Attached files

file filename
EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - Citadel Exploration, Inc.Financial_Report.xls
EX-32.2 - EX. 32.2 - Citadel Exploration, Inc.ex32-2.htm
EX-32.1 - EX. 32.1 - Citadel Exploration, Inc.ex32-1.htm
EX-31.1 - EX. 31.1 - Citadel Exploration, Inc.ex31-1.htm
EX-31.2 - EX. 31.2 - Citadel Exploration, Inc.ex31-2.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number 000-54639
CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada
 
27-1550482
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

417 31st Street, Unit A
Newport Beach, California 92663
 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(949) 612-8040
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Copies of Communications to:
Rutan & Tucker
611 Anton Blvd, 14th Floor Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 641-3487 • Fax (714) 546-9035

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $0.001 par value

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes ¨    No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes ¨    No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 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 x    No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x    No ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405) is not contained herein, and will not 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.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a small reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "small reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  ¨
Accelerated filer  ¨
   
Non-accelerated filer  ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes ¨    No x

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of June 28, 2013 (the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was $29,640,339 based on a share value of $1.22.

The number of shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value, outstanding on  April 11, 2014 was 29,714,000 shares.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: None.

 
1

 

CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2013

Index to Report
on Form 10-K

PART I
Page
     
Item 1.
Business
2
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
12
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
19
Item 2.
Properties
2
Item 3.
Item 4.
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures
19
20
     
PART II
 
     
Item 5.
Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
20
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
21
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
21
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
25
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
25
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
26
Item 9A.
Control and Procedures
26
Item 9B.
Other Information
27
     
PART III
 
     
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
27
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
30
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
32
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
33
Item 14
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
33
     
PART IV
 
     
Item 15.
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
35


 
2

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements and involves risks and uncertainties that could materially affect expected results of operations, liquidity, cash flows, and business prospects.  These statements include, among other things, statements regarding:

o  
our ability to diversify our operations;
 
o  
exploration risks such as drilling unsuccessful wells;
 
o  
our ability to attract key personnel;
 
o  
our ability to operate profitably;
 
o  
our ability to efficiently and effectively finance our operations, and/or purchase orders;
 
o  
inability to achieve future sales levels or other operating results;
 
o  
inability to raise additional financing for working capital;
 
o  
inability to efficiently manage our operations;
 
o  
the inability of management to effectively implement our strategies and business plans;
 
o  
the unavailability of funds for capital expenditures and/or general working capital;
 
o  
the fact that our accounting policies and methods are fundamental to how we report our financial condition and results of operations, and they may require management to make estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain;
 
o  
deterioration in general or regional economic conditions;
 
o  
changes in U.S. GAAP or in the legal, regulatory and legislative environments in the markets in which we operate;
 
o  
adverse state or federal legislation or regulation that increases the costs of compliance, or adverse findings by a regulator with respect to existing operations;

as well as other statements regarding our future operations, financial condition and prospects, and business strategies. Forward-looking statements may appear throughout this report, including without limitation, the following sections: Item 1 “Business,” Item 1A “Risk Factors,” and Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in particular, the risks discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A and those discussed in other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

Throughout this Annual Report references to “we”, “our”, “us”, “Citadel”, “COIL”, “the Company”, and similar terms include to Citadel Exploration, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

 
3

 


AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and other reports and other information with the SEC. You can read these SEC filings and reports over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or on our website at www.citadelexploration.com. You can also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. Please call the SEC at (800) SEC-0330 for further information on the operations of the public reference facilities. We will provide a copy of our annual report to security holders, including audited financial statements, at no charge upon receipt of a written request to us at Citadel Exploration, Inc., 417 31st Street Unit A, Newport Beach, California 92663.

INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

The market data and certain other statistical information used throughout this report are based on independent industry publications, government publications, reports by market research firms or other published independent sources. In addition, some data are based on our good faith estimates.

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS AND 2. PROPERTIES

Business Development

Citadel Exploration, Inc. (“Citadel”) was formed as a Nevada corporation in December 2009.  On March 2, 2011, Citadel changed its name from Subprime Advantage, Inc. to Citadel Exploration, Inc.  Effective May 3, 2011, Citadel completed the acquisition of the Indian Shallow Oil Development Project, located in the Bitterwater sub-basin of the Salinas Basin in California, consisting of 689 acres of leased property from Vintage Petroleum, LLC (Vintage), a division of Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY), through the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding membership interest of Citadel Exploration, LLC, a California Limited Liability Company (“CEL”) pursuant to the Membership Purchase Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (“Membership Purchase Agreement”).

As a result of our acquisition of CEL, we have a broad portfolio of capital investment opportunities that arise from CEL’s extensive knowledge of the geology and the history of oil and gas exploration and development in California as well as long-term presence and familiarity and relationships with other companies engaged in the oil and gas industry in California.

Business of Citadel

Citadel is an energy company engaged in the exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties. Our properties are located in the Salinas and San Joaquin Basins of California. Subject to availability of capital, we strive to implement an accelerated development program utilizing capital resources, a regional operating focus, an experienced management and technical team, and enhanced recovery technologies to attempt to increase production and increase returns for our stockholders. Our corporate strategy is to build value in the Company through acquisition of gas and oil leases with significant upside potential, successful exploration and exploitation and the efficient development of these assets.

 
4

 


Our Projects

PROJECT INDIAN

Project Indian is located in the Bitterwater sub-basin of the Salinas Basin, north of the giant San Ardo Field. It is a shallow anticline defined by surface geology and well control that may have over 100 million barrels of heavy (11 to 14 gravity API) oil in place. A well that was drilled and cored extensively by Chevron in 1976 (Tannehill Ranch Core hole #9) showed the oil is trapped in highly porous and permeable basal Pliocene sands at a 300 foot to 500 foot depth with 300 feet of clay stone cap rock. This accumulation is a strong analog to another discovery made by the founders of Citadel at Northwest San Ardo, albeit at a shallower depth.

Citadel currently owns a 60% working interest at Project Indian, with Sojitz owning the remaining 40%. However, Citadel paid 100% of the costs on the Indian #1-15 well, due to Sojitz electing to not participate in this well. Citadel is currently in negotiations with Sojitz regarding their ownership and future interest in Project Indian. There is a 20% royalty on the property owned by Vintage Petroleum, a wholly owned subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum Inc. We will develop Project Indian as a thermal recovery operation. The Company successfully drilled the first well in January 2014, and is currently waiting on its steam injection permit from the Division of Oil, Gas & Geothermal Resources (“DOGGR”). The Company expects thermal injection to commence in the second quarter of 2014. Temporary equipment will be used to conduct a pilot thermal enhanced recovery program. The pilot recovery program will provide data that will help determine economic viability and potential future development of the reservoir. Highlights of this project include: 1) drilling and coring, 2) collecting and analyzing the data, 3) installation of temporary production facilities, 4) pilot steam injection and saturation, 5) well production test, and 6) collecting production and steam injection data.

Pending the results on this initial well, a full scale pilot project may follow in 2014 and 2015 with up to 14 additional wells. The next phase of development includes installation of a natural gas utility line and electric power. We have confirmed with the local utility company that utility gas and power are available within two miles of the project site. Temporary equipment will be utilized for initial operations and additional permanent equipment will be installed at a later date. All wells will then be placed into production and additional drilling may begin. The economics of thermally enhanced heavy oil production is very attractive as oil prices remain strong and natural gas prices are relatively low (which is the most relevant determinant of operating costs for heavy oil).

PROJECT YOWLUMNE

In May 2013, we leased approximately 3,000 acres from AERA Energy, LLC (“Aera”). This acreage has been mapped using a combination of both 2D and 3D seismic, and is in close proximity to the Yowlumne oil field in Kern County, California. The Company is obligated to pay a 20% royalty to Aera.

In August, the Company entered into an agreement to sell 75% of the interest in the Yowlumne lease, recouping approximately 85% of its cost, while retaining a 25% interest in the lease and operatorship.  Additionally, as part of this transaction, the Company retained 100% interest in the Yowlumne #2-26 well, and the 200 acres surrounding the well bore. The Yowlumne #2-26 was first drilled in 2008 under supervision of Citadel CEO, Armen Nahabedian, during his previous tenure with his family’s oil company. Although the well tested oil at that time, the well was left idle for 5 years as lease issues prevented operations on the well until the appropriate curative measures could be taken. Citadel staff approached operations on this well with extreme caution and installed a 10,000psi production tree as the well had shut in pressures exceeding 500psi with fluid to surface. The productive zones in this well are at a depth of approximately 12,500 feet and have slotted liner set across them.

 
5

 


Current operations have demonstrated the entry of 34.5 degree API oil and associated gas at an undetermined rate. Flow tests have recovered approximately 120 barrels of oil and the Company is currently moving in a service rig to better determine rates of entry, possible pump sizes, or potential necessity for stimulation of the well. In addition, the Company has installed tanks and other related infrastructure on the property to facilitate future production.

To date, the Yowlumne 2-26 well has recovered approximately 120 barrels of oil, which were sold to Kern Oil Refinery (“KOR”) in the fourth quarter of 2013, marking the Company’s first revenue.  The well then experienced some mechanical issues, and the Company is currently working with its engineers on additional workover and stimulation plans. The Company expects to commence workover operations upon receiving its permit for such operations from the DOGGR. In 2013, the State of California passed Senate Bill #4 (“SB 4”) which required additional disclosures regarding fracturing (“fracking”), and/or well stimulation. The Company has submitted an updated permit application to comply with this new regulation.

Citadel has also started permitting two additional exploration wells on the Yowlumne acreage and expects to receive those drilling permits in the third quarter of 2014, with drilling to commence in the fourth quarter of 2014. Both of these exploration wells will be targeting the Stephens Sands at a depth of 12,000 to 14,000 feet. Citadel currently has a 25% working interest in these exploration prospects and is the operator.

SOJITZ JOINT VENTURE / RANCHO GRANDE

Starting in May of 2013, Citadel participated in three exploration wells at the Rancho Grande area, with a 20 to 22% non-operated working interest. Sojitz Energy Ventures of Houston was the operator. To date, the three exploration wells have not produced commercial quantities of oil. Citadel believes that these wells need further testing, however the operator has shifted its focus to deeper exploration targets in the same area, in which Citadel elected not to participate. Currently the joint venture partners are in negotiations on the next course of action at Rancho Grande, which we believe will be determined in the second quarter of 2014.

Oil and Natural Gas Industry Overview

Oil and natural gas prices are currently at high levels. Based on worldwide supply and demand projections and the potential for instability in areas that currently provide a large proportion of the world’s petroleum, we believe that prices are likely to remain at high levels for the foreseeable future. We believe that this presents a tremendous opportunity for our Company to grow quickly. We have assembled an experienced  senior team of professionals to evaluate, acquire and manage available prospects. The experience of this team and its ability to quickly and accurately evaluate prospects and subsequently apply modern exploration, development and production techniques should be key to our company’s success. A number of factors, including high product prices, the ease and availability of capital, and the influx of that capital into the oil and natural gas sector has resulted in tremendous competition for prospects, people, equipment and services in recent years. We believe that our planned ability to quickly and accurately assess opportunities worth pursuing, to negotiate the best possible terms and to attract the people, equipment and services required to finance and effect the projects should constitute a competitive advantage. Our goal is to grow our Company and increase stockholder value in a favorable petroleum pricing environment. We believe a focus on oil and gas will result in success and growth through added reserves and cash flow which will, in turn, provide a base for further growth and increases in stockholder value.

 
6

 


Our Business Strategy

Our principal strategy has been to focus on the acquisition and drilling of prospective oil and natural gas mineral leases. Once we have tested a prospect as productive, subject to availability of capital, we will implement a development program with a regional operating focus in order to increase production and increase returns for our stockholders. Exploration, acquisition and development activities are currently focused in California. Depending on availability of capital, and other constraints, our goal is to increase stockholder value by finding and developing oil and natural gas reserves at costs that provide an attractive rate of return on our investments. The principal elements of our business strategy are:

 
·
Develop Our Existing Property. We intend to create reserve and production growth from our drilling locations we have identified on our property. The expected ultimate recovery and  production rates of our properties, are anticipated to yield long-term profitability.

 
·
Maximize Operational Control. We seek to operate our properties and maintain a substantial working interest. We believe the ability to control our drilling inventory will provide us with the opportunity to more efficiently allocate capital, manage resources, control operating and development costs, and utilize our experience and knowledge of oilfield technologies.

 
·
Pursue Selective Acquisitions and Joint Ventures. We believe we are well-positioned to pursue selected acquisitions, subject to availability of capital, from the fragmented and capital-constrained owners of mineral rights throughout California.

 
·
Reduce Unit Costs Through Economies of Scale and Efficient Operations. As we increase our oil production and develop our existing property, we expect that our unit cost structure will benefit from economies of scale. In particular, we anticipate reducing unit costs by greater utilization of our existing infrastructure over a larger number of wells.

We are continually evaluating oil and natural gas opportunities in California and are also in various stages of discussions with potential joint venture (“JV”) partners who may contribute capital to develop leases we currently own or would acquire for the JV. This economic strategy is anticipated to allow us to utilize our own financial assets toward the growth of our leased acreage holdings, pursue the acquisition of strategic oil and natural gas producing properties or companies and generally expand our existing operations while further diversifying risk. Subject to availability of capital, we plan to continue to bring potential acquisition and JV opportunities to various financial partners for evaluation and funding options.

