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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION HOLDING CORPORATION INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ý |
Annual Report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002
o |
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
Commission file number: 000-17325
ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION HOLDING CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Colorado | 88-0218499 | |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
5444 Westheimer Road, Suite 1570, Houston, Texas |
77056 |
|
(Address of Principal Executive Office) | (Zip Code) |
713-626-4700
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: common stock
Check whether the issuer: (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No o
Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation S-K contained in this form, and no disclosure will be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ý
The issuer had no revenues for the year ended September 30, 2002.
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based on the last sales price of $0.09 per share on the "over the counter bulletin board" on December 16, 2002, was $25,840,843.
As of December 16, 2002 registrant had 558,588,150 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding.
This annual report contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or Environmental Remediation Holding Corporation's ("Company" or "ERHC") future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause ERHC or its industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially.
Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no guarantee of future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. Moreover, neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of these forward-looking statements. The Company is under no duty to update any of the forward- looking statements after the date of this report to conform prior statements to actual results.
Item 1. Description of Business
Overview
ERHC is an independent oil and gas company and since 1996 has engaged in the exploration, development, production and sale of crude oil and natural gas properties. The Company's goal is to maximize its value through profitable growth in oil and gas reserves and production in the Gulf of Guinea offshore central West Africa and to acquire interests in non-producing oil and gas properties, particularly high potential international prospects in known oil producing areas. The Company's current focus is to exploit its only asset, which is an agreement with the government of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome & Principe ("DRSTP") concerning oil and gas exploration in Sao Tome, an island nation located in the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of central West Africa, and in a Joint Development Zone ("JDZ") between Sao Tome and the Federal Republic of Nigeria ("FRN"). The Company intends to explore forming relationships with other oil and gas companies having technical and financial capabilities to assist the Company in leveraging its interests in Sao Tome and the JDZ. The Company currently has no other operations.
On February 15, 2001, pursuant to a Purchase Agreement dated December 31, 2000, as amended by a First Amendment dated January 31, 2001 (as amended, the "Purchase Agreement"), between Chrome Energy, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company ("Chrome"), Talisman Capital Opportunity Fund Ltd. ("Talisman"), and TC Hydro Carbon, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("TCHC" or "TC Hydro Carbon" and, together with Talisman, the "Sellers"), Chrome purchased from the Sellers for $6,000,000 cash the following: (a) 375,000,000 shares of Company common stock, par value $0.0001 per share ("Common Stock"), owned of record by TC Hydro Carbon; (b) 2,244,385 shares of Common Stock held and owned of record by Talisman; (c) a convertible senior subordinated note from the Company due October 15, 2002, in the principal amount of $750,000 owned and held by Talisman; (d) a convertible note from the Company due October 26, 2000, in the principal amount of $500,000, owned and held by Talisman; (e) a senior secured 8.0% exchangeable promissory note, also referred to as the line of credit, from the Company due September 1, 2004, in the principal amount of $4,000,000 owned and held by TC Hydro Carbon; (f) a warrant certificate dated as of October 26, 1998, owned and held by Talisman providing the right to purchase 750,000 shares of Common Stock until October 26, 2008; (g) a warrant certificate dated as of October 26, 1998, owned and held by Talisman providing the right to purchase 750,000 shares of Common Stock until October 26, 2008; (h) a warrant
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certificate dated as of October 15, 1997, owned by Talisman providing the right to purchase 45,000 shares of Common Stock until October 15, 2002; and (i) a warrant certificate dated as of April 23, 1999 owned by Talisman providing the right to purchase 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock until April 2009. Subsequent to February 15, 2001, Chrome transferred to its financial advisors an aggregate of 116,629,564 shares of Common Stock acquired in this transaction.
Chrome currently owns directly 261,467,674 shares of the Company's Common Stock, of which 260,614,821 were acquired as a result of the Purchase Agreement. Upon consummation of the purchase by Chrome of the securities of the Company, the Company's three directors prior to the February 15, 2001 elected three new directors. Immediately after the election of these new directors, the three prior directors resigned from the board of directors. The new directors appointed the new executive officers of the Company.
Corporate History; Former Operations
The Company was formed in 1986, as a Colorado corporation, and was engaged in a variety of businesses until 1996, at which time it began its current operations as an independent oil and gas company. Since the commencement of its oil and gas operations, the Company has acquired interests in the Nueces River area of south Texas, which were abandoned in 1999, and has acquired interests on the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservations in Utah, which were sold in August 1999. The Company also acquired a lease in oil fields located in Wichita County, Texas, which was subsequently assigned to a former shareholder. However, in connection with the lease in Wichita County, the Company may remain liable for certain plugging and abandonment costs, estimated to be approximately $500,000, which have been accrued as of September 30, 2002 and 2001.
Current Business Operations
In May 1997, the Company entered into an exclusive joint venture with the DRSTP (the "1997 Agreement"). The 1997 Agreement provides that the Company will enter into a joint venture with the DRSTP to create an oil company for the benefit of both parties and the Company will manage the exploration, exploitation and development of the potential oil and gas reserves onshore and offshore Sao Tome, either through a joint venture or in collaboration with major international oil exploration companies.
In April 1998, the DRSTP granted approval to the joint venture to precede with the preparation and sale of leases of its oil concession rights. In July 1998, the Company formed a joint venture with the DRSTP called the Sao Tome and Principe National Petroleum Company, S.A. ("STPetro"), of which the Company owns 49%. As part of the 1997 Agreement, the Company paid the DRSTP an aggregate concession fee of $5,000,000.
In September 1998, the DRSTP and STPetro entered into a Technical Assistance Agreement with Mobil Exploration and Producing Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation. The Company believes that this agreement expired on or around September 30, 2000.
In October 1999, the DRSTP claimed that the Company had breached certain terms of the 1997 Agreement and announced the termination of the 1997 Agreement. The Company immediately exercised its rights to have the matter settled via international arbitration.
After the acquisition of a controlling interest in the Company by Chrome, the Company initiated negotiations with the DRSTP concurrent with the arbitration process. In May 2001, the Company and the DRSTP reached a Memorandum of Agreement (the "2001 Agreement"), witnessed by the FRN, which replaced the 1997 Agreement and suspended the arbitration process. In July 2002, the 2001 Agreement was embodied in a Consent Award issued by the arbitrator as a result of the satisfaction of several conditions, including the ratification of a treaty between the FRN and the DRSTP.
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On Sept. 20, 2002, the Company received via facsimile a letter dated September 19, 2002 from the President of the DRSTP, Fradique Bandiera Melo de Menezes. In the letter, President Menezes states that the 2001 Agreement dated May 21, 2001, is unenforceable.
The Company disputes President Menezes' statement that the contract is unconscionable and unenforceable.
The 2001 Agreement was negotiated in good faith with DRSTP and was signed by the proper representative of DRSTP, the Minister of Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Environment, at the time, Mr. Luis Alberto dos Prazeres. At the time of the 2001 Agreement, the Company and DRSTP were engaged in arbitration proceedings relating to the 1997 Agreement between DRSTP and the Company. The parties agreed in the 2001 Agreement that when certain conditions were met, the Arbitration proceedings were to be discontinued with prejudice and the terms of the 2001 Agreement were to be embodied in a Consent Award issued by the Arbitrator. All the conditions were fulfilled and an Arbitral Award by Consent was subsequently issued. Such Consent stated, in part:
"To ratify as a legal valid document, the Agreement."
"To order both Parties to fully comply with the obligations agreed to in said Agreement;"
In summary, the Company believes that any claims by the President of the DRSTP that he can cause any modification or delay in the 2001 Agreement are unenforceable and without merit. The Company will vigorously defend its rights in the 2001 Agreement in all international jurisdictions against any and all parties that attempt to frustrate the Company's rights under the 2001 Agreement.
The 2001 Agreement gives the Company rights to participate in exploration and production activities in both the exclusive territorial waters of Sao Tome referred to as the Exclusive Economic Zone ("EEZ") and an area between Sao Tome and the FRN that the two nations have designated as a JDZ. Since the 2001 Agreement replaces the 1997 Agreement, it requires the Company to relinquish its rights arising under the 1997 Agreement, including any interest it had in STPetro. As a result, the Company wrote off its interest in STPetro during the year ended September 30, 2001.
More specifically, the 2001 Agreement entitles the Company to the following:
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The Company would be required to pay its proportionate share of the signature bonus and all other costs related to the exploration and exploitation of the Blocks.
The above is only a brief summary of the terms of the 2001 Agreement and such summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the 2001 Agreement (any and all related documents), which have been filed by the Company and which are available on the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov.
Government Regulation
The development, production and sale of crude oil and natural gas is subject to extensive laws and regulations, including environmental laws and regulations. In the event the Company begins exploration and development of any oil and gas properties, it may be required to make large expenditures to comply with environmental and other governmental regulations. Matters subject to regulation include:
Under these laws and regulations, the Company could be liable for personal injuries, property damage, oil spills, discharge of hazardous materials, remediation and clean-up costs and other environmental damages. If the Company failed to comply with these laws and regulations, it could result in the suspension or termination of the Company's operations and subject it to administrative, civil and criminal penalties. Moreover, these laws and regulations could change in ways that substantially increase the Company's costs. Accordingly, any of these liabilities, penalties, suspensions, terminations or regulatory changes could have a materially adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.
Employees
The Company currently has three officers and support staff that provide services to the Company pursuant to a management services agreement between the Company and an operating company affiliated with Chrome and Sir Emeka Offor, the chairman of the board of directors of the Company.
Risk factors that may affect the results of operations and financial condition of the Company
You should carefully consider the risks described below before making any investment decision related to the Company's securities. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known or that the Company currently deems immaterial also may impair its business operations. If any of the following risks actually occur, the Company's business could be harmed.
No Business Operations
The Company's sole asset is an oil and gas exploration concession in Sao Tome received pursuant to the 2001 Agreement, which became effective in July 2002. The 2001 Agreement was embodied in a Consent Award issued by the arbitrator as a result of the satisfaction of several conditions, including the ratification of a treaty between the FRN and the DRSTP.
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Concentration of Control
Chrome, which appointed the Company's board of directors, beneficially owns approximately 51.09% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock as of December 16, 2002. As a result, Chrome has the ability to substantially influence, and may effectively control, the outcome of corporate actions requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors. This concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying or preventing a future change in control of the Company.
Going Concern Opinion; Lack of Liquidity
For the year ended September 30, 2002, the Company's independent auditors stated that the Company's financial condition raises substantial doubts about its ability to continue as a going concern. The Company has incurred net losses of $4,084,210, $6,394,810, and $1,958,880 in fiscal years 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively, and has a working capital deficit of $13,293,490 as of September 30, 2002. Since the Company currently has no business operations, it has no internal sources of funding. The Company has been dependent on external sources of funding for its prior operations, and will continue to be dependent on such sources until it is able to generate sufficient operating cash flow, which may not occur on a timely basis, if at all. Although the Company has received funding from its shareholders in the past, it should not be assumed that such funds will be available in the future or that the shareholders are obligated to fund any amounts in excess of the committed lending obligations.
Lack of Trading Market
On December 20, 2001 the Company's common stock began trading on the "over the counter bulletin board" or "OTCBB" under the stock ticker symbol "ERHC." The market for the Common Stock is sporadic and highly volatile. As such, your ability to sell shares of Common Stock could be severely limited.
Penny Stock Regulations
The Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in "penny stocks." Penny stocks generally are equity securities with a share price of less than $5.00. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document prepared by the SEC that provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in any secondary market for a stock that becomes subject to the penny stock rules. The Common Stock may be subject to the penny stock rules, and accordingly, investors in the Common Stock may find it difficult to sell their shares in the future, if at all.
Susceptibility to General Economic Conditions
The Company's revenues and results of operations will be subject to fluctuations based upon the general economic conditions both in the United States and internationally. If there were to be a general economic downturn or a recession in the oil and gas industry, the Company's future revenues and the value of its oil and gas exploration concession could be materially adversely affected. In the event of such an economic downturn, there can be no assurance that the Company's business, operating results and financial condition would not be materially and adversely affected.
Item 2. Description of Property
The Company's office is located at 5444 Westheimer Road, Suite 1570, Houston, Texas 77056. These premises are leased by Chrome Oil Services Ltd. or ("COS"), and pursuant to a management
5
services agreement, COS provides the space to the Company. This lease for approximately 1,900 sq. ft. of office space expires in February 2006.
Except as described below, the Company is not aware of any other material legal proceedings pending to which it is a party or its property is subject. From time to time, the Company may be subject to proceedings, lawsuits and other claims in the ordinary course of business, the resolution of which, in the opinion of management should not have a materially adverse effect on the Company's financial position. The Company is opposing vigorously each of the claims discussed below and intends to continue to do so unless an agreeable resolution may otherwise be secured with regard to each such claim.
Sam L. Bass, Jr. v. ERHC. U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana, No. 6:99CV1668. This case was commenced in 1999 by a former officer and director of the Company, asserting claims for past due salaries, penalty wages and attorney's fees. The plaintiff is seeking damages of approximately $1.2 million in damages. The named plaintiff in the case has died and his widow and executrix, Sheila Bass, has substituted herself as plaintiff. The trial is set for February 2003. The case is in the advanced stages of discovery.
Charles Briley v. ERHC. Fifteenth Judicial District Court, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, No. 2002-2016 (filed April 18, 2002). Charles Briley has filed this breach of contract action alleging that he is a former consultant to the Company, and that he is due unpaid consulting fees. He seeks recovery of approximately $30,000, plus 125,000 shares of "Rule 144" shares of common stock of the Company. The case is in the very early stages of discovery.
