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EX-31.1 - CERTIFICATION - LILIS ENERGY, INC.f10q0915ex31i_lilis.htm
EX-31.2 - CERTIFICATION - LILIS ENERGY, INC.f10q0915ex31ii_lilis.htm
EX-32.2 - CERTIFICATION - LILIS ENERGY, INC.f10q0915ex32ii_lilis.htm
EX-32.1 - CERTIFICATION - LILIS ENERGY, INC.f10q0915ex32i_lilis.htm

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015

 

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

 

 For the transition period from ______to______.

 

  001-35330  
  (Commission File No.)  

 

LILIS ENERGY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

NEVADA   74-3231613

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employee

Identification No.)

 

216 16th Street, Suite #1350

Denver, CO 80202

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(303) 893-9000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark if 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 past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes    No 

  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, 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     No 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act): 

 

Large accelerated filer Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer  Smaller reporting company

 

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

 

As of November 19, 2015, 27,542,466 shares of the registrant’s common stock were issued and outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lilis Energy, Inc.

 

INDEX

 

PART I– FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)    
  Condensed Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2014    1
  Condensed Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (Unaudited) 3
  Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (Unaudited) 4
  Notes to Condensed Financial Statements   5
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition   22
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   35
Item 4. Controls and Procedures   35
     
PART II– OTHER INFORMATION    
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings   37
Item 1A. Risk Factors   37
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds   37
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 38
Item 6.  Exhibits 38
     
SIGNATURES     39
     
EXHIBIT INDEX     40

 

 

 

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This quarterly report, including materials incorporated by reference herein, contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including, but not limited to, any projections of earnings, revenue or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning future production, reserves or other resource development opportunities; any projected well performance or economics, or potential joint ventures or strategic partnerships; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements regarding future capital-raising activities; any statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.

 

Forward-looking statements may include the words “may,” “should,” “could,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “continue,” “believe,” “expect” or “anticipate” or other similar words. These forward-looking statements present our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this presentation.  Except as required by law, we do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement.

 

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in any of our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any of our forward-looking statements. Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and inherent risks and uncertainties. The factors impacting these risks and uncertainties include, the risk factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the following factors:

 

availability of capital on an economically viable basis, or at all, to fund our capital or operating needs;

 

our high levels of debt, which could adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital, limit our ability to react to economic changes and make it more difficult to meet our obligations under our existing debt;

 

restrictions imposed on us under our credit agreement that limit our discretion in how we operate our business;

 

failure to meet requirements or covenants under our debt instruments, which could lead to foreclosure of significant core assets;

 

failure to fund our authorization for expenditures from other operators for key projects which will reduce or eliminate our interest in the wells/asset;

 

our history of net losses;

 

inability to address our negative working capital position in a timely manner;

 

the inability of management to effectively implement our strategies and business plans;

 

potential default under our secured obligations, material debt agreements or agreements with our investors;

 

estimated quantities and quality of oil and natural gas reserves;

 

exploration, exploitation and development results;

 

fluctuations in the price of oil and natural gas, including further reductions in prices that would adversely affect our revenue, cash flow, liquidity and access to capital;

 

availability of, or delays related to, drilling, completion and production, personnel, supplies (including water) and equipment;

 

 

 

 

the timing and amount of future production of oil and natural gas;

 

the timing and success of our drilling and completion activity;

 

lower oil and natural gas prices negatively affecting our ability to borrow or raise capital, or enter into joint venture arrangements;

 

declines in the values of our natural gas and oil properties resulting in write-down or impairments;

 

inability to hire or retain sufficient qualified operating field personnel;

 

our ability to successfully identify and consummate acquisition transactions;

 

our ability to successfully integrate acquired assets or dispose of non-core assets;

 

availability of funds under our credit agreement;

 

increases in interest rates or our cost of capital;

  

deterioration in general or regional (especially Rocky Mountain) economic conditions;

 

the strength and financial resources of our competitors;

 

the occurrence of natural disasters, unforeseen weather conditions, or other events or circumstances that could impact our operations or could impact the operations of companies or contractors we depend upon in our operations;

 

inability to acquire or maintain mineral leases at a favorable economic value that will allow us to expand our development efforts;

 

inability to successfully develop our large inventory of undeveloped acreage we currently hold on a timely basis;

 

constraints, interruptions or other issues affecting the Denver-Julesburg Basin, including disruptions in transportation, marketing, processing, curtailment of production, or the occurrence of natural disasters and other adverse weather conditions;

 

technique risks inherent in drilling in existing or emerging unconventional shale plays using horizontal drilling and complex completion techniques;

 

delays, denials or other problems relating to our receipt of operational consents, approvals and permits from governmental entities and other parties;

 

unanticipated recovery or production problems, including cratering, explosions, blow-outs, fires and uncontrollable flows of oil, natural gas or well fluids;

 

environmental liabilities;

 

operating hazards and uninsured risks;

 

data protection and cyber-security threats;

 

 

 

 

loss of senior management or technical personnel;

 

litigation and the outcome of other contingencies, including legal proceedings;

 

adverse state or federal legislation or regulation that increases the costs of compliance, or adverse findings by a regulator with respect to existing operations, including those related to climate change and hydraulic fracturing;

 

anticipated trends in our business;

 

effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting;

 

changes in U.S. GAAP or in the legal, regulatory and legislative environments in the markets in which we operate; and

 

other factors, many of which are beyond our control.

 

Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the general or specific factors that may affect us.

 

For a detailed description of these and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, we urge you to carefully review and consider the disclosures made in the “Risk Factors” sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and other SEC filings, available free of charge at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).

 

 

 

 

LILIS ENERGY, INC.

Condensed Balance Sheets

 

   September 30,   December 31, 
   2015   2014 
   (Unaudited)     
Assets        
Current assets:        
Cash  $51,610   $509,628 
Restricted cash   669    183,707 
Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $80,000)   924,339    831,706 
Prepaid assets   13,175    54,064 
Total current assets   989,793    1,579,105 
           
Oil and gas properties (full cost method), at cost:          
Evaluated properties   50,096,063    46,268,756 
Unevaluated acreage, excluded from amortization   -    2,885,758 
Wells in progress, excluded from amortization   109,909    6,041,743 
Total oil and gas properties, at cost   50,205,972    55,196,257 
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization, and impairment   (49,450,534)   (24,550,217)
Oil and gas properties at cost, net   755,438    30,646,040 
           
Other assets:          
Office equipment net of accumulated depreciation of $130,091 and $107,712, respectively.   51,444    73,823 
Deferred financing costs, net   247,411    60,000 
Restricted cash and deposits   460,877    215,541 
Total other assets   759,732    349,364 
           
Total Assets  $2,504,963   $32,574,509 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

 

 1 

 

 

LILIS ENERGY, INC.

Condensed Balance Sheets

  

   September 30,   December 31, 
   2015   2014 
   (Unaudited)     
         
Liabilities, Redeemable Preferred Stock and Stockholders' Equity        
Current liabilities:        
Dividends accrued on preferred stock  $540,000   $180,000 
Accrued expenses for drilling activity   535,938    5,734,131 
Accounts payable   1,064,979    975,749 
Accrued expenses   3,206,804    1,248,995 
Short-term loan and deposits – related parties   500,002    - 
Term loan – Heartland, net of discount   2,707,364    - 
Convertible debentures, net of discount   6,846,465    - 
Convertible debentures conversion derivative liability   646,991    - 
Total current liabilities   16,048,543    8,138,875 
           
Long term liabilities:          
Asset retirement obligation   206,980    200,063 
Convertible debentures, net of discount   -    6,840,076 
Warrant liability   363,800    393,788 
Convertible debentures conversion derivative liability   -    1,249,442 
Total long-term liabilities   570,780    8,683,369 
           
Total liabilities   16,619,323    16,822,244 
           
Commitments and contingencies          
           
Conditionally redeemable 6% preferred stock, $0.0001 par value: 7,000 shares authorized; 2,000 shares issued and outstanding with a liquidation preference of $2,090,000 as of September 30, 2015 and $2,030,000 as of December 31, 2014.   1,557,953    1,686,102 
           
Stockholders’ equity          
Series A Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; stated rate $1,000:10,000,000 shares authorized; 7,500 issued and outstanding with a liquidation preference of $7,950,000 as of September 30, 2015 and $7,650,000 as of December 31, 2014.   6,794,000    6,794,000 
Common stock, $0.0001 par value: 100,000,000 shares authorized; 27,415,414 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2015 and 26,988,240 as of December 31, 2014.   2,742    2,699 
Additional paid in capital   158,146,716    155,097,785 
Accumulated deficit   (180,615,771)   (147,828,321)
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)   (15,672,313)   14,066,163 
           
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Equity  $2,504,963   $32,574,509 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

 

 2 

 

 

LILIS ENERGY, INC.

Condensed Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended 
   September 30,   September 30, 
   2015   2014   2015   2014 
Revenue:                
Oil sales  $52,395   $735,386   $275,873   $2,414,995 
Gas sales   4,512    118,639    55,391    308,629 
Operating fees   4,560    (39,015)   20,280    37,866 
Realized gain on commodity price derivatives   -    -    -    11,143 
Total revenue   61,467    815,010    351,544    2,772,633 
                     
Costs and expenses:                    
Production costs   39,073    101,593    126,289    739,176 
Production taxes   16,515    71,864    31,734    266,774 
General and administrative   1,712,481    2,935,404    7,116,572    8,536,882 
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization   56,232    252,548    490,881    1,211,587 
Impairment of evaluated oil and gas properties   18,471,993    -    24,438,902    - 
Total costs and expenses   20,296,294    3,361,409    32,204,378    10,754,419 
                     
Loss from operations before loss on conveyance of property   (20,234,827)   (2,546,399)   (31,852,834)   (7,981,786)
Loss on conveyance of property   -    (2,694,466)   -    (2,694,466)
Loss from operations   (20,234,827)   (5,240,865)   (31,852,834)   (10,676,252)
                     
Other income (expenses):                    
Other income   -    32,338    794    32,435 
Inducement expense   -    -    -    (6,661,275)
Change in fair value of convertible debentures conversion derivative liability   876,348    (572,427)   602,451    (5,966,236)
Change in fair value of warrant liability   352,450    -    86,238    - 
Change in fair value of conditionally redeemable 6% preferred stock   7,958    -    128,149    - 
Interest expense   (437,114)   (1,130,727)   (1,212,248)   (4,477,277)
Total other income (expenses)   799,642    (1,670,816)   (394,616)   (17,072,353)
                     
Net loss   (19,435,185)   (6,911,681)   (32,247,450)   (27,748,605)
Dividends on redeemable preferred stock   (30,000)   (121,167)   (90,000)   (161,848)
Deemed dividend Series A Convertible Preferred Stock   (150,000)   -    (450,000)   (3,566,895)
Net loss attributable to common shareholders  $(19,615,185)  $(7,032,848)  $(32,787,450)  $(31,477,348)
                     
Net loss per common share basic and diluted  $(.72)  $(0.25)  $(1.21)  $(1.17)
Weighted average shares outstanding:                    
Basic and diluted   27,387,881    27,631,220    27,178,202    26,794,437 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements

 

 3 

 

 

LILIS ENERGY, INC.

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

   Nine Months Ended 
   September 30, 
   2015   2014 
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net loss  $(32,247,450)  $(27,748,605)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:          
Inducement expense   -    6,661,275 
Common stock issued to investment bank for fees related to conversion of convertible debentures   -    686,251 
Equity instruments issued for services and compensation   3,048,974    2,667,213 
Reserve on bad debt expense   -    26,016 
Loss on conveyance of property   -    2,694,466 
Change in fair value of commodity price derivative   -    6,679 
Amortization of deferred financing cost   78,897    278,750 
Change in fair value of convertible debentures conversion derivative liability   (602,451)   5,966,236 
Change in fair value of warrant liability   (86,238)   - 
Change in fair value of conditionally redeemable 6% preferred stock   (128,149)   - 
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion of asset retirement obligation   490,881    1,211,587 
Impairment of evaluated oil and gas properties   24,438,902    - 
Accretion of debt discount   20,003    810,804 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   (92,633)   (264,011)
Restricted cash   (62,298)   282,849 
Other assets   40,889    (104,510)
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses   2,046,869    531,855 
Net cash used in operating activities   (3,053,804)   (6,293,145)
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Acquisition of undeveloped acreage   -    (305,000)
Drilling capital expenditures   (207,908)   (92,708)
Additions of office equipment   -    (10,815)
Net cash used in investing activities   (207,908)   (408,523)
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Net proceeds from issuance of Common Stock   -    5,327,700 
Net proceeds from issuance of Series A Preferred Stock   -    6,794,000 
Dividend payments on Preferred Stock   (180,000)   (40,681)
Debt issuance costs   (266,308)   - 
Proceeds from issuance of short-term loan and deposits – related parties   500,002    - 
Proceeds from issuance of debt   3,000,000    1,000,000 
Repayment of debt   (250,000)   (5,071,720)
Net cash provided by financing activities   2,803,694    8,009,299 
           
Increase (decrease) in cash   (458,018)   1,307,631 
Cash at beginning of period   509,628    165,365 
CASH AT END OF THE PERIOD  $51,610   $1,472,996 
Supplemental disclosure:          
Cash paid for interest  $179,039   $1,170,300 
Cash paid for income taxes  $-   $- 
           
Non-cash transactions:          
Fair value of warrants issued as debt discount  $56,250   $- 
Disposition of oil and gas assets for elimination of accrued expenses for drilling  $5,198,193   $- 
Acquisition of oil and gas assets for accounts payable and accrued interest  $-   $5,410,467 
Transfer from derivative liability to equity classification  $-   $5,031,070 
Issuance of Common Stock for payment of convertible debentures  $-   $8,851,871 
Issuance of Common Stock for payment of convertible debentures  $-   $2,000,000 
Conveyance of property for payment of term loan  $-   $14,833,311 
Disposition of asset retirement obligation (liability) through the conveyance of property  $-   $973,135 
Common Stock issued for convertible note interest  $-   $148,129 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements. 