Our future financial results will continue to depend on: (i) our ability to source and screen potential projects; (ii) our ability to discover commercial quantities of natural gas and oil; (iii) the market price for oil and natural gas; and (iv) our ability to fully implement our exploration, work-over and development program, which is in part dependent on the availability of capital resources. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in any of these respects, that the prices of oil and natural gas prevailing at the time of production will be at a level allowing for profitable production, or that we will be able to obtain additional funding at terms favorable to us to increase our currently limited capital resources. For a detailed description of these and other factors that could materially impact actual results, please see “Risk Factors” in this report.

 
7

 


Competition

The oil and natural gas industry is intensely competitive. We compete with numerous individuals and companies, including many major oil and natural gas companies, which have substantially greater technical, financial and operational resources and staff. Accordingly, there is a high degree of competition for desirable oil and natural gas leases, suitable properties for drilling operations and necessary drilling equipment, as well as for access to funds.

Governmental Regulations

Regulation of Oil and Natural Gas Production. Our oil and natural gas exploration, production and related operations, when developed, are subject to extensive rules and regulations promulgated by federal, state, tribal and local authorities and agencies. For example, some states in which we may operate, including California, require permits for drilling operations, drilling bonds and reports concerning operations and impose other requirements relating to the exploration and production of oil and natural gas. Such states may also have statutes or regulations addressing conservation matters, including provisions for the unitization or pooling of oil and natural gas properties, the establishment of maximum rates of production from wells, and the regulation of spacing, plugging and abandonment of such wells. Failure to comply with any such rules and regulations can result in substantial penalties. Moreover, such states may place burdens from previous operations on current lease owners, and the burdens could be significant. The regulatory burden on the oil and natural gas industry will most likely increase our cost of doing business and may affect our profitability. Although we believe we are currently in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, because such rules and regulations are frequently amended or reinterpreted, we are unable to predict the future cost or impact of complying with such laws. Significant expenditures may be required to comply with governmental laws and regulations and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Federal Regulation of Natural Gas. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) regulates interstate natural gas transportation rates and service conditions, which may affect the marketing of natural gas produced by us, as well as the revenues that may be received by us for sales of such production. Since the mid-1980’s, FERC has issued a series of orders, culminating in Order Nos. 636, 636-A and 636-B (“Order 636”), that have significantly altered the marketing and transportation of natural gas. Order 636 mandated a fundamental restructuring of interstate pipeline sales and transportation service, including the unbundling by interstate pipelines of the sale, transportation, storage and other components of the city-gate sales services such pipelines previously performed. One of FERC’s purposes in issuing the order was to increase competition within all phases of the natural gas industry. The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit largely upheld Order 636 and the Supreme Court has declined to hear the appeal from that decision. Generally, Order 636 has eliminated or substantially reduced the interstate pipelines’ traditional role as wholesalers of natural gas in favor of providing only storage and transportation service, and has substantially increased competition and volatility in natural gas markets.

The price we may receive from the sale of oil and natural gas liquids will be affected by the cost of transporting products to markets. Effective September 28, 1995, FERC implemented regulations establishing an indexing system for transportation rates for oil pipelines, which, generally, would index such rates to inflation, subject to certain conditions and limitations. We are not able to predict with certainty the effect, if any, of these regulations on our intended operations. However, the regulations may increase transportation costs or reduce well head prices for oil and natural gas liquids.

 
8

 


Environmental Matters

Our operations and properties are subject to extensive and changing federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to environmental protection, including the generation, storage, handling, emission, transportation and discharge of materials into the environment, and relating to safety and health. The recent trend in environmental legislation and regulation generally is toward stricter standards, and this trend will likely continue.

These laws and regulations may:

·  
require the acquisition of a permit or other authorization before construction or drilling commences and for certain other activities;
·  
limit or prohibit construction, drilling and other activities on certain lands lying within wilderness and other protected areas; and
·  
impose substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from its operations, or due to previous operations conducted on any leased lands.

The permits required for our operations may be subject to revocation, modification and renewal by issuing authorities. Governmental authorities have the power to enforce their regulations, and violations are subject to fines or injunctions, or both. In the opinion of management, we are in substantial compliance with current applicable environmental laws and regulations, and have no material commitments for capital expenditures to comply with existing environmental requirements. Nevertheless, changes in existing environmental laws and regulations or in interpretations thereof could have a significant impact on us, as well as the oil and natural gas industry in general.

The Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended (“CERCLA”), and comparable state statutes impose strict, joint and several liability on owners and operators of sites and on persons who disposed of or arranged for the disposal of “hazardous substances” found at such sites. It is not uncommon for the neighboring land owners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the hazardous substances released into the environment. The Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended (“RCRA”), and comparable state statutes govern the disposal of “solid waste” and “hazardous waste” and authorize the imposition of substantial fines and penalties for noncompliance. Although CERCLA currently excludes petroleum from its definition of “hazardous substance,” state laws affecting our operations may impose clean-up liability relating to petroleum and petroleum related products. In addition, although RCRA classifies certain oil field wastes as “non-hazardous,” such exploration and production wastes could be reclassified as hazardous wastes thereby making such wastes subject to more stringent handling and disposal requirements.

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, as amended (“Clean Water Act”), and analogous state laws impose restrictions and controls on the discharge of pollutants into federal and state waters. These laws also regulate the discharge of storm water in process areas. Pursuant to these laws and regulations, we are required to obtain and maintain approvals or permits for the discharge of wastewater and storm water and develop and implement spill prevention, control and countermeasure plans, also referred to as “SPCC plans,” in connection with on-site storage of greater than threshold quantities of oil. The EPA issued revised SPCC rules in July 2002 whereby SPCC plans are subject to more rigorous review and certification procedures. We believe that our operations are in substantial compliance with applicable Clean Water Act and analogous state requirements, including those relating to wastewater and storm water discharges and SPCC plans.

 
9

 


The Endangered Species Act, as amended (“ESA”), seeks to ensure that activities do not jeopardize endangered or threatened animal, fish and plant species, nor destroy or modify the critical habitat of such species. Under ESA, exploration and production operations, as well as actions by federal agencies, may not significantly impair or jeopardize the species or its habitat. ESA provides for criminal penalties for willful violations of the Act. Other statutes that provide protection to animal and plant species and that may apply to our operations include, but are not necessarily limited to, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the National Historic Preservation Act. Although we believe that our operations will be in substantial compliance with such statutes, any change in these statutes or any reclassification of a species as endangered could subject us to significant expenses to modify our operations or could force us to discontinue certain operations altogether.

Personnel

We currently have two full-time employees, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer. As production and drilling activities increase or decrease, we may have to adjust our technical, operational and administrative personnel as appropriate. We are using and will continue to use independent consultants and contractors to perform various professional services, particularly in the area of land services, reservoir engineering, geology drilling, water hauling, pipeline construction, well design, well-site monitoring and surveillance, permitting and environmental assessment. We believe that this use of third-party service providers may enhance our ability to contain operating and general expenses, and capital costs.

Glossary of Terms
Term
Definition
   
API Gravity
Is a measure of how heavy or light a petroleum liquid is compared to water. If its API gravity is greater than 10, it is lighter and floats on water; if less than 10, it is heavier and sinks.
   
Barrel
In the energy industry, a barrel is a unit of volume measurement used for petroleum and is equivalent to 42 U.S. gallons measured at 60 º Fahrenheit.
   
Basin
A depressed area where sediments have accumulated during geologic time and considered to be prospective for oil and gas deposits.
   
Blowout
An uncontrolled flow of oil, gas, water or mud from a wellbore caused when drilling activity penetrates a rock layer with natural pressures greater than the drilling mud in the borehole.
   
Completion / Completing
A well made ready to produce oil or natural gas. Completion involves cleaning out the well, running and cementing steel casing in the hole, adding permanent surface control equipment, and perforating the casing so oil or gas can flow into the well and be brought to the surface.
   
Desorb
The release of materials (e.g., gas molecules) from being adsorbed onto a surface. The opposite of adsorb.
   
Development
The phase in which a proven oil or gas field is brought into production by drilling production (development) wells.
   
Division order
A contract for the sale of oil or gas, by the holder of a revenue interest in a well or property, to the purchaser (often a pipeline transmission company).
   

 
10

 


Drilling
The using of a rig and crew for the drilling, suspension, production testing, capping, plugging and abandoning, deepening, plugging back, sidetracking, redrilling or reconditioning of a well. Contrast to "Completion" definition.
   
Drilling logs
Recorded observations made of rock chips cut from the formation by the drill bit, and brought to the surface with the mud, as well as rate of penetration of the drill bit through rock formations. Used by geologists to obtain formation data.
   
Exploration
The phase of operations which covers the search for oil or gas by carrying out detailed geological and geophysical surveys followed up where appropriate by exploratory drilling. Compare to "Development" phase.
   
Farm out
Assignment or partial assignment of an oil and gas lease from one lessee to another lessee.
   
Gathering line / system
A pipeline that transports oil or gas from a central point of production to a transmission line or mainline.
   
Gross acre
An acre in which a working interest is owned. The number of gross acres is the total number of acres in which a working interest is owned.
   
Gross well
A well in which a working interest is owned. The number of gross wells is the total number of wells in which a working interest is owned.
   
Held-By-Production (HBP)
Refers to an oil and gas property under lease, in which the lease continues to be in force, because of production from the property.
   
Land services
Services performed by an oil and gas company or agent, or landman, who negotiates oil and gas leases with mineral owners, cures title defects, and negotiates with other companies on agreements concerning the lease.
   
Logging (electric logging)
Process of lowering sensors into a wellbore to acquire downhole recordings that indicate a well's rock formation characteristics and indications of hydrocarbons.
   
Methane
An organic chemical compound of hydrogen and carbon (i.e., hydrocarbon), with the simplest molecular structure (CH4).
   
Mineral Lease
A legal instrument executed by a mineral owner granting exclusive right to another to explore, drill, and produce oil and gas from a piece of land.
   
Natural gas quality
The value of natural gas is calculated by its BTU content. A cubic foot of natural gas on the average gives off 1000 BTU, but the range of values is between 500 and 1500 BTU. Energy content of natural gas is variable and depends on its accumulations which are influenced by the amount and types of energy gases they contain: the more non-combustible gases in a natural gas, the lower the Btu value.
   
Net acre
A net acre is deemed to exist when the sum of fractional working interests owned in gross acres equals one. The number of net acres is the sum of fractional working interests owned in gross acres expressed as whole numbers and fractions thereof.
   
Net well
A net well is deemed to exist when the sum of fractional working interests owned in gross wells equals one. The number of net wells is the sum of fractional working interests owned in gross wells expressed as whole numbers and fractions thereof.
   
Operator
A person, acting for himself or as an agent for others and designated to the state authorities as the one who has the primary responsibility for complying with its rules and regulations in any and all acts subject to the jurisdiction of the state.
   

 
11

 


Permeability
The property of a rock formation which quantifies the flow of a fluid through the pore spaces and into the wellbore.
   
Pooled, Pooled Unit
A term frequently used interchangeably with "Unitization" but more properly used to denominate the bringing together of small tracts sufficient for the granting of a well permit under applicable spacing rules.
   
Proved Reserves
Estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas, condensate, or other hydrocarbons that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be commercially recoverable in the future from known reservoirs under existing conditions using established operating procedures and under current governmental regulations.
 
Further definitions of oil and gas reserves, as defined by the SEC, can be found in Rule 4-10(a)(2)(i)-(iii) and Rule 4-10(a)(3) and (4). These Rules are available at the SEC’s website; http://www.sec.gov/divisions/corpfin/ecfrlinks.shtml
   
Re-completion
Completion of an existing well for production from one formation or reservoir to another formation or reservoir that exists behind casing of the same well.
   
Reserves
Generally the amount of oil or gas in a particular reservoir that is available for production.
   
Reservoir
The underground rock formation where oil and gas has accumulated. It consists of a porous rock to hold the oil or gas, and a cap rock that prevents its escape.
   
Reservoir Pressure
The pressure at the face of the producing formation when the well is shut-in. It equals the shut in pressure at the wellhead plus the weight of the column of oil in the hole.
   
Shut-in well
A well which is capable of producing but is not presently producing. Reasons for a well being shut-in may be lack of equipment, market or other.
   
Stratigraphic Trap
A variety of sealed geologic containers capable of retaining hydrocarbons, formed by changes in rock type or pinch-outs, unconformities, or sedimentary features.
   
Structural Trap
A variety of sealed geologic structures capable of retaining hydrocarbons, such as a faults or a folds.
   
Undeveloped acreage
Leased acreage which has yet to be drilled on to test the potential for hydrocarbons.
   
Unitize, Unitization
Joint operations to maximize produced hydrocarbon recovery among separate operators within a common reservoir.
   
Working Interest
The right granted to the lessee of a property to explore for and to produce and own oil, gas, or other minerals. The working interest owners bear the exploration, development, and operating costs on either a cash, penalty, or carried basis.

