UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



FORM 10-Q



(Mark One)



For the Quarterly Period Ended June  30, 2017



or





for the transition period from _____ to _____



Commission File No. 1-10762

______________________________



Harvest Natural Resources, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)





(281) 899-5700

(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code) 



Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes  ☒  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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes  ☒  No   ☐



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or Emerging Growth Company. See the definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,”  “emerging growth company” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.





If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐



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



At August 11, 2017,  the Registrant had 11,520,293 shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding.



 





 

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HARVEST NATURAL RESOURCES, INC.

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

















































 

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HARVEST NATURAL RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS

(LIQUIDATION BASIS)

(in thousands)









































































See accompanying notes to consolidated  condensed financial statements.

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HARVEST NATURAL RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET 

(GOING CONCERN BASIS)

(in thousands, except per share data)

































See accompanying notes to consolidated  condensed financial statements.





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HARVEST NATURAL RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

(LIQUIDATION BASIS)

(in thousands)



























See accompanying notes to consolidated  condensed financial statements.

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HARVEST NATURAL RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(GOING CONCERN BASIS)

(in thousands, except per share data)

























See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

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HARVEST NATURAL RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(GOING CONCERN BASIS)

(in thousands)

































See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.



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Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:











































See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed  financial statements.



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HARVEST NATURAL RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

Note 1 – Organization



Organization



Prior to the sale of our oil and gas interests in Gabon, Harvest Natural Resources, Inc. (“Harvest” or the “Company”) was a petroleum exploration and production company incorporated under Delaware law in 1988.  We held exploration acreage offshore of Gabon and operated from our Houston, Texas headquarters.  See Sale of Gabon Interests below for further information.    In accordance with the Company’s Plan of Complete Liquidation, Dissolution, Winding Up and Distribution (the “Plan of Dissolution”), the Company filed a certificate of dissolution with the Delaware Secretary of State on May 4, 2017, which dissolved the Company as of 8:00 p.m. on May 4, 2017.  In accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Company’s sole purpose is winding up the business affairs of the Company in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution.    See Plan of Dissolution and Liquidation below for further information.

Sale of Gabon Interests

On December 21, 2016, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, HNR Energia B.V., a Curacao company (“HNR Energia”), entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement (the “Sale and Purchase Agreement”) with BW Energy Gabon Pte. Ltd., a private Singapore company (“BW Energy”), to sell all of Harvest’s oil and gas interests in Gabon.  Harvest’s stockholders approved the proposed sale at a special meeting on February 23, 2017.  The sale was subject to additional conditions, such as approval from the Gabonese government, before it could close.  We received the Gabonese government’s approval on April 5, 2017 and we completed the sale on April 10, 2017.  See Note 6 – Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations for more information.

Under the terms of the Sale and Purchase Agreement, BW Energy acquired HNR Energia's 100 percent interest in Harvest Dussafu B.V. (“Harvest Dussafu”), which owns a 66.667 percent interest in the Dussafu production sharing contract located offshore Gabon, for $32.0 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments, including reimbursement for approximately $2.3 million of expenditures in respect of the interest since September 30, 2016.  At the closing of the transaction, $2.5 million of the $32.0 million purchase price was retained in an escrow account to satisfy any post-closing claims the purchaser may have against Harvest and HNR Energia under the Sale and Purchase Agreement.  On August 7, 2017, $2.1 million was released from the escrow account to HNR Energia.  The remaining $0.4 million held in escrow is expected to be released in accordance with the terms of the escrow agreement once Harvest provides certain operational information to BW Energy.  As of June 30, 2017, before the receipt of the $2.1 million from the escrow account, the gross proceeds, including the reimbursements of $2.3 million, from the sale of Harvest Dussafu were approximately $31.8 million. 



Plan of Dissolution and Liquidation

On October 7, 2016, following the sale of our Venezuelan interests, we announced that we were evaluating a possible dissolution of Harvest. On December 30, 2016, the Board of Directors of Harvest (the “Board”) unanimously determined that a proposed dissolution was advisable and in the best interests of Harvest and our stockholders, adopted an initial plan of dissolution and liquidation, authorized the proposed dissolution, recommended that our stockholders authorize the proposed dissolution in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution, and generally authorized our officers to take all necessary actions to affect our dissolution. At its meeting held on January 12, 2017, our Board further discussed the proposed dissolution and liquidation, rescinded its adoption of the initial plan of dissolution and liquidation and adopted the Plan of Dissolution, which included changes based on comments received from tax and other counsel.  On February 23, 2017, the holders of a majority of all outstanding shares of Harvest’s common stock authorized the  dissolution at a  special meeting of Harvest’s stockholders. 

In light of closing the Gabon transaction, the Board proceeded with the plan for Harvest’s dissolution.  Under the dissolution, liquidation and winding up process under Delaware law, the proceeds from the Gabon transaction and any other proceeds will be combined with other Harvest assets to be distributed to Harvest’s stockholders in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution, subject to certain payments and costs during Harvest’s winding up process.



On April 13, 2017, the Board declared an initial cash distribution of $5.75 per share of common stock payable to holders of record as of April 24, 2017.    The total initial liquidating distribution of $66.2 million was made on May 4, 2017.  Following payment of the initial liquidating distribution, Harvest’s common stock ceased to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange as of 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on May 4, 2017.  Although our Board has not established a firm timetable for further liquidating distributions, the Board intends to, subject to contingencies inherent in winding up our business, make such distributions, if any, as soon as practicable and periodically as we pay our remaining liabilities and obligations subject to law.    Further liquidating distributions, if any, will be made in cash. The timing and amount of interim liquidating distributions and final liquidating distributions will depend on the timing and amount of proceeds the Company may receive less any costs incurred and less obligations, in connection with any litigation and the extent to which reserves for current or future liabilities are required. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that there will be any further liquidating distributions.

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Because of the costs associated with preparing and filing our annual, quarterly and current reports under applicable securities laws, we are seeking relief from all or some of our reporting obligations, and we may determine that further reporting is no longer appropriate under the guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and its staff.  If we receive this relief or if we otherwise make this determination, certain information about us (including audited financial information) currently reported to you and the public would no longer be available. 