 

 4 

 

 

LILIS ENERGY, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2015

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION

 

On September 21, 2009, Universal Holdings, Inc. (“Universal”), a Nevada corporation, completed the acquisition of Coronado Acquisitions, LLC (“Coronado”). Under the terms of the acquisition, Coronado was merged into Universal. On October 12, 2009, Universal changed its name to Recovery Energy, Inc. On December 1, 2013, Recovery Energy, Inc. changed its name to Lilis Energy, Inc. (“Lilis”, “Lilis Energy”, “we”, “our” and the “Company”). The acquisition was accounted for as a reverse acquisition with Coronado being treated as the acquirer for accounting purposes. Accordingly, the financial statements of Coronado and Recovery Energy have been adopted as the historical financial statements of Lilis.

 

The Company is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company focused on the Denver-Julesburg Basin (“DJ Basin”) where it holds 18,200 net acres. Lilis drills for, operates and produces oil and natural gas wells through the Company’s land holdings located in Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska.

 

All references to production, sales volumes and reserves quantities are net to the Company’s interest unless otherwise indicated.

 

NOTE 2 - LIQUIDITY

 

Going Concern

 

The Company’s financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 have been prepared on a going concern basis.  The Company has reported net operating losses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and for the past five years. This history of operating losses, along with the recent decrease in commodity prices, may adversely affect the Company’s ability to access capital it needs to continue operations. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts, or amounts of liabilities, that might result from this uncertainty.

 

The Company is currently looking for additional capital, potential merger candidates, or funding sources which may offer improved opportunities to obtain capital to continue its current operations and to further develop its properties, acquire oil and gas properties and to cure any potential defaults in connection with its credit facility and current liabilities deficiencies. The Company is also focused on maintaining production while efficiently managing, and in some cases reducing, its operating and general and administrative expenses.  The Company is also evaluating asset divestiture opportunities to provide capital to reduce its indebtedness.  Successfully completing a significant capital infusion could possibly eliminate doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

On January 8, 2015, the Company entered into a credit agreement, as amended, (the “Credit Agreement”) with Heartland Bank (“Heartland”), as administrative agent, and the financial institutions from time to time signatory thereto (each individually a “Lender,” and any and all such financial institutions collectively the “Lenders”). As previously disclosed, as of June 30, 2015, and as of the date hereof, the Company was not in compliance with the financial covenant in the Credit Agreement that relates to the total debt to EBITDAX ratio. EBITDAX is defined in the Credit Agreement as, for any period of determination, determined in accordance with GAAP, the pre-tax net income of the Company for such period plus (without duplication and only to the extent deducted in determining such net income), interest expense of the Company for such period, depreciation and amortization expense, extraordinary or non-recurring items reducing net income for such period, and other non-cash expenses of the Company for such period less gains on sales of assets and other non-cash income for such period included in the determination of net income of the Company plus (without duplication and only to the extent deducted in determining such net income) exploration, drilling and completion expenses or costs. Specifically, the ratio requires that the Company shall maintain at all times, as determined on June 30 of each year, a ratio of (i) the aggregate amount of all Debt (as defined in the Credit Agreement), to (ii) EBITDAX of not less than 4.5:1, 3.5:1 and 2.5:1 for the periods ending June 30, 2015, 2016, and 2017 and thereafter, respectively. Prior to the filing of our quarterly report for the period ended June 30, 2015, the Company received a waiver from Heartland for this covenant violation, which will not be measured again until June 30, 2016. The Company will need to raise additional capital and acquire and/or successfully develop its oil and gas assets to meet this covenant.

 

 5 

 

 

The Company is currently in default of the Credit Agreement for failure to make the principal payment due on October 1, 2015, in the amount of $125,000 and interest payments in the aggregate amount of $89,000, pursuant to Section 4.1 of the Credit Agreement. The Company is also in default under Section 8.1 and 8.20 of the Credit Agreement for failure to satisfy the covenants relating to the furnishing of reserve reports as of September 15 of each year and holding regularly scheduled operations meetings, respectively. Additionally, as of the date hereof, the Company has assumed an aggregate amount of $650,002 in additional subordinated unsecured debt, which is a default under the Credit Agreement pursuant to of Section 9.1(c). As a result of these violations, the Company has recorded the entire amount under the Term Loan totaling $2.75 million as a current liability.

 

The Debentures also contain certain cross-default provisions with certain other debt instruments. Therefore, a default under the Credit Agreement, constitutes an event of default pursuant to the Debentures which may result in an acceleration of the Company’s obligations at the holders’ election. No demand has been received as of the date hereof, however, as a result of these violations, the Company has recorded the entire amount under the Debentures totaling $6.85 million as a current liability.

 

The Company is currently in discussions with Heartland to resolve the existing defaults. There can be no assurance that the Company and Heartland will be successful in doing so. If we are unable to reach a successful resolution with Heartland, it may exercise its rights with respect to the Company’s collateral which includes substantially all of its assets. If Heartland exercises its rights with respect to the collateral, including foreclosure, we may need to severely curtail or cease operations. We are considering options available to the Company.

 

Liquidity Plan

 

As of September 30, 2015, the Company had a negative working capital balance and a cash balance of approximately $15.06 million and $52,000, respectively. As of November 20, 2015, the current cash balance was approximately $20,000. The Company is currently in default under and has $2.75 million outstanding under its Credit Agreement. Also, as of September 30, 2015, the Company has $6.85 million outstanding under its 8% Senior Secured Convertible Debentures due 2018 (the “Debentures”). The Debentures also contain certain cross-default provisions with certain other debt instruments. Therefore, a default under the Credit Agreement, constitutes an event of default pursuant to the Debentures and may result in an acceleration of the Company’s obligations at the holders’ election. No demand has been received as of the date hereof, however, as a result of these violations, the Company has recorded the entire amount under the Debentures totaling $6.85 million as a current liability.

 

As of November 1, 2015, the Company is producing approximately 20 barrels of oil equivalent (“BOE”) a day from eight economically producing wells.

 

As previously announced, the Company had entered into an asset purchase agreement with Swan Exploration, LLC (“Swan”) to acquire non-operated leasehold working interests including interests producing wells and acres of undeveloped leasehold in the core area of the Wattenberg Field in Weld County, Colorado.

 

Due to current market conditions, volatility in the oil and gas market and the Company’s inability to secure adequate financing, the Company and Swan entered into a second amendment dated as of June 30, 2015, to extend the closing date of the transaction and to mutually agree to further negotiate the final purchase price. After failing to close the transaction by the final extension date, the Company received a letter from Swan indicating that it was in default on the acquisition. However, discussions remain ongoing and pending the success of continuing negotiations and the Company’s ability to obtain the necessary financing, the Company remains optimistic that a closing could occur. We cannot assure you that this transaction will close or that it may be in the same form as negotiated.

 

 6 

 

 

Upon entering into the Credit Agreement, the Company believed it had secured adequate access to capital generally, and specifically, to fund the drilling and development of its proved undeveloped reserves. Due to the lack of liquidity that had been expected, but unavailable to the Company pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Company believes that a full write-down of its proved undeveloped and unproved properties is appropriate as of the period ending September 30, 2015.

 

The Company will require additional capital to satisfy its obligations; to fund its current drilling commitments, as well as its acquisition and capital budget plans; to help fund its ongoing overhead; and to provide additional capital to generally improve its negative working capital position. The Company anticipates that such additional funding will be provided through a combination of capital raising activities, including borrowing transactions, subject to the approval of Heartland while that debt is outstanding, the sale of additional debt and/or equity securities, the sale of certain assets, and by the development of certain of the Company’s undeveloped properties via arrangements with joint venture partners. If the Company continues to be unsuccessful in obtaining sufficient cash to fund the aforementioned capital requirements, the Company will be required to curtail its expenditures and may be required to restructure its operations, sell assets on terms which may not be deemed favorable and/or curtail other aspects of its operations, including deferring all or portions of the Company’s capital budget or cease operations altogether. There is no assurance that any such funding will be available to the Company on acceptable terms, if at all.

 

NOTE 3 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial statements and with Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, the financial statements do not contain all information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements contain all the adjustments necessary (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) to present the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2015 and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full fiscal year for any future period.

  

These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. The Company’s accounting policies are described in the Notes to Financial Statements in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and updated, as necessary, in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

  

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Management evaluates estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic and commodity price environment. Although actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions, the Company believes that its estimates are reasonable. 

 

The most significant financial estimates are associated with the Company’s estimated volumes of proved oil and natural gas reserves, asset retirement obligations, assessments of impairment imbedded in the carrying value of undeveloped acreage and undeveloped properties, fair value of financial instruments, including derivative liabilities, depreciation and accretion, income taxes and contingencies.

 

 7 

 

 

Oil and Gas Producing Activities

 

The Company follows the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas operations whereby all costs related to the exploration, non-production related development and acquisition of oil and natural gas reserves are capitalized. Such costs include land acquisition costs, geological and geophysical expenses, carrying charges on non-producing properties, costs of drilling, developing and completing productive wells and/or plugging and abandoning non-productive wells, and any other costs directly related to acquisition and exploration activities. Proceeds from property sales are generally applied as a credit against capitalized exploration and development costs, with no gain or loss recognized, unless such a sale would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and the proved reserves attributable to these costs. A significant alteration would typically involve a sale of 25% or more of proved reserves.

 

The Company accounts for its unproven long-lived assets in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 360-10-05, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. ASC Topic 360-10-05 requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the historical cost carrying value of an asset may no longer be appropriate.

 

Depletion of exploration and development costs and depreciation of wells and tangible production assets is computed using the units-of-production method based upon estimated proved oil and gas reserves. Costs included in the depletion base to be amortized include (a) all proved capitalized costs including capitalized asset retirement costs net of estimated salvage values, less accumulated depletion, (b) estimated future development costs to be incurred in developing proved reserves; and (c) estimated decommissioning and abandonment/restoration costs, net of estimated salvage values, that are not otherwise included in capitalized costs.

 

The costs of undeveloped acreage are withheld from the depletion base until it is determined whether or not proved reserves can be assigned to the properties. When proved reserves are assigned to such properties or one or more specific properties are deemed to be impaired, the cost of such properties or the amount of the impairment is added to the full cost pool which is subject to depletion calculations.

 

Under the full cost method of accounting, capitalized oil and gas property costs less accumulated depletion and net of deferred income taxes may not exceed an amount equal to the sum of the present value, discounted at 10%, of estimated future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves and the cost of unproved properties not subject to amortization (without regard to estimates of fair value), or estimated fair value, if lower, of unproved properties that are not subject to amortization. Should capitalized costs exceed this ceiling, an impairment expense is recognized. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded an $18.5 million and a $24.4 million impairment, respectively. No impairment was recorded in 2014.

 

The present value of estimated future net cash flows was computed by applying a flat oil price to forecast revenues from estimated future production of proved oil and gas reserves as of period-end, less estimated future expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved reserves (assuming the continuation of existing economic conditions), less any applicable future taxes.

 

Wells in Progress

 

Wells in progress connotes wells that are currently in the process of being drilled or completed or otherwise under evaluation as to their potential to produce oil and gas reserves in commercial quantities. Such wells continue to be classified as wells in progress and withheld from the depletion calculation and the ceiling test until such time as either proved reserves can be assigned, or the wells are otherwise abandoned. Upon either the assignment of proved reserves or abandonment, the costs for these wells are then transferred to the full cost pool and become subject to both depletion and the ceiling test calculations in accordance with full cost accounting under Rule 4-10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 8 

 

 

Accrued Expense

 

Accrued liabilities are probable future sacrifices of economic benefits arising from present obligations of a particular entity to transfer assets or provide service to other entities in the future as a result of past transactions or events. Below is the break-out of the accrued expense account as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

   September 30,
2015
   December 31,
2014
 
Fair-value of executive compensation and other accrued payroll  $786,000   $40,000 
Accrued convertible debenture interest   848,000    3,043 
Board of director fees   170,347    - 
Accrued professional fees   381,000    78,000 
Production taxes   501,300    504,000 
Other payables   520,157    623,952 
   $3,206,804   $1,248,995 

 

Asset Retirement Obligations

 

The Company's activities are subject to various laws and regulations, including legal and contractual obligations to reclaim, remediate, or otherwise restore properties at the time the asset is permanently removed from service.  Calculation of an asset retirement obligation ("ARO") requires estimates about several future events, including the life of the asset, the costs to remove the asset from service, and inflation factors.  The ARO is initially estimated based upon discounted cash flows over the life of the asset and is accreted to full value over time using the Company's credit adjusted risk-free interest rate.  Estimates are periodically reviewed and adjusted to reflect changes.

  

The present value of a liability for the ARO is initially recorded when it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made.  This is typically done when a well is completed or an asset is placed in service.  When the ARO is initially recorded, the Company capitalizes the cost (the asset retirement cost or "ARC") by increasing the carrying value of the related asset.  ARCs related to wells are capitalized to the full cost pool and are subject to depletion.  Over time, the liability increases for the change in its present value (accretion of ARO), while the net capitalized cost decreases over the useful life of the asset as depletion expense is recognized.  In addition, ARCs are included in the ceiling test calculation for valuing the full cost pool.