ITEM 1A.                      RISK FACTORS

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS

Drilling wells is speculative, often involving significant costs that may be more than our estimates, and may not result in any addition to our production or reserves. Any material inaccuracies in drilling costs, estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect our business.

 
12

 


Developing and exploring for natural gas and oil involves a high degree of operational and financial risk, which precludes definitive statements as to the time required and costs involved in reaching certain objectives. The budgeted costs of drilling, completing and operating wells are often exceeded and can increase significantly when drilling costs rise due to a tightening in the supply of various types of oilfield equipment and related services. Drilling may be unsuccessful for many reasons, including title problems, weather, cost overruns, equipment shortages and mechanical difficulties. Moreover, the successful drilling of a natural gas or oil well does not ensure a profit on investment. Exploratory wells bear a much greater risk of loss than development wells. A variety of factors, both geological and market-related, can cause a well to become uneconomical or only marginally economic. Our initial drilling and development sites, and any potential additional sites that may be developed, require significant additional exploration and development, regulatory approval and commitments of resources prior to commercial development. Any success that we may have with these wells or any future drilling operations will most likely not be indicative of our current or future drilling success rate, particularly, because we intend to emphasize on exploratory drilling. If our actual drilling and development costs are significantly more than our estimated costs, we may not be able to continue our business operations as proposed and would be forced to modify our plan of operation.

Development of our reserves, when established, may not occur as scheduled and the actual results may not be as anticipated. Drilling activity may result in downward adjustments in reserves or higher than anticipated costs. Our estimates will be based on various assumptions, including assumptions required by the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to natural gas and oil prices, drilling and operating expenses, capital expenditures, taxes and availability of funds. The process of estimating our natural gas and oil reserves is anticipated to be extremely complex, and will require significant decisions and assumptions in the evaluation of available geological, geophysical, engineering and economic data for each reservoir. Due to our inexperience in the oil and gas industry, our estimates may not be reliable enough to allow us to be successful in our intended business operations. Our actual production, revenues, taxes, development expenditures and operating expenses will likely vary from those anticipated. These variances may be material.

If we are unable to continue drilling operations pursuant to the terms set forth in our lease agreement with Vintage Petroleum, LLC, the lease agreement may be terminated. If we were to lose the lease our financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.

Our lease ownership is subject to termination in the event we are unable to continue drilling operations as set forth in the lease agreement. In the event we are unable to continue with our drilling operations, then we will lose our rights to the lease. Such loss would prevent us from pursuing development activity on the leased property and will have a substantial impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

Gas and Oil prices are volatile. This volatility may occur in the future, causing negative change in cash flows which may result in our inability to cover our capital expenditures.

Our future revenues, profitability, future growth and the carrying value of our properties is anticipated to depend substantially on the prices we may realize for our natural gas and oil production. Our realized prices may also affect the amount of cash flow available for capital expenditures and our ability to borrow and raise additional capital.

 
13

 


Natural gas and oil prices are subject to wide fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in or perceptions regarding supply and demand. Historically, the markets for natural gas and oil have been volatile, and they are likely to continue to be volatile in the future. For example, natural gas and oil prices declined significantly in late 1998 and 1999 and, for an extended period of time, remained substantially below prices obtained in previous years. Among the factors that can cause this volatility are:

 
worldwide or regional demand for energy, which is affected by economic conditions;

 
the domestic and foreign supply of natural gas and oil;

 
weather conditions;

 
domestic and foreign governmental regulations;

 
political conditions in natural gas and oil producing regions;

 
the ability of members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to agree upon and maintain oil prices and production levels; and

 
the price and availability of other fuels.

It is impossible to predict natural gas and oil price movements with certainty. Lower natural gas and oil prices may not only decrease our future revenues on a per unit basis but also may reduce the amount of natural gas and oil that we can produce economically. A substantial or extended decline in natural gas and oil prices may materially and adversely affect our future business enough to force us to cease our business operations. In addition, our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and ability to finance planned capital expenditures will also suffer in such a price decline. Further, natural gas and oil prices do not necessarily move together.

We may incur substantial write-downs of the carrying value of our gas and oil properties, which would adversely impact our earnings.

We periodically review the carrying value of our gas and oil properties under the successful effort method accounting rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Under these rules, capitalized costs of proved gas and oil properties may not exceed the present value of estimated future net revenues from proved reserves, discounted at an annual rate of 10%. Application of this “ceiling” test requires pricing future revenue at the un-escalated prices in effect as of the end of each fiscal quarter and requires a write-down for accounting purposes if the ceiling is exceeded, even if prices were depressed for only a short period of time. We may be required to write down the carrying value of our gas and oil properties when natural gas and oil prices are depressed or unusually volatile, which would result in a charge against our earnings. Once incurred, a write-down of the carrying value of our natural gas and oil properties is not reversible at a later date.

Currently the vast majority of our properties are located in the Bitterwater sub-basin of the Salinas Basin in the County of San Benito, California, making us vulnerable to risks associated with having our production concentrated in one area.

 
14

 


The vast majority of our properties are geographically concentrated in the Bitterwater sub-basin of the Salinas Basin in the County of San Benito, California. As a result of this concentration, we may be disproportionately exposed to the impact of delays or interruptions of production from these wells caused by significant governmental regulation, transportation capacity constraints, curtailment of production, natural disasters, adverse weather conditions or interruption of transportation of natural gas produced from the wells in this basin or other events which impact this area.

Competition in our industry is intense. We are very small and have an extremely limited operating history as compared to the vast majority of our competitors, and we may not be able to compete effectively.

We intend to compete with major and independent natural gas and oil companies for property acquisitions. We will also compete for the equipment and labor required to operate and to develop natural gas and oil properties. The majority of our anticipated competitors have substantially greater financial and other resources than we do. In addition, larger competitors may be able to absorb the burden of any changes in federal, state and local laws and regulations more easily than we can, which would adversely affect our competitive position. These competitors may be able to pay more for natural gas and oil properties and may be able to define, evaluate, bid for and acquire a greater number of properties than we can. Our ability to acquire additional properties and develop new and existing properties in the future will depend on our ability to conduct operations, to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in this highly competitive environment. In addition, some of our competitors have been operating in our core areas for a much longer time than we have and have demonstrated the ability to operate through industry cycles.

The natural gas and oil business involves numerous uncertainties and operating risks that can prevent us from realizing profits and can cause substantial losses.

Our development, exploitation and exploration activities may be unsuccessful for many reasons, including weather, cost overruns, equipment shortages and mechanical difficulties. Moreover, the successful drilling of a natural gas and oil well does not ensure a profit on investment. A variety of factors, both geological and market-related, can cause a well to become uneconomical or only marginally economical. In addition to their cost, unsuccessful wells can hurt our efforts to replace reserves.

The natural gas and oil business involves a variety of operating risks, including:

 
fires;

 
explosions;

 
blow-outs and surface cratering;

 
uncontrollable flows of oil, natural gas, and formation water;

 
natural disasters, such as hurricanes and other adverse weather conditions;

 
pipe, cement, or pipeline failures;

 
casing collapses;


 
15

 


 
embedded oil field drilling and service tools;

 
abnormally pressured formations; and

 
environmental hazards, such as natural gas leaks, oil spills, pipeline ruptures and discharges of toxic gases.

If we experience any of these problems, it could affect well bores, gathering systems and processing facilities, which could adversely affect our ability to conduct operations. We could also incur substantial losses as a result of:

 
injury or loss of life;

 
severe damage to and destruction of property, natural resources and equipment;

 
pollution and other environmental damage;

 
clean-up responsibilities;

 
regulatory investigation and penalties;

 
suspension of our operations; and

 
repairs to resume operations.

Because we intend to use third-party drilling contractors to drill our wells, we may not realize the full benefit of worker compensation laws in dealing with their employees. Our insurance does not protect us against all operational risks. We do not carry business interruption insurance at levels that would provide enough funds for us to continue operating without access to other funds. For some risks, we may not obtain insurance if we believe the cost of available insurance is excessive relative to the risks presented. In addition, pollution and environmental risks generally are not fully insurable. If a significant accident or other event occurs and is not fully covered by insurance, it could impact our operations enough to force us to cease our operations.

The high cost of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies, personnel and other services could adversely affect our ability to execute on a timely basis our development, exploitation and exploration plans within our budget.

Shortages or an increase in cost of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies or personnel could delay or interrupt our operations, which could impact our financial condition and results of operations. Drilling activity in the geographic areas in which we conduct drilling activities may increase, which would lead to increases in associated costs, including those related to drilling rigs, equipment, supplies and personnel and the services and products of other vendors to the industry. Increased drilling activity in these areas may also decrease the availability of rigs. We do not have any contracts with providers of drilling rigs and we cannot assure you that drilling rigs will be readily available when we need them. Drilling and other costs may increase further and necessary equipment and services may not be available to us at economical prices.

Our lease ownership may be diluted due to financing strategies we may employ in the future due to our lack of capital or due to our focus on producing leases.

 
16

 


To accelerate our development efforts we plan to take on working interest partners that will contribute to the costs of drilling and completion and then share in revenues derived from production. In addition, we may in the future, due to a lack of capital or other strategic reasons, establish joint venture partnerships or farm out all or part of our development efforts. These economic strategies may have a dilutive effect on our lease ownership and will more than likely reduce our operating revenues.

In addition, our lease ownership is subject to forfeiture in the event we are unwilling or unable to continue making lease payments. Our leases vary in price per acre and on the term period of the lease. Each lease requires payment to maintain an active lease. In the event we are unable or unwilling to make our lease payments or renew expiring leases, then we will forfeit our rights to such leases. Such forfeiture would prevent us from pursuing development activity on the leased property and could have a substantial impact on our gross leased acreage.

We are subject to complex laws and regulations, including environmental regulations, which can adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of doing business.

Development, production and sale of natural gas and oil in the United States are subject to extensive laws and regulations, including environmental laws and regulations. We may be required to make large expenditures to comply with environmental and other governmental regulations. Matters subject to regulation include:

 
location and density of wells;

 
the handling of drilling fluids and obtaining discharge permits for drilling operations;

 
accounting for and payment of royalties on production from state, federal and Indian lands;

 
bonds for ownership, development and production of natural gas and oil properties;

 
transportation of natural gas and oil by pipelines;

 
operation of wells and reports concerning operations; and

 
taxation.

Under these laws and regulations, we could be liable for personal injuries, property damage, oil spills, discharge of hazardous materials, remediation and clean-up costs and other environmental damages. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations also may result in the suspension or termination of our operations and subject us to administrative, civil and criminal penalties. Moreover, these laws and regulations could change in ways that substantially increase our costs. Accordingly, any of these liabilities, penalties, suspensions, terminations or regulatory changes could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations enough to possibly force us to cease our business operations.

Our oil and gas operations may expose us to environmental liabilities.

 
17

 


Any leakage of crude oil and/or gas from the subsurface portions of our wells, our gathering system or our storage facilities could cause degradation of fresh groundwater resources, as well as surface damage, potentially resulting in suspension of operation of the wells, fines and penalties from governmental agencies, expenditures for remediation of the affected resource, and liabilities to third parties for property damages and personal injuries. In addition, any sale of residual crude oil collected as part of the drilling and recovery process could impose liability on us if the entity to which the oil was transferred fails to manage the material in accordance with applicable environmental health and safety laws.

Risks Relating To Our Common Stock

Because our common stock is deemed a low-priced “Penny” stock, an investment in our common stock should be considered high risk and subject to marketability restrictions.

Since our common stock is currently under $5 per share, it is considered a penny stock, as defined in Rule 3a51-1 under the Securities Exchange Act, it will be more difficult for investors to liquidate their investment even if and when a market develops for the common stock. Until the trading price of the common stock rises above $5.00 per share, if ever, trading in the common stock is subject to the penny stock rules of the Securities Exchange Act specified in rules 15g-1 through 15g-10. Those rules require broker-dealers, before effecting transactions in any penny stock, to:

·  
Deliver to the customer, and obtain a written receipt for, a disclosure document;
·  
Disclose certain price information about the stock;
·  
Disclose the amount of compensation received by the broker-dealer or any associated person of the broker-dealer;
·  
Send monthly statements to customers with market and price information about the penny stock; and
·  
In some circumstances, approve the purchaser’s account under certain standards and deliver written statements to the customer with information specified in the rules.

Consequently, the penny stock rules may restrict the ability or willingness of broker-dealers to sell the common stock and may affect the ability of holders to sell their common stock in the secondary market and the price at which such holders can sell any such securities. These additional procedures could also limit our ability to raise additional capital in the future.

FINRA sales practice requirements may also limit a stockholder's ability to buy and sell our stock.

In addition to the “penny stock” rules described above, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has adopted rules that require that in recommending an investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that customer. Prior to recommending speculative low priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer's financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other information. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes that there is a high probability that speculative low priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. The FINRA requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our common stock, which may limit your ability to buy and sell our stock and have an adverse effect on the market for our shares.

 
18

 


If we fail to remain current on our reporting requirements, we could be removed from the OTC Markets QB (OTCQB), which would limit the ability of broker-dealers to sell our securities and the ability of stockholders to sell their securities in the secondary market.

