(FORMERLY BLAST ENERGY SERVICES, INC.)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of PEDEVCO CORP., (formerly Blast Energy Services, Inc.) (“PEDEVCO” or the “Company”), have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto contained in PEDEVCO’s latest Annual Report filed with the SEC on Form 10-K, as amended. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods presented have been reflected herein. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Notes to the financial statements that would substantially duplicate disclosures contained in the audited financial statements for the most recent fiscal year, as reported in the Form 10-K on March 25, 2013, as amended, have been omitted.
The Company’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
NOTE 2 – DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
PEDEVCO’s primary business plan is: (i) engaging in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas resources in the United States, primarily shale oil and natural gas and secondarily conventional oil and natural gas opportunities in the United States (U.S.), and (ii) utilizing the Company’s strategic relationships for acquisition, exploration, development and production in Asia, with a particular focus on China and Kazakhstan.
The Company owns a 20% interest in Condor Energy Technology, LLC (“Condor”), as well as a 50% interest in White Hawk Petroleum, LLC (“White Hawk”). Condor’s operations consist primarily of working interests in oil and gas leases in the Niobrara shale formation located in the Denver-Julesberg Basin in Morgan and Weld Counties, Colorado. The remaining interest in Condor is owned by an affiliate of MIE Holdings Corporation (Hong Kong Stock Exchange code: 1555.HK), one of the largest independent upstream onshore oil companies in China (“MIE Holdings”). White Hawk’s operations consist primarily of working interests in oil and gas leases in the Eagle Ford shale formation in McMullen County, Texas. The remaining interest in White Hawk is also owned by an affiliate of MIE Holdings.
The Company also owns an average 98% working interest in leases covering the Mississippian Lime located in Comanche, Harper, Barber and Kiowa Counties, Kansas. The Company serves as the operator of this asset and anticipates drilling its first well in the fourth quarter of 2013.
The Company plans to focus initially on developing shale oil and gas assets held by the Company in the U.S., including its first oil and gas working interest known as the “Niobrara Asset,” its second oil and gas working interest known as the “Eagle Ford Asset,” and its most recently acquired oil and gas working interest known as the “Mississippian Asset”. In addition, the Company has also entered into an agreement to acquire an approximate 51% ownership in Asia Sixth Energy Resources Limited (“Asia Sixth”), a British Virgin Islands entity, which holds an approximate 60% ownership interest in Aral Petroleum Capital Limited Partnership (“Aral”), a Kazakhstan entity. Aral holds a production license covering a 380,000 acre oil and gas producing asset located in the Pre-Caspian Basin in Kazakhstan, which the Company plans to close upon receipt of required approvals from the government of Kazakhstan, anticipated to be received no later than the third quarter of 2014. The Company plans to seek additional shale oil and gas and conventional oil and gas asset acquisition opportunities in the U.S. and Asia utilizing its strategic relationships and technologies that may provide the Company a competitive advantage in accessing and exploring such assets. Some or all of these assets may be acquired by subsidiaries, and equity investees such as Condor and White Hawk, or others that may be formed at a future date.
NOTE 3 – GOING CONCERN
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has incurred losses from operations of $18,756,252 from the date of inception (February 9, 2011) through September 30, 2013 and has a negative working capital and/or accumulated deficit at September 30, 2013. Additionally, the Company is dependent on obtaining additional debt and/or equity financing to roll-out and scale its planned principle business operations. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Management’s plans in regard to these matters consist principally of seeking additional debt and/or equity financing combined with expected cash flows from current oil and gas assets held and additional oil and gas assets that it may acquire. There can be no assurance that the Company’s efforts will be successful. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
NOTE 4 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements herein have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company and those of its wholly-owned subsidiaries as follows: (i) Eagle Domestic Drilling Operations LLC, a Texas limited liability company (which was voluntarily dissolved effective July 10, 2013); (ii) Blast AFJ, Inc., a Delaware corporation; (iii) Pacific Energy Development Corp., a Nevada corporation; (iv) Pacific Energy Technology Services, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company; (v) Pacific Energy & Rare Earth Limited, a Hong Kong company; (vi) Blackhawk Energy Limited, a British Virgin Islands company; and (vii) Pacific Energy Development MSL, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Equity Method Accounting for Joint Ventures. The majority of the Company’s oil and gas interests are held all or in part by the following joint ventures which are collectively owned with affiliates of MIE Holdings:
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-
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Condor Energy Technology LLC, a Nevada limited liability company owned 20% by the Company and 80% by an affiliate of MIE Holdings. The Company accounts for its 20% ownership in Condor using the equity method; and
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-
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White Hawk Petroleum, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company owned 50% by the Company and 50% by an affiliate of MIE Holdings. The Company accounts for its 50% interest in White Hawk using the equity method.
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The Company evaluated its relationship with Condor and White Hawk to determine if either qualified as a variable interest entity ("VIE"), as defined in ASC 810-10, and whether the Company is the primary beneficiary, in which case consolidation would be required. The Company determined that both Condor and White Hawk qualified as VIE’s, but since the Company is not the primary beneficiary of either Condor or White Hawk, the Company concluded that consolidation was not required for either entity.
Use of Estimates in Financial Statement Preparation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as certain financial statement disclosures. While management believes that the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from these estimates. Significant estimates generally include those with respect to the amount of recoverable oil and gas reserves, the fair value of financial instruments, oil and gas depletion, asset retirement obligations, and stock-based compensation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, cash equivalents consisted of money market funds and cash on deposit.
Concentrations of Credit Risk. Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk include cash deposits placed with financial institutions. The Company maintains its cash in bank accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits as guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). At September 30, 2013, approximately $4,013,518 of the Company’s cash balances were uninsured. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
Sales to three customers comprised 100% of the Company’s oil revenues and sales to one customer comprised 100% of its gas revenues for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013. For the nine months ending September 30, 2012, sales to two customers comprised 100% of the Company’s oil revenues and there were no gas revenues for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012. The Company believes that, in the event that its primary customer was unable or unwilling to continue to purchase the Company’s production, there are a substantial number of alternative buyers for its production at comparable prices.
Accounts Receivable. Accounts receivable typically consist of oil and gas receivables. The Company has classified these as short-term assets in the balance sheet because the Company expects repayment or recovery within the next 12 months. The Company evaluates these accounts receivable for collectability considering the results of operations of these related entities and when necessary records allowances for expected unrecoverable amounts. To date, no allowances have been recorded.
Revenue Recognition. All revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the service or sale is complete, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue is derived from the sale of crude oil and natural gas. Revenue from crude oil and natural gas sales is recognized when the product is delivered to the purchaser and collectability is reasonably assured. The Company follows the “sales method” of accounting for oil and natural gas revenue, so it recognizes revenue on all natural gas or crude oil sold to purchasers, regardless of whether the sales are proportionate to its ownership in the property. A receivable or liability is recognized only to the extent that the Company has an imbalance on a specific property greater than its share of the expected remaining proved reserves. If collection is uncertain, revenue is recognized when cash is collected.
Deferred Property Acquisition Costs. The Company defers the costs, such as title and legal fees, related to oil and gas property acquisitions. At the time the acquisition is completed, these costs are reclassified and included as part of the purchase price of the property acquired. To the extent a property acquisition is not consummated these costs are expensed.
Oil and Gas Properties, Successful Efforts Method. The successful efforts method of accounting is used for oil and gas exploration and production activities. Under this method, all costs for development wells, support equipment and facilities, and proved mineral interests in oil and gas properties are capitalized. Geological and geophysical costs are expensed when incurred. Costs of exploratory wells are capitalized as exploration and evaluation assets pending determination of whether the wells find proved oil and gas reserves. Proved oil and gas reserves are the estimated quantities of crude oil and natural gas which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions, (i.e., prices and costs as of the date the estimate is made). Prices include consideration of changes in existing prices provided only by contractual arrangements, but not on escalations based upon future conditions.
Exploratory wells in areas not requiring major capital expenditures are evaluated for economic viability within one year of completion of drilling. The related well costs are expensed as dry holes if it is determined that such economic viability is not attained. Otherwise, the related well costs are reclassified to oil and gas properties and subject to impairment review. For exploratory wells that are found to have economically viable reserves in areas where major capital expenditure will be required before production can commence, the related well costs remain capitalized only if additional drilling is under way or firmly planned. Otherwise the related well costs are expensed as dry holes.
Exploration and evaluation expenditures incurred subsequent to the acquisition of an exploration asset in a business combination are accounted for in accordance with the policy outlined above.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization of capitalized oil and gas properties are calculated on a field by field basis using the unit of production method. Lease acquisition costs are amortized over the total estimated proved developed and undeveloped reserves and all other capitalized costs are amortized over proved developed reserves.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the historical cost-carrying value of an asset may no longer be appropriate. The Company assesses recoverability of the carrying value of the asset by estimating the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the asset, including eventual disposition. If the future net undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment loss is recorded equal to the difference between the asset’s carrying value and estimated fair value.
Income Taxes. The Company utilizes the asset and liability method in accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards and for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets unless it is more likely than not that the value of such assets will be realized.
Stock-Based Compensation. The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of employee stock option awards at the date of grant, which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including expected volatility and expected life. Changes in these inputs and assumptions can materially affect the measure of estimated fair value of the Company’s share-based compensation. These assumptions are subjective and generally require significant analysis and judgment to develop. When estimating fair value, some of the assumptions will be based on, or determined from, external data and other assumptions may be derived from the Company’s historical experience with stock-based payment arrangements. The appropriate weight to place on historical experience is a matter of judgment, based on relevant facts and circumstances.
The Company estimates volatility by considering the historical stock volatility. The Company has opted to use the simplified method for estimating expected term, which is generally equal to the midpoint between the vesting period and the contractual term.
Earnings or Loss per Common Share. Basic earnings per common share equal net earnings or loss divided by weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share include the impact on dilution from all contingently issuable shares, including options, warrants and convertible securities. The common stock equivalents from contingent shares are determined by the treasury stock method. The Company incurred net losses for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and therefore, basic and diluted earnings per share for those periods are the same as all potential common equivalent shares would be anti-dilutive. As of September 30, 2013, the Company excluded 1,443,724 potentially issuable shares of common stock related to options and 2,886,686 potentially issuable shares of common stock related to warrants due to their anti-dilutive effect.
Derivative Liability. The Company follows Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815-40”), which limits the extent to which the conversion or exercise price (the “strike price”) of a warrant can be adjusted for subsequent transactions. The Company utilizes a two-step process to determine whether an instrument is indexed to its stock: (a) evaluate the instrument’s contingent exercise provisions, if any and (b) evaluate the instrument’s settlement provisions. If it is determined the instrument is not indexed to the Company’s stock, the warrant is recognized as a derivative warrant at issuance and is measured at fair value at each reporting period and the change is recorded in earnings.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The Company follows Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”), which clarifies fair value as an exit price, establishes a hierarchal disclosure framework for measuring fair value, and requires extended disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of ASC 820 apply to all financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value.
As defined in ASC 820, fair value, clarified as an exit price, represents the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As a result, fair value is a market-based approach that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability.
As a basis for considering these assumptions, ASC 820 defines a three-tier value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value.
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Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
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Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
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Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
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The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
Reclassifications. Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements of the prior year have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation for comparative purposes.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements. There were no accounting standards and interpretations issued during 2013 and 2012, which had or are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, operations or cash flows.
Subsequent Events. The Company has evaluated all transactions through the date the consolidated financial statements were issued for subsequent event disclosure consideration.
NOTE 5 – OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES
The following table summarizes the Company’s oil and gas activities by classification for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
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December 31,
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September 30,
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Unproved properties
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$
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1,105,645
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|
|
$
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5,169,077
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|
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$
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-
|
|
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$
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-
|
|
|
$
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6,274,722
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Proved properties
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2,479,535
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|
|
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1,028,584
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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3,508,119
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Asset retirement costs
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16,552
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|
|
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(1,445)
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|
|
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-
|
|
|
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-
|
|
|
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15,107
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|
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Accumulated depreciation depletion and impairment
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)
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)
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|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
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)
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Total oil and gas assets
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$
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3,346,070
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|
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$
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5,592,806
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|
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$
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-
|
|
|
$
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-
|
|
|
$
|
8,938,876
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The above amounts include the effect of owners who choose not to participate in the costs of the development of the properties (non-consenting owners) which has increased our interest in the properties’ operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
The depletion recorded for production on proved properties for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 amounted to $79,042 and $296,317, respectively. The Company recorded impairment expense for expired leasehold costs in the amount of $218,590 and $307,093 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company began drilling operations on its FFT2H, Logan 2H and Waves 1H wells. The Company completed the FFT2H well in July 2012. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company has incurred $574,619 and $453,965 in drilling costs related to the Logan 2H and Waves 1H wells, respectively, in addition to amounts previously incurred. These wells were both completed in February 2013.
On February 22, 2013, Pacific Energy Development MSL, LLC (“PEDCO MSL”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an Agreement for Purchase of Term Assignment (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Berexco LLC (“Berexco”) for the acquisition of unproved oil and gas interests in the Mississippian Lime covering approximately 6,763 net acres located in Comanche, Harper, Barber and Kiowa Counties, Kansas (the “Mississippian Asset”) and approximately 10.5 square miles of related 3-D seismic data, for an aggregate purchase price of $4,207,117. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, Berexco applied $864,866 as the initial deposit, due from PEDCO MSL to Berexco, which funds were held in escrow by Berexco on Condor’s behalf in connection with a previously contemplated transaction between Condor and Berexco. The Company remains obligated to Condor to refund the amount of $432,433, which was the portion of the initial deposit previously paid into escrow by MIE Jurassic Holding Corporation (“MIEJ”) in connection with the previously contemplated transaction between Condor and Berexco. The remaining $3,774,684 was paid in cash by the Company to Berexco in March 2013. The Company also capitalized $245,135 for legal fees and title work, $72,726 for additional costs (including $67,341 for acquiring an additional 122 acres) and $507,221 payable to South Texas Reservoir Alliance LLC (“STXRA”) for acquisition costs for total capitalized costs of approximately $5,032,000.
On March 25, 2013, PEDCO MSL completed the acquisition of the Mississippian asset, acquiring an average 98% working interest in the Mississippian Lime properties. PEDCO MSL serves as the operator of the asset.
The Mississippian acquisition is structured as a primary term assignment by the seller to PEDCO MSL of the leasehold interests which expires on December 29, 2014. If PEDCO MSL drills at least three (3) horizontal wells on these leasehold interests during this primary term, then PEDCO MSL has the option, in its sole discretion, to extend the primary term with respect to some or all of the leases subject to the assignment for an additional one (1) year period upon payment to the seller of an additional $200 per net acre covered by the leases upon which the option is exercised. If PEDCO MSL completes a commercially producing well during the primary or extended terms, then the seller shall assign such leases to PEDCO MSL for as long as the wells produce in paying quantities, with each horizontal well of at least 4,000 feet in length holding 320 acres covered by the leases, each short horizontal well with a length of between less than 4,000 feet and at least 2,000 feet in length holding 160 acres, and each vertical well holding 10 acres. The seller shall retain an overriding royalty interest equal to the positive difference, if any, obtained by subtracting existing leasehold burdens from 22.5% before payout and 25% after payout (reduced to the extent the seller assigns less than a 100% working interest to PEDCO MSL). For purposes of the Mississippian agreement, “payout” is defined as such time, on a well by well basis, when a well has sold the following specified barrels of oil equivalent (“BOE”), (utilizing a conversion factor for gas sales of 8 thousand cubic feet (Mcf) per 1 barrel of oil (bbl)): for a vertical well, ten thousand (10,000) BOE; for a short horizontal well: twenty-five thousand (25,000) BOE; and for a horizontal well: fifty thousand (50,000) BOE.
