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Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016

OR

 

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

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number 0-23530

 

 

TRANS ENERGY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Nevada   93-0997412

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

210 Second Street, P.O. Box 393, St. Marys, West Virginia 26170

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (304) 684-7053

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the 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  x    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  x    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. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

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

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class

 

Outstanding as of September 30, 2016

Common Stock, $0.001 par value   16,131,648

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

Heading

   Page  

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)

  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets — March  31, 2016 and December 31, 2015

     F-1   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations — Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015

     F-3   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015

     F-4   

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-5   

Item  2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     1   

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

     5   

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     6   

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

     7   

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

     7   

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

     7   

Item 5. Other Information

     7   

Item 6. Exhibits

     7   

Signatures

     8   

 

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Table of Contents

TRANS ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

     March 31,
2016
    December 31,
2015
 
     Unaudited     Audited  
ASSETS     

CURRENT ASSETS

    

Cash

   $ 337,671      $ 473,081   

Restricted cash

     232,412        231,916   

Accounts receivable, trade

     2,166,524        1,711,926   

Accounts receivable due from drilling operator, net

     334,414        —     

Accounts receivable, related parties

     18,500        18,500   

Commodity derivatives

     3,721,680        3,417,887   

Advance royalties

     391,883        337,133   

Prepaid expenses

     653,372        642,740   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     7,856,456        6,833,183   

OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES, USING SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS ACCOUNTING

    

Proved properties

     101,979,040        84,956,392   

Unproved properties

     7,360,226        6,829,029   

Pipelines

     4,435,421        4,435,421   

Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

     (38,748,625     (26,442,766 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Oil and gas properties, net

     75,026,062        69,778,076   

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net of accumulated depreciation of $414,783 and $404,669, respectively

     416,487        426,601   

OTHER ASSETS

    

Assets held for sale

     —          13,460,614   

Commodity derivatives

     2,189,678        2,423,508   

Other assets

     391,438        390,925   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other assets

     2,581,116        16,275,047   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 85,880,121      $ 93,312,907   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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TRANS ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)

 

     March 31,
2016
    December 31,
2015
 
     Unaudited     Audited  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT     

CURRENT LIABILITIES

    

Accounts payable, trade

   $ 1,096,360      $ 1,321,852   

Accounts payable due to drilling operator, net

     —          548,086   

Accounts payable, related party

     1,500        1,500   

Accrued expenses

     2,276,335        1,954,257   

Environmental settlement and related costs

     2,000,000        2,000,000   

Revenue payable

     14,734        8,578   

Commodity derivatives

     585,950        474,696   

Notes payable, net - current (Note 7)

     124,306,343        117,512,487   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     130,281,222        123,821,456   

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

    

Notes payable, net

     2,230,955        2,134,018   

Asset retirement obligations

     52,041        39,669   

Environmental settlement and related costs

     3,000,000        3,000,000   

Commodity derivatives

     956,941        1,253,024   

Deferred revenue

     62,510        62,510   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term liabilities

     6,302,447        6,489,221   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     136,583,669        130,310,677   

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

     —          —    

STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

    

Preferred stock; 10,000,000 shares authorized at $0.001 par value; 0 shares issued and outstanding

     —          —    

Common stock; 500,000,000 shares authorized at $0.001 par value; 15,388,977 and 15,263,977 shares issued, and 15,386,977 and 15,261,977 shares outstanding, respectively

     15,389        15,264   

Additional paid-in capital

     46,115,276        45,965,168   

Treasury stock, at cost, 2,000 shares

     (1,950     (1,950 )

Accumulated deficit

     (96,832,263     (82,976,252 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (50,703,548     (36,997,770 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

   $ 85,880,121      $ 93,312,907   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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TRANS ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

 

     For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2016     2015  

OPERATING REVENUES

    

Oil and gas sales

   $ 2,061,060      $ 3,463,209   

Natural gas liquid sales

     415,646        921,828   

Gas transportation, gathering, and processing

     19,463        42,716   

Other income

     133        1,777   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

     2,496,302        4,429,530   

OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES

    

Production costs

     2,542,191        3,037,186   

Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion

     7,262,821        1,802,830   

General and administrative

     838,880        1,180,830   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating costs and expenses

     10,643,892        6,020,846   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LOSS FROM OPERATIONS

     (8,147,590     (1,591,316

OTHER (EXPENSES) INCOME

    

Interest income

     561        542   

Interest expense

     (6,892,608     (3,115,737

Gains on commodity derivatives

     1,183,626        7,375,180   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other (expenses) income

     (5,708,421     4,259,985   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     (13,856,011     2,668,669   

INCOME TAX

     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET (LOSS) INCOME

   $ (13,856,011   $ 2,668,669   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET (LOSS) INCOME PER SHARE — BASIC

   $ (.90   $ .18   

NET (LOSS) INCOME PER SHARE — DILUTED

   $ (.90   $ .18   

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES – BASIC

     15,316,999        14,889,031   

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES – DILUTED

     15,316,999        15,079,726   

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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TRANS ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

     For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2016     2015  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net (loss) income

   $ (13,856,011   $ 2,668,669   

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation, depletion, and accretion

     7,262,821        1,317,781   

Amortization of financing costs and debt discount

     1,423,275        485,049   

Share-based compensation

     68,483        555,778   

Professional fees paid by common stock issuance

     81,750        —     

Interest and legal expense added to principal

     5,467,518        —     

Total gain on commodity derivatives

     (1,183,626     (7,375,180

Cash settlement of commodity derivatives

     928,834        2,030,176   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Changes in restricted cash

     (496     —     

Accounts receivable, trade

     (454,598     (253,524

Accounts receivable due from operator

     (334,414     —     

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (65,382     (48,071

Other assets

     (513     (497

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     96,586        (1,665,240

Accounts payable due to operator

     (548,086     5,903,756   

Revenue payable

     6,156        (8,947
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     (1,107,703     3,609,750   

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Expenditures for oil and gas properties

     972,293        (7,108,042

Expenditures for property and equipment

     —          (2,239
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     972,293        (7,110,281

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Proceeds from notes payable

     —          3,050,000   

Payments on notes payable

     —          (279,359

Stock options exercised

     —          327,016   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     —          3,097,657   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN CASH

     (135,410     (402,874
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     473,081        1,585,530   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH, END OF PERIOD

   $ 337,671      $ 1,182,656   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES FOR CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

    

CASH PAID FOR:

    

Interest

   $ 1,816      $ 3,115,736   

Income taxes

     —          —     

NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Accrued expenditures for oil and gas properties

   $ 548,086      $ 7,254,606   

Increase in asset retirement obligation

   $ 6,235      $ 11,372   

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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TRANS ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

NOTE 1 — BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Trans Energy, Inc., (“Trans Energy,” “we,” “our,” “us,” or the “Company”), in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United State of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 8-03 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in a full set of financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. The information furnished in the interim condensed consolidated financial statements includes normal recurring adjustments and reflects all adjustments, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements. Although management believes the disclosures and information presented are adequate to make the information not misleading, these interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our most recent audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our December 31, 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016.

Significant Accounting Policies

The accounting policies followed by the Company are set forth in Note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the 2015 Form 10-K, and are supplemented by the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in this report.

Nature of Operations and Organization

We are an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas. Our operations are presently focused in the State of West Virginia.

Principles of Consolidation

The unaudited consolidated financial statements include Trans Energy and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Prima Oil Company, Inc. (“Prima”), Ritchie County Gathering Systems, Inc., Tyler Construction Company, Inc., American Shale Development, Inc. (“American Shale” or “ASD”), and Tyler Energy, Inc., and interests with joint development partners, which are accounted for under the proportional consolidation method. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Our financial statements are based on a number of significant estimates, including oil and gas reserve quantities which are the basis for the calculation of depreciation, depletion, amortization, and impairment of oil and gas properties, timing and costs associated with our asset retirement obligations, estimates of fair value of derivative instruments and estimates used in stock-based compensation calculations. Reserve estimates are by their nature inherently imprecise.

Restricted Cash

On September 3, 2015, American Shale entered into a Deposit Account Control Agreement (“DACA”) with Morgan Stanley Capital Group, Inc., administrative agent for the Lenders (“Agent”) and United Bank, Inc. Currently, the settlements related to the Company’s derivative and hedge financial instruments are deposited directly into depository accounts subject to the DACA. The agent exercises control of the depository accounts subject to the DACA and has the ability to prevent disbursements from those restricted accounts to our unrestricted cash accounts. Amounts deposited into these accounts are generally released to us in a timely manner. As of March 31, 2016, current restricted cash includes $232,412 of cash temporarily held in accounts controlled by our agent.