During the liquidation of our assets, the Board may authorize the Company to pay all costs and expenses, including without limitation, any brokerage, agency, professional and other fees and expenses of persons rendering services, including legal counsel, accountants and tax advisors, to the Company in connection with the collection, sale, exchange or other disposition of the Company's property and assets and the implementation of the Plan of Dissolution.



Under the Liquidation Basis of Accounting, assets are stated at their estimated net realizable values, liabilities are stated at contractual amounts and estimated liabilities are stated at their estimated settlement amounts, including those estimated costs associated with implementing the Plan of Dissolution.  Estimates will be periodically reviewed and adjusted. Uncertainties as to the precise net value of our non-cash assets and the ultimate amount of our liabilities make it impracticable to predict the aggregate net value that may ultimately be distributable to stockholders.  Claims, liabilities and future expenses for operations will continue to be incurred with the execution of the plan. These costs will reduce the amount of net assets available for ultimate distribution to stockholders. 



Although we do not believe that a precise estimate of those expenses can currently be made, we believe that available cash is adequate to provide for our obligations, liabilities, operating costs and claims, and to make cash distributions to our stockholders.  If available cash is not adequate to provide for our obligations, liabilities, operating costs and claims, estimated future liquidating distributions of cash to our stockholders will be reduced and stockholders may be required to repay liquidating distributions previously made by the Company.

Rights Agreement to Protect Net Operating Losses

On February 16, 2017, the Board adopted a Rights Agreement (the “Rights Plan”) designed to preserve the Company’s tax assets.  As of December 31, 2016, the Company had cumulative net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs") of approximately $56.0 million, which can be utilized in certain circumstances to offset possible future U.S. taxable income. 

Harvest’s ability to use these tax benefits would be limited if it were to experience an “ownership change” as defined under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. An ownership change would occur if stockholders that own (or are deemed to own) at least five percent or more of Harvest’s outstanding common stock increased their cumulative ownership in the Company by more than 50 percentage points over their lowest ownership percentage within a rolling three-year period. The Rights Plan reduces the likelihood that changes in Harvest’s investor base would limit Harvest’s future use of its tax benefits.

In connection with the adoption of the Rights Plan, the Board declared a non-taxable dividend of one preferred share purchase right for each share of the Company's common stock outstanding as of February 17, 2017. Effective as of the close of business on February 17, 2017, if any person or group acquires five percent or more of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock, or if a person or group that already owns five percent or more of the Company's common stock acquires additional shares (“acquiring person or group”), then, subject to certain exceptions, there would be a triggering event under the Rights Plan. The rights would then separate from the Company's common stock and entitle the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share of the Series D Preferred Stock of the Company at a price of $26, subject to adjustment. Rights held by the acquiring person or group will become void and will not be exercisable.

The Board has the discretion to exempt certain transactions, persons or entities from the operation of the Rights Plan if it determines that doing so would not jeopardize or endanger the Company's use of its tax assets or is otherwise in the best interests of the Company. The Board also has the ability to amend or terminate the Rights Plan prior to a triggering event. The rights issued under the Rights Plan will expire on February 17, 2020, or on an earlier date if certain events occur, as described more fully in the Rights Plan that the Company filed with the SEC on February 21, 2017.  The Rights Plan was amended to eliminate our dissolution as an event of termination.

Note 2 – Liquidity

After the completion of the sale of our Gabon interests on April 10, 2017, our primary assets are cash and accounts receivable.  We will use the proceeds from the sale of our Gabon interests to pay expenses and taxes, if any, associated with the sale and for other operating expenses. Subject to determinations to be made by our Board, the remaining proceeds will be used to provide reserves of

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funds for future or contingent liabilities as may be determined necessary by our Board pursuant to Delaware law, to pay or settle existing obligations, to pay costs (including taxes) associated with the liquidation and winding up of our business, and to distribute remaining assets to our stockholders.  We expect the cash on hand will be adequate to meet our liquidity requirements for dissolution of the Company.    On April 13, 2017, the Board declared an initial cash distribution of $5.75 per share of common stock payable to holders of record as of April 24, 2017.  The total initial liquidating distribution of $66.2 million was made on May 4, 2017.    Other contingent items include:  (1) the gain contingency represented by our lawsuit against Newfield (as to which the likelihood of revenues to us cannot be assured and the amount of any success cannot reasonably be estimated (2) the funds blocked by Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) in the LOGSA matter, which is a gain contingency of $0.7 million if we are able to recoup these funds, and (3) various other assets whose realizable cash value is minimal.  See Note 7 – Commitments and Contingencies for further information.

 

Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies



Liquidation Basis of Accounting

As a result of the approval of the Plan of Dissolution, the Company adopted the Liquidation Basis of Accounting, effective January 1, 2017. This basis of accounting is considered appropriate when, among other things, liquidation of the Company is imminent, as defined in ASC 205-30 “Presentation of Financial Statements – Liquidation Basis of Accounting”.  Under the Liquidation Basis of Accounting the following financial statements are no longer presented (except for periods prior to the adoption of the Liquidation Basis of Accounting): a consolidated condensed balance sheet, a consolidated condensed statement of operations and comprehensive loss and a consolidated condensed statement of cash flows. The consolidated condensed statement of net assets and the consolidated condensed statement of changes in net assets are the principal financial statements presented under the Liquidation Basis of Accounting.  Although the Plan of Dissolution was approved by the stockholders on February 23, 2017, the Company is using the liquidation basis of accounting effective January 1, 2017 as a convenience date.  Any activity between January 1, 2017 and February 23, 2017 would not be materially different under the going concern basis.