George LeBlanc v. ERHC. Fifteenth Judicial District Court, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, No. 2002-2017 (filed April 18, 2002). George LeBlanc, a former ERHC consultant, has filed this breach of contract action alleging that he is due unpaid consulting fees totaling $15,500, along with 125,000 "Rule 144" shares of company common stock. The case is in the very early stages of discovery.
Robert McKnight v. ERHC. Fifteenth Judicial District Court, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, No. 2002-2018 (filed April 18, 2002). Robert McKnight, a former ERHC consultant, has filed this breach of contract action alleging that he is due unpaid consulting fees totaling $83,000, along with $8,619 in unpaid medical bills. The case is in the very early stages of discovery.
Centex Remediation Services & Johnny Hunt v. ERHC. Fifteenth Judicial District Court, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, No. 2002-3652 (filed July 17, 2002). A Texas company and its principal have filed this breach of contract action alleging that they are due $21,910 for an unpaid invoice plus interest. The case is in the very early stages of discovery.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None.
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Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Stock and Related Shareholder Matters
On December 20, 2001, the Company's common stock began trading on the "over the counter bulletin board" or "OTCBB" under the symbol "ERHC." Prior to December 20, 2001 the Company's Common Stock was trading under the symbol "ERHC" on a "foreign exchange." The market for the Company's Common Stock is sporadic and highly volatile. The following table sets forth the closing sales price per share of the Common Stock for the past two fiscal years. These prices reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-ups, mark-downs or commissions, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
|
High |
Low |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(per share) |
|||||
Fiscal Year 2002 | ||||||
First Quarter |
$ |
..29 |
$ |
..10 |
||
Second Quarter | $ | .28 | $ | .15 | ||
Third Quarter | $ | .22 | $ | .10 | ||
Fourth Quarter | $ | .19 | $ | .09 | ||
Fiscal Year 2001 |
||||||
First Quarter |
$ |
..10 |
$ |
..01 |
||
Second Quarter | $ | .08 | $ | .01 | ||
Third Quarter | $ | .22 | $ | .02 | ||
Fourth Quarter | $ | .37 | $ | .12 |
On December 16, 2002, the closing price of the Common Stock as reported on the "OTCBB" was $0.09. As of December 16, 2002, there were approximately 2,276 record owners of the Common Stock. It is the Company's present policy not to pay cash dividends and to retain future earnings to support growth. Any payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon the amount of funds legally available, the Company's earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant. The Company has not paid any dividends during the last two fiscal years and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
In August and September 2002, the Company sold 2,600,000 shares of Common Stock to a resident of a non U.S. jurisdiction for cash in the aggregate amount of $260,000. The shares were subsequently issued in December 2002.
In August 2002, the Company issued 400,000 shares of Common Stock to a consulting group to provide government affairs representation and lobbying services before the federal government to the Company in the aggregate amount of $60,000.
In August 2002, the Company issued 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock to a consultant to assist the Company in securing an agreement with a strategic oil and gas industry partner to prepare the Company for participation in the award of licenses in Sao Tome in the aggregate amount of $150,000.
In August 2002, the Company issued 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock to a consulting group to advise the Company in securing financing of up to $1,500,000 and in structuring a joint venture arrangement with a partner in the aggregate amount of $150,000.
In August 2002, the Company issued 315,000 shares of common stock to a consultant for general legal services for a previously recorded accounts payable balance in the aggregate amount of $50,400.
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In August 2002, the Company issued 300,000 shares of common stock to a creditor for a previously recorded accounts payable balance in the aggregate amount of $45,000.
In July 2002, the Company issued 200,000 shares of common stock to a consultant for general legal services in the aggregate amount of $18,000.
In July 2002, the Company sold 400,000 shares of Common Stock to a resident of a non U.S. jurisdiction for cash in the aggregate amount of $40,000.
In June 2002, the Company issued 125,000 shares of Common Stock to a former employee in connection with the settlement of various claims against the Company in the aggregate amount of $22,500. Accordingly, the Company recorded an expense of $22,500 relating to this transaction.
In May 2002, the Company sold 3,600,000 shares of Common Stock to a resident of a non U.S. jurisdiction for cash in the aggregate amount of $360,000.
In May 2002, the Company issued 852,853 shares of Common Stock to Chrome for payment of accrued interest in the aggregate amount of $170,571.
In April 2002, the Company issued 1,467,875 shares of common stock to two creditors for previously recorded accounts payable balances in the aggregate amount of $257,873.
In April 2002, the Company issued 2,000,000 shares of common stock to a creditor in settlement of a claim in the aggregate amount of $400,000.
In March 2002, the Company issued 1,374,024 shares of Common Stock to five creditors for the conversion of debt and payment of accrued interest in the aggregate amount of $274,796.
In March 2002, the Company issued 750,000 shares of Common Stock to a consulting group to act as a financial advisor and provide investment banking services to the Company in the aggregate amount of $127,500.
In March 2002, the Company issued 2,219,915 shares of Common Stock to 25 creditors for payment of accrued interest in the aggregate amount of $443,983.
In January 2002, the Company issued 200,000 shares of Common Stock to a former employee and consultant in connection with the settlement of various claims against the Company in the aggregate amount of $40,000.
In January 2002, the Company issued 324,620 shares of Common Stock to a convertible noteholder in connection with the settlement of interest penalties related to debt originally converted in fiscal year 1999 in the aggregate amount of $64,924.
In January 2002, the Company issued 2,546,925 shares of Common Stock to three creditors for the conversion of debt and payment of accrued interest in the aggregate amount of $509,394.
In December 2001, the Company issued 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock to a former employee in connection with the settlement of various claims against the Company in the aggregate amount of $250,000.
In October 2001, the Company issued 713,739 shares of Common Stock to three creditors for the conversion of debt and payment of accrued interest in the aggregate amount of $142,748.
The Company believes the above transactions were exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, as the recipients were all accredited investors, and since the transactions were non-recurring and privately negotiated. There were no underwritten offerings employed and no sales commissions were paid in connection with the sales and issuances of the unregistered securities in any of the transactions set forth above.
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Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The selected financial data of the Company presented below as of September 30, 2002, have been derived from the Financial Statements of the Company, The Financial Statements have been audited by Pannell Kerr Forster of Texas, P.C. ,independent public accountants, for the four years ended September 30, 2002 and by other auditors for the year ended September 30, 1998, and such financial information for the three years ended September 30, 2002 are included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The data set forth below should be read in conjunction with the Company's Financial Statements, related notes thereto and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Plan of Operations."
|
Fiscal Years ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Statements of Operations Data |
||||||||||||||||
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 99,278 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||
Operating expenses |
11,681,706 |
19,727,835 |
1,958,880 |
6,394,810 |
4,084,210 |
|||||||||||
Income before taxes and extraordinary items |
(11,582,428 |
) |
(19,727,835 |
) |
(1,958,880 |
) |
(6,394,810 |
) |
(4,084,210 |
) |
||||||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net loss |
(11,582,428 |
) |
(19,727,835 |
) |
(1,958,880 |
) |
(6,394,810 |
) |
(4,084,210 |
) |
||||||
Net loss per share |
$ |
(0.46 |
) |
$ |
(0.16 |
) |
$ |
|
$ |
(0.01 |
) |
$ |
(0.01 |
) |
||
Weighted average common stock outstanding |
24,970,815 |
120,005,321 |
493,581,196 |
516,136,369 |
542,680,423 |
|||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data (as of September 30,) |
||||||||||||||||
Property and equipment | $ | 6,654,662 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||
DRSTP Concession fee | 4,000,000 | 5,000,000 | 5,000,000 | 5,550,000 | 5,630,000 | |||||||||||
Total assets | 11,691,218 | 6,349,356 | 6,180,912 | 5,631,952 | 5,672,064 | |||||||||||
Total liabilities | 12,922,127 | 11,945,660 | 13,440,215 | 17,436,065 | 17,739,198 | |||||||||||
Stockholders equity | $ | (2,730,909 | ) | $ | (5,596,304 | ) | $ | (7,259,303 | ) | $ | (11,804,113 | ) | $ | (12,067,134 | ) |
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Plan of Operations
You must read the following discussion of the results of the operations and financial condition of the Company in conjunction with its financial statements, including the notes included in this Form 10-K filing. The Company's historical results are not necessarily an indication of trends in operating results for any future period.
Overview
ERHC is an independent oil and gas company and since 1996 has engaged in the exploration, development, production and sale of crude oil and natural gas properties. The Company's goal is to maximize its value through profitable growth in oil and gas reserves and production in the Gulf of Guinea offshore central West Africa and to acquire interests in non-producing oil and gas properties, particularly high potential international prospects in known oil producing areas. The Company's current focus is to exploit its only asset, which is an agreement with the DRSTP concerning oil and gas exploration in Sao Tome, an island nation located in the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of central West Africa, and in a JDZ between Sao Tome and the FRN. The Company intends to explore forming
9
relationships with other oil and gas companies having technical and financial capabilities to assist the Company in leveraging its interests in Sao Tome and the JDZ. The Company currently has no other operations.
Critical Accounting Policies
Concentration of risks
The Company primarily transacts its business with one financial institution. From time to time the amount on deposit in that one institution exceeds the $100,000 federally insured limit. The balances are maintained in demand accounts to minimize risk.
The Company's current focus is to exploit its only asset, which is an agreement with the DRSTP concerning oil and gas exploration in Sao Tome, an island nation located in the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of central West Africa, and in a JDZ between Sao Tome and the FRN. The Company intends to explore forming relationships with other oil and gas companies having technical and financial capabilities to assist the Company in leveraging its interests in Sao Tome and the JDZ. Should circumstances impede the Company from perfecting its interests in the 2001 Agreement with DRSTP, the Company would cease to exist. Should the Company perfect its interests in the 2001 Agreement, there is no certainty that a joint venture partner will be identified to develop the Company's interests. The Company currently has no other operations.
Impairment of long-lived assets
The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets when events and circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired. The Company determines impairment by comparing the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by these assets to their respective carrying amounts. Impairments are charged to operations in the period to which events and circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired. Management of the Company have evaluated its investment in its DRSTP concession fee and believe that there have been no events or circumstances that would indicate that such asset might be impaired.
Results of Operations
Year ended September 30, 2002 Compared to Year Ended September 30, 2001
During the year ended September 30, 2002, the Company incurred a net loss of $4,084,210, compared to a net loss of $6,394,810 for the year ended September 30, 2001. A significant portion of the decrease in net loss for the year ended September 30, 2002 was attributable to $1,425,000 of expense incurred in 2001 as a result of the issuance of common stock of the Company to an entity controlled by an officer of the Company and a consultant as compensation for completing the Purchase Agreement by and between Chrome and Talisman of which there was no such expense incurred during the current year. In addition, during the year ended September 30, 2001, the Company abandoned its investment and a claim for reimbursement from STPetro totaling $1,125,557 due to developments regarding a proposed treaty between the FRN and DRSTP which would result in STPetro being dissolved. Interest expense for the year ended September 30, 2002 was $250,351 higher than the same period in 2001 due to additional borrowings under the Company's line of credit with Chrome.
During February 2001, the Company negotiated a management services agreement by and between Chrome Oil Services Ltd. ("COS") and the Company whereby the Company would pay a monthly management fee of $68,000 for various services to be provided by COS inclusive of all general office expenses. Total expenses incurred under this management services agreement were $816,000 for the year ended September 30, 2002 compared to approximately $505,000 for the year ended September 30, 2001. The increase in expense is due to the management agreement being in place for the entire year
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in 2002 compared to eight months in 2001. The Company's executive officers incurred significant travel expenses of approximately $407,000 and $962,000 for the years ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively, as they continued negotiations with officials of the FRN and DRSTP as well as numerous trips to the United States while managing the ongoing affairs of the Company. The Company anticipates travel related expenses to continue to be significant as the Company further develops its business interests. The net loss per common share was $0.01, basic and diluted, for the year ended September 30, 2002 compared to a net loss per common share of $0.01, basic and diluted, for the year ended September 30, 2001.
During 2002 and 2001, the Company had no revenues from which cash flows could be generated to support operations and thus relied on borrowings funded from its line of credit provided by Chrome in fiscal year 2002 and Chrome and TC Hydro Carbon in fiscal 2001 as well as the sale of common stock in 2002.
Year Ended September 30, 2001 Compared to Year Ended September 30, 2000
During the year ended September 30, 2001, the Company incurred a net loss of $6,394,810, compared to a net loss of $1,958,880 for the year ended September 30, 2000. A significant portion of the increase in net loss for the year ended September 30, 2001 was attributable to $1,425,000 of expense incurred as a result of the issuance of common stock of the Company to an entity controlled by an officer of the Company and a consultant as compensation for completing the Purchase Agreement by and between Chrome and Talisman of which there was no such expense incurred during the prior year. Additionally, there was $425,000 of expense incurred through the issuance of common stock of the Company to the attorney of the plaintiffs of a derivative lawsuit, which was settled in February 2001. During the year ended September 30, 2001, the Company abandoned its investment and a claim for reimbursement from STPetro totaling $1,125,557 due to developments regarding a proposed treaty between the FRN and DRSTP which would result in STPetro being dissolved.