 

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Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation on vehicles, machinery and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over expected useful lives of five to ten years. Additions are capitalized and maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

Oil and Gas Properties

The Company follows the successful efforts method of accounting for its oil and gas exploration and production activities. Under this method, all property acquisition costs, and costs of exploratory and development wells are capitalized until a determination is made that the well has found proved reserves or is deemed noncommercial. If an exploratory well is deemed to be noncommercial, the well costs are charged to exploration expense as dry hole costs. Exploration expenses include dry hole costs and geological and geophysical expenses. Noncommercial development well costs are charged to impairment expense if circumstances indicate that a decline in the recoverability of the carrying value may have occurred.

Unproved oil and gas properties that are individually significant are periodically assessed for impairment of value, and a loss is recognized at the time of impairment by providing an impairment allowance. Depreciation, depletion, and amortization (“DD&A) of capitalized costs related to proved oil and gas properties is calculated on a property-by-property basis using the units-of-production method based upon proved reserves. The computation of DD&A takes into consideration restoration, dismantlement, and abandonment costs as well as the estimated proceeds from salvaging equipment. Depreciation on pipelines and related equipment, including compressors, is computed using the straight-line method over the expected useful lives of ten to twenty-five years.

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization expenses on oil and gas properties were $7,246,320 and $1,297,264 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Total additions for oil and gas properties for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were $(972,293) and $7,108,042, respectively. During 2016 the additions for oil and gas properties of $75,457 were reduced by $1,047,750 as a result of change in ownership percentage due to unitization of various leases.

The sale of a partial interest in a proved oil and gas property is accounted for as a normal retirement, and no gain or loss is recognized as long as the treatment does not significantly affect the units-of-production depletion rate. A gain or loss is recognized for all other sales of producing properties. The sale of a partial interest in an unproved oil and gas property is accounted for as a recovery of cost, with any excess of the proceeds over such cost or related carrying amount recognized as gain.

Impairments

GAAP requires that long-lived assets (including oil and gas properties) and certain identifiable intangibles are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company, at least annually, reviews its proved oil and gas properties for impairment by comparing the carrying value of its properties to the properties’ undiscounted estimated future net cash flows. Estimates of future oil and gas prices, operating costs, and production are utilized in determining undiscounted future net cash flows. The estimated future production of oil and gas reserves is based upon the Company’s independent reserve engineer’s estimate of proved reserves, which includes assumptions regarding field decline rates and future prices and costs. For properties where the carrying value exceeds undiscounted future net cash flows, the Company recognizes an impairment for the difference between the carrying value and fair market value of the properties.

No impairments were recorded for the periods ended March 31, 2016 or 2015.

 

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Derivatives

We may enter into derivative commodity contracts at times to manage or reduce commodity price risk related to our production. Derivatives and embedded derivatives, if applicable, are measured at fair value and recognized in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities. Derivatives are classified in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as current or non-current based on whether net-cash settlement is expected to be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date. These commodity contracts are not designated as cash flow hedges, so changes in the fair value are recognized immediately in other income (expense) in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The pricing models used for valuation often incorporate significant estimates and assumptions, which may impact the level of precision in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Asset Retirement Obligations

We record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. These obligations include dismantlement, plugging and abandonment of oil and gas wells and equipment. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. The liability is accreted to its then present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depleted over the estimated useful life of the related asset which has been determined to be 40 years for Marcellus Shale wells.

The following is a description of the changes to our asset retirement obligations for the three months ended March 31:

 

     2016      2015  

Asset retirement obligations at beginning of period

   $ 39,669       $ 90,928   

Liabilities incurred during the period

     6,235         11,372   

Accretion expense

     6,137         1,000   

Liability revisions

     —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Asset retirement obligations at end of period

   $ 52,041       $ 103,300   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, our current portion of the asset retirement obligation was $0.

Income Taxes

At March 31, 2016, the Company had net operating loss carry forwards (“NOLs”) for future years of approximately $98.9 million. These NOLs will expire at various dates through 2035. There is no current tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 due to a net operating loss for the period. No tax benefit has been recorded in the consolidated financial statements for the remaining NOLs or Alternative Minimum Tax (“AMT”) credit since the potential tax benefit is offset by a valuation allowance of the same amount. Utilization of the NOLs could be limited if there is a substantial change in ownership of the Company and is contingent on future earnings.

We have provided a valuation allowance equal to 100% of the total net deferred asset in recognition of the uncertainty regarding the ultimate amount of the net deferred tax asset that will be realized.

The Company has no material unrecognized tax benefits. No tax penalties or interest expense were accrued as of March 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015 or paid during the periods then ended. We file tax returns in the United States and states in which we have operations and are subject to taxation. Tax years subsequent to 2012 remain open to examination by U.S. federal and state tax jurisdictions, however prior year net operating losses remain open for examination.

 

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Revenue and Cost Recognition

We recognize gas revenues upon delivery of the gas to the customers’ pipeline from our pipelines when recorded as received by the customer’s meter. We recognize oil revenues when pumped and metered by the customer. We use the sales method to account for sales and imbalances of natural gas. Under this method, revenues are recognized based on actual volumes sold to purchasers. The volumes sold may differ from the volumes to which we are entitled based on our interest in the properties. These differences create imbalances which are recognized as a liability only when the imbalance exceeds the estimate of remaining reserves. We had no material imbalances as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. Costs associated with production are expensed in the period incurred.

Revenue payable represents cash received but not yet distributed to third parties.

Transportation revenue is recognized when earned and we have a contractual right to receive payment.

Share-Based Compensation

Trans Energy estimates the fair value of each stock option award at the grant date by using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The model employs various assumptions, based on management’s best estimates at the time of the grant, which impact the fair value calculated and ultimately, the expense that is recognized over the life of the award. We have utilized historical data and analyzed current information to reasonably support these assumptions. The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based on the fair value of our common stock on the date of the grant.

We recognize share-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. As a result of stock and option transactions, we recorded total share-based compensation of $68,483 and $555,778 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

New Accounting Standards

In March 2016, the “FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”), which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions including accounting for income taxes and classification of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows, forfeitures and minimum statutory tax withholding requirements. For the Company, ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for any interim or annual period. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact on the financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases” (“ASU 2016-02”). The objective of this ASU is to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018 and should be applied using a modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact on the financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“ASU 2016-01”), which amended its standards related to the accounting of certain financial instruments. This amendment addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure. The new rules will become effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact on the financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, “Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs” (“ASU 2015-03”). The purpose of the standard update was to simplify presentation of debt issuance costs. ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. Amortization of the discount or premium shall be reported as interest expense in the case of liabilities or as interest income in the case of assets. Amortization of debt issuance costs also shall be reported as interest expense. ASU 2015-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2016 and the impact of adopting this standard is discussed further in Note 7.

 

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In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 is intended to improve the financial reporting requirements for revenue from contracts with customers by providing a principle based approach. The core principle of the standard is that revenue should be recognized when the transfer of promised goods or services is made in an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for the transfer of goods and services. ASU 2014-09 also requires disclosures enabling users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)” (“ASU 2016-08”), which clarifies principal versus agent when another party, along with the entity, is involved in providing a good or service to a customer. Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, requires an entity to determine whether the nature of its promise is to provide that good or service to the customer (i.e., the entity is a principal) or to arrange for the good or service to be provided to the customer by the other party (i.e., the entity is an agent). The original effective date for financial statements issued by public companies was for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. In July 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (including interim reporting periods within those periods). Early adoption is permitted to the original effective date. The Company is currently evaluating which method of adoption will be used as well as the potential impact on the financial statements.

On August 27, 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40), Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern” (“ASU 2014-15”). ASU 2014-15 will require management to evaluate whether there are conditions and events that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the financial statements are issued on both an interim and annual basis. Management will be required to provide certain footnote disclosures if it concludes that substantial doubt exists or when its plans alleviate substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. ASU 2014-15 becomes effective for annual periods beginning in 2016 and for interim reporting periods starting in the first quarter of 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact on the financial statements.

The Company has reviewed all other recently issued accounting standards in order to determine their effects, if any, on the consolidated financial statements. Based on that review, the Company believes that none of these standards will have a significant effect on current or future earnings or results of operations.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the 2015 condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2016 presentation. This reclassification included reclassifying natural gas liquid sales from oil and gas sales given its significant balances. These sales are presented as a separate line item in the condensed consolidated statements of operations of $415,646 and $921,828 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. This reclassification also included reclassifying restricted cash to cash. The amount reclassified was $238,457 at December 31, 2015. These changes had no impact to previously reported total operating revenues or net income.

In addition, the Company has reclassified commodity derivatives to a gross presentation in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for 2015. This reclassification is reflected as a total gain on commodity derivatives of $7,375,180 with a separate presentation of the cash settlement of commodity derivatives of $2,030,176. The offsetting adjustment is reflected in the accounts receivable, trade balance. This change had no impact on our net cash provided by operating activities.