In connection with the closing of the Company’s acquisition of the Mississippian Asset, pursuant to a letter agreement with STXRA dated March 25, 2013, as amended, the Company is obligated to pay STXRA a completion fee of $507,221 (equal to $75.00 per net oil and gas acre acquired in the Mississippian Asset (the “Completion Fee”)), based on the 6,763 net acres acquired, which is payable 80% in cash and 20% in the Company’s common stock, or $405,777 in cash and $101,444 in common stock (the “Equity Consideration”). Such cash compensation is due and payable to STXRA thirty (30) days following the closing of the Company’s next underwritten public offering, and as Equity Consideration the Company issued to STXRA 33,815 shares of common stock on July 11, 2013. The Company recorded an account payable and a corresponding asset to oil and gas properties, not subject to amortization on March 25, 2013 in the accompanying balance sheet for $507,221. STXRA originally identified the Mississippian Asset acquisition opportunity for the Company, and provided substantial acquisition and due-diligence related consulting services to the Company, with their sole compensation being the Completion Fee.
NOTE 6 – DEPOSIT FOR BUSINESS ACQUISITION
On September 16, 2013, the Company entered into a Share Subscription Agreement to acquire an approximate 51% ownership in Asia Sixth, which holds an approximate 60% ownership interest in Aral. Aral holds a 100% operated working interest in a production license issued by the Republic of Kazakhstan that expires in 2035 in western Kazakhstan (the “Contract Area”). The Contract Area covers 380,000 acres within the North Block located in the Pre-Caspian Basin. This basin is the largest currently producing basin in Kazakhstan.
Under the agreement, the Company plans to take control of Aral through the acquisition of a 51% controlling interest in Asia Sixth, by way of subscription of shares of Asia Sixth, which in turn currently holds a 60% controlling interest in Aral. Asia Sixth’s interest in Aral is scheduled to increase to 66.5% following the completion of certain transactions to occur between Asia Sixth and Asia Sixth’s partner in Aral that currently holds the remaining 40% interest in Aral (the “Aral Transactions”). Upon closing and completion of the Aral Transactions, Aral will be owned 66.5% by Asia Sixth, which will be controlled and managed by the Company. Thus, the Company, through its 51% majority ownership in Asia Sixth, will own an approximately 34% beneficial interest in Aral and have control of Aral through its control of Asia Sixth. The closing of the transaction is anticipated to occur in September 2014, subject to the satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions including the approval of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the Protection of Competition and the Ministry of Oil and Gas of the Republic of Kazakhstan (“MOG”), and the MOG’s waiver of its pre-emptive purchase right with respect to the transaction. In addition, the Company’s ability to pay the final closing payment (if and to the extent due) is contingent upon the Company securing sufficient financing, of which there can be no assurances.
The Company has paid an initial deposit of $8 million in September and a subsequent deposit of $2 million on October 1, 2013 to Asia Sixth, and shall increase its deposit by up to $10 million to a total of $20 million contingent upon receipt of payment in full to the Company from an investor under a promissory note maturing in December 2013. As of September 30, 2013, the $10 million promissory note maturing in December 2013 is recorded as a $10 million stock subscription receivable on the balance sheet. The deposit is subject to full refund to the Company in the event the transaction does not close, other than as a result of the Company’s material uncured breach. These funds will also be used, in part, to recomplete and rework currently producing wells with the goal of significantly increasing their production rates. Based on how these wells perform, at closing, the Company shall owe to Asia Sixth a final closing payment equal to an additional: (i) $20 million if the daily average volume of oil produced by Aral over a specified 30 day period (the “Target Volume”) equals or exceeds 1,500 barrels of oil per day (“BOPD”); (ii) $15 million if the Target Volume equals or exceeds 1,000 BOPD but is less than 1,500 BOPD; or (iii) $0 due if the Target Volume comes in less than 1,000 BOPD.
Upon closing, the Company and the other shareholders of Asia Sixth will enter into a shareholders agreement, pursuant to which the shareholders will agree to certain restrictions on the transfer of their interests in Asia Sixth, certain pre-emption rights in the event a shareholder desires to transfer its interests in Asia Sixth, certain information rights, and certain other rights, including, but not limited to, certain management and control provisions, including: (i) the Company’s right to nominate two (2) of the five (5) directors of Asia Sixth, subject to the Company maintaining at least a 25% ownership of Asia Sixth; (ii) the Company’s right to nominate one (1) additional of the five (5) directors of Asia Sixth, subject to the Company maintaining at least a 51% ownership of Asia Sixth; (iii) the Company’s right to designate the Chairman of Asia Sixth from among its directors appointed to the Asia Sixth Board; and (iv) the appointment of two (2) of the Asia Sixth directors designated by the Company to the five (5) member Supervisory Council of Aral.
NOTE 7 – EQUIPMENT
Equipment as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following:
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September 30,
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December 31,
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2013
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2012
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Computer equipment
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$
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6,714
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|
|
$
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6,714
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|
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AFJ Rig
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|
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112,089
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|
|
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112,089
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Subtotal
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118,803
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118,803
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Less:
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|
|
|
|
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Accumulated depreciation
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(89,479
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)
|
|
|
(30,920
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)
|
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Equipment, net
|
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$
|
29,324
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|
|
$
|
87,883
|
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Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $58,559 and $5,776, respectively, and is included in operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Upon completion of the acquisition, the Company anticipates that the transaction will be accounted for as a business combination whereby the financial results of Asia Sixth will be consolidated with the financial results of the Company.
NOTE 8 – NOTES RECEIVABLE
The Company loaned Condor funds for operations pursuant to a promissory note entered into on February 14, 2013, with an effective date of November 1, 2012, which note permits multiple loans to be made thereunder up to $8,000,000 as separate “advances”. The note receivable bears interest at a rate per annum equal to the one (1) month LIBOR rate for U.S. dollar deposits plus four (4.0) percentage points. Principal and interest are due thirty-six (36) months from the date each advance is made under the note, with the first repayment being due September 24, 2015. As of September 30, 2013, the balance of the note receivable is $4,065,108 plus accrued interest of $142,286 due from Condor. The carrying balance of the note receivable was reduced by $222,655 as the Company’s share of losses from Condor for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 of $383,008 were more than the Company’s residual value in Condor of $160,353 in the investment account. In accordance with ASC 323-10-35, the excess loss from Condor was used to reduce the notes receivable balance.
The Company loaned White Hawk funds for operating expenses and drilling and completion costs for a third Eagle Ford well, pursuant to a promissory note entered into on June 4, 2012, which note permits multiple loans to be made thereunder as separate “advances”, with no stated maximum limit of loan principal. The note receivable bears interest at a rate per annum equal to the one (1) month LIBOR rate for U.S. dollar deposits plus four (4.0) percentage points. Principal and interest of each loan is due thirty-six (36) months from the date each advance is made under the note, with the first repayment being due June 4, 2015. As of September 30, 2013, the balance of the note receivable is $1,039,799.
NOTE 9 – EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS
Condor Energy Technology, LLC
In October 2011, the Company formed a subsidiary, Condor Energy Technology LLC (“Condor”), a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Nevada. The Company accounts for its 20% ownership in Condor using the equity method. The Company evaluated its relationship with Condor to determine if Condor was a variable interest entity (“VIE”) as defined in ASC 810-10, and whether the Company was the primary beneficiary of Condor, in which case consolidation with the Company would be required. The Company determined that Condor qualified as a VIE; however, the Company concluded that MIE Holdings was the primary beneficiary as a result of being in control of the Board and its ability to control the funding commitments to Condor. The Company’s total investment in Condor at September 30, 2013 was $0, after recording its share of Condor’s losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 of $383,008 ($160,353 to the investment account and the balance of $222,655 used to reduce the notes receivable balance) and losses for the year ended December 31, 2012 of $428,100.
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September 30,
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|
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December 31,
|
|
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2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
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Beginning balance, as of January 1, 2013, and 2012, respectively
|
|
$
|
160,353
|
|
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$
|
588,453
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|
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Contributions
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|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
Equity in net loss at 20%
|
|
|
(160,353
|
)
|
|
|
(428,100
|
)
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ending balance
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
160,353
|
|
On June 13, 2013, Condor spudded the State 16-7-60 1H well (the “State Well”). Pursuant to that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated July 26, 2012, entered into by Condor and Esenjay Oil & Gas, Ltd., Winn Exploration Co., Inc., Lacy Properties, Ltd., and Crain Energy, Ltd. (collectively, “Esenjay”), Condor became obligated to issue 27,804 shares of common stock (the “Esenjay Shares”) of the Company to Esenjay, as additional consideration due to Esenjay upon the spudding of the first well. The Esenjay Shares were issuable to Esenjay within ten (10) days of the spud date of the State Well. On July 1, 2013, the Company issued the Esenjay Shares on Condor’s behalf and recorded $116,499 as a stock subscription receivable, due from Condor, for the total of 27,804 shares at $4.19 per share on the date of grant.
The Company loaned Condor funds for operations pursuant to a promissory note entered into on February 14, 2013, with an effective date of November 1, 2012, which note permits multiple loans to be made thereunder up to $8,000,000 as separate “advances”. The note receivable bears interest at a rate per annum equal to the one (1) month LIBOR rate for U.S. dollar deposits plus four (4.0) percentage points. Principal and interest are due thirty-six (36) months from the date each advance is made under the note, with the first repayment being due September 24, 2015. As of September 30, 2013, the balance of the note receivable is $4,065,108 plus accrued interest of $142,268 due from Condor.
The Company has an agreement to provide operational and financial management services to Condor for which Condor owes $219,540 at September 30, 2013. The monthly management fee is determined at least annually by the Members of Condor. Prior to November 1, 2012, the Company charged a monthly management fee of $28,250 to Condor. On November 1, 2012, the Members of Condor agreed to a monthly management fee of $40,300 for 2013 which was further revised in the period ending September 30, 2013 to $55,000 per month.
At September 30, 2013, Condor owes the Company $71,386 from production sales related to the Company’s net revenue interests in the Niobrara Asset which is reflected in accounts receivable – oil and gas – related party in the accompanying balance sheet.
At September 30, 2013, the Company owes Condor $261,164 from production related expenses and $1,831,198 related to capital expenditures incurred by Condor for the drilling of three wells on the Niobrara property which is reflected in accounts payable – related party in the accompanying balance sheet. Related to the February 22, 2013 Agreement for Purchase of Term Assignment (the “Purchase Agreement”) between PEDCO MSL and Berexco for the acquisition of the Mississippian Asset and approximately 10.5 square miles of related 3-D seismic data for an aggregate purchase price of $4,207,117, the $864,866 initial deposit due from PEDCO MSL to Berexco were funds which were initially held in escrow by Berexco on Condor’s behalf in connection with a previously contemplated transaction between Condor and Berexco. An amount of $432,433 is due from the Company to Condor, representing 50% of this initial deposit, and this amount is also reflected in accounts payable - related party in the accompanying balance sheet.
Summarized income statement information of Condor follows:
| |
|
Nine months
ended
September 30, 2013
|
|
|
Nine months
ended
September 30, 2012
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
3,628,450
|
|
|
$
|
462,613
|
|
|
Net loss from operations
|
|
$
|
(1,294,761
|
)
|
|
$
|
(517,858
|
)
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$
|
(1,915,232
|
)
|
|
$
|
(630,180
|
)
|
White Hawk Petroleum, LLC
In May, 2012, the Company formed a subsidiary, White Hawk Petroleum, LLC (“White Hawk”), a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Texas. The Company accounts for its 50% ownership in White Hawk using the equity method. The Company evaluated its relationship with White Hawk to determine if White Hawk was a variable interest entity (“VIE”) as defined in ASC 810-10, and whether the Company was the primary beneficiary of White Hawk, in which case consolidation with the Company would be required. The Company determined that White Hawk qualified as a VIE; however, the Company concluded that MIE Holdings was the primary beneficiary as a result of being in control of the Board and it’s ability to control the funding commitments to White Hawk.
The Company accounts for its 50% ownership in White Hawk using the equity method. The Company’s total investment in White Hawk at September 30, 2013 was $2,080,262 after recording its share of White Hawk’s net gain for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 of $146,463.
| |
|
September 30,
2013
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Beginning balance, January 1, 2013
|
|
$
|
1,937,981
|
|
|
Equity in net income at 50%
|
|
|
142,302
|
|
|
Ending balance, September 30, 2013
|
|
$
|
2,080,283
|
|
The Company loaned White Hawk funds for operating expenses and drilling and completion costs for a third, fourth and fifth Eagle Ford well, pursuant to a promissory note entered into on June 4, 2012, which note permits multiple loans to be made thereunder as separate “advances”, with no stated maximum limit of loan principal. The note receivable bears interest at a rate per annum equal to the one (1) month LIBOR rate for U.S. dollar deposits plus four (4.0) percentage points. Principal and interest of each loan is due thirty-six (36) months from the date each advance is made under the note, with the first repayment being due June 4, 2015. As of September 30, 2013, the balance of the note receivable is $1,039,799 including accrued interest of -0-.
NOTE 10 – NOTES PAYABLE
Bridge Note Financing
On March 22, 2013, the Company closed a private placement of secured promissory notes (the “Bridge Notes”) for an aggregate principal amount of $4.0 million, together with warrants exercisable for a total of up to 76,198 shares of its common stock at an exercise price of $5.25 per share (the “Bridge Warrants,” and, together with the Bridge Notes, the “Bridge Securities”). At the closing of the bridge financing (the “Bridge Financing”), the Company entered into separate Note and Warrant Purchase Agreements with a total of 16 individual and institutional investors (collectively, the “Bridge Investors”), including ten (10) current Company shareholders, in which the Company sold and issued to the Bridge Investors a total of $4.0 million of Bridge Notes and Bridge Warrants to purchase 76,198 shares of the Company’s common stock (the "Note and Warrant Purchase Agreements") for gross proceeds of $4.0 million. The fair value of the warrants was $256,857 which was recorded as a debt discount. The debt discount as of September 30, 2013, was $83,207. The debt discount was being amortized over the expected life of the Bridge Financing, which is December 2013. Interest expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $173,650 and -0-, respectively.
Frank C. Ingriselli, the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer, and member of the Company’s Board of Directors, participated in the Bridge Financing, purchasing Bridge Notes of $1 million and receiving Bridge Warrants exercisable for 19,048 shares of the Company’s common stock, and Clark R. Moore, the Company’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel, purchased Bridge Notes of $50,000 and received Bridge Warrants exercisable for 953 shares of the Company’s common stock, respectively.
Somerley Limited (“Somerley”) acted as the Company’s placement agent with respect to a portion of the Bridge Financing sold to non-U.S. investors. As compensation, Somerley received total cash fees of $40,000 and Bridge Warrants to purchase a total of up to 9,524 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $5.25 per share valued at $32,095 using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The Company capitalized these amounts as deferred financing costs and will be amortized over the expected life of the Bridge Financing. Interest expense for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 was $48,741.
Terms of the Bridge Notes
The proceeds of the Bridge Financing were used by the Company for (i) the acquisition of the Mississippian asset; (ii) up to $300,000 to acquire an exclusive option to acquire leases and 3D seismic data covering up to an additional 7,880 gross (7,043 net) Mississippian acres located in Harper, Kiowa, Barber and Comanche Counties, Kansas, and Woods County, Oklahoma; (iii) the payment of placement agent fees; and (iv) general working capital expenses.
The Bridge Notes have an annual interest rate of 10% and are due and payable on the earlier to occur of (i) the date that is thirty (30) days following the closing of the Company’s next underwritten public offering of the Company’s common stock, or (ii) December 31, 2013 (the “Maturity Date”). The Company may, in its sole discretion, repay the Bridge Notes in whole or in part at any time prior to the Maturity Date. The Bridge Notes are secured by a lien and security interest in all of the Company’s assets, subject to a senior lien on the Company’s Niobrara assets held by MIEJ, an affiliate of MIE Holdings, which secures MIEJ’s loans to date under the Note with MIEJ described below.
Upon maturity, the Company is obligated to pay to the holders an additional payment-in-kind (“PIK”) cash amount equal to 10% of the original principal amount of the Bridge Notes, or $400,000. If an event of default on the Bridge Notes occurs, the principal amount of the Bridge Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest and the PIK, if any, may be declared immediately due and payable, subject to certain conditions set forth in the Bridge Notes. These amounts may automatically become due and payable upon written notice of holders of a majority of the then-outstanding principal amount in the case of certain types of bankruptcy or insolvency events. The PIK liability was reflected as a debt discount to the principal and amortized over the life of the Bridge Notes, which is estimated to be until December 2013. The amount of the debt discount reflected on the balance sheet as of September 30, 2013 was $129,577; and the interest expense was $270,423 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013.