During February 2001, the Company negotiated a management services agreement by and between Chrome Oil Services Ltd. ("COS") and the Company whereby the Company would pay a monthly management fee of $68,000 for various services to be provided by COS inclusive of all general office expenses incurred. Total expenses incurred under this management services agreement were approximately $505,000 for the year ended September 30, 2001 of which there was no such expense incurred in the prior year. Lastly, the Company's executive officers incurred significant travel expenses of approximately $962,000 as they continued negotiations with officials of the FRN and DRSTP as well as numerous trips to the United States while managing the ongoing affairs of the Company. The Company anticipates travel related expenses to continue to be significant as the Company further develops its business interests. The net loss per common share was $0.01, basic and diluted, for the year ended September 30, 2001 compared to a net loss per common share of $0.00, basic and diluted, for the year ended September 30, 2000.
During 2001 and 2000, the Company had no revenues from which cash flows could be generated to support operations and thus relied on borrowings funded from its line of credit provided by Chrome and TC Hydro Carbon in fiscal 2001 and TC Hydro Carbon in fiscal 2000.
Going Concern
For the year ended September 30, 2002, the Company's independent auditors stated that the Company's financial condition raises substantial doubts about its ability to continue as a going concern. The Company's current liabilities exceed its current assets by $13,293,490 at September 30, 2002. The Company has incurred net losses of $4,084,210, $6,394,810 and $1,958,880 in fiscal years 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. These conditions raise substantial doubt as to the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. The Company is in ongoing negotiations to raise general operating funds and funds
11
for specific projects. Management will be required to, and expects to, raise additional capital through the issuance of debt securities and offerings of equity securities to fund the Company's operations, and will attempt to continue raising capital resources until such time as the Company generates revenues sufficient to maintain itself as a viable entity. However, there is no assurance that such financing will be obtained.
The Company's current focus is to exploit its only asset, which is an agreement with the DRSTP concerning oil and gas exploration in Sao Tome, an island nation located in the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of central West Africa, and in a JDZ between Sao Tome and the FRN. The Company intends to explore forming relationships with other oil and gas companies having technical and financial capabilities to assist the Company in leveraging its interests in Sao Tome and the JDZ. Should circumstances impede the Company from perfecting its interests in the 2001 Agreement with DRSTP, the Company would cease to exist. Should the Company perfect its interests in the 2001 Agreement, there is no certainty that a joint venture partner will be identified to develop the Company's interests. The Company currently has no other operations.
The Company has a total of $6.8 million available under debt agreements of $1,800,000 and $5,000,000, respectively, entered into by and between the Company and Chrome (its majority shareholder). The Company has drawn the full amount available under its $1,800,000 agreement, and has drawn $2,384,563 from the $5,000,000 line of credit, for a total outstanding of $4,184,563 as of September 30, 2002. It is expected that the Company will continue to borrow funds from Chrome in the future but there is no assurance that funds will be made available or under similar terms. Chrome is not obligated to provide future borrowings in excess of its existing committed lending obligations. In prior years, the Company was able to raise funds in a timely manner, but there is no assurance that they will continue to do so in the future. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. If the Company is unable to continue as a going concern, the values realized from the Company's assets may be less than the carrying amounts reported in its financial statements. The accompanying financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of asset carrying amounts or the amount and classification of liabilities that might result should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, the Company has financed its operations from the sale of its debt and equity securities (including the issuance of its securities in exchange for goods and services) and bank and other debt. The Company had expected to finance its operations and further development plans during fiscal 2002 and 2001 in part through additional debt or equity capital and in part through cash flow from operations. There have been no cash flows generated from operations in the past two years and the Company has been able to raise additional equity capital of $643,500 in 2002 from the sales of its common stock under private placements.
Therefore, during 2002 the Company has relied primarily on 1) borrowings provided under various debt agreements entered into by and between the Company and its majority shareholders (Chrome in fiscal year 2002 and Chrome and TC Hydro Carbon in fiscal 2001), 2) conversions of interest and principle due on its convertible notes by the issuance of common stock and 3) proceeds generated from the sale of its common stock under private placements.
The Company presently intends to utilize any available sources of funds to provide for general corporate overhead and to continue to pursue its interests in Sao Tome and the JDZ.
12
Financing Arrangements
Escrow Agreements (Chrome)
During January 2001, Chrome entered into escrow agreements with a financial institution for the benefit of the holders of $6,178,750 or 83.2% of the aggregate principal amount of the Company's outstanding convertible debt securities, which, together with the convertible debt securities held by Chrome of $1,250,000 (excluding convertible lines of credit currently held by Chrome), constitutes 100% of all of the Company's outstanding convertible debt securities at that date. These escrow agreements provide for the amendment of the outstanding convertible debt held by the parties to the escrow agreements so that (i) the maturity date is extended to January 31, 2003, (ii) interest will be payable by the Company on January 31, 2002 and at maturity, (iii) the conversion price is fixed at $0.20 per share, subject to standard anti-dilution adjustments, and (iv) all prior defaults by the Company are waived. Substantially all note holders agreed to the amended terms. The original notes were canceled and replaced with new debt instruments. Additionally, accrued interest of $782,372 as of January 31, 2001 relating to these convertible notes was converted into principal resulting in the total of the new notes being $8,211,122, including $1,435,979 held by Chrome.
During the year ended September 30, 2002, the Company received notice of conversion of $870,412 of convertible debt and accrued interest of $56,526, which were converted into 4,634,688 shares of common stock. There were no such conversions of debt into equity during the comparable period in 2001.
On January 29, 2002, the Company solicited the consent of non-affiliated convertible noteholders to pay interest due on January 31, 2002 with common stock of the Company having a value equal to $0.20 per share. During the year ended September 30, 2002, the Company issued 2,219,915 shares of common stock to these non-affiliated convertible noteholders and 852,853 shares of common stock to Chrome for payment of accrued interest in the aggregate amounts of $443,983 and $170,571, respectively. There were no such conversions of accrued interest into equity during the comparable period in 2001.
As of September 30, 2002, if this debt was converted using the conversion price of $0.20 per share, the Company would be required to issue 36,703,550 shares of common stock based on an outstanding principal amount of $7,340,710, of which 7,179,895 shares of common stock based on an outstanding principal amount of $1,435,979 would be issued to Chrome. Additionally, interest accrued and unpaid on these notes as of September 30, 2002 is $410,014, of which $114,661 is owed to Chrome. At the option of the noteholders, unpaid interest can be converted into common stock of the Company. As of September 30, 2002, if this accrued interest were converted using the conversion price of $0.20 per share, the Company would be required to issue 2,050,070 shares of common stock, of which 573,305 would be issued to Chrome.
Lines of Credit (Chrome)
In connection with the Purchase Agreement between Chrome and TCHC, the TCHC $4.0 million 8% exchangeable promissory note, referred to above, was acquired and assumed by Chrome. Chrome and the Company subsequently agreed to amend and restate the promissory note into a $2.2 million note maturing in September 2004 and Chrome has made available, a new working capital line of credit in the amount of $1.8 million maturing in September 2004 at terms similar to the TCHC line of credit. These lines of credit are convertible at the lesser of $0.20 per share or such price as shall be determined by the Board of Directors of ERHC based on an independent determination by a recognized investment banker. In addition, as provided for by the Derivative Settlement on February 9, 2001, Chrome executed an additional $5.0 million senior convertible promissory note ("$5.0 Million Line of Credit") bearing interest at a rate of 10% per annum, maturing in February 2003. The $5.0 Million Line of Credit is convertible at the lesser of $0.20 per share or such price as shall be
13
determined by the Board of Directors of ERHC based on an independent determination by a recognized investment banker. As of September 30, 2002 the total outstanding under these debt instruments was $6,788,207, of which $6,384,563 of the amount is convertible into shares of common stock of the Company. As of September 30, 2002, if these debt instruments were converted using the conversion price of $0.20 per share, the Company would be required to issue 31,922,815 shares of common stock to Chrome. Additionally, interest accrued and unpaid on these notes as of September 30, 2002 is $1,041,948, of which $976,608 is subject to conversion. As of September 30, 2002, if this accrued interest was converted using the conversion price of $0.20 per share, the Company would be required to issue 4,883,040 shares of common stock to Chrome.
The aggregate maturities of the principal amounts of all long-term debt instruments (convertible and non-convertible), including current maturities for the next five fiscal years is as follows: $9,725,273 (including $3,820,542 due to shareholders) is due in 2003 and $4,403,644, which is entirely due to shareholders, is due in 2004.
As of December 16, 2002, the Company has borrowed approximately $2,530,000 against a $5 million working capital line of credit from Chrome. It is expected that the Company will continue to borrow funds from this shareholder in the future but there is no assurance that funds will be made available or under similar terms even though the full amount of the line of credit has not been expended. Chrome is not obligated to provide future borrowings in excess of its existing committed lending obligations. In prior years, the Company was able to raise funds in a timely manner, but there is no evidence that it will continue to do so in the future.
General Fund Raising Efforts
The Company is in ongoing negotiations to raise general operating funds and funds for specific projects. Management will be required to, and expects to, raise additional capital through the issuance of debt securities and offerings of equity securities to fund the Company's operations, and will attempt to continue raising capital resources until such time as the Company generates revenues sufficient to maintain itself as a viable entity. However, there is no assurance that such financing will be obtained.
In October 2001, the Company entered into an agreement with a consulting group to represent ERHC in commercial negotiations with potential industry partners and to assist with other financial related services as deemed necessary. If a partnering transaction is identified, the consulting group would provide support necessary to assist the Company in securing appropriate funding (debt, equity or a combination thereof) to close the transaction.
During March 2002, the Company entered into an agreement with a consulting group to act as a financial advisor and to provide investment banking services to the Company.
In May 2002, the Company entered into an agreement with a consulting group to advise the Company in securing financing of up to $1,500,000 and in structuring a joint venture arrangement with a partner. The consulting group assisted the Company in selling 6,600,000 shares of common stock, of which 2,600,000 were not issued until December 2002, at $0.10 per share during the year ended September 30, 2002 resulting in net proceeds of $643,500.
In June 2002, the Company entered into an agreement with a consultant to assist the Company in securing an agreement with a strategic oil and gas industry partner to prepare the Company for participation in the award of licenses in Sao Tome.
Working Capital
As of September 30, 2002, the Company had negative working capital of $13,293,490 of which $1,451,962 relates to accrued interest and $723,035 relates to accrued officers salaries, both of which will most likely be settled by the issuance of shares of common stock of the Company. As of
14
September 30, 2002, the Company had drawn the full amount available of $1,800,000 under one note agreement and $2,384,563 had been advanced to the Company under another $5,000,000 line of credit, with Chrome. The Company expects to utilize this line of credit in order to sustain minimum operations relative to continuing to develop and promote its interests in DRSTP. Where possible, the Company may seek to preserve cash resources by settling obligations through the issuance of shares of common stock or by the issuance of convertible debt instruments.
Pursuant to a Purchase Agreement entered into by and between Chrome and TCHC in February 2001, Chrome assumed a $4.0 million line of credit available to the Company. Chrome and the Company agreed to amend and restate the line of credit into a $2.2 million note and Chrome has made available, a new working capital line of credit in the amount of $1.8 million both having terms similar to the $4.0 million line of credit. The Company has borrowed the entire $1.8 million under that note agreement. In addition, in February 2001 Chrome made available to the Company, a two-year $5 million line of credit, which accrues interest at a rate of 10% per annum. As of December 16, 2002, the Company had borrowed approximately $2,530,000 under this line of credit. This note is convertible into shares of Common Stock at a rate of $0.20 per share.
DRSTP Geological Data
In July 1997, the Company acquired substantial geologic data and other information from an independent source in exchange for 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock. This data was valued at $2,000,000 based on an agreement with the seller that the Company would repurchase these shares for $2,000,000 at a rate of 25% per quarter should the seller so choose. In December 1997, the Company repurchased 250,000 shares of its Common Stock for $500,000 in cash. Due to unavailability of cash resources, the Company was unable to acquire the remaining shares when presented by the seller. Accordingly, the seller sold those shares in the open market with the proceeds generated from the sales offsetting the obligations owed by the Company. Under the agreement's terms of default, the seller requested that the Company make whole the seller's shortfall incurred from disposition of the stock at less than $2.00 per share. Accordingly, the Company issued an additional 6,997,917 shares of Common Stock and paid cash of $222,500 during fiscal year 1999 and $122,000 during fiscal year 2000, leaving a remaining obligation in accounts payable of approximately $246,000 at September 30, 2001. In April 2002 the Company issued 1,227,875 shares to settle this obligation.
New Accounting Standards
In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS 141, "Business Combinations", and SFAS 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets". SFAS 141 requires that the purchase method of accounting be used for all business combinations initiated or completed after June 30, 2001. SFAS 141 also specifies criteria that intangible assets acquired in a purchase method business combination must meet to be recognized and reported apart from goodwill. SFAS 142 requires that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives no longer be amortized, but instead tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 142. SFAS 142 also requires that intangible assets with definite useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment in accordance with SFAS 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of".
The provisions of SFAS 141 are effective immediately. The provisions of SFAS 142 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001 which would apply to the Company commencing with the quarter ending December 31, 2002. Earlier adoption is permitted for entities with fiscal years beginning after March 15, 2001 but not required.