 

The fair value of the Company’s asset retirement obligation liability is calculated at the point of inception by taking into account (i) the cost of abandoning oil and gas wells, which is based on the Company’s and/or industry’s historical experience for similar work, or estimates from independent third-parties; (ii) the economic lives of its properties, which are based on estimates from reserve engineers; (iii) the inflation rate; and (iv) the credit adjusted risk-free rate, which takes into account the Company’s credit risk and the time value of money. Given the unobservable nature of the inputs, the initial measurement of the asset retirement obligation liability is deemed to use Level 3 inputs.  The Company has accreted $3,000 and $7,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company accreted $17,000 and $61,000, respectively.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company derives revenue primarily from the sale of produced natural gas and crude oil. The Company reports revenue as the gross amount received before taking into account production taxes and transportation costs, which are reported as separate expenses and are included in oil and gas production expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Revenue is recorded in the month the Company’s production is delivered to the purchaser, but payment is generally received between 30 and 90 days after the date of production. No revenue is recognized unless it is determined that title to the product has transferred to the purchaser. At the end of each month, the Company estimates the amount of production delivered to the purchaser and the price the Company will receive. The Company uses its knowledge of its properties, its historical performance, existing contracts, NYMEX and local spot market prices, quality and transportation differentials, and other factors as the basis for these estimates.

 

 9 

 

 

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

 

The Company accounts for long-lived assets (other than oil and gas properties) at cost. Other long-lived assets consist principally of property and equipment and identifiable intangible assets with finite useful lives (subject to amortization, depletion, and depreciation). The Company may impair these assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be fully recoverable. Recoverability is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to the expected undiscounted future net cash flows generated by the asset. If it is determined that the asset may not be recoverable, and if the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment charge is recognized to the extent of the difference.

 

Net Loss per Common Share

 

Earnings (losses) per share are computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period presented. Diluted earnings per share are computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus the number of common shares that would be issued assuming exercise or conversion of all potentially dilutive common shares.

 

Potentially dilutive securities, such as shares issuable upon the conversion of debt or preferred stock, and exercise of warrants and options, are excluded from the calculation when their effect would be anti-dilutive. As of September 30, 2015 and 2014 shares underlying options, warrants, preferred stock and Debentures have been excluded from the diluted share calculations as they were anti-dilutive as a result of net losses incurred.

 

The Company had the following Common Stock equivalents at September 30, 2015 and 2014:

 

    September 30,
2015
    September 30,
2014
 
Stock Options     6,150,000       3,600,000  
Unvested Restricted Stock (employees/directors)     1,880,667       1,914,001  
Series A Preferred Stock     3,112,033       3,112,033  
Warrants     12,983,153       17,749,281  
Convertible Debentures     3,364,016       3,364,016  
      27,489,869       29,739,331  

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

Various accounting standards updates are issued, most of which represented technical corrections to the accounting literature or were applicable to specific industries, are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s condensed financial position and, results of operations.

 

NOTE 4 - OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES & OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company did not buy or sell any of its oil and gas properties.

 

If commodity prices continue to stay at current 2015 levels or decline further, the Company may incur additional full cost ceiling impairments in future quarters. Because the ceiling calculation uses rolling 12-month average commodity prices, the effect of lower quarter-over-quarter prices in 2015 compared to 2014 is a lower ceiling value each quarter. This will result in ongoing impairments each quarter until prices stabilize or improve. Impairment charges would not affect cash flow from operating activities, but would adversely affect the Company’s net income and stockholders’ equity. As a result of this lower ceiling value, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recognized an impairment expense on its evaluated oil and gas properties of $18.5 million and $24.4 million. No impairment was recognized in three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

 10 

 

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”) expenses related to the proved properties were approximately $46,000 and $461,000 for three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 as compared to $229,000 and $1.13 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively.

 

During the quarter ended September 30, 2015, the Company was put in non-consent status on three wells it agreed to participate in within the Northern Wattenberg field which includes each of two Wattenberg horizontal wells (1 Niobrara and 1 Codell), and a third well (Niobrara) that are described further below in connection with the Great Western Operating Company, LLC litigation. As such, the previously capitalized and accrued costs of approximately $5.20 million relating to these wells were eliminated since being placed in non-consent status relieved the Company of such liabilities. The Company has retained the right to participate in future drilling on this acreage block.

  

NOTE 5 - DERIVATIVES

 

The Company periodically enters into various commodity derivative financial instruments intended to hedge against exposure to market fluctuations of oil prices. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company did not have any commodity derivative instruments. Through January 31, 2014, the Company maintained an active commodity swap for 100 barrels of oil per day at a price of $99.25 per barrel. The Company recorded a realized gain on oil price hedges of approximately $11,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The Company did not have a hedge agreement for the three months ended September 30, 2014.

 

Realized gains and losses are recorded as individual swaps mature and settle. These gains and losses are recorded as income or expenses in the periods during which applicable contracts settle. Swaps which are unsettled as of a balance sheet date are carried at fair value, either as an asset or liability. Unrealized gains and losses result from mark-to-market changes in the fair value of these derivatives between balance sheet dates.

 

NOTE 6 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The Company measures fair value of its financial assets on a three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs, used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value:

 

Level 1 - Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
   
Level 2 - Other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.
   
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

 

The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

 

The Company’s interest rate term loan and Debentures are measured using Level 3 inputs.

 

Executive Compensation

 

In September 2013, the Company announced the appointment of Abraham Mirman as its new president. In connection with Mr. Mirman’s appointment, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Mirman (the “Mirman Agreement”). The Mirman Agreement provides for an incentive bonus package that, depending upon the relative performance of the Company’s Common Stock compared to the performance of stocks of certain peer group companies as measured from Mr. Mirman’s initial date of employment through December 31, 2014, may result in a cash bonus payment to Mr. Mirman of up to 3.0 times his base salary. The incentive bonus is recorded as a liability and valued at each reporting period. The Company engaged a valuation firm (“VFIRM”) to complete a valuation of this incentive bonus. As of December 31, 2014, the Company recorded a liability of $40,000 for accrued compensation. As previously announced, on March 30, 2015, the Company entered into an amended and restated employment agreement (the “CEO Agreement”) with Mr. Mirman. The CEO Agreement also provides for Mr. Mirman to receive a cash incentive bonus if certain production thresholds are achieved by the Company. Mr. Mirman’s new incentive bonus liability was valued by VFIRM at $225,000 at September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 2015, the Company provided for $131,000 of the bonus liability which represents the amount earned as of September 30, 2015.

 

 11 

 

 

On March 6, 2015, the Company announced the appointment of Kevin Nanke as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Nanke will also receive a cash incentive bonus if certain production thresholds are achieved by the Company and a performance bonus of $100,000 if the Company achieves certain goals set forth in the employment agreement. Mr. Nanke’s new incentive bonus liability was valued by VFIRM at $181,000 at September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 2015, provided for $106,000 of the liability which represents the amount earned as of that date.

  

As previously announced, in March 2015, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Ariella Fuchs for services to be performed as General Counsel to the Company. Ms. Fuchs will also receive a cash incentive bonus if certain production thresholds are achieved by the Company. Ms. Fuchs’ new incentive bonus liability was valued by VFIRM at $173,000 at September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 2015, the Company has provided for $100,000 of the liability which represents the amount earned as of that date.

 

The three executive compensation agreements had a change in fair value for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 of $106,000 and $337,000, respectively. The fair value of executive compensation is recorded as an accrued expense.

 

Consulting Agreement with Bristol Capital-Warrant Price Protection Feature

 

On September 2, 2014, the Company entered into a Consulting Agreement (the “Consulting Agreement”) with Bristol Capital, LLC (“Bristol”), pursuant to which the Company issued to Bristol a warrant to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share (or, in the alternative, 1,000,000 options, but in no case both). The agreement has a price protection feature that will automatically reduce the exercise price if the Company enters into another consulting agreement pursuant to which warrants are issued with a lower exercise price. On December 31, 2014, the Company revalued the warrants/option using the following variables: (i) 1,000,000 total warrants/options issued (as stated above, the Company will only issue a total of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock under the option or the warrant, but no more than 1,000,000 shares in the aggregate); (ii) stock price of $0.72; (iii) exercise price of $2.00; (iv) expected life of 4.67 years; (v) volatility of 96.78%; (vi) risk free rate of 1.10% for a total value of $394,000, which adjusted the change in fair value valuation of the derivative by $571,000. On September 30, 2015, the Company revalued the warrants/options using the following variables: (i) 1,000,000 total warrants/options issued (as stated above, the Company will only issue a total of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock under the option or the warrant, but no more than 1,000,000 shares in the aggregate); (ii) stock price of $0.61; (iii) exercise price of $2.00; (iv) expected life of 3.9 years; (v) volatility of 100%; risk free rate of 1.1% for a total value of $299,000, which adjusted the change in fair value valuation of the derivative by $289,000 and $95,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.

 

Credit Agreement - Warrant Anti-Dilution Feature

 

On January 8, 2015, the Company entered into the Credit Agreement which provides for a three-year senior secured term loan in an initial aggregate principal amount of $3.0 million, which principal amount may be increased to a maximum principal amount of $50.0 million at the request of the Company, subject to certain conditions, and pursuant to an accordion advance provision in the Credit Agreement. Heartland is entitled to receive 75,000 warrants for every $1.0 million advance at an exercise price equal to 115% of the 10-day volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) prior to closing of each advance. The Company issued 225,000 warrants (the “Initial Warrants”) at an exercise price of $2.50 with the initial advance. The Initial Warrants have an anti-dilution feature that will automatically reduce the exercise price if the Company enters into another agreement pursuant to which warrants are issued with a lower exercise price. The Company is carrying the Initial Warrants, valued as of January 8, 2015, as a long-term derivative liability and will revalue the instrument periodically.

 

On January 8, 2015: (i) 225,000 warrants issued; (ii) stock price of $0.72; (iii) exercise price of $2.50; (iv) expected life of 5.0 years; (v) volatility of 97.1%; (vi) risk free rate of 1.50% for a total value of $56,000, which was recorded as a debt discount and amortized over the life of the loan. On September 30, 2015, the Company revalued the warrants using the following variables: (i) 225,000 warrants issued; (ii) stock price of $0.61; (iii) exercise price of $ 2.50; (iv) expected life of 4.3 years; (v) volatility of 100%; (vi) risk free rate of 1.2% for a total value of $65,000, which adjusted the change in fair value valuation of the derivative by $64,000 and $(9,000) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.

 

 12 

 

 

Convertible Debentures Conversion Derivative Liability

 

As of September 30, 2015, the Company had $6.85 million in remaining Debentures, which, subject to shareholder approval, are convertible at any time at the holders’ option into shares of Common Stock at $2.00 per share, or 3,423,233 underlying conversion shares. The Debentures have elements of a derivative due to the potential for certain adjustments, including both the conversion option and the price protection embedded in the Debentures. The conversion option allows the Debenture holders to convert their Debentures to underlying Common Stock at a conversion price of $2.00 per share, subject to certain adjustments, including the requirement to reset the conversion for any subsequent offering at a lower price per share amount. The Company values this conversion liability at each reporting period using a Monte Carlo pricing model.

 

At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company valued the conversion feature associated with the Debentures at $647,000 and $1.25 million, respectively. The Company used the following inputs to calculate the valuation of the derivative as of September 30, 2015: (i) volatility of 100%; (ii) conversion price of $2.00; (iii) stock price of $0.61; and (iv) present value of conversion feature of $0.19 per convertible share and as of December 31, 2014: (i) volatility of 70%; (ii) conversion price of $2.00; (iii) stock price of $0.72; and (iv) present value of conversion feature of $0.47 per convertible share.  The change in fair value valuation of the derivative was $876,000 and $602,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.

 

The following table provides a summary of the fair values of assets and liabilities measured at fair value:

 

September 30, 2015: 

 

   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
                 
Liability                
Executive employment agreements  $-   $-   $(337,000)  $(337,000)
Warrant liabilities   -    -    (364,000)   (364,000)
Convertible debenture conversion derivative liability   -    -    (647,000)   (647,000)
Total liability, at fair value  $-   $-   $(1,348,000)  $(1,348,000)

 

December 31, 2014: 

 

   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
                 
Liability                
Executive employment agreement  $-   $-   $(40,000)  $(40,000)
Warrant liabilities   -    -    (394,000)   (394,000)
Convertible debenture conversion derivative liability   -    -    (1,249,000)   (1,249,000)
Total liability, at fair value  $-   $-   $(1,683,000)  $(1,683,000)

 

 13 

 

 

The following table provides a summary of changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2015: 

 

   Conversion derivative liability   Bristol/
Heartland warrant liability
   Incentive bonus   Total 
                 
Balance at January 1, 2015  $1,249,000   $394,000   $40,000   $1,683,000 
Additional liability   -    56,000    149,000    205,000 
Change in fair value of liability   (602,000)   (86,000)   148,000    (540,000)
Balance at September 30, 2015  $647,000   $364,000   $337,000   $1,348,000 

 

The Company did not have any transfers of assets or liabilities between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value measurement hierarchy during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

NOTE 7 - LOAN AGREEMENTS

 

   As of
September 30,
2015
 
Heartland Term Loan (due January  8, 2018)  $2,750,000 
Unamortized debt discount   (42,636)
Heartland Term Loan, net   2,707,364 
Less: amount due within one year   (2,707,364)
Heartland  Term Loan due after one year  $- 
      
8% Convertible Debentures, net (due 2018; 8% weighted average interest rate)  $6,846,000 

 

Credit Agreement

 

On January 8, 2015, the Company entered into the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement provides for a three-year senior secured term loan in an initial aggregate principal amount of $3,000,000, which principal amount may be increased to a maximum principal amount of $50,000,000 at the request of the Company pursuant to an accordion advance provision in the Credit Agreement subject to certain conditions, including the discretion of the lender (the “Term Loan”). Funds borrowed under the Credit Agreement may be used by the Company to (i) purchase oil and gas assets, (ii) fund certain Lender-approved development projects, (iii) fund a debt service reserve account, (iv) pay all costs and expenses arising in connection with the negotiation and execution of the Credit Agreement, and (v) fund the Company’s general working capital needs.