Terms of the Bridge Warrants.
The Bridge Warrants are exercisable for shares of the Company’s common stock for a period of four (4) years commencing as of their issuance date, at an exercise price of $5.25 per share; provided, however, that the exercise price shall be adjusted to the price per share at which the Company issues common stock in the Company’s next underwritten public offering of common stock, if such price per share is lower than $5.25 per share and such offering occurs within six months of the grant date. The Bridge Warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis. The Company determined that these warrants contain provisions that protect holders from future issuances of the Company’s common stock at prices below such warrants’ respective exercise prices and these provisions could have resulted in modification of the warrants’ exercise price based on a variable that is not an input to the fair value of a “fixed-for-fixed” option. Such warrants were recognized as derivative warrant instruments at issuance and are measured at fair value at each reporting period. The Company determined the fair values of these warrants using a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model in the period ended March 31, 2013. The Company subsequently determined, as a public offering was not closed prior to the six month expiration of any possible exercise price adjustment on September 22, 2013, that the exercise price of the warrants would not be reset and the derivative feature of the warrants has no value as of the period ending September 30, 2013.
Related Party Financings
MIE Jurassic Energy Corporation
On February 14, 2013, the Company’s subsidiary, Pacific Energy Development Corp. (“PEDCO”) entered into a Secured Subordinated Promissory Note, as amended on March 25, 2013 and July 9, 2013 (the “Note”, the description of which Note below takes into account the amendments to such Note to date) with MIEJ, with an effective date of November 1, 2012. Under the Note, PEDCO may draw down multiple advances up to a maximum of $6.5 million under the Note, with repaid amounts not being permitted to be re-borrowed. Amounts borrowed under the Note were used by PEDCO to fund fees and expenses allocable to PEDCO with respect to its operations in the Niobrara Asset, Niobrara Asset-related acquisition expenses, and repayment of $432,433 due to Condor as a refund of the performance deposit paid by MIEJ to Condor with respect to the Mississippian Asset acquisition and applied toward the Company’s purchase price of the Mississippian Asset. When drawn, principal borrowed under the Note carries an interest rate of 10.0% per annum. Principal and accrued interest under the Note is due and payable within ten (10) business days of August 31, 2014. The Note may be prepaid in full by PEDCO without penalty, and is secured by all of PEDCO’s ownership and working interests in the FFT2H, Logan 2H, Waves 1H, State 16-7-60 1H and Wickstrom 18-2H wells located in the Niobrara Asset, and all corresponding leasehold rights pooled with respect to such wells, and PEDCO’s ownership and working interests in each future well drilled and completed in the Niobrara Asset. The Note converted amounts previously advanced by MIEJ to PEDCO in the amount of $2.17 million to fund operations in the Niobrara Asset through November 1, 2012, as well as an additional $2 million loaned by MIEJ to PEDCO under the Note on February 14, 2013 and $2 million loaned by MIEJ to PEDCO under the Note on March 25, 2013, for a total current principal amount outstanding under the Note of $6.17 million as of September 30, 2013. There is currently approximately $330,000 available for future borrowing by PEDCO under the Note. Further, the Company owes $430,258 in accrued interest at September 30, 2013 under the Note.
NOTE 11 – DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES
The Company determined that certain warrants the Company has issued contain provisions that protect holders from future issuances of the Company’s common stock at prices below such warrants’ respective exercise prices and these provisions could result in modification of the warrants exercise price based on a variable that is not an input to the fair value of a “fixed-for-fixed” option. The warrants issued in connection with the Bridge Warrants (as discussed in Note 10 – Bridge Financing) contain anti-dilution provisions that provide for a reduction in the exercise price of such warrants in the event that the Company issues common stock in an underwritten public offering occurring within six (6) months following March 22, 2013, if the price per share of Company common stock issued in the underwritten public offering is less than the Exercise Price of the Warrant hereunder (as adjusted prior to, or in connection with, such underwritten public offering pursuant to stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, mergers, consolidation or sales of assets), then the Exercise Price of this Warrant shall be automatically adjusted to equal the offering price per share issued by the Company in the underwritten public offering, provided, however, that this is a one-time adjustment to occur only in connection with the Company’s first underwritten public offering consummated within six (6) months following March 22, 2013. Such warrants were recognized as derivative warrant instruments at issuance and are measured at fair value at each reporting period. The Company determined the fair values of these warrants using a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model in the period ended March 31, 2013. As a public offering was not closed prior to the six months expiration of any possible exercise price adjustment on September 22, 2013, the exercise price of the warrants was not reset and the derivative feature of the warrants has no value as of the period ending September 30, 2013. Activity for derivative warrant instruments during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, was as follows:
|
Description
|
|
Balance at
December 31,
2012
|
|
|
Initial valuation of derivative liabilities upon issuance
of warrants
|
|
|
Decrease in fair
value of derivative liability
|
|
|
Exercise of
warrants
|
|
|
Balance at
September 30,
2013
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bridge Warrants
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
14,005
|
|
|
$
|
(14,005
|
)
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
14,005
|
|
|
$
|
(14,005
|
)
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
The following is a summary of the assumptions used in the Monte Carlo simulation valuation model as of the initial valuation of the derivative warrant instruments issued on March 22, 2013:
|
Description
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants
|
|
|
85,722
|
|
|
Market value of common stock on date of measurement (1)
|
|
$
|
5.25
|
|
|
Adjusted exercise price
|
|
$
|
5.25
|
|
|
Risk free interest rate (2)
|
|
|
0.6
|
%
|
|
Warrant lives in years
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
Expected volatility (3)
|
|
|
85.0
|
%
|
|
Expected dividend yield (4)
|
|
|
0.0
|
%
|
|
(1)
|
The market value of common stock is the stock price at the close of trading on the date of issuance or at period-end, as applicable.
|
|
(2)
|
The risk-free interest rate was determined by management using the 3 or 5 - year Treasury Bill as of the respective offering or measurement date.
|
|
(3)
|
Because the Company does not have adequate trading history to determine its historical trading volatility, the volatility factor was estimated by management using the historical volatilities of comparable companies in the same industry and region.
|
|
(4)
|
Management determined the dividend yield to be 0% based upon its expectation that it will not pay dividends for the foreseeable future.
|
NOTE 12 – INCOME TAXES
Due to the Company’s net losses, there was no provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
The difference between the income tax expense of zero shown in the statement of operations and pre-tax book net loss times the federal statutory rate of 35% is principally due to the increase in the valuation allowance.
Deferred income tax assets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows:
| |
|
As of
September 30,
2013
|
|
|
As of
December 31,
2012
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net operating loss carryovers
|
|
$
|
3,756,537
|
|
|
$
|
1,947,749
|
|
|
Less: valuation allowance
|
|
$
|
(3,756,537
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,947,749
|
)
|
|
Total deferred tax assets
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of deferred assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible.
Based on the available objective evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets will not be fully realizable. Accordingly, management has applied a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets at September 30, 2013. The net change in the total valuation allowance for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was an increase of $1,808,788.
The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. As of September 30, 2013, the Company did not have any significant uncertain tax positions or unrecognized tax benefits. The Company did not have associated accrued interest or penalties, nor was any interest expense or penalties recognized during the period from February 9, 2011 (Inception) through September 30, 2013.
As of September 30, 2013, the Company has federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $8,985,325 for federal and state tax purposes, respectively. If not utilized, these losses will begin to expire beginning in 2031 for both federal and state purposes.
Utilization of NOL and tax credit carryforwards may be subject to a substantial annual limitation due to ownership change limitations that may have occurred or that could occur in the future, as required by the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), as amended, as well as similar state provisions. In general, an "ownership change" as defined by the Code results from a transaction or series of transactions over a three-year period resulting in an ownership change of more than 50% of the outstanding stock of a company by certain stockholders or public groups.
Due to the impact of temporary and permanent differences between the book and tax calculations of net loss, the Company experiences an effective tax rate above the federal statutory rate of 35%.
NOTE 13 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Office Lease
In July 2012, the Company entered into a non-cancelable lease agreement with a term of two years ending in July 2014 for its corporate office space located in Danville, California. The obligation under this lease as of September 30, 2013 is $42,650.
Expired Leases in Oil & Gas Properties
The Company’s oil and gas leasehold acreage is subject to expiration of leases if the Company does not drill and hold such acreage by production. In the Niobrara Asset, 428 net acres are due to expire in 2013 (239 net acres did expire during the nine month period ended September 30, 2013), 0 net acres expire in 2014, 37 net acres expire in 2015 and 145 net acres expire thereafter. The Company plans to hold significantly all of this acreage through an active program of drilling and completing producing wells. Where the Company is not able to drill a well before lease expiration, the Company will seek to extend leases where able. All “net” acreage reflects our acreage held directly and the Company’s 20% proportionate share of acreage held by Condor by virtue of the Company’s 20% ownership interest in Condor. In the Eagle Ford Asset, the balance of our 19 net acres not held by production will expire in 2014. However, the Company anticipates that none of our Eagle Ford acreage will expire in 2013 or thereafter as the Company anticipates that (i) the operator of our Eagle Ford Asset, Sundance Energy, Inc. (formerly Texon Petroleum Limited), will continue to complete wells in which the Company plans to participate in order to hold these leases, (ii) the third party operator with rights to the shallow depths will continue to complete wells that will hold these leases, and (iii) if required to hold leases, the Company may seek to sole risk drilling and completion of wells on the asset.
Drilling Commitments
The Mississippian acquisition is structured as a primary term assignment by the seller to PEDCO MSL of the leasehold interests which expires on December 29, 2014. If PEDCO MSL drills at least three (3) horizontal wells on these leasehold interests during this primary term, then PEDCO MSL has the option, in its sole discretion, to extend the primary term with respect to some or all of the leases subject to the assignment for an additional one (1) year period upon payment to the seller of an additional $200 per net acre covered by the leases upon which the option is exercised. If PEDCO MSL completes a commercially producing well during the primary or extended terms, then the seller shall assign such leases to PEDCO MSL for as long as the wells produce in paying quantities, with each horizontal well of at least 4,000 feet in length holding 320 acres covered by the leases, each short horizontal well with a length of between less than 4,000 feet and at least 2,000 feet in length holding 160 acres, and each vertical well holding 10 acres. The seller shall retain an overriding royalty interest equal to the positive difference, if any, obtained by subtracting existing leasehold burdens from 22.5% before payout and 25% after payout (reduced to the extent the seller assigns less than a 100% working interest to PEDCO MSL). For purposes of the Mississippian agreement, “payout” is defined as such time, on a well by well basis, when a well has sold the following specified barrels of oil equivalent (“BOE”), (utilizing a conversion factor for gas sales of 8 Mcf per 1 barrel of oil): for a vertical well, ten thousand (10,000) BOE; for a short horizontal well: twenty-five thousand (25,000) BOE; and for a horizontal well: fifty thousand (50,000) BOE.
Other Commitments
The Company is not aware of any pending or threatened legal proceedings. The foregoing is also true with respect to each officer, director and control shareholder as well as any entity owned by any officer, director and control shareholder, over the last ten years.
As part of its regular operations, the Company may become party to various pending or threatened claims, lawsuits and administrative proceedings seeking damages or other remedies concerning its’ commercial operations, products, employees and other matters. Although the Company can give no assurance about the outcome of these or any other pending legal and administrative proceedings and the effect such outcomes may have on the Company, except as described above, the Company believes that any ultimate liability resulting from the outcome of such proceedings, to the extent not otherwise provided for or covered by insurance, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
On August 12, 2013, the Company completed the closing of a private placement (the “Private Placement”, described in greater detail under Note 13 below) to two investors for an aggregate subscription of $22 million, $20 million of which securities were acquired by Yao Hang Finance (Hong Kong) Limited (the “Lead Investor”), the lead investor in the Private Placement, and $2 million of which securities were acquired by an outside investor (the “Outside Investor”). The Lead Investor paid $10 million in cash at the closing, and entered into a full-recourse promissory note (the “Note”), which Note requires that it pay the balance of $10 million in cash due no later than December 1, 2013. Upon receipt of the final $10 million due under the outstanding $10 million promissory note, the Company is obligated to remit such funds to Asia Sixth in connection with the Kazakhstan Acquisition. The Company has paid an initial deposit of $8 million in September and a subsequent deposit on October 1 of $2 million to Asia Sixth, and shall increase its deposit by up to $10 million to a total of $20 million. In the event the final $10 million due under the outstanding $10 million promissory note is not received by the Company, the Company is not obligated to increase its deposit amount to Asia Sixth, and the Company may rescind the corresponding number of shares of common stock and warrants originally issued to the investor to the extent acquired in exchange for the $10 million promissory note.
The Company’s board of directors has adopted a compensation program that, effective for periods after 2012, will provide each of the Company’s “independent” directors with compensation consisting of (a) a quarterly cash payment of $5,000, and (b) an annual equity award consisting of shares of restricted stock valued at $60,000, vesting on the date that is one year following the date of grant. The Company currently has two “independent” directors, Mr. David C. Crikelair and Ms. Elizabeth P. Smith.
NOTE 14 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
PREFERRED STOCK
On April 23, 2013, the Company’s board of directors approved a 1-for-3 reverse stock split of its common and preferred stock, effective as of the close of business on April 23, 2013. All preferred stock had previously been converted to common stock on a one for one basis on January 27, 2013 prior to the reverse stock split. As a result of the reverse stock split, every three shares of the Company’s issued common stock were converted into one share of the Company’s new common stock. Fractional shares resulting from the reverse stock split were rounded up to the nearest whole share. The stock split affected all issued and outstanding shares of the Company's common and preferred stock (of which there was no preferred stock issued and outstanding at the date of the split), as well as common or preferred stock underlying stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, warrants and convertible debentures outstanding immediately prior to its effectiveness on April 23, 2013. All share and per share amounts have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split.
Preferred Stock Issuances
During the nine month period ended September 30, 2013, activity in the Company’s preferred stock was as follows:
|
●
|
In January 2013, the Company issued 47,059 shares of its Series A preferred stock in connection with a cashless warrant exercise.
|
|
●
|
In January 2013, 6,281,904 shares of the Company’s Series A preferred stock were converted by investors into 6,281,904 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the automatic conversion provisions of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock Amended and Restated Certificate of Designations.
|
|
●
|
During 2012, the Company had issued 555,556 shares of Series A preferred stock valued at $2.25 per share in connection with the Excellong purchase agreement. The Company had a contingent obligation to repurchase up to the full 555,556 shares of Series A preferred stock at a price per share of $2.25 in the event that, on March 29, 2013, the market value of the stock was less than $1,250,000, and the sellers demanded repurchase. Accordingly, the shares were redeemable at the option of the holder as of December 31, 2012 and were classified outside of shareholders’ equity as of that date. On January 27, 2013, the shares redeemable at the option of the holders were converted to redeemable common stock. On March 29, 2013, the market value of the redeemable common stock exceeded $1,250,000, so the sellers were not able to demand redemption and the shares were reclassified to equity as of March 31, 2013.
|
At September 30, 2013, there were -0- shares of the Company’s Series A preferred stock outstanding.
COMMON STOCK
At September 30, 2013, the Company was authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares of its common stock with a par value of $0.001 per share.
In October 2011, the Company granted 233,334 shares of its restricted common stock valued at $0.30 per share to an executive of the Company. These shares were valued at $70,000. The shares were subject to forfeiture in the event the recipient was no longer an officer of the Company, which risk of forfeiture lapsed with respect to 50% of the shares on June 1, 2012, 25% on December 31, 2012 and the final 25% on June 1, 2013, all contingent upon the recipient's continued service with the Company. These awards were authorized and issued under the PEDCO 2012 Equity Incentive Plan adopted in February 2012. At September 30, 2013, none of these 233,334 shares were subject to forfeiture.
In February 2012, the Company granted five of its consultants and employees a total of 551,668 shares of its restricted common stock valued at $0.30 per share. The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $165,500 on the date of grant. The shares are subject to forfeiture in the event the recipient is no longer an employee, officer, director or consultant to the Company, which risk of forfeiture lapses with respect to 50% of the shares nine months from the date of grant, 20% twelve months from the date of grant, 20% eighteen months from the date of grant, and the final 10% twenty-four months from the date of grant, all contingent upon the recipient’s continued service with the Company. These awards were authorized and issued under the PEDCO 2012 Equity Incentive Plan adopted in February 2012. At September 30, 2013, 10% of these 551,668 shares were subject to forfeiture.