 

Under the Liquidation Basis of Accounting, all of the Company’s assets have been stated at their estimated net realizable value and are based on current contracts, estimates and other indications of sales value net of estimated selling costs.  All liabilities of the Company have been stated at contractual amounts and estimated liabilities are at their estimated settlement amounts, including those estimated costs associated with implementing the Plan of Dissolution.  These amounts are presented in the accompanying consolidated condensed statement of net assets.  These estimates will be periodically reviewed and adjusted as appropriate.  There can be no assurance that these estimated values will be realized.  Such amounts should not be taken as an indication of the timing or amount of future distributions or our actual dissolution.  The valuation of assets at their net realizable value and liabilities at their anticipated settlement amount represent estimates, based on present facts and circumstances, of the net realizable value of the assets and the costs associated with carrying out the Plan of Dissolution.  The actual values and costs associated with carrying out the Plan of Dissolution are expected to differ from amounts reflected in the accompanying financial statements because of the plan’s inherent uncertainty.  These differences may be material.  In particular, the estimates of our costs will vary with the length of time necessary to complete the Plan of Dissolution.  Accordingly, it is not possible to predict with certainty the timing or aggregate amount which may ultimately be distributed to stockholders and no assurance can be given that the possible future distributions will reflect the estimate presented in the accompanying consolidated condensed statement of net assets.



Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of all wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany profits, transactions and balances have been eliminated. Third-party interests in our majority-owned subsidiaries are presented as noncontrolling interests owners.



Basis of Presentation

The accompanying interim unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) in conjunction with the rules and regulations of the SEC.  The results for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the respective periods have been reflected.  These consolidated condensed financial statements and accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications related to discontinued operations have been made to prior period amounts.  These reclassifications did not affect our consolidated condensed financial results.

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Use of Estimates

In preparing the consolidated condensed financial statements in conformity with GAAP including the Liquidation Basis of Accounting, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, including net assets in liquidation, and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated condensed financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense for the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.



Discontinued Operations

Prior to the adoption of the Liquidation Basis of Accounting, the Company followed the guidance of the Presentation of Property, Plant, and Equipment Topics of the ASC, with respect to long-lived assets classified as held for sale.  The ASC required that the results of operations, including impairment, gains and losses related to the properties that were sold or properties that were intended to be sold, be presented as discontinued operations in the statements of operations for all periods presented and the assets and liabilities of properties intended to be sold were to be separately classified on the balance sheet.  Properties designated as held for sale were carried at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell and were not depreciated.



Net Loss Per Share

Prior to the adoption of the Liquidation Basis of Accounting, the Company reported basic net loss per share data by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares common stock outstanding during each period.  Diluted net loss per share was computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding, including the dilutive effect, if any, of options and warrants.  The diluted net loss per share calculation for the three months ended June 30, 2016 excluded 1.7 million options and 8.5 million warrants because we were in a loss position.  The diluted net loss per share calculation for the six months ended June 30, 2016 excluded 1.7 million options and 8.5 million warrants because we were in a loss position.



Reportable Segments



We previously allocated resources to and assessed the performance of our operations by segments that were organized by unique geographic and operating characteristics. The segments were organized in order to manage regional business, currency and tax related risks and opportunities. Operations included under the heading “United States” included corporate management, cash management, business development and financing activities performed in the United States and other countries, which did not meet the requirements for separate disclosure. All intersegment revenues, other income and equity earnings, expenses and receivables were eliminated in order to reconcile to consolidated totals. Corporate general and administrative and interest expenses were included in the United States segment and are not allocated to other operating segments.







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Other Administrative Property

Prior to adoption of Liquidation Basis of Accounting, furniture, fixtures and equipment were recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which ranged from three to five years. Leasehold improvements were recorded at cost and amortized using the straight-line method over the life of the applicable lease. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, depreciation expense was $10 thousand and $30 thousand in continuing operations, respectively.

Other Assets

Other assets at June 30, 2017 include deposits and at December 31, 2016 include deposits and long-term prepaid insurance.





Capitalized Interest

Prior to adoption of Liquidation Basis of Accounting, we capitalized interest costs for qualifying oil and natural gas properties. The capitalization period begins when expenditures are incurred on qualified properties, activities begin which are necessary to prepare the property for production and interest costs have been incurred. The capitalization period continues as long as these events occur.  The average additions for the period are used in the interest capitalization calculation. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, we did not capitalize interest costs due to insufficient on-going activity related to our oil and natural gas activities.

Fair Value Measurements

We measure and disclose our fair values in accordance with the provisions of ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”). ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price) and establishes a three-level hierarchy, which encourages an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The three levels of the hierarchy are defined as follows:

Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk, are primarily cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”). We maintain cash and cash equivalents in bank deposit accounts with commercial banks, which at times may exceed the federally insured limits. We have not experienced any losses from such investments. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are limited due to the nature of our receivables. In the normal course of business, collateral is not required for financial instruments with credit risk.  The estimated fair value of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable, prepaid costs, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate their carrying value due to their short-term nature (Level 1).  The following table set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy our financial liabilities that were accounted for at fair value as of December 31, 2016.





As of June 30, 2017, no SARs liability was included on our consolidated condensed statement of net assets.  During the three months ended June 30, 2017 and the six months ended June 30, 2017, SARs were exercised resulting in payments of $0.6 million and $1.0 million, respectively.   As of December 31, 2016, the fair value of our liability awards included $1.9 million for our SARs which were recorded in accrued expenses.

Derivative Financial Instruments



Prior to adoption of Liquidation Basis of Accounting and as required by ASC 820, a financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.  As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we did not have derivative instruments.  



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Changes in Level 3 Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following table provides a reconciliation of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).













During three and six months ended June 30, 2016, no transfers were made between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 assets or liabilities.    

Share-Based Compensation

We used the fair value based method of accounting for share-based compensation. We utilized the Black-Scholes option pricing model or a Monte Carlo simulation, as appropriate based on the attributes of the instrument, to measure the fair value of stock options and SARs on their grant dates.  At June 30, 2017, no outstanding SARs or options have economic value.  



In March 2017, stock options were exercised for 727,671 common shares resulting in cash proceeds to Harvest of $0.1 million.   From the common shares issued, 528,681 shares were surrendered as treasury shares to pay the exercise price and for taxes. 



In April 2017, stock options were exercised for 366,131 common shares resulting in cash proceeds to Harvest of $1.1 million.   From the common shares issued, 87,761 shares were surrendered as treasury shares to pay the exercise price and for taxes.