 

The Term Loan bears interest at a rate calculated based upon the Company’s leverage ratio and the “prime rate” then in effect. In connection with its entry into the Credit Agreement, the Company also paid a nonrefundable commitment fee in the amount of $75,000, and agreed to issue to the Lenders 75,000 5-year warrants for every $1 million funded. An initial warrant to purchase up to 225,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at $2.50 per share was issued in connection with closing. As of January 8, 2015, the Company valued the 225,000 warrants at $56,000, which was accounted for as debt discount and amortized over the life of the debt. The Company accreted $5,000 and $14,000 of debt discount for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The warrants are valued every quarter due to their derivative characteristics. See Note 6—Fair Value of Financial Instruments for valuation and inputs.

 

The Company has the right to prepay the Term Loan, in whole or in part, subject to certain conditions. If the Company exercises its right to prepay under the Credit Agreement prior to January 8, 2016, it will be assessed a prepayment premium in an amount equal to 3% of the amount of such prepayment. If the Company exercises its right to prepay under the Credit Agreement after January 8, 2016, such prepayment shall be without premium or penalty.

 

The Credit Agreement contains certain customary representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants. The Credit Agreement also contains financial covenants with respect to the Company’s (i) debt to EBITDAX ratio and (ii) debt coverage ratio. In addition, in certain situations, the Credit Agreement requires mandatory prepayments of the Term Loans, including in the event of certain non-ordinary course asset sales, the incurrence of certain debt, and the Company’s receipt of proceeds in connection with insurance claims.

 

 14 

 

 

As previously disclosed, as of June 30, 2015, and as of the date hereof, the Company was not in compliance with the financial covenant in the Credit Agreement that relates to the total debt to EBITDAX ratio.

 

Convertible Debentures

 

In numerous separate private placement transactions between February 2011 and October 2013, the Company issued an aggregate of approximately $15.6 million of Debentures, secured by mortgages on several of its properties. On January 31, 2014, the Company entered into a Debenture Conversion Agreement (the “Conversion Agreement”) with all of the holders of the Debentures.

 

Under the terms of the Conversion Agreement, the balance of the Debentures may be converted to Common Stock on the terms provided in the Conversion Agreement (including the terms related to the Warrants) at the election of the holder, subject to receipt of shareholder approval as required by Nasdaq continued listing requirements. In the event the Company decides to seek shareholder approval, the Company would present a proposal to approve the conversion of the remaining outstanding Debentures at its 2015 annual meeting of shareholders, which it plans to hold sometime in the fourth quarter or at a special meeting at a later date.

 

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had $6.85 million and $6.84 million, net, remaining Debentures, respectively, which are convertible at any time at the holders’ option into shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $2.00 per share, subject to certain standard adjustments.

 

The Debentures also contain certain cross-default provisions with certain other debt instruments. Therefore, a default under the Credit Agreement, constitutes an event of default pursuant to the Debentures and may result in an acceleration of the Company’s obligations at the holders’ election. No demand has been received as of the date hereof, however, as a result of these violations, the Company has recorded the entire amount under the Debentures totaling $6.85 million as a current liability.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $437,000 and $1.21 million, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 of $1.13 million and $4.48 million, respectively. The non-cash interest expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was approximately $347,000 and $944,000, respectively, and $860,000 and $2.30 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. The non-cash interest expenses consisted of non-cash interest expense and amortization of the deferred financing costs, accretion of the Debentures payable discount, and Debentures interest paid in common stock.

 

NOTE 8 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Environmental and Governmental Regulation

 

At September 30, 2015, there were no known environmental or regulatory matters which were reasonably expected to result in a material liability to the Company. Many aspects of the oil and gas industry are extensively regulated by federal, state, and local governments in all areas in which the Company has operations. Regulations govern such things as drilling permits, environmental protection and air emissions/pollution control, spacing of wells, the unitization and pooling of properties, reports concerning operations, land use, and various other matters including taxation. Oil and gas industry legislation and administrative regulations are periodically changed for a variety of political, economic, and other reasons. As of September 30, 2015 the Company had not been fined or cited for any violations of governmental regulations that would have a material adverse effect upon the financial condition of the Company.

 

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Legal Proceedings

 

The Company may from time to time be involved in various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the Company’s liability, if any, in these pending actions would not have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company. The Company’s general and administrative expenses would include amounts incurred to resolve claims made against the Company.

 

Parker v. Tracinda Corporation, Denver District Court, Case No. 2011CV561. In November 2012, the Company filed a motion to intervene in garnishment proceedings involving Roger Parker, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. The Defendant, Tracinda, served various writs of garnishment on the Company to enforce a judgment against Mr. Parker seeking, among other things, shares of unvested restricted stock. The Company asserted rights to lawful set-offs and deductions in connection with certain tax consequences, which may be material to the Company. The underlying judgment against Mr. Parker was appealed to the Colorado Court of Appeals and, by Order dated October 17, 2013, that Court reversed the trial court with respect to Mr. Parker’s claims of waiver, estoppel and mitigation of damages and remanded with instruction to enter judgment for Mr. Parker. The Court of Appeals also ordered the trial court to conduct further proceedings to determine the amount of damages to award Mr. Parker on his breach of contract claim. The trial court conducted a later hearing and found in its Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order dated January 9, 2015, in favor of Mr. Parker on his claim for breach of contract, awarding him $6,981,302.60.Tracinda’s Motion for Amendment of the Court’s January 9 Findings and Conclusions was the subject of an Order dated April 10, 2015, in which the Court set off the award in favor of Mr. Parker against the award in favor of Tracinda, resulting in judgment in favor of Tracinda and against Mr. Parker in the amount of $625,572.10. On April 16, 2015, Tracinda filed a Notice of Appeal in the Colorado Court of Appeals, appealing both the January 9 Order and the April 10 Order. On May 18, 2015, Parker filed a Notice of Cross-Appeal in the Colorado Court of Appeals, cross-appealing both the January 9 Order and the April 10 Order. The record is in the process of being certified. The filing of the record will trigger the parties' briefing schedule.

 

In re Roger A. Parker: Tracinda Corp. v. Recovery Energy, Inc. and Roger A. Parker, United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado, Case No. 13-10897-EEB. On June 10, 2013, Tracinda Corp. (“Tracinda”) filed a complaint (Adversary No. 13-011301 EEB) against the Company and Roger Parker in connection with the personal bankruptcy proceedings of Roger Parker, alleging that the Company improperly failed to remit to Tracinda certain property in connection with a writs of garnishment issued by the Denver District Court (discussed above). The Company filed an answer to this complaint on July 10, 2013. A trial date has not been set and, by Order dated February 2, 2015, the Bankruptcy Court ordered that the Adversary Proceeding be held in abeyance pending final resolution of the state-court action (2011CV561). The Company is unable to predict the timing and outcome of this matter.

 

Lilis Energy, Inc. v. Great Western Operating Company LLC, Eighth Judicial District Court for Clark County, Nevada, Case No. A-15-714879-B. On March 6, 2015, the Company filed a lawsuit against Great Western Operating Company, LLC (the “Operator”). The dispute related to the Company’s interest in certain producing wells and the Operator’s assertion that the Company’s interest was reduced and/or eliminated as a result of a default or a farm-out agreement. Underlying the dispute is the JOA which provides the parties with various rights and obligations. In its complaint, the Company sought monetary damages and declaratory relief on claims of breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, tortious breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unjust enrichment, conversion and declaratory judgment related to the JOA. The Operator filed a motion to dismiss on May 26, 2015 and the Company responded by filing an opposition motion on June 12, 2015.

 

On July 7, 2015, as previously reported, the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) with the Operator. The Settlement Agreement provides that upon the Company’s payment to the Operator, net of the revenues owed to the Company based on the Company’s respective working interests in the subject wells of (i) the balance of its share of the costs and expenses of drilling, completion and operating costs of the subject wells, (ii) interest due on that amount and (iii) a penalty fee of $250,000. The Company will have its full rights restored in the subject wells and return to having all rights and obligations under the JOA. This includes the right to participate in any future proposed wells at the Company’s full interest under the JOA as if the Company had participated and paid its proportionate share of costs of the subject wells prior to the notices of default sent to the Company by the Operator. Pursuant to the JOA, the Company will regain an approximately 50% working interest in each of two Wattenberg horizontal wells (1 Niobrara and 1 Codell), an approximately 33% working interest in a third well (Niobrara), and an approximately 50% working interest in the remaining leasehold. Due to the Company’s inability to secure financing pursuant to the Credit Agreement or another funding source, payment has not yet remanded payment to the Operator.

 

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The Company believes there is no other litigation pending that could have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

 

NOTE 9 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

G. Tyler Runnels

 

The Company has participated in several transactions with TR Winston, of which G. Tyler Runnels, currently a member of the Company’s board of directors, is chairman and majority owner. Mr. Runnels also beneficially holds more than 5% of the Company’s Common Stock, including the holdings of TR Winston and his personal holdings, and has personally participated in certain transactions with the Company.

 

On June 6, 2014, TR Winston executed a commitment to purchase or affect the purchase by third parties of an additional $15 million in Series A 8% Convertible Preferred Stock, to be consummated within 90 days thereof. The agreement was subsequently extended and expired on February 22, 2015. On February 25, 2015, the Company and TR Winston agreed in principal to a replacement commitment, pursuant to which TR Winston has agreed to purchase or affect the purchase by third parties of an additional $7.5 million in Series A 8% Convertible Preferred Stock, to be consummated no later than February 23, 2016, with all other terms substantially the same as those of the original commitment. This has not yet occurred.

 

Ronald D. Ormand

 

On March 20, 2014, the Company entered into an Engagement Agreement (the “Engagement Agreement”) with MLV & Co. LLC (“MLV”), pursuant to which MLV will act as the Company’s exclusive financial advisor. Ronald D. Ormand, currently a member of the Company’s board of directors as of February 2015, is the Managing Director and Head of the Energy Investment Banking Group at MLV. The Engagement Agreement provides for a fee of $25,000 to be paid monthly to MLV, subject to certain adjustments and other specific fee arrangements in connection with the nature of financial services being provided. The Company expensed $75,000 and $225,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and expensed a total of $50,000 and $150,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively

 

On May 27, 2015, MLV agreed to take $150,000 of its accrued fees in the Company’s Common Stock and was issued 75,000 shares in lieu of payment. The closing share price on May 27, 2015 was $1.56.

 

Abraham Mirman

 

On August 14, 2015, the Company received a deposit in the amount of $250,000 from the Bruin Trust (the “Trust”) in connection with a potential financing to be conducted by the Company. The deposit was subsequently purchased by Abraham Mirman, Chief Executive Officer and director of the Company, from the Trust in its entirety with an effective date of August 14, 2015, and exchanged into a note (the “Mirman Note”) from the Company. The Trust is an irrevocable trust whose beneficiaries include the adult children of Mr. Ormand, a current member of the Company’s board of directors. The Trust is managed by an independent trustee and Mr. Ormand has no pecuniary interest in or control over the Trust. The Trust received no compensation for the deposit or interest on the Note. The Mirman Note carries a 12% interest rate and has generated minimal interest. The amount will be repaid within one year and has been recorded as a short-term loan.

 

General Merrill McPeak

 

On June 22, 2015, the Company received $250,002 from General McPeak as an unsecured short-term loan (the “McPeak Agreement”). The McPeak Agreement carries a 12% interest rate and has generated minimal interest. The amount will be repaid within one year. General McPeak is currently a member of the Company’s board of directors. The McPeak Agreement has been recorded as a short-term loan.

 

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Nuno Brandolini

 

On November 10, 2015, the Company received $150,000 from Nuno Brandolini as an unsecured short-term loan (the “Brandolini Agreement”). The Brandolini Agreement carries a 12% interest rate and has generated minimal interest. The amount will be repaid within one year. Mr. Brandolini is currently a member of the Company’s board of directors. The Brandolini Agreement has been recorded as a short-term loan.

 

NOTE 10 - SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Series A 8% Convertible Preferred Stock

 

On May 30, 2014, the Company consummated a private placement of 7,500 shares of Series A 8% Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), together with warrants to purchase up to 1,556,017 shares of Common Stock, at an exercise price of $2.89 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $7.50 million. The Series A Preferred Stock bears an 8% dividend per annum, payable quarterly. The Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into 3,112,033 shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $2.41 per share, and has a liquidation preference to any junior securities. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company has accrued a cumulative dividend of $450,000 and $150,000, respectively on the Series A Preferred Stock. Additionally, the Company is subject to an 18% late fee on the outstanding dividend amount owed until the balance is paid.

 

Conditionally Redeemable 6% Preferred Stock

 

In August 2014, the Company designated 2,000 shares of its authorized preferred stock as Conditionally Redeemable 6% Preferred Stock (“Redeemable Preferred”). All 2,000 shares of Redeemable Preferred were issued pursuant to the execution of the settlement agreement with Hexagon, LLC (“Hexagon”) in September 2014. The Redeemable Preferred has the same par value and stated value characteristics as the Series A Preferred Stock, except the Redeemable Preferred is not convertible into Common Stock or any other securities of the Company. Except as otherwise required by law, holders of the Redeemable Preferred are not entitled to voting rights.

 

The Redeemable Preferred Stock bears a 6% dividend per annum, payable quarterly, and is redeemable at face value (plus any accrued and unpaid dividends) at any time at the Company’s option, or at the Holders option upon the Company’s achievement of certain production and reserve thresholds. These thresholds include the Company’s annualized gross production average for 90 consecutive days at 2,500 BOE per day or higher or the Company’s PV-10 value of its producing developed properties filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission exceeds $50 million. On September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company revalued the Conditionally Redeemable 6% Preferred Stock using the Monte Carlo pricing for a total value of $1.56 million, which adjusted the change in fair value valuation of the derivative down by $8,000 and $128,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. On December 31, 2014, the Conditionally Redeemable Preferred Stock was valued at approximately $1.69 million. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company has accrued a cumulative dividend of $90,000 and $30,000 respectively, on the Redeemable Preferred.