15
SFAS 141 will require that upon adoption of SFAS 142, the Company evaluate its existing intangible assets and make any necessary reclassifications in order to conform with the new criteria in SFAS 141. Upon adoption of SFAS 142, the Company plans to reassess the useful lives and residual values of all recorded intangible assets, and make any necessary amortization period adjustments by December 31, 2002. In addition, to the extent an intangible asset is identified as having an indefinite useful life, the Company will be required to test the intangible asset for impairment in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 142 by December 31, 2002. Any impairment loss will be measured as of the date of adoption and recognized as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. Upon adoption of SFAS 141 and SFAS 142, the Company does not expect the provisions of SFAS 121 to have a significant effect on its financial position or operating results.
In October 2001, the FASB also issued SFAS 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets," ("SFAS 144") applicable to financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. The FASB's new rules on asset impairment supersede SFAS 121 and portions of Accounting Principles Bulletin Opinion 30, "Reporting the Results of Operations." SFAS 144 provides a single accounting model for long-lived assets to be disposed of and significantly changes the criteria that would have to be met to classify an asset as held-for-sale. Classification as held-for-sale is an important distinction since such assets are not depreciated and are stated at the lower of fair value and carrying amount. SFAS 144 also requires expected future operating losses from discontinued operations to be displayed in the period(s) in which the losses are incurred, rather than as of the measurement date, as presently required. The Company does not expect the provisions of SFAS 144 to have a significant effect on its financial position or operating results.
Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The Company's current focus is to exploit its only asset, which is an agreement with the DRSTP concerning oil and gas exploration in Sao Tome, an island nation located in the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of central West Africa, and in a JDZ between Sao Tome and the FRN. The Company intends to explore forming relationships with other oil and gas companies having technical and financial capabilities to assist the Company in leveraging its interests in Sao Tome and the JDZ. Should circumstances impede the Company from perfecting its interests in the 2001 Agreement with DRSTP, the Company would cease to exist. Should the Company perfect its interests in the 2001 Agreement, there is no certainty that a joint venture partner will be identified to develop the Company's interests. The Company currently has no other operations. Currently we transact business exclusively in the United States. As a result, our financial statements results are unlikely to be effected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in foreign markets.
Our interest expense is generally not sensitive to changes in the general level of interest rates in the United States, particularly because a substantial majority of our indebtedness is at fixed rates.
We do not hold derivative financial or commodity instruments, nor do we engage in any foreign currency denominated transactions.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
See Index to Financial Statements and Schedule at page F-1. The financial statements with the report of the independent accountants are included on pages F-2 through F-22 of this document. Financial statement schedules other than those included herein have been omitted because the required information is contained in the financial statements or related notes, or such information is not applicable.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures
Not applicable.
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Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
Since February 2001, the following directors and executive officers have served the Company.
Name |
Age |
Position |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Sir Emeka Offor | 44 | Chairman of the board | ||
Chude Mba |
45 |
Chief executive officer, president and director |
||
Nicolae Luca |
44 |
Director |
||
Eze Echesi |
47 |
Chief financial officer |
||
Peter C. Ntephe |
36 |
Secretary |
Sir Emeka Offor has served as the chairman of the board of ERHC since February 2001. In addition to his duties as chairman, Sir Emeka Offor is currently chairman of Chrome Consortium, chief executive officer of COS and vice chairman of African Express Bank PLC, positions he has held at various times since 1995. Apart from owning majority interests in these companies, Sir Emeka Offor has majority interests in aviation and insurance companies. Sir Emeka Offor is the sole manager of Chrome, the Company's majority shareholder. In addition, Sir Emeka Offor is a director and sole shareholder of COS, a company which provides management, administrative and consulting services to the Company.
Chude Mba has served as chief executive officer, president and director of ERHC since February 2001. Since February 2001, Mr. Mba has served as president of Chrome. Since February 1999, Mr. Mba has served as group financial advisor of COS and Chrome Consortium (Nigeria) and an advisor to the board of directors of African Express Bank PLC. From June 1993 to February 1999, Mr. Mba was a principal of MBA & Co (Chartered Accountants), a financial and banking consulting firm with operations in Lagos, Nigeria and London, UK. Mr. Mba has management experience spanning two decades in the financial services and banking industries. Mr. Mba is a chartered accountant and spends approximately 50% of his working time on ERHC company business.
Nicolae Luca has served as a director since February 2001. Since April 1998, Mr. Luca has also served as the technical director for COS. From January 1995 to April 1998, Mr. Luca was a technical specialist for Comrint Ltd., a Nigeria-based petrochemical plant maintenance and engineering company. Mr. Luca has a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering. Mr. Luca spends approximately 10% of his working time on ERHC company business.
Eze Echesi has served as chief financial officer of ERHC since February 2001. Since December 2000, Mr. Echesi has served as a financial advisor to Nimek Investments, a Nigeria-based investment holding company with interests in banking, insurance, energy and aviation. From January 1996 to December 2000, Mr. Echesi was the chief operating officer of operations in Africa for Minaj Systems Ltd., an international private broadcasting organization. Mr. Echesi spends approximately 10% of his working time on ERHC company business.
Peter C. Ntephe has served as secretary of ERHC since February 2001. Since June 1999, Mr. Ntephe has served as the senior special assistant to the chairman of the Nigerian Senate committee on judicial and legal matters. Between 1987 and May 1999, Mr. Ntephe was a partner of Ntephe, Smith and Wills, a Lagos-based law firm. Mr. Ntephe spends approximately 20% of his working time on ERHC company business.
All officers serve at the discretion of the board of directors. There are no family relationships between or among any executive officers and directors.
17
The Company entered into a management services agreement with COS in February 2001. Pursuant to that agreement, COS provides the Company with management and business development services, in addition to making available specialized services in the areas of refinery maintenance, engineering design, and upstream oil industry services. COS provides the Company with such services for a management fee of $68,000 per month. Messrs. Mba, Echesi, and Ntephe are employees of COS and receive salaries and overhead expense reimbursement from COS, not from the Company. Expenses not covered under the management services agreement are borne by the Company. Total management fees incurred during the years ended September 30, 2002 and September 30, 2001 were $816,000 and approximately $505,000, respectively. The Company's executive officers incurred significant direct expense for travel and related expenses of approximately $407,000 and $962,000 during the years ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, which were reimbursed by the Company to COS or directly to the officers. At September 30, 2002 accounts payable and other accrued liabilities included approximately $52,000 owed to one officer for direct travel expenses. There was no comparable balance in 2001. Other than the management services agreement, the Company does not have employment agreements with any of its officers.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's directors and executive officers, and persons who own beneficially more than ten percent (10%) of the Common Stock, to file reports of ownership and changes of ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of all filed reports are required to be furnished to the Company pursuant to Section 16(a). The Company is unable to determine whether its officers and directors prior to February 2001 have complied with their filing requirements.
Based solely on the reports received and the representations of the reporting person, the Company believes that these persons have complied with all applicable filing requirements during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth certain information regarding compensation paid by the Company to its chief executive officer and other executive officers who received total annual salary and bonus that exceeded $100,000 during the periods involved.
Summary Compensation Table
|
|
Annual Compensation |
Long Term Compensation Awards |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name and Principal Positions |
Fiscal Year |
Salary ($) |
Bonus ($) |
Restricted stock award(s) ($) |
Securities Underlying Options/SARs |
|||||||
Chude Mba(2) Chief Executive Officer (from 2/01 to present) |
2002 2001 |
$ $ |
84,000 52,500 |
(1) (1) |
|
$ |
500,000 |
(3) |
|
|||
Geoffrey Tirman Chief Executive Officer (from 8/99 to 2/01) |
2001 2000 |
|
|
|
|
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Option Grants in Fiscal 2002 and 2001
There were no options to acquire common stock of the Company granted to any employee, officer or director of the Company during the years ended September 30, 2002 and 2001.
Aggregated Option Exercises in 2002 and 2001 and Year-End Option Values
There were no common stock options held by executive officers or Directors to acquire common stock of the Company.
Compensation of Directors
Directors do not receive any compensation for attending meetings.
Long Term Incentive Plan Awards and Benefit Plans
No executive officer received any long term incentive plan awards during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002. The Company has not established any defined plan or actuarial plan under which benefits are provided to its executive officers.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The Company maintains no equity compensation plans.
Compensation Committee Report
The Board of Directors supervises our executive compensation, as we have not established a Compensation Committee. We seek to provide executive compensation that will support the achievement of our financial goals while attracting and retaining talented executives and rewarding superior performance. In performing this function, the Board of Directors may review executive compensation surveys and other available information.
We seek to provide an overall level of compensation to our executives that is competitive within our industry and other companies of comparable size and complexity. Compensation in any particular case may vary from any industry average on the basis of annual and long-term performance as well as individual performance. The Board of Directors will exercise its discretion to set compensation where in its judgment external, internal or individual circumstances warrant it. We compensate our executive officers pursuant to a management service agreement that pays our officers cash only.
Salary levels for our executive officers are set generally to be competitive in relation to the salary levels of executive officers in other companies within our industry or other companies of comparable size, taking into consideration the position's complexity, responsibility and need for special expertise. In reviewing salaries in individual cases the Board of Directors also takes into account individual experience and performance.
The overall goal of the Compensation Committee is to insure that compensation policies are established that are consistent with our strategic business objectives and that provide incentives for the attainment of those objectives.
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Chief Executive Officer Compensation
Mr. Chude Mba was elected to the position of chief executive officer in 2001. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002, Mr. Mba was paid $84,000, compared to $52,500 for the eight months during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001. Mr. Mba received no bonuses or other equity compensation during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001.
Compensation Committee Interlocks Insider Participation
As the Company does not maintain a Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors comprised of Sir Emeka Offer, Chude Mba and Nicolae Luca served as the Compensation Committee during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002. Mr. Mba is the chief executive officer and president of the Company. None of the Company's executive officers or Board members has served on a compensation committee for any other company. No other officer or employee of the Company has participated in deliberations with the Board of Directors concerning executive officer compensation.
Stock Price Performance Graph
This section includes a line graph comparing the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company's common stock against the cumulative total return of the NASDAQ Market Index and the SIC Code Index for the period of s commencing December 26, 2001 (commencement of trading of our stock under new management) and ending September 30, 2002. The graph and table assume that $100 was invested on December 26, 2001 in each of the Company's common stock, the NASDAQ Market Index and the SIC Code Index, and that all dividends were reinvested. The Company's SIC Code Index consists of companies that it believes are engaged in the same or similar business as ERHC. The comparisons shown in the graph below are based upon historical data. The stock price performance shown in the graph below is not necessarily indicative of, nor intended to forecast, the potential future performance of the Company's common stock.
20
COMPARE CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION HOLDING CORP.,
NASDAQ MARKET INDEX AND SIC CODE INDEX
ASSUMES $100 INVESTED ON DEC. 26, 2001
ASSUMES DIVIDEND REINVESTED
FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPT. 30, 2002
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The following table and notes thereto set forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of the Common Stock as of December 16, 2002 by (i) each person known by the Company to beneficially own more than five percent of the Common Stock, (ii) each director, (iii) each named executive officer and (iv) all directors and officers of the Company as a group.
Name and Address |
Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned |
Percentage of Voting Power |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sir Emeka Offor | 310,382,904 | 51.09 | %(1) | ||
Chude Mba |
10,000,000 |
1.79 |
%(2) |
||
Chrome Energy, LLC | 310,382,904 | 51.09 | %(1) | ||
All officers and directors as a group (5 persons) | 320,382,904 | 52.74 | %(1) |
The address of each beneficial owner is c/o Environmental Remediation Holding Corporation, 5444 Westheimer Road, Suite 1570, Houston, Texas 77056.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or dispositive power with respect to such shares.
21
COS is the sole member of Chrome. Sir Emeka Offor is the sole manager of Chrome and the sole shareholder and director of COS. Mr. Mba is the president of Chrome, but disclaims all beneficial ownership in the shares owned by Chrome.
Of the 310,382,904 shares beneficially owned by Chrome, includes: (a) 261,467,674 shares of Common Stock owned of record; (b) 11,000,000 shares of Common Stock to be issued due to the conversion of the 8.0% note in the principal amount of $2,200,000; (c) 9,000,000 shares of Common Stock assuming the conversion of a 10.0% note in the principal amount of $1,800,000; (d) 12,647,815 shares of Common Stock assuming the conversion of a 10.0% $5 million line of credit with an outstanding principal amount of $2,529,563; (e) 3,158,335 shares of Common Stock assuming the conversion of a 20.0% note in the principal amount of $631,666; (f) 4,021,565 shares of Common Stock assuming the conversion of a 5.5% note in the principal amount of $804,313; (g) 6,587,515 shares of Common Stock assuming the conversion of accrued interest owed as of December 17, 2002 in the amount of $1,317,503; and (h) 750,000, 750,000, and 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock underlying three warrants, which have expiration dates ranging from October 2008 to April 2009, an exercise price of $0.25 per share, and each of which is currently exercisable. The number of shares of Common Stock that the above-described notes and accrued interest are convertible into, includes only shares of Common Stock that may issued upon the conversion of the principal amounts and accrued interest amounts owed as of and through December 16, 2002.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Please see the discussion in Item 1 above for a detailed discussion of Chrome's February 2001 acquisition of a controlling interest in the Company. Also, please see Item 12 for a description of the shares of Common Stock and securities convertible into Common Stock that Chrome retained in the transaction.
As more fully described in Item 10 above, the Company has entered into a management services agreement with COS. COS is the parent company of Chrome, the Company's largest shareholder. Sir Emeka Offor, the chairman of the board of directors, is the sole director and shareholder of COS. As such, COS is an affiliate of Sir Emeka Offor and Chrome.