 

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NOTE 2 — GOING CONCERN

The Company has incurred losses from operations of $13.8 million, and negative cash flows from operations of $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. In addition, the Company has negative working capital of $122.4 million and its cash balance was approximately $338,000 as of March 31, 2016. Additionally, subsequent to the balance sheet date, but prior to issuance of these financial statements, the Company entered into a forbearance agreement (Note 7) with its lender. As a result of these conditions and events, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. As part of the Company’s current strategic review process, it is currently seeking to monetize certain assets as discussed in Note 7.

NOTE 3 - ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE DUE FROM DRILLING OPERATOR AND ACCOUNTS PAYABLE DUE TO DRILLING OPERATOR

Prior to 2012, we had been the drilling operator for wells drilled on our behalf and other third parties in which we own a working interest. In 2012, another working interest owner became the drilling operator for wells in which we own a working interest.

The amount due from the drilling operator as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively is $334,414 and $218,456 for charges related to employee salary reimbursements, travel expense and lease costs.

The amount due to the drilling operator as of December 31, 2015 was $766,542 for charges incurred, but not paid.

NOTE 4 - ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE

On April 3, 2015, Trans Energy, and its wholly owned subsidiaries American Shale and Prima, along with Republic Energy Ventures, LLC, Republic Partners VIII, LLC, Republic Partners VI, LP, Republic Partners VII, LLC, and Republic Energy Operating, LLC (collectively, the “Sellers”) entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “TH PSA”), pursuant to which the Sellers agreed to sell certain interests located in Wetzel County, West Virginia, including 5,159 net acres held by the Company and the Company’s interest in twelve Marcellus producing wellbores, to TH Exploration, LLC (“Buyer”). On July 30, 2015, the Buyer elected to formally extend the expiration date of the TH PSA until August 14, 2015 (the “Extension Period”). During the Extension Period, the Buyer provided notice to the Company that the TH PSA would terminate on August 13, 2015. The Company believes that the TH PSA terminated as a result of such notice. Because of uncertainty surrounding whether the Buyer would contest the termination of the TH PSA along with Management’s intention to sell the underlying assets as soon as such uncertainty was definitively resolved, the Wetzel county assets were reported as assets held for sale at December 31, 2015. In January 2016, the Wetzel county assets were reclassified to proved oil and gas properties and a catch up entry for the depletion was booked by the Company in the amount of $4,372,965. No assets were ultimately sold under this TH PSA.

Total assets held for sale as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were $0 and $13,460,614, respectively.

 

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NOTE 5 – SALE OF OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES

On January 24, 2013, we closed the sale of our interests in certain non-core assets for approximately $2.6 million of net cash proceeds. The interests sold consisted of our working interest in all existing shallow wells, but we retained an overriding royalty interest of approximately 2.5% on most of the wells. The purchaser assumed the role of operator with respect to approximately 300 wellbores, and has commenced a workover program with respect to a number of the existing wells. The wells produced at a rate of approximately 800 Mcfe per day as of December 31, 2012, which was the effective date for the transaction. Additionally, we granted the purchaser the right to drill wells in or above conventional shallow Devonian formations, for leases where we currently hold rights to such depths. We did not farm out any of our rights to drill in deeper formations such as the Rhinestreet, Marcellus or Utica. We retained up to a 5% overriding royalty interest on any such wells drilled, depending on the net revenue interest.

On May 21, 2014 (“Funding Date”), American Shale entered into a purchase and sale agreement (the “Republic PSA”) with its joint development partner, Republic Energy Ventures (“Republic”). As part of the Republic PSA, Republic agreed to amend the Amended Joint Development Agreement with American Shale (the “AJDA”). Under the revised AJDA, Republic agreed to fund all costs associated with new leasehold acquisitions subsequent to April 1, 2014. American Shale has the right to buy a 25% interest in any such leasehold at Republic’s cost, plus 12% interest, in the event that Republic sells its interest in the leasehold or permits a third party to drill a well on the leasehold. In the event that American Shale repays Republic under the terms of the Republic PSA, American Shale will have the option to fund a 50% portion of any future leasehold expenditures, upon providing satisfactory evidence of its ability to continue such funding on a go-forward basis.

On December 24, 2014, American Shale (the “Sellers”) closed a transaction pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “PSA”) executed as of December 24, 2014 with Wellbore Capital, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Wellbore”). Pursuant to the PSA, the Sellers granted to Wellbore overriding royalty interests in certain leases (the “Oil and Gas Properties”) located in Wetzel and Marion Counties, West Virginia (collectively, the “ORRI”). Under the PSA, the purchase price for the ORRI was $11.0 million, of which the Company received approximately $10.7 million in cash at closing. The PSA provides Wellbore the right to sell its interests in the ORRI to a third party acquiror in the event that Sellers sell all of their interests in the oil and gas properties to such acquiror. If such sale occurs prior to December 31, 2017, Wellbore alternatively has the right to require Sellers to repurchase the ORRI for a certain return on its investment in the ORRI.

On April 27, 2015, American Shale entered into an agreement with Republic Energy Operating, LLC. Under this agreement, American Shale agreed to the disposition of a portion of American Shale’s working and net revenue interests in wells in Marion County, West Virginia (the “Working Interests”) that have been recently drilled but not completed. American Shale reserved the option to reacquire the Working Interests pursuant to a notice of election at agreed upon prices set forth in the agreement.

NOTE 6 — ENVIRONMENTAL SETTLEMENT AND RELATED COSTS

On October 1, 2014, Trans Energy, Inc. pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor charges related to Unauthorized Discharge into a Water of the United States in violation of the Clean Water Act. In connection with this plea, the Company agreed to pay a $600,000 fine and was placed on probation for a period of two years.

On August 25, 2014, we entered into a civil Consent Decree with the EPA with respect to the Clean Water Act matter and related issues that were discovered based upon an internal audit that we conducted. The Consent Decree requires us to pay a $3,000,000 civil penalty in two installments. The Company paid the first installment on its penalty in the amount of $1 million, plus interest, on July 20, 2015. Under an agreement with the United States and the State of West Virginia, the Company paid a second installment on its penalty in the amount of $250,000 on April 8, 2016, and a third installment in the amount of $1,750,000, plus interest, is now due on April 21, 2017. The Consent Decree requires us to perform certain restoration activities at the affected pond, well pad and access road sites over a period of three construction seasons. The Company is in the process of submitting delineation reports and restoration plans, with corresponding timelines for performing restoration activities, to EPA for approval. The EPA has estimated that the restoration will cost as much as $13 million, but we intend to perform the work in a manner that will cause our costs to be significantly below this estimate. Management has recorded a $3,000,000 long-term environmental settlement and related costs liability as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 to reflect its best estimate of what the restoration costs will actually be. The Consent Decree also requires us to put in place and maintain an environmental compliance program. Finally, on December 21, 2015, the Company entered into an Administrative Agreement with the EPA Suspension and Debarment Division to resolve all matters relating to suspension, debarment, and statutory disqualification arising from the Company’s Clean Water Act misdemeanor plea. The Agreement requires that the Company comply with its plea agreement and Consent Decree, establish and review with employees a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, establish an ethics hotline, prepare semiannual compliance reports, and retain an independent monitor to certify the Company’s compliance.

 

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NOTE 7 — NOTES PAYABLE

On May 21, 2014, American Shale, entered into a credit agreement (hereafter the “Credit Agreement”) by and among American Shale, several lenders (the “Lenders”), and Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc. as the administrative agent (“Agent”). Trans Energy is a guarantor of the Credit Agreement as is Prima, another of our wholly owned subsidiaries. The Credit Agreement initially provided that the Lenders would lend American Shale up to $200 million, including an initial draw of $102.5 million plus a PIK fee of $593,750, a contingent committed amount of $47.5 million and an uncommitted amount of $50 million (the “Loans”). The initial draw under the facility was used primarily to repay all of the outstanding debt under a previous Credit Agreement, as well as to fund certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Credit Agreement. Additional amounts up to $47.5 million were originally allowed to be drawn within the two year period after the Funding Date provided that the Net Debt Ratio, pro forma for such subsequent drawdowns, based on the level of PDP PV9 that was projected six months from the date of each drawdown, met certain pre-defined targets.

In connection with obtaining financing in May 2014 and subsequent borrowings, we incurred fees and expenses of $6,242,874. Per the guidance of ASU 2015-03 the loan costs are presented as a reduction to the notes payable - current on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and will be amortized to interest expense over the life of the note using the interest rate method (see Note 1). At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the balance of the notes payable was reduced by $2,662,638 and $3,550,184 related to the loan costs, respectively, and the Company had recognized $3,580,236 and $2,692,690, respectively, of cumulative interest expense related to the amortization of the loan costs.