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The following table is a summary of compensation expense recorded in general and administrative expense in our consolidated condensed statements of operations and comprehensive loss by type of awards:



The assumptions summarized in the following table were used to calculate the fair value of the SARs classified as Level 3 instruments that were outstanding as of June 30, 2016:





Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects, calculated at currently enacted rates, of (a) future deductible and taxable amounts attributable to events that have been recognized on a cumulative basis in the financial statements or income tax returns, and (b) operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is recorded when it is more likely than not that the benefit from the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

Prior to adoption of Liquidation Basis of Accounting, we classified interest related to income tax liabilities and penalties as applicable, as interest expense.  We recorded an immaterial late filing penalty during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and no penalties during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016.

Since December 2013, we have provided deferred income taxes on undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries where we are not able to assert that such earnings were permanently reinvested, or otherwise could be repatriated in a tax free manner, as part of our ongoing business.  As of December 31, 2016, a deferred tax liability of $0.1 million was recorded based on the unremitted earnings of our foreign subsidiaries that would be repatriated to the U.S. pursuant to our overall Plan of Dissolution.  With the Plan of Dissolution, the foreign subsidiaries will be dissolved and the previously unremitted earnings will be repatriated in 2017.  The income tax event will be a current year item and no longer represent a deferred tax liability.  In the first quarter of 2017, the deferred tax liability of $0.1 million was reversed resulting in a deferred tax benefit.  For the current year, the Company expects to generate a net tax loss even with the inclusion of the previously unremitted earnings in taxable income.  Consequently, no current income tax liability has been recorded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.



Noncontrolling Interest Owners



Changes in noncontrolling interest owners were as follows:



On October 7, 2016, the Company, and its wholly owned subsidiary, HNR Energia, completed the sale of all of HNR Energia’s 51% interest in Harvest Vinccler Dutch Holding, B.V.  (“Harvest Holding”), to Delta Petroleum N.V., a limited liability company organized under the laws of Curacao (“Delta Petroleum”), pursuant to a share purchase agreement.  With the sale and subsequent deconsolidation of Harvest Holding, we do not have any continuing involvement in Venezuela and no longer have non-controlling interest owners.



New Accounting Pronouncements

As a result of adopting Liquidation Basis of Accounting, we believe no new accounting pronouncements will have a material impact on our net assets in liquidation or changes in net assets in liquidation.



Note 4 – Statement of Net Assets in Liquidation



As a result of the Board’s approval of the Plan of Dissolution, the Company adopted the Liquidation Basis of Accounting, effective January 1, 2017. 



Under the Liquidation Basis of Accounting, all of the Company’s assets have been stated at their estimated net realizable value and are based on current contracts, estimates and other indications of sales value net of estimated selling costs.  All liabilities of the Company have been stated at contractual amounts and those estimated costs associated with implementing the Plan of Dissolution have been stated at their estimated settlement amounts.



On April 13, 2017, the Board declared an initial cash distribution of $5.75 per share of common stock payable to holders of record as of April 24, 2017.  The distribution was made on May 4, 2017 for a total initial liquidating distribution of $66.2 million. The valuation of assets at their net realizable value and liabilities at their anticipated settlement amount represent estimates, based on present facts and circumstances, of the net realizable value of the assets and the costs associated with carrying out the Plan of Dissolution.  The actual values and costs associated with carrying out the Plan of Dissolution are expected to differ from amounts reflected in the accompanying financial statements because of the plan’s inherent uncertainty.



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The following is a reconciliation of Stockholders’ Equity under the going concern basis of accounting to net assets in liquidation under the Liquidation Basis of Accounting:





Note 5 – Liability for Estimated Costs in Excess of Receipts during Liquidation 



The Liquidation Basis of Accounting requires the Company to estimate net cash flows from operations and to accrue all costs associated with implementing and completing the Plan of Dissolution.  These amounts can vary significantly due to, among other things, the costs of retaining personnel and others to oversee the liquidation, the cost of insurance, the timing and amounts associated with discharging known and contingent liabilities and the costs associated with cessation of the Company’s operations, including an estimate of costs subsequent to that date (which would include reserve contingencies for the appropriate statutory periods). As a result, the Company has accrued the projected costs, including corporate overhead and specific liquidation costs of severance, professional fees, and other miscellaneous wind-down costs expected to be incurred during the projected period and required to complete the liquidation of the Company’s remaining assets.



These accruals will be adjusted from time to time as projections and assumptions change.  These costs are anticipated to be paid throughout the liquidation period.  The accruals related to dissolution costs are primarily related to severance and employment contract payments of $4.2 million and other dissolution costs of $4.0 million as of June 30, 2017.  Based on the transition to the Liquidation Basis of Accounting on January 1, 2017, the Company accrued the following income and expenses expected to be earned or incurred during dissolution and liquidation for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.





















Note 6 – Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations



On December 21, 2016, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, HNR Energia, entered into the Sale and Purchase Agreement with BW Energy, to sell all of Harvest’s oil and gas interests in Gabon.  Harvest’s stockholders approved the proposed sale at a special meeting on February 23, 2017.  The sale was subject to additional conditions before it could close such as approval from Gabonese government.  We received the Gabonese government’s approval on April 5, 2017 and we completed the sale on April 10, 2017.

Under the terms of the Sale and Purchase Agreement, BW Energy acquired HNR Energia's 100 percent interest in Harvest Dussafu, which owns a 66.667 percent interest in the Dussafu production sharing contract located offshore of Gabon.  See Note 1 - Organization, Sale of Gabon Interests for further information. 



Harvest Dussafu’s assets and liabilities have been reclassified to assets and liabilities held for sale as follows:

   





On October 7, 2016, the Company, and its wholly owned subsidiary, HNR Energia, completed the sale of all of HNR Energia’s 51% interest in Harvest Holding, to Delta Petroleum, pursuant to a share purchase agreement, dated June 29, 2016 (the “Share Purchase Agreement”). Harvest Holding owns, indirectly through wholly owned subsidiaries, a 40% interest in Petrodelta S.A., through which all of the Company’s interests in Venezuela were owned. Thus, under the Share Purchase Agreement, the Company sold all of its interests in Venezuela to Delta Petroleum and we do not have any continuing involvement in Venezuela. 