In February 2001, pursuant to the change of control transaction, Chrome assumed from Talisman a working capital line of credit made available to the Company which provided for borrowings of up to $4 million, of which approximately $2.6 million was then outstanding. That note was amended and restated in February 2001 to provide that $2.2 million of the total of $2.6 million of principal shall accrue interest at a rate of 8% per annum, and shall be convertible into shares of common stock at a conversion price of $0.20 per share and shall expire in September 2004. Additionally during February 2001, the remaining principal of approximately $400,000 shall accrue interest at a rate of 8%, will not be convertible and shall expire in September 2004. Chrome has also made available a new working capital line of credit in the amount of $1.8 million. As of September 30, 2002, the Company had borrowed $1.8 million from this new line of credit. Borrowings under this new line of credit, which expires in September 2004, bear interest at 8% per annum and may be converted into shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $0.20 per share.
In addition, pursuant to the February 2001 change of control transaction and a derivative settlement agreement, Chrome made available to the Company, a two-year $5 million line of credit, which accrues interest at a rate of 10% per annum. As of December 16, 2002, the Company has borrowed approximately $2,530,000 under this line of credit. This note is convertible into shares of Common Stock at rate of $0.20 per share.
22
In March 2001, the Company issued to an entity controlled by Mr. Mba, 10,000,000 shares of common stock of the Company for services rendered in the February 2001 change of control transaction.
Item 14. Controls and Procedures
An evaluation was performed under the supervision and the participation of the Company's management including the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of the filing date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on that evaluation, the Company's management, including the Chairman, CEO and CFO, concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective. There have been no significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these internal controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation.
23
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K
EXHIBIT NO. |
IDENTIFICATION OF EXHIBIT |
|
---|---|---|
Exhibit 10.1 |
Purchase Agreement dated as of December 31, 2000, among Talisman Capital Opportunity Fund, Ltd., TC Hydro Carbon, Inc. and Chrome Energy, LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form 8-K filed March 2, 2001). |
|
Exhibit 10.2 |
First Amendment Agreement between Kevin Bartley et al., and Chrome Energy, LLC dated February 9, 2001. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 of Form 8-K filed March 2, 2001). |
|
Exhibit 10.3 |
Memorandum of Agreement dated as of May 21, 2001, among The Government of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe and the Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form 8-K filed June 5, 2001). |
|
Exhibit 10.4 |
Management and Administrative Services Agreement by and between Chrome Oil Services, Ltd. and the Company. (Incorporated by reference to Form 10-KSB filed September 24, 2001). |
|
Exhibit 10.5 |
$5,000,000 Term Loan Agreement by and between Chrome Energy, LLC and the Company dated February 15, 2001. (Incorporated by reference to Form 10-KSB filed September 24, 2001). |
|
Exhibit 10.6 |
Audit Committee Charter (filed herewith). |
|
Exhibit 23.1 |
Consent of Pannell Kerr Forster of Texas P.C. |
|
Exhibit 99.1 |
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith). |
|
Exhibit 99.2 |
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith). |
Form 8K filed on July 8, 2002 in which ERHC has received the final arbitration award by consent regarding the settlement reached by Chrome with the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome & Principe.
24
In accordance with the Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION HOLDING CORPORATION | ||||
By: |
/s/ CHUDE MBA Chude Mba, Chief Executive Officer and President |
In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature |
Title |
Date |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
/s/ SIR EMEKA OFFOR Sir Emeka Offor |
Chairman of the Board | December 30, 2002 | ||
/s/ CHUDE MBA Chude Mba |
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director |
December 30, 2002 |
||
/s/ NICOLAE LUCA Nicolae Luca |
Director |
December 30, 2002 |
||
/s/ EZE ECHESI Eze Echesi |
Chief Financial Officer |
December 30, 2002 |
||
/s/ PETER C. NTEPHE Peter C. Ntephe |
Secretary |
December 30, 2002 |
25
ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION HOLDING CORPORATION
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Board
of Directors and Shareholders
Environmental Remediation Holding Corporation
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Environmental Remediation Holding Corporation (the "Company") as of September 30, 2002 and 2001, and the related statements of operations, cash flows, and shareholders' equity (deficit) for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2002. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Environmental Remediation Holding Corporation as of September 30, 2002 and 2001, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2002 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has incurred net losses of $4,084,210, $6,394,810 and $1,958,880 in fiscal years 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively, and had a working capital deficit and stockholders' deficit of $13,293,490 and $12,067,134, respectively, at September 30, 2002. These conditions and other factors discussed in Note 2 raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans regarding the resolution of these issues are also discussed in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.
/s/ PANNELL KERR FORSTER OF TEXAS, P.C. Pannell Kerr Forster of Texas, P.C. |
||
Houston, Texas December 18, 2002 |
F-2
ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION HOLDING CORPORATION
Balance Sheets
|
September 30, |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2002 |
2001 |
|||||||
ASSETS | |||||||||
CURRENT ASSETS |
|||||||||
Cash | $ | 2,240 | $ | 10,604 | |||||
Restricted cash | 18,074 | 17,529 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 21,750 | 53,819 | |||||||
Total current assets | 42,064 | 81,952 | |||||||
DRSTP concession fee | 5,630,000 | 5,550,000 | |||||||
Total assets | $ | 5,672,064 | $ | 5,631,952 | |||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) | |||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES |
|||||||||
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities | $ | 1,435,284 | $ | 2,056,452 | |||||
Accrued officers salaries | 723,035 | 1,013,035 | |||||||
Accrued interest | 295,353 | 338,057 | |||||||
Accrued interest, shareholder | 1,156,609 | 583,872 | |||||||
Current portion of convertible debt, shareholder | 3,820,542 | | |||||||
Current portion of convertible debt | 5,904,731 | | |||||||
Total current liabilities | 13,335,554 | 3,991,416 | |||||||
LONG TERM LIABILITIES | |||||||||
Nonconvertible debt, shareholder | 403,644 | 403,644 | |||||||
Convertible debt, shareholder | 4,000,000 | 6,265,862 | |||||||
Convertible debt, net of current portion | | 6,775,143 | |||||||
Total long term liabilities | 4,403,644 | 13,444,649 | |||||||
Total liabilities | 17,739,198 | 17,436,065 | |||||||
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | | | |||||||
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) |
|||||||||
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares; none issued and outstanding | | | |||||||
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; authorized 950,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 554,746,868 and 532,456,917 at September 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively | 55,475 | 53,246 | |||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 49,267,354 | 45,448,394 | |||||||
Accumulated deficit | (61,389,963 | ) | (57,305,753 | ) | |||||
Total shareholders' deficit | (12,067,134 | ) | (11,804,113 | ) | |||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit | $ | 5,672,064 | $ | 5,631,952 | |||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-3
ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION HOLDING CORPORATION
Statements of Operations
|
Year Ended September 30, |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
|||||||
COSTS AND EXPENSES | ||||||||||
General and administrative | $ | 2,883,099 | $ | 4,318,493 | $ | 1,214,284 | ||||
Interest expense | 1,201,111 | 950,760 | 744,596 | |||||||
Write offs and abandonments | | 1,125,557 | | |||||||
Net loss | $ | (4,084,210 | ) | $ | (6,394,810 | ) | $ | (1,958,880 | ) | |
Net loss per common share basic and diluted | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | | ||
Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding | 542,680,423 | 516,136,369 | 493,581,196 | |||||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-4
ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION HOLDING CORPORATION
Statement of Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)
For the years ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000
|
Common Stock |
|
|
|
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Additional Paid-In Capital |
Accumulated Deficit |
Total Shareholders' Deficit |
||||||||||||
|
Shares |
Amounts |
|||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 1999 | 487,849,825 | $ | 48,785 | $ | 43,306,974 | $ | (48,952,063 | ) | $ | (5,596,304 | ) | ||||
Common stock issued for conversion of debt and payment of accrued interest and penalties |
7,607,092 |
761 |
295,120 |
|
295,881 |
||||||||||
Net loss |
|
|
|
(1,958,880 |
) |
(1,958,880 |
) |
||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2000 |
495,456,917 |
49,546 |
43,602,094 |
(50,910,943 |
) |
(7,259,303 |
) |
||||||||
Common stock issued for services |
37,000,000 |
3,700 |
1,846,300 |
|
1,850,000 |
||||||||||
Net loss |
|
|
|
(6,394,810 |
) |
(6,394,810 |
) |
||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2001 |
532,456,917 |
53,246 |
45,448,394 |
(57,305,753 |
) |
(11,804,113 |
) |
||||||||
Common stock issued for cash, net of expenses |
4,000,000 |
400 |
643,100 |
|
643,500 |
||||||||||
Common stock issued for services |
3,475,000 |
348 |
527,652 |
|
528,000 |
||||||||||
Common stock issued for accounts payable |
4,407,495 |
440 |
817,757 |
|
818,197 |
||||||||||
Common stock issued for accrued officers salaries |
2,700,000 |
270 |
289,730 |
|
290,000 |
||||||||||
Common stock issued for conversion of debt and payment of accrued interest |
7,707,456 |
771 |
1,540,721 |
|
1,541,492 |
||||||||||
Net loss |
|
|
|
(4,084,210 |
) |
(4,084,210 |
) |
||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2002 |
554,746,868 |
$ |
55,475 |
$ |
49,267,354 |
$ |
(61,389,963 |
) |
$ |
(12,067,134 |
) |
||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-5
ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION HOLDING CORPORATION
Statements of Cash Flows
|
Year Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
|||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (4,084,210 | ) | $ | (6,394,810 | ) | $ | (1,958,880 | ) | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used by operating activities: | ||||||||||||
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature and convertible debt expenses | | | 409,242 | |||||||||
Stock issued for services | 528,000 | 1,850,000 | | |||||||||
Write-offs and abandonments | | 1,125,557 | | |||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||
Restricted cash | (545 | ) | (1,718 | ) | | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 32,069 | (29,608 | ) | 141,175 | ||||||||
Due from STPetro, S.A. | | | (31,207 | ) | ||||||||
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities | 197,029 | 256,507 | (298,464 | ) | ||||||||
Accrued interest and penalties | 1,201,113 | 950,760 | 744,596 | |||||||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (2,126,544 | ) | (2,243,312 | ) | (993,538 | ) | ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||||||
Investments in DRSTP concession | (80,000 | ) | (550,000 | ) | | |||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (80,000 | ) | (550,000 | ) | | |||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from common stock, net of expenses | 643,500 | | | |||||||||
Proceeds from non-convertible debt, shareholder | | 158,700 | | |||||||||
Proceeds from convertible debt, shareholder | 1,554,680 | 2,629,883 | 935,063 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 2,198,180 | 2,788,583 | 935,063 | |||||||||
Net decrease in cash | (8,364 | ) | (4,729 | ) | (58,475 | ) | ||||||
Cash, beginning of year | 10,604 | 15,333 | 73,808 | |||||||||
Cash, end of year | $ | 2,240 | $ | 10,604 | $ | 15,333 | ||||||
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: |
||||||||||||
Noncash operating and financing activities: | ||||||||||||
Stock issued in exchange for: | ||||||||||||
Services | $ | 528,000 | $ | 1,850,000 | $ | | ||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 818,197 | $ | | $ | | ||||||
Accrued officers salaries | $ | 290,000 | $ | | $ | | ||||||
Accrued interest and penalties | $ | 671,080 | $ | | $ | 145,881 | ||||||
Convertible debt | $ | 870,412 | $ | | $ | 150,000 | ||||||
Interest converted to principal upon amendment of debt instruments | $ | | $ | 782,372 | $ | |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-6
Environmental Remediation Holding Corporation
Notes to the Financial Statements
Note 1Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
General Business and Nature of Operations
Environmental Remediation Holding Corporation, ("ERHC" or the "Company"), is an independent oil and gas company. The Company was formed in 1986, as a Colorado corporation, and was engaged in a variety of businesses until 1996, at which time it began its current operations as an independent oil and gas company. The Company's goal is to maximize its value through profitable growth in oil and gas reserves and production in the Gulf of Guinea offshore central West Africa and to acquire interests in non-producing oil and gas properties, particularly high potential international prospects in known oil producing areas. The Company's current focus is to exploit its only asset, which is an agreement with the government of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome & Principe ("DRSTP") concerning oil and gas exploration in Sao Tome, an island nation located in the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of central West Africa, and in a Joint Development Zone ("JDZ") between Sao Tome and the Federal Republic of Nigeria ("FRN").
In May 1997, the Company entered into an exclusive joint venture with the DRSTP ("the 1997 Agreement"). The 1997 Agreement required the Company to pay a $5,000,000 concession fee to the Sao Tome government. In July 2002, the 1997 Agreement was replaced by a Memorandum of Agreement ("the 2001 Agreement") which was embodied in a Consent Award issued by the arbitrator as a result of the satisfaction of several conditions, including the ratification of a treaty between the FRN and the DRSTP.
The 2001 Agreement gives the Company rights to participate in exploration and production activities in both the exclusive territorial waters of Sao Tome referred to as the Exclusive Economic Zone ("EEZ") and an area between Sao Tome and the FRN that the two nations have designated as a JDZ. (See Note 3). The Company currently has no other operations.