The Loans initially bore interest at a per annum rate equal to 9% plus the greater of 1% or LIBOR, for a three month interest period. The interest rate has subsequently increased in connection with the First Amendment and Waiver, as more fully described below. Interest is due and payable monthly in arrears. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded interest expense of $5,370,581 and $2,967,969 related to the Credit Agreement, respectively.

On the Funding Date, American Shale also entered into a Net Profits Interest Agreement (the “NPI Agreement”) with the Agent. The NPI Agreement provides that subsequent to the repayment of the Loans, American Shale will pay a net profits interest to the Agent (the “NPI”). The NPI is to be calculated based on production revenues less certain expenditures, including operating costs, general and administrative expenses, interest and capital expenditures. The amount of interest expense and general and administrative expenses that can be charged are limited based on the amounts that were previously expensed prior to repayment of the Loans. The NPI is earned based on amounts borrowed under the Credit Agreement. As of the Funding Date, a NPI of 6.5% of the net profits, as defined under the NPI Agreement, has been earned. The Agent will earn up to an additional 2.5% of the net profits pro rata for any subsequent borrowing by American Shale under the $47.5 million contingent commitment. At June 30, 2014, the Company recorded a discount related to the NPI of $3,339,376 on proved property and $733,034 on unproved property. The total value recorded as a discount on loan payable related to the NPI was $4,072,410. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded interest expense related to accretion of the NPI discount in the amount of $535,729 and $222,131, respectively, which is computed using the straight line method (as it approximated the effective interest method) over the life of the loan (see below for details regarding the First Amendment and Waiver).

The NPI Agreement provides the Agent with the option to sell its NPI for fair value, as defined in the NPI Agreement, alongside American Shale or Trans Energy in the event that either American Shale or Trans Energy sells interests, including partial interests, in the subject properties at a fair value for the NPI that meets or exceeds $1.5 million for each 1.0% of NPI earned by the Agent prior to such date. In such event, American Shale can also require the Agent to sell all of its NPI to American Shale (or, alternatively, to the buyer of any subject interests) for fair value. In the event of a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of American Shale, fair value is defined as the net cash received that is attributable to the equity interests of either American Shale or Trans Energy in such transaction.

On April 27, 2015, American Shale entered into a consent and agreement (the “Consent and Agreement”) that amended the Credit Agreement and the associated NPI agreement. The Consent and Agreement reduced the contingent borrowing availability under the Tranche B facility from $47.5 million to $10.0 million, and eliminated the Tranche C facility. Potential borrowings under the Tranche B facility had been contingent on American Shale’s ability to meet certain levels of PV-9 value for its producing properties, and as such there was no additional availability under Tranche B as of the signing of the Consent and Agreement. There were no other changes to the terms of the Tranche A facility loans under the Credit Agreement. The NPI agreement was amended to set the contingent NPI percentage at approximately 2.53%.

Under the Consent and Agreement, the administrative agent also consented to the monetization of a portion of American Shale’s natural gas hedges and the disposition of a portion of American Shale’s working and net revenue interests in wells in Marion County, West Virginia (the “Working Interests”) that have been recently drilled but not completed.

 

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On the same date, American Shale entered into an agreement with Republic Energy Operating, LLC. Under this agreement, American Shale agreed to use the proceeds from the aforementioned hedge monetization as well as the sale of the Working Interests to pay all amounts due under the March 2015 joint interest billing statement in the amount of approximately $13.8 million provided by Republic Energy Operating, LLC. American Shale reserved the option to reacquire the Working Interests pursuant to a notice of election at agreed upon prices set forth in the agreement.

On July 31, 2015, American Shale entered into an amendment and waiver (the “First Amendment and Waiver”) that amended the Credit Agreement and the associated NPI agreement. Under the terms of the First Amendment and Waiver, the parties agreed to:

 

    Increase the Applicable Margin to 12% in the event that interest is paid in cash, and 14% if paid in kind (which represented a change from the 9% Applicable Margin then currently payable in cash);

 

    Change the Maturity Date to December 31, 2016;

 

    Remove the Leverage Ratio covenant;

 

    Add a covenant requiring the PV-9 of American Shale’s proved reserves to be greater than 1.5 times the net debt, with a minimum PDP component of proved reserves that increases over time;

 

    Eliminate the make-whole premium and any other prepayment penalties related to debt paydowns;

 

    Require American Shale to limit its capital expenditures and other monthly expenditures to amounts agreed upon in the First Amendment and Waiver;

 

    Require American Shale to close the sale of assets in Wetzel County and pay down at least $30 million of debt by September 30, 2015;

 

    Allow American Shale to use the next $17 million of proceeds from the Wetzel County sale, plus 50% of any proceeds thereafter, primarily for expenditures in connection with an approved plan of development;

 

    Begin a process to refinance the debt facility, or otherwise effect its paydown through a sale of assets, during the first quarter of 2016;

 

    Defer any payment related to the NPI on the Wetzel County assets until the loans are repaid in full;

 

    Increase the NPI on the assets remaining after the Wetzel County sale by 2%, to approximately 11%;

 

    Pay total fees to the administrative agent of $4 million, of which $1 million was added to the loan balance upon execution of the First Amendment and Waiver. The remainder was to be added to the loan balance upon the closing of the sale of the Wetzel County assets.

In accordance with the First Amendment and Waiver, interest of $3,917,077 for the months of July, August, and September 2015, was added to the principal balance of the loan. In addition, $1,000,000 was added to the principal balance of the loan upon execution of the First Amendment and Waiver. These fees were recorded as financing costs and are being amortized over the life of the loan using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method.

On September 3, 2015, American Shale entered into a Deposit Account Control Agreement (“DACA”) with Morgan Stanley Capital Group, Inc., administrative agent for the Lenders (“Agent”) and United Bank, Inc. Currently, the settlements related to the Company’s derivative and hedge financial instruments are deposited directly into depository accounts subject to the DACA. The agent exercises control of the depository accounts subject to the DACA and has the ability to prevent disbursements from those restricted accounts to our unrestricted cash accounts.

In accordance with the First Amendment and Waiver, interest of $5,194,760 for the months of October, November and December, 2015, was added to the principal balance of the loan.

In accordance with the First Amendment and Waiver, interest of $5,370,581 for the months of January, February, and March 2016 was added to the principal balance of the loan. Effective October 1, 2015, the Company is paying a default interest rate of 17%.

In December 2014, M3 Appalachia Gathering, LLC (“M3”) completed a waterline to improve water supply and lower completion costs, as compared to trucking, with respect to the Company’s wells in Marion County, West Virginia. The Company’s cost of the waterline is approximately $3.1 million, which was being paid to M3 through 36 monthly payments of $105,730, at an internal rate of return to M3 of 15%. On December 1, 2015, the Company assigned the waterline to M3 with an 18 month Call Right at which time the payments would resume. For a period of the earlier of 18 months or termination of the assignment, the Company will pay M3 a water delivery fee of $2.94 per barrel for all water volumes delivered from the waterline. Since it is the intention of the Company to exercise its call right, an asset and liability continues to be recorded. As of March 31, 2016, the Company has recorded a long-term asset of $3.1 million, net of depreciation of $179,994, and a long-term note payable in the amount of $2,230,955.

 

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The following table summarizes the components of total debt recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

     March 31,      December 31,  
     2016      2015  
     (unaudited)      (audited)  

Credit Agreement - Morgan Stanley

   $ 126,789,603       $ 121,493,646   

Credit Agreement - Morgan Stanley PIK Fee

     1,786,564         1,711,940   

Credit Agreement - Morgan Stanley NPI

     (1,607,186      (2,142,915

M3 Appalachia Gathering LLC Note Payable

     2,230,955         2,134,018   

Debt issuance costs

     (2,662,638      (3,550,184
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt

   $ 126,537,298       $ 119,646,505   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The debt balances under the Credit Agreements are presented as short-term liabilities and long-term liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

As of March 31, 2016, we were not in compliance with our debt covenants with our debt facility with Morgan Stanley.

On May 20, 2016, we notified the Agent that we determined that we were in default under numerous provisions under the Credit Agreement. The following defaults currently exist under the Credit Agreement:

1. American Shale has failed to maintain the Asset Coverage Ratio as set forth in Section 6.21 of the Credit Agreement since September 30, 2015;

2. American Shale has failed to timely provide the materials required pursuant to Sections 5.06 (r), (u), and (v) for the months ended December 31, 2015, January 31, 2016, February 29, 2016, March 31, 2016, April 30, 2016, May 31, 2016, and June 30, 2016;

3. American Shale has failed to timely effect the Tug Hill Disposition in accordance with Section 5.19;

4. American Shale has failed to timely engage a financial advisor reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent and to commence the related refinancing activities in accordance with Section 5.20;

5. American Shale has failed to timely provide the annual financial statements pursuant to Section 5.06 (a) for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016;

6. American Shale has failed to timely provide the Reserve Report pursuant to Section 5.06 (d) for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016;

7. American Shale has failed to timely provide the Quarterly Report on Hedging pursuant to Section 5.06 (g) for the quarters ended September 30, 2015 December 31, 2015, March 31, 2016, and June 30, 2016.