 

Consulting Agreements

 

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into services agreements for various services including but not limited to strategic planning; management and business operations, introductions to further its business goals, advice and services related to the Company’s growth initiatives, public relations, investment banking and any other consulting or advisory services including the one entered into with Bristol, discussed above. Often times, these agreements provide for an equity compensation component which has been paid in Common Stock, stock options and warrants or a combination thereof. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company issued a total 600,000 warrants that were paid to consultants, as discussed below. The Company did not issue any warrants to consultants during the three months ended September 30, 2015.

 

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Warrants

 

Below is a summary of warrant activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

 

   Warrants   Weighted- Average Exercise Price 
Outstanding at January 1, 2015   17,007,065    3.59 
Warrants issued to Heartland Bank   225,000    4.53 
Warrants issued to consultants   600,000    4.68 
Forfeited or expired   (4,848,912)   6.00 
Outstanding at September 30, 2015   12,983,153   $2.56 

 

The aggregate intrinsic value associated with outstanding warrants was zero at September 30, 2015 as the strike price of all warrants exceeded the market price for Common Stock, based on the Company’s closing Common Stock price of $0.61 on September 30, 2015. The weighted average remaining contract life as of September 30, 2015 was 2.86 years.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company issued warrants to purchase Common Stock to consultants for professional services. The warrants were valued using a Black Sholes model and the Company expensed approximately $425,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company expensed $74,000 and $717,000, respectively, representing the fair value of warrants issued to consultants for services rendered. As of September 30, 2015, there was no unearned compensation related to warrants issued as of that date.

 

NOTE 11 - SHARE BASED AND OTHER COMPENSATION

 

Share-Based Compensation

 

In September 2012, the Company adopted the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “EIP”). The EIP was amended by the stockholders on June 27, 2013 to increase the number of shares of Common Stock available for grant under the EIP from 900,000 shares to 1,800,000 shares and again on November 13, 2013 to increase the number of shares of Common Stock available for grant under the EIP from 1,800,000 shares to 6,800,000 shares and to increase the number of shares of Common Stock eligible for grant under the EIP in a single year to a single participant from 1,000,000 shares to 3,000,000 shares. Each member of the board of directors and the management team has been periodically awarded stock options and/or restricted stock grants and may be awarded additional grants under the terms of the EIP in the future.

 

The value of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments is based on the grant-date fair value of the award, recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for such award. 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company granted 634,188 shares of restricted Common Stock and 4,800,000 stock options, to employees, directors and consultants. Also during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, certain of the Company’s employees, directors and consultants forfeited 100,000 shares of restricted Common Stock and 2,233,333 stock options previously issued in connection with various terminations. As a result, as of September 30, 2015, the Company had 1,880,667 restricted shares and 6,150,000 options to purchase common shares outstanding to employees and directors. Options issued to employees vest in equal installments over specified time periods during the service period or upon achievement of certain performance based operating thresholds.

 

The Company requires that employees and directors pay the tax on equity grants in order to issue the shares and there is currently no cashless exercise option. Therefore, as of September 30, 2015, 1,479,208 shares have been granted, but are not issued.

 

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Compensation Costs

 

  

Three Months Ended

September 30, 2015**

  

Three Months Ended

As of September 30, 2014

 
  

Stock

Options

   Restricted Stock   Total  

Stock

Options

   Restricted
Stock
   Total 
Stock-based compensation expensed*  $268,000   $65,000   $333,000   $261,000   $(60,000)  $201,000 

 

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2015**

  

Nine Months Ended

As of September 30, 2014

 
(Dollar amounts in thousands) 

Stock

Options

   Restricted Stock   Total  

Stock

Options

   Restricted
Stock
   Total 
Stock-based compensation expensed*  $1,991,000   $406,000   $2,397,000   $433,000   $307,000   $740,000 

 

* Only includes directors and employees for which the options vest over time instead of based upon performance criteria for which the performance criteria have not been met as of September 30, 2015.
**     As of September 30, 2015, the Company has unamortized stock-based compensation costs for stock options of $2.1 million and $394,000 for restricted stock.  The Company has a weighted average amortization period remaining for stock options of 4.49 years and 1.25 years for restricted stock.

 

Restricted Stock 

 

A summary of restricted stock grant activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is presented below:

 

   Number of Shares   Weighted Average Grant Date Price 
Outstanding at January 1, 2015   1,630,667    1.27 
Granted   634,188    1.35 
Vested and issued   (284,188)   1.35 
Forfeited   (100,000)   2.45 
Outstanding at September 30, 2015   1,880,667    1.25 

 

As of September 30, 2015, total unrecognized compensation costs related to 411,667 unvested restricted shares of Common Stock issued to directors and employees was approximately $394,000, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average remaining service period of 1.25 years. 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company granted restricted stock for professional services. The restricted stock granted was valued at the fair value at the date of grant and vested over the contract life. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 the Company expensed $65,000 and $406,000, respectively, relating to the contracts. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company expensed $(60,000) and $307,000, respectively.

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company expensed $465,000, and $1.83 million, respectively for non-employee director compensation. No cash compensation has been paid to the directors in 2015. On April 20, 2015, the Company valued the 200,000 stock options issued to three of the non-employee directors using the following variables: (i) 200,000 options issued per director (600,000 options); (ii) stock price of $1.65; (iii) exercise price of $ 1.65; (iv) expected life of 7 years; (v) volatility of 99.44%; (vi) risk free rate of 1.65% for a total value of $271,000 for each grant (total of $813,000 for all three directors) which the amount is amortized over the vesting period. On April 20, 2015, the Company valued the 250,000 stock options issued to the three non-employee directors using the following variables: (i) 250,000 options issued for per director (750,000 options); (ii) stock price of $1.65; (iii) exercise price of $ 1.65; (iv) expected life of 5 years; (v) volatility of 99.44%; (vi) risk free rate of 1.65% for a total value of $306,000 for each grant (total of $918,000 for all three directors) which amount is expensed immediately.

 

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Stock Options

 

A summary of stock options activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is presented below:

 

           Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable 
   Number
 of Options
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
 Price
   Number
of Options
Vested/ Exercisable
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
 Contractual Life
 (Years)
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2015   3,583,333   $2.24    -    - 
                     
Granted   4,800,000   $1.26    -    - 
Exercised   -    -           
Forfeited or cancelled   (2,233,333)  $(2.39)   -    - 
Outstanding at September 30, 2015   6,150,000   $1.26    2,672,223    4.49 

 

As of September 30, 2015, total unrecognized compensation costs relating to the outstanding options was $2.09 million, which is expected to be recognized over the remaining vesting period of approximately 2.02 years.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company issued options to purchase Common Stock to certain of its officers and directors. The options are valued using a Black Scholes model and amortized over the life of the option. During the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 the Company amortized $268,000 and $257,000, respectively and during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company amortized $1.99 million and $433,000, respectively, relating to options outstanding. As of September 30, 2015, 3,477,777 options were exercisable and 2,672,223 options have yet to vest in accordance with employee and board of director compensation agreements.

  

NOTE 12 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Nuno Brandolini

 

On November 10, the Company received $150,000 from Nuno Brandolini as an unsecured short-term funding source (the “Brandolini Agreement”). The Brandolini Agreement carries a 12% interest rate and has generated minimal interest. The amount will be repaid within one year. Mr. Brandolini is currently a member of the Company’s board of directors. The Brandolini Agreement has been recorded as a short-term loan.

 

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ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as well as the unaudited condensed financial statements and notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including those set forth under Item “1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

General

 

Lilis Energy, Inc. is an independent oil and gas company engaged in the acquisition, drilling and production of oil and natural gas properties and prospects within the Denver-Julesburg (“DJ”) Basin. Our business strategy is designed to create shareholder value by acquiring new properties, developing our undeveloped acreage and leveraging the knowledge, expertise and experience of our management team.

 

We principally target low to medium risk projects that have the potential for multiple producing horizons, and offer repeatable success allowing for meaningful production and reserve growth. Our acquisition and exploration pursuits of oil and natural gas properties are principally in Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming within the DJ Basin.  

 

Financial Condition and Liquidity

 

Going Concern

 

The Company’s financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 have been prepared on a going concern basis.  The Company has reported net operating losses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and for the past five years. This history of operating losses, along with the recent decrease in commodity prices, may adversely affect the Company’s ability to access capital it needs to continue operations. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts, or amounts of liabilities, that might result from this uncertainty.

 

The Company is currently looking for additional capital, potential merger candidates, or funding sources which may offer improved opportunities to obtain capital to continue its current operations and to further develop its properties, acquire oil and gas properties and to cure any potential defaults in connection with its credit facility and current liabilities deficiencies. The Company is also focused on maintaining production while efficiently managing, and in some cases reducing, its operating and general and administrative expenses.  The Company is also evaluating asset divestiture opportunities to provide capital to reduce its indebtedness.  Successfully completing a significant capital infusion could possibly eliminate doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

On January 8, 2015, the Company entered into a credit agreement, as amended, (the “Credit Agreement”) with Heartland Bank (“Heartland”), as administrative agent, and the financial institutions from time to time signatory thereto (each individually a “Lender,” and any and all such financial institutions collectively the “Lenders”). As previously disclosed, at June 30, 2015, and as of the date hereof, the Company was not in compliance with the financial covenant in the Credit Agreement that relates to the total debt to EBITDAX ratio. EBITDAX is defined in the Credit Agreement as, for any period of determination, determined in accordance with GAAP, the pre-tax net income of the Company for such period plus (without duplication and only to the extent deducted in determining such net income), interest expense of the Company for such period, depreciation and amortization expense, extraordinary or non-recurring items reducing net income for such period, and other non-cash expenses of the Company for such period less gains on sales of assets and other non-cash income for such period included in the determination of net income of the Company plus (without duplication and only to the extent deducted in determining such net income) exploration, drilling and completion expenses or costs. Specifically, the ratio requires that the Company shall maintain at all times, as determined on June 30 of each year, a ratio of (i) the aggregate amount of all Debt (as defined in the Credit Agreement), to (ii) EBITDAX of not less than 4.5:1, 3.5:1 and 2.5:1 for the periods ending June 30, 2015, 2016, and 2017 and thereafter, respectively. Prior to the filing of our quarterly report for the period ended June 30, 2015, the Company received a waiver from Heartland for this covenant violation, which will not be measured again until June 30, 2016. The Company will need to raise additional capital and acquire and/or successfully develop its oil and gas assets to meet this covenant.

 

The Company is currently in default of the Credit Agreement for failure to make the principal payment due on October 1, 2015, in the amount of $125,000 and interest payments in the aggregate amount of $89,000, pursuant to Section 4.1 of the Credit Agreement. The Company is also in default under Section 8.1 and 8.20 of the Credit Agreement for failure to satisfy the covenants relating to the furnishing of reserve reports as of September 15 of each year and holding regularly scheduled operations meetings, respectively. Additionally, as of the date hereof, the Company has assumed an aggregate amount of $650,002 in additional subordinated unsecured debt, which is a default under the Credit Agreement pursuant to of Section 9.1(c). As a result of these violations, the Company has recorded the entire amount under the Term Loan totaling $2.75 million as a current liability.

 

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The Debentures also contain certain cross-default provisions with certain other debt instruments. Therefore, a default under the Credit Agreement, constitutes an event of default pursuant to the Debentures and may result in an acceleration of the Company’s obligations at the holders’ election. No demand has been received as of the date hereof, however, as a result of these violations, the Company has recorded the entire amount under the Debentures totaling $6.85 million as a current liability.

 

The Company is currently in discussions with Heartland to resolve the existing defaults. There can be no assurance that the Company and Heartland will be successful in doing so. If we are unable to reach a successful resolution with Heartland, it may exercise its rights with respect to the Company’s collateral which includes substantially all of its assets. If Heartland exercises its rights with respect to the collateral, including foreclosure, we may need to severely curtail or cease operations. We are considering options available to the Company.

 

Liquidity Plan

 

As of September 30, 2015, the Company had a negative working capital balance and a cash balance of approximately $15.06 million and $52,000, respectively. As of November 20, 2015, the current cash balance was approximately $20,000. The Company is currently in default under and has $2.75 million outstanding under its Credit Agreement. Also, as of September 30, 2015, the Company has $6.85 million outstanding under its 8% Senior Secured Convertible Debentures due 2018 (the “Debentures”). The Debentures also contain certain cross-default provisions with certain other debt instruments. Therefore, a default under the Credit Agreement, constitutes an event of default pursuant to the Debentures and may result in an acceleration of the Company’s obligations at the holders’ election. No demand has been received as of the date hereof, however, as a result of these violations, the Company has recorded the entire amount under the Debentures totaling $6.85 million as a current liability.

 

As of November 1, 2015, the Company is producing approximately 20 barrels of oil equivalent (“BOE”) a day from eight economically producing wells.

 

As previously announced, the Company had entered into an asset purchase agreement with Swan Exploration, LLC (“Swan”) to acquire non-operated leasehold working interests including interests producing wells and acres of undeveloped leasehold in the core area of the Wattenberg Field in Weld County, Colorado.

 

Due to current market conditions, volatility in the oil and gas market and the Company’s inability to secure adequate financing, the Company and Swan entered into a second amendment dated as of June 30, 2015, to extend the closing date of the transaction and to mutually agree to further negotiate the final purchase price. After failing to close the transaction by the final extension date, the Company received a letter from Swan indicating that it was in default on the acquisition. However, discussions remain ongoing and pending the success of continuing negotiations and the Company’s ability to obtain the necessary financing, the Company remains optimistic that a closing could occur. We cannot assure you that this transaction will close or that it may be in the same form as negotiated.