Companies trading on the OTC Markets QB (OTCQB), such as us, generally must be reporting issuers under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and must be current in their reports under Section 13, in order to maintain price quotation privileges on the OTCQB.  More specifically, FINRA has enacted Rule 6530, which determines eligibility of issuers quoted on the OTCQB by requiring an issuer to be current in its filings with the Commission.  Pursuant to Rule 6530(e), if we file our reports late with the Commission three times in a two-year period or our securities are removed from the OTCQB for failure to timely file twice in a two-year period, then we will be ineligible for quotation on the OTCQB.  As a result, the market liquidity for our securities could be severely adversely affected by limiting the ability of broker-dealers to sell our securities and the ability of stockholders to sell their securities in the secondary market.  As of the date of this filing, we have one late filing reported by FINRA.

Our internal controls may be inadequate, which could cause our financial reporting to be unreliable and lead to misinformation being disseminated to the public.

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. As defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f), internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the principal executive and principal financial officer and effected by the board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of Citadel; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of Citadel are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of Citadel, and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of Citadel’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

We have two individuals performing the functions of all officers and directors. These individuals developed our internal control procedures and are responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance with those procedures. As a result, our internal controls may be inadequate or ineffective, which could cause our financial reporting to be unreliable and lead to misinformation being disseminated to the public. Investors relying upon this misinformation may make an uninformed investment decision.

ITEM 1B.                      UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 3.                      LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm our business. We received notice on July 10, 2013 that the Center for Biological Diversity (“CBD”) had filed a law suit against the County of San Benito regarding the approval of our drilling permits for our Project Indian. The Board of Supervisors of San Benito County voted 5-0 in favor of our application to drill 15 exploration wells on our Project Indian lease. We believe the actions taken by the CBD are unwarranted and will vigorously defend our property rights that have been granted to us via our lease agreement.

 
19

 



ITEM 4.                      MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None

PART II

ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND SMALL BUSINESS ISSUER PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

Our common stock is quoted on the OTC Markets QB (OTCQB), under the symbol “COIL.” Historically, there has not been an active trading market for our common stock. We have been eligible to participate on the OTCQB since November 2010.

The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low bid prices for our common stock during our last two fiscal years, as reported by a Quarterly Trade and Quote Summary Report of the OTC Bulletin Board. The quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, markdown or commission, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

     
2013
     
2012
     
BID PRICES
     
BID PRICES
     
High
   
Low
     
High
   
Low
1st Quarter
 
$
0.40
 
$
0.25
   
$
0.45
 
$
0.90
2nd Quarter
 
$
1.50
 
$
0.15
   
$
0.34
 
$
0.73
3rd Quarter
 
$
1.22
 
$
0.42
   
$
0.10
 
$
0.32
4th Quarter
 
$
0.89
 
$
0.46
   
$
0.13
 
$
0.50

Holders of Common Stock

As of April 1, 2014, we had approximately 79 stockholders of record of the 29,714,000 shares outstanding.

Dividends

The payment of dividends is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend, among other things, upon our earnings, our capital requirements, our financial condition, and other relevant factors. We have not paid or declared any dividends upon our common stock since our inception and, by reason of our present financial status and our contemplated financial requirements, do not anticipate paying any dividends upon our common stock in the foreseeable future.

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends. We currently do not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future on the shares of common stock. We intend to reinvest any earnings in the development and expansion of our business. Any cash dividends in the future to common stockholders will be payable when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors, based upon the Board’s assessment of:

·  
our financial condition;
·  
earnings;
·  
need for funds;

 
20

 

·  
capital requirements;
·  
prior claims of preferred stock to the extent issued and outstanding; and
·  
other factors, including any applicable laws.

Therefore, there can be no assurance that any dividends on the common stock will ever be paid.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

On September 1, 2012, we adopted the 2012 Stock Incentive Plan. We have reserved for issuance an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of common stock under our 2012 Stock Incentive Plan. To date, 4,000,000 options and no shares of common stock have been granted under this plan.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
In December 2013, the Company approved the issuance of 918,183 common stock shares for $505,000 cash for payment to investors whose funds were received in December 2013. The shares were issued during January 2014.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company did not repurchase any of its equity securities during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2013.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

This item is not applicable, as we are considered a smaller reporting company.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW AND OUTLOOK

Background

Citadel Exploration, Inc. is a development stage company incorporated in the State of Nevada in December of 2009.  On February 28, 2011, we entered into an agreement for the acquisition of 100% of the membership interest of Citadel Exploration, LLC (“CEL”), a California limited liability company.

On March 2, 2011, we changed our name from Subprime Advantage, Inc. to Citadel Explorations, Inc. in anticipation of the completion of the acquisition of 100% of all of the outstanding membership interest of CEL.  The acquisition of 100% of the outstanding membership interest of CEL was completed on May 3, 2011.  As a result of the completion of the acquisition, we are an oil and gas exploration company with operations in the Salinas and San Joaquin Basins of California.  As a result of completing the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding membership interest of CEL on May 3, 2011, our focus has been redirected to the oil and gas operations of CEL. We are now an oil and gas exploration, development and production company.

Our Operations

 
21

 


Our principal strategy is to focus on the acquisition of oil and natural gas mineral leases that have known hydrocarbons or are in close proximity to known hydrocarbons that have been underdeveloped. Once acquired, we strive to implement an accelerated development program utilizing capital resources, a regional operating focus, an experienced management and technical team, and enhanced recovery technologies to attempt to increase production and increase returns for our stockholders. Our oil and natural gas acquisition and development activities are currently focused in the State of California.

To date, the Yowlumne 2-26 well has recovered approximately 120 barrels of oil, which were sold to Kern Oil Refinery (“KOR”) in the fourth quarter of 2013, marking the Company’s first revenue.  The well then experienced some mechanical issues, and the Company is currently working with its engineers on additional workover and stimulation plans. The Company expects to commence workover operations upon receiving its permit for such operations from the DOGGR. In 2013, the State of California passed Senate Bill #4 (“SB 4”) which required additional disclosures regarding fracturing (“fracking”), and/or well stimulation. The Company has submitted an updated permit application to comply with this new regulation.

Citadel has also started permitting two additional exploration wells on the Yowlumne acreage and expects to receive those drilling permits in the third quarter of 2014, with drilling to commence in the fourth quarter of 2014.  Both of these exploration wells will be targeting the Stephens Sands at a depth of 12,000 to 14,000 feet.  Citadel currently has a 25% working interest in these exploration prospects and is the operator. Currently at Project Indian, we have drilled and completed our first well (Indian #1-15). We are currently waiting on a steam injection permit from the DOGGR, which we expect in the second quarter 2014. Upon receipt of permit, we will begin thermal injection under a method called cyclic steam injection. This method will consist of injecting steam for a period of 8 to 10 days, then allowing the steam to heat the reservoir for a period of 3 to 5 days, and then placing the well on production for approximately 15 to 20 days. This process will allow the Company to collect important data on how the reservoir is responding to steam. This data will be used to determine the wells steam to oil ratio, allowing the Company to understand the full cycle economics for this well and eventually the entire field. Starting in May of 2013, Citadel participated in three exploration wells at the Rancho Grande area, with a 20 to 22% non-operated working interest. Sojitz Energy Ventures of Houston was the operator. To date, the three exploration wells have not produced commercial quantities of oil. Citadel believes that these wells need further testing, however the operator has shifted its focus to deeper exploration targets in the same area, in which Citadel elected not to participate. Currently the joint venture partners are in negotiations on the next course of action at Rancho Grande, which we believe will be determined in the second quarter of 2014.

Going Concern

The financial statements included in this filing have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles that contemplate the continuance of the Company as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. However, the Company is in the exploration stage and, accordingly, has not generated any significant revenues from operations. As shown on the accompanying financial statements, the Company has incurred a net loss of $2,226,346 for the period from inception (November 6, 2006) to December 31, 2013. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The future of the Company is dependent upon its ability to obtain financing and upon future profitable operations from the development of its oil and gas business opportunities.

 
22

 


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For accounting purposes, the acquisition of Citadel Exploration, LLC by the Company has been recorded as a reverse acquisition of a public company and recapitalization of Citadel Exploration, LLC based on the factors demonstrating that Citadel Exploration, LLC represents the accounting acquirer.  The historic financial statements of Citadel Exploration, LLC and related entities, while historically presented as an LLC equity structure, have been retroactively presented as a corporation for comparability purposes.

During the year ended December 31, 2013 we generated $9,223 from the sale of oil. During the year ended December 31 2012, we did not generate revenue.

Operating expenses totaled $1,189,375 during the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to $449,642 in the prior year ended December 31, 2012, which included a $267,856 gain on the sale of oil and gas properties. Operating expenses primarily consisted of executive compensation, professional fees and general and administrative expenses in the year ended December 31, 2013.

General and administrative fees increased $92,610 from the year ended December 31, 2012 to the year ended December 31, 2013. This increase was primarily as a result of the insurance polices for the Company.

Professional fees increased $30,62 from the year ended December 31, 2012 to the year ended December 31, 2013. This increase was primarily as a result of consulting fees for services.

Executive compensation increased $246,196 from the year ended December 31, 2012 to the year ended December 31, 2013. This increase was primarily as a result of the fair value of the vested stock options that were granted as part of the employment agreements with two officers.

We incurred $85,335 of lease operating expense for the first time in the year ended December 31, 2013. This was a result of certain costs incurred in the field operations where drilling commenced.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company established a capital budget for 2014 of approximately $2,000,000 for Project Indian, Yowlumne and additional lease acquisitions. We may revise our capital budget during the year as a result of acquisitions and/or drilling outcomes or significant changes in cash flows.

As of December 31, 2013, we had $489,779 of current assets, of this amount $402,649 was cash. The following table provides detailed information about our net cash flow for all financial statement periods presented in this Annual Report. To date, we have financed our operations through the issuance of stock and borrowings.

The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

   
Years Ended
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Net cash used in operating activities
  $ (606,389 )   $ (406,395 )
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (1,227,189 )     289,811  
Net cash provided by financing activities
    2,123,647       227,919  
Net increase in cash
    290,069       111,335  
Cash, beginning of year
    112,580       1,245  
Cash, end of year
  $ 402,649     $ 112,580  


 
23

 


Investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $1,227,189 for the year ended December 31, 2013. The net cash provided by investing activities consisted primarily of purchase of oil and gas properties.

Financing activities

Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $2,123,647. The net cash provided by financing activities was mainly attributable to the proceeds from the sale of the Company’s common stock.

As of December 31, 2013, we continue to use traditional and/or debt financing as well as through the issuance of stock to provide the capital we need to run our business.

Without cash flow from operations we will require additional cash resources, including the sale of equity or debt securities, to meet our planned capital expenditures and working capital requirements for the next 12 months. We will require additional cash resources due to changed business conditions, implementation of our strategy to successfully develop our Shallow Indian Oil Development Project, or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. If our own financial resources and then current cash-flows from operations are insufficient to satisfy our capital requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain additional credit facilities. The sale of additional equity securities will result in dilution to our stockholders. The incurrence of indebtedness will result in increased debt service obligations and could require us to agree to operating and financial covenants that could restrict our operations or modify our plans to grow the business. Financing may not be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Any failure by us to raise additional funds on terms favorable to us, or at all, will limit our ability to expand our business operations and could harm our overall business prospects.

Our ability to obtain additional capital through additional equity and/or debt financing, and Joint Venture or Working Interest partnerships will also be important to our expansion plans. In the event we experience any significant problems assimilating acquired assets into our operations or cannot obtain the necessary capital to pursue our strategic plan, we may have to reduce the growth of our operations. This may materially impact our ability to increase revenue and continue our growth.

Contractual Obligations

An operating lease for rental office space was entered into beginning March 1, 2013 for two years at $2,150 per month. The original lease was amended to include additional space at a price of $1,100 per month for the same term.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of the date of this Report, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.

Operation Plan

 
24

 


Our plan is to focus on the acquisition and drilling of prospective oil and natural gas mineral leases. Once we have tested a prospect as productive, subject to availability of capital, we will implement a development program with a regional operating focus in order to increase production and increase returns for our stockholders. Exploration, acquisition and development activities are currently focused in California. Depending on availability of capital, and other constraints, our goal is to increase stockholder value by finding and developing oil and natural gas reserves at costs that provide an attractive rate of return on our investments.

We expect to achieve these results by:

 
Investing capital in exploration and development drilling and in secondary and tertiary recovery of oil as well as natural gas;

 
Using the latest technologies available to the oil and natural gas industry in our operations;

 
Finding additional oil and natural gas reserves on the properties we acquire.

In addition to raising additional capital we plan to take on Joint Venture (JV) or Working Interest (WI) partners who may contribute to the capital costs of drilling and completion and then share in revenues derived from production. This economic strategy may allow us to utilize our own financial assets toward the growth of our leased acreage holdings, pursue the acquisition of strategic oil and gas producing properties or companies and generally expand our existing operations.

Because of our limited operating history we have yet to generate any significant revenues from the sale of oil or natural gas. Our activities have been limited to raising capital, negotiating WI agreements, becoming a publicly traded company and preliminary analysis of reserves and production capabilities from our exploratory test wells.