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Harvest Dussafu and Harvest Holding’s effect on results of operations have been reported in discontinued operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 as follows:

















Note 7 – Commitments and Contingencies

Under the agreements with our partner in the Dussafu Production Sharing Contract (“Dussafu PSC”), we were jointly and severally liable to various third parties. As of June 30, 2017,  due to the sale of Harvest Dussafu, no further obligations exist under these agreements.  At December 31, 2016, the gross carrying amount associated with obligations to third parties which were fixed at the end of the period were $0.1 million and were related to accounts payable to vendors, accrued expenses and withholding taxes payable to taxing authorities.  The gross carrying amounts related to accounts payable and withholding taxes, and the net amount related to accrued expenses, are reflected in the consolidated condensed balance sheet in liabilities held for sale as of December 31, 2016.   Our partners had obligations to us totaling $21 thousand as of December 31, 2016 for these liabilities. 

On February 27, 2015, Harvest, Harvest (US) Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Harvest (“Harvest US”), Branta, LLC and Branta Exploration & Production Company, LLC (together, “Branta”) filed a complaint against Newfield Production Company (“Newfield”) in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.  The plaintiffs previously sold oil and natural gas assets located in Utah’s Uinta Basin to Newfield pursuant to two purchase and sale agreements, each dated March 21, 2011.  In the complaint, the plaintiffs allege, among other things, that prior to the sale, Newfield breached separate confidentiality agreements with Harvest US and Branta and violated antitrust laws, which resulted in a depressed sales price for the assets.  The complaint seeks monetary damages, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, interest, and costs for breach of contract, violation of the Colorado Antitrust Act, violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act and tortious interference with a prospective business advantage.  At a motions hearing on April 25, 2017, the court set a trial date of September 11, 2017. On June 21, 2017, the court denied two motions for summary judgment – one that had been filed by Newfield and another that had been filed by plaintiffs.  The trial is set to commence on September 11, 2017.

On May 31, 2011, the United Kingdom branch of our subsidiary, Harvest Natural Resources, Inc. (UK), initiated a wire transfer of approximately $1.1 million ($0.7 million net to our 66.667 percent interest) intending to pay Libya Oil Gabon S.A. (“LOGSA”) for fuel that LOGSA supplied to our then-subsidiary in the Netherlands, Harvest Dussafu, B.V., for the company’s drilling operations in Gabon. On June 1, 2011, our bank notified us that it had been required to block the payment in accordance with the U.S. sanctions against Libya as set forth in Executive Order 13566 of February 25, 2011, and administered by OFAC, because the payee, LOGSA, may be a blocked party under the sanctions. The bank further advised us that it could not release the funds to the payee or return the funds to us unless we obtain authorization from OFAC. Thereafter, OFAC issued General License 8a, which authorized transactions with the Government of Libya and various related parties (including LOGSA) and Harvest separately paid its outstanding debts to LOGSA in December 2011, as permitted by General license 8a.  Harvest has attempted to obtain the blocked funds by filing an

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application to OFAC, but its requests for return of the funds have been denied.  On March 8, 2016, OFAC denied Harvest's request for reconsideration, stating that the blocked funds transfer involves an interest of a sanctions target.  Harvest will request reconsideration of this denial in view of Harvest's dissolution.  Until the application is approved by OFAC, the funds will remain in the blocked account, and Harvest can give no assurances when OFAC will permit the funds to be released.  During the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily due to the passage of time, we recorded a $0.7 million allowance for doubtful accounts to general and administrative costs associated with the blocked payments and $0.4 million receivable from our joint venture partner.  Even though Harvest sold its Gabon interests in April 2017, it retained the right to receive this $0.7 million if and when it is paid.  We will continue attempts to recover the funds from OFAC.

On October 14, 2016, Saltpond Offshore Producing Co., Ltd. (“Saltpond”) filed a petition in the 334th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas under Rule 202 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure to take a pre-suit deposition of the Company’s general counsel.  The petition alleges that Alessandro Bazzoni, as a representative of CT Energy Holding SRL (“CT Energy”), obtained proceeds from oil allegedly misappropriated from Saltpond and used these funds to consummate the June 19, 2015 Securities Purchase Agreement between CT Energy and the Company.  The petition “seeks information to pursue a claim under the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act.”  A hearing had been scheduled for November 11, 2016 as to whether Saltpond should be entitled to seek information from the Company but the hearing was postponed at the request of Saltpond’s lawyers.  On April 12, 2017, Saltpond and Imperial Energy Ventures, Ltd. filed an amended petition against Cinque Terre Financial Group, Ltd.; Cinque Terre Energy Partners, LLC.; CT Energia, Ltd.; CT Energy Holding SLR (collectively, the “CT Corporate Defendants”); Alessandro Bazzoni; and the Company.  The amended petition alleges breach of contract, fraud, unjust enrichment and violation of the Texas Theft Liability Act by the CT Corporate Defendants and Mr. Bazzoni, and liability by all defendants for civil conspiracy.  The Company believes it was named as a defendant in this lawsuit because it was the recipient of funds from a separate loan transaction that involved CT Energy, and the plaintiff believes that all or part of the funds in the loan transaction could be traced to the allegedly misappropriated proceeds.  Plaintiffs seek actual damages of approximately $5.5 million and additional damages.    The Company denies the allegations in the petition and intends to mount a vigorous defense. It is not possible to estimate the likelihood or magnitude of any potential liability at this point.    

We are a defendant in or otherwise involved in other litigation incidental to our business. In the opinion of management, there is no such incidental litigation that will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.











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



Harvest Natural Resources, Inc. (“Harvest” or the “Company”) cautions that any forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) contained in this report or made by management of the Company involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various important factors. When used in this report, the words “budget”, “forecast”, “expect”, “believes”, “goals”, “projects”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “should”, “could”, “assume” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, we caution you that important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements. These factors include, among other factors, risks related to the disruption of dissolution and liquidation of Harvest and its operations and management; the effect of the dissolution and liquidation on Harvest’s ability to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with its suppliers and other third parties; difficult global economic and commodity and capital markets conditions; changes in the legal and regulatory environment; political and economic risks associated with international operations; risk that actual results may vary considerably from estimates; the dependence on the abilities and continued participation of our key employees; risks normally incident to the exploration, operation and development of oil and natural gas properties; prices for oil and natural gas and related financial derivatives; changes in interest rates; political stability; civil unrest; acts of terrorism; risks associated with third-party claims and litigation and the difficulty of controlling related outcomes or assessing ultimate liabilities; currency and exchange risks; currency controls; changes in existing or potential tariffs, duties or quotas; changes in taxes; changes in governmental policy; lack of liquidity; availability of sufficient financing; changes in weather conditions; our ability to continue as a going concern; and other risks, including those discussed in our public filings.  When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Item 1A - Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K (“the 2016 Form 10-K”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 6, 2017, and in Item 1A – Risk Factors of this Quarterly Report.

