broader energy ecosystem.
Mr. Barrett joined Luminus shortly after its founding in 2003 and has led the firm since 2011. From 2005 to 2007, he served as Managing Director and a member of the Investment Committee of LS Power Equity Advisors, the private equity arm of LS Power, a former affiliate of Luminus focused on the North American power and energy infrastructure industries.
Prior to joining Luminus, Mr. Barrett was a Director in Salomon Smith Barney’s Merger and Acquisition Group.
Mr. Barrett graduated with honors in Accounting from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.
He currently serves as a director on the boards of Luminus affiliates and certain private companies and non-profit organizations.

David Chang | Independent Director

Director Bio and Qualification Highlights:

Mr. Chang is a Senior Vice President at LS Power Development, LLC (“LS Power”) where he is responsible for originating and managing investments in the energy sector across capital structures.
Prior to joining LS Power in 2011, Mr. Chang was an analyst in the Global Energy investment-banking group at Credit Suisse.
Mr. Chang holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Mathematics from Columbia University.

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Gregory S. Hinds | Independent Director

Director Bio and Qualification Highlights:

Mr. Hinds is the founder of Fenceline Minerals, LLC (“Fenceline”), a privately held company formed in 2017.
Prior to forming Fenceline, Mr. Hinds was the Chief Operating Officer of Jagged Peak Energy, LLC (“Jagged Peak”), having joined Jagged Peak at its inception in April 2013 through March 2017.
Prior to his tenure at Jagged Peak, Mr. Hinds was Chief Operating Officer of Ute Energy (“Ute”), a private equity backed oil and gas company with operations focused in the Uinta Basin of Northeastern Utah, which was sold in November of 2012.
Before Ute, Mr. Hinds was the Vice President of Uinta Basin Assets for the Bill Barrett Corporation (“Barrett”), where he was primarily responsible for the development of the West Tavaputs field as well as Barrett’s Blacktail Ridge and Lake Canyon properties. Prior to joining Barrett, he served as Geological Manager for Pennaco Energy and as an Exploration Geologist for Barrett Resources.
Mr. Hinds holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Louisiana State University and a Master of Science in Geology from Texas A&M University. He is a Registered Professional Geologist in Utah, Wyoming and Texas.
He currently serves on the board of directors of Terra Energy Partners and has previously served on the boards of Altamont Energy and Ridge Runner Resources.

Ajay Jegadeesan | Independent Director

Director Bio and Qualification Highlights:

Mr. Jegadeesan is a Senior Advisor within the Global Opportunities fund at Oaktree Capital (“Oaktree”) where he is responsible for managing investments in the energy sector across capital structures.
Prior to joining Oaktree in 2018, Mr. Jegadeesan worked in various engineering, leadership, exploration, asset development and operational roles at W.D. Von Gonten and Company, a boutique engineering advisory firm, where he led the due diligence and asset valuations for financial institutions and exploration & production companies culminating in deployment of over 20+ billion dollars in capital from 2011-2018 and Nutech Energy Alliance, and Schlumberger Technology Corporation.
Mr. Jegadeesan holds a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Oklahoma State University and a Masters of Petroleum Engineering degree from the University of Houston.
Mr. Jegadeesan currently serves as a director on the board of Sierra Energy Holdings and previously served on the board of PureWest Energy.

Matthew B. Steele | Director and Chief Executive Officer

Director Bio and Qualification Highlights:

Mr. Steele has served as a director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since April 2023.
Mr. Steele was a founder and has been a member of the board of directors of CarbonPath, Inc. since March 2021.
He previously served on the board of directors of Bowline Energy LLC from August 2021 to December 2023 and the board of directors of Bruin Management Operating LLC from March 2021 to October 2023.
He also served as a Senior Advisor for Yellow Rock LLC from October 2021 to June 2023.
Mr. Steele was the founder of Bruin E&P Partners LLC and served as Chief Executive Officer and President from September 2015 through March 2021.
Mr. Steele holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with Honors from the University of Houston.

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William D. Rogers | Independent Director

Director Bio and Qualification Highlights:

Mr. Rogers is Managing Partner of CCE Advisory, LLC and CCE Investments LLC, providing advisory services to private equity infrastructure funds from 2019 to present.
Mr. Rogers previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of CenterPoint Energy from March 2015 to April 2019.
Prior to his tenure at CenterPoint Energy, Mr. Rogers was Vice President and Treasurer of American Water Works Company, Inc., the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company, from October 2010 to January 2015.
Mr. Rogers was also Chief Financial Officer of NV Energy, Inc. (“NV Energy”), an investor-owned utility headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, from February 2007 to February 2010. He has previously served as NV Energy’s Vice President of Finance, Risk and Tax, as well as Corporate Treasurer.
Before joining NV Energy in June 2005, Mr. Rogers was a managing director in capital markets at Merrill Lynch and prior to that worked in a similar role at JPMorgan Chase in New York.
Prior to his various roles across the utility, financial and banking industries, Mr. Rogers had a distinguished career as a commissioned officer in the United States Army.
Mr. Rogers holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy and a Master of Business Administration degree with concentration in Accounting and Finance from Duke University.
Currently, Mr. Rogers serves as a director on the board of Grupo Protexa SA de CV, since June 2020, and previously served on the boards of Verdant Power Inc., from March 2021 to April 2022, and Enable GP, LLC (the general partner of Enable Midstream Partners, LP), from February 2015 to March 2019. He has also served as a member of the boards of directors of numerous non-profit organizations.

Additional information regarding the nominees for director, and all of our other directors, can be found under the sections entitled “Our Board of Directors and Its Committees,” “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management,” and “Director Compensation” of this proxy statement.

Votes Required

Directors are elected by a majority vote of the votes present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote, thus the number of shares voted “FOR” a nominee must exceed the number of shares voted as “Withhold” from such nominee. For purposes of determining the outcome for each nominee, broker non-votes will not be counted as entitled to vote and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote. If you sign your proxy card but do not give instructions with respect to the voting of directors, your shares will be voted for each nominee for director. However, if you hold your shares in street name and do not instruct your broker how to vote in the election of directors, your shares will constitute a broker non-vote and will not be voted for any of the nominees. See the section of this proxy statement entitled “General Information—Voting and Revocation of Proxies.”

Our Board of Directors and its Committees

Meetings of Our Board of Directors and Committees of the Board

Our Board currently has four standing committees: Audit, Compensation, Nominating & Corporate Governance, and Reserves. Actions taken by our committees are reported to the full Board. Each committee conducts an annual evaluation of its duties and is expected to conduct an annual review of its charter and also has authority to retain, set the compensation for, and terminate consultants, outside counsel and other advisers as that committee determines to be appropriate. Our Board held thirty-six (36) meetings during 2023, including telephonic meetings, and acted by unanimous written consent twelve (12) times. Each director attended at least 75% of the total meetings of the Board and the committee(s) on which such director serves during the period that such director served as a director or as a member on such committee(s).

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The written charter of each of the Board’s committees is available on our website at www.battalionoil.com.