On August 17, 2016, (“Effective Date”) Trans Energy and American Shale executed an agreement with the Agent for the Lenders under the Credit Agreement, as amended. Under the terms of the agreement (the “Forbearance”), the Agent and the Lenders agreed to forbear from taking any enforcement actions with respect to various defaults under the Credit Agreement, provided that (a) no further defaults occur other than those (i) specified in the Forbearance as having already occurred or (ii) anticipated to occur in the future and (b) the Borrower achieves certain milestones with respect to a process to sell certain assets of the Borrower, with such milestones to be agreed upon among the Borrower and the Agent.

If these defaults under the Credit Agreement are not resolved in the manner contemplated by the Forbearance, the Administrative Agent will have the right to accelerate all of the outstanding indebtedness under the Credit Facility. If the Administrative Agent were to accelerate all of the obligations outstanding under the credit facility, we estimate that we would be required to pay approximately $135 million to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.

 

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In addition, the Forbearance provides for a sharing of the proceeds that might result from any such sale process, according to the following formula:

 

  (i) first, 100% to the Lenders, until the Lenders have received $80,000,000 plus interest from and after the Effective Date, at a rate of 12.00% per annum;

 

  (ii) second, 78.75% to the Lenders and 21.25% to the Borrower, until the Lenders have the sum of (a) $57,167,819 plus interest from and after the Effective Date at 15.00% per annum and (b) the amount of any fees and expenses payable by the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement that are incurred after the Effective Date plus interest from and after the Effective Date at 15.00% per annum; and thereafter

 

  (iii) 15.00% to the Lenders and 85.00% to the Borrower.

The Lenders have further agreed to re-convey the NPI to the Borrower with respect to any assets that are sold in accordance with the terms of the Forbearance.

The Forbearance further provides that the Borrower has the option to retire all obligations due to the Lenders, including the NPI, for $142,384,848, provided that the Borrower enters into definitive documentation with a third party by November 15, 2016 to finance the repurchase, and that such repurchase occurs by December 31, 2016. Both dates can be extended by thirty days to accommodate regulatory requirements, if necessary. Such amount will increase to the extent that the Lenders incur professional fees after the Effective Date that are payable by the Borrower under the terms of the Credit Agreement.

NOTE 8 — DERIVATIVE AND HEDGING FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

On May 21, 2014, American Shale, entered into fixed price hedges (“Morgan Stanley Fixed I”), which, when combined with existing hedges covered approximately 90% of its expected natural gas production from PDP wells as of that date. Neither oil nor natural gas liquids have been hedged, but the BTU associated with our ethane production was essentially hedged, since it is sold as part of the natural gas stream. The hedges consist of swaps with strike prices ranging between $4.38 per MMBtu to $4.06 per MMBtu. The hedges begin with the June 2014 contract and end with the December 2018 contract. A total of 13,932,171 MMBtu are hedged over this period, with monthly volumes declining from a high of 444,534 MMBtu in July 2014 to 171,940 MMBtu in November 2018.

On August 20, 2014, American Shale, entered into fixed price hedges (“Morgan Stanley Fixed II”), which, when combined with existing hedges, covered approximately 90% of its expected natural gas production from PDP wells as of that date. Neither oil nor natural gas liquids have been hedged, but the BTU associated with our ethane production was essentially hedged, since it is sold as part of the natural gas stream. The hedges consist of swaps with a fixed strike price of $3.92 per MMBtu. The hedges begin with the September 2014 contract and end with the December 2018 contract. A total of 10,499,038 MMBtu are hedged over this period, with monthly volumes declining from a high of 326,700 MMBtu in January 2015 to 45,854 MMBtu in November 2018.

When the administrative agent consented to the monetization of a portion of American Shale’s natural gas hedges under the April 27, 2015 Consent and Agreement, related to the Credit Agreement, the Fixed I and Fixed II hedge volumes in years 2016 through 2018 were combined (“Morgan Stanley Restrike’). The hedges reflect resetting the strike price from $4.11 and $3.92, respectively, to the then current market price of $3.27. The fair value of these commodity contracts for the hedges volumes in years 2016 through 2018 in total was $5,911,358 and $5,841,395 at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

On December 23, 2014, American Shale, entered into Basis Swap fixed price hedges (“Morgan Stanley Fixed III”) covering approximately 50% of its expected natural gas production from PDP wells as of December 23, 2014. Neither oil nor natural gas liquids have been hedged, but the BTU associated with our ethane production was essentially hedged, since it is sold as part of the natural gas stream. The hedges consist of swaps with a fixed strike price of $(1.12) per MMBtu. The hedges begin with the December 2014 contract and end with the December 2018 contract. A total of 7,301,209 MMBtu are hedged over this period, with monthly volumes declining from a high of 266,891 MMBtu in December 2014 to 104,084 MMBtu in November 2018. The fair value of these commodity contracts was $(1,542,891) and $(1,727,720) at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

 

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The Company has a master netting agreement on the gas hedges and therefore the current asset and liability are netted on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and the non-current asset and liability are netted on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. We net our gas hedges separately from our gas basis hedges.

The use of derivative transactions involves the risk that the counterparty will be unable to meet the financial terms of such transactions. The Company has netting arrangements with Morgan Stanley that provide for offsetting payables against receivables from separate derivative instruments.

The following tables summarize the approximate volumes and average contract prices of contracts the Company had in place for gas hedges and gas basis hedges as of March 31, 2016:

 

Contract Period Of Morgan Stanley Restrike

   Volumes      Weighted-
   Average Fixed   
Price
 
     (MMBtu)      (per MMBtu)  

2016

     3,321,358       $ 3.27   

2017

     3,248,187       $ 3.27   

2018

     2,542,645       $ 3.27   
  

 

 

    

All gas hedges

     9,112,190      
  

 

 

    

 

Contract Period Of Morgan Stanley Fixed III

   Volumes      Basis Swap Fixed
Price
 
     (MMBtu)      (per MMBtu)  

2016

     1,509,895       $ (1.12

2017

     1,518,648       $ (1.12

2018

     1,209,491       $ (1.12
  

 

 

    

All gas basis hedges*

     4,238,034      
  

 

 

    

 

* Gas basis hedges are based on the difference between TETCO M2 and IF Henry Hub (100%).

 

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The following tables detail the fair value of derivatives recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, by category:

 

     As of March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)  
     Derivative Assets      Derivative Liabilities  
     Balance Sheet
Classification
     Fair Value      Balance Sheet
Classification
     Fair Value  

Commodity derivative

     Current assets       $ 3,721,680         Current liabilities       $ 585,950   

Commodity derivative

     Noncurrent assets         2,189,678         Noncurrent liabilities         956,941   
     

 

 

       

 

 

 
      $ 5,911,358          $ 1,542,891   
     

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

     As of December 31, 2015  
     Derivative Assets      Derivative Liabilities  
     Balance Sheet
Classification
     Fair Value      Balance Sheet
Classification
     Fair Value  

Commodity derivative

     Current assets       $ 3,417,887         Current liabilities       $ 474,696   

Commodity derivative

     Noncurrent assets         2,423,508         Noncurrent liabilities         1,253,024   
     

 

 

       

 

 

 
      $ 5,841,395          $ 1,727,720   
     

 

 

       

 

 

 

The table below summarizes the realized and unrealized gains and losses related to our derivative instruments for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,

(Unaudited)
 
     2016      2015  

Realized gains on commodity derivatives

   $ 928,834       $ 2,030,176   

Change in fair value of commodity derivatives

     254,792         5,345,004   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total realized and unrealized gains recorded

   $ 1,183,626       $ 7,375,180   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

These realized and unrealized gains and losses are recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations as derivative gains (losses).

 

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NOTE 9 — FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The authoritative guidance establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of the inputs as follows:

 

  Level 1: Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

 

  Level 2: Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities that are observable for the asset or liability; or

 

  Level 3: Unobservable pricing inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources, such as discounted cash flows models or valuations.

The financial assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of the fair value of assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. The Company’s policy is to recognize transfers in and/or out of fair value hierarchy as of the end of the reporting period for which the event or change in circumstances caused the transfer. The valuation policies are determined by the Treasurer and are approved by the President. Fair value measurements are discussed with the Company’s audit committee, as deemed appropriate. Each quarter, the inputs used in the fair value calculations are updated and management reviews the changes from period to period for reasonableness. The Company has consistently applied the valuation techniques discussed below in all periods presented.