Change in Control
On February 15, 2001, pursuant to a Purchase Agreement dated December 31, 2000, as amended by a First Amendment thereto dated January 31, 2001 (as amended, the "Purchase Agreement"), between Chrome Energy, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company ("Chrome"), Talisman Capital Opportunity Fund Ltd. ("Talisman"), and TC Hydro Carbon, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("TCHC" or "TC Hydro Carbon" and, together with Talisman, the "Sellers"), Chrome purchased from the Sellers for $6,000,000 cash the following: (a) 375,000,000 shares of Company common stock, par value $.0001 per share (the "common stock"), owned of record by TC Hydro Carbon; (b) 2,244,385 shares of common stock held and owned of record by Talisman; (c) a convertible senior subordinated note from the Company due October 15, 2002, in the principal amount of $750,000 owned and held by Talisman; (d) a convertible note from the Company due October 26, 2000, in the principal amount of $500,000, owned and held by Talisman; (e) a senior secured 8.00% exchangeable promissory note from the Company due September 1, 2004, in the principal amount of $4,000,000 owned and held by TC Hydro Carbon; (f) a warrant certificate dated as of October 26, 1998, owned and held by Talisman providing the right to purchase 750,000 shares of common stock until October 26, 2008; (g) a warrant certificate dated as of October 26, 1998, owned and held by Talisman providing the right to purchase 750,000 shares of common stock until October 26, 2008; (h) a warrant certificate dated as of October 15, 1997, owned by Talisman providing the right to purchase 45,000 shares of the common stock until October 15, 2002; and (i) a warrant certificate dated as of April 23, 1999 owned by Talisman providing the right to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock until April 22, 2009. Subsequent to
F-7
February 15, 2001, Chrome transferred to its financial advisors an aggregate of 116,629,564 shares of common stock acquired in this transaction.
Change of Company Management
Upon consummation of the purchase by Chrome of the foregoing securities of the Company, the Company's three directors prior to February 15, 2001 elected three new directors. Immediately after the election of these new directors, the three prior directors resigned from the board of directors. The new directors appointed the new executive officers of the Company.
Chrome currently owns directly 261,467,674 shares of the Company's common stock, of which 260,614,821 were acquired as a result of the Purchase Agreement.
Settlement AgreementDerivative Lawsuit
In connection with the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, Chrome is a party to a First Amended Agreement dated February 9, 2001 (the "Derivative Settlement"), whereby the parties thereto have agreed to dismiss with prejudice a derivative lawsuit (styled ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION HOLDING CORPORATION, DERIVATIVELY BY AND THROUGH KEVIN BARTLEY ET AL V. TALISMAN CAPITAL OPPORTUNITY FUND L.P. ET AL) previously filed by certain of the Company's shareholders against several of the Company's former directors and controlling shareholders. This agreement was executed prior to the Purchase Agreement noted above. Pursuant to the Derivative Settlement, the following actions were consummated:
(a) under the terms of the line of credit and the Derivative Settlement, the Company executed a new note with Chrome maturing in September 2004 for $2,200,000 of the advances made by TC Hydro Carbon outstanding for more than 180 days as of January 31, 2001. Such note and the accrued interest thereon is convertible at any time at a conversion price of $0.20 per share;
(b) the Company executed a new convertible note for $1,800,000 bearing interest at a rate of 10% per annum maturing September 2004. Such note and the accrued interest thereon is convertible at any time at a conversion price of $0.20 per share;
(c) the 5.5% Note was cancelled and the Company executed a new convertible note payable to Chrome for $804,313, representing the outstanding principal balance of the 5.5% Note and all accrued interest thereon as of January 31, 2001. Such note is convertible, at Chrome's option, into shares of common stock at $0.20 per share;
(d) the 20% Note was cancelled and the Company executed a new convertible note payable to Chrome for $631,667 representing the outstanding principal balance of the 20% Note and all accrued interest thereon, as of January 31, 2001. Such note is convertible, at Chrome's option, into shares of common stock at $0.20 per share;
(e) the Company executed an additional $5.0 million senior convertible promissory note bearing interest at a rate of 10% annum maturing February 2003 convertible at the lesser of $0.20 per share or such price as shall be determined by the board of ERHC based on an independent determination by a recognized investment banker;
(f) the Company issued 8,500,000 shares of common stock to an attorney to settle certain legal obligations of the plaintiffs involved in this settlement.
F-8
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Use of estimates
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In preparing the financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period for the years then ended. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
Cash equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Concentration of risks
The Company primarily transacts its business with one financial institution. From time to time the amount on deposit in that one institution exceeds the $100,000 federally insured limit. The balances are maintained in demand accounts to minimize risk.
The Company's current focus is to exploit its only asset, which is an agreement with the DRSTP concerning oil and gas exploration in Sao Tome, an island nation located in the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of central West Africa, and in a JDZ between Sao Tome and the FRN. The Company intends to explore forming relationships with other oil and gas companies having technical and financial capabilities to assist the Company in leveraging its interests in Sao Tome and the JDZ. Should circumstances impede the Company from perfecting its interests in the 2001 Agreement with DRSTP, the Company would cease to exist. Should the Company perfect its interests in the 2001 Agreement, there is no certainty that a joint venture partner will be identified to develop the Company's interests. The Company currently has no other operations.
Impairment of long-lived assets
The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets when events and circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired. The Company determines impairment by comparing the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by these assets to their respective carrying amounts. Impairments are charged to operations in the period to which events and circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired. Management of the Company have evaluated its investment in its DRSTP concession fee and believe that there have been no events or circumstances that would indicate that such asset might be impaired.
Income taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 109"Accounting for Income Taxes", which provides for an asset and liability approach in accounting for income taxes. Under this approach, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on anticipated future tax consequences, using currently enacted tax laws, attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.
F-9
Common stock issued for goods received and services rendered
The Company has issued shares of common stock for goods received and services rendered. The costs of the goods or services are valued according to the terms of relative agreements or market value on the date of obligation. The cost of the goods or services has been charged to operations.
Net loss per share
Net loss per common sharebasic is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Due the Company having a net loss for each of the three years ended September 30, 2002, 2001 and 2000, the inclusion of common share equivalents would be anti-dilutive, thus basic and diluted loss per share are the same.
New Accounting Standards
In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS 141, "Business Combinations", and SFAS 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets". SFAS 141 requires that the purchase method of accounting be used for all business combinations initiated or completed after June 30, 2001. SFAS 141 also specifies criteria that intangible assets acquired in a purchase method business combination must meet to be recognized and reported apart from goodwill. SFAS 142 requires that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives no longer be amortized, but instead tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 142. SFAS 142 also requires that intangible assets with definite useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment in accordance with SFAS 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of".
The provisions of SFAS 141 are effective immediately. The provisions of SFAS 142 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001 which would apply to the Company commencing with the quarter ending December 31, 2002. Earlier adoption is permitted for entities with fiscal years beginning after March 15, 2001 but not required.
SFAS 141 will require that upon adoption of SFAS 142, the Company evaluate its existing intangible assets and make any necessary reclassifications in order to conform with the new criteria in SFAS 141. Upon adoption of SFAS 142, the Company plans to reassess the useful lives and residual values of all recorded intangible assets, and make any necessary amortization period adjustments by December 31, 2002. In addition, to the extent an intangible asset is identified as having an indefinite useful life, the Company will be required to test the intangible asset for impairment in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 142 by December 31, 2002. Any impairment loss will be measured as of the date of adoption and recognized as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. Upon adoption of SFAS 141 and SFAS 142, the Company does not expect the provisions of SFAS 121 to have a significant effect on its financial position or operating results.
In October 2001, the FASB also issued SFAS 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,"("SFAS 144") applicable to financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. The FASB's new rules on asset impairment supersede SFAS 121 and portions of Accounting Principles Bulletin Opinion 30, "Reporting the Results of Operations." SFAS 144 provides a single accounting model for long-lived assets to be disposed of and significantly changes the criteria that would have to be met to classify an asset as held-for-sale. Classification as held-for-sale is an important distinction since such assets are not depreciated and are stated at the lower of fair value and carrying amount. SFAS 144 also requires expected future operating losses from discontinued operations to be displayed in the period(s) in which the losses are incurred, rather than as of the measurement date, as presently required. The Company does not expect the provisions of SFAS 144 to have a significant effect on its financial position or operating results.
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Note 2Going Concern
The Company's current liabilities exceed its current assets by $13,293,490 at September 30, 2002. The Company has incurred net losses of $4,084,210, $6,394,810 and $1,958,880 in fiscal years 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. These conditions raise substantial doubt as to the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. The Company is in ongoing negotiations to raise general operating funds and funds for specific projects. Management will be required to, and expects to, raise additional capital through the issuance of debt securities and offerings of equity securities to fund the Company's operations, and will attempt to continue raising capital resources until such time as the Company generates revenues sufficient to maintain itself as a viable entity. However, there is no assurance that such financing will be obtained.
The Company's current focus is to exploit its only asset, which is an agreement with the DRSTP concerning oil and gas exploration in Sao Tome, an island nation located in the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of central West Africa, and in a JDZ between Sao Tome and the FRN. The Company intends to explore forming relationships with other oil and gas companies having technical and financial capabilities to assist the Company in leveraging its interests in Sao Tome and the JDZ. Should circumstances impede the Company from perfecting its interests in the 2001 Agreement with DRSTP, the Company would cease to exist. Should the Company perfect its interests in the 2001 Agreement, there is no certainty that a joint venture partner will be identified to develop the Company's interests. The Company currently has no other operations.
The Company has a total of $6.8 million available under debt agreements of $1,800,000 and $5,000,000, respectively, entered into by and between the Company and Chrome (its majority shareholder). The Company has drawn the full amount of the $1,800,000, and $2,384,563 from the $5,000,000, for a total outstanding of $4,184,563 as of September 30, 2002. It is expected that the Company will continue to borrow funds from Chrome in the future but there is no assurance that funds will be made available or under similar terms. In prior years, the Company was able to raise funds in a timely manner, but there is no assurance that they will continue to do so in the future. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. If the Company is unable to continue as a going concern, the values realized from the Company's assets may be less than the carrying amounts reported in its financial statements. The accompanying financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of asset carrying amounts or the amount and classification of liabilities that might result should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
Note 3Sao Tome Concession
Concession fee payment
The 1997 Agreement required the Company to pay a $5,000,000 concession fee to the DRSTP.
In October 1999, the DRSTP claimed that the Company had breached certain terms of the 1997 Agreement and announced a termination of the Agreement. The Company immediately exercised its rights to have the matter settled via international arbitration in accordance with the terms of the 1997 Agreement.
Concession Fee Agreement
After the acquisition by Chrome in February 2001, the Company initiated negotiations with the DRSTP concurrent with the arbitration process. On May 21, 2001, the Company and the DRSTP reached a Memorandum of Agreement, ("2001 Agreement"), witnessed by the FRN which replaced the 1997 Agreement and suspended the arbitration process. In July 2002, the 2001 Agreement was embodied in a Consent Award issued by the Arbitrator as a result of the satisfaction of several
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conditions, including the ratification of a treaty between the FRN and the DRSTP relative to the JDZ between the countries, and will remain in effect through September 30, 2024.
The 2001 Agreement gives ERHC rights to participate in exploration and production activities in both the EEZ of the DRSTP and an area between DRSTP and the FRN that the two nations have designated as a JDZ. Since the 2001 Agreement replaces the 1997 Agreement, it requires the Company to relinquish its rights arising under the 1997 Agreement including any interest it had in STPetro.
The 2001 Agreement entitles the Company to the following:
Advances to DRSTP
In May 2002, the Company paid $80,000 to the arbitrator on behalf of and with the agreement of DRSTP.
Settlement Agreement (Procura)
On February 10, 2001, Chrome entered into an Assignment and Settlement Agreement with Procura Financial Consultants, C.C., a South African closely-held corporation ("Procura"), and STP Energy Corporation, a British Virgin Islands international business company ("STP"). Procura and STP had asserted claims and rights against the Company's business opportunities and contractual relationships with the DRSTP claiming, among other things, to be a joint venture partner of the Company in such relationship and also an indirect participant in STPetro, S.A., the national petroleum company of the DRSTP in which the Company owns a 49% equity interest. Under the Assignment and Settlement Agreement, Procura and STP assigned all such claims and rights to Chrome in exchange for $550,000 cash paid by Chrome. To the extent that any such claims were not assigned or not assignable to Chrome, Procura and STP released and covenanted not to sue the Company and the DRSTP. Subsequently, Chrome assigned the Procura and STP claims and rights to the Company, subject to repayment of the cash consideration it paid to acquire such claims and rights.
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Investment in and advances to STPetro, S.A.
In July 1998, the DRSTP established the Sao Tome and Principe National Petroleum Company, SA ("STPetro") as the national petroleum company. The charter established the initial ownership of STPetro as 51% by DRSTP and 49% by ERHC in exchange for $51,000 and $49,000, respectively. Through June 30, 2001, the Company expended $1,076,557 on behalf of STPetro. As a condition of the 2001 agreement referred to above, the Company would no longer pursue collection of its investment or the amounts expended on behalf of STPetro. Accordingly, during July 2001 management elected to write off its investment in STPetro as well as the amounts expended on behalf of STPetro resulting in $1,125,557 being recorded as write-offs and abandonments during the year ended September 30, 2001.
Note 4Restricted Cash
At September 30, 2002 and 2001, the Company has restricted cash of $18,074 and $17,529, respectively, which is invested in an interest-bearing certificate of deposit, pledged as collateral for a performance bond covering certain oil and gas properties in Wichita Falls, Texas. These oil and gas properties were abandoned and written off during the year ended September 30, 1999 and the Company is currently investigating the release of the performance bond.