 

Upon entering into the Credit Agreement, the Company believed it had secured adequate access to capital generally, and specifically, to fund the drilling and development of its proved undeveloped reserves. Due to the lack of liquidity that had been expected, but unavailable to the Company pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Company believes that a full write-down of its proved undeveloped and unproved properties is appropriate as of the period ending September 30, 2015.

 

The Company will require additional capital to satisfy its obligations; to fund its current drilling commitments, as well as its acquisition and capital budget plans; to help fund its ongoing overhead; and to provide additional capital to generally improve its negative working capital position. The Company anticipates that such additional funding will be provided through a combination of capital raising activities, including borrowing transactions, subject to the approval of Heartland while that debt is outstanding, the sale of additional debt and/or equity securities, the sale of certain assets, and by the development of certain of the Company’s undeveloped properties via arrangements with joint venture partners. If the Company continues to be unsuccessful in obtaining sufficient cash to fund the aforementioned capital requirements, the Company will be required to curtail its expenditures and may be required to restructure its operations, sell assets on terms which may not be deemed favorable and/or curtail other aspects of its operations, including deferring all or portions of the Company’s capital budget or cease operations altogether. There is no assurance that any such funding will be available to the Company on acceptable terms, if at all.

 

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Cash Flows

 

The following table compares cash flow items during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

 

   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2015   2014 
     
Cash provided by (used in):        
Operating activities  $(3,054)  $(6,293)
Investing activities   (208)   (409)
Financing activities   2,804    8,009 
Net change provided by (in cash)  $(458)  $1,307 

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, net cash used in operating activities was $3.1 million, compared to cash used in operating activities of $6.29 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, a decrease of cash used in operating activities of 3.24 million.  In 2015, the Company increased its use of cash for general and administrative expenses for consultants, legal costs and expanding its management team which was offset by the decrease in cash paid for interest from $1.17 million in 2014 compared to $179,000 in 2015.

 

The conveyance of oil and gas properties to Hexagon LLC (“Hexagon”) for the reduction of term loan debt in 2014 reduced both the Company’s net oil and gas operating income and interest costs in 2015.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, net cash used in investing activities was $208,000, compared to net cash used in investing activity of $409,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of cash used in investing activities of $201,000. The Company had limited investing activities in 2015 and 2014. The investing activity primarily represent additions to oil and gas properties for the periods.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, net cash provided by financing activities was $2.8 million, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, a decrease of $5.2 million. During 2015, the Company received proceeds from the issuance of debt of $3.0 million and proceeds from the issuance of the short-term loans to the Company from related parties of approximately $500,000 was offset by a debt issuance cost of $266,000, dividends of $180,000, and $250,000 repayment of debt. During 2014, the Company received proceeds from the issuance of Common Stock of $5.33 million offset by debt repayment of debt of $5.07 million, proceeds from issuance of debt of $1.00 million, dividend payment of $41,000 and $6.79 million in proceeds of the issuance of Series A Preferred Stock.

 

Capital Resources and Budget

 

We do not expect to receive any additional capital pursuant to the existing Credit Agreement. We are in the process of seeking other capital and funding sources. Our capital budget is subject to the securing additional capital through equity placement, securing a new credit facility, acquisition financing and additional debt and derivative instruments. We plan to use these funds to acquire additional production capacity in North America with a focus on unconventional reservoirs located in the Wattenberg field within the DJ Basin that will apply horizontal drilling in the Niobrara shale and Codell formations.

 

In addition to the need to secure adequate capital to fund our working capital needs and capital budget, the execution of, and results from, our capital budget are contingent on various factors, including, but not limited to, the sourcing of capital, market conditions, oilfield services and equipment availability, commodity prices and drilling/ production results.  Results from the wells identified in the capital budget may lead to additional adjustments to the capital budget. Other factors that could impact our level of activity and capital expenditure budget include, but are not limited to, a reduction or increase in service and material costs, the formation of joint ventures with other exploration and production companies, and the divestiture of non-strategic assets. 

 

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The Company executed five joint operating agreements to participate as a non-operator in the drilling of five horizontal wells. The Company has an average of 2.78% working interest in each of these wells which are being drilled by reputable companies. As of September 30, 2015, the Company’s current obligations on these well approximates $110,000. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company transferred $847,000 from wells-in progress to developed oil and natural gas properties. This included approximately $491,000 from a well currently producing in Northern Wattenberg and approximately $356,000 of cost incurred for projects the Company no longer plans to pursue.

 

Results of Operations

 

Three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to three months ended September 30, 2014

 

   For the
Three Months Ended 
September 30,
 
   2015   2014 
Product          
Oil (Bbl.)   1,322    9,633 
Oil (Bbls)-average price  $39.63   $76.34 
           
Natural Gas (MCF)-volume   1,213    21,909 
Natural Gas  (MCF)-average price (1)  $3.72   $5.41 
           
Barrels of oil equivalent (BOE)   1,524    13,285 
Average daily net production (BOE)   17    144 
Average Price per BOE (1)  $37.34   $64.28 

 

Oil and gas production costs, production taxes, depreciation, depletion, and amortization

 

Average Price per BOE(1)  $37.34   $64.28 
           
Production costs per BOE   25.64    12.72 
Production taxes per BOE   10.84    5.41 
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization per BOE   36.89    19.01 
Total operating costs per BOE  $73.37   $37.14 
           
Gross margin per BOE  $(36.03)  $27.14 
           
Gross margin percentage   (96)%   42%

  

(1) Includes proceeds from the sale of NGL's

 

Total revenues

 

Total revenues were $61,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to $815,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $754,000, or 93%. The decrease in revenues was due primarily to a decrease in production volumes relating to the conveyance of properties to Hexagon on September 2, 2014. Further, during the quarter, certain wells were periodically shut in due to mechanical issues. This decrease has been compounded by the 90% drop in realized price per BOE from $64.28 in 2014 to $6.62 in 2015. During the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, oil and gas production amounts were 1,524 and 13,285 BOE, respectively, representing a decrease of 11,761 BOE, or 89%.

 

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Commodity Price Derivative Activities

 

Changes in the market price of oil can significantly affect our profitability and cash flow.  In the past we have entered into various commodity derivative instruments to mitigate the risk associated with downward fluctuations in oil prices.  These derivative instruments consisted exclusively of swaps.  The duration and size of our various derivative instruments varies and depends on our view of market conditions, available contract prices and our operating strategy.

 

As of September 30, 2015, the Company did not maintain any active commodity swaps.

 

Production costs 

 

Production costs were $39,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $102,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $63,000 or 62%. The decrease in production costs were due primarily to a decrease in production volumes relating to the conveyance of properties to Hexagon on September 2, 2014. Additionally, the wells conveyed to Hexagon were mature in nature resulting in higher operating costs as compared to the wells retained.

 

Production taxes

 

Production taxes were $17,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $72,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $55,000 or 76%. The decline in production taxes is consistent with the decline in production costs as expected given the property conveyance to Hexagon in 2014. 

 

General and administrative

 

General and administrative expenses were $1.71 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $2.94 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $1.22 million or 44%.  The decrease in cash general and administration costs compared to last year can be attributed to a $1.00 million lump sum payment paid to Mr. Mirman in 2014 as part of his compensation arrangement with TRW relating to the capital both Mr. Mirman and TRW raised for the Company offset by increased compensation relating to additional employees along with higher contract services and legal costs. Non-cash general and administrative items for the three months ended September 30, 2015 were $925,000 as compared to $2.16 million during the three months ending September 30, 2014, representing an increase of $625,000 or 40%. Non-cash general and administrative expenses are comprised of non-cash equity compensation to directors and employees non-cash consulting fees.

 

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization 

 

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization were $56,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to $253,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $197,000 or 78%.  The decrease in depreciation, depletion and amortization was from a decrease in production amounts in 2015 from 2014 primarily relating to the property conveyance to Hexagon along with the $18.5 million reduction in basis relating to the impairment recorded during the quarter.  Production amounts decreased to 1,524 BOE from 13,285 BOE for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, representing a decrease of 11,761 BOE or 89%. Depreciation, depletion, and amortization per BOE increased to $36.89 from $19.01, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, an increase of $17.88, or 94 %. 

 

Impairment of evaluated oil and gas properties

 

Under the full cost method of accounting, capitalized oil and gas property costs less accumulated depletion and net of deferred income taxes may not exceed an amount equal to the sum of the present value, discounted at 10%, of estimated future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves and the cost of unproved properties not subject to amortization (without regard to estimates of fair value), or estimated fair value, if lower, of unproved properties that are not subject to amortization. Should capitalized costs exceed this ceiling, an impairment expense is recognized.

 

 26 

 

 

During the quarter ended September 30, 2015, the Company recognized an impairment expense on its evaluated oil and gas properties of $18.470 million. No impairment was recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2014.

 

Loss on conveyance of oil and gas properties

 

On September 2, 2014, the Company entered into an agreement to convey its interest in 31,725 evaluated and unevaluated net acres located in the Denver Julesburg Basin and the associated oil and natural gas production (the “Hexagon Collateral”) to its primary lender, Hexagon, LLC (“Hexagon”) in exchange for extinguishment of all outstanding debt and accrued interest obligations owed to Hexagon aggregating to $14,833,311. The conveyance assigned all assets and liabilities associated with the property, which includes PDP and PUD reserves, plugging and abandonment, and other assets and liabilities associated with the property. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company also issued to Hexagon $2.0 million in 6% Conditionally Redeemable Preferred Stock, which is recognized as temporary equity.

 

Under the full cost method, sales or abandonments of oil and natural gas properties, whether or not being amortized, are accounted for as adjustments of capitalized costs, with no gain or loss recognized, unless such adjustments would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves of oil and natural gas attributable to the cost center. The conveyance to Hexagon represented greater than 25 percent of the Company’s proved reserves of oil and natural gas attributable to the full cost pool, as a result, there was a significant alteration in the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves of oil and natural gas attributable to the full cost pool. Total capitalized costs within the full cost pool are allocated on the basis of the relative fair values of the properties sold and those retained due to substantial economic differences between the properties sold and those retained. As a result of the conveyance, the Company recorded a loss on conveyance of properties of $2.7 million.

 

Interest Expense

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company incurred interest expense of approximately $437,000 and $1.13 million, respectively, of which approximately $347,000 and $860,000, respectively, were non-cash interest expense and amortization of the deferred financing costs, accretion of the Debentures payable discount, and Debenture interest paid in common stock.

 

Change in Bristol/Heartland warrant liability

 

The equity instruments issued to both Bristol and Heartland have a price reset feature that will automatically reduce the exercise price if the Company enters into another consulting agreement (in the case of Bristol) or any agreement (in the case of Heartland) pursuant to which warrants are issued at a lower exercise price than $2.50 per share. The change in fair value of this warrant provision was $288,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2015.

 

Change in fair value of derivative liabilities

 

On January 31, 2014, the Company entered into a Debenture conversion agreement (the “Conversion Agreement”) with all of the holders of the Debentures. Pursuant to the terms of the Conversion Agreement, $9.0 million in Debentures (approximately $8.73 million of principal and $270,000 in interest) was converted by the holders to shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $2.00 per share. In addition, the Company issued warrants to the Debenture holders to purchase one share of Common Stock for each share issued in connection with the conversion of the Debentures, at an exercise price equal to $2.50 per share.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we incurred a change in the fair value of the derivative liability related to the Debentures of approximately $876,000 and $(572,000), respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we reduced the conversion price from $4.25 to $2.00, consistent with the exercise price of the warrants issued in the private placement completed in January 2014 (the “January Private Placement”). The conversion resulted in a reduction of the Debenture liability by $5.69 million and an increase in additional paid in capital.

 

 27 

 

 

Results of Operations

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2014

 

   For the
Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
 
   2015   2014 
Product          
Oil (Bbl.)   6,132    29,353 
Oil (Bbls)-average price (2)  $44.99   $82.27 
           
Natural Gas (MCF)-volume   16,054    53,028 
Natural Gas  (MCF)-average price (1)  $3.45   $5.82 
           
Barrels of oil equivalent (BOE)   8,808    38,191 
Average daily net production (BOE)   32    140 
Average Price per BOE (1)  $37.61   $71.32 
           
Oil and gas production costs, production taxes, depreciation, depletion, and amortization          
           
Average Price per BOE(1)  $37.61   $71.32 
           
Production costs per BOE   14.34    19.35 
Production taxes per BOE   3.60    6.99 
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization per BOE   55.73    31.72 
Total operating costs per BOE  $73.67   $58.06 
           
Gross margin per BOE  $(36.06)  $13.26 
           
Gross margin percentage   (96)%   18%

 

(1) Does not include the realized price effects of hedges
(2) Includes proceeds from the sale of NGL's

 

Total revenues

 

Total revenues were $352,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to $2.77 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $2.42 million, or 87%. The decrease in revenues was due primarily to a decrease in production volumes relating to the conveyance of properties to Hexagon, LLC on September 2, 2014. This decrease has been compounded by the 47% drop in realized price per BOE from $71.32 in 2014 to $37.61 in 2015. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, oil and gas production amounts were 8,808 and 38,191 BOE, respectively, representing a decrease of 29,383 BOE, or 77%.

 

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Commodity Price Derivative Activities

 

Changes in the market price of oil can significantly affect our profitability and cash flow.  In the past we have entered into various commodity derivative instruments to mitigate the risk associated with downward fluctuations in oil prices.  These derivative instruments consisted exclusively of swaps.  The duration and size of our various derivative instruments varies and depends on our view of market conditions, available contract prices and our operating strategy.

 

As of September 30, 2015, the Company did not maintain any active commodity swaps.

 

Production costs 

 

Production costs were $126,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $739,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $613,000 or 83%. The decrease in production costs were due primarily to a decrease in production volumes relating to the conveyance of properties to Hexagon on September 2, 2014. Additionally, the wells conveyed to Hexagon were mature in nature resulting in higher operating costs as compared to the wells retained.