On April 23, 2013, the Company completed a 1-for-3 reverse stock split of its common stock, effective as of the close of business on April 23, 2013. As a result of the reverse stock split, every three shares of the Company’s common stock were converted into one share of the Company’s common stock. Fractional shares resulting from the reverse stock split were rounded up to the nearest whole share. The common stock split was effective with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") and in the marketplace on May 9, 2013. All preferred stock had previously been converted to common stock on a one for one basis on January 27, 2013 prior to the reverse stock split. The stock split affected all issued and outstanding shares of the Company's common stock, Series A preferred stock, as well as common stock underlying stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, warrants and convertible debentures outstanding immediately prior to the effectiveness of the stock split. As of April 23, 2013, the Company's issued and outstanding shares of common stock decreased from approximately 41.7 million pre-stock split shares to approximately 13.9 million post-stock split shares.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company issued shares of common stock as follows:
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In January 2013, the Company issued 13,334 shares of common stock with a grant date fair value of $80,000 to an independent contractor for services provided to the Company. The 13,334 shares issued were for services performed in December of 2012 and recorded as a stock payable in 2012.
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●
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On January 27, 2013, the Company issued 6,281,904 shares of common stock on a 1-for-1 conversion of all the Company’s 6,281,904 outstanding Series A preferred stock, pursuant to the automatic conversion provisions of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock Amended and Restated Certificate of Designations.
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●
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During 2012, the Company had issued 555,556 shares of Series A preferred stock valued at $2.25 per share in connection with the Excellong purchase agreement. The Company had a contingent obligation to repurchase up to the full 555,556 shares of Series A preferred stock at a price per share of $2.25 in the event that, on March 29, 2013 (the date that is twelve months from the closing date), the market value of the stock was less than $1,250,000, and the sellers demand repurchase. Accordingly, the shares were redeemable at the option of the holder as of December 31, 2012 and were classified outside of shareholders’ equity as of that date. On January 27, 2013, the shares redeemable at the option of the holders were converted to redeemable common stock. On March 29, 2013, the market value of the redeemable common stock exceeded $1,250,000, so the sellers were not able to demand redemption and the shares were reclassified to equity as of March 31, 2013.
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●
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On March 29, 2013, the Company rescinded the prior cashless exercise of certain options to purchase an aggregate of 127,800 shares of common stock of the Company by four Company employees, effective December 19, 2012. As a result of the rescission, an aggregate of 120,710 shares of common stock of the Company which were originally issued upon the cashless exercise of the options were surrendered by the holders and cancelled in exchange for the original options at the original terms.
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●
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On July 1, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the issuance, effective June 23, 2013 (the “Effective Date”), of an aggregate of 27,804 shares of common stock of the Company (the “Esenjay Shares”) to Esenjay Oil & Gas, Ltd., Winn Exploration Co., Inc., Lacy Properties, Ltd., and Crain Energy, Ltd. (collectively, “Esenjay”), as additional consideration due to Esenjay upon the spudding by Condor Energy Technology, LLC (“Condor”) of the State 16-7-60 1H well (the “State Well”) on June 13, 2013. These shares were valued at $116,499. As of September 30, 2013, the Company recorded $116,499 as a stock subscription receivable for the total of 27,804 shares at $4.19 per share on the date of grant to reflect the shares issued to Esenjay by the Company on Condor’s behalf.
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On July 11, 2013, the Company and STXRA entered into a letter agreement (the “STXRA Amendment”) regarding the equity compensation due and payable to STXRA by the Company in connection with the Company’s acquisition of certain interests in the Mississippian formation in southern Kansas from Berexco LLC that closed in March 2013 pursuant to that certain Agreement for Purchase of Term Assignment dated February 22, 2013 between Berexco and the Company (the “Berexco Transaction”). Pursuant to the STXRA Amendment, the Company agreed to further amend the terms of that certain letter agreement previously entered into with STXRA, dated March 25, 2013, as amended (the “Original STXRA Agreement”), to provide that the “Equity Consideration” (as defined therein) due to STXRA with respect to the Berexco Transaction would be equal to 33,815 shares of common stock of the Company (the “STXRA Shares”). On July 11, 2013, the Company issued to STXRA the STXRA Shares at a fair value of $109,899 based on the market price on the date of grant. |
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On August 9, 2013, the Company granted an aggregate of 1,165,000 shares of its restricted common stock with an aggregate fair value of $4,368,750, based on the market price on the date of grant, to certain employees of the Company pursuant to the Company’s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and in connection with the Company’s 2012 annual equity incentive compensation review process. 40% of the shares vest six months from the date of grant, 15% vest eighteen months from the date of grant, 15% vest two years from the date of grant, 15% vest two and one-half years from the date of grant and the final 15% vest three years from the date of grant, all contingent upon the recipient’s continued service with the Company. On this same date, the Company also granted an aggregate of 25,750 shares of its restricted common stock with an aggregate fair value of $96,563, based on the market price on the date of grant, to certain employees of, and consultants to, the Company pursuant to the Company’s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and in connection with the Company’s 2012 annual equity incentive compensation review process. The shares fully vest on the six month anniversary of the grant date, all contingent upon the recipient’s continued service with the Company. All shares of restricted common stock granted under the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan are held in escrow and will be issued to the employees upon the date the shares vest. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recognized restricted stock based compensation expense of $719,243. The remaining amount of unamortized restricted stock compensation expense at September 30, 2013 is $3,866,075. |
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On August 12, 2013, the Company completed the closing of a private placement (the “Private Placement”) pursuant to which it sold (a) 7,333,334 shares of its common stock at a price of $3.00 per share, which included rights to the following warrants (b) three-year warrants exercisable on a cash basis only for (i) an aggregate of 733,334 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.75 per share, (ii) an aggregate of 733,334 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $4.50 per share, and (iii) an aggregate of 733,334 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $5.25 per share. The relative fair value of the warrants on the date of grant using the Black Scholes model was $2,546,931.
The shares of common stock and warrants issued in the Private Placement were issued to two investors for aggregate proceeds to the Company of $22 million, $20 million of which securities were acquired by Yao Hang Finance (Hong Kong) Limited (the “Lead Investor”), the lead investor in the Private Placement, and $2 million of which securities were acquired by an outside investor (the “Outside Investor”). The Lead Investor paid $10 million in cash at the closing, and entered into a common stock and Warrant Subscription Agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”), First Amendment to common stock and Warrant Subscription Agreement (the “Amendment”), and full-recourse promissory note (the “Note”), which Amendment and Note require that it pay the balance of $10 million in cash due no later than December 1, 2013, with 3,333,333 of the shares of common stock issued to the Lead Investor in the Private Placement, as well as warrants exercisable for (i) an aggregate of 333,333 shares of common sStock at an exercise price of $3.75 per share, (ii) an aggregate of 333,333 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $4.50 per share, and (iii) an aggregate of 333,333 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $5.25 per share, being held in escrow by the Company pending the Lead Investor’s payment in full of the $10 million due under the Note.
The Outside Investor also entered into a Subscription Agreement, Amendment and Note, which Amendment and Note require that it pay the $2 million purchase price for the common stock and warrants no later than September 11, 2013 (paid on September 30, 2013), with all shares and warrants issued to the Outside Investor in the Private Placement being held in escrow by the Company pending the Outside Investor’s payment in full of the $2 million due under the Note. On September 30, 2013, the Outside Investor paid the Company $2 million in full settlement of the Note and the Company approved the release of the shares and warrants held in escrow to the Outside Investor. The $2 million received by the Outside Investor is classified as restricted cash in the Company’s balance sheet. The Company has committed to paying the $2 million to Asia Sixth as an additional deposit for the pending acquisition of 51% of Asia Sixth’s outstanding shares by the Company.
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On August 20, 2013, the Company issued 4,900 shares of common stock to a former director of Blast Energy Services, Inc. in connection with the exercise of warrants to purchase 4,900 shares of common stock. The Company received $11,025 in net proceeds from the exercise of the warrants.
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On September 10, 2013, the Company granted an aggregate of 26,668 shares of its restricted common stock with an aggregate fair value of $120,006, based on the market price on the date of grant, to new independent directors of the Company pursuant to the Company’s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. 100% of the shares vest on the one year anniversary date of grant, contingent upon the recipient’s continued service with the Company.
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NOTE 15 – STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
Blast 2003 Stock Option Plan and 2009 Stock Incentive Plan
As of September 30, 2013, 3,424 shares of common stock granted under the 2003 Stock Option Plan and 2009 Stock Incentive Plan approved when the Company was known as Blast Energy Services, Inc. (“Blast”) remain outstanding and exercisable. No options were issued under these plans in 2013.
2012 Incentive Plan
On July 27, 2012, the shareholders of the Company approved the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2012 Incentive Plan”), which was previously approved by the Board of Directors on June 27, 2012, and authorizes the issuance of various forms of stock-based awards, including incentive or non-qualified options, restricted stock awards, performance shares and other securities as described in greater detail in the 2012 Incentive Plan, to the Company’s employees, officers, directors and consultants. A total of 2,000,000 shares of common stock are eligible to be issued under the 2012 Incentive Plan, of which 1,230,752 shares have been issued as restricted stock, 104,500 shares are subject to issuance upon exercise of issued and outstanding options, and 664,748 remain available for future issuance.
PEDCO 2012 Equity Incentive Plan
As a result of the July 27, 2012 merger by and between the Company, Blast Acquisition Corp., a wholly-owned Nevada subsidiary of the Company (“MergerCo”), and Pacific Energy Development Corp., a privately-held Nevada corporation (“PEDCO”) pursuant to which MergerCo was merged with and into PEDCO, with PEDCO continuing as the surviving entity and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, in a transaction structured to qualify as a tax-free reorganization (the “Merger”), the Company assumed the PEDCO 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “PEDCO Incentive Plan”), which was adopted by PEDCO on February 9, 2012. The PEDCO Incentive Plan authorized PEDCO to issue an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of common stock in the form of restricted shares, incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, share appreciation rights, performance share, and performance unit under the PEDCO Incentive Plan. As of September 30, 2013, options to purchase an aggregate of 405,804 shares of the Company’s common stock and 591,791 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock have been granted under this plan (all of which were granted by PEDCO prior to the closing of the merger with the Company, with such grants being assumed by the Company and remaining subject to the PEDCO Incentive Plan following the consummation of the merger). The Company does not plan to grant any additional awards under the PEDCO Incentive Plan.
Options
On August 9, 2013, the Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 104,500 shares of common stock to four consultants and employees at an exercise price of $3.75 per share, pursuant to the Company’s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and in connection with the Company’s 2012 annual equity incentive compensation review process. The options have terms of five years and fully vest in August 2016. With respect to options to purchase an aggregate of 64,500 shares, 40% of the shares subject to the options vest six months from the date of grant, 15% vest eighteen months from the date of grant, 15% vest two years from the date of grant, 15% vest two and one-half years from the date of grant and the final 15% vest three years from the date of grant, all contingent upon the recipient’s continued service with the Company. With respect to options to purchase an aggregate of 40,000 shares, 25% of the shares subject to the options vest six months from the date of grant, 15% vest twelve months from the date of grant, 15% vest eighteen months from the date of grant, 15% vest two years from the date of grant, 15% vest two and one-half years from the date of grant and the final 15% vest three years from the date of grant, all contingent upon the recipient’s continued service with the Company. The aggregate fair value of the options on the date of grant, using the Black-Scholes model, is $228,670. Variables used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for the options issued include: (1) a discount rate of 0.61%, (2) expected term of 3.5 years, (3) expected volatility of 85%, and (4) zero expected dividends.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recognized stock option based compensation expense of $488,501. The remaining amount of unamortized stock options expense at September 30, 2013was $221,825.
The intrinsic value of outstanding and exercisable options at September 30, 2013 was $5,094,589 and $3,773,309, respectively.
The intrinsic value of outstanding and exercisable options at December 31, 2012 was $6,870,330 and $3,144,095, respectively.
Option activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was:
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Number of
Shares
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Weighted Average Exercise Price
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Weighted Average Remaining Contract Term (# years)
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Outstanding at January 1, 2013
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1,218,206
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$
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0.92
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|
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9.30
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Granted
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104,500
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3.75
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Exercised
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-
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|
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-
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|
|
|
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Rescinded
|
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127,800
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0.48
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Forfeited and cancelled
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(6,782
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)
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21.99
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|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at September 30, 2013
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1,443,724
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$
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0.78
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|
|
|
8.34
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|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Exercisable at September 30, 2013
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999,483
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$
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0.57
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|
|
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8.58
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Warrants
As discussed in Note 10, the Company issued warrants to purchase 76,198 shares of the Company’s common stock to investors in conjunction with its Bridge Financing. Fair value of $243,771 was calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Variables used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for the warrants issued include: (1) discount rate of 0.60%; (2) expected term of 4 years; (3) expected volatility of 85%; and (4) zero expected dividends. Fair value of $256,857 was recorded as a debt discount which was calculated using Monte Carlo simulation. The debt discount as of September 30, 2013, was $83,207. Interest expense for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 was $173,650.
Somerley Limited (“Somerley”) acted as the Company’s placement agent with respect to a portion of the Bridge Financing sold to non-U.S. investors. As compensation, Somerley received total cash fees of $40,000 and Bridge Warrants to purchase a total of up to 9,524 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $5.25 per share valued at $31,176 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
On July 15, 2013, the Company issued a five-year warrant exercisable for 240,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on a cashless basis to an investor relations consultant as partial consideration for certain investor relations services to be provided to the Company (the “IR Warrant”). The fair value calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model on the date of issuance was $284,886. The IR Warrant has an exercise price per share of $5.00, and vests with respect to 50% of the shares issuable thereunder upon the IR Warrant issuance date, and 50% on February 1, 2014, subject to continued engagement by the Company of the investor relations consultant on such date. Variables used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for the warrants issued include: (1) discount rate of 0.66%; (2) expected term of 2.5 years; (3) expected volatility of 85%; and (4) zero expected dividends. On October 9, 2013, the investor relations consultant notified the Company that it was immediately winding-down its operations and was terminating all investor relations engagements, including with the Company. Accordingly, the Company cancelled the IR Warrant in full on October 25, 2013 due to non-performance by the consultant. No expense was recorded for these warrants.
On August 12, 2013, the Company completed the closing of a private placement (the “Private Placement”) pursuant to which it sold (a) 7,333,334 shares of its common stock at a price of $3.00 per share, which included rights to the following warrants (b) three-year warrants exercisable on a cash basis only for (i) an aggregate of 733,334 shares of common stock at $3.75 per share, (ii) an aggregate of 733,334 shares of common stock at $4.50 per share, and (iii) an aggregate of 733,334 shares of common stock at $5.25 per share. The relative fair value of the warrants on the date of grant using the Black Scholes model was $2,546,931. The shares of common stock and warrants were issued to two investors for aggregate proceeds to the Company in connection with such subscription of $22 million, $20 million of which securities were acquired by Yao Hang Finance (Hong Kong) Limited (the “Lead Investor”), the lead investor in the Private Placement, and $2 million of which securities were acquired by an outside investor (the “Outside Investor”).
The intrinsic value of outstanding as well as exercisable warrants at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was $1,105,584 and $1,883,479, respectively.
Warrant activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was:
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Number of
Shares
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|
Weighted Average Exercise Price
|
|
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Weighted Average Remaining Contract Term (# years)
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Outstanding at January 1, 2013
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633,631
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$
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18.25
|
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2.43
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Granted
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2,285,724
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|
|
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4.53
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|
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Exercised
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(4,900
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)
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2.25
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|
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Forfeited and canceled
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(27,768
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)
|
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349.54
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|
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at September 30, 2013
|
|
|
2,886,686
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|
|
$
|
4.22
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|
|
|
2.66
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable at September 30, 2013
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2,886,686
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$
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4.22
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2.66
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NOTE 16 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In connection with the drilling and completion of the initial well on the Niobrara asset, and in light of the Company’s then-existing cash position, MIE Holdings loaned funds to Pacific Energy Development Corp., the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary (“PEDCO”), equal to all of the Company’s proportional fees and expenses on that project, and has additionally loaned funds to PEDCO sufficient to fund the Company’s 20% portion of Condor expenses incurred in connection with the second and third wells drilled and completed by Condor on the Niobrara asset in February 2013.