The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 by level within the fair value hierarchy

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

March 31, 2016

           

ASSETS:

           

Commodity contracts

     —         $ 5,911,358         —           5,911,358   

LIABILITIES:

           

Commodity contracts

     —         $ 1,542,891         —           1,542,891   

December 31, 2015

           

ASSETS:

           

Commodity contracts

     —         $ 5,841,395         —         $ 5,841,395   

LIABILITIES:

           

Commodity contracts

     —         $ 1,727,720         —         $ 1,727,720   

We use Level 2 inputs to measure the fair value of gas commodity derivatives. Level 2 assets and liabilities consist of commodity derivative assets and liabilities (See Note 8 - Derivative and Hedging Financial Instruments). The fair value of the commodity derivative assets and liabilities are estimated by the Company using income valuation techniques and a discounted cash flow model, which take into account notional quantities, market volatility, market prices, contract parameters, counterparty credit risk and discount rates based on published LIBOR rates. The Company validates the data provided by third parties by understanding the pricing models used, obtaining market values from other pricing sources, analyzing pricing data in certain situations and confirming that those securities trade in active markets. Assumed credit risk adjustments, based on published credit ratings, public bond yield spreads and credit default swap spreads, are applied to the Company’s commodity derivatives.

 

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Assets Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis

The Company also uses the income valuation technique to estimate the valuation of asset retirement obligations using the amounts and timing of expected future dismantlement costs, credit-adjusted risk-free rates and time value of money. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded asset retirement obligations of $6,235 and $11,372, respectively. See Note 1 for additional information.

Other financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis include cash, accounts receivable-trade, accounts receivable due from drilling operator, accounts receivable-related party, advance royalties, prepaid expenses, accounts payable-trade, accounts payable due to operator, accounts payable-related party, accrued expenses, revenue payable, deferred revenue, and the amounts outstanding under the notes payable. With the exception of the notes payable, the financial statement carrying items approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature.

The carrying value of the notes payable is deemed to reflect the fair value because the agent under the Credit Agreement has been in a position to reset the terms of the note throughout the period covered by the financial statements.

NOTE 10 — STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

In March 2016, Trans Energy issued 50,000 shares of common stock to Gordian Group, LLC, for fees related to services rendered at a value of $1.00 per share.

In February 2016, Trans Energy issued 50,000 shares of common stock to Gordian Group, LLC, for fees related to services rendered at a value of $0.41 per share.

In January 2016, Trans Energy issued 25,000 shares of common stock to Gordian Group, LLC, for fees related to services rendered at a value of $0.45 per share.

In December 2015, Trans Energy issued 25,000 shares of common stock to Gordian Group, LLC, for fees related to services rendered at a value of $0.60 per share.

In November 2015, Trans Energy issued 25,000 shares of common stock to Gordian Group, LLC, for fees related to services rendered at a value of $0.70 per share.

In October 2015, Trans Energy issued 25,000 shares of common stock to Gordian Group, LLC, for fees related to services rendered at a value of $0.80 per share.

In April 2015, Trans Energy issued 150,000 shares of common stock to Gordian Group, LLC, for fees related to services rendered at a value of $1.80 per share.

In February 2015, Trans Energy issued 100,000 shares of common stock to John G. Corp, President, for the 2014 Performance Payment at a price of $2.10 per share.

In February 2015, Trans Energy issued 100,000 shares of common stock to Stephen P. Lucado, Chairman of the Board, for the 2014 Performance Payment at a price of $2.10 per share.

In January 2015, Trans Energy issued 109,005 shares of common stock to William F. Woodburn, a related party, for the exercise of options at a price of $1.50 per share.

In January 2015, Trans Energy issued 109,005 shares of common stock to Loren E. Bagley, a related party, for the exercise of options at a price of $1.50 per share.

 

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The Company has computed the fair value of all options granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. In order to calculate the fair value of the options, certain assumptions are made regarding components of the model, including the estimated fair value of the underlying common stock, risk-free interest rate, volatility, expected dividend yield and expected option life. Changes to the assumptions could cause significant adjustments to valuation. The Company estimated a volatility factor utilizing a weighted average of comparable published volatilities of peer companies. The Company has estimated a forfeiture rate of zero as the effect of forfeitures has not been significant and the small number of option holders does not provide a reasonable basis for prediction. The Company estimates the expected term based on the average of the vesting term and the contractual term of the options. The risk- free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of the grant for treasury securities of similar maturity. The fair value of all options granted during the three months March 31, 2016 was determined using the following assumptions:

 

Expected volatility

     90

Risk free interest rate

     1.75

Expected term (years)

     3.0   

Dividend yield

     0

Estimated grant date fair value

   $ 0.35   

As a result of previous stock and option transactions, we recorded total stock-based compensation of $68,483 and $555,778 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of March 31, 2016, there was approximately $196,500 of unrecognized compensation costs related to all option grants. This cost is expected to be recognized over the next 2.5 years.

Stock option activity is as follows:

 

     Number of
Options
     Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
     Aggregate Fair
Value
 

Outstanding December 31, 2015

     2,137,000       $ 2.53         .75 Years       $ 5,406,610   

Granted

     200,000       $ 0.60         

Exercised

     —           —           

Forfeited

     (169,000    $ 1.69         

Expired

     —           —           
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

Outstanding March 31, 2016

     2,168,000       $ 2.33         1.94 Years       $ 5,051,440   

Exercisable at March 31, 2016

     1,861,916       $ 2.45          $ 4,561,694   

Unvested at March 31, 2016

     306,084            

NOTE 11 — EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. The shares of restricted common stock granted to certain officers and employees of the Company are included in the computation of basic net income (loss) per share only after the shares become fully vested. Diluted net income (loss) per share of common stock includes both vested and unvested shares of restricted stock. Diluted net income (loss) per common share of stock is computed by dividing net income by the diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding. When a loss from continuing operations exists, all potentially dilutive securities are anti-dilutive and are therefore excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share. For the three month period ended March 31, 2016, all potential shares were anti-dilutive and were thus not included in the net loss per share calculation. Potentially dilutive shares consisted of 2,168,000 outstanding stock options, 13,000 unvested shares of restricted common stock, and 300,000 in-the-money outstanding options for the period ended March 31, 2016. As the Company had income for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 the potentially dilutive shares of 190,695 were included in the net income per share calculation.

 

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NOTE 12 — BUSINESS SEGMENTS

Our principal operations consist of exploration and production through Trans Energy, American Shale and Prima, and pipeline transmission with Ritchie County Gathering Systems and Tyler Construction Company.

Certain financial information concerning our operations in different segments is as follows:

 

     For the
Three Months
Ended
March 31
     Exploration
and
Production
    Pipeline
Transmission
     Corporate     Total  

Revenue

     2016       $ 2,476,706      $ 19,463       $ 133      $ 2,496,302   
     2015       $ 4,385,037      $ 42,716       $ 1,777      $ 4,429,530   

Income (Loss) from operations

     2016         (7,315,451     6,606         (838,745     (8,147,590
     2015         (421,576     29,580         (1,199,320     (1,591,316

Interest expense

     2016         6,890,792        —           1,816        6,892,608   
     2015         3,115,358        —           379        3,115,737   

Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion

     2016         7,252,457        250         10,114        7,262,821   
     2015         1,782,313        250         20,267        1,802,830   

Property and equipment acquisitions, including oil and gas properties

     2016         (972,293     —           —          (972,293
     2015         7,108,042        —           2,239        7,110,281   

Total assets, net of intercompany accounts:

            

March 31, 2016

     85,829,266        50,855         —          85,880,121   

December 31, 2015

     93,265,585        47,322         —          93,312,907   

NOTE 13 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During 2015, the Company conducted business with two companies owned by Clarence E. Smith, a current shareholder and former officer and director. Work was awarded the companies after bids were sought and reviewed. The amount of payments total $29,450 for 2015.

During 2015, the Company conducted business with a company owned by William F. Woodburn, a current shareholder and director. Work related to consulting services performed by Mr. Woodburn for the Company’s joint development with Republic that were billed to the Company was a total of $84,254 for 2015.

In May 2015, the Company engaged Opportune LLP, a consulting firm specializing in assisting clients across the energy industry, to perform reporting functions for which the Company did not have the staff to complete in the prescribed timeframes. Josh L. Sherman, a member of our board of directors and chairman of our Audit Committee, is a partner in Opportune LLP. The amount of payments total $607,270 for 2015.

