UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) June 22, 2004
SCARAB SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Colorado
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
000-19949
(Commission File Number)
84-0503749
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
528-666 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 2X8
(Address of principal executive offices and Zip Code)
604-639-3178
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Item 2. Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
We closed a Lease Purchase and Sale Agreement (the "Agreement"), as amended, with Methane Energy Corp. ("Methane") and Geotrends-Hampton International LLC ("GHI") to purchase, through our subsidiary, Methane, GHI's undivided working interests' in certain mineral lease assets for the Coos Bay Basin prospects located onshore in the Coos Bay Basin of Oregon. To acquire these mineral lease assets, the Company will pay a total of US$300,000 (the "Cash Consideration") and will issue 1,800,000 restricted common shares (the "Consideration Shares"). The Cash Consideration and Consideration Shares will be paid in instalments as set out in Section 4 of the Agreement. The first tranche of 600,000 shares have been issued.
Risk factors relating to our Company
Likelihood of Profit
Our securities must be considered highly speculative, generally because of the nature of our business and the early stage of its development. We are engaged in the business of exploring and, if warranted, developing commercial reserves of oil and gas. Our properties are in the exploration stage only and are without known reserves of oil and gas. Accordingly, we have not realized a profit from our operations to date and there is little likelihood that we will realize any profits in the short term. Any profitability in the future from our business will be dependent upon locating and developing economic reserves of oil and gas, which itself is subject to numerous risk factors as set forth herein.
-2-
Lack of Financial Resources
Our ability to continue exploration and, if warranted, development of our properties will be dependent upon our ability to raise significant additional financing. If we are unable to obtain such financing, a portion of our interest in our properties may be lost. We have limited financial resources and limited cash flow from operations and we are dependent for funds on our ability to sell our common shares, primarily on a private placement basis. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain financing on that basis in light of factors such as the market demand for our securities, the state of financial markets generally and other relevant factors. The method of financing employed by us to date results in increased dilution to the existing shareholders each time a private placement is conducted.
There can be no assurance that additional funding will be available to us for exploration and development of our projects or to fulfil our obligations under any applicable agreements. Although historically we have announced additional financings to proceed with the development of some of our previous properties, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain adequate financing in the future or that the terms of such financing will be favorable. Failure to obtain such additional financing could result in delay or indefinite postponement of further exploration and development of our projects with the possible loss of such properties.
Potential of Substantial Dilution
It is likely that in order to obtain additional funds as needed, we will have to sell additional securities including, but not limited to, its common stock, the effect of which may result in a substantial dilution of the present equity interests of our shareholders.
Financial Considerations
Our decision as to whether our properties contain commercial oil and gas deposits and should be brought into production will require substantial funds and depend upon the results of exploration programs and feasibility studies and the recommendations of duly qualified engineers, geologists, or both. This decision will involve consideration and evaluation of several significant factors including but not limited to: (1) costs of bringing a property into production, including exploration and development work, preparation of production feasibility studies, and construction of production facilities; (2) availability and costs of financing; (3) ongoing costs of production; (4) market prices for the oil and gas to be produced; (5) environmental compliance regulations and restraints; and (6) political climate, governmental regulation and control.
Property Defects
We have not obtained title reports with respect to our oil and gas properties but believe our interests are valid and enforceable; however, our information does not guarantee title against all possible claims. The properties may be subject to prior unregistered agreements, native land claims or transfers which have not been recorded or detected through title research. We have not conducted thorough title searches and there may be claims to our properties that would have been evident if we had conducted title searches. Additionally, the land upon which we hold oil and gas leases may not have been surveyed; therefore, the precise area and location of such interests may be subject to challenge.
Need to Manage Growth
In the event our properties commence production, we could experience rapid growth in revenues, personnel, complexity of administration and in other areas. There can be no assurance that we will be able to manage the significant strains that future growth may place on our administrative infrastructure, systems, and controls. If we are unable to manage future growth effectively, our business, operating results and financial condition may be materially adversely affected.
Dependence on Key Personnel/Employees
We are dependent on our ability to hire and retain highly skilled and qualified personnel. We face competition for qualified personnel from numerous industry sources, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to attract
-3-
and retain qualified personnel on acceptable terms. We do not have key man insurance on any of our employees. The loss of service of any of our key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our operations or financial condition.
Conflicts of Interest
In addition to their interest in our company, our management currently engages, and intends to engage in the future, in the oil and gas business independently of our company. As a result, conflicts of interest between us and management of our company might arise.
Risks Relating to the Industry
Oil and Gas Exploration
Exploration for economic reserves of oil and gas is subject to a number of risk factors. While the rewards to an investor can be substantial if an economically viable discovery is made, few of the properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing oil and/or gas wells. Our properties are in the exploration and development stage only and are without proven reserves of oil and gas. There can be no assurance that we will establish commercial discoveries on any of our properties.
Potential Profitability of Oil and Gas Ventures Depends Upon Factors Beyond the Control of Our Company
The potential profitability of oil and gas properties is dependent upon many factors beyond our control. For instance, world prices and markets for oil and gas are unpredictable, highly volatile, potentially subject to governmental fixing, pegging, controls, or any combination of these and other factors, and respond to changes in domestic, international, political, social, and economic environments. Additionally, due to worldwide economic uncertainty, the availability and cost of funds for production and other expenses have become increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to project. These changes and events may materially affect our financial performance.