Our future financial results will depend primarily on: (i) the ability to continue to source and screen potential projects; (ii) the ability to discover commercial quantities of natural gas and oil; (iii) the market price for oil and natural gas; and (iv) the ability to fully implement our exploration and development program, which is dependent on the availability of capital resources. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in any of these respects, that the prices of oil and gas prevailing at the time of production will be at a level allowing for profitable production, or that we will be able to obtain additional funding to increase our currently limited capital resources.

 
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

This item in not applicable as we are currently considered a smaller reporting company.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

See Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules appearing on page F-1 through F-16 of this Form 10-K.

 
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 
25

 


We have had no disagreements with our independent auditors on accounting or financial disclosures.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our Principal Executive Officer, Armen Nahabedian and Principal Financial Officer, Philip McPherson, have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based on their evaluation, they concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are not designed at a reasonable assurance level and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control, as is defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  These internal controls are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the reported financial information is presented fairly, that disclosures are adequate and that the judgments inherent in the preparation of financial statements are reasonable.  There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any system of internal controls, including the possibility of human error and overriding of controls.  Consequently, an effective internal control system can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance with respect to reporting financial information.

Our internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to maintaining records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the receipts and expenditures of company assets are made and in accordance with our management and directors authorization; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding the prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

Our internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to maintaining records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the receipts and expenditures of company assets are made and in accordance with our management and directors authorization; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding the prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

 
26

 


Management has undertaken an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria established in the Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”).  Based upon this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2013.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.  Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to the temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

 
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Directors and Executive Officers

The names of our directors and executive officers and their ages, positions, and biographies are set forth below. Our executive officers are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, our board of directors. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.

Name
Age
Title
Director Since
Armen Nahabedian
35
Chief Executive Officer, President & Director
8/9/2011
Daniel Szymanski
51
Chairman of the Board
5/3/2011
Philip J. McPherson
39
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, Treasurer & Director
9/1/2012
Jacob L. Barnhart
34
Director
5/3/2011
James Borgna
35
Director
5/3/2011

Armen Nahabedian, 35, President, Chief Executive Officer, and a Director: Mr. Nahabedian is a fourth generation oil and gas explorer in the state of California.  In 1999, Mr. Nahabedian joined the United States Marine Corp as an infantryman and reached the rank of Corporal (E-4) before serving in operation Iraqi Freedom and receiving an honorable discharge in 2003. Mr. Nahabedian immediately thereafter went to work in the oil fields of the South San Joaquin Valley for his family’s oil company, The Nahabedian Exploration Group.  After early success in his exploration efforts Mr. Nahabedian became a regional supervisor and managed the drilling operations for some of the deepest exploratory wells drilled in the state of California from 2004 through 2007.  In 2007, Mr. Nahabedian then joined The Nahabedian Exploration Group as a partner and supervised land acquisition efforts (over 750,000 acres leased or optioned) and prospect generation.  Mr. Nahabedian continued to act as an operational supervisor and in 2009, he became involved in business development and finance. Acting as the company’s primary fund raiser Mr. Nahabedian educated his self in public financing and securities and with the assistance of an experienced legal team formed Citadel Exploration, Inc. in 2011.

 
27

 


Daniel L. Szymanski, 51, Chairman of the Board:  Dan Szymanski comes to the board of Citadel Exploration, Inc. with over 20 years of industry experience, including exploration and production assignments with Tenneco and Chevron, and worldwide exploration with Occidental.  Dan served as Manager of Business Development, then Manager-Financial Planning and Analysis at Oxy's Headquarters in LA.  His final role at Oxy was Asset Manager for 42 oil and gas fields producing in California’s San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys.  Since 2008, Dan has been a consultant to the oil and gas industry and partner in a seismic data firm.  Mr. Szymanski has a Bachelors degree in Geology from the University of Wisconsin and a Masters in Geophysics from Purdue.

Philip J. McPherson, 39, Chief Financial Officer and Director: Mr. McPherson joined Citadel Exploration in September of 2012 with nearly two decades of experience in the capital markets and financial services sectors.  He started his career as a retail stock broker with Mission Capital in 1997 and became partner before it was acquired by oil and gas boutique C. K. Cooper & Company. At C.K. Cooper, Mr. McPherson was a research analyst specializing in small cap exploration & production companies.  In 2007, he joined Global Hunter Securities as a partner and managing director of the energy research group. During his Wall Street career, Mr. McPherson was presented the Wall Street Journal “Best on the Street” Award was named a Zack’s 5-Start Analyst for three consecutive years.  He is a recognized expert on California E&P firms. Mr. McPherson received his Bachelors in Economics from East Carolina University.

Jacob Barnhart, 34, Director: Mr. Barnhart has been working in the financial sector for the last four years as a financial advisor for Ameriprise.  Prior to receiving his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Seattle University, Jacob served four years in the United States Marine Corps and reached the rank of corporal.  Mr. Barnhart has a tremendous work ethic and prides himself on the leadership traits he obtained while serving his country.

James Borgna, 35, Director:  Mr. Borgna is a third generation oil and gas industry supplier and producer.  Mr. Borgna currently owns and operates KVOS LLC which supplies production facilities and process equipment in California.  Mr. Borgna specializes in scalable facilities that are fabricated work in-house.  Mr. Borgna has supervised the fabrication of oil and gas facilities for many of the major operators in the San Joaquin Basin.  Mr. Borgna gained valuable experience with project management, facilities design, and gained familiarity with permitting guidelines and restrictions. Prior to joining his family in the oil and gas industry Mr. Borgna served six years in the United States Navy and achieved the rank of E-5.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws both provide for the indemnification of our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by Nevada law.

Limitation of Liability of Directors

Pursuant to the Nevada General Corporation Law, our Articles of Incorporation exclude personal liability for our Directors for monetary damages based upon any violation of their fiduciary duties as Directors, except as to liability for any breach of the duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or any transaction from which a Director receives an improper personal benefit. This exclusion of liability does not limit any right which a Director may have to be indemnified and does not affect any Director’s liability under federal or applicable state securities laws. We have agreed to indemnify our directors against expenses, judgments, and amounts paid in settlement in connection with any claim against a Director if he acted in good faith and in a manner he believed to be in our best interests.

 
28

 


Election of Directors and Officers

Directors are elected to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified. Officers are appointed to serve until the meeting of the Board of Directors following the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), requires our executive officers and directors, and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our common stock, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC.  Executive officers, directors and greater-than-ten-percent beneficial owners are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.  Based upon a review of the copies of such forms furnished to us and written representations from our executive officers and directors, we believe that as of the date of this filing they were current in their filings.

Code of Ethics

A code of ethics relates to written standards that are reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:

(1)  
Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
(2)  
Full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that are filed with, or submitted to, the Commission and in other public communications made by an issuer;
(3)  
Compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations;
(4)  
The prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the code; and
(5)  
Accountability for adherence to the code.

We have not adopted a corporate code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions.

Our decision to not adopt such a code of ethics results from our having a small management for the Company.  We believe that the limited interaction which occurs having such a small management structure for the Company eliminates the current need for such a code, in that violations of such a code would be reported to the party generating the violation.

Corporate Governance

We currently do not have standing audit, nominating and compensation committees of the board of directors, or committees performing similar functions. Until formal committees are established, our entire board of directors, perform the same functions as an audit, nominating and compensation committee.

Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

 
29

 


To the best of our knowledge, none of our directors or executive officers has, during the past five years:

·  
been convicted in a criminal proceeding or been subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offences);
 
·  
had any bankruptcy petition filed by or against the business or property of the person, or of any partnership, corporation or business association of which he was a general partner or executive officer, either at the time of the bankruptcy filing or within two years prior to that time;
 
·  
been subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction or federal or state authority, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting, his involvement in any type of business, securities, futures, commodities, investment, banking, savings and loan, or insurance activities, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity;
 
·  
been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the SEC or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated;
 
·  
been the subject of, or a party to, any federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated (not including any settlement of a civil proceeding among private litigants), relating to an alleged violation of any federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation, any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease-and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order, or any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or
 
·  
been the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(26))), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1(a)(29))), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Overview of Compensation Program

We currently have not appointed members to serve on the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Until a formal committee is established, our entire Board of Directors has responsibility for establishing, implementing and continually monitoring adherence with the Company’s compensation philosophy. The Board of Directors ensures that the total compensation paid to the executives is fair, reasonable and competitive.

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

 
30

 


The Board of Directors believes that the most effective executive compensation program is one that is designed to reward the achievement of specific annual, long-term and strategic goals by the Company and that aligns executives’ interests with those of the stockholders by rewarding performance above established goals, with the ultimate objective of improving stockholder value. As a result of the size of the Company, the Board evaluates both performance and compensation on an informal basis. Upon hiring additional executives, the Board intends to establish a Compensation Committee to evaluate both performance and compensation to ensure that the Company maintains its ability to attract and retain superior employees in key positions and that compensation provided to key employees remains competitive relative to the compensation paid to similarly-situated executives of peer companies. To that end, the Board believes executive compensation packages provided by the Company to its executives, including the named executive officers, should include both cash and stock-based compensation that reward performance as measured against established goals.

Role of Executive Officers in Compensation Decisions

The Board of Directors makes all compensation decisions for, and approves recommendations regarding equity awards to, the executive officers and Directors of the Company. Decisions regarding the non-equity compensation of other employees of the Company are made by management.

Summary Compensation

During the year ended December 31, 2012, we entered into employment contracts with both our CEO and CFO on September 1, 2012.  The contract calls for each to receive a base salary of $10,000  per month for the first 12 months.  The base salary shall increase to $15,000 per month for the next 12 month period and then increase to $20,000 per month for the final 12 months of the three year contract. As of the date of the salary increase, the CEO and CFO have deferred payment of approximately $5,000 per month of salary. The CEO and CFO are also entitled to quarterly and annual bonuses upon reaching mutually agreeable objectives set by Employer and Employee. The CEO and CFO shall be entitled to receive and or participate in all benefit plans and programs of Employer currently existing or hereafter made available to executives and or senior management of the Employer.

Summary Compensation Table

The table below summarizes the total compensation paid to or earned by our Executive Officers, for the last two fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
 
 
 
 
Name and Principal Positions
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year
 
 
 
 
 
Salary
($)
 
 
 
 
 
Bonus
($)
 
 
 
 
Stock Awards
($)
 
 
 
 
Option Awards
($)
 
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compen-sation
($)
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings
($)
 
 
All Other Compen-sation
($)
 
 
 
 
 
Total
($)
Armen Nahabedian,
2013
140,000
-0-
-0-
74,997
-0-
-0-
-0-
214,997
Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director (1)
2012
40,000
-0-
-0-
74,997
-0-
-0-
-0-
114,997
                   
Philip McPherson
2013
140,000
-0-
-0
74,997
-0-
-0-
-0-
214,997
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, Treasurer, and Director (2)
2012
40,000
-0-
-0
74,997
-0-
-0-
-0-
114,997
                   
(1)  
Mr. Nahabedian was appointed Chief Executive Officer, President, and a Director of the Company on August 9, 2011.
(2)  
Mr. McPherson was appointed Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, Treasurer, and a Director of the Company on September 1, 2012.

 
31

 


Termination of Employment

Pursuant to the terms of the employment contracts for the company’s CEO and CFO, in the event of a change of control the CEO and CFO are entitled to two years of current monthly salary and two years of medical insurance.  Additionally all unvested stock options immediately vest.

Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year

Both the CEO and CFO were granted 2,000,000 stock options at $0.20 in September of 2012. Of these options, 500,000 vested immediately and the balance vest on a three year term of 500,000 each year.

Director Compensation

As a result of having limited resources we do not currently have an established compensation package for our board members.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The following table sets forth information, to the best of our knowledge, about the beneficial ownership of our common stock on March 1, 2014 relating to the beneficial ownership of our common stock by those persons known to beneficially own more than 5% of our capital stock and by our directors and executive officers.  The percentage of beneficial ownership for the following table is based on 29,714,000 shares of common stock outstanding.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and does not necessarily indicate beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under these rules, beneficial ownership includes those shares of common stock over which the stockholder has sole or shared voting or investment power. The percentage ownership of the outstanding common stock, however, is based on the assumption, expressly required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, that only the person or entity whose ownership is being reported has converted options or warrants into shares of our common stock.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
 
 
Title of Class
 
 
Name and address of Beneficial Owner(1)
 
 
Number
Of Shares
 
Percent Beneficially Owned
           
Common
Armen Nahabedian, Chief Executive Officer, President & Director
 
4,421,500
 
15.0%
Common
Daniel L. Szymanski, Chairman of the Board
 
250,000
 
1.0%
Common
Philip J. McPherson, CFO & Director
 
2,030,000
 
7.0%
Common
Jacob L. Barnhart, Director
 
200,000
 
0.9%
Common
James Borgna, Director
 
200,000
 
0.9%
Common
Vahagn Nahabedian
 
4,000,000
 
13.0%
           
           
 
All Beneficial Owners as a Group
 
11,101,500
 
38.0%
(1)  
As used in this table, “beneficial ownership” means the sole or shared power to vote, or to direct the voting of, a security, or the sole or shared investment power with respect to a security (i.e., the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, a security).  Each Parties’ address is care of the Company at 417 31st St. Unit A, Newport Beach, CA 92663

 
32

 


ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Transactions with Related Persons

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company made the following purchases from entities considered related parties; $20,136 of capital expenditures, $6,304 of geological and geophysical expense, and $3,357 of consulting expense.