Executive Summary

Recent Developments



On October 7, 2016, following the sale of our Venezuelan interests, we announced that we were evaluating a possible dissolution of Harvest. On December 30, 2016, the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) unanimously determined that a proposed dissolution was advisable and in the best interests of us and our stockholders, adopted an initial plan of liquidation and dissolution, authorized the proposed dissolution, recommended that our stockholders authorize the proposed dissolution in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution, and generally authorized our officers to take all necessary actions to affect our dissolution. At its meeting held on January 12, 2017, our Board further discussed the liquidation and proposed dissolution, rescinded its adoption of the initial plan of liquidation and dissolution and adopted the Plan of Dissolution and Liquidation (“Plan of Dissolution”), which included changes based on comments received from tax and other counsel.  On February 23, 2017, the holders of a majority of all outstanding shares of Harvest’s common stock authorized the dissolution at a special meeting of Harvest’s stockholders, which provides for our complete dissolution and liquidation.  See Part I Financial Information, Item 1 – Financial Statements, Note 1 – Organization, Plan of Dissolution and Liquidation for further information. 



On December 21, 2016, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, HNR Energia B.V., a Curacao company, (“HNR Energia”), entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement (the “Sale and Purchase Agreement”) with BW Energy Gabon Pte. Ltd., a private Singapore company (“BW Energy”), to sell all of Harvest’s oil and gas interests in Gabon.  Harvest’s stockholders approved the proposed sale at a special meeting on February 23, 2017.  The sale was subject to additional conditions before it could close such as approval from Gabonese government.  We received Gabonese governmental approval on April 5, 2017.  On April 10, 2017, we completed the sale. See Part I Financial Information, Item 1 – Financial Statements, Note 1 – Organization, Sale of Gabon Interests for further information. 



On April 13, 2017, the Board declared an initial cash distribution of $5.75 per share of common stock payable to holders of record as of April 24, 2017.  The total initial liquidating distribution of $66.2 million was made on May 4, 2017. 



Results of Operations

In light of the adoption of Liquidation Basis of Accounting as of January 1, 2017, the results of operations for the current period are not comparable to the prior year periods. Due to the adoption of the Plan of Dissolution, we no longer consider this to be a key performance measure.



Changes of Net Assets in Liquidation for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2017

At adoption of Liquidation Basis of Accounting, Harvest stockholders’ equity was decreased by approximately $28.7 million as of January 1, 2017 to arrive at net assets in liquidation of $70.5 million. The primary reason for the decrease in net assets as of January

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1, 2017, was due to accrual of estimated liquidation and operating costs in excess of operating receipts during liquidation for $28.2 million, and adjustments of assets to their net realizable values and liabilities to their expected settlement amounts for a net $0.5 million.  

During the six months ended June 30, 2017, net assets in liquidation decreased by $65.6 million.  The primary reason for the decrease in net assets was the  $66.2 million liquidating dividend paid on May 4, 2017 offset by lower estimated costs in excess of estimated receipts during liquidation.         



During the three months ended June 30, 2017, net assets in liquidation decreased by $67.3 million.  The primary reason for the decrease in net assets was the  $66.2 million liquidating dividend paid on May 4, 2017 and higher estimated costs in excess of estimated receipts during liquidation. 



Estimated Income and Costs Incurred during the Liquidation Period



Under the Liquidation Basis of Accounting, the Company is required to estimate and accrue the costs associated with implementing and completing the Plan of Dissolution. These amounts can vary significantly due to, among other things, the costs of retaining personnel and others to oversee the liquidation, including the cost of insurance, the timing and amounts associated with discharging known and contingent liabilities and the costs associated with cessation of the Company’s operations including an estimate of costs subsequent to that date (which would include reserve contingencies for the appropriate statutory periods). As a result, the Company has accrued the projected costs, including corporate overhead and specific liquidation costs of severance, professional fees, and other miscellaneous wind-down costs, expected to be incurred during the projected period required to complete the liquidation of the Company’s remaining assets. The accruals related to dissolution costs are primarily related to severance and employment contract payments of $4.2 million and other dissolution costs of $4.0 million as of June 30, 2017.  Continuing general overhead costs of $6 million are also expected during the liquidation period.    These accruals will be adjusted from time to time as projections and assumptions change.



The following is a summary of the accruals for estimated income and costs to be incurred during the liquidation period: 







Results of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 (Going Concern Basis)



Loss from Continuing Operations



During the three months ended June 30, 2016, we reported a net loss attributable to continuing operations of $4.1 million or $0.32 per basic and diluted loss per share.  During the six months ended June 30, 2016, we reported a net loss attributable to continuing operations of $9.2 million or $0.71 per basic and diluted loss per share. Expenses from continuing operations were:









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Our accounting method for oil and natural gas properties was the successful efforts method. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, we incurred $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, related to other general business development activities.



General and administrative costs for the three months ended June 30, 2016 consisted of employee related costs ($2.6 million), general operations and overhead ($0.1 million), contract services ($1.0 million), public relations ($0.1 million) and taxes other than income ($0.1 million).  General and administrative costs for the six months ended June 30, 2016 consisted of employee related costs ($5.4 million), general operations and overhead ($0.8 million), contract services ($2.4 million), travel ($0.1 million) and taxes other than income ($0.2 million).



Loss from Discontinued Operations



On December 21, 2016, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, HNR Energia B.V., a Curacao company (“HNR Energia”), entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement (the “Sale and Purchase Agreement”) with BW Energy Gabon Pte. Ltd., a private Singapore company (“BW Energy”), to sell all of Harvest’s oil and gas interests in Gabon. Harvest’s stockholders approved the proposed sale at a special meeting on February 23, 2017. 