Committees of the Board

Director

    

Audit

    

Compensation

    

Nominating & Corporate Governance

    

Reserves

Jonathan D. Barrett

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David Chang

Graphic

Graphic

Gregory S. Hinds

Graphic

Graphic

Graphic

Ajay Jegadeesan

Graphic

Graphic

William D. Rogers

Graphic

Graphic

Graphic

Matthew B. Steele

Meetings held in 2023

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3

1

4

Graphic

=

Chair

Graphic

=

Member

Audit Committee. The members of our Audit Committee are Gregory S. Hinds and William D. Rogers, with Mr. Rogers serving as the chairman. Our Board has determined that all members of our Audit Committee are financially literate within the meaning of SEC rules, under the current listing standards of the NYSE American and in accordance with our audit committee charter. Our Board has also determined that all members of the Audit Committee are independent, within the meaning of SEC and applicable NYSE American regulations for independence for audit committee members, under our corporate governance guidelines, and in accordance with our Audit Committee Charter. Our Board determined that Mr. Rogers is an “audit committee financial expert” (as defined under SEC rules) because he possesses: (i) an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and financial statements; (ii) the ability to assess the general application of such principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves; (iii) experience analyzing and evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by our financial statements; (iv) an understanding of internal control over financial reporting; and (v) an understanding of audit committee functions. Mr. Rogers acquired these attributes through his educational background and by having held various positions that provided relevant experience, as described in his biography under “Proposal 1 —Election of Directors” above.

The Audit Committee is responsible for oversight of Company risks relating to accounting matters, financial reporting, cybersecurity matters and related legal and regulatory compliance. The Audit Committee annually considers the qualifications and evaluates the performance of our independent auditor and selects and engages our independent auditor. The Audit Committee meets quarterly with representatives of the independent auditor and is available to meet at the request of the independent auditor. During these meetings, the Audit Committee receives reports regarding our books of accounts, accounting procedures, financial statements, audit policies and procedures, internal accounting and financial controls, and other matters within the scope of the Audit Committee’s duties. The Audit Committee reviews the plans for and the results of audits for us and our subsidiaries. The Audit Committee reviews the independence of the independent auditor and considers and authorizes the fees for both audit and non-audit services provided by the independent auditor.

Compensation Committee. The members of our Compensation Committee are David Chang, Gregory S. Hinds and William D. Rogers, with Mr. Chang serving as the chairman. Our Board has determined that each member of the Compensation Committee meets the NYSE American standards for independence, and is a “non-employee director” as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), an “outside director” as defined for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and meets the enhanced independence requirements set forth in Rule 10C-1 under the Exchange Act.

The Compensation Committee is entrusted with the overall responsibility for establishing, implementing and monitoring the compensation for our executive officers, administers the Battalion Oil Corporation 2020 Long-Term

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Incentive Plan (as amended, the “Plan”), and recommends awards and other stock-based grants under the Plan for our executive officers.

Our Compensation Committee routinely engages an outside independent compensation-consulting firm to assist the Board and the Compensation Committee in crafting our compensation program for our executive officers and to assist the Board in determining compensation for our non-employee directors. In connection with its engagement, the independent compensation consultant is tasked with, among other things, making recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding an appropriate compensation peer group, assisting the Compensation Committee in establishing a competitive executive compensation program and making recommendations and providing analysis regarding the compensation of our executive officers, including the named executive officers, discussed below under the heading “Executive Compensation.”

Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee. The members of our Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee are Jonathan D. Barrett, Ajay Jegadeesan and William D. Rogers, with Mr. Rogers serving as the chairman. Our Board has determined that all members of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee are independent pursuant to the applicable NYSE American rules, under our corporate governance guidelines, and in accordance with our Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee Charter.

Our Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for identifying qualified candidates to be presented to our Board for nomination as directors, ensuring that our Board and our organizational documents are structured in a way that best serves our practices and objectives, and developing and recommending a set of corporate governance principles. The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee may consider candidates for our Board from any reasonable source, including a search firm engaged by the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee, recommendations of the Board, management or nominations from our stockholders, in accordance with the procedures set forth in our bylaws. Although there is no specific policy regarding the consideration of diversity in identifying candidates, our Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee seeks to ensure the Board has diverse representation and the necessary skills to meet the corporate objectives and may consider whether the nominee, if elected, assists in achieving a mix of Board members that represents a diversity of thoughts, industry experience, corporate and technical experience, age, gender, racial and ethnic background.

Reserves Committee. The members of our Reserves Committee are David Chang, Gregory S. Hinds and Ajay Jegadeesan, with Mr. Hinds serving as the chairman. Our Reserves Committee is composed solely of non-employee directors who are independent under our corporate governance guidelines and in accordance with our Reserves Committee Charter. Our Reserves Committee assists our Board with oversight in the preparation by independent petroleum engineers of annual and any special reserve reports and/or audits of the estimated amounts of our consolidated hydrocarbon reserves and related information. The Reserves Committee selects, engages and determines funding for the independent petroleum engineers, who evaluate our hydrocarbon reserves, and also determines their independence from the Company in accordance with, among other things, the Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Corporate Governance Matters

Corporate Governance Web Page and Available Documents. We maintain a corporate governance page on our website at www.battalionoil.com/investors/corporate-governance where you can find the following documents:

our Corporate Governance Guidelines;
our Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers;
our Code of Conduct;
our Amended and Restated Insider Trading Policy;
our Regulation FD Policy; and
charters of our Audit, Compensation, Nominating & Corporate Governance, and Reserves Committees.

Notwithstanding any reference to our website contained in this proxy statement, the information you may find on our website is not part of this proxy statement. We will provide a printed copy of these documents, without charge,

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to stockholders who request copies in writing from: Battalion Oil Corporation, Attn: Corporate Secretary, 820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77024.

Director Independence. The current listing standards of the NYSE American require that our Board affirmatively determine the independence of each director and disclose such determination in the proxy statement for each annual meeting of our stockholders. On March 27, 2024, the Board affirmatively determined that each of Jonathan D. Barrett, David Chang, Gregory S. Hinds, Ajay Jegadeesan and William D. Rogers is an “independent director” under the guidelines described below and the applicable independence rules of the NYSE American.

In connection with its assessment of independence, our Board reviewed information regarding relevant relationships, arrangements or transactions between the Company and each director or parties affiliated with such director. Our Board has established the standards set forth below for determining director independence in our corporate governance guidelines.

A majority of the directors on our Board must be “independent.” No director qualifies as “independent” unless the Board affirmatively determines that such director has no “material relationship” with the Company, either directly, or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company. A “material relationship” is a relationship that the Board determines, after consideration of all relevant facts and circumstances, compromises the director’s independence from management. Our Board’s determination of independence must be consistent with all applicable requirements of the NYSE American, the SEC, and any other applicable legal requirements. Our Board may adopt specific standards or guidelines for independence in its discretion from time to time, consistent with those requirements.

Our corporate governance guidelines set forth our policy with respect to qualifications of the members of the Board, the standards of director independence, director responsibilities, Board meetings, director access to management and independent advisors, director orientation and continuing education, director compensation, management evaluation and succession, annual performance evaluation of the Board, and executive sessions.

Nomination Process. The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee will consider stockholder nominees for election as directors. Any stockholder nominations must be received by us not less than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the annual meeting; provided however, that in the event that less than seventy (70) days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to stockholders, notice by the stockholder, to be timely, must be received no later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made, whichever first occurs. Nominations should be delivered to the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee at the following address: Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee, c/o Battalion Oil Corporation, Attn: Corporate Secretary, 820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77024.

The stockholder’s nomination notice must set forth: (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director: (a) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person; (b) the principal occupation or employment and business experience of the person for at least the previous five years; (c) the class and number of shares of our capital stock which are beneficially owned by the person; and (d) any other information relating to the person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of directors pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC under Section 14 of the Exchange Act; and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice: (a) the name and record address of the stockholder; and (b) the class and number of shares of our capital stock beneficially owned by the stockholder. Such submission must be accompanied by the written consent of the proposed nominee to be named as a nominee and to serve as a director, if elected. We may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by us to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director.

In considering possible candidates for election as a director, the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee is guided by the principles that each director should be an individual of high character and integrity and have:

independence;
business experience that will contribute meaningfully to the deliberations of our Board;

9


a proven record of accomplishment;
a willingness to commit time and energy to our business affairs; and
diversity of thoughts and knowledge to challenge both the Board and management on technical and business matters.