 

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NOTE 14 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We operate exclusively in the United States, entirely in West Virginia, in the business of oil and gas acquisition, exploration, development, exploitation and production. We operate in an environment with many financial risks, including, but not limited to, the ability to acquire additional economically recoverable oil and gas reserves, the inherent risks of the search for, development of and production of oil and gas, the ability to sell oil and gas at prices which will provide attractive rates of return, the volatility and seasonality of oil and gas production and prices, and the highly competitive and, at times, seasonal nature of the industry and worldwide economic conditions. Our ability to expand our reserve base and diversify our operations is also dependent upon our ability to obtain the necessary capital through operating cash flow, borrowings or equity offerings. Various federal, state and local governmental agencies are considering, and some have adopted, laws and regulations regarding environmental protection which could adversely affect our proposed business activities. We cannot predict what effect, if any, current and future regulations may have on our results of operations.

NOTE 15 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated all subsequent events through the date of issuance and has identified no subsequent events requiring recognition or additional disclosure in these financial statements other than those already disclosed.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion will assist in the understanding of our financial position and results of operations. The information below should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, the related notes to consolidated financial statements and our 2015 Form 10-K. Our discussion contains both historical and forward-looking information. We assess the risks and uncertainties about our business, long-term strategy and financial condition before we make any forward-looking statements but we cannot guarantee that our assessment is accurate or that our goals and projections can or will be met. Statements concerning results of future exploration, development and acquisition expenditures as well as revenue, expense and reserve levels are forward-looking statements. We make assumptions about commodity prices, drilling results, production costs, administrative expenses and interest costs that we believe are reasonable based on currently available information. Although we believe such estimates and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are beyond our control.

Based on current prices and expected future prices for oil and natural gas for the remainder of 2016, we have reduced our drilling activity to conserve capital.

On May 20, 2016, we notified the Agent that we determined that we were in default under numerous provisions under the Credit Agreement. The following defaults currently exist under the Credit Agreement:

1. American Shale has failed to maintain the Asset Coverage Ratio as set forth in Section 6.21 of the Credit Agreement since September 30, 2015;

2. American Shale has failed to timely provide the materials required pursuant to Sections 5.06 (r), (u), and (v) for the months ended December 31, 2015, January 31, 2016, February 29, 2016, March 31, 2016, April 30, 2016, May 31, 2016, and June 30, 2016;

3. American Shale has failed to timely effect the Tug Hill Disposition in accordance with Section 5.19;

4. American Shale has failed to timely engage a financial advisor reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent and to commence the related refinancing activities in accordance with Section 5.20;

5. American Shale has failed to timely provide the annual financial statements pursuant to Section 5.06 (a) for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016;

6. American Shale has failed to timely provide the Reserve Report pursuant to Section 5.06 (d) for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016;

7. American Shale has failed to timely provide the Quarterly Report on Hedging pursuant to Section 5.06 (g) for the quarters ended September 30, 2015 December 31, 2015, March 31, 2016, and June 30, 2016.

On August 17, 2016, (“Effective Date”) Trans Energy and American Shale executed an agreement with the Agent for the Lenders under the Credit Agreement, as amended. Under the terms of the agreement (the “Forbearance”), the Agent and the Lenders agreed to forbear from taking any enforcement actions with respect to various defaults under the Credit Agreement, provided that (a) no further defaults occur other than those (i) specified in the Forbearance as having already occurred or (ii) anticipated to occur in the future and (b) the Borrower achieves certain milestones with respect to a process to sell certain assets of the Borrower, with such milestones to be agreed upon among the Borrower and the Agent.

In addition, the Forbearance provides for a sharing of the proceeds that might result from any such sale process, according to the following formula:

 

  (i) first, 100% to the Lenders, until the Lenders have received $80,000,000 plus interest from and after the Effective Date, at a rate of 12.00% per annum;

 

  (ii) second, 78.75% to the Lenders and 21.25% to the Borrower, until the Lenders have the sum of (a) $57,167,819 plus interest from and after the Effective Date at 15.00% per annum and (b) the amount of any fees and expenses payable by the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement that are incurred after the Effective Date plus interest from and after the Effective Date at 15.00% per annum; and thereafter

 

  (iii) 15.00% to the Lenders and 85.00% to the Borrower.

 

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The Lenders have further agreed to re-convey the NPI to the Borrower with respect to any assets that are sold in accordance with the terms of the Forbearance.

The Forbearance further provides that the Borrower has the option to retire all obligations due to the Lenders, including the NPI, for $142,384,848, provided that the Borrower enters into definitive documentation with a third party by November 15, 2016 to finance the repurchase, and that such repurchase occurs by December 31, 2016. Both dates can be extended by thirty days to accommodate regulatory requirements, if necessary. Such amount will increase to the extent that the Lenders incur professional fees after the Effective Date that are payable by the Borrower under the terms of the Credit Agreement.

If we fail to comply with the terms of the Forbearance, the Administrative Agent would have the right to accelerate all of the outstanding indebtedness under the Credit Agreement, which we estimate to be approximately $135 million.

Results of Operations

Three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to March 31, 2015

The following table sets forth the relationship of total revenues of principal items contained in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

 

    

Three months ended

March 31,

 
     2016      2015  

Total operating revenues

   $ 2,496,302       $ 4,429,530   

Total costs and expenses

     (10,643,892      (6,020,846
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (8,147,590      (1,591,316

Other (expenses) income, net

     (5,708,421      4,259,985   

Income tax

     —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

   $ (13,856,011    $ 2,668,669   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table is a summary of revenues, volumes, and pricing for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015

 

     Three Months Ended         
     March 31,      Increase/  
     2016      2015      (Decrease)  

Natural gas sales

   $ 2,054,521       $ 3,459,224       $ (1,404,703      -40.6

Oil sales

   $ 6,539       $ 3,985       $ 2,554         64.1

Natural gas liquid sales

   $ 415,646       $ 921,828       $ (506,182      -54.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total oil and gas sales

   $ 2,476,706       $ 4,385,037       $ (1,908,331      -43.5

Transportation and other revenue

   $ 19,596       $ 44,493       $ (24,897      -56.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total revenue

   $ 2,496,302       $ 4,429,530       $ (1,933,228      -43.6

Net production

           

Natural gas sales (MCF)

     1,540,932         1,680,520         (139,588      -8.3

Oil sales (Bbls)

     500         130         370         284.6

Natural gas liquids (gallons)

     1,598,095         1,749,097         (151,002      -8.6

Natural gas equivalent (MCFe)

     1,772,233         1,931,170         (158,937      -8.2

Average sales price per unit

           

Natural gas (MCF)

   $ 1.33       $ 2.06       $ (0.73      -35.4

Oil (Bbls)

   $ 13.08       $ 30.68       $ (17.60      -57.4

Natural gas liquids (gallons)

   $ 0.26       $ 0.53       $ (0.27      -50.9

Natural gas equivalent (MCFe)

   $ 1.40       $ 2.27       $ (0.87      -38.3

 

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Expenses

All data presented below is derived from costs and production volumes for the relevant period indicated.

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2016      2015  

Costs and expenses of production:

     

Production expenses

   $ 2,301,896       $ 2,666,709   

Production taxes

     240,295         370,477   

G&A expenses (excluding share-based compensation)

     770,397         1,045,052   

Non-cash shared-based compensation

     68,483         135,778   

Depletion of oil and natural gas properties

     7,214,556         1,728,872   

Depreciation and amortization

     42,128         72,985   

Accretion of discount on asset retirement obligation

     6,137         973   

Costs and expenses per MCFE of production:

     

Production expenses

     1.30         1.38   

Production taxes

     0.14         0.19   

G&A expenses (excluding share-based compensation)

     0.44         0.54   

Non-cash shared-based compensation

     0.04         0.07   

Depletion of oil and natural gas properties

     4.07         0.90   

Depreciation and amortization

     0.02         0.04   

Accretion of discount on asset retirement obligation

     —           —     

Total revenues decreased primarily due to a decrease in natural gas, oil, and natural gas liquid (NGL) prices for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015 compounded further by a decline in production.

Production costs decreased $494,995 or 16.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the same period for 2015, primarily due to a decrease in natural gas liquid transportation and processing fees associated with the decreased commodity pricing in 2016 in addition to a decrease in volumes of 8.2%.

Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion expense increased by $5,459,991 or 303% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period for 2015, primarily due to the fact that no depletion was recorded on assets held for sale in 2015. These assets were moved to proved properties during the three months ended March 31, 2016 which resulted in additional depletion expense of $4,372,965.

General and administrative expense decreased $341,950 or 29.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the same period for 2015, primarily due to a decrease in legal and professional fees as well as a decrease in administrative salaries.

Interest expense increased $3,776,871 or 121.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the same period for 2015 primarily due to the $6,890,792 of interest expense from the American Shale note. The Morgan Stanley stated interest rate was 10% until July 31, 2015, after which the stated interest rate was 13% if paid in cash and 15% if paid in kind. During 2016, the rate has included a 2% penalty which makes our current interest rate 17%. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the average loan balance was $126,730,032 compared to $113,093,750 for the same period in 2015.