Note Payable – MIEJ. On July 9, 2013, the Company and MIEJ agreed to amend the Secured Subordinated Promissory Note (the “Original PEDCO-MIEJ Note”) previously entered into on March 25, 2013 by the Company’s wholly-owned Nevada subsidiary, Pacific Energy Development Corp. (“PEDCO”) and MIEJ, to extend the maturity date from December 31, 2013 to August 31, 2014, and to remove the maturity trigger upon the closing of a debt or equity financing transaction with gross proceeds of $10 million to the Company. The Amended and Restated Secured Subordinated Promissory Note (the “Amended Note”), dated July 9, 2013, amends and restates the Original PEDCO-MIEJ Note. Under the Amended Note, PEDCO may draw down multiple advances up to a maximum of $6.5 million outstanding principal under the Note, with repaid amounts not being permitted to be re-borrowed. Amounts borrowed under the Amended Note may be used by PEDCO to fund fees and expenses allocable to PEDCO with respect to its operations in the Niobrara asset located in Weld and Morgan Counties, Colorado (the “Niobrara Asset”). When drawn, principal borrowed under the Amended Note carries an interest rate of 10.0% per annum. Principal and accrued interest under the Amended Note are due and payable within ten (10) business days of August 31, 2014 (previously the due date was December 31, 2013 or the closing of a debt or equity financing transaction with gross proceeds of $10 million to the Company). The Amended Note may be prepaid in full by the Company without penalty, and is secured by all of PEDCO’s ownership and working interest in the FFT2H, Waves 1H, and Logan 2H wells located in the Niobrara Asset, and all corresponding leasehold rights pooled with respect to such well, and PEDCO’s ownership and working interest in each future well drilled and completed in the Niobrara Asset. Amounts borrowed under the Note may only be used by PEDCO to fund fees and expenses allocable to PEDCO with respect to its operations in the Niobrara Asset, Niobrara Asset-related acquisition expenses, and repayment of $432,433 due to Condor as a refund of the performance deposit paid by MIEJ with respect to the terminated Mississippian Asset acquisition agreement by Condor and applied toward the Company’s purchase price of the Mississippian Asset.
The Original PEDCO-MIEJ Note converted amounts previously advanced by MIEJ to PEDCO in the amount of $2.17 million to fund operations in the Niobrara Asset through November 1, 2012, as well as an additional $2 million loaned by MIEJ to PEDCO under the Original PEDCO-MIEJ Note on February 14, 2013 and $2 million loaned by MIEJ to PEDCO under the Original PEDCO-MIEJ Note on March 25, 2013, for a total current principal amount outstanding under the Amended Note of $6.17 million as of September 30, 2013. There is currently approximately $330,000 available for future borrowing by PEDCO under the Amended Note. Further, the Company owes $430,258 in accrued interest at September 30, 2013 under the Amended Note.
Bridge Financing -- Frank C. Ingriselli and Clark R. Moore. On March 22, 2013, the Company closed a private placement of $4.0 million aggregate principal amount of secured promissory notes (the “Bridge Notes”), together with warrants exercisable for a total of up to 76,198 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Bridge Warrants,” and, together with the Bridge Notes, the “Bridge Securities”). At the closing of the bridge financing (the “Bridge Financing”), the Company entered into Note and Warrant Purchase Agreements with a total of 16 individual and institutional investors (collectively, the “Bridge Investors”), including ten (10) current shareholders, pursuant to which the Company sold and issued to the Bridge Investors a total of $4.0 million aggregate principal amount of Bridge Notes and Bridge Warrants to purchase up to a total of 76,198 shares of the Company’s common stock (the "Note and Warrant Purchase Agreements"). Frank C. Ingriselli, the Company’s President, Chief Executive Officer, and member of the Board of Directors, and Clark R. Moore, the Company’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel, each participated in the Bridge Financing, purchasing Bridge Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $1 million and receiving Bridge Warrants exercisable for up to 19,048 shares of the Company’s common stock, and purchasing Bridge Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $50,000 and receiving Bridge Warrants exercisable for up to 953 shares of the Company’s common stock, respectively.
Accounts Payable – Condor. Accruals for drilling costs due to Condor as a working interest owner and revenue receivable due from Condor as a working interest owner represent capital expenditures, lease operating expenses and revenues allocable to the Company for its various working interests in the wells from 12.60% to 18.75% and its net revenue interest varies from 10.01% to 15.00%. At September 30, 2013, Condor owes the Company $71,386 from production sales related to the Company’s net revenue interest in the Niobrara Asset which is reflected in accounts receivable – oil and gas – related party in the accompanying balance sheet. At September 30, 2013, the Company owes Condor $261,164 from production related expenses and $1,831,198 related to capital expenditures incurred by Condor for the drilling of three wells on the Niobrara property which is reflected in accounts payable – related party in the accompanying balance sheet. Related to the February 22, 2013 Agreement for Purchase of Term Assignment (the “Purchase Agreement”) between PEDCO MSL and Berexco for the acquisition of the Mississippian Asset and approximately 10.5 square miles of related 3-D seismic data, for an aggregate purchase price of $4,207,117, the $864,866 initial deposit due from PEDCO MSL to Berexco were funds which were initially held in escrow by Berexco on Condor’s behalf in connection with a previously contemplated transaction between Condor and Berexco. In February 2013, MIEJ elected not to participate in the Mississippian asset acquisition transaction through Condor, the seller and PEDCO MSL agreed to restructure the Mississippian asset acquisition transaction to provide for PEDCO MSL to be the sole buyer and apply the performance deposit previously paid toward the purchase price due from us in the restructured transaction, and PEDCO MSL is now obligated to refund to Condor the amount of $432,433 representing the 50% of the deposit paid by MIEJ to Condor. The $432,433 is also reflected in accounts payable - related party in the accompanying balance sheet.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company charged $478,318 in expenses related to a management services agreement with Condor. This management fee represents an amount agreed upon between MIEJ and the Company as being reflective of the approximate amount of time and resources the Company personnel dedicates to Condor-related matters on a monthly basis. Prior to November 1, 2012, the Company charged a monthly management of $28,250 to Condor. On November 1, 2012, the Company began charging a monthly management fee of $40,300. Condor will be paying a monthly management fee at least for the duration of 2013 based on the agreed upon 2013 budget, which was further revised during the period ended September 30, 2013 to $55,000 per month. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had accrued $219,540 in amounts due from Condor under the agreement.
NOTE 17 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
As defined in FASB ASC Topic No. 820 - 10, fair value is the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FASB ASC Topic No. 820 - 10 requires disclosure that establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. The statement requires fair value measurements be classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:
Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. The Company considers active markets as those in which transactions for the assets or liabilities occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. This category includes those derivative instruments that the Company values using observable market data. Substantially all of these inputs are observable in the marketplace throughout the term of the derivative instruments, can be derived from observable data, or supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace.
Level 3: Measured based on prices or valuation models that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and less observable from objective sources (i.e. supported by little or no market activity). The Company’s valuation models are primarily industry standard models. Level 3 instruments include derivative warrant instruments. The Company does not have sufficient corroborating evidence to support classifying these assets and liabilities as Level 1 or Level 2.
As required by FASB ASC Topic No. 820 - 10, financial assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of the fair value of assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. The Company issued warrants in connection with Bridge Financing that contained anti-dilutive provisions and provided for a reduction in exercise price of such warrant were measured at fair value. The estimated fair value of the derivative warrant instruments was calculated using a Monte Carlo Simulation valuation model.
Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013:
|
Description
|
|
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
|
|
|
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
|
|
|
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
|
|
|
Total Carrying
Value as of
September 30,
2013
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative liabilities – warrant instruments
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
NOTE 18 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On October 1, 2013 the Company paid an additional deposit of $2 million to Asia Sixth with the proceeds from the Outside Investor which increased the deposit to $10 million.
On October 16, 2013, the Company entered into a research services agreement with a consultant in connection with which the Company was obligated to issue 15,000 shares of restricted common stock of the Company, vesting on January 6, 2014, subject to approval of the Board of Directors of the Company. The Company’s Board of Directors approved the grant of stock to the consultant, and the restricted stock was issued to the consultant on November 6, 2013 upon receipt of additional listing approval from the NYSE MKT, which was received on such date.
On November 6, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement for the provision of certain investor relations services with an investor relations firm in exchange for an aggregate of 290,000 shares of restricted common stock of the Company issued on November 6, 2013, which vest on January 28, 2014.
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and the related footnotes thereto.
On July 27, 2012, we completed our acquisition of Pacific Energy Development Corp., which we refer to as Pacific Energy Development or PEDCO. The acquisition was accounted for as a “reverse acquisition,” and Pacific Energy Development was deemed to be the accounting acquirer in the acquisition. Because Pacific Energy Development was deemed the acquirer for accounting purposes, the financial statements of Pacific Energy Development are presented as the continuing accounting entity. The assets and operations of our company prior to the merger are included in our financial statements only from the date of the merger.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements contained in this report discuss future expectations, contain projections of results of operations or financial condition, or state other "forward-looking" information. The words "believe," "intend," "plan," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "goal" and similar expressions identify such a statement was made, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements. The forward-looking information is based on various factors and is derived using numerous assumptions. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, the risks discussed in this and our other SEC filings. We do not promise to or take any responsibility to update forward-looking information to reflect actual results or changes in assumptions or other factors that could affect those statements except as required by law. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those expressed in, contemplated by, or underlying such forward-looking statements.
Our Business
PEDEVCO Corp. (the “Company”, “PEDEVCO”, “we” and “us”) is an energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas resources in the United States, with a primary focus on oil and natural gas shale plays and a secondary focus on conventional oil and natural gas plays. Our current operations are located primarily in the Niobrara Shale play in the Denver-Julesburg Basin in Morgan and Weld Counties, Colorado, the Eagle Ford Shale play in McMullen County, Texas, and the Mississippian Lime play in Comanche, Harper, Barber and Kiowa Counties, Kansas. We also hold an interest in the North Sugar Valley Field in Matagorda County, Texas, though we consider this a non-core asset. In addition, the Company has also entered into an agreement to acquire an approximate 34% indirect working interest in a production license covering a 380,000 acre oil and gas producing asset located in the Pre-Caspian Basin in Kazakhstan, which the Company plans to close upon receipt of required Kazak government approvals, anticipated to be received no later than the third quarter of 2014. We also hope to utilize the Company’s strategic relationships to identify additional opportunities for acquisition, exploration, development and production in Asia, with a particular focus on China and Kazakhstan.
We have approximately 9,293 gross (2,451 net) acres of oil and gas properties in our Niobrara core area. Our current Eagle Ford position is a 3.97% non-operated working interest in 1,331 gross (53 net) acres. We also recently acquired an average 98% working interest in 7,006 gross (6,885 net) acres in the Mississippian Lime play, which we operate. Condor Energy Technology LLC, which we jointly own and manage with an affiliate of MIE Holdings Corporation as described below, operates our Niobrara interests, including five producing wells in the Niobrara asset with aggregate production during the past quarter of approximately 22,573 gross barrels (Bbl) of oil and 21,894 gross thousand cubic feet (Mcf) of natural gas or 3,649 barrels of oil equivalent (“BOE”), (utilizing a gas-to-oil conversion factor for gas sales of 6 Mcf per 1 bbl). We believe our current assets could contain a gross total of over 400 drilling locations.
The Company uses the equity method to account for both its 20% ownership in Condor, which owns and operates oil and gas properties in our Niobrara core area, and its 50% ownership in White Hawk, which owns non-operated oil and gas properties in our Eagle Ford core asset. These equity investments are listed as a line item on our balance sheet but no revenue or production data is given in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) reporting requirements. For clarity, we have listed below the total production volumes and total revenue for PEDEVCO as well as the Condor and White Hawk entities, along with the calculated production volumes and revenue numbers that would be net to PEDEVCO’s interest if reported on a consolidated basis for the most recent quarter ended September 30, 2013 as well as the nine months ending September 30, 2013.
|
Three months ending September 30,2013 (Gross)
|
PEDEVCO
|
|
Condor
|
|
White Hawk
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil volume (BBL)
|
|
|
1,218 |
|
|
|
16,371 |
|
|
|
4,028 |
|
|
Gas volume (MCF)
|
|
|
2,347 |
|
|
|
13,942 |
|
|
|
1,735 |
|
|
Volume equivalent (BOE)
|
|
|
1,609 |
|
|
|
18,695 |
|
|
|
4,317 |
|
|
Revenue (000’s)
|
|
$ |
199 |
|
|
$ |
1,661 |
|
|
$ |
427 |
|
|
Nine months ending September 30,2013 (Gross)
|
|
|
Condor
|
|
White Hawk
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil volume (BBL)
|
|
|
5,080 |
|
|
|
37,281 |
|
|
|
6,413 |
|
|
Gas volume (MCF)
|
|
|
5,434 |
|
|
|
27,809 |
|
|
|
4,848 |
|
|
Volume equivalent (BOE)
|
|
|
5,986 |
|
|
|
41,916 |
|
|
|
7,221 |
|
|
Revenue (000’s)
|
|
$ |
624 |
|
|
$ |
3,629 |
|
|
$ |
689 |
|
|
Three months ending September 30,2013 (Net to Pedevco)
|
|
|
Condor
|
|
White Hawk
|
|
Combined Net to PEDEVCO’s interest
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil volume (BBL)
|
|
|
1,218 |
|
|
|
3,274 |
|
|
|
2,014 |
|
|
|
6,506 |
|
|
Gas volume (MCF)
|
|
|
2,347 |
|
|
|
2,788 |
|
|
|
868 |
|
|
|
6,003 |
|
|
Volume equivalent (BOE)
|
|
|
1,609 |
|
|
|
3,739 |
|
|
|
2,159 |
|
|
|
7,507 |
|
|
Revenue (000’s)
|
|
$ |
199 |
|
|
$ |
332 |
|
|
$ |
214 |
|
|
$ |
745 |
|
|
Nine months ending September 30,2013 (Net to Pedevco)
|
|
|
Condor
|
|
White Hawk
|
|
Combined Net to PEDEVCO’s interest
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil volume (BBL)
|
|
|
5,080 |
|
|
|
7,456 |
|
|
|
3,207 |
|
|
|
15,743 |
|
|
Gas volume (MCF)
|
|
|
5,434 |
|
|
|
5,562 |
|
|
|
2,424 |
|
|
|
13,420 |
|
|
Volume equivalent (BOE)
|
|
|
5,986 |
|
|
|
8,383 |
|
|
|
3,610 |
|
|
|
17,979 |
|
|
Revenue (000’s)
|
|
$ |
624 |
|
|
$ |
726 |
|
|
$ |
344 |
|
|
$ |
1,694 |
|
We believe that the Niobrara, Eagle Ford and Mississippian Lime plays represent among the most promising unconventional oil and natural gas plays in the United States. We will continue to seek additional acreage proximate to our currently held core acreage. Our strategy is to be the operator, directly or through our subsidiaries and joint ventures, in the majority of our acreage so we can dictate the pace of development in order to execute our business plan. The majority of our capital expenditure budget for the remainder of 2013 will continue to be focused on the acquisition, development and expansion of these formations. In addition, we believe our pending acquisition of the interests in Kazakhstan’s largest and most prolific producing basin will provide the Company with opportunities to increase its net oil and gas production while expanding its global footprint and international presence.