 

Production taxes

 

Production taxes were $32,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $267,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $235,000 or 88%.  The decline in production taxes is consistent with the decline in production costs as expected given the property conveyance to Hexagon in 2014. 

 

General and administrative

 

General and administrative expenses were $7.12 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $8.54 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $1.42 million or 17%.  The decrease in cash general and administration costs compared to last year can be attributed to a $1.00 million lump sum payment paid to Mr. Mirman in 2014 as part of his compensation arrangement with TRW relating to the capital both Mr. Mirman and TRW raised for the Company offset by increased compensation relating to additional employees along with higher contract services and legal costs. Non-cash general and administrative items for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were $3.59 million as compared to $4.05 million during the nine months ending September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $460,000 or 11%. Non-cash general and administrative expenses are comprised of non-cash equity compensation to directors and employees non-cash consulting fees.

 

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization 

 

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization were $491,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to $1.21 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, representing a decrease of $721,000 or 59%.  The decrease in depreciation, depletion and amortization was from a decrease in production amounts in 2015 from 2014 primarily relating to the property conveyance to Hexagon, which offset $9.9 million transferred to the depletion pool from unevaluated properties in 2014 resulting in an increased depletion rate along with the $13.47 million reduction in basis relating to the impairment recorded during the quarter.  Production amounts decreased to 8,808 BOE from 38,191 BOE for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, representing a decrease of 29,383 BOE or 77%. Depreciation, depletion, and amortization per BOE decreased to $55.73 from $71.32, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, a decrease of $15.59, or 22%.

 

Inducement expense

 

In January 2014, the Company entered into a conversion agreement (the “Conversion Agreement”) between the Company and all of the Company’s debenture holders.  Under the terms of the Conversion Agreement, $9.0 million of the approximately $15.6 million in debentures then outstanding converted to Common Stock at a price of $2.00 per share.  As an inducement to convert, the Company issued warrants to the converting debenture holders, at an exercise price equal to $2.50 per share (the “Warrants”), for each share of Common Stock issued upon conversion of the debentures. The Company used a Lattice model to value the warrants, utilizing a volatility of 65%, and a life of three years, which arrived at a fair value of $6.66 million for the Warrants and was expensed immediately.

 

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Impairment of evaluated oil and gas properties

 

Under the full cost method of accounting, capitalized oil and gas property costs less accumulated depletion and net of deferred income taxes may not exceed an amount equal to the sum of the present value, discounted at 10%, of estimated future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves and the cost of unproved properties not subject to amortization (without regard to estimates of fair value), or estimated fair value, if lower, of unproved properties that are not subject to amortization. Should capitalized costs exceed this ceiling, an impairment expense is recognized.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recognized an impairment expense on its evaluated oil and gas properties of $24.4 million. No impairment was recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. 

 

Loss on conveyance of oil and gas properties

 

On September 2, 2014, the Company entered into an agreement to convey its interest in 31,725 evaluated and unevaluated net acres located in the Denver Julesburg Basin and the associated oil and natural gas production (the “Hexagon Collateral”) to its primary lender, Hexagon, LLC (“Hexagon”) in exchange for extinguishment of all outstanding debt and accrued interest obligations owed to Hexagon aggregating to $14,833,311. The conveyance assigned all assets and liabilities associated with the property, which includes PDP and PUD reserves, plugging and abandonment, and other assets and liabilities associated with the property. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company also issued to Hexagon $2.0 million in 6% Conditionally Redeemable Preferred Stock, which is recognized as temporary equity.

 

Under the full cost method, sales or abandonments of oil and natural gas properties, whether or not being amortized, are accounted for as adjustments of capitalized costs, with no gain or loss recognized, unless such adjustments would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves of oil and natural gas attributable to the cost center. The conveyance to Hexagon represented greater than 25 percent of the Company’s proved reserves of oil and natural gas attributable to the full cost pool, as a result, there was a significant alteration in the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves of oil and natural gas attributable to the full cost pool. Total capitalized costs within the full cost pool are allocated on the basis of the relative fair values of the properties sold and those retained due to substantial economic differences between the properties sold and those retained. As a result of the conveyance, the Company recorded a loss on conveyance of properties of $2.7 million.

 

Change in Bristol/Heartland warrant liability

 

The equity instruments issued to both Bristol and Heartland have a price reset feature that will automatically reduce the exercise price if the Company enters into another consulting agreement (in the case of Bristol) or any agreement (in the case of Heartland) pursuant to which warrants are issued at a lower exercise price than $2.50 per share. The change in fair value of this warrant provision was $95,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

 

Change in fair value of derivative liabilities

 

On January 31, 2014, the Company entered into the Conversion Agreement with all of the holders of the Debentures. Pursuant to the terms of the Conversion Agreement, $9.0 million in Debentures (approximately $8.73 million of principal and $270,000 in interest) was converted by the holders to shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $2.00 per share. In addition, the Company issued warrants to the Debenture holders to purchase one share of Common Stock for each share issued in connection with the conversion of the Debentures, at an exercise price equal to $2.50 per share.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we incurred a change in the fair value of the derivative liability related to the Debentures of approximately $602,000 and $(5.97) million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we reduced the conversion price from $4.25 to $2.00, consistent with the exercise price of the warrants issued in the January Private Placement. The conversion resulted in a reduction of the convertible debenture liability by $5.69 million and an increase in additional paid in capital.

 

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Interest Expense

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company incurred interest expense of approximately $1.21 and $4.48 million, respectively, of which approximately $944,000 and $2.30 million, respectively, were non-cash interest expense and amortization of the deferred financing costs, accretion of the Debentures payable discount, and Debenture interest paid in common stock.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

Overview of Our Business, Strategy, and Plan of Operations

 

We have acquired and developed a producing base of oil and natural gas proved reserves, as well as a portfolio of exploration and other undeveloped assets with conventional and non-conventional reservoir opportunities, with an emphasis on those with multiple producing horizons, in particular the Muddy “J” conventional reservoirs and the Niobrara shale and Codell formation resource plays. We believe these assets offer the possibility of repeatable year-over-year success and significant and cost-effective production and reserve growth. Our acquisition, development and exploration pursuits are principally directed at oil and natural gas properties in the DJ Basin in Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming. As of September 30, 2015, we owned interests in approximately 18,200 net leasehold acres, of which 14,000 gross (11,000 net) acres are classified as undeveloped acreage and all of which are located in Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska within the DJ Basin.   We are primarily focused on our North and South Wattenberg Field assets, which include attractive unconventional reservoir drilling opportunities in mature development areas that offer low risk Niobrara and Codell formation productive potential.  We also believe that our conventional reservoir development potential in our Silo-East, Hanson and Wilke/Lukassen well areas will yield competitive results. We expect to pursue an aggressive multi-well program.

 

Our immediate goal is to acquire new properties and to create value from the participation of five non-operated drilling locations from our inventory of low and controlled-risk conventional and unconventional properties, while maintaining a low cost structure. To achieve this, our business strategy includes the following elements:

 

Capital Raising. The business of oil and natural gas property acquisition, exploration and development is highly capital intensive and the level of operations attainable by oil and natural gas companies is directly linked to and limited by the amount of available capital. Therefore, a principal part of our plan of operations is to raise the additional capital required to finance the exploration and development of our current oil and natural gas prospects and the acquisition of additional properties. We will need to raise additional capital to fund our exploration and development, and operating, budget. We plan to seek additional capital through the sale of our securities, through debt and project financing, acquisition financing, joint venture agreements with industry partners, and through sale of assets. Our ability to obtain additional capital through new debt instruments, project financing and sale of assets may be subject to the repayment of our existing debt obligations.

 

Acquire New Properties. We are actively pursuing synergistic acquisition opportunities as part of our business plan. However, we can provide no assurances that we will find attractive acquisition targets, that we will succeed in negotiating terms and conditions that are favorable to the Company, or that we will execute any acquisitions in the near term, if at all.

 

Pursuing the initial development of our Greater Wattenberg Field unconventional assets We plan to drill several horizontal wells on our South Wattenberg property during 2016. Drilling activities will target the well-established Niobrara and Codell formations.  Subject to securing additional capital, we expect to drill and operate up to eight wells in 2016, with an expected investment of approximately $18.0 million.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company executed five joint operating agreements to participate as a non-operator in the drilling of five horizontal wells. The Company has, on average, 2.78% working interest in each of the wells which are drilled by reputable companies.

 

Extending the development of certain conventional prospects within our inventory of other DJ Basin properties.  Subject to the securing of additional capital, we anticipate the expenditure of up to an additional $30.0 million in drilling and development costs on three of our DJ Basin assets where initial exploration has yielded positive results. Additional drilling activities will be conducted on each property in an effort to fully assess each property and define field productivity and economic limits.  

 

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Retain Operational Control and Significant Working Interest.  In our principal development targets, we typically seek to maintain operational control of our development and drilling activities.   As operator, we retain more control over the timing, selection and process of drilling prospects and completion design, which enhances our ability to maximize our return on invested capital and gives us greater control over the timing, allocation and amounts of capital expenditures.  However, due to our recent liquidity difficulties, a significant amount of our current drilling activity on wells in which we own an interest is not operated by us. 

 

Leasing of Prospective Acreage.  In the course of our business, we identify drilling opportunities on properties that have not yet been leased.  Subject to securing additional capital, we may take the initiative to lease prospective acreage and we may sell all or any portion of the leased acreage to other companies that want to participate in the drilling and development of the prospect acreage.

 

Acreage. Currently, our inventory of developed and undeveloped acreage includes approximately 8,000 net acres that are held by production, approximately, 2,200, 2,000, 5,000 and 1,000 net acres that expire in the years 2015, 2016, 2017, and thereafter, respectively. Approximately 88% of our inventory of undeveloped acreage provides for extension of lease terms from two to five years, at our option, via payment of varying, but typically nominal, extension amounts. We are currently evaluating the 2015 lease expirations to determine if this acreage is a focus for future development. If determined to be a focus for future development, we plan to re-lease if available. If not a focus, we plan to let the acreage expire. We plan to raise additional funds to acquire additional bolt-on properties, acquire other properties throughout North America, or drill wells on our core properties to hold the property by production.

 

Outsourcing. We intend to continue to use the services of independent consultants and contractors to provide various professional services, including land, legal, environmental, technical, investor relations and tax services.  We believe that by limiting our management and employee costs, we may be able to better control lifting costs and retain G&A flexibility. 

 

Hedging. From time to time, we use commodity price hedging instruments to reduce our exposure to oil and natural gas price fluctuations and to help ensure that we have adequate cash flow to fund our debt service costs and capital programs. As such, we will enter into futures contracts, collars and basis swap agreements, as well as fixed price physical delivery contracts. We intend to use hedging primarily to manage price risks and returns on certain acquisitions and drilling programs. Our policy is to consider hedging an appropriate portion of our production at commodity prices we deem attractive. In the future we may also be required by our lenders to hedge a portion of production as part of any financing.

 

Marketing and Pricing

 

We derive revenue principally from the sale of oil and natural gas.  As a result, our revenues are determined, to a large degree, by prevailing prices for crude oil and natural gas.  We sell our oil and natural gas on the open market at prevailing market prices or through forward delivery contracts.  The market price for oil and natural gas is dictated by both local and global supply and demand, and we cannot accurately predict or control the price we may receive for our oil and natural gas.

 

Our revenues, cash flows, profitability and future rate of growth will depend substantially upon prevailing prices for oil and natural gas.  Prices may also affect the amount of cash flow available for capital expenditures and our ability to borrow money or raise additional capital.  Lower prices may also adversely affect the value of our reserves and make it uneconomical for us to commence or continue production levels of oil and natural gas.  Historically, the prices received for oil and natural gas have fluctuated widely.  Among the factors that can cause these fluctuations are:

 

changes in global supply and demand for oil and natural gas;
   
the actions of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC;

 

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the price and quantity of imports of foreign oil and natural gas;
   
acts of war or terrorism;
   
political conditions and events, including embargoes, affecting oil-producing activity;
   
the level of global oil and natural gas exploration and production activity;
   
the level of global oil and natural gas inventories;
   
weather conditions;
   
technological advances affecting energy consumption;
   
transportation options from trucking, rail, and pipeline; and
   
the price and availability of alternative fuels.

 

From time to time, we may enter into hedging arrangements to reduce our exposure to decreases in the prices of oil and natural gas.  Hedging arrangements may expose us to risk of significant financial loss in some circumstances including circumstances where:

 

our production and/or sales of natural gas are less than expected;
   
payments owed under derivative hedging contracts come due prior to receipt of the hedged month’s production revenue; or
   
the counter party to the hedging contract defaults on its contract obligations.

 

In addition, hedging arrangements may limit the benefit we would receive from increases in the prices for oil and natural gas.  We cannot assure you that any hedging transactions we may enter into will adequately protect us from declines in the prices of oil and natural gas.  On the other hand, where we choose not to engage in hedging transactions in the future, we may be more adversely affected by changes in oil and natural gas prices than our competitors who engage in hedging transactions. 

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Management evaluates estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic and commodity price environment. Although actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions, the Company believes that its estimates are reasonable. 

 

The most significant financial estimates are associated with the Company’s estimated volumes of proved oil and natural gas reserves, asset retirement obligations, assessments of impairment imbedded in the carrying value of undeveloped acreage and undeveloped properties, fair value of financial instruments, including derivative liabilities, depreciation and accretion, income taxes and contingencies.

 

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Oil and Gas Producing Activities

 

The Company follows the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas operations whereby all costs related to the exploration, non-production related development and acquisition of oil and natural gas reserves are capitalized. Such costs include land acquisition costs, geological and geophysical expenses, carrying charges on non-producing properties, costs of drilling, developing and completing productive wells and/or plugging and abandoning non-productive wells, and any other costs directly related to acquisition and exploration activities. Proceeds from property sales are generally applied as a credit against capitalized exploration and development costs, with no gain or loss recognized, unless such a sale would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and the proved reserves attributable to these costs. A significant alteration would typically involve a sale of 25% or more of proved reserves.