Gains on commodity derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $1,183,626 as compared to $7,375,180 for the same period of 2015. This represents the increase in the fair value of our gas hedges.

Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $13,856,011 compared to a net gain of $2,668,669 for the same period of 2015. This decrease is due primarily to the decrease in revenues, the increase in depletion expense, the increase in interest expense, and the decrease in the gain on commodity derivatives.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Historically, we have satisfied our working capital needs with operating revenues, borrowed funds and the proceeds of acreage sales. At March 31, 2016, we had negative working capital of $122,424,766 compared to negative working capital of $116,988,273 at December 31, 2015. The decrease in working capital is primarily due to the fact that interest has been added to the principal balance of our notes payable in 2016.

During the first three months of 2016, net cash used in operating activities was $1,107,703 compared to net cash provided of $3,609,750 for the same period of 2015. This decrease in cash flow from operations was primarily due to the net loss in 2016, increase in accounts receivable, and decrease in accounts payable, offset by increase in depreciation, depletion and amortization and interest and legal expense added to principal.

Excluding the effects of significant unforeseen expenses or other income, our cash flow from operations fluctuates primarily because of variations in oil and gas production and prices, or changes in working capital accounts and actual well performance. In addition, our oil and gas production may be curtailed due to factors beyond our control, such as downstream activities on major pipelines causing us to shut-in production for various lengths of time.

During the first three months of 2016, net cash provided by investing activities was $972,293 compared to net cash used of $7,110,281 for the same period of 2015. The change was primarily due to a change in ownership percentage due to unitization of various leases, as well as a reduction in capital spending in 2016 compared to 2015.

During the first three months of 2016, there was no cash activity from financing activities compared to net cash provided of $3,097,657 for the same period in 2015. This change was primarily due to an increase in debt to M3 Appalachia Gathering LLC as well as stock issuances in 2015.

As of September 30, 2016, the cash balance of the Company amounted to approximately $407,000 and the Company continues to face significant liquidity constraints in the short term. Under the terms of the Forbearance, the Company is limited on normal business decisions as all transactions must be approved by the debtholder. Additionally, as part of the Forbearance and in connection with the strategic review process, the Company is currently looking to sell certain of its oil and gas properties.

We are in the process of analyzing various alternatives to enhance our liquidity and capital structure including, divesting nonstrategic assets, reducing costs, or engaging in similar type activities. Although management believes that it will be able to obtain the necessary funding to allow the Company to remain a going concern through the methods discussed above, there can be no assurance that such methods will prove successful. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. There is a substantial doubt about the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern.

Critical accounting policies

We consider accounting policies related to our estimates of proved reserves, accounting for derivatives, share-based payments, accounting for oil and natural gas properties, asset retirement obligations and accounting for income taxes as critical accounting policies. The policies include significant estimates made by management using information available at the time the estimates are made. However, these estimates could change materially if different information or assumptions were used. These policies are summarized in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

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Forward-looking and Cautionary Statements

This report includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may relate to such matters as anticipated financial performance, future revenues or earnings, business prospects, projected ventures, new products and services, anticipated market performance and similar matters. When used in this report, the words “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “continue,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements regarding events, conditions, and financial trends that may affect our future plans of operations, business strategy, operating results, and our financial position. We caution readers that a variety of factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other matters expressed in forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, include:

 

    the sufficiency of existing capital resources and our ability to raise additional capital to fund cash requirements for future operations;

 

    uncertainties involved in the rate of growth of our business and acceptance of any products or services;

 

    success of our drilling activities;

 

    volatility of the stock market, particularly within the energy sector;

 

    the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015; and

 

    general economic conditions.

Although we believe the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, such expectations cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Not Applicable.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to be effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

In designing and evaluating disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute assurance of achieving the desired objectives. Also, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. The design of any system of controls is based, in part, upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. Based on the assessment, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was ineffective as of March 31, 2016 due to insufficient financial reporting resources. The results of management’s assessment were reviewed with our Board of Directors. To remediate these issues, our management has retained the services of additional third party consulting personnel and will modify existing internal controls in a manner designed to ensure compliance.

During the period ended, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We may be engaged in various lawsuits and claims, either as plaintiff or defendant, in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, based upon advice of counsel, the ultimate outcome of these lawsuits will not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

Certain material pending legal proceedings to which we are a party or to which any of our property is subject, is set forth below:

EQT Corporation

On May 11, 2011, we filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia against EQT Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (Trans Energy, Inc., et al. v. EQT Corporation). The action relates to our attempt to quiet title to certain oil and gas properties referred to as the Blackshere Lease, consisting of approximately 22 oil and/or gas wells on the Blackshere Lease. On November 26, 2012, the Court granted our motion for summary judgment and on February 25, 2014, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond Virginia affirmed the summary judgment. The defendant’s time to appeal this judgment has passed, so this judgment in our favor is final.

On June 12, 2013, EQT Production Company filed a quiet title action in the Circuit Court of Wetzel County, West Virginia. The action relates to a quiet title action relating to a 1,314 acre lease in Wetzel County, West Virginia known as the Robinson lease. On February 28, 2014, the presiding Judge issued an order granting a motion to stay this case pending appeal of the Blackshere case and the same styled case pending in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of West Virginia.

On July 18, 2013, we filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia against EQT Production Company. The action relates to a quiet title action relating to a 1,314 acre lease known as the Robinson lease.

Abcouwer

On March 6, 2012, James K. Abcouwer (“Abcouwer”), former Chief Executive Officer of the Company, filed an action in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County, West Virginia against the Company (James K. Abcouwer vs. Trans Energy, Inc.). The action relates to the Stock Option Agreement (the “Agreement”) entered into between the Company and Abcouwer on February 7, 2008. By his complaint, Abcouwer alleges that the Company has breached the Agreement by not permitting Abcouwer to exercise options that are the subject of the Agreement. The Company believes that according to the terms of the Agreement all options and other rights described in the Agreement terminated ninety (90) days after the termination of Abcouwer’s employment with the Company. This case went to trial beginning May 9, 2016, and the jury began deliberations on May 13, 2016. On May 16, 2016, the jury ended deliberations without reaching a unanimous verdict. Accordingly, the judge declared a mistrial. While Abcouwer originally sought punitive damages in his complaint, the claims for punitive damages were not submitted to the jury for consideration. At this point it is unclear whether Abcouwer will seek a new trial in this case.

On January 14, 2013, Abcouwer filed an action in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County, West Virginia against the Company, and two individual defendants currently on the Board of Directors of the Company – William F. Woodburn and Loren E. Bagley. In his complaint, Abcouwer alleges that Plaintiff and Defendants entered into a verbal agreement that required the Company to enter into a third party sales transaction which would have allegedly caused Abcouwer to make significant profit as the result of his ownership of Company stock. Abcouwer alleges that he lost approximately $30 million as a result of the fact that no sale of the Company ever took place. The Company believes that no such agreement existed and that Abcouwer’s claims are wholly without merit. On March 25, 2013, the Company filed an answer denying the existence of any liability and asserting, in the alternative, counterclaims for fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. The Company’s counterclaims allege that, to the extent a binding agreement between Abcouwer and the Company existed, Abcouwer failed to disclose such agreement to the Company and the SEC despite a duty to do so. In addition, the Company alleges that Abcouwer made misrepresentations to Trans Energy concerning the extension of a maturity date of a credit facility with CIT Capital USA Inc. (“CIT”) which caused the Company damages. Trial is currently set to begin in December 2016.

 

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

None

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

In March 2016, Trans Energy issued 50,000 shares of common stock to Gordian Group, LLC, for fees related to services rendered at a value of $1.00 per share.

In February 2016, Trans Energy issued 50,000 shares of common stock to Gordian Group, LLC, for fees related to services rendered at a value of $0.41 per share.

In January 2016, Trans Energy issued 25,000 shares of common stock to Gordian Group, LLC, for fees related to services rendered at a value of $0.45 per share.

All of the foregoing shares were issued in transactions not constituting a public offering as provided in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

See Form 8-K dated May 23, 2016 related to default upon credit agreement and subsequent Form 8-K filed August 23, 2016 related to the associated forbearance agreement.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

None.

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit 31.1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 31.2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 32.1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 32.2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
**101.INS   XBRL Instance Document
**101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
**101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
**101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
**101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
**101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

 

** Filed herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES

In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

    TRANS ENERGY, INC.
Date: September 30, 2016     By  

/s/ John G. Corp

      John G. Corp
      Principal Executive Officer
Date: September 30, 2016     By  

/s/ Stephen P. Lucado

      Stephen P. Lucado
      Treasurer

 

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