Note 5Notes payable
Convertible debt
The following describes the original terms of the Company's convertible debt at the indicated dates of issuance:
In November 1997, the Company issued 5.5% convertible senior subordinated secured notes due 2002 in exchange for $4,300,000 cash. These notes are convertible into shares of the Company's common stock at a conversion price no less than $1.25 per share. If all of the notes are converted at the lowest possible price, the Company would be required to issue 3,440,000 shares of common stock. These notes also carried warrants for an additional 283,800 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $3.17 per share, or total additional proceeds to the Company of $899,636 in cash in the event all of the warrants are exercised.
In April 1998, the Company issued 12% convertible subordinated unsecured notes due January 1999 in exchange for $300,000 cash. These notes are convertible into shares of the Company's common stock at a conversion price of $1.50 per share. If all of these notes are converted, the Company will be required to issue 200,000 shares of common stock. These notes also carried warrants for an additional 210,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $1.25 per share, or total additional proceeds to the Company of $262,500 in cash in the event all of the warrants are exercised.
In June 1998, the Company issued 12% convertible subordinated unsecured notes due December 1999 in exchange for $425,000 cash. These notes are convertible into shares of the Company's common stock at a conversion price of $1.00 per share. If all of these notes are converted, the Company will be required to issue 425,000 shares of common stock. These notes also carried warrants for an additional 531,250 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $0.50 per share for the first two years, and $0.85 per share thereafter, or total additional proceeds to the Company of $265,625, or $451,563 in cash in the event all of the warrants are exercised.
In June 1998, the Company issued 5.5% convertible subordinated unsecured notes due June 2000 in exchange for $1,250,000 cash and $43,750 of broker fees. These notes are convertible into shares of the Company's common stock at a conversion price to be determined by a stated formula. If all of these notes are converted using the conversion price at the issuance date ($0.69517), the Company will be required to issue 1,798,124 shares of common stock. These notes also carried warrants for an
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additional 230,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $0.8634 per share, or total additional proceeds to the Company of $198,582 in cash in the event all of the warrants are exercised.
In July 1998, the Company issued 8.0% convertible subordinated unsecured notes due July 2000 in exchange for $1,200,000 cash. These notes are convertible into shares of the Company's common stock at a conversion price to be determined by a stated formula. If all of these notes are converted using the conversion price at the issuance date ($0.478723), the Company will be required to issue 2,506,668 shares of common stock. In connection with this funding, the Company issued warrants for 108,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $0.74375 per share, or total proceeds to the Company of $80,325 in cash if all of the warrants are exercised.
In July 1998, the Company issued 8.0% convertible subordinated unsecured notes due August 2000 in exchange for $275,000 cash. These notes are convertible into shares of the Company's common stock at a conversion price to be determined by a stated formula. If all of these notes are converted using the conversion price at the issuance date ($0.644878), the Company will be required to issue 426,437 shares of common stock. In connection with this funding, the Company issued warrants for 24,750 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $0.73125 per share, or total proceeds to the Company of $18,098 in cash if all of the warrants are exercised.
In August 1998, the Company issued 8.0% convertible subordinated unsecured notes due August 2000 in exchange for $1,010,000 cash. These notes are convertible into shares of the Company's common stock at a conversion price to be determined by a stated formula. If all of these notes are converted using the conversion price of the issuance date ($0.979813), the Company will be required to issue 1,030,809 shares of common stock. In connection with this funding, the Company issued warrants for 90,900 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $0.9938 per share, or total proceeds to the Company of $90,336 in cash if all of the warrants are exercised.
In October 1998, the Company issued a 20% convertible subordinated unsecured note to Talisman Capital, in exchange for $500,000 cash. This note is convertible into shares of the Company's common stock at a conversion price to be determined by a stated formula. If the note was converted using the conversion price at the issuance date ($1.00), the Company will be required to issue 500,000 shares of common stock. This note also carried warrants for an additional 1,500,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $0.40 per share, or total additional proceeds to the Company of $600,000 in cash in the event all of the warrants are exercised.
In October 1998, the Company issued 12% convertible subordinated unsecured notes due December 31, 1999 in exchange for $800,000 cash. These notes are convertible into shares of the Company's common stock at a conversion price to be determined by a stated formula. If all of these notes are converted using the conversion price at the issuance date ($1.25), the Company will be required to issue 640,000 shares of common stock. These notes also carried "A" and "B" warrants for an additional 1,200,000 and 1,200,000 shares of common stock, respectively, with exercise prices of $0.50 and $3.00 per share, or total additional proceeds to the Company of $4,200,000 in cash in the event all of the warrants are exercised.
In October 1998, the Company received conversion notices on $412,350 of the convertible debt issued in July and August 1998. This debt, and accrued interest amounting to $7,497, was converted into 1,210,686 shares of common stock under the applicable conversion formulas during the year ended September 30, 1999.
In April 1999, the Company received conversion notices on $750,000 of the convertible debt issued in November 1997. This debt, and accrued interest and penalties thereon of $400,110, was converted into 5,750,550 shares of common stock. Also in April 1999, the Company received conversion notices on $1,362,650 of the convertible debt issued in July and August 1998. This debt, and accrued interest
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and penalties of $675,216, was converted into 11,714,293 shares of common stock during the year ended September 30, 1999.
Effective April 1999, the Company negotiated a Standstill Agreement with each of its convertible noteholders. The Standstill Agreement essentially waived all interest and penalties from the effective date of the agreement (April 23, 1999) through October 15, 1999, changed the conversion feature of each note so each note's conversion terms were uniform, and fixed the conversion price to be $0.20 per share. Each noteholder also agreed, until October 15, 1999, (i) not to convert all or any part of their notes, (ii) not to declare a default or seek acceleration of any payments under the notes; (iii) not to commence any foreclosure or bankruptcy actions under the note; (iv) not to declare an event of default or commence any arbitration action under any of the transaction documents. In addition all interest and penalties accrued through the effective date of the Standstill Agreement were converted to common stock of the Company. Accordingly, the Company issued 12,815,321 shares of common stock in exchange for accrued interest of $562,848 and accrued penalties of $1,831,392 during the year ended September 30, 1999.
In October 1999, the Company received a conversion notice on $150,000 of the convertible debt issued in July 1998. This debt, and accrued interest and penalties of $145,881, was converted into 7,607,092 shares of common stock during the year ended September 30, 2000.
Convertible debt payable to shareholders
In August 1999, in conjunction with the change in control of the Company involving TCHC, the Company entered into a $4.0 million senior secured 8.00% exchangeable promissory note. As of September 30, 2000, the outstanding balance of this note was $2,444,944. This note was acquired by Chrome, effective February 15, 2001, as a part of closing of the Purchase Agreement discussed below under "Lines of Credit (Chrome)".
Escrow Agreements (Chrome)
During January 2001, Chrome entered into escrow agreements with a financial institution for the benefit of the holders of $6,178,750 or 83.2% of the aggregate principal amount of the Company's outstanding convertible debt securities, which, together with the convertible debt securities held by Chrome of $1,250,000 (excluding convertible lines of credit currently held by Chrome), constitutes 100% of all of the Company's outstanding convertible debt securities at that date. These escrow agreements provide for the amendment of the outstanding convertible debt held by the parties to the escrow agreements so that (i) the maturity date is extended to January 31, 2003, (ii) interest will be payable by the Company on January 31, 2002 and at maturity, (iii) the conversion price is fixed at $0.20 per share, subject to standard anti-dilution adjustments, and (iv) all prior defaults by the Company are waived. Substantially all note holders agreed to the amended terms. The original notes were canceled and replaced with new debt instruments. Additionally, accrued interest of $782,372 as of January 31, 2001 relating to these convertible notes was converted into principal resulting in the total of the new notes being $8,211,122, including $1,435,979 held by Chrome.
During the year ended September 30, 2002, the Company received notice of conversion of $870,412 of convertible debt and accrued interest of $56,526, which were converted into 4,634,688 shares of common stock. There were no such conversions of debt into equity during the comparable period in 2001.
On January 29, 2002, the Company solicited the consent of non-affiliated convertible noteholders to pay interest due on January 31, 2002 with common stock of the Company having a value equal to $0.20 per share. During the year ended September 30, 2002, the Company issued 2,219,915 shares of common stock to these non-affiliated convertible noteholders and 852,853 shares of common stock to Chrome for payment of accrued interest in the aggregate amounts of $443,983 and $170,571,
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respectively. There were no such conversions of accrued interest into equity during the comparable period in 2001.
As of September 30, 2002, if this debt was converted using the conversion price of $0.20 per share, the Company would be required to issue 36,703,550 shares of common stock based on an outstanding principal amount of $7,340,710, of which 7,179,895 shares of common stock based on an outstanding principal amount of $1,435,979 would be issued to Chrome. Additionally, interest accrued and unpaid on these notes as of September 30, 2002 is $410,014, of which $114,661 is owed to Chrome. At the option of the noteholders, unpaid interest can be converted into common stock of the Company. As of September 30, 2002, if this accrued interest were converted using the conversion price of $0.20 per share, the Company would be required to issue 2,050,070 shares of common stock, of which 573,305 would be issued to Chrome.
Lines of Credit (Chrome)
In connection with the Purchase Agreement between Chrome and TCHC, the TCHC $4.0 million 8% exchangeable promissory note, referred to above, was acquired and assumed by Chrome. Chrome and the Company subsequently agreed to amend and restate the promissory note into a $2.2 million note maturing in September 2004 and Chrome has made available, a new working capital line of credit in the amount of $1.8 million maturing in September 2004 at terms similar to the TCHC line of credit. These lines of credit are convertible at the lesser of $0.20 per share or such price as shall be determined by the Board of Directors of ERHC based on an independent determination by a recognized investment banker. In addition, as provided for by the Derivative Settlement on February 9, 2001, Chrome executed an additional $5.0 million senior convertible promissory note ("$5.0 Million Line of Credit") bearing interest at a rate of 10% per annum, maturing in February 2003. The $5.0 Million Line of Credit is convertible at the lesser of $0.20 per share or such price as shall be determined by the Board of Directors of ERHC based on an independent determination by a recognized investment banker. As of September 30, 2002 the total outstanding under these debt instruments was $6,788,207, of which $6,384,563 of the amount is convertible into shares of common stock of the Company. As of September 30, 2002, if these debt instruments were converted using the conversion price of $0.20 per share, the Company would be required to issue 31,922,815 shares of common stock to Chrome. Additionally, interest accrued and unpaid on these notes as of September 30, 2002 is $1,041,948, of which $976,608 is subject to conversion. As of September 30, 2002, if this accrued interest was converted using the conversion price of $0.20 per share, the Company would be required to issue 4,883,040 shares of common stock to Chrome.
The aggregate maturities of the principal amounts of all long-term debt instruments (convertible and non-convertible), including current maturities for the next five fiscal years is as follows: $9,725,273 (including $3,820,542 due to shareholders) is due in 2003 and $4,403,644, which is entirely due to shareholders, is due in 2004.
Note 6Accrued Salaries
At September 30, 2002 and 2001, the Company has accrued salaries of $723,035 and $1,013,035, respectively, owed to former officers of the Company. The amounts and rights claimed by these officers are subject to lawsuits in which the Company is negotiating a final settlement. As of September 30, 2002 no agreement has been reached, but the Company expects that a negotiated settlement may result in the issuance of additional shares of common stock of the Company (See Note 10).
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Note 7 Accrued Interest
Accrued interest consisted of the following:
|
September 30, |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2002 |
2001 |
||||
Accrued interestnon-convertible shareholder loan | $ | 65,340 | $ | 33,048 | ||
Accrued interestconvertible shareholder loans | 1,091,269 | 550,824 | ||||
Accrued interestconvertible debt | 295,353 | 338,057 | ||||
Total | $ | 1,451,962 | $ | 921,929 | ||
As referred to in Note 5, effective January 31, 2001, Chrome entered into escrow agreements with a financial institution for the benefit of the holders of all of the Company's outstanding convertible debt securities at that date. As a condition to the escrow agreements all accrued interest up through and including January 31, 2001, totaling $782,372 was capitalized as part of the amended note agreements.
In January 2002, the Company solicited the consent of non-affiliated convertible noteholders to pay interest due on January 31,2002 with common stock of the Company having a value equal to $0.20 per share. During the year ended September 30, 2002, the Company issued 2,219,915 shares of common stock to these non-affiliated convertible noteholders and 852,853 shares of common stock to Chrome for payment of accrued interest in the aggregate amounts of $443,983 and $170,571, respectively.
Note 8Income Taxes
At September 30, 2002 the Company has a consolidated net operating loss carry-forward ("NOL") of approximately $57 million expiring through 2022. The Company has a deferred tax asset of approximately $22.8 million resulting from this NOL. The loss carryforwards are subject to certain limitations under the Internal Revenue Code including Section 382 of the Tax Reform Act of 1986. ERHC believes that the utilization of these net operating loss carryforwards could be significantly limited due to the changes in ownership and control. The ultimate realization of the resulting net deferred tax asset is dependent upon generating sufficient taxable income prior to expiration of the NOLs. Due to the nature of these NOLs and since realization is not assured, management has established a valuation allowance relating to the deferred tax asset for both 2002 and 2001 in an amount equal to the deferred tax asset.
Note 9Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)
The Company has authorized 950,000,000 shares of $0.0001 par value common stock and 10,000,000 shares of $0.0001 par value preferred stock.