Additionally, during 2013, the Company paid off all related party notes payable and related interest outstanding at December 31, 2012.

Promoters and Certain Control Persons

We did not have any promoters at any time since our inception in December 2009.

Director Independence

We currently have three independent  directors, as the term “independent” is defined in Section 803A of the NYSE Amex LLC Company Guide. Since the OTCQB does not have rules regarding director independence, the Board makes its determination as to director independence based on the definition of “independence” as defined under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and American Stock Exchange (“Amex”).

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

(1) AUDIT FEES

Audit and Non-Audit Fees

The following table sets forth the fees paid or accrued by us for the audit and other services provided by De Joya Griffith & Company, LLC for the audit of our annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

         
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2013
   
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2012
 
                   
Audit Fees(1)
  $       $ 22,500     $ 21,800  
Audit-Related Fees
          $ -       -  
Tax Fees
          $ -       -  
All Other Fees
          $ -       -  
Total
  $       $ 22,500     $ 21,800  
                         
(1)  
Audit Fees: This category represents fees for professional services provided in connection with the audit of our financial statements and review of our quarterly financial statements.

(2) AUDIT-RELATED FEES

None.

 
33

 


(3) TAX FEES

None.

(4) ALL OTHER FEES

None.

(5) AUDIT COMMITTEE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

We do not have an audit committee.

(6) If greater than 50 percent, disclose the percentage of hours expended on the principal accountant's engagement to audit the registrant's financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant's full-time, permanent employees.

Not applicable.

 
34

 


PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)  
We have filed the following documents as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

1.  
The financial statements listed in the "Index to Financial Statements" at page are filed as part of this report.

2.  
Financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

3.  
Exhibits included or incorporated herein: See index to Exhibits.

Exhibit Index

     
Incorporated by reference
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description
Filed
herewith
Form
Period
ending
Exhibit
Filing date
3(i)(a)
Articles of Incorporation of Citadel Exploration, Inc.
 
S-1
 
3(i)(a)
2/11/10
3(i)(b)
Certificate of Amendment – Name Change – Dated March 3, 2011
 
8-K
 
3(i)(b)
3/10/11
3(i)(c)
Certificate of Change – Dated March 3, 2011
 
8-K
 
3(i)(c)
3/10/11
3(ii)(a)
Bylaws of Citadel Exploration, Inc.
 
S-1
 
3(ii)(a)
2/11/10
10.1
Membership Purchase Agreement and Plan of Reorganization– Dated February 28, 2011
 
8-K
 
2.1
3/31/11
10.2
Addendum No. 1 to Membership Purchase Agreement and Plan of Reorganization – Dated April 27, 2011
 
8-K
 
2.2
5/3/11
10.3
Letter Agreement – Dated February 22, 2012
 
8-K
 
10.1
3/22/12
10.4
Bridge Loan Agreement
 
8-K
 
10.4
4/4/14
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
X
       
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
X
       
32.1
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
X
       
32.2
Certifications of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
X
       
99.2
Presentation – Dated November 10, 2011
 
8-K
   
EEX. 99.2
111/15/12
101.INS**
XBRL Instance Document
X
       
101.SCG**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
X
       
101.CAL**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
X
       
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
X
       
101.LAB**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
X
       
101.PRE**
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
X
       
 
**
XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
 


 
35

 


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused the report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.


By:  /S/ Armen Nahabedian                                                                    
       Armen Nahabedian, President

Date: April 14, 2014

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 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/ Armen Nahabedian
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer), President, and Director
April 14, 2014
Armen Nahabedian
   
     
/S/ Philip J. McPherson
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) Secretary, Treasurer,  and Director
April 14, 2014
Philip J. McPherson
   
     
/S/ Daniel L. Szymanski
Chairman of the Board
April 14, 2014
Daniel L. Szymanski
   
     
/S/ Jacob L. Barnhart
Director
April 14, 2014
Jacob L. Barnhart
   
     
/S/ James Borgna
Director
April 14, 2014
James Borgna
   


 
36

 


CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2013 AND 2012

 
PAGES
   
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
F-1
   
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
F-2
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
F-3
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
F-4
   
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
F-6
   
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-7 – F-16




 
37

 

Office Locations
 Las Vegas, NV
  New York, NY
    Pune, India
  Beijing, China
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Citadel Exploration, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Citadel Exploration, Inc and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity(deficit), and cash flows for the years then ended and for the period from inception (November 26, 2013) through December 31, 2013. 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 the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Citadel Exploration, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended and for the period from inception (November 26, 2013) through December 31, 2013, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations, which raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans regarding these matters are also described in Note 2. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.


/s/ De Joya Griffith, LLC
Henderson, Nevada
April 9, 2014

 
 
 

F-1

 
 

 


 
CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
 
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(AUDITED)
 
             
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash
  $ 402,649     $ 112,580  
Other receivable
    40,660       7,253  
Prepaid expenses
    41,589       9,283  
Product inventory
    4,881       -  
Total current assets
    489,779       129,116  
    Deposits
    4,000       -  
    Restricted cash
    45,000       -  
    Oil and gas properties
    1,373,363       159,833  
    Fixed assets, net
    12,633       20,948  
       Total assets
  $ 1,924,775     $ 309,897  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  $ 435,332     $ 102,438  
Accrued interest payable
    8,316       14,824  
Notes payable, net
    314,134       257,517  
Total current liabilities
    757,782       374,779  
Asset retirement obligation
    31,407       -  
       Total liabilities
    789,189       374,779  
                 
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
               
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares
               
authorized, 28,949,823 and 22,613,000 shares issued and oustanding
               
as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively
    28,950       22,613  
Additional paid-in capital
    3,332,982       740,352  
Deficit accumulated during development stage
    (2,226,346 )     (827,847 )
       Total stockholders' equity (deficit)
    1,135,586       (64,882 )
       Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)
  $ 1,924,775     $ 309,897  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-2

 
 

 


CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
 
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
(AUDITED)
 
                   
               
Inception
 
   
For the years
   
(November 6, 2006)
 
   
ended
   
to
 
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
 
                   
Revenue
  $ 9,223     $ -     $ 9,223  
                         
Operating expenses:
                       
Lease operating expense
    85,335       -       85,335  
Geological and geophysical expense
    6,304       -       6,304  
General and administrative
    295,094       202,484       562,036  
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
    8,381       3,732       12,380  
Professional fees
    318,071       287,449       758,828  
Executive compensation
    476,190       229,994       706,184  
Gain on sale of interest in oil & gas properties
    -       (267,856 )     (267,856 )
Gain on settlement of accounts payable
    -       (6,161 )     (6,161 )
Total operating expenses
    1,189,375       449,642       1,857,050  
Other expenses:
                       
Interest expense
    (216,748 )     (146,350 )     (369,490 )
Total other expenses
    (216,748 )     (146,350 )     (369,490 )
                         
Net loss before provision for income taxes
    (1,396,899 )     (595,992 )     (2,217,317 )
                         
Provision for income taxes
    1,600       1,600       9,029  
                         
Net loss
  $ (1,398,499 )   $ (597,592 )   $ (2,226,346 )
                         
Weighted average number of common shares
    27,484,783       22,613,000          
outstanding - basic
                       
                         
Net loss per share - basic
  $ (0.05 )   $ (0.03 )        

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-3

 
 

 


CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(AUDITED)
                         
                   
 Deficit
   
                   
 Accumulated
   
           
 Additional
     
 During
 
 Total
   
Common Shares
 
 Paid-In
 
 Stock
 
 Exploration
 
 Stockholders'
   
 Shares
 
 Amount
 
 Capital
 
 Payable
 
 Stage
 
 Equity (Deficit)
Balance, November 6, 2006
 
                -
 
$            -
 
$               -
 
$                 -
 
$                 -
 
$                 -
December 2006
                       
Member contribution
 
14,000,000
 
14,000
 
 (13,600)
 
               -
 
-
 
400
Net loss
 
                -
 
              -
 
               -
 
                 -
 
            (805)
 
               (805)
                         
Balance, December 31, 2006
 
 14,000,000
 
  14,000
 
  (13,600)
 
                  -
 
             (805)
 
               (405)
December 2007
                       
Member contribution
 
                -
 
              -
 
      40,800
 
                  -
 
                    -
 
            40,800
Net loss
 
                -
 
              -
 
               -
 
                  -
 
         (1,140)
 
            (1,140)
                         
Balance, December 31, 2007
 
 14,000,000
 
   14,000
 
      27,200
 
                  -
 
         (1,945)
 
            39,255
December 2008
                       
Member contribution
 
                -
 
              -
 
    12,000
 
                 -
 
                    -
 
             12,000
December 2008
                       
Member distribution
 
                -
 
              -
 
   (10,000)
 
                -
 
                    -
 
         (10,000)
Net loss
 
                -
 
              -
 
               -
 
                 -
 
          (1,943)
 
            (1,943)
                         
Balance, December 31, 2008
 
14,000,000
 
     14,000
 
   29,200
 
                  -
 
         (3,888)
 
       39,312

F-4

 
 

 


 
December 2009
                       
Member contribution
 
                -
 
      -
 
    43,093
 
             -
 
                    -
 
          43,093
Net loss
 
                -
 
            -
 
               -
 
                 -
 
          (1,082)
 
           (1,082)
                         
Balance, December 31, 2009
 
14,000,000
 
   14,000
 
      72,293
 
                  -
 
          (4,970)
 
           81,323
Net loss
 
                -
 
             -
 
               -
 
                 -
 
            (800)
 
              (800)
                         
Balance, December 31, 2010
 
 14,000,000
 
   14,000
 
      72,293
 
                  -
 
          (5,770)
 
           80,523
March 2011
                       
Member contribution
 
                -
 
             -
 
      27,761
 
                -
 
                    -
 
           27,761
May 2011
                       
Recapitalization
 
6,200,000
 
    6,200
 
  (35,465)
 
                -
 
                    -
 
         (29,265)
Issuance of common stock for cash
 
     20,000
 
          20
 
      15,980
 
        34,000
 
                    -
 
          50,000
October 2011
                       
Issuance of common stock for services
 
  100,000
 
        100
 
      79,900
 
                 -
 
                    -
 
           80,000
December 2011
                       
Donated capital
 
                -
 
             -
 
      489
 
                -
 
                    -
 
            489
Net loss
 
                -
 
             -
 
               -
 
                -
 
      (224,485)
 
(224,485)
                         
Balance, December 31, 2011
 
 20,320,000
 
    20,320
 
   160,958
 
       34,000
 
     (230,255)
 
        (14,977)
January 2012
                       
Donated capital
 
                -
 
             -
 
         980
 
                 -
 
                    -
 
                980
May 2012
                       
Issuance of common stock for stock payable
 
   42,500
 
          43
 
  33,957
 
  (34,000)
 
                    -
 
                    -
July 2012
                       
Forgiveness of debt with related party
 
                -
 
            -
 
    50,953
 
                 -
 
                    -
 
           50,953
July 2012
                       
Issuance of common stock for services
 
  250,500
 
        250
 
   48,180
 
                -
 
                    -
 
           48,430
September 2012
                       
Issuance of stock options for employment agreements
 
                -
 
             -
 
  149,994
 
                 -
 
                    -
 
         149,994
September 2012
                       
Issuance of common stock for cash
 
   2,000,000
 
     2,000
 
    78,000
 
               -
 
                    -
 
           80,000
November 2012
                       
Issuance of warrants as part of note payable
 
                -
 
             -
 
    217,330
 
                -
 
                    -
 
         217,330
Net loss
 
                -
 
             -
 
               -
 
                  -
 
      (597,592)
 
      (597,592)
                         
Balance, December 31, 2012
 
 22,613,000
 
    22,613
 
    740,352
 
                  -
 
     (827,847)
 
         (64,882)
February 2013
                       
Issuance of common stock for cash
 
4,186,000
 
4,186
 
1,419,054
 
        -
 
                    -
 
1,423,240
February 2013
                       
Issuance of common stock for settlement of note payable
and accrued interest
 
912,640
 
913
 
331,885
 
                    -
 
                    -
 
332,798
February 2013
                       
Issuance of common stock for services, net of cost
 
     320,000
 
320
 
103,149
 
         -
 
                    -
 
103,469
September 2013
                       
Issuance of warrants as part of notes payable
 
         -
 
-
 
56,283
 
-
 
                    -
 
56,283
October 2013
                       
Issuance of warrants as part of notes payable
 
    -
 
-
 
37,467
 
-
 
                    -
 
37,467
December 2013
                       
Issuance of common stock for cash, net of cost
 
918,183
 
918
 
 494,798
 
-
 
                    -
 
495,716
2013
                             
Stock option compensation expense for employment agreements
 
                -
 
-
 
149,994
 
                  -
 
                    -
 
149,994
Net loss
 
          -
 
       -
 
                -
 
                -
 
   (1,398,499)
 