 

The Company accounts for its unproven long-lived assets in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 360-10-05, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. ASC Topic 360-10-05 requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the historical cost carrying value of an asset may no longer be appropriate.

 

Depletion of exploration and development costs and depreciation of wells and tangible production assets is computed using the units-of-production method based upon estimated proved oil and gas reserves. Costs included in the depletion base to be amortized include (a) all proved capitalized costs including capitalized asset retirement costs net of estimated salvage values, less accumulated depletion, (b) estimated future development costs to be incurred in developing proved reserves; and (c) estimated decommissioning and abandonment/restoration costs, net of estimated salvage values, that are not otherwise included in capitalized costs.

 

The costs of undeveloped acreage are withheld from the depletion base until it is determined whether or not proved reserves can be assigned to the properties. When proved reserves are assigned to such properties or one or more specific properties are deemed to be impaired, the cost of such properties or the amount of the impairment is added to the full cost pool which is subject to depletion calculations.

 

Under the full cost method of accounting, capitalized oil and gas property costs less accumulated depletion and net of deferred income taxes may not exceed an amount equal to the sum of the present value, discounted at 10%, of estimated future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves and the cost of unproved properties not subject to amortization (without regard to estimates of fair value), or estimated fair value, if lower, of unproved properties that are not subject to amortization. Should capitalized costs exceed this ceiling, an impairment expense is recognized. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded an $18.5 and a $24.4 million impairment, respectively. No impairment was recorded in 2014.

 

The present value of estimated future net cash flows was computed by applying a flat oil price to forecast revenues from estimated future production of proved oil and gas reserves as of period-end, less estimated future expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved reserves (assuming the continuation of existing economic conditions), less any applicable future taxes.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company derives revenue primarily from the sale of produced natural gas and crude oil. The Company reports revenue as the gross amount received before taking into account production taxes and transportation costs, which are reported as separate expenses and are included in oil and gas production expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Revenue is recorded in the month the Company’s production is delivered to the purchaser, but payment is generally received between 30 and 90 days after the date of production. No revenue is recognized unless it is determined that title to the product has transferred to the purchaser. At the end of each month, the Company estimates the amount of production delivered to the purchaser and the price the Company will receive. The Company uses its knowledge of its properties, its historical performance, existing contracts, NYMEX and local spot market prices, quality and transportation differentials, and other factors as the basis for these estimates.

 

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Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements 

 

Various accounting standards updates are issued, most of which represented technical corrections to the accounting literature or were applicable to specific industries, are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s condensed financial position and, results of operations.

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Exchange Act) as of September 30, 2015. Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in its reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information that the Company is required to disclose in such reports is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2015, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were still not effective, due to the material weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting described below.

 

Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projection of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods is subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

Based on the evaluation and the identification of the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting described below, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of September 30, 2015, the Company’s internal controls and procedures were not effective.

 

A material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected. In connection with management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting, conducted based on the Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by COSO (2013), we identified the following material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014:

 

As a result of the resignation of our Chief Financial Officer as previously disclosed by way of the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on May 19, 2014, we did not maintain effective monitoring controls and related segregation of duties over automated and manual journal entry transaction processes.

 

As disclosed in our Form 8-K filed on November 13, 2014, the Company determined that during the fourth quarter of 2013 and the first three quarters of 2014, there existed a material weakness with respect to the operation of the Company’s internal controls relating to the documentation and authorization procedures of certain travel and entertaining expenses incurred by certain past and present officers in those periods.

 

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As disclosed previously, in February 2015, the Company discovered an error in the valuation of the conversion derivative liability of the Company’s Debentures for the periods ended December 31, 2011, December 31, 2012, December 31, 2013, March 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014 (together, the “Relevant Periods”). Specifically, the calculation of the conversion liability included in the Company’s financial statements for the Relevant Periods only included the value of the price protection feature, when it should have included both the conversion option and the price protection embedded in the Debentures. The changes in the value of the derivative resulted in changes to the Company’s financial statements, which warranted restatement of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended September 30, 2013, March 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014.

 

Because of the material weaknesses described above, management has concluded that we did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2015, based on the Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by COSO (2013).

  

Remediation Efforts

 

We have already implemented and plan to continue to make necessary changes and improvements to the overall design of our control environment to address the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting described above. In particular, we have hired and expect to hire additional employees, independent contractors and consultants to assist with strengthening the segregation of duties and control activities in journal entry processing and complex accounting issues such as those related to our Debentures. We have also hired an external expert to help with the valuation of Debentures. Additionally, we have begun to perform an analysis of all automated and manual procedures to strengthen the effectiveness of our segregation of duties and control environment. At any time, if it appears any control can be implemented to mitigate risks, it is immediately implemented.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2014, we implemented a new extensive Travel and Expense policy which all employees and directors are required to review and sign. In the third quarter of 2015, the Company assessed the existing Travel and Expense policy and presented a further revised policy which the board of directors approved. Furthermore, the Company has required all employees and directors to review and sign all of the Company’s corporate documents which include, but are not limited to, the Code of Ethics, Travel and Expense Policy, and Corporate Governance Policy. The Company is planning to test the remediation periodically and fully remediate the weakness by the end of this fiscal year.

 

In March 2015, we appointed Kevin Nanke Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Nanke has and will continue to bring additional oversight in financial reporting and strengthen the segregation of duties.

 

Management believes through their appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer and the implementation of the foregoing policies, the Company will significantly improve our control environment, the completeness and accuracy of underlying accounting data and the promptness with which we are able to close our books. Management is committed to continuing efforts aimed at fully achieving an operationally effective control environment and timely filing of required regulatory financial information. The remediation efforts noted above are subject to our internal control assessment, testing, and evaluation processes. While these efforts continue, we will rely on additional substantive procedures and other measures as needed to assist us with meeting the objectives otherwise fulfilled by an effective control environment.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Other than those described above, management has determined that there were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the third quarter of 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. 

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

Parker v. Tracinda Corporation, Denver District Court, Case No. 2011CV561. In November 2012, the Company filed a motion to intervene in garnishment proceedings involving Roger Parker, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. The Defendant, Tracinda, served various writs of garnishment on the Company to enforce a judgment against Mr. Parker seeking, among other things, shares of unvested restricted stock. The Company asserted rights to lawful set-offs and deductions in connection with certain tax consequences, which may be material to the Company. The underlying judgment against Mr. Parker was appealed to the Colorado Court of Appeals and, by Order dated October 17, 2013, that Court reversed the trial court with respect to Mr. Parker’s claims of waiver, estoppel and mitigation of damages and remanded with instruction to enter judgment for Mr. Parker. The Court of Appeals also ordered the trial court to conduct further proceedings to determine the amount of damages to award Mr. Parker on his breach of contract claim. The trial court conducted a later hearing and found in its Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order dated January 9, 2015, in favor of Mr. Parker on his claim for breach of contract, awarding him $6,981,302.60.Tracinda’s Motion for Amendment of the Court’s January 9 Findings and Conclusions was the subject of an Order dated April 10, 2015, in which the Court set off the award in favor of Mr. Parker against the award in favor of Tracinda, resulting in judgment in favor of Tracinda and against Mr. Parker in the amount of $625,572.10. On April 16, 2015, Tracinda filed a Notice of Appeal in the Colorado Court of Appeals, appealing both the January 9 Order and the April 10 Order. On May 18, 2015, Parker filed a Notice of Cross-Appeal in the Colorado Court of Appeals, cross-appealing both the January 9 Order and the April 10 Order. The record is in the process of being certified. The filing of the record will trigger the parties' briefing schedule.

 

In re Roger A. Parker: Tracinda Corp. v. Recovery Energy, Inc. and Roger A. Parker, United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Colorado, Case No. 13-10897-EEB. On June 10, 2013, Tracinda Corp. (“Tracinda”) filed a complaint (Adversary No. 13-011301 EEB) against the Company and Roger Parker in connection with the personal bankruptcy proceedings of Roger Parker, alleging that the Company improperly failed to remit to Tracinda certain property in connection with a writs of garnishment issued by the Denver District Court (discussed above). The Company filed an answer to this complaint on July 10, 2013. A trial date has not been set and, by Order dated February 2, 2015, the Bankruptcy Court ordered that the Adversary Proceeding be held in abeyance pending final resolution of the state-court action (2011CV561). The Company is unable to predict the timing and outcome of this matter.

 

Lilis Energy, Inc. v. Great Western Operating Company LLC, Eighth Judicial District Court for Clark County, Nevada, Case No. A-15-714879-B. On March 6, 2015, the Company filed a lawsuit against Great Western Operating Company, LLC (the “Operator”). The dispute related to the Company’s interest in certain producing wells and the Operator’s assertion that the Company’s interest was reduced and/or eliminated as a result of a default or a farm-out agreement. Underlying the dispute is the JOA which provides the parties with various rights and obligations. In its complaint, the Company sought monetary damages and declaratory relief on claims of breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, tortious breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unjust enrichment, conversion and declaratory judgment related to the JOA. The Operator filed a motion to dismiss on May 26, 2015 and we responded by filing an opposition motion on June 12, 2015.

 

On July 7, 2015, as previously reported, the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) with the Operator. The Settlement Agreement provides that upon the Company’s payment to the Operator, net of the revenues owed to the Company based on the Company’s respective working interests in the subject wells of (i) the balance of its share of the costs and expenses of drilling, completion and operating costs of the subject wells, (ii) interest due on that amount and (iii) a penalty fee of $250,000. The Company will have its full rights restored in the subject wells and return to having all rights and obligations under the JOA. This includes the right to participate in any future proposed wells at the Company’s full interest under the JOA as if the Company had participated and paid its proportionate share of costs of the subject wells prior to the notices of default sent to the Company by the Operator. Pursuant to the JOA, the Company will regain an approximately 50% working interest in each of two Wattenberg horizontal wells (1 Niobrara and 1 Codell), an approximately 33% working interest in a third well (Niobrara), and an approximately 50% working interest in the remaining leasehold. Due to the Company’s inability to secure financing pursuant to the Credit Agreement or another funding source, payment has not yet remanded payment to the Operator.

 

The Company believes there is no other litigation pending that could have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are not required to provide the information under this item.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

None.

 

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Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

Credit Agreement

 

As discussed above, the Company is currently in default of the Credit Agreement for failure to make the principal payment due on October 1, 2015, in the amount of $125,000 and interest payments in the aggregate amount of $89,000, pursuant to Section 4.1 of the Credit Agreement. The Company is also in default under Section 8.1 and 8.20 of the Credit Agreement for failure to satisfy the covenants relating to the furnishing of reserve reports as of September 15 of each year and holding regularly scheduled operations meetings, respectively. Additionally, as of the date hereof, the Company has assumed an aggregate amount of $750,002 in additional subordinated unsecured debt, which is a default under the Credit Agreement pursuant to of Section 9.1(c). As a result of these violations, the Company has recorded the entire amount under the Term Loan totaling $2.75 million as a current liability.

 

If an event of default occurs and is continuing, amounts due under the Credit Agreement may be accelerated, and the rights and remedies of the Lenders under the agreement may be exercised, including rights with respect to the collateral securing obligations under the agreements. As such, the balance under the Term Loan as of September 30, 2015 has been classified as a current obligation.

 

Further, upon the occurrence of the event of default described above, and for so long as such event of default is continuing, the Majority Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement or “Heartland”) has the ability to increase the interest accruing on amounts owed under the Credit Agreement in the amount equal to the current interest rate plus 3.5%.

 

As of the date hereof, Heartland has not taken any action to exercise any remedies under the Credit Agreement.

 

The Company is currently in discussions with Heartland to resolve the existing defaults. There can be no assurance that the Company and Heartland will be successful in doing so. If we are unable to reach a successful resolution with Heartland, it may exercise its rights with respect to the Company’s collateral which includes substantially all of its assets. If Heartland exercises its rights with respect to the collateral, including foreclosure, we may need to severely curtail or cease operations. We are considering options available to the Company.

 

Convertible Debentures

 

The Debentures also contain certain cross-default provisions with certain other debt instruments. Therefore, a default under the Credit Agreement, constitutes an event of default pursuant to the Debentures and may result in an acceleration of the Company’s obligations at the holders’ election. No demand has been received as of the date hereof, however, as a result of these violations, the Company has recorded the entire amount under the Debentures totaling $6.85 million as a current liability.

 

Preferred Stock

 

We have two classes of preferred stock outstanding, the Series A 8% Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred”) and the Conditionally Redeemable 6% Preferred Stock (the “Redeemable Preferred”).

 

The Series A Preferred bears an 8% dividend per annum, payable quarterly in cash, or if certain conditions are not met, Common Stock. As of September 30, 2015, the Company has accrued a cumulative dividend of $450,000 on the Series A Preferred Stock. Additionally, the Company is subject to an 18% late fee on the outstanding dividend amount owed until the balance is paid.

 

The Redeemable Preferred bears a 6% dividend per annum, payable quarterly in cash. As of September 30, 2015, the Company has accrued a cumulative dividend of $90,000 on the Redeemable Preferred.

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

Number

  Exhibit Description
31.1   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
31.2   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
32.1   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
32.2   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Schema
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase

  

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized

 

Signature   Title   Date
         

/s/ Abraham Mirman

 

Chief Executive Officer

  November 23, 2015
Abraham Mirman   (Principal Executive Officer)    
         
/s/ Kevin Nanke   Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer   November 23, 2015
Kevin Nanke   (Principal Financial Officer)    

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

  Exhibit Description
31.1   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
31.2   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
32.1   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
32.2   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Schema
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase

 

 

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