In considering possible candidates for election as directors, the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee may, in its discretion, review the qualifications and backgrounds of existing directors and other nominees (without regard to whether a nominee has been recommended by stockholders), as well as the overall composition of our Board, and recommend the slate of directors to be nominated for election at the ensuing annual meeting of stockholders.

The charter of our Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee provides that the committee will evaluate our corporate governance effectiveness and recommend such revisions, as it deems appropriate, to improve our corporate governance. The areas of evaluation may include such matters as the size and independence requirements of our Board, Board committees, management succession and planning, and regular meetings of our non-employee directors without management in executive sessions.

The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee has not received any stockholder recommendations for nomination to our Board in connection with this year’s annual meeting. The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee has recommended Messrs. Barrett, Chang, Hinds, Jegadeesan, Rogers and Steele for re-election.

Board Diversity. Our Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee charter requires the committee to review the composition of the Board as a whole and recommend, if necessary, measures to be taken so that our Board not only contains the required number of independent directors, but also reflects a diverse set of skills with the balance of knowledge, experience, skills, expertise, integrity, analytical ability and diversity as a whole that the committee deems appropriate. This review includes an assessment as to our Board’s current and anticipated need for directors with specific qualities, skills, experience or backgrounds; the availability of highly qualified candidates; committee workloads and membership needs; and anticipated director retirements. In making its recommendations, the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee will also consider diversity on gender, racial, ethnic and any other self-identified diversity characteristics of directors and candidates to become directors, all with a view towards enhancing the effectiveness of our Board.

Leadership Structure. The Company’s bylaws provide that our Board annually elect one of its members to serve as Chairman; Mr. Jonathan Barrett currently serves as Chairman of the Board. Our Board believes that the interests of the Company and its stockholders are best served by maintaining the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer separate and that this division of responsibilities provides an effective and efficient approach for addressing risk management.

Our corporate governance guidelines currently provide that non-management directors must meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management. During 2023, our non-management directors held four (4) executive sessions without management present.

Risk Oversight. It is the job of our executive officers, and other members of our senior management, to identify, assess, and manage our exposure to risk. At times, management has retained outside consultants to assist in identifying, assessing, analyzing and developing plans to mitigate enterprise risks. Our Board plays an important role in overseeing management’s performance of these functions. Our Board requires management to discuss and review efforts, policies and risks related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG). Identified metrics are measured and monitored with on-going dialogue with management on additional regulatory, compliance and community related requirements. Our Board has approved the Audit Committee Charter, which lists the primary responsibilities of the Audit Committee. Those responsibilities require the Audit Committee to discuss with management our major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, including cyber security risks, the substance of any significant litigation, contingencies or claims that had, or may have, a significant impact on the financial statements. The Audit Committee is also required to discuss with management and review the mechanisms, guidelines and policies that govern the processes by which risk assessment and management are undertaken.

10


Each of the Board’s other committees also oversee the management of risks that fall within such committee’s area of responsibility. Our Compensation Committee incorporates risk considerations, including the risk of loss of key personnel, as it evaluates the performance of our executive officers, reviews management development and determines compensation structure and amounts. Our Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee focuses on issues and risks relating to Board composition, leadership structures, succession planning and corporate governance matters. The focus of our Reserves Committee is on the integrity of the process of selecting our independent petroleum engineers and whether reports prepared by our independent petroleum engineers are prepared in accordance with the accepted or required petroleum engineering standards.

Our Board receives reports from its committees regarding the risks considered in their respective areas to ensure that our Board has a broad view of our strategy and overall risk management process. In performing its risk oversight function, each committee has full access to management, as well as the ability to engage advisors. Each committee’s charter is available on our website at www.battalionoil.com.

Policies as to Hedging and Company Securities. Our insider trading policy provides that the Company’s directors, officers (including named executive officers) and other employees (and certain other covered individuals) are specifically prohibited from, among other things, (i) selling Company securities short; or (ii) in respect of Company securities, engaging in put options, call options or other derivative securities on an exchange or in any other organized market. Our employees and directors are prohibited from holding Company securities in a margin account or pledging Company securities as collateral for a loan. Additionally, the policy provides for restrictions on the unauthorized disclosure of any non-public information acquired in the workplace and the misuse of material non-public information in securities trading. The Company’s trading window is managed to meet the objectives of this policy and to maintain compliance with SEC guidelines.

Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy. On November 28, 2023, our Board adopted an Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy (the “Recoupment Policy”). Under the Recoupment Policy, our Board, unless the Compensation Committee deems it impracticable, may take reasonably prompt action to recoup all amounts of erroneously awarded compensation in the event that the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company with any financial reporting requirement under U.S. securities laws, including any required accounting restatement to correct a material error in previously issued financial statements, or that would result in a material misstatement if the error were corrected in the current period or left uncorrected in the current period.

Communications with Directors. Our Board welcomes communications from our stockholders and other interested parties. Stockholders and any other interested parties may send communications to our Board, to any committee of our Board, to the Chairman of the Board, or to any director in particular directed to: Battalion Oil Corporation, Attn: Corporate Secretary, 820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77024.

Any correspondence addressed to our Board, to any committee of our Board, to the Chairman of the Board, or to any one of the directors in care of our offices is required to be forwarded to the addressee or addressees without review by any person to whom such correspondence is not addressed.

Directors’ Attendance at Stockholder Meetings. Our corporate governance guidelines provide that our directors are encouraged, but not required, to attend annual meetings of our stockholders. At the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders, none of our non-employee directors were able to attend the meeting.

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

As required under SEC rules, the Company is required to disclose in our proxy statements any transactions that are determined to be directly or indirectly material to the Company or a related person.

In 2023 and 2024, the Company entered into the purchase agreements (further described below) with Luminus Management, LLC (“Luminus Management”), Oaktree Capital Management, LP (“Oaktree Capital”), and Gen IV Investment Opportunities, LLC (“Gen IV”), or affiliates thereof (collectively, the “Investors”), our largest three (3) existing shareholders, whose appointed representatives make up fifty percent (50%) of our Board, namely (i) Mr. Barrett,

11


President of Luminus Management, (ii) Mr. Jegadeesan, Senior Advisor at Oaktree Capital, and (iii) Mr. Chang, Senior Vice President at LS Power Development, LLC (an affiliate of Gen IV). Each of the transactions contemplated by the purchase agreements was approved by our Board upon recommendation by a special committee of disinterested directors that was established to evaluate the proposed terms of each transaction.

Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement. Purchase Agreement dated March 24, 2023, pursuant to which the Company issued an aggregate of 25,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $24,375,000. The allocated shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued to, and purchase price paid by, each of the Investors was: (i) 13,336 shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued to Luminus Energy Partners Master Fund, Ltd. (an affiliate of Luminus Management, collectively, “Luminus”) for the purchase price of $13,002,600; (ii) 6,526 shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued to OCM HLCN Holdings, L.P. (an affiliate of Oaktree Capital, collectively “Oaktree”) for the purchase price of $6,362,850; and (iii) 5,138 shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued to Gen IV for the purchase price of $5,009,550.

Series A-1 Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement. Purchase Agreement dated September 6, 2023, pursuant to which the Company issued an aggregate of 38,000 shares of Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A-1 Preferred Stock”) for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $37,050,000. The allocated shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock issued to, and purchase price paid by, each of the Investors was: (i) 20,269 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock issued to Luminus for the purchase price of $19,762,275; (ii) 9,921 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock issued to Oaktree for the purchase price of $9,672,975; and (iii) 7,810 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock issued to Gen IV for a purchase price of $7,614,750.

Series A-2 Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement. Purchase Agreement dated December 15, 2023, pursuant to which the Company issued an aggregate of 35,000 shares of Series A-2 Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A-2 Preferred Stock”) for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $34,125,000. The allocated shares of Series A-2 Preferred Stock issued to, and purchase price paid by, each of the Investors was: (i) 17,211 shares of Series A-2 Preferred Stock issued to Luminus for the purchase price of $16,780,725; (ii) 11,159 shares of Series A-2 Preferred Stock issued to Oaktree for the purchase price of $10,880,025; and (iii) 6,630 shares of Series A-2 Preferred Stock issued to Gen IV for a purchase price of $6,464,250.

Series A-3 Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement. Purchase Agreement dated March 27, 2024, pursuant to which the Company issued an aggregate of 20,000 shares of Series A-3 Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A-3 Preferred Stock”) for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $19,500,000. The allocated shares of Series A-3 Preferred Stock issued to, and purchase price paid by, each of the Investors was: (i) 9,835 shares of Series A-3 Preferred Stock issued to Luminus for the purchase price of $9,589,125; (ii) 6,376 shares of Series A-3 Preferred Stock issued to Oaktree for the purchase price of $6,216,600; and (iii) 3,789 shares of Series A-3 Preferred Stock issued to Gen IV for a purchase price of $3,694,275.

Series A-4 Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement. Purchase Agreement dated May 13, 2024, pursuant to which the Company issued an aggregate of 20,000 shares of Series A-4 Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A-4 Preferred Stock”) for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $19,500,000. The allocated shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock issued to, and purchase price paid by, each of the Investors was: (i) 9,835 shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock issued to Luminus for the purchase price of $9,589,125; (ii) 6,376 shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock issued to Oaktree for the purchase price of $6,216,600; and (iii) 3,789 shares of Series A-4 Preferred Stock issued to Gen IV for a purchase price of $3,694,275.

Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics

The Company’s Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers can be found on the Company’s website located at www.battalionoil.com. Any stockholder may request a printed copy of such materials by submitting a written request to: Battalion Oil Corporation, Attn: Corporate Secretary, 820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77024.

12


If the Company amends the Code of Ethics or grants a waiver, including an implicit waiver, from the Code of Ethics, the Company will disclose the information on its website. The waiver information will remain on the website for at least twelve months after the initial disclosure of such waiver.

Executive Officers of the Company

The following table sets forth the names and ages of our executive officers, the positions and offices with us currently held by such persons and the months and years in which continuous service began:

Name

 

Exec. Officer
Since

    

Age

Position

 

Matthew B. Steele

Apr. 2023

46

Chief Executive Officer
(Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer)

Daniel P. Rohling

Oct. 2019

41

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Walter R. Mayer

Feb. 2013

48

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Our executive officers are appointed to serve until the meeting of the Board following the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified. Biographical information about each of our currently serving executive officers is set forth below, other than Mr. Steele, whose biographical information is included under the heading “Proposal 1—Election of Directors” above.

Daniel P. Rohling | Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Executive Officer Bio Highlights:

Mr. Rohling has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since October 2019 and previously served as Vice President, Operations from September 2019 until October 2019.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Rohling served as the Asset Vice President of Ajax Resources, LLC (“Ajax”), from January 2018 until it sold substantially all of its assets to Diamondback Energy, Inc. in October 2018, after which Mr. Rohling pursued additional opportunities.
Prior to his tenure at Ajax, he served as Executive Vice President and General Manager - Rockies at XRO Energy, LLC from November 2017 to January 2018.
Mr. Rohling began his career with El Paso Corporation (EP Energy Corporation) and served in various operations, business development and management roles, ultimately serving as Permian Basin Asset Manager from June 2013 to November 2017.
Mr. Rohling has more than 18 years of oil and gas operations experience, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University, and is an active member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Walter R. Mayer | Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Executive Officer Bio Highlights:

Mr. Mayer has served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel since January 2023 and previously served as Vice President, Legal since 2013.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Mayer served as Associate General Counsel at Petrohawk Energy Corporation starting in 2010.
Mr. Mayer previously worked in the litigation group of Vinson & Elkins LLP focusing on commercial energy litigation.
Mr. Mayer earned his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law and is board certified in oil, gas and mineral law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of September 30, 2024 by (i) each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock; (ii) each of our named executive officers; (iii) each of our directors; and (iv) all or our current executive officers and directors as a group. As of September 30, 2024, 16,456,563 shares of our common stock were outstanding. Unless otherwise noted, the mailing address of each person or entity named below is 820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77024.

Name and Address
of Beneficial Owner

    

Amount and Nature of 
Beneficial Ownership

    

Percent of
Class*(1) 

Luminus Management, LLC (2)

16,661,693

61.8

%

Oaktree Capital Group, LLC (3)

10,065,897

44.67

%

Gen IV Investment Opportunities, LLC (4)

6,419,006

31.3

%

Richard H. Little (5)

47,471

*

Leah R. Kasparek (6)

5,267

*

Matthew B. Steele

8,782

*

Daniel P. Rohling

28,899

*

Walter R. Mayer

7,165

*

Jonathan D. Barrett (7)

16,661,693

61.8

%

David Chang

*

Gregory S. Hinds

11,601

*

Ajay Jegadeesan

*

William D. Rogers

4,000

*

All current directors and executive officers as a group (8 individuals)

16,722,130

62

%


*Less than one percent.
(1)Unless otherwise indicated, each stockholder has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock indicated as being beneficially owned by such stockholder. Shares of common stock that are not outstanding, but which a designated stockholder has the right to acquire within 60 days, are included in the number of shares beneficially owned by such stockholder and are deemed to be outstanding for purposes of determining the percentage of outstanding shares beneficially owned by such stockholder, but not for purposes of determining the percentage of outstanding shares beneficially owned by any other designated stockholder.
(2)According to, and based solely upon, Schedule 13D/A filed by Luminus Management, LLC and Luminus Energy Partners Master Fund, Ltd. (collectively, “Luminus”) with the SEC on June 20, 2024. The business address for Luminus is 1811 Bering Drive, Suite 400, Houston, Texas 77057. Ownership and voting rights shared with Jonathan D. Barrett.
(3)According to, and based solely upon, Schedule 13D/A filed by OCM HLCN Holdings, L.P., Oaktree Fund GP, LLC, Oaktree Fund GPI, L.P., Oaktree Capital I, L.P., OCM Holdings I, LLC, Oaktree Holdings, LLC and Oaktree Capital Group, (collectively, “Oaktree”) with the SEC on May 15, 2024. The business address for Oaktree is 333 S. Grand Avenue, 28th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90071.
(4)According to, and based solely upon, Schedule 13D/A filed by Gen IV Investment Opportunities, LLC, LSP Generation IV, LLC and LSP Investment Advisors, LLC (collectively, “Gen IV”) with the SEC on June 20, 2024. The business address for Gen IV is 1700 Broadway, 35th Floor, New York, New York 10019.
(5)Richard H. Little’s employment with the Company ended effective April 2, 2023. The business address for Mr. Little is c/o Fury Resources, Inc., 17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104-603, San Antonio, Texas.
(6)Leah R. Kasparek’s employment with the Company ended on May 31, 2023.
(7)Ownership and voting rights shared with Luminus Management, LLC.

Executive Compensation

The following discussion of executive compensation contains descriptions of various employment-related agreements and employee benefit plans. These descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the referenced agreements and plans, which have been filed by us as exhibits to our reports on Forms 10-K, 10-K/A, 10-Q and 8-K filed with the SEC.

Our compensation philosophies and programs are designed, structured and administered under the oversight of the Compensation Committee. Among the important responsibilities delegated to the Compensation Committee by our Board is evaluating the performance of, and making recommendations on the compensation of, the senior management of the Company, including the performance and compensation of our executive officers discussed below.

14


For the purposes of our discussion, our named executive officers (“NEO”) for 2023 are:

Name

Title

Matthew B. Steele

Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer & principal financial officer)

Richard H. Little (1)

Chief Executive Officer (former)

Daniel P. Rohling

Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer

Walter R. Mayer

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Leah R. Kasparek (2)

Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Secretary (former)


(1)

Richard H. Little’s employment with the Company ended effective April 2, 2023

(2)

Leah R. Kasparek’s employment with the Company ended on May 31, 2023. Ms. Kasparek was retained by the Company as an independent contractor until November 2023.

Our Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee of the Board is comprised entirely of independent directors in accordance with the applicable rules of the NYSE American. The primary duties and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee are to implement our compensation policies and programs for senior management, including the NEOs. The Compensation Committee has the authority under its charter to select and engage the services of a compensation consultant, independent legal counsel or other advisor after considering certain factors relevant to independence from management. After conducting its independence assessment, the Compensation Committee has the authority to engage, obtain the advice of, oversee, terminate and determine funding for such independence professional advisors, including but not limited to consulting firms, independent legal counsel or other advisors, as the Compensation Committee determines appropriate to carry out its functions. A current copy of the Compensation Committee charter is available on our website at www.battalionoil.com under the section entitled “Investors — Corporate Governance.” The Compensation Committee also reviews and assesses the adequacy of its charter, at least annually, and recommends any proposed changes to our Board for approval.

The chairman of the Compensation Committee works with our Chief Executive Officer, or the officer of the Company responsible for managing employee compensation, to establish an agenda for each meeting of the Compensation Committee and, with the assistance of outside advisors, to prepare meeting materials. Various members of management, including our Chief Executive Officer, as well as outside advisors, may be invited to attend all or a portion of a Compensation Committee meeting depending on the nature of the matters to be discussed. Only members of the Compensation Committee vote on items before the Compensation Committee; however, the Compensation Committee and the Board often solicit the views of senior management on compensation matters, in particular as they relate to the compensation of other members of senior management.

The Role of Our Independent Compensation Consultant

In 2023, we engaged Zayla Partners as our independent compensation consultant. Our compensation consultant provided advice regarding an appropriate compensation peer group for 2023 compensation benchmarking and our 2023 compensation program for senior management, including our NEOs. The Compensation Committee determined that Zayla Partners were independent of Company management and no conflicts of interest or issues involving the independence of our compensation consultant arose during the periods covered by this Proxy Statement.

Our independent compensation consultant is engaged by, and reports directly to, the Compensation Committee in carrying out its duties, and works with our Chief Executive Officer when preparing materials for the Compensation Committee. Our independent compensation consultant advises us on the composition of our compensation peer group and provides reports and analyses on their compensation and benefits practices.

Our Compensation Peer Group. Our Compensation Committee annually reconsiders, with the advice and assistance of our compensation consultant, the composition of our compensation peer group and will recommend changes to the peer group so that it reflects, in the estimation of such consultant and our Compensation Committee, a mix of companies that share pertinent characteristics with our Company and that are potential competitors with us for management talent. In developing our compensation structure, we review the compensation and benefit practices of a

15


compensation peer group of oil and natural gas exploration and development companies selected by the Compensation Committee in consultation with our compensation consultant.

For 2023, our compensation peer group consisted of the following companies:

· Amplify Energy Corp.

    

· Ring Energy, Inc.

· Earthstone Energy, Inc.

 

· Sandridge Energy, Inc.

· Ranger Oil Corporation

 

· Silverbow Resources, Inc.

· Riley Exploration Permian, Inc.

 

2023 Executive Compensation

Summary Compensation Table. The table below sets forth information regarding compensation for our NEOs for the years indicated:

Name and Principal Position

    

Year

    

Salary (2)

    

Bonus (3)

    

All Other
Compensation (4)

    

Total

Matthew B. Steele (1)

2023

$

187,500

$

125,000

$

683

$

313,183

Chief Executive Officer

Richard H. Little

2023

$

125,000

$

1,017,100

$

1,142,100

Chief Executive Officer (former)

2022

$

500,000

$

75,000

$

27,107

$

603,107

Daniel P. Rohling

2023

$

350,000

$

350,000

$

22,982

$

722,982

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

2022

$

350,000

$

87,500

$

21,607

$

459,107

Walter R. Mayer

2023

$

275,000

$

179,688

$

23,607

$

478,295

Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

2022

$

275,000

$

141,560

$

21,525

$

438,085

Leah R. Kasparek (1)

2023

$

125,160

$

$

616,286

$

741,446

Senior Vice President, Human Resources
(former)


(1)Not a NEO for fiscal year 2022.
(2)Represents actual base salary paid in the year.
(3)Comprised of an annual cash incentive and, with respect to Mr. Rohling, a one time cash retention bonus.
(4)For 2023, the amounts reported for All Other Compensation include amounts provided to the NEOs as outlined in the table below, with respect to (a) the matching contribution that we make on account of employee contributions under our 401(k) Savings Plan; (b) premiums paid by the Company for executive long-term disability insurance; (c) severance payments made to Mr. Little and Mrs. Kasparek; (d) accrued vacation payout for Mr. Little and Mrs. Kasparek; (e) contractor payments for Mrs. Kasparek; and (f) gross up payment for benefits.

All Other Compensation

Named Executive Officer

    

(a)

   

(b)

    

(c)

    

(d)

    

(e)

    

(f)

Matthew B. Steele

$

683

Richard H. Little

$

12,885

$

369

$

1,000,000

$

3,846

Daniel P. Rohling

$

21,875

$

1,107

Walter R. Mayer

$

22,500

$

1,107

Leah R. Kasparek

$

26,239

$

461

$

395,833

$

13,750

$

180,000

$

2

Compensation Adjustments Subsequent to Fiscal Year End

Subsequent to December 31, 2023, the Board approved a merit-based compensation adjustment as follows:

Name

 

Adjusted Base Salary

 

Matthew B. Steele (1)

$

367,500

Daniel P. Rohling (1)

$

367,500

Walter R. Mayer (2)

 

$

284,350

 


(1)Pay rate effective August 16, 2024.
(2)Pay rate effective January 1, 2024.

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Pay versus Performance Table

The table below sets forth information regarding compensation for our principal executive officer and the financial performance of the Company for the years indicated:

Year

Pay

Performance

PEO (1)

Average of other NEOs (2)

    

Summary Compensation

Table Total
(Steele)

    

Summary Compensation

Table Total
(Little)

    

Compensation

Actually Paid
(Steele)

    

Compensation

Actually Paid
(Little)

    

Summary Compensation

Table Total

    

Average Compensation Actually Paid

    

Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on Total Shareholder Return

    

Net Income

2023

$

313,183

$

1,142,100

$

313,183

$

416,549

(3)

$

647,574

$

496,048

(4)

$

115.78

$

(3,048,000)

2022

$

603,107

$

803,996

$

448,596

$

495,072

$

116.99

$

18,539,000

2021

$

971,035

$

1,562,167

$

688,587

$

912,223

$

118.07

$

(28,317,000)


(1)For 2023, Richard H. Little was the Principal Executive Officer (PEO) until April 2023; Matthew B. Steele was the PEO thereafter. For 2022 and 2021 the PEO was Richard H. Little.
(2)The Non-PEO NEOs were, for the respective year: (a) Daniel P. Rohling, Walter R. Mayer and Leah R. Kasparek for 2023; (b) Daniel P. Rohling and Walter R. Mayer for 2022; and (c) Daniel P. Rohling and R. Kevin Andrews for 2021.
(3)Includes vested RSU value of $173,017 and a change in value of ($898,567) for long-term incentives granted in 2020.
(4)Includes vested RSU value of $36,048 and a change in value of ($187,574) for long-term incentives granted in 2020.

Pay versus Performance Graphs.

Graphic     Graphic

Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table

The principal elements of our executive compensation program are base salary, annual cash incentives (which are dependent upon our annual assessment of management performance), long-term equity incentives and post-termination severance (under certain circumstances), and other benefits and perquisites, consisting of life and health insurance benefits, a qualified 401(k) savings plan and limited tax gross ups. From time to time, we may vary the mix of compensation utilized, depending upon our current view of the most effective method to provide incentives under current market conditions, taking into account the compensation practices of our compensation peer group and the advice of our independent compensation consultant. All long-term incentives are awarded under the Plan. No grants of Plan-based awards were made to our NEOs during 2023.

Base Salary. We review base salaries for our executive officers annually to determine if a change is appropriate. In reviewing base salaries, we consider several factors, including a comparison to base salaries paid for comparable positions in our compensation peer group, the relationship among base salaries paid within our Company and individual experience and contributions. Our intent is to set base salaries at levels that we believe are consistent with our

17


compensation program design objectives and align our executives with peers to allow the Company to retain executive talent in a competitive environment.

Annual Cash Incentives. We typically determine annual cash incentives following the end of the year on the basis of management performance during the year. Generally, at the beginning of the year, the Compensation Committee establishes certain operating and financial performance metrics, assigns them relative weightings and establishes annual targets for payout for each of them. Targeted payouts may range from 0% of base salary for not meeting the minimum annual targets, 100% of base salary for achieving more aggressive annual targets and 200% of base salary for achieving the most aggressive, or “stretch,” annual targets. Targets at the 100% payout level are intended to be achievable but challenging to reach. Individual performance may also factor into establishing annual cash incentives as our Compensation Committee recognizes that each member of senior management will contribute to the overall success in the achievement of our goals to varying degrees, and it may take these relative contributions into account when considering compensation generally, and annual cash incentives in particular.

Our Compensation Committee typically retains a significant level of discretion with respect to annual cash incentive awards regardless of the degree to which pre-established operating and financial performance metrics are met because of the limitations inherent in pre-established quantitative measures of performance when operating in a dynamic business environment. At the beginning of 2023, our Compensation Committee established operating and financial performance metrics covering the following areas:

health and safety, including total reportable incident rate targets; non-planned H2S alarms; serious incident near misses; OSHA recordable events; and average quality field observations per quarter;
capital efficiency, as evidenced by oil production volume and capital expenditure targets;
controlling costs, including lease operating expense per Boe, cash G&A and average well cost targets;
financial targets for EBITDA, leverage ratio and oil deducts; and
corporate targets, including increases in market capitalization, syndication of the revolving credit agreement and monetization of certain assets.

The specific targets adopted were intended to be challenging but achievable. Incentive opportunities for the named executives were 100% of base salary for achieving minimum targets up to a maximum of 200% for achieving stretch targets, with performance falling between targets determined using linear interpolation. As noted earlier, as a general matter we do not believe that strictly formulaic or inflexible compensation programs are necessarily appropriate for our Company, particularly given the dynamic nature of our Company and business environment, nor do we believe that such programs will necessarily provide appropriate incentives or rewards for the performance that we expect; therefore, our Compensation Committee typically retains significant discretion in assessing the performance of the Company or an individual, may alter performance metrics and targets as circumstances warrant and, in doing so, take such factors into consideration as may be deemed appropriate from time to time. Accordingly, compensation, including annual cash compensation, may vary greatly from year to year and from executive to executive as a consequence of corporate performance and individual contribution relative to such factors that we may consider important, which may carry varying weight over time depending on the circumstances.

In March 2024, the Compensation Committee reviewed the performance of the Company and management for the year ended December 31, 2023, against the performance metrics established at the beginning of 2023. Based on performance and adjustments, the Compensation Committee recommended, and the Board approved, short-term incentive payments to our current named executive officers, as reflected under the column heading “Bonus” in the “Summary Compensation Table” appearing elsewhere herein.

Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and Change-in-Control Arrangements. The Company has entered into employment agreements with each of our named executive officers referenced below, which automatically renew annually for successive one (1) year periods unless either party provides written notice of non-renewal at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the then effective term.

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Pursuant to the employment agreements, if the Company terminates an executive’s employment without “Cause” or the executive terminates his employment with the Company for “Good Reason” prior to the end of the then-applicable employment term, such executive is entitled to the termination benefits set forth on the following table, both prior to and after the occurrence of a change of control of our Company.

Merger Incentive Plan. On September 19, 2024, the Company adopted a Merger Incentive Plan, to provide for grants of compensatory awards to eligible employees of the Company, including the Company’s executive officers, in the form of Equity Grant Units (“EGU”). Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Incentive Plan, all EGUs that have been granted and are outstanding as of the closing of a change of control transaction shall vest upon the date on which such closing occurs and will be settled in cash based on the consideration paid for the Company's common stock in connection with such closing or the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date a person or group files a report with the Securities and Exchange Commission announcing that they are the beneficial owners of more than 50% of the total voting power of the outstanding voting stock of the Company.

    

Severance

    

Early Vesting of RSUs/

    

Merger Incentive

    

Change of Control

    

    

 

Payment (1)

Options/PSUs (2)

Equity Grant Units (3)

Bonus (4)

Other (5)

Total

Without Cause/For Good Reason

Matthew B. Steele

$

28,269

$

5,035

$

33,304

Daniel P. Rohling

$

500,000

$

500,000

Walter R. Mayer

$

401,644

$

21,164

$

422,808

Following Change of Control

Matthew B. Steele

$

28,269

$

352,694

$

1,300,000

$

5,035

$

1,685,998

Daniel P. Rohling

$

500,000

$

232,435

$

128,252

$

850,000

$

1,710,687

Walter R. Mayer

$

401,644

$

77,483

$

128,252

$

400,000

$

21,164

$

1,028,543


(1)Pursuant to the Companys Severance Policy, Mr. Steeles severance payment would be four (4) weeks of his current base salary. Mr. Rohlings severance payment would be the exact dollar amounts listed. Mr. Mayers severance payment would be calculated as one­time his current base salary plus a prorated bonus calculated at target (prorated through November 2024, using a 75% target of his base salary).
(2)As reflected above, the value of unvested restricted stock units, stock options and performance units that would vest under each of these termination scenarios is based on a common stock consideration price of $7.00 per share. Reflects no payout for out of the money stock options or performance units that have not achieve our total shareholder return threshold as defined in the award agreements. Amounts reflected under Following a Change of Control assumes in part, certain RSUs granted vesting in full upon achievement of certain business combination goals, as defined in the award agreements.
(3)Represents the value of EGUs awarded under the Companys Merger Incentive Plan on September 19, 2024, which would vest under a change of control event. The value is calculated on a common stock price consideration of $7.00 per share.
(4)Discretionary bonus pool to be allocated by the Board based on a successful change of control.
(5)Other severance benefits, include payments for COBRA premiums plus $2,000, representing the cost of outplacement services.

Each executive’s right to receive termination payments is conditioned upon executing a general release of claims in the Company’s favor. The executive must also agree to refrain from disclosing the Company’s confidential information during or at any time following his employment with the Company and from soliciting the Company’s employees or consultants for one (1) year following termination of his employment. Mr. Rohling must also agree to refrain from such competing activities for six (6) months following termination of employment.

Retirement Benefits. We do not maintain a defined benefit pension plan or retiree medical program that covers members of senior management. Retirement benefits to our senior management, including the named executive officers, are currently provided solely through a tax-qualified profit sharing and 401(k) plan (our “Savings Plan”). We match 100% of the amount an employee contributes to the Savings Plan, subject to a 10% maximum based on the employee’s compensation as defined in the Savings Plan. Members of senior management participate in the Savings Plan on the same basis as other eligible employees.

The Savings Plan provides for various investment options, for which the participant has sole discretion in determining how both the employer and employee contributions are invested. The independent trustee of the Savings Plan then invests the assets of the Savings Plan as directed by participants. The Savings Plan does not provide our employees the option to invest directly in our securities. The Savings Plan offers in-service withdrawals in the form of after-tax account distributions and age 59.5 distributions. We believe that the Savings Plan supports the objectives of

19


our compensation structure, including the ability to recruit and retain senior and experienced mid- to late-career executive talent for critical positions within our organization.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

The following table summarizes the number of securities underlying outstanding plan awards for each named executive officer as of December 31, 2023.

    

Option Awards

   

Stock Awards

 

Name

   

Number of 
Securities 
Underlying 
Unexercised
Options 
Exercisable

   

Number of 
Securities 
Underlying 
Unexercised 
Options 
Unexercisable

   

Option 
Exercise 
Price

   

Option 
Expiration 
Date

   

Number of 
Shares or 
Units of 
Stock  That 
Have Not 
Vested

   

Market 
Value of 
Shares or Units 
of Stock That 
Have Not 
Vested (1)

   

Equity Incentive 
Plan Awards: 
Number of Unearned 
Shares, Units Or 
Other Rights That 
Have Not Vested (2)

Richard H. Little

Matthew B. Steele

Daniel P. Rohling

19,223

6,641

$

18.91

2/20/2027

33,205

$

319,100

53,128

19,223

6,641

$

28.23

2/20/2027

19,223

6,641

$

37.83

2/20/2027

Walter R. Mayer

6,641

2,214

$

18.91

2/20/2027

11,069

$

106,373

17,709

6,641

2,214

$

28.23

2/20/2027

6,641

2,214

$

37.83

2/20/2027

Leah R. Kasparek (3)

11,069

$

106,373


(1)Calculated based upon the closing market price of our common stock as of December 29, 2023, the last trading day of our 2023 fiscal year ($9.61) multiplied by the number of unvested awards at year end. As of December 31, 2023, a business combination, as defined in the award agreements, had not been consummated.
(2)Represents unvested performance units at the maximum number of shares that may be earned. Performance units scheduled to vest on February 20, 2024; provided, that our total shareholder return relative to the total shareholder return of certain of our peer companies is achieved as defined in the award agreements over the Performance Period (the Performance Metrics). As of February 20, 2024, the Performance Metrics were not achieved; accordingly, the performance units did not vest.
(3)Pursuant to Mrs. Kaspareks Separation Agreement, as amended, RSUs granted will vest in full only upon achievement of certain business combination goals (as defined in the award agreements) being achieved by the Company on or before the one-year anniversary of her separation date, May 31, 2024.

Director Compensation

2023 Director Compensation

The table below sets forth certain information concerning the compensation earned in 2023 by our non-employee directors for service on our Board and committees of the Board.

Name

    

Fees Earned or 
Paid in Cash

    

Stock 
Awards

    

Option 
Awards

    

All Other 
Compensation

    

Total

 

Jonathan D. Barrett

$

225,000

$

225,000

David Chang

$

175,000

$

175,000

Gregory S. Hinds

$

175,000

$

175,000

Ajay Jegadeesan

$

96,841

$

96,841

William D. Rogers

$

200,000

$

200,000

Allen Li (1)

$

53,159

$

53,159


(1)Mr. Li resigned from our Board effective May 8, 2023.

20


Discussion of Director Compensation Table

Annual compensation for each committee chairperson and committee member for all of the committees of our Board for 2023 is set forth below:

Non-Employee Directors

    

Amount

 

Annual Retainer:

Non-Executive Chairman of the Board

$

225,000

Non-Employee Director

$

150,000

Additional Annual Retainers— Committee Chair:

Audit Committee Chair

$

25,000

Compensation Committee Chair

$

25,000

Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee Chair

$

25,000

Reserves Committee Chair

$

25,000

Fees are paid in four equal quarterly installments.

Employee directors receive no additional compensation for service on our Board or any committee of the Board. All directors receive actual expense reimbursements associated with attending Board and committee meetings. We revisit non-employee director compensation as circumstances warrant and may adjust compensation in response to competitive market conditions and other factors. Historically, we have targeted non-employee director compensation at the 50th percentile of our compensation peer group.

21


Accountants and Audit Committee

Audit Committee Report

Dear Stockholder:

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management of Battalion and Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”), the firm serving as the independent registered public accountant of Battalion, the audited financial statements of Battalion as of, and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (the “Audited Financial Statements”). In addition, we have discussed with Deloitte the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and the SEC.

The Audit Committee also has received the written disclosures and the letter from Deloitte, required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee, concerning independence, and the Audit Committee has discussed with that firm its independence from Battalion. Upon such review, the Audit Committee has concluded that the independent registered public accountant is independent from Battalion and its management. We have also discussed with management of Battalion and Deloitte such other matters and received such assurances from them as we deemed appropriate.

Management is responsible for Battalion’s internal controls and the financial reporting process. Deloitte is responsible for performing an independent audit of Battalion’s financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and issuing a report thereon. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes.

Based on the foregoing monitoring and oversight process, discussions with management and a review of the report of Deloitte with respect to the Audited Financial Statements, and relying thereon, the Committee has recommended to the Board the inclusion of the Audited Financial Statements in Battalion’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for filing with the SEC.

The Audit Committee has considered the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 with respect to the responsibilities of audit committees of public companies. The Audit Committee and the Board of Battalion are committed to compliance with all provisions of that statute and related regulations. Actions will be taken by the Audit Committee and the Board as statutory and regulatory provisions become effective for Battalion and for audit committees and independent registered public accountants generally.

MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE:

William D. Rogers (Chairman)

Gregory S. Hinds

(The foregoing Audit Committee Report does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other filing of Battalion under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that Battalion specifically incorporates the Report by reference therein.)

22


Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte is the independent registered public accounting firm selected by our Audit Committee as the independent registered public accountant for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf consulted Deloitte with respect to the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, or any other matters or reportable events as defined in Items 304(a)(1)(iv) and (v) of Regulation S-K.

Attendance at the Annual Meeting by Deloitte Representative

A representative of Deloitte will be invited to the annual meeting of the stockholders. If in attendance, Deloitte will have the opportunity to make a statement if it desires to do so, and the Deloitte representative is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Fees

The following table presents fees billed for professional audit services rendered by Deloitte, our principal accounting firm for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The table also presents fees for other services rendered by Deloitte during those periods; we paid all such fees.

    

2023

    

2022

 

Audit Fees

$

1,660,000

$

1,040,000

Audit-Related Fees

Tax Fees

$

271,592

$

70,000

All Other Fees

Total

$

1,931,592

$

1,110,000

As used above, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:

Audit Fees. The fees for professional services rendered by Deloitte for the audit of our annual financial statements, for the review of the financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and for services that are normally provided by the accountants in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements and private placements, including but not limited to registration statements, for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Tax Fees. The fees for professional services rendered by Deloitte for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy

All audit fees, audit-related fees and tax fees as described above for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were pre-approved by our Audit Committee, which concluded that the provision of such services by Deloitte was compatible with the maintenance of their respective independence in the conduct of their auditing functions. Our Audit Committee’s pre-approval policy provides that pre-approval of all such services must be approved separately by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has not delegated any such pre-approval authority to anyone outside the Audit Committee. Each member of the Audit Committee has the authority to pre-approve non-audit services up to $200,000 to be performed by our independent registered public accountant.