Adverse weather conditions can also hinder drilling operations. A productive well may become uneconomic in the event water or other deleterious substances are encountered which impair or prevent the production of oil and/or gas from the well. In addition, production from any well may be unmarketable if it is impregnated with water or other deleterious substances. The marketability of oil and gas which may be acquired or discovered will be affected by numerous factors beyond our control. These factors include the proximity and capacity of oil and gas pipelines and processing equipment, market fluctuations of prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, allowable production and environmental protection. The extent of these factors cannot be accurately predicted but the combination of these factors may result in our company not receiving an adequate return on invested capital.
Competitiveness of Oil and Gas Industry
The oil and gas industry is intensely competitive. We compete with numerous individuals and companies, including many major oil and gas companies, which have substantially greater technical, financial and operational resources and staffs. Accordingly, there is a high degree of competition for desirable oil and gas leases, suitable properties for drilling operations and necessary drilling equipment, as well as for access to funds. There can be no assurance that the necessary funds can be raised or that any projected work will be completed.
Fluctuating Price and Demand
The marketability of natural resources which may be acquired or discovered by us will be affected by numerous factors beyond our control. These factors include market fluctuations in oil and gas pricing and demand, the proximity and capacity of natural resource markets and processing equipment, governmental regulations, land tenure, land use, regulation concerning the importing and exporting of oil and gas and environmental protection regulations. The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination of these factors may result in us not receiving an adequate return on invested capital to be profitable or viable.
-4-
Comprehensive Regulation of Oil and Gas Industry
Oil and gas operations are subject to federal, state, and local laws relating to the protection of the environment, including laws regulating removal of natural resources from the ground and the discharge of materials into the environment. Oil and gas operations are also subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations which seek to maintain health and safety standards by regulating the design and use of drilling methods and equipment. Various permits from government bodies are required for drilling operations to be conducted; no assurance can be given that such permits will be received. No assurance can be given that environmental standards imposed by federal, provincial, or local authorities will not be changed or that any such changes would not have material adverse effects on our activities. Moreover, compliance with such laws may cause substantial delays or require capital outlays in excess of those anticipated, thus causing an adverse effect on us. Additionally, we may be subject to liability for pollution or other environmental damages which it may elect not to insure against due to prohibitive premium costs and other reasons.
Environmental Regulations
In general, our exploration and production activities are subject to certain federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to environmental quality and pollution control. Such laws and regulations increase the costs of these activities and may prevent or delay the commencement or continuance of a given operation. Compliance with these laws and regulations has not had a material effect on our operations or financial condition to date. Specifically, we are subject to legislation regarding emissions into the environment, water discharges and storage and disposition of hazardous wastes. In addition, legislation has been enacted which requires well and facility sites to be abandoned and reclaimed to the satisfaction of state authorities. However, such laws and regulations are frequently changed and we are unable to predict the ultimate cost of compliance. Generally, environmental requirements do not appear to affect us any differently or to any greater or lesser extent than other companies in the industry.
We believe that our operations comply, in all material respects, with all applicable environmental regulations.
We intend to acquire and maintain insurance coverage customary to the industry; however, it is not fully insured against all environmental risks. As well, coverage will depend on cost and we have not yet determined that we are in a financial position to acquire insurance.
Risks Associated with Drilling
Drilling operations generally involve a high degree of risk. Hazards such as unusual or unexpected geological formations, power outages, labor disruptions, blow-outs, sour gas leakage, fire, inability to obtain suitable or adequate machinery, equipment or labour, and other risks are involved. We may become subject to liability for pollution or hazards against which it cannot adequately insure or which it may elect not to insure. Incurring any such liability may have a material adverse effect on our financial position and operations.
Government Regulation/Administrative Practices
There is no assurance that the laws, regulations, policies or current administrative practices of any government body, organization or regulatory agency in the United States or any other jurisdiction, will not be changed, applied or interpreted in a manner which will fundamentally alter the ability of the Company to develop, operate, export or market its products.
The actions, policies or regulations, or changes thereto, of any government body or regulatory agency, or other special interest groups, may have a detrimental effect the Company. Any or all of these situations may have a negative impact on one or more of the Company's ability to operate and/or its profitably.
-5-
Item 9. Regulation FD Fair Disclosure.
We have closed a private placement resulting in gross proceeds of $200,000. We have issued 500,000 units at a price of $0.40 per unit. Each unit consists of a share and a non-transferable share purchase warrant. Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase an additional share in the capital of our company at price of $0.55 per common share for a period of two years from the date of closing. The units will be registered pursuant to a Registration Rights agreement. The proceeds will be used to acquire and develop our newly acquired coalbed methane mineral claims in Oregon and for general working capital.
We have also signed an investor relations agreement with Eclips Ventures International, a company based in Netherlands. Eclips will provide us with investor relations services for one year and we will pay them $70,000 and 300,000 shares of common stock.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
10.1 Lease Purchase and Sale Agreement between Scarab Systems Inc., Methane Energy Corp. and Geotrends Hampton International LLC dated May 11, 2004 (incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 20, 2004).
10.2 Amending Agreement to Lease Purchase and Sale Agreement dated May 19, 2004.
10.3 Second Amending Agreement to Lease Purchase and Sale Agreement dated June 11, 2004.
10.4 Investor Relations Agreement between Scarab Systems Inc. and Eclips Ventures International dated June 11, 2004.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
SCARAB SYSTEMS, INC.
/s/ Thomas Mills______________________
Thomas Mills, Director
Date: June 22, 2004