     (1,398,499)
Balance, December 31, 2013
 
28,949,8233
 
$28,950
 
$ 3,332,982
 
 $          -
 
$        (2,226,346)
 
 $     1,135,586
                         
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-5

 
 

 

CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
 
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
(AUDITED)
 
               
Inception
 
   
For the years
   
(November 6, 2006)
 
   
ended
   
to
 
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                 
Net loss
  $ (1,398,499 )   $ (597,592 )   $ (2,226,346 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss
                       
to net cash used in operating activities:
                       
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
    8,381       3,732       12,380  
Amortization of prepaid stock compensation
    -       60,000       80,000  
Amortization of debt discount
    178,267       132,813       311,080  
Non cash interest expense
    22,500       -       22,500  
Gain on sale of interest in oil & gas properties
    -       (267,856 )     (267,856 )
Gain on settlement of accounts payable
    -       (6,161 )     (6,161 )
Stock based compensation expense
    149,994       149,994       299,988  
Shares issued for consulting
    116,000       48,430       164,430  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
Increase in other receivable
    (33,407 )     (7,253 )     (40,660 )
Decrease in prepaid expenses
    32,871       7,381       23,587  
Increase in product inventory
    (4,881 )     -       (4,881 )
Decrease in deposits
    (4,000 )     -       (4,000 )
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    332,894       59,704       471,042  
Increase in accrued interest payable
    (6,508 )     10,413       8,316  
Net cash used in operating activities
    (606,389 )     (406,395 )     (1,156,581 )
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                       
Purchase oil and gas properties
    (1,182,189 )     (36,617 )     (1,424,166 )
Proceeds from sale of interest in oil & gas properties
    -       350,000       350,000  
Purchase fixed assets
    -       (23,572 )     (23,572 )
Restricted cash
    (45,000 )     -       (45,000 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (1,227,189 )     289,811       (1,144,113 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                       
Increase/ (decrease) in overdraft from trust account
    -       (286 )     -  
Member contributions
    -       980       105,523  
Member distribution
    -       -       10,000  
Proceeds from sale of common stock, net of costs
    1,906,425       80,000       2,036,425  
Proceeds from notes payable
    300,000       331,326       818,274  
Repayments for notes payable
    (82,778 )     (184,101 )     (266,879 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
    2,123,647       227,919       2,703,343  
                         
NET CHANGE IN CASH
    290,069       111,335       402,649  
                         
CASH AT BEGINNING OF YEAR
    112,580       1,245       -  
                         
CASH AT END OF YEAR
  $ 402,649     $ 112,580     $ 402,649  
                         
                         
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
                       
Interest paid
  $ (3,200 )   $ -     $ (3,200 )
Income taxes paid
  $ (3,200 )   $ -     $ (3,200 )
                         
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Liabilities assumed with the acquisition of Citadel Exploration, LLC
  $ -     $ -     $ 29,265  
Shares issued for prepaid stock compensation
  $ -     $ -     $ 80,000  
Financing of prepaid insurance
  $ 65,176     $ 14,963     $ 79,870  
Forgiveness of debt due to related party
  $ -     $ 50,953     $ 50,953  
Issuance of common stock for settlement of note payable and accrued interest
  $ 310,298     $ -     $ 310,298  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-6

 
 

 


CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
 (AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(AUDITED)

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Organization
Citadel Exploration, Inc. ("Citadel Inc") was incorporated on December 17, 2009 in the State of Nevada originally under the name Subprime Advantage, Inc.  On March 2, 2011, the Company changed its name from Subprime Advantage, Inc. to Citadel Exploration, Inc.

On May 3, 2011, Citadel Inc completed the acquisition of 100% interest in Citadel Exploration, LLC, a California limited liability company, ("Citadel LLC") pursuant to a Membership Purchase Agreement (the "MPA").  Under the MPA, Citadel Inc issued 14,000,000 shares of the its common stock an individual in exchange for a 100% interest in Citadel LLC.  Additionally under the MPA, the former officers and directors of Citadel Inc agreed to cancel 7,696,000 shares of its common stock.  For accounting purposes, the acquisition of the Citadel LLC by Citadel Inc has been accounted for as a recapitalization, similar to a reverse acquisition except no goodwill is recorded, whereby the private company, Citadel LLC, in substance acquired a non-operational public company (Citadel Inc) with nominal assets and liabilities for the purpose of becoming a public company.   Accordingly, Citadel LLC are considered the acquirer for accounting purposes and thus, the historical financials are primarily that of Citadel LLC.  As a result of this transaction, Citadel Inc changed its business direction and is now involved in the acquisition and development of oil and gas resources in California.  Citadel LLC was incorporated on November 6, 2006 (Date of Inception) and accordingly, the accompanying financial statements are from the Date of Inception of Citadel LLC through ending reporting periods reflected.

The Company has not commenced any significant operations and, in accordance with ASC Topic 915, the Company is considered an exploration stage company.

The financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America applicable to exploration stage enterprises, and are expressed in U.S. dollars. The Company’s fiscal year end is December 31.

Principles of consolidation
For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Citadel Exploration, Inc. and Citadel Exploration, LLC.   All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.   Citadel Exploration, Inc. and Citadel Exploration, LLC will be collectively referred herein to as the “Company”.

Nature of operations
Currently, the Company is focused on the acquisition and development of oil and gas resources in California.  The Company has not yet found oil and gas resources in commercially exploitable quantities and is engaged in exploring land in an effort to discover them.  The Company has been in the exploration stage since its formation and has not realized significant revenues from its planned principal operations.

Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management 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 the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.


F-7

 
 

 


CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
 (AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(AUDITED)

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Fair value of financial instruments
Fair value estimates discussed herein are based upon certain market assumptions and pertinent information available to management as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. The respective carrying value of certain on-balance-sheet financial instruments approximated their fair values. These financial instruments include cash, prepaid expenses and accounts payable. Fair values were assumed to approximate carrying values for cash and payables because they are short term in nature and their carrying amounts approximate fair values or they are payable on demand.

Level 1: The preferred inputs to valuation efforts are “quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities,” with the caveat that the reporting entity must have access to that market.  Information at this level is based on direct observations of transactions involving the same assets and liabilities, not assumptions, and thus offers superior reliability. However, relatively few items, especially physical assets, actually trade in active markets.

Level 2: FASB acknowledged that active markets for identical assets and liabilities are relatively uncommon and, even when they do exist, they may be too thin to provide reliable information. To deal with this shortage of direct data, the board provided a second level of inputs that can be applied in three situations.

Level 3: If inputs from levels 1 and 2 are not available, FASB acknowledges that fair value measures of many assets and liabilities are less precise. The board describes Level 3 inputs as “unobservable,” and limits their use by saying they “shall be used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available.” This category allows “for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date”. Earlier in the standard, FASB explains that “observable inputs” are gathered from sources other than the reporting company and that they are expected to reflect assumptions made by market participants.

Fixed assets
The Company records all property and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation.  Improvements are capitalized while repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.  Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the assets or the lease term, whichever is shorter.  Leasehold improvements include the cost of the Company’s internal development and construction department.  Depreciation periods are as follows:

Vehicles                                           3 years

The Company capitalizes the costs associated with the development of the Company’s website pursuant to ASC Topic 350.  Other costs related to the maintenance of the website are expensed as incurred.  Amortization is provided over the estimated useful lives of three years using the straight-line method for financial statement purposes.  The Company has commenced amortization upon completion of the Company’s fully operational website.


F-8

 
 

 


CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
 (AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(AUDITED)

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Stock-based compensation
The Company records stock based compensation in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 505 and 718 which requires the Company to recognize expenses related to the fair value of its employee stock option awards.  This eliminates accounting for share-based compensation transactions using the intrinsic value and requires instead that such transactions be accounted for using a fair-value-based method. The Company recognizes the cost of all share-based awards on a graded vesting basis over the vesting period of the award. 
 
The Company accounts for equity instruments issued in exchange for the receipt of goods or services from other than employees in accordance with FASB ASC 718-10 and the conclusions reached by the FASB ASC 505-50. Costs are measured at the estimated fair market value of the consideration received or the estimated fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. The value of equity instruments issued for consideration other than employee services is determined on the earliest of a performance commitment or completion of performance by the provider of goods or services as defined by FASB ASC 505-50.

Earnings per share
The Company follows ASC Topic 260 to account for the earnings per share. Basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) calculations are determined by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share calculations are determined by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive common share equivalents outstanding. During periods when common stock equivalents, if any, are anti-dilutive they are not considered in the computation.

Oil and gas properties
Effective, January 1, 2013, the Company changed its policy to successful efforts. The Company evaluated the impact on the prior periods and there were no material changes to the balance sheet as a result of the change in accounting policy. During the quarter ended December 31, 2012, the Company expensed $23,768 of geological and geophysical costs in anticipation of the change in accounting policy. Under the successful efforts method, oil and gas property costs are initially capitalized with the intent to establish commercially viable reserves. Expenditures to acquire mineral interests in oil and gas properties and to drill and equip exploratory wells are capitalized until the well is complete and the results have been evaluated. If, following the evaluation, the exploratory well has not found proved reserves, the previously capitalized costs are evaluated for derecognition or tested for impairment.  Geological and geophysical costs and other exploration expenditures are expensed as incurred.

The Company is required to make estimates and judgments about future events and circumstances regarding the future economic viability of extracting the underlying resources. Changes to project economics, resource quantities, expected production techniques, unsuccessful drilling, expired mineral leases, production costs and required capital expenditures are important factors when making this determination. To the extent a judgment is made, that the underlying reserves are not viable, the oil and gas property costs will be impaired and charged to net earnings.

Cash and cash equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with maturity of three months or less at the time of issuance to be cash equivalents.

Restricted cash
The Company has two bonds at financial institutions to meet financial bonding requirements in the state of California.  As of December 31, 2013, the restricted cash totaled $45,000.



F-9

 
 

 


CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
 (AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(AUDITED)

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Debt discount
The Company records debt discount as a contra liability account and is presented net of the associated note payable. The discount was amortized over the life on the note payable using the straight line method because the straight line method approximates the effective interest method.

Revenue recognition
The Company recognizes oil and natural gas revenues from our interests in producing wells when production is delivered to, and title has transferred to, the purchaser and to the extent the selling price is reasonably determinable.

Asset retirement obligation
ARO reflects the estimated present value of the amount of dismantlement, removal, site reclamation and similar activities associated with the Company's oil and natural gas properties. Inherent in the fair value calculation of the ARO are numerous assumptions and judgments including the ultimate settlement amounts, inflation factors, credit adjusted discount rates, timing of settlement and changes in the legal, regulatory, environmental and political environments.

Income taxes
The Company follows ASC Topic 740 for recording the provision for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are computed based upon the difference between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities using the enacted marginal tax rate applicable when the related asset or liability is expected to be realized or settled. Deferred income tax expenses or benefits are based on the changes in the asset or liability each period. If available evidence suggests that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is required to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Future changes in such valuation allowance are included in the provision for deferred income taxes in the period of change.

Deferred income taxes may arise from temporary differences resulting from income and expense items reported for financial accounting and tax purposes in different periods. Deferred taxes are classified as current or non-current, depending on the classification of assets and liabilities to which they relate. Deferred taxes arising from temporary differences that are not related to an asset or liability are classified as current or non-current depending on the periods in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. The net operating loss carryfoward for the year ended December 31, 2013 is $2,226,346 and the deferred tax asset is $779,220. The Company maintains a full valuation allowance for the deferred tax asset of $779,220.

The Company applies a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold for all tax uncertainties. ASC Topic 740 only allows the recognition of those tax benefits that have a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company reviewed its tax positions and determined there were no outstanding, or retroactive tax positions with less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, therefore this standard has not had a material effect on the Company.
 
The Company does not anticipate any significant changes to its total unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months. 

The Company classifies tax-related penalties and net interest as income tax expense. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, $1,600 and $1,600 of income tax expense has been recorded.

Recent pronouncements
The Company has evaluated the recent accounting pronouncements through March 2014 and believes that none of them will have a material effect on the company’s financial statements.


F-10

 
 

 


CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
 (AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(AUDITED)

NOTE 2 – GOING CONCERN
 
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the recoverability of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As noted above, the Company is in the development stage and, accordingly, has not yet generated revenues from operations. Since its inception, the Company has been engaged substantially in financing activities and developing its business plan and incurring start up costs and expenses. As a result, the Company incurred accumulated net losses from Inception (November 6, 2006) through the period ended December 31, 2013 of $2,226,346. In addition, the Company’s development activities since inception have been financially sustained through debt and equity financing.
 
The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to raise additional capital from the sale of common stock and, ultimately, the achievement of significant operating revenues. These financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts, or amounts and classification of liabilities that might result from this uncertainty.

NOTE 3 – PREPAID INSURANCE

As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had prepaid insurance totaling $36,589 and $9,283, respectively.  The prepaid insurance will be expensed on a straight line basis over the remaining life of the insurance policy.  During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded $47,681 and $21,871 of insurance expenses.