Under the terms of the Sale and Purchase Agreement, BW Energy acquired HNR Energia's 100 percent interest in Harvest Dussafu B.V. (“Harvest Dussafu”), which owns a 66.667 percent interest in the Dussafu production sharing contract located offshore Gabon, for $32.0 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments, including reimbursement for approximately $2.3 million of expenditures in respect of the interest since September 30, 2016. 



On October 7, 2016, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, HNR Energia, completed the sale of all of HNR Energia’s 51% interest in Harvest Vinccler Dutch Holding, B.V. (“Harvest Holding”), to Delta Petroleum N.V., a limited liability company organized under the laws of Curacao (“Delta Petroleum”), pursuant to a share purchase agreement. With the sale and subsequent deconsolidation of Harvest Holding, we do not have any continuing involvement in Venezuela and no longer have non-controlling interest owners. 



During the three months ended June 30, 2016, we reported a net loss attributable to discontinued operations of $9.0 million or $0.68 per basic and diluted share.  During the six months ended June 30, 2016, we reported a net loss attributable to discontinued operations of $20.9 million or $1.39 per basic and diluted share.  Expenses from discontinued operations were:







Our accounting method for oil and natural gas properties was the successful efforts method. During the three months ended June 30, 2016, we incurred $0.2 million of exploration costs for the processing and reprocessing of seismic data related to ongoing operations in Gabon.  During the six months ended June 30, 2016, we incurred $0.8 million of exploration costs for the processing and reprocessing of seismic data related to ongoing operations in Gabon and $0.1 million related to other general business development activities.

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During the six months ended June  30, 2016, we incurred $0.1 million of impairment expense for the oilfield inventory related to the Dussafu PSC.

During the six months ended June 30, 2016, we recorded a $5.2 million allowance to fully reserve the 11.0% promissory note due in 2019 from CT Energia Holding Ltd (“CT Energia Note”) due to concerns related to the continued deteriorating economic conditions in Venezuela and our assessment relating to the probability that the CT Energia Note will be collected.

General and administrative costs for the three months ended June 30, 2016 consisted of employee related costs ($0.4 million), general operations and overhead ($0.2 million), and taxes other than income ($0.1 million).    General and administrative costs for the six months ended June 30, 2016 consisted of employee related costs ($0.7 million), general operations and overhead ($0.3 million), contract services ($0.3 million), travel ($0.1 million) and taxes other than income ($0.2 million).

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the $6.9 million and $10.9 million, respectively, changes in the fair value of the warrant liability acquired by CT Energy Holding SRL (“CT Energy”) to purchase up to 8,517,705 shares of Harvest’s common stock at an initial exercise price of $5.00 per share (“CT Warrant”) was related to the increase in fair value of the CT Warrant issued on June 19, 2015.  The change was primarily related to the change in our stock price.   



The change in fair value of embedded derivative assets of $1.7 million is directly related to the assumptions surrounding the commencement of an interest rate reset feature contained in both the 15% Non-Convertible Senior Secured Promissory Note Due 2020, dated June 19, 2015, between the Company and CT Energy (“15% Note”) and the 15% Additional Draw Senior Secured Note Due 2020, dated June 19, 2015, between the Company and CT Energy (“Additional Draw Note”).  The interest rate reset feature both lowers the interest rate and extends the due date of the 15% Note and the Additional Draw Note.  At June 30, 2016, the probability of the interest rate reset feature date being delayed was lowered to 70% and, since the Additional Draw Note was utilized, the value of the embedded derivative asset related to the Additional Draw Note was added.  Both of these changes increased the value of the embedded derivative assets for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016.

We incurred $1.6 million of transaction costs associated with the Share Purchase Agreement with CT Energy for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016.

The interest expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 was related to the 15% Note and the Additional Draw Note. 

We recognized a $0.2 million gain on foreign currency transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2016.  The gain in 2016 was primarily associated with a favorable change in the Bolivar denominated liabilities. 

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests was $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016.  The net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests during the three months ended June 30, 2016 was primarily from our ongoing operations at Harvest Vinccler for their oversight of our investment in Petrodelta, S.A.  Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests was $3.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016.  The net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests during the six months ended June 30, 2016 was related to our ongoing operations at Harvest Vinccler for their oversight of our investment in Petrodelta, S.A and due to the $5.2 million allowance to fully reserve the CT Energia Note.

Risks, Uncertainties, Capital Resources and Liquidity

The following discussion on risks, uncertainties, capital resources and liquidity should be read in conjunction with our consolidated condensed financial statements and related notes thereto. 



Liquidity

After the completion of the sale of our Gabon interests on April 10, 2017, our primary assets were cash and an accounts receivable for $2.5 million.  On August 7, 2017, $2.1 million of the accounts receivable balance was collected.  We will use the proceeds from the sale of our Gabon interests to pay expenses and taxes, if any, associated with the sale and for other operating expenses. Subject to determinations to be made by our Board, the remaining proceeds will be used to provide reserves of funds for future or contingent liabilities as may be determined necessary by our Board pursuant to Delaware law, to pay or settle existing obligations, to pay costs (including taxes) associated with the liquidation and winding up of our business, and to distribute remaining assets to our stockholders.  We expect the cash on hand will be adequate to meet our liquidity requirements for dissolution of the Company.  On April 13, 2017, the Board declared an initial cash distribution of $5.75 per share of common stock payable to holders of record as of April 24, 2017.  The total initial liquidating distribution of $66.2 million was made on May 4, 2017.  Our contingent items include:  (1) the gain contingency represented by our lawsuit against Newfield (as to which the likelihood of revenues to us

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cannot be assured and the amount of any success cannot reasonably be estimated (2) the funds blocked by the Office of Foreign Assets Control in the LOGSA matter, which is a gain contingency of $0.7 million if we are able to recoup these funds, and (3) various other assets whose realizable cash value is minimal.  See Part I Financial Information, Item 1 – Financial Statements, Note 7 – Commitments and Contingencies for further information.