Strategic Alliances
MIE Holdings
Through the relationships developed by our founder and Chief Executive Officer, Frank Ingriselli, we formed a strategic relationship with MIE Holdings Corporation (Hong Kong Stock Exchange code: 1555.HK), one of the largest independent upstream onshore oil companies in China, which we refer to as MIE Holdings, to assist us with our plans to develop unconventional shale properties and explore acquisition opportunities in Asia. According to information provided by MIE Holdings, MIE Holdings has drilled and currently operates over 2,000 oil wells in China and Kazakhstan and brings extensive drilling and completion experience and expertise, as well as a strong geological team. MIE Holdings has also been a significant investor in our operations, and as discussed below, our Niobrara and Eagle Ford assets are held all or in part by the following joint ventures which we jointly own with affiliates of MIE Holdings:
|
●
|
Condor Energy Technology LLC, which we refer to as Condor, which is a Nevada limited liability company owned 20% by us and 80% by an affiliate of MIE Holdings; and
|
|
●
|
White Hawk Petroleum, LLC, which we refer to as White Hawk, which is a Nevada limited liability company owned 50% by us and 50% by an affiliate of MIE Holdings.
|
Although our initial focus is on oil and natural gas opportunities in the United States, we plan to use our strategic relationship with MIE Holdings and our experience in operating U.S.-based shale oil and natural gas interests to acquire, explore, develop and produce oil and natural gas resources in Asia, with a particular focus on China and Kazakhstan. We intend to use one or more of our joint ventures with MIE Holdings to acquire additional shale properties in the United States, and in Asia, where MIE Holdings and other partners have extensive experience working in the energy sector.
MIE Holdings has been a valuable partner providing us necessary capital in the early stages of our development. It purchased 1,333,334 shares of our Series A preferred stock, which were automatically converted into 1,333,334 shares of our common stock in January 2013, and acquired an 80% interest in Condor for total consideration of $3 million, and as of September 30, 2013, has loaned us $6.17 million through a short-term note to fund operations and development of the Niobrara asset and $432,433 toward the acquisition of the Mississippian asset.
STXRA
On October 4, 2012, we established a technical services subsidiary, Pacific Energy Technology Services, LLC, which is 70% owned by us and 30% owned by South Texas Reservoir Alliance, LLC, which we refer to as STXRA, through which we plan to provide acquisition, engineering, and oil drilling and completion technology services in joint cooperation with STXRA in the United States and Asia. While Pacific Energy Technology Services, LLC currently has no operations, only nominal assets and liabilities and limited capitalization, we anticipate actively developing this venture in 2014.
STXRA is a consulting firm specializing in the delivery of petroleum resource acquisition services and practical engineering solutions to clients engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of petroleum resources. In April 2011, we entered into an agreement of joint cooperation with STXRA in an effort to identify suitable energy ventures for acquisition by us, with a focus on plays in shale oil and natural gas bearing regions in the United States. According to information provided by STXRA, the STXRA team has experience in their collective careers of drilling and completing horizontal wells, including over 100 horizontal wells with lengths exceeding 4,000 feet from 2010 to 2012, as well as experience in both slick water and hybrid multi-stage hydraulic fracturing technologies and in the operation of shale wells and fields. We believe that our relationship with STXRA, both directly and through our jointly-owned Pacific Energy Technology Services LLC services company, will supplement the core competencies of our management team and provide us with petroleum and reservoir engineering, petrophysical, and operational competencies that will help us to evaluate, acquire, develop and operate petroleum resources in the future.
Our Core Areas
The majority of our capital expenditure budget for the remainder of 2013 and 2014 will be focused on the acquisition and development of our core oil and natural gas properties: the Niobrara, Eagle Ford and Mississippian formations. The following paragraphs summarize each of these core areas.
Niobrara Asset
As of September 30, 2013, we held approximately 2,451 net acres in oil and natural gas properties covering approximately 9,293 gross acres that are located in Morgan and Weld Counties, Colorado that include the Niobrara formation, which we refer to as the Niobrara asset. We hold approximately 1,010 of our Niobrara leased acreage directly, and hold the remaining approximately 1,441 acres through our ownership in Condor, which holds approximately 7,204 acres in the leased acreage in the Niobrara asset. We and/or Condor own working interests in individual leasehold interests in the Niobrara asset ranging from 0.03% to 100%.
Condor is designated as the operator of the Niobrara asset. The day-to-day operations of Condor are managed by our management, and Condor’s Board of Managers is comprised of our President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Frank Ingriselli, and two designees of MIE Holdings. In addition, MIE Holdings has loaned us approximately $6.17 million through a short-term note to fund operations and development of the Niobrara asset and $432,433 toward the acquisition of the Mississippian asset.
Based on approximately 250 square miles of 3D seismic data covering the Niobrara asset, we estimate that there are up to 360 potential gross drilling locations in the Niobrara asset, assuming 80 acre spacing, with five more gross well locations already identified for our 2014 Niobrara development plan. The five 2012-2013 wells drilled included our initial well completed in July 2012, our second and third wells completed in February 2013 and our fourth and fifth wells which were completed in August and September 2013, respectively. Even when properly interpreted, however, seismic data and visualization techniques are not conclusive in determining if hydrocarbons are present in economically producible amounts and seismic indications of hydrocarbon saturation are generally not reliable indicators of productive reservoir rock. We believe that the Niobrara asset affords us the opportunity to participate in this emerging play at an early stage, with a position in the Denver-Julesburg Basin adjacent to significant drilling activity.
Condor completed drilling the initial horizontal well on the Niobrara asset, the FFT2H, in April 2012, reaching a total combined vertical and horizontal depth of 11,307 feet. Halliburton performed a 20-stage frack of the well in mid-June 2012, with the well being completed in July 2012 with a gross initial production rate of 424 Bbls of oil per day and 76 Mcf of natural gas per day (437 gross BOE per day and 137 net BOE per day) from the Niobrara formation. Condor completed drilling its second horizontal well on the Niobrara asset, the Waves 1H, in November 2012, drilling to 11,114 feet measured depth (6,200 true vertical foot depth) in eight days. The 4,339 foot lateral section was completed in 18 stages by Halliburton in February 2013, and the well tested at a gross initial production rate of 528 Bbls of oil per day and 360 Mcf of natural gas per day (588 gross BOE per day and 182 net BOE per day) from the Niobrara “B” Bench target zone. Condor also completed drilling its third horizontal well on the Niobrara asset, the Logan 2H, in December 2012, drilling to 12,911 feet measured depth (6,112 true vertical depth) in nine days. The 6,350 foot lateral section was completed in 25 stages by Halliburton in January 2013, and tested at a gross initial production rate of 522 Bbls of oil per day and 378 Mcf of natural gas per day (585 gross BOE per day and 172 net BOE per day) from the Niobrara “B” Bench target zone in February 2013.In June 2013, Condor drilled its fourth and fifth horizontal wells on the Niobrara asset, the State 16-7-60 IH and Wickstrom 18-2H wells. The State 16-7-60 1H horizontal well, located in Weld County, Colorado, reached a total vertical depth of approximately 6,261 feet with a total measured depth of approximately 10,632 feet. The 4,042 foot lateral section was completed in 16 stages in early July 2013 and tested at a gross initial production rate of 480 Bbls of oil per day and 360 Mcf of natural gas per day (540 gross BOE per day and 86 net BOE per day) during a four hour test from the Niobrara “B” Bench target zone, and following removal of a down hole sand screen which was restricting flow, the well reached a gross peak production rate of 972 Bbls of oil per day and 800 Mcf of natural gas per day (1,105 gross BOE per day and 177 net BOE per day).
The Wickstrom 18-2H horizontal well, located in Morgan County, Colorado, and tests the southernmost extent of the Company’s Niobrara leasehold, reached a total vertical depth of approximately 6,125 feet with a total measured depth of approximately 14,706 feet. The 8,140 foot lateral section was completed in 33 stages in August 2013 and tested at a gross initial production rate of 414Bbls of oil per day and 408 Mcf of natural gas per day (482 gross BOE per day and 80 net BOE per day) during a four hour test from the Niobrara “B” Bench target zone. The well was tested using a limited rate flowback technique to reduce frac sand entry into the well bore and test the concept of estimated ultimate recovery (“EUR”) increases through lower drawdown similar to the practice employed in the Eagle Ford Shale, resulting in an initial production rate estimated by the Company at 80% of its anticipated full production potential.
During the past quarter, Condor’s five producing wells in the Niobrara asset produced approximately 22,573 gross barrels (Bbl) of oil (4,492 net) and gross 21,894 thousand cubic feet (Mcf) of natural gas (5,135 net) or 3,649 gross barrels of oil equivalent (“BOE”) (856 net), (utilizing a conversion factor for gas sales of 6 Mcf per 1 Bbl), for total aggregate gross production during the past quarter of approximately 26,222 BOE (5,348 net).
Eagle Ford Asset
As of September 30, 2013, we held 53 net acres in certain oil and gas leases covering approximately 1,331 gross acres in the Leighton Field located in McMullen County, Texas, which is currently producing oil and natural gas from the highly-prospective Eagle Ford Shale formation, which we refer to as the Eagle Ford asset. We hold these interests through our 50% ownership interest in White Hawk, which holds a 7.939% working interest in the Eagle Ford asset.
The Eagle Ford asset currently has five wells that have been drilled and are producing, with initial production rates, as publicly disclosed by Sundance Energy, Inc. (formerly Texon Petroleum Limited), the operator of the Eagle Ford asset, of 1,202 Bbl per day and 782 Mcf per day for the first well, 1,488 Bbl per day and 700 Mcf per day for the second well, 1,072 Bbl per day and 1,137 Mcf per day for the third well, 1,201 peak 24-hour BOE per day for the fourth well, and 680 peak 24-hour BOE per day for the fifth well. During the month of August 2013 the net production attributable to our 3.97% interest from these wells was 859 Bbl of oil and 163 Mcf of natural gas. Based on our current understanding of the field, on the approximately 1,331 gross acre Eagle Ford asset, approximately 15 more Eagle Ford gross wells may be drilled.
Mississippian Asset
Effective March 15, 2013, we acquired an average 97% working interest in the Mississippian Lime covering approximately 7,006 gross (6,763 net) acres located in Comanche, Harper, Barber and Kiowa Counties, Kansas, which we refer to as the Mississippian asset, and approximately 10.5 square miles of related 3-D seismic data, for an aggregate purchase price of $4,207,117, pursuant to an agreement for purchase of term assignment entered into with Berexco LLC (the “Berexco”). Also effective March 15, 2013, we acquired certain additional working interests in the same acreage located in Comanche, Harper, and Kiowa Counties, Kansas, for an additional aggregate purchase price of $67,341, pursuant to agreements for purchase of term assignment entered into with five small interest holders, bringing our average working interest to 98% in the Mississippian asset covering an aggregate of approximately 7,006 gross (6,885 net) acres.
The Mississippian acquisition is structured as a primary term assignment to us by Berexco of the leasehold interests which expires on December 29, 2014. If we drill at least three (3) horizontal wells on these leasehold interests during this primary term, then we have the option, in our sole discretion, to extend the primary term with respect to some or all of the leases subject to the assignment for an additional one (1) year period upon payment to Berexco of an additional $200 per net acre covered by the leases upon which the option is exercised. If we complete a commercially producing well during the primary or extended terms, then Berexco shall assign such leases to us for as long as the wells produce in paying quantities, with each horizontal well of at least 4,000 feet in length holding 320 acres covered by the leases, each short horizontal well with a length of between less than 4,000 feet and at least 2,000 feet in length holding 160 acres, and each vertical well holding 10 acres. Berexco shall retain an overriding royalty interest equal to the positive difference, if any, obtained by subtracting existing leasehold burdens from 22.5% before payout and 25% after payout (reduced to the extent Berexco assigns less than a 100% working interest to us). For purposes of the Mississippian agreement, “payout” is defined as such time, on a well by well basis, when a well has sold the following specified barrels of oil equivalent (“BOE”), (utilizing a conversion factor for gas sales of 8 Mcf per 1 barrel of oil): for a vertical well, ten thousand (10,000) BOE; for a short horizontal well: twenty-five thousand (25,000) BOE; and for a horizontal well: fifty thousand (50,000) BOE.
We serve as the operator of the Mississippian asset, which includes both undeveloped and held-by-production (HBP) positions. We anticipate drilling the first well on the Mississippian asset in the fourth quarter of 2013. The Mississippian oil play is one of the latest oil plays that have recently captured attention in the industry, and we believe that there is an opportunity to acquire additional interests in this emerging play on attractive terms.
Recent Developments
Issuance of Stock to Esenjay
On July 1, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the issuance, effective June 23, 2013 (the “Effective Date”), of an aggregate of 27,804 shares of common stock of the Company (the “Esenjay Shares”) to Esenjay Oil & Gas, Ltd., Winn Exploration Co., Inc., Lacy Properties, Ltd., and Crain Energy, Ltd. (collectively, “Esenjay”), as additional consideration due to Esenjay upon the spudding by Condor Energy Technology, LLC (“Condor”) of the State 16-7-60 1H well (the “State Well”) on June 13, 2013. The Esenjay Shares were issuable to Esenjay within ten (10) days of the spud date of the State Well pursuant to that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated July 26, 2012, entered into by and among Condor and Esenjay, as additional equity consideration due to Esenjay thereunder upon the spudding of the first well on acreage defined as “Appendix 2C Acreage” under such agreement. As of September 30, 2013, the Company recorded $116,499 as a stock subscription receivable for the total of 27,804 shares at $4.19 per share on the date of grant.
Recent developments affecting our liquidity are described below under “Historical Liquidity and Capital Resources”.
Amendments to PEDCO-MIEJ Note
On July 9, 2013, the Company and MIEJ agreed to amend the Secured Subordinated Promissory Note (the “Original PEDCO-MIEJ Note”) previously entered into on March 25, 2013 by the Company’s wholly-owned Nevada subsidiary, PEDCO, and MIEJ, to extend the maturity date from December 31, 2013 to August 31, 2014, and to remove the maturity trigger upon the closing of a debt or equity financing transaction with gross proceeds of $10 million to the Company. The Amended and Restated Secured Subordinated Promissory Note (the “Amended Note”), dated July 9, 2013, amends and restates the Original PEDCO-MIEJ Note. Under the Amended Note, PEDCO may draw down multiple advances up to a maximum of $6.5 million outstanding principal under the Note, with repaid amounts not being permitted to be re-borrowed. Amounts borrowed under the Amended Note may be used by PEDCO to fund fees and expenses allocable to PEDCO with respect to its operations in the Niobrara asset located in Weld and Morgan Counties, Colorado (the “Niobrara Asset”). When drawn, principal borrowed under the Amended Note carries an interest rate of 10.0% per annum. Principal and accrued interest under the Amended Note are due and payable within ten (10) business days of August 31, 2014 (previously the due date was December 31, 2013 or the closing of a debt or equity financing transaction with gross proceeds of $10 million to the Company). The Amended Note may be prepaid in full by the Company without penalty, and is secured by all of PEDCO’s ownership and working interest in the FFT2H, Waves 1H, Logan 2H, State 16-7-60 1H and Wickstrom 18-2H wells located in the Niobrara Asset, and all corresponding leasehold rights pooled with respect to such well, and PEDCO’s ownership and working interest in each future well drilled and completed in the Niobrara Asset. The total principal amount outstanding under the Note is $6.17 million as of September 30, 2013. There is currently approximately $330,000 available for future borrowing by PEDCO under the Note. Further, the Company owes $430,258 in accrued interest at September 30, 2013 under the Note.
Amendments to Condor-MIEJ Note
On July 9, 2013, Condor, the Company’s 20% owned subsidiary, and MIEJ agreed to amend the Promissory Note (the “Original Condor-MIEJ Note”) previously entered into on February 14, 2013 by Condor and MIEJ, to increase the amount available for borrowing from $14 million to $25 million for the purposes of funding drilling and development of Condor’s assets. The Amended and Restated Promissory Note, executed July 9, 2013 by Condor and effective June 28, 2013 (the “Amended Condor-MIEJ Note”), amends and restates the Original Condor-MIEJ Note. Under the Amended Condor-MIEJ Note, Condor may draw down multiple advances up to a maximum of $25 million outstanding principal under the Amended Condor-MIEJ Note (previously $14 million), with repaid amounts not being permitted to be re-borrowed. When drawn, principal borrowed under the Amended Condor-MIEJ Note carries an interest rate per annum equal to the one (1) month LIBOR rate, plus four percent (4%). Principal and accrued interest due under the Amended Condor-MIEJ Note is due and payable on the date that is 36 months from the date each advance is made under the Amended Condor-MIEJ Note. The note may be prepaid in full by Condor without penalty. The total principal amount outstanding as of September 30, 2013 under the Amended Condor-MIEJ Note is $21.7 million.