NOTE 4 – OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES

The costs capitalized in oil and gas properties as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:

   
2013
   
2012
 
Exploration
  $ 1,373,363     $ 159,833  

Project Indian
On January 31, 2009, the Company entered into an oil, gas and mineral lease in San Benito County, California with an unrelated third party for the right to develop and operate the leased premises for an initial term of three years. The lease will continue as long as the Company continues actual drilling operations and continued development. The Company is obligated to pay royalties to the unrelated third party on oil and gas from all wells on the leased premises, and the royalty is a total of 20% of the market value. On February 1, 2012, the Company renegotiated this oil, gas and mineral lease for an additional minimum term of two years. The terms of the renegotiated lease are substantially the same as the original lease disclosed above. On February 1, 2013, the Company paid the final amount due to the mineral owner for this lease.

On February 22, 2012, the Company sold 40% of its interest in the property disclosed above in exchange for $350,000 to its joint venture partner. The Company recorded a gain on the sale of the partial interest totaling $267,856. Drilling commenced on this property in January 2014, see Subsequent Event footnote.

Per ASC 932, these wells qualify as exploratory wells and review of the capitalized costs incurred to prove up reserves must to be evaluated in the period of one year after the completion of the drilling date.

F-11

 
 

 


CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
 (AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(AUDITED)

NOTE 4 – OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES (CONTINUED)

The following table reflects the net changes in capitalized exploratory well costs that have been capitalized for a period of one year or less since completion of drilling during as of December 31, 2013:

   
2013
Beginning balance at January 1
 
$
159,833
Additions to capitalized exploratory well costs pending the determination of proved reserves
   
1,182,189
Asset retirement obligation
   
31,341
Reclassifications to wells, facilities and equipment based on the determination of proved reserves
   
-
 
Capitalized exploratory well costs charged to expense
   
-
 
Ending balance at December 31
 
$
1,373,363

Yowlumne
In May 2013, the Company entered into a one year lease for approximately 3,000 acres from AERA Energy, LLC. This acreage has been mapped using a combination of both 2D and 3D seismic, and is in close proximity to the Yowlumne oil field in Kern County, California. The Company is obligated to pay royalties to AERA Energy, LLC on oil and gas from all wells on the leased premises, and the royalty is a total of 20% of the market value. In August of 2013, the Company entered into an agreement to sell 75% of the interest in the Yowlumne lease, recouping approximately 85% of its cost, while retaining a 25% interest in the lease and operatorship.  Additionally, as part of this transaction, the Company retained 100% interest in the Yowlumne #2 well, which was originally drilled in 2007. After performing a workover job on this well, it has produced approximately 120 barrels of oil which were sold in December 2013. As of year end 2013, the well had produced approximately 50 barrels of oil which were stored in a tank and valued at net realizable value on the balance sheet as product inventory.

Wreden Ranch
The Company has not been successful in obtaining  permits needed to move forward on the project from the County of San Luis Obispo and has decided not to pursue this project any further, therefore the capital leasehold cost incurred of $13,290 was expensed as consulting expense during 2013.

NOTE 5 – FIXED ASSETS

Fixed assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:

   
2013
   
2012
 
Vehicle
  $ 23,572     $ 23,572  
Website
    1,375       1,375  
Less: Accumulated depreciation
    (12,314 )     (3,999 )
    $ 12,633     $ 20,948  

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $8,315 and $3,732.

F-12

 
 

 



CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
 (AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(AUDITED)

NOTE 6 – NOTES PAYABLE

Notes payable consists of the following at:
   
December 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
Note payable to an entity owned and controlled by an officer, director and shareholder, line of credit to borrow up to $100,000, unsecured, 4% interest, due upon demand
 
$                      -
 
$            32,240
Note payable to a director, unsecured, due upon demand, 0% interest
 
  -
 
2,750
Note payable to an individual, line of credit to borrow up to $100,000, unsecured, 10% interest, due upon demand
 
                        -
 
          55,298
Three notes payable to individuals, 10% interest, due January 1, 2014
 
300,000
 
-
Three notes payable to an entity for the financing of insurance premiums, unsecured; 14% interest, due December 2013; 14% interest, due February 2014; 11% interest, due August 2014
 
14,134
 
1,746
Note payable to an individual, personally guaranteed by shares of the Company which are owned by an officer, 12% interest, due on the earlier of February 2013 or the Company raising in excess of $1,000,000
 
-
 
250,000
Debt discount for 300,000 warrants issued with notes payable
 
-
 
(84,517)
         
   
$        314,134
 
$        257,517

Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $216,748. Of that amount $15,980 relates to notes payable and insurance financing and $200,768 is amortization of debt discount. Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $10,744.

The Company settled all related party notes payable of $34,990 during the first quarter of 2013. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company repaid a total of $122,700 to reduce balances due under notes payable to entities owned and controlled by an officer, director and shareholder.

NOTE 7 – ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION

The Company's ARO relates to future costs associated with the plugging and abandonment of oil and natural gas wells, removal of equipment facilities from leased acreage and land restoration in accordance with applicable local, state and federal laws. The discounted fair value of an ARO liability is required to be recognized in the period in which it is incurred, with the associated asset retirement cost capitalized as part of the carrying cost of the oil and natural gas asset. In periods subsequent to the initial measurement of the ARO, the Company must recognize period-to-period changes in the liability resulting from the passage of time and revisions to either the timing or the amount of the original estimate of undiscounted cash flows. Increases in the ARO liability due to the passage of time impact net earnings as accretion expense. The related capital cost, including revisions thereto, is charged to expense through DD&A—oil and natural gas production over the life of the oil and natural gas field.

F-13

 
 

 


CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
 (AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(AUDITED)

NOTE 7 – ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION (CONTINUED)

In October 2013, the Company announced its first oil production on the Yowlumne 2-26 well and therefore an asset retirement obligation was recorded to on this well as follows.

   
2013
 
Beginning asset retirement obligation
  $ -  
Liabilities acquired from property acquisition
    31,341  
Accretion expense
    66  
Ending asset retirement obligation
  $ 31,407  
         
NOTE 8 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
 
The Company is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of its $0.001 par value common stock.

In February 2013, the Company issued 4,186,000 shares of restricted common stock for cash consideration of $1,423,240 or $0.34 per share, less issuance cost of $12,531.

In February 2013, the Company issued 912,640 shares of restricted common stock for the conversion of loans and interest in the amount of $310,298. The fair value of the shares at the date of settlement was $332,798, which resulted in the Company recording $22,500 in additional interest expense.

In February 2013, the Company issued 320,000 shares of restricted common stock valued at $116,000 to various parties for accounting, legal and marketing services.

In September 2013, the Company closed on a $200,000 bridge loan from two individuals. In October, the Company closed an additional $100,000 bridge loan from one investor. These notes have a 90 day term and bear interest of 10%. Additionally, each investor received 100,000 warrants to purchase the Company’s stock at $1.00 per share for a term of one year valued at $93,750 in total.

In December 2013, the Company approved the issuance of 918,183 common stock shares for $505,000 cash for payment to investors whose funds were received in December 2013. The shares were issued during January 2014.

NOTE 9 – STOCK OPTION PLAN

On September 1, 2012, the Board of Directors of the Company ratified, approved, and adopted a Stock Option Plan for the Company allowing for the grant of up to 10,000,000 shares of common stock or stock options to acquire common shares. In the event an optionee ceases to be employed by or to provide services to the Company for reasons other than cause, any Stock Option that is vested and held by such optionee may be exercisable within up to thirty days after the effective date that his position ceases. No Stock Option granted under the Stock Option Plan is transferable. Any Stock Option held by an optionee at the time of his death may be exercised by his estate within six months of his death or such longer period as the Board of Directors may determine.

As approved by the Board of Directors, on September 4, 2012, the Company granted 4,000,000 stock options to two officers of the Company at $0.20 per share for terms of seven years. Of the total stock options, 1,000,000 vested immediately and the remaining vest equally over the next 3 years at the anniversary date of the employment agreements.  The total fair value of these options at the date of grant was estimated to be $599,974 and was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with an expected life of 7 years, a risk free interest rate of 1.01%, a dividend yield of 0% and expected volatility of 254%.  During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, $149,994 and $149,994, respectively, was recorded as a stock based compensation expense.

F-14

 
 

 


CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
(AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(AUDITED)
 
CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
 (AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(AUDITED)

NOTE 9 – STOCK OPTION PLAN (CONTINUED)

The following is a summary of the status of all of the Company’s stock options as of December 31, 2013 and changes during the period ended on that date:
   
Number
of Options
   
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
   
Weighted-Average
Remaining Life (Years)
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2013
    4,000,000     $ 0.20       6.68  
Granted
    -     $  0.00       -  
Exercised
    -     $ 0.00       -  
Cancelled
    -     $ 0.00       -  
Outstanding at December 31, 2013
    4,000,000     $  0.20       5.68  
Exercisable at December 31, 2013
    1,000,000     $  0.20       5.68  

NOTE 10 – WARRANTS

On November 15, 2012, the Company granted 500,000 stock warrants to a lender at $0.55 per share for terms of two years. The total fair value of these warrant at the date of grant was estimated to be $217,330 and was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with an expected life of 2 years, a risk free interest rate of 0.28%, a dividend yield of 0% and expected volatility of 302%.  During year ended December 31, 2012, $132,813 was recorded amortization of debt discount and included in interest expense.

In September 2013, we closed on a $200,000 90-day bridge loan with two investors. The loans bear interest of 10%. Additionally each investor was granted 100,000 stock warrants to purchase stock at $1.00 per share for a period of one year valued at $56,283.  An additional $100,000 note payable with the same terms and warrants which were valued at $37,467 was issued in October 2013.

The following is a summary of the status of all of the Company’s stock warrants as of December 31, 2013 and changes during the period ended on that date:

   
Number
of Warrants
   
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
   
Weighted-Average
Remaining Life (Years)
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2013
    500,000     $ 0.55       1.87  
Granted
    300,000     $  1.00       1.00  
Exercised
    -     $ 0.00       -  
Cancelled
    -     $ 0.00       -  
Outstanding at December 31, 2013
    800,000     $  0.72       1.54  
Exercisable at December 31, 2013
    800,000     $  0.72       1.54  

NOTE 11 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company settled all related party notes payable during the first quarter of 2013. See Notes Payable footnote.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company made the following purchases from entities considered related parties; $20,136 of capital expenditures, $6,304 of geological and geophysical expense, and $3,357 of consulting expense.


F-15

 
 

 


CITADEL EXPLORATION, INC.
 (AN EXPLORATION STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(AUDITED)

NOTE 11 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)

On January 1, 2012, the Company entered into a consulting and rental agreement with an entity owned and controlled by an officer, director and shareholder. The consulting fees were fixed at $10,000 per month and rent up to $25,000 per month. The agreement automatically expired on July 1, 2013 unless the parties mutually agree to extend the term. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded consulting fees of $60,000 and rent expense of $62,930. On July 1, 2012, the parties agreed to mutually terminate the agreement. The entity agreed to forgive $50,953 of accounts payable related to the agreement and it was recorded to additional paid in capital.

On July 31, 2012, the Company purchased a vehicle from the CEO of the Company for $23,572 and allowed the Company up to one year to repay the loan with 0% interest. The loan was paid prior to December 31, 2012.

On September 1, 2012, the Company entered into a three year employment agreement with its CEO.  The annual salary for the first year is $120,000, then in the second year increases to $180,000 and in the third year it increases to $240,000.

Additionally, the officer received 2,000,000 stock options.  During the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company recording executive compensation totaling $216,302 and $114,997, respectively.

On September 1, 2012, the Company entered into a three year employment agreement with its CFO.  The annual salary for the first year is $120,000, then in the second year increases to $180,000 and in the third year it increases to $240,000.  Additionally, the officer received 2,000,000 stock options.  During the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company recording executive compensation totaling $214,997 and $114,997, respectively.

As of the second year of the employment agreement, the CEO and CFO have deferred payment of approximately $5,000 per month of salary.

During November 2012, the Company paid $6,196 to The Nahabedian Group for reimbursement of geophysical survey on potential future locations. The Nahabedian Group is an entity in which the CEO of the Company has an ownership interest. This amount was initially capitalized under exploration costs, since the Company followed full cost method. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the amount was reclassified as expense and is included in general and administrative expenses to account for change in accounting policy to successful efforts method.

NOTE 12 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

In December 2013, the Company approved the issuance of 918,183 common stock shares for $505,000 cash for payment to investors whose funds were received in December 2013. The shares were issued during January 2014.

In January 2014, the Company issued 205,085 common stock shares for cash for payment to investors for funds received in December 2013. Also in January 2014, the Company issued 1,477,275 shares at a price of $0.55 per share. This included the conversion of $300,000 in previously issued bridge loans plus accrued interest and new equity capital of $505,000.

In January 2014, the Company commenced drilling operations at Project Indian. Indian #1-15 was drilled and cased with Citadel paying 100% of the costs. The Company is now proceding with completion and thermal recovery operations to determine the commercial viability of the project.  As of the date of this filing, the Company was waiting for the issuance of a steam injection permit from the DOGGR.

In March 2014, the Company closed on a $500,000 bridge loan from two individuals. These notes have a 180 day term and bear interest of 10%.  Additionally the investors received 500,000 warrants to purchase the Company’s stock at $1.00 per share for a term of two years.

F-16