Accumulated Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries

Under ASC 740-30-25-17, no deferred tax liability must be recorded if sufficient evidence shows that a foreign subsidiary has invested or will invest its undistributed earnings or that the earnings will be remitted in a tax-free manner. Management must consider numerous factors in determining timing and amounts of possible future distribution of these earnings to the parent company and whether a U.S. deferred tax liability should be recorded for these earnings. These factors include the future operating and capital requirements of both the parent company and the subsidiaries, remittance restrictions imposed by foreign governments or financial agreements and tax consequences of the remittance, including possible application of U.S. foreign tax credits and limitations on foreign tax credits that may be imposed by the Internal Revenue Code and regulations.

Since December 2013, we have provided deferred income taxes on undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries where we are not able to assert that such earnings were permanently reinvested, or otherwise could be repatriated in a tax free manner, as part of our ongoing business.  As of December 31, 2016, a deferred tax liability of $0.1 million was recorded based on the unremitted earnings of our foreign subsidiaries that would be repatriated to the U.S. pursuant to our overall Plan of Dissolution.  With the Plan of Dissolution, the foreign subsidiaries will be dissolved and the previously unremitted earnings will be repatriated in 2017.  The income tax event will be a current year item and no longer represent a deferred tax liability.  In the first quarter of 2017, the deferred tax liability of $0.1 million was reversed resulting in a deferred tax benefit.  For the current year, the Company expects to generate a net loss even with the inclusion of the previously unremitted earnings in taxable income.  Consequently, no current income tax liability has been recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2017.

Effects of Changing Prices, Foreign Exchange Rates and Inflation

Prior to the April 10, 2017 closing of the sale of Harvest Dussafu, our results of operations and cash flow were affected by changing oil prices. 

There are many factors affecting foreign exchange rates and resulting exchange gains and losses, most of which are beyond our control. 

Within the United States and other countries in which we conduct business, inflation has had a minimal effect on us.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

None.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

See Part I Financial Information, Item 1 – Financial Statements, Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for a summary of our Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.



New Accounting Pronouncements



See Part I Financial Information, Item 1 – Financial Statements, Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, New Accounting Pronouncements for a summary of the impact of recent accounting pronouncements.



Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk



Prior to the April 10, 2017, closing of the sale of Harvest Dussafu, we were exposed to market risk from adverse fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices, as discussed in our 2016 Form 10-K.  As our assets now consist primarily of cash and accounts receivable, this market risk is not expected to have a material effect on us.



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Item 4.     Controls and Procedures



Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.



We have established disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that the disclosure requirement in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Security and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and effectively communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.



Management of the Company, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on their evaluation as of June 30, 2017, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at such time.



Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting



There have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2017, that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.



PART II.     OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.     Legal Proceedings



See Part I – Information, Item 1- Financial Statements, Note 7 – Commitments and Contingencies.



Item 1A.  Risk Factors



We cannot assure you that any additional liquidating distribution will be made to our stockholders or, if made, the exact amount or timing of distributions.  Our dissolution, liquidation and winding up process will be subject to uncertainties.  It is possible that there will be no additional liquidating distribution made to our stockholders.  The amount and timing of any additional liquidating distribution to our stockholders will depend on the following factors, among others:

We will continue to incur expenses that will reduce any amounts available for distribution to our stockholders.    Claims, liabilities and expenses, such as salaries, severance payments, directors’ and officers’ insurance, payroll and local taxes, legal, accounting and consulting fees and general and administrative expenses, will continue to be incurred by us as we wind down.  In particular, as previously disclosed, we expect to become obligated to pay approximately $12 million in severance payments and other benefits to a number of our officers in connection with the dissolution.  We cannot estimate the aggregate amount of these expenses, but these expenses will reduce the amount of funds available for distribution to our stockholders.

Our stockholders could be held liable for our corporate obligations, up to the amount actually distributed to them in connection with our dissolution.  We will continue to exist for three years after our dissolution, or for such longer period as the Delaware Court of Chancery may direct, for the purpose of continuing to close our business, dispose of our non-cash assets, resolve

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outstanding litigation, discharge our liabilities and distribute any remaining assets to our stockholders.  Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, if the amount we reserve to satisfy our obligations proves insufficient to satisfy all of our expenses and liabilities, a stockholder who receives a liquidating distribution could be held liable for payment to our creditors of the stockholder’s pro rata share of amounts we owe to our creditors in excess of the reserves, up to but not exceeding the amount actually distributed to the stockholder in connection with our dissolution.  This means that a stockholder could be required to return all liquidating distributions made to the stockholder and receive nothing from us in connection with our dissolution and liquidation.  If a stockholder has paid taxes on amounts previously received, a repayment of all or a portion of those taxes could result in a stockholder incurring a net tax cost if the stockholder’s repayment of an amount previously distributed does not cause a commensurate reduction in taxes payable.  There is no guaranty that the reserves established by us to satisfy our obligations will be adequate to cover all of our obligations.

Further stockholder approval will not be required in connection with the implementation of our Plan of Dissolution, including for the sale or disposition of any of our remaining assets.  Our Plan of Dissolution provides that we may sell our other assets after dissolution, as necessary to affect our Plan of Dissolution.  Under our Plan of Dissolution, we will not seek and are not required to seek additional stockholder authorization of any other asset sale.  As a result, the Board may authorize actions in implementing the Plan of Dissolution, including the terms and prices for the sale or disposition of our remaining assets, with which our stockholders may not agree.

Our common stock ceased to be traded at the time of our dissolution.  We closed our stock transfer books after our dissolution became effective at 8 p.m. Eastern time on May 4, 2017.  As a result, from and after that time, we will not recognize any transfer of our common stock, other than transfers by operation of law as to which we have received adequate written notice.  The record date for determining which stockholders are eligible to receive liquidating distributions is the date on which our dissolution became effective, except as may be necessary to reflect subsequent transfers by operation of law.   The only value associated with our shares is the potential right to receive possible distributions in the future as part of the liquidation and dissolution process in accordance with the Plan of Dissolution.

We may cease to file our annual, quarterly and current reports with the SEC.   Because of the costs associated with preparing and filing our annual, quarterly and current reports under applicable securities law, we are seeking relief from all or some of our reