Commitments And Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments And Contingencies

10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

     We have entered into various, non-cancelable operating leases for office space, equipment, land and buildings that expire between 2013 and 2023. Rental expense was $99,000 in 2012, $181,000 in 2011, and $325,000 in 2010. Total future minimum lease payments under these agreements as of December 31, 2012 are as follows:

Year		Amount
(in thousands)
2013	$	101
2014		32
2015		9
2016		9
2017		9
Thereafter		39
	$	199

     We have entered into employment agreements, which provide severance benefits to several key employees. Commitments under these agreements totaled approximately $2,208,000 at December 31, 2012. Expense is not recognized until an employee is severed.

     On August 17, 2007, we entered into a Resignation and Compromise Agreement ("Compromise Agreement") with Mr. Ziad Ghandour, a former director, employee and consultant to Syntroleum. Under the Compromise Agreement, Mr. Ghandour has the right to receive additional compensation until December 31, 2011 for five potential commercial projects, as defined in the Compromise Agreement. Mr. Ghandour claimed he is entitled to additional compensation as a result of a business transaction with SINOPEC. We determined that no additional compensation was warranted as a result of the transaction. The arbitration between Syntroleum Corporation and Ziad Ghandour's styled Ziad Ghandour v. Syntroleum Corporation, Case No. 50 166 T 00048 10, pending before the American Arbitration Association, was settled on January 17, 2011, and the arbitration was dismissed with prejudice on January 18, 2011. The parties exchanged mutual releases. The settlement has been recorded in our year ended December 31, 2010 Statement of Operations.