Issuance of Stock to STXRA
On July 11, 2013, the Company and STXRA entered into a letter agreement (the “STXRA Amendment”) regarding the equity compensation due and payable to STXRA by the Company in connection with the Company’s acquisition of certain interests in the Mississippian formation in southern Kansas from Berexco that closed in March 2013 pursuant to that certain Agreement for Purchase of Term Assignment dated February 22, 2013 between Berexco and the Company (the “Berexco Transaction”). Pursuant to the STXRA Amendment, the Company agreed to further amend the terms of that certain letter agreement previously entered into with STXRA, dated March 25, 2013, as amended (the “Original STXRA Agreement”), to provide that the “Equity Consideration” (as defined therein) due to STXRA with respect to the Berexco Transaction would be equal to 33,815 shares of common stock of the Company (the “STXRA Shares”). On July 11, 2013, the Company issued to STXRA the STXRA Shares at a fair value of $109,899.
Issuance of Warrant to Investor Relations Consultant
On July 15, 2013, the Company issued a five-year warrant exercisable for 240,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on a cashless basis to an investor relations consultant as partial consideration for certain investor relations services to be provided to the Company (the “IR Warrant”). The fair value at the date of issuance is $288,256. The IR Warrant has an exercise price per share of $5.00, and vests with respect to 50% of the shares issuable thereunder upon the IR Warrant issuance date, and 50% on February 1, 2014, subject to continued engagement by the Company of the investor relations consultant on such date. On October 9, 2013, the investor relations consultant notified the Company that it was immediately winding-down its operations and was terminating all investor relations engagements, including with the Company. Accordingly, the Company cancelled the IR Warrant in full on October 25, 2013 due to non-performance by the consultant.
NYSE MKT Listing
On September 10, 2013, the Company’s shares of common stock commenced trading on the NYSE MKT under the ticker symbol “PED.” Prior to that date, the Company’s shares traded on the Over-The-Counter (OTC) Bulletin Board under the symbol “PEDO.OB.”
Appointment of Independent Board Members
Effective immediately prior to the Company’s September 10, 2013 listing on the NYSE MKT, Mr. Michael L. Peterson and Mr. Jamie Tseng agreed to step down from the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company in order to permit the appointment of Mr. David C. Crikelair and Ms. Elizabeth P. Smith as their successors on the Board, whose appointments were contingent and immediately effective upon Messrs. Peterson and Tseng’s resignations. Neither Mr. Peterson’s nor Mr. Tseng’s resignations were a result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices. Mr. Peterson remains the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President and Mr. Tseng remains the Company’s Senior Vice President and Managing Director following their resignations as directors. The Company’s Board has determined that Mr. Crikelair and Ms. Smith are each an independent director as defined in the NYSE MKT rules governing members of boards of directors and as defined under Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Therefore, a majority of the members of our Board are independent as defined in the NYSE MKT rules governing members of boards of directors and as defined under Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act.
Kazakhstan Acquisition
On September 16, 2013, the Company entered into a Share Subscription Agreement to acquire an approximate 51% ownership in Asia Sixth, which holds an approximate 60% ownership interest in Aral. Aral holds a 100% operated working interest in a production license issued by the Republic of Kazakhstan that expires in 2035 in western Kazakhstan (the “Contract Area”). The Contract Area covers 380,000 acres within the North Block located in the Pre-Caspian Basin. This basin is the largest currently producing basin in Kazakhstan.
Under the agreement, the Company plans to take control of Aral through acquisition of a 51% controlling interest in Asia Sixth, by way of subscription of shares of Asia Sixth, which in turn currently holds a 60% controlling interest in Aral. Asia Sixth’s interest in Aral is scheduled to increase to 66.5% following the completion of certain transactions to occur between Asia Sixth and Asia Sixth’s partner in Aral that currently holds the remaining 40% interest in Aral (the “Aral Transactions”). Upon closing and completion of the Aral Transactions, Aral will be owned 66.5% by Asia Sixth, which will be controlled and managed by the Company. Thus, the Company, through its 51% majority ownership in Asia Sixth, will own an approximately 34% interest in Aral and have control of Aral through its control of Asia Sixth. The closing of the transaction is anticipated to occur in September 2014, subject to the satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions including the approval of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the Protection of Competition and the Ministry of Oil and Gas of the Republic of Kazakhstan (“MOG”), and the MOG’s waiver of its pre-emptive purchase right with respect to the transaction. In addition, the Company’s ability to pay the final closing payment (if and to the extent due) is contingent upon the Company securing sufficient financing, of which there can be no assurances.
The Company has paid an initial deposit of $8 million in September and a subsequent deposit of $2 million on October 1, 2013 to Asia Sixth, and will increase its deposit by up to $10 million to a total of $20 million contingent upon receipt of payment in full to the Company from an investor under a promissory note maturing in December 2013. The deposit is subject to full refund to the Company in the event the transaction does not close, other than as a result of the Company’s material uncured breach. This money will also be used, in part, to recomplete and rework currently producing wells with the hope of significantly increasing their production rates. Based on how these wells perform, at closing, the Company shall owe to Asia Sixth a final closing payment equal to an additional: (i) $20 million if the daily average volume of oil produced by Aral over a specified 30 day period (the “Target Volume”) equals or exceeds 1,500 barrels of oil per day (“BOPD”); (ii) $15 million if the Target Volume equals or exceeds 1,000 BOPD but is less than 1,500 BOPD; or (iii) $0 if the Target Volume comes in less than 1,000 BOPD.
Upon closing, the Company and the other shareholders of Asia Sixth will enter into a shareholders agreement, pursuant to which the shareholders will agree to certain restrictions on the transfer of their interests in Asia Sixth, certain pre-emption rights in the event a shareholder desires to transfer its interests in Asia Sixth, certain information rights, and certain other rights, including, but not limited to, certain management and control provisions, including: (i) the Company’s right to nominate two (2) of the five (5) directors of Asia Sixth, subject to the Company maintaining at least a 25% ownership of Asia Sixth; (ii) the Company’s right to nominate one (1) additional of the five (5) directors of Asia Sixth, subject to the Company maintaining at least a 51% ownership of Asia Sixth; (iii) the Company’s right to designate the Chairman of Asia Sixth from among its directors appointed to the Asia Sixth Board; and (iv) the appointment of two (2) of the Asia Sixth directors designated by the Company to the five (5) member Supervisory Council of Aral.
Issuance of Stock to Research Services Consultant
On October 16, 2013, the Company entered into a research services agreement with a consultant in connection with which the Company was obligated to issue 15,000 shares of restricted common stock of the Company, vesting on January 6, 2014, subject to approval of the Board of Directors of the Company. The Company’s Board of Directors approved the grant of stock to the consultant, and the restricted stock was issued to the consultant on November 6, 2014 upon receipt of additional listing approval from the NYSE MKT, which was received on such date.
Issuance of Stock to Investor Relations Service Provider
On November 6, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement for the provision of certain investor relations services with an investor relations firm in exchange for an aggregate of 290,000 shares of restricted common stock of the Company issued on November 6, 2013, which vests on January 28, 2014.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make judgments, estimates and assumptions in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We believe there have been no significant changes in our critical accounting policies as discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, except for the adoption of a derivative policy in conjunction with the derivative warrants issued with our Bridge Financing, with that policy being as follows. The Company follows Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815-40”), which limits the extent to which the conversion or exercise price (the “strike price”) of a warrant can be adjusted for subsequent transactions. The Company utilizes a two-step process to determine whether an instrument is indexed to its stock: (a) evaluate the instrument’s contingent exercise provisions, if any and (b) evaluate the instrument’s settlement provisions. If it is determined the instrument is not indexed to the Company’s stock, the warrant is recognized as a derivative warrant at issuance and is measured at fair value at each reporting period and the change is recorded in earnings.
Results of Operations and Financial Condition
As discussed above, the financial statements of Pacific Energy Development are presented as the continuing accounting entity and the below discussion relates to the financial information of Pacific Energy Development as the continuing accounting entity. The financial statements prior to the date of the merger represent the operations of pre-merger Pacific Energy Development only. After the date of the merger, the financial statements include the operations of the combined companies. All of the numbers presented below are rounded numbers and should be considered as approximate.
Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
Oil and Gas Revenue. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, we generated a total of $199,000 in revenues, $131,000 of which were generated from the five producing wells in the Niobrara Asset. Oil and gas revenues generated by the Company’s former business operations under the name Blast Energy Services, Inc. (“Blast”) was $68,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as the wells began once again producing after undergoing workovers. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, we generated a total of $175,000 in revenues, of which $113,000 were generated from the two producing wells in the Eagle Ford asset (owned by the Company in April and May of 2012 prior to being contributed to White Hawk) and one producing well in the Niobrara asset. Blast oil and gas revenue was $62,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2012.
Lease Operating Expenses. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, operating expenses associated with the oil and gas properties were comprised of $123,000, of which $67,000 was for the Blast operations, compared to lease operating costs of $123,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2012.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (“DD&A”). DD&A costs were $101,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $59,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2012, as recording of depletion commenced in 2012 when the wells began producing revenue.
Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased by $480,000 to $1,501,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $1,021,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The increase was primarily due to an increase in stock option compensation expense as a result of the vesting of certain stock option grants during the period (as explained further in the option footnote above). The components of SG&A expense are summarized below:
| |
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
September 30,
|
|
|
Increase/
|
|
|
(in thousands)
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
(Decrease)
|
|
|
Payroll and related costs
|
|
|
295
|
|
|
|
344
|
|
|
|
(49)
|
|
|
Option and warrant expense
|
|
|
774
|
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
|
718
|
|
|
Legal fees
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
|
247
|
|
|
|
(198)
|
|
|
Accounting and other professional fees
|
|
|
312
|
|
|
|
268
|
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
(10)
|
|
|
Travel & entertainment
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
|
(20)
|
|
|
Office rent, communications, misc.
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
| |
|
$
|
1,501
|
|
|
$
|
1,021
|
|
|
$
|
480
|
|
Impairment of Oil and Gas Properties. We had an impairment of oil and gas properties of $219,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 due to the expiration of leases, compared to no impairment of oil and gas properties for the three months ended September 30, 2012.
Impairment of Goodwill. We had no impairment of goodwill for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $6,820,000 of impairment of goodwill for the three months ended September 30, 2012. Impairment of goodwill was in connection with the acquisition of Blast.
Gain/loss from Equity Method Investment. Gain from equity method investments was $127,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared with a loss of $24,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2012. We have two investments accounted for using the equity method, Condor and White Hawk, which were acquired in 2012. The loss due to costs associated with exploration of new, unproven areas within the Condor property were more than offset by the gain realized for the White Hawk investment.
Interest Expense. Interest expense was $492,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $303,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2012. This increase was primarily due to amortization of the Bridge Notes (described below under “Historical Liquidity and Capital Resources” and described in greater detail in the notes to the financial statements attached hereto) and interest accrued on loans payable to MIE Jurassic Energy Corporation, an affiliate of MIE Holdings (“MIEJ”) (described in greater detail in the notes to the financial statements attached hereto).
Interest Income. Interest income was $54,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $5,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2012. This increase was primarily due to interest accrued for loans payable to us by Condor and White Hawk (described in greater detail in the notes to the financial statements attached hereto).
Net Loss. Net loss decreased by $6,404,000 to a net loss of $2,065,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to a net loss of $8,469,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2012. This decrease was primarily due to the $6,820,000 of goodwill recorded in 2012, offset somewhat by an increase in operating expenses as described above.
Comparison of the Nine months Ended September 30, 2013 with the Nine months Ended September 30, 2012
Oil and Gas Revenue. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we generated a total of $624,000 in revenues, $498,000 of which were generated from the five producing wells in the Niobrara Asset, and $126,000 of oil and gas revenues were generated by the former Blast business operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. This compares to revenue of $333,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, of which $162,000 of this revenue was generated from the then one producing well in the Niobrara Asset and $109,000 was generated from two producing wells in our Eagle Ford asset (owned by the Company in April and May of 2012 prior to being contributed to White Hawk). Blast oil and gas revenue was $62,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
Lease Operating Expenses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, lease operating expenses associated with the oil and gas properties amounted to $512,000, which were comprised of $204,000 for our business and an additional $308,000 associated with Blast compared to lease operating costs of $171,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The increase in lease operating costs was primarily related to the workovers on the Blast wells. The oil and gas well operating expenses for Blast only include results after the merger with Pacific Energy Development which closed in July 2012.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization. DD&A costs were $356,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $73,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as recording of depletion commenced in 2012 when the wells began producing revenue.
Selling, General and Administrative. SG&A expenses increased by $1,937,000 to $4,049,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $2,112,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The increase was primarily due to an increase in accounting and other professional fees incurred in connection with the Company’s capital raising activities, and an increase in stock option compensation expense as a result of vesting of certain stock option grants, as shown just below.
| |
|
For the Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
September 30,
|
|
|
Increase/
|
|
|
(in thousands)
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
(Decrease)
|
|
|
Payroll and related costs
|
|
|
940
|
|
|
|
818
|
|
|
|
122
|
|
|
Option and warrant expense
|
|
|
1,208
|
|
|
|
417
|
|
|
|
791
|
|
|
Legal fees
|
|
|
320
|
|
|
|
278
|
|
|
|
42
|
|
|
Accounting and other professional fees
|
|
|
1,232
|
|
|
|
420
|
|
|
|
812
|
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
162
|
|
|
|
53
|
|
|
|
109
|
|
|
Travel & entertainment
|
|
|
120
|
|
|
|
72
|
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
Office rent, communications, misc.
|
|
|
67
|
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
| |
|
$
|
4,049
|
|
|
$
|
2,112
|
|
|
$
|
1,937
|
|
Loss on Oil and Gas Property Acquisition Deposit. The Company paid $200,000 for the first two installments of a $300,000 option fee to acquire certain interests in the Mississippian Lime covering an additional approximately 7,043 net acres located in Comanche, Harper, Barber and Kiowa Counties, Kansas, and Woods County, Oklahoma and approximately 9.0 square miles of related 3-D seismic data during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The Company has since allowed this option to expire through non-payment of the third and final $100,000 option consideration payment due on May 25, 2013. As such, the Company had a loss on oil and gas property acquisition deposit of $200,000 for the nine month period.
Impairment of Oil and Gas Properties. We had an impairment of oil and gas properties of $307,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 due to lease expiations, compared to no impairment of oil and gas properties for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
Impairment of Goodwill. We had no impairment of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $6,820,000 of impairment of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Impairment of goodwill was in connection with the acquisition of Blast.
Loss from Equity Method Investment. Loss from equity method investments was $241,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared with $79,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. We have two investments accounted for using the equity method, Condor and White Hawk, which were acquired in 2012. The increased loss was due primarily to costs associated with exploration of new, unproven areas within the Condor property and general and administrative costs incurred for the second year of Condor operations.
Interest Expense. Interest expense was $1,099,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $303,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. This increase was primarily due to amortization of the Bridge Notes (described below under “Historical Liquidity and Capital Resources” and described in greater detail in the notes to the financial statements attached hereto) and interest accrued for loans due to MIEJ (described in greater detail in the notes to the financial statements attached hereto).
Interest Income. Interest income was $140,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $5000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. This increase was primarily due to interest accrued for loans due from Condor and White Hawk (described in greater detail in the notes to the financial statements attached hereto).
Net Loss. Net loss decreased by $3,474,000 to a net loss of $5,980,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to a net loss of $9,454,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. This decrease was primarily due to $6,820,000 for goodwill impairment not applicable to 2013, offset somewhat by an increase in operating expenses of $3,255,000 and an increase in interest expense of $796,000 as described above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity Outlook
We expect to incur substantial expenses and generate significant operating losses as we continue to explore for and develop our oil and natural gas prospects, and as we opportunistically invest in additional oil and natural gas properties, develop our discoveries which we determine to be commercially viable and incur expenses related to operating as a public company and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Our future financial condition and liquidity will be impacted by, among other factors, the success of our exploration and appraisal drilling program, the number of commercially viable oil and natural gas discoveries made and the quantities of oil and natural gas discovered, the speed with which we can bring such discoveries to production, and the actual cost of exploration, appraisal and development of our prospects. Assuming that we complete one or more public or private debt or equity financings to fund the balance of our planned 2013-2014 capital expenditures and repay our outstanding debt as it becomes due, we plan to make capital expenditures, excluding capitalized interest and general and administrative expense, of up to $4.5 million during the period from October 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013 in order to achieve our plans.