From time to time, in order to fund operating activities of the Company, common stock is issued for cash or in exchange for goods or services. Generally, offerings of the Company's common stock include warrants to acquire common stock of the Company at fixed exercise prices. Occasionally, depending on the nature of the offering and restrictions imposed on the shares being acquired, the exercise price of the warrant may be below the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of issuance.
During the year ended September 30, 2002, the Company issued 6,854,603 shares of common stock to non-affiliated convertible noteholders and 852,853 shares of common stock to Chrome for the conversion of debt and settlement of accrued interest (see Notes 5 and 7).
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During December 2001, the Company issued 2,500,000 shares of common stock valued at $250,000, based on a fair market value of $0.10 per share, to a former officer in settlement of a lawsuit relating to prior salaries not paid and other amounts. The Company had previously accrued the entire amount owed under this claim as accrued officers' salaries.
During January 2002, the Company issued 200,000 shares of common stock valued at $40,000, based on a fair market value of $0.20 per share, to a former director and consultant in settlement of a lawsuit relating to prior salary not paid and other amounts. The Company had previously accrued the entire amount owed under this claim as accrued officers' salaries.
During January 2002, the Company issued 324,620 shares of common stock valued at $64,924, based on a fair market value of $0.20 per share, to a previous convertible noteholder in settlement of interest and penalties related to debt originally converted in fiscal year 1999. The Company had previously accrued the entire amount owed under this claim in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
During March 2002, the Company issued 750,000 shares of common stock valued at $127,500, based on a fair value of $0.17 per share, to a consulting group to act as a financial advisor and provide investment banking services to the Company. The agreement has a term of one year from December 2001 but expires immediately upon written notice of termination by either party, without penalty to either party. This amount has been recorded within general and administrative expenses during the year ended September 30, 2002.
During April 2002, the Company issued to two creditors 1,467,875 shares of common stock valued at $257,873, based on previously recorded accounts payable balances. The Company had previously accrued the entire amount owed under these claims in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
During April 2002, the Company issued 2,000,000 shares of common stock valued at $400,000, based on a fair market value of $0.20 per share, to a creditor in settlement of a claim. The Company had previously accrued the entire amount owed under this claim in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
During May 2002, the Company entered into a stock subscription agreement to issue 3,600,000 shares of common stock at $0.10 per share for a total value of $360,000. The Company received such proceeds in May 2002 but the shares were not issued until August, 2002.
During June 2002, the Company issued 125,000 shares of common stock valued at $22,500, based on a fair market value of $0.18 per share, to a former employee in settlement of a lawsuit relating to prior salary not paid and other amounts. This amount has been recorded within general and administrative expenses during the year ended September 30, 2002.
During July 2002, the Company entered into an agreement with a consulting group to provide government affairs representation and lobbying services before the United States federal government on behalf of the Company. The Company is required to pay an initial fee of 400,000 shares of common stock as well as to reimburse the consulting group for out of pocket expenses. In addition, the Company is obligated to pay a minimum additional fee of 500,000 shares of common stock contingent upon the sale of a minimum of 5% ownership to a non-affiliated entity engaged in oil and gas exploration activities. The agreement has a term of one year from July 2002 but expires upon 30-day written notice of termination by either party, without penalty to either party. During August 2002, the Company issued 400,000 shares of common stock valued at $60,000, based on a fair value of $0.15 per share, to this consulting group. The Company recorded total expenses under this agreement of $65,000 within general and administrative expenses during the year ended September 30, 2002.
During July 2002, the Company entered into a stock subscription agreement to issue 400,000 shares of common stock at $0.10 per share for a total value of $40,000, which the Company received in July.
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During July 2002, the Company issued 200,000 shares of common stock valued at $18,000, based on a fair value of $0.09 per share, to a consultant for general legal services provided to the Company. This amount has been recorded within general and administrative expenses during the year ended September 30, 2002.
During August 2002, the Company issued 300,000 shares of common stock valued at $45,000 to a creditor, based on a previously recorded accounts payable balance. The Company had previously accrued the entire amount owed under this claim in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
During August 2002, the Company issued 315,000 shares of common stock valued at $50,400, based on a fair value of $0.11 per share, to a consultant for general legal services in satisfaction of an accounts payable balance.
During August 2002, the Company issued 1,000,000 shares of common stock valued at $150,000, based on a fair value of $0.15 per share, to a consulting group to advise the Company in securing financing of up to $1,500,000 and in structuring a joint venture arrangement with a partner. The Company recorded total expenses under this agreement of $168,516 within general and administrative expenses during the year ended September 30, 2002.
During August 2002, the Company issued 1,000,000 shares of common stock valued at $150,000, based on a fair value of $0.15 per share, to a consulting group to assist the Company in securing an agreement with a strategic oil and gas industry partner to prepare the Company to participate in the award of licenses in Sao Tome. The Company recorded total expenses under this agreement of $153,800 within general and administrative expenses during the year ended September 30, 2002.
During August and September 2002, the Company entered into stock subscription agreements to issue 2,600,000 shares of common stock at $0.10 per share generating and receiving total proceeds of $260,000 as of September 30, 2002. However, the shares were not issued until December 2002. The total proceeds received of $260,000 was recorded in additional paid in capital at September 30, 2002 and the Company has excluded these shares in its calculation of weighted average number of basic and diluted common stock shares outstanding for the year ended September 30, 2002.
During the year ended September 30, 2001, the Company issued 8,500,000 shares of common stock to an attorney to settle certain legal obligations of the plaintiffs involved in the Derivative Settlement referred to in Note 1. The fair value of these shares upon issuance was $425,000 based on a $0.05 per share price determined from quoted market prices of the Company's common stock on the date of issuance. This amount has been recorded within general and administrative expenses during the year ended September 30, 2001.
During March 2001, the Company issued 10,000,000 shares of common stock to an entity controlled by an officer and 18,500,000 million shares of common stock to a consultant for services rendered in connection with the February 15, 2001 change of control transaction referred to in Note 1. The fair value of these shares upon issuance was $1,425,000 based on a $0.05 per share price determined from quoted market prices of the Company's common stock on the date of issuance. This amount has been recorded within general and administrative expenses during the year ended September 30, 2001.
In October 1999, the Company received a conversion notice on $150,000 of the convertible debt issued in July 1998. This debt, and accrued interest and penalties of $145,881, was converted into 7,607,092 shares of common stock during the year ended September 30, 2000.
Warrants
From time to time, in order to fund operating activities of the Company, common stock and convertible debt are issued for cash and common stock is issued in exchange for goods or services.
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Generally, offerings of the Company's common stock and convertible debt include warrants to acquire common stock of the Company at fixed exercise prices. Occasionally, depending on the nature of the offerings (common stock or debt) and restrictions imposed, the exercise price of the warrant may be below the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of issuance. As of September 30, 2002 and 2001 the Company has 8,780,575 and 7,511,825, respectively, of warrants outstanding to acquire the Company's common stock at exercise prices range from $0.20 to $3.17 per share. During the year ended September 30, 2002, 1,800,000 warrants were issued in connection with the sale of common stock having a weighted average exercise price of $0.20 per warrant and 531,250 warrants expired unexercised having a weighted average exercise price of $0.50 per warrant. As of September 30, 2002 total cash proceeds to the Company would be $7,574,646 with an average exercise price of approximately $0.86 if all of the outstanding warrants are exercised. These warrants expire on various dates throughout the period October 15, 2002 to April 22, 2009.
Note 10Commitments and Contingencies
Pending Litigation and Other Contingencies
During August 1999 and February 2001, the Company underwent changes of control. Following the changes of control of the Company, new management and the new board of directors were required to expend significant Company resources to settle claims and expenses arising out of the conduct of prior management. In addition, the Company faces additional unresolved claims and disputes, including suits seeking recoveries in excess of $1.0 million brought by former employees and officers for back salary and other amounts. The Company is defending its position vigorously, but there is no certainty that the Company will prevail. The Company is proceeding in the hope that a settlement can be reached. As of September 30, 2002 and 2001, officers' salaries of $723,035 and $1,013,035, respectively, have been accrued and management believes this amount will be sufficient to settle any amounts that may be due.
The Company is subject to other legal proceedings which have arisen in the ordinary course of business and have not been fully adjudicated. Although there can be no assurance as to the ultimate disposition of these matters and the proceedings disclosed above, in the opinion of management, based upon information available at this time, the cost of defense or settlement of these actions, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a materially adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company.
Additionally, from time to time, certain potential obligations are presented to the Company that may have originated during periods not under existing management's control. These alleged obligations are generally for goods and services for which the Company has no record. The Company actively investigates these claims as they arise. All known material obligations of the Company have been recorded and reflected in the financial statements, but there is no certainty that all material claims have been presented to the Company nor have the benefits of available statutes of limitations been considered, should they apply.
Commitments
The Company entered into a management services agreement with Chrome Oil Services, Ltd. ("COS") in February 2001. Pursuant to that agreement, COS provides the Company with management and business development services in addition to providing specified services in the areas of refinery maintenance, engineering design, and upstream oil industry services. COS provides these services to the Company for a management fee of $68,000 per month. Messrs. Mba, Echesi, and Ntephe are employees of COS that provides services to the Company and these persons receive salaries and overhead expense reimbursement from COS, not from the Company. Expenses not covered under the management services agreement are paid by the Company which include primarily general office supplies. This agreement has no expiration date but does expire 30 days following the delivery of a
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written notice of termination by either party. During the years ended September 30, 2002 and 2001 total expenses incurred under this management services agreement were $816,000 and approximately $505,000, respectively. The Company's executive officers incurred significant direct expense for travel and related expenses of approximately $407,000 and $962,000 during the years ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, which were reimbursed by the Company to COS or directly to the officers. At September 30, 2002 accounts payable and other accrued liabilities included approximately $52,000 owed to one officer for direct travel expenses. There was no comparable balance in 2001.
The Company's Houston, Texas office is leased by COS, pursuant to the management services agreement, and is provided for the Company pursuant to such agreement. This lease for approximately 1,900 sq. ft. of office space expires February 2006.
The Company has not entered into any employment agreements directly with its officers and directors. To date, members of the board of directors have not received any compensation, but have been reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. In the future, the Company may decide to pay its directors.
The Company currently has three officers and support staff that provide services to the Company pursuant to the management services agreement with COS.
In October 2001, the Company entered into an agreement with a consulting group to represent ERHC in commercial negotiations with potential oil and gas industry partners to participate in the award of licenses in Sao Tome and to assist with other financial related services as deemed necessary. The Company is required to pay an initial fee of $150,000 for the period October 2001 through January 31, 2002 and $30,000 per month thereafter as well as to reimburse the consulting group for out of pocket expenses. In addition, the Company is obligated to pay a minimum additional fee of $500,000 contingent upon the successful first closing of a Transaction. During the year ended September 30, 2002, total expenses incurred under this consulting agreement were $356,058. The agreement has a term of one year but expires immediately upon written notice of termination by either party, without penalty to either party. In July, 2002 the Company entered into a revised agreement with this consulting group which reduces the monthly fee to $12,500 beginning June 1, 2002, provides for the issuance of 300,000 shares of common stock in settlement of $45,000 in accounts payable outstanding at June 30, 2002 and allows the Company the option of settling the $500,000 minimum additional fee above in cash or 2,500,000 shares of common stock. The Company is also obligated to pay in cash or in common stock a success fee of 2%-4%, as defined, of the total cash proceeds received from a partner should the sale of new equity occur. An additional success fee equal to 1,500,000 shares of common stock is also payable upon the execution of a transaction, as defined.
In May 2002, the Company entered into an agreement with a consulting group to advise the Company in securing financing of up to $1,500,000 and in structuring a joint venture arrangement with a partner. The Company is required to pay an initial fee of 1,000,000 shares of common stock as well as to reimburse the consultant for out of pocket expenses. In addition, the Company is obligated to pay a 2.5% fee of the amount of capital raised and an additional fee of 2,000,000 shares of common stock contingent upon the successful first closing of a joint venture transaction. During the year ended September 30, 2002, total expenses incurred under this consulting agreement were $168,516, of which $16,500 was charged against additional paid in capital. The agreement has an indefinite term extending through the successful first closing of a joint venture transaction but expiring upon seven-day written notice of termination by either party, without penalty to either party.
In June 2002, the Company entered into an agreement with a consultant to assist the Company in securing an agreement with a strategic oil and gas industry partner to prepare the Company for participation in the award of licenses in Sao Tome. The Company is required to pay an initial fee of 1,000,000 shares of common stock as well as to reimburse the consultant for out of pocket expenses. In addition, the Company is obligated to pay a 2% fee of the cash proceeds received by the Company
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from a partner, a 1% fee of future carried costs paid by the partner and 3,000,000 shares of common stock contingent upon the successful first closing of a transaction. During the year ended September 30, 2002, total expenses incurred under this consulting agreement were $153,800. The agreement has a term of one year but expires immediately upon written notice of termination by either party, without penalty to either party.
In May 2002, the Company entered into an agreement with a creditor which guarantees that the creditor will realize $100,000 from the sale of 700,000 previously issued but not released shares of common stock. The guarantee expires October 28, 2002 if the creditor has not sold all of the shares (provided the average daily trading volume for the Company's common stock is greater than 100,000 shares per day). The Company has the option of making up the shortfall in cash or by issuing additional shares. The guarantee has been extended until February 20, 2003.
Note 11Subsequent Events
During August and September of 2002, the Company received proceeds of $260,000 from stock subscription agreements for 2,600,000 shares of common stock (see Note 9). These shares were physically issued during December 2002.
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