23


Proposal 2 
Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation

In accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we provide our stockholders with the opportunity to vote to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the SEC’s compensation disclosure rules.

As more particularly described in detail under the heading “Executive Compensation” of this proxy statement, we operate in a highly competitive environment and as such, our executive compensation program is designed to attract, motivate and retain high quality individuals, utilizing a mix of fixed and at risk compensation that is related to our overall performance and the creation of stockholder value. We believe that our program continues to be appropriately designed to achieve our goals and aligns the interests of senior management and other key employees with those of our stockholders by combining competitive compensation with the opportunity for greater rewards for superior performance and the creation of stockholder value.

The vote on this resolution is not intended to address any specific element of compensation; rather, the vote relates to the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the SEC’s compensation disclosure rules. The vote is advisory, which means that it is not binding on the Company, our Board or our Compensation Committee. To the extent there is any significant vote against our named executive officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement, our Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any action is necessary to address the concerns of stockholders.

Accordingly, we ask our stockholders to vote on the following resolution at our annual meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the Company’s stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers, as disclosed in the Company’s proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Executive Compensation section, the Director Compensation section, the Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosures.”

Graphic

The Board unanimously proposes and recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement.

Proposal 3 
Advisory Vote on Frequency of Stockholder Vote on Executive Compensation

Section 14A of the Exchange Act provides that stockholders must be given the opportunity to vote, on a non-binding, advisory basis, for their preference as to how frequently we should seek future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in accordance with the SEC’s compensation disclosure rules, which we refer to as an advisory vote on executive compensation. By voting on this Proposal No. 3, stockholders may indicate whether they would prefer that we conduct future advisory votes on executive compensation once every one, two, or three years. Stockholders also may, if they wish, abstain from casting a vote on this proposal.

Our Board has determined that a triennial advisory vote on executive compensation will allow our stockholders to provide direct input on our executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices at an interval between votes that allows a meaningful comparison between compensation and performance. Because our compensation program and philosophy is straightforward and does not materially change from year to year, the Board believes that triennial voting is a more appropriate pace for evaluating how well our Compensation Committee is aligning executive compensation with long term performance and is consistent with our efforts to best evaluate the effectiveness of our compensation program, particularly relating to the long term incentive components of compensation which comprise a substantial component of executive compensation.

24


The vote is advisory and as such, is not binding on the Company, our Board or our Compensation Committee. Our Board and our Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote, however, when considering the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation the Board may decide that it is in the best interests of our stockholders and the Company to hold an advisory vote on executive compensation more or less frequently than the frequency receiving the most votes cast by our stockholders.

Most recently, at our 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, our stockholders approved an annual advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers by casting 8,585,287, or approximately 57% of all votes cast by the holders of our common stock present in person or by proxy. Following this vote, our Board adopted a triennial voting policy, expressing its intention to schedule the next advisory vote on executive compensation for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. See “Proposal 2—Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation” above.

The proxy card provides stockholders with the opportunity to choose among four options (holding the vote every one, two or three years, or abstaining) and, therefore, stockholders will not be voting to approve or disapprove the recommendation of the Board.

The advisory vote regarding frequency of a stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation will be determined by whichever of the choices — “1 YEAR,” “2 YEARS,” or “3 YEARS”— receives the greatest number of votes cast. If triennial advisory votes are approved by the stockholders again, we expect that our next advisory vote on executive compensation will occur at our 2027 annual meeting of stockholders. Shares represented by proxies that are marked to indicate abstentions from this proposal and broker non votes with respect to this proposal will not affect its outcome. If no voting specification is made on a properly returned or voted proxy card, the proxies named on the proxy card will vote FOR a frequency of once every “3 YEARS” for future advisory votes on executive compensation.

Graphic
3 Years

The Board unanimously proposes and recommends that you vote for the option of once every “3 YEARS” as the preferred frequency for future advisory votes on executive compensation.

Submission of Stockholder Proposals
for our Next Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Stockholder proposals intended to be presented under Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act for inclusion in our proxy statement and accompanying proxy for our next annual meeting of stockholders, including nomination of an individual for election as a director at the next annual meeting of stockholders, must be received at our principal executive offices in Houston, Texas, not less than 120 calendar days before the one year anniversary of the date of this proxy statement, and must meet all the requirements of Rule 14a-8. However, if the date of the next annual meeting of stockholders changes by more than 30 days before or 60 days from the one year anniversary of this annual meeting’s date, then the deadline is a reasonable time before the Company begins to print and send its proxy materials. If a stockholder intends to present a proposal at our next annual meeting but has not sought the inclusion of such proposal in our proxy materials, the written notice of such proposal must be delivered to our Corporate Secretary not less than sixty (60) nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the one year anniversary of the Annual Meeting date, in connection with this proxy statement. If we mail or otherwise provide notice, or public disclosure, of the date of our annual meeting on a date that is less than seventy (70) days prior to the date of the annual meeting, the stockholder’s notice that he or she proposes to bring business before the annual meeting must be received by us no later than the tenth business day following the day on which our notice of the annual meeting was mailed, or public disclosure was made, whichever event first occurs.

Proposals and other notices should be sent to (the use of certified mail, return receipt requested, is suggested): Battalion Oil Corporation, Attn: Corporate Secretary, 820 Gessner Road, Suite 1100, Houston, Texas 77024.

25


Other Matters

The Board knows of no other proposals that may properly be presented for consideration at the annual meeting but, if other matters do properly come before the annual meeting, and provided you vote your shares using the instructions on the notice of Internet availability of proxy materials, or, if you received a paper copy of the proxy card, by completing, signing, dating and returning the proxy card, thereby consenting to be represented at the annual meeting by proxy, the persons named in the proxy will vote your shares according to their best judgment.

By Order of the Board of Directors
of Battalion Oil Corporation

26


GRAPHIC

Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. V57238-P18620 Nominees: 2. To approve, in a non-binding advisory vote, executive compensation of our named executive officers. 3. To determine, in a non-binding advisory vote, whether a stockholder vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers should occur every one, two or three years. ! ! ! For All Withhold All For All Except ! ! ! BATTALION OIL CORPORATION To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark "For All Except" and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposal: NOTE: To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. The Board of Directors recommends you vote "3 Years" on the following proposal: Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer. BATTALION OIL CORPORATION C/O BROADRIDGE P.O. BOX 1342 BRENTWOOD, NY 11717 1. To elect six directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders in accordance with our certificate of incorporation and bylaws. 01) Jonathan D. Barrett 02) David Chang 03) Gregory S. Hinds 04) Ajay Jegadeesan 05) Matthew B. Steele 06) William D. Rogers 1 Year 2 Years 3 Years Abstain For Against Abstain ! ! ! ! VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information. Vote by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on November 20, 2024. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions. Vote by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on November 20, 2024. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. SCAN TO VIEW MATERIALS & VOTEw

GRAPHIC

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice and Proxy Statement, Form 10-K and 10-K/A are available at www.proxyvote.com. V57239-P18620 BATTALION OIL CORPORATION Annual Meeting of Stockholders November 21, 2024 2:00 PM This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors The stockholders hereby appoint Matthew B. Steele and Walter Mayer, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint their substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of Common stock of BATTALION OIL CORPORATION that the stockholders are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 2:00 PM Central Time on November 21, 2024, at Two Memorial City Plaza, 820 Gessner Road, Magnolia Conference Room (Suite 280), Houston, Texas 77024, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations. Continued and to be signed on reverse side


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