We do not expect our projected cash flow from operations combined with our existing cash on hand will be sufficient to fund our operations for the next twelve months, including the repayment of debt due to the holders of secured promissory notes dated March 22, 2013 in the principal amount of $4.0 million maturing on December 31, 2013 and the repayment of debt due to MIEJ, under a secured subordinated promissory note dated February 14, 2013, as amended March 25, 2013 and July 9, 2013, in the principal amount of $6.17 million maturing on August 31, 2014, described in greater detail below. Therefore, we may seek additional funding through asset sales, farm-out arrangements, lines of credit, or public or private debt or equity financings to fund our planned 2014 capital expenditures and repay our outstanding debt as it becomes due.
Our capital budget may be adjusted as business conditions warrant. The amount, timing and allocation of capital expenditures is largely discretionary and within our control. If oil and natural gas prices decline or costs increase significantly, we could defer a significant portion of our budgeted capital expenditures until later periods to prioritize capital projects that we believe have the highest expected returns and potential to generate near-term cash flows. We routinely monitor and adjust our capital expenditures in response to changes in prices, availability of financing, drilling and acquisition costs, industry conditions, timing of regulatory approvals, availability of rigs, success or lack of success in drilling activities, contractual obligations, internally generated cash flows and other factors both within and outside our control.
Historical Liquidity and Capital Resources
Amendment to PEDCO-MIEJ Note
On March 25, 2013, we and MIEJ amended and restated that certain Secured Subordinated Promissory Note, dated February 14, 2013, as amended (the “MIEJ Note”), to increase from $5 million the maximum amount available for us to borrow thereunder to $6.5 million, and to permit amounts borrowed under the MIEJ Note to be used by us to fund fees and expenses allocable to us with respect to our operations in the Niobrara asset, Niobrara asset-related acquisition expenses, and repayment of $432,433 due to Condor as a refund of the performance deposit paid by MIEJ with respect to the Mississippian asset acquisition and applied toward our purchase price of the Mississippian asset. The MIEJ Note converted amounts previously advanced by MIEJ to us in the amount of $2.17 million to fund operations in the Niobrara asset through November 1, 2012, as well as an additional $2 million loaned by MIEJ to us under the MIEJ Note on February 14, 2013 and $2 million loaned by MIEJ to us under the MIEJ Note on March 25, 2013, for a total current principal amount outstanding under the MIEJ Note of $6.17 million as of September 30, 2013. There is currently approximately $330,000 available for future borrowing by us under the MIEJ Note.
Amendments to Condor-MIEJ Note
On July 9, 2013, Condor, the Company’s 20% owned subsidiary, and MIEJ agreed to amend the Promissory Note (the “Original Condor-MIEJ Note”) previously entered into on February 14, 2013 by Condor and MIEJ, to increase the amount available for borrowing from $14 million to $25 million for the purposes of funding drilling and development of Condor’s assets. The Amended and Restated Promissory Note, executed July 9, 2013 by Condor and effective June 28, 2013 (the “Amended Condor-MIEJ Note”), amends and restates the Original Condor-MIEJ Note. Under the Amended Condor-MIEJ Note, Condor may draw down multiple advances up to a maximum of $25 million outstanding principal under the Amended Condor-MIEJ Note (previously $14 million), with repaid amounts not being permitted to be re-borrowed. When drawn, principal borrowed under the Amended Condor-MIEJ Note carries an interest rate per annum equal to the one (1) month LIBOR rate, plus four percent (4%). Principal and accrued interest due under the Amended Condor-MIEJ Note is due and payable on the date that is 36 months from the date each advance is made under the Amended Condor-MIEJ Note. The note may be prepaid in full by Condor without penalty. The total principal amount outstanding as of September 30, 2013 under the Amended Condor-MIEJ Note is $21.7 million.
Bridge Notes
On March 22, 2013, to finance the acquisition of the Mississippian asset, we closed a private placement of $4.0 million aggregate principal amount of secured promissory notes (the “Bridge Notes”). The Company incurred debt offering costs and deferred financing costs of $40,000 in connection with the debt placement. The Bridge Notes are described in greater detail in the notes to the financial statements attached hereto.
Private Placement
On August 12, 2013, we completed the closing of a $22 million private placement offering to two investors for aggregate initial proceeds to the Company of $10 million. The private placement was comprised of $20 million of common stock and warrants from one investor and $2 million of common stock and warrants from another investor. The Company received $10 million in cash on August 12, 2013, and received promissory notes for $2 million which was due by September 11, 2013 and $10 million which is due by December 1, 2013. The Company paid $10 million of the cash proceeds received in the private placement to Asia Sixth Energy Resources Limited (“Asia Sixth”) as an initial deposit for its pending acquisition of an approximate 34% indirect interest in Aral Petroleum Capital Limited Partnership, the Kazakhstan entity which holds a 100% operated working interest in a production license covering a contract area issued by the Republic of Kazakhstan (the “Kazakhstan Acquisition”). On September 30, 2013, the Company received cash payment in full that was due under the $2 million promissory note. As of September 30, 2013, the $10 million promissory note (due by December 1, 2013) is recorded as a $10 million stock subscription receivable on the balance sheet. Upon receipt of the final $10 million due under the outstanding $10 million promissory note, the Company is obligated to remit such funds to Asia Sixth in connection with the Kazakhstan Acquisition, thereby increasing the Company’s deposit from $10 million to a total of $20 million. In the event the final $10 million due under the outstanding $10 million promissory note is not received by the Company, the Company is not obligated to increase its deposit amount to Asia Sixth, and the Company may rescind the corresponding number of shares of common stock and warrants originally issued to the investor to the extent acquired in exchange for the $10 million promissory note, and/or pursue other legal remedies.
The Company’s other notes payable and notes receivable and the material terms thereof are described in greater detail in the notes to the financial statements attached hereto.
We had total current assets of $4.6 million as of September 30, 2013, including cash of $4.3 million, compared to total current assets of $2.8 million as of December 31, 2012, including a cash balance of $2.5 million.
We had total assets of $28.8 million as of September 30, 2013 compared to $11.1 million as of December 31, 2012. Included in total assets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, were $3.2 million and $2.4 million, respectively, of proved oil and gas properties subject to amortization and $5.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively, of unproved oil and gas properties not subject to amortization.
We had total liabilities of $14.7 million as of September 30, 2013, including current liabilities of $14.6 million, compared to total liabilities of $4.8 million as of December 31, 2012, including current liabilities of $4.7 million.
We had negative working capital of $10.0 million, total shareholders’ equity of $14.1 million and a total accumulated deficit of $18.8 million as of September 30, 2013, compared to negative working capital of $1.9 million, total shareholders’ equity of $5.1 million and a total accumulated deficit of $12.8 million as of December 31, 2012.
Cash Flows From Operating Activities. We had net cash used in operating activities of $3.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, which was primarily due to a $6.0 million net loss, offset somewhat by $1.2 million of non-cash stock compensation expense and an increase in accrued expenses to related parties of $0.8 million.
Cash Flows From Investing Activities. We had net cash used in investing activities of $14.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Cash was used for an $8.0 million deposit for an oil and gas property (the Kazakhstan acquisition described above), oil and gas property acquisitions in the amount of $4.0 million and the issuance of notes receivable to related parties of $2.5 million.
Cash Flows From Financing Activities. We had net cash provided from financing activities of $20.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, with the majority of this provided by a $12.0 million Private Placement (described above) and notes payable, including $5.1 million of notes payable from related parties.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
During the period ended September 30, 2013, there were no accounting standards and interpretations issued which are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, operations or cash flows.
Pursuant to Item 305(e) of Regulation S-K (§ 229.305(e)), the Company is not required to provide the information required by this Item as it is a “smaller reporting company,” as defined by Rule 229.10(f)(1).
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, as appropriate, in order to allow timely decisions in connection with required disclosure.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of September 30, 2013, that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective because of the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting described below.
As a result of being in the formative stage of our development, the Company has not fully implemented the necessary internal controls for the combined entities. The matters involving internal controls and procedures that the Company's management considered to be material weaknesses under the standards of the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) were: (1) insufficient written policies and procedures for accounting and financial reporting with respect to the requirements and application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and SEC disclosure requirements; and (2) ineffective controls over period end financial disclosure and reporting processes.
As a result of the weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting described above, the Company was required to restate its consolidated financial statements for each of the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 to properly record: (1) costs related to an oil and gas acquisition; (2) related party transactions between Condor and the Company; (3) expenses for share-based payments in the proper period; (4) the classification and presentation of stock subscriptions receivable; and (5) the presentation of redeemable preferred stock outside of shareholders’ equity. The Company was also required to restate the consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 to properly record: (1) the classification and presentation of stock subscriptions receivable; and (2) the valuation of shares issued for the settlement of payables.
We are committed to improving our financial organization. As part of this commitment, we will increase our personnel resources and technical accounting expertise as we develop the internal and financial resources of the Company. In addition, at that time, the Company will prepare and implement sufficient written policies and checklists which will set forth procedures for accounting and financial reporting with respect to the requirements and application of GAAP and SEC disclosure requirements.
Management believes that preparing and implementing sufficient written policies and checklists will remedy the following material weaknesses: (i) insufficient written policies and procedures for accounting and financial reporting with respect to the requirements and application of GAAP and SEC disclosure requirements; and (ii) ineffective controls over period end financial close and reporting processes.
We will continue to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of our internal controls and procedures and our internal controls over financial reporting on an ongoing basis and are committed to taking further action and implementing additional enhancements or improvements, as necessary and as funds allow.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
As an early stage company, we continue to develop our internal control systems. We continue to seek additional financial reporting and accounting experience and expertise. The Company has implemented certain internal controls with respect to: (1) its financial closing process to ensure that all transactions are properly identified, evaluated for accounting and disclosure treatment and recorded in the proper period; and (2) its controls over reporting between the Company and its related party operations (Condor and White Hawk). The Company is in the process of implementing standardized, written internal controls and procedures. These controls and procedures have not yet been fully developed or documented. The Company expects to complete the initial phase of its internal controls development over the next nine months.
Except as otherwise discussed above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended September 30, 2013 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is party to any pending legal proceedings.
There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the Commission on March 25, 2013, and investors are encouraged to review such risk factors in the Form 10-K, prior to making an investment in the Company.
On July 1, 2013, the Company issued an aggregate of 27,804 shares of restricted common stock to Esenjay Oil & Gas, Ltd., Winn Exploration Co., Inc., Lacy Properties, Ltd., and Crain Energy, Ltd. (collectively, “Esenjay”), as additional consideration due to Esenjay upon the spudding by Condor of the State 16-7-60 1H well on June 13, 2013.
On July 11, 2013, the Company issued to STXRA an aggregate of 33,815 shares of restricted common stock as equity compensation in connection with the Company’s acquisition of certain interests in the Mississippian formation in southern Kansas from Berexco LLC that closed in March 2013.
On July 15, 2013, the Company issued a five-year warrant exercisable for 240,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on a cashless basis to an investor relations consultant as partial consideration for certain investor relations services to be provided to the Company (the “IR Warrant”). The IR Warrant has an exercise price per share of $5.00, and vests with respect to 50% of the shares issuable thereunder upon the IR Warrant issuance date, and 50% on February 1, 2014, subject to continued engagement by the Company of the investor relations consultant on such date. On October 9, 2013, the investor relations consultant notified the Company that it was immediately winding-down its operations and was terminating all investor relations engagements, including with the Company. Accordingly, the Company cancelled the IR Warrant in full on October 25, 2013 due to non-performance by the consultant.
On August 12, 2013, the Company closed the Private Placement and sold (a) 7,333,334 shares of its common stock at a price of $3.00 per share, which included rights to the following warrants (b) three-year warrants exercisable on a cash basis only for (i) an aggregate of 733,334 shares of common stock at $3.75 per share, (ii) an aggregate of 733,334 shares of common stock at $4.50 per share, and (iii) an aggregate of 733,334 shares of common stock at $5.25 per share, to two investors for aggregate proceeds to the Company in connection with such subscription of $22 million, $20 million of which securities were acquired by Yao Hang Finance (Hong Kong) Limited (including $10 million in the form of a full-recourse promissory note due no later than December 1, 2013) and $2 million of which securities were acquired by an outside investor. The Private Placement is described in greater detail in Note 13 to the financial statements attached hereto.
On October 16, 2013, the Company entered into a research services agreement with a consultant in connection with which the Company was obligated to issue 15,000 shares of restricted common stock of the Company, vesting on January 6, 2014, subject to approval of the Board of Directors of the Company. The Company’s Board of Directors approved the grant of stock to the consultant, and the restricted stock was issued to the consultant on November 6, 2013 upon receipt of additional listing approval from the NYSE MKT, which was received on such date.
On November 6, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement for the provision of certain investor relations services with an investor relations firm in exchange for an aggregate of 290,000 shares of restricted common stock of the Company issued on November 6, 2013, which shares vest on January 28, 2014.
The issuances and grants described above were exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2), Rule 506 of Regulation D and/or Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended since the foregoing issuances and grants did not involve a public offering, the recipients took the securities for investment and not resale, we took appropriate measures to restrict transfer, and the recipients (a) were “accredited investors;” (b) had access to similar documentation and information as would be required in a Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933; (c) were non-U.S. persons; and/or (d) were officers and directors of the Company.
None.
Not Applicable.
None.
See the Exhibit Index following the signature page to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a list of exhibits filed or furnished with this report, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.
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, thereunto duly authorized.
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PEDEVCO Corp.
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Date: November 14, 2013
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By:
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/s/ Frank C. Ingriselli
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Frank C. Ingriselli
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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(Principal Executive Officer)
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Date: November 14, 2013
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By:
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/s/ Michael L. Peterson
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Michael L. Peterson
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Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
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(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit Number
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Description
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4.1
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IR Warrant.
Previously filed on August 14, 2013 as an exhibit to Form 10-Q incorporated herein by reference
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4.2
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Form of Warrant for the Purchase of Common Stock
Previously filed on August 12, 2013 as an exhibit to Form 8-K incorporated herein by reference
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10.1
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Letter Agreement, dated May 15, 2013, by and between PEDEVCO Corp. and South Texas Reservoir Alliance LLC
Previously filed on May 17, 2013 as an exhibit to Form 10-Q incorporated herein by reference
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10.2
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First Amendment to Amended and Restated Secured Subordinated Promissory Note dated July 9, 2013, by and between Pacific Energy Development Corp. and MIE Jurassic Energy Corporation
Previously filed on July 15, 2013 as an exhibit to Form 8-K incorporated herein by reference
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10.3
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Amended and Restated Promissory Note dated July 9, 2013, by and between Pacific Energy Development Corp. and Condor Energy Technology LLC in favor of MIE Jurassic Energy Corporation
Previously filed on July 15, 2013 as an exhibit to Form 8-K incorporated herein by reference
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10.4
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Form of Common Stock and Warrant Subscription Agreement
Previously filed on August 12, 2013 as an exhibit to Form 8-K incorporated herein by reference
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10.5
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Form of First Amendment to Common Stock and Warrant Subscription Agreement
Previously filed on August 12, 2013 as an exhibit to Form 8-K incorporated herein by reference
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10.6
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Form of Promissory Note
Previously filed on August 12, 2013 as an exhibit to Form 8-K incorporated herein by reference
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10.7
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Shares Subscription Agreement, dated September 11, 2013, by and among The Sixth Energy Limited, Asia Sixth Energy Resources Limited, and Pacific Energy Development Corp.
Previously filed on September 16, 2013 as an exhibit to Form 8-K incorporated herein by reference
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31.1*
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
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31.2*
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Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
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32.1**
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
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32.2**
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Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
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101.INS #
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XBRL Instance Document
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101.SCH #
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
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101.CAL #
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
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101.DEF #
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
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101.LAB #
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
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101.PRE #
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
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__________
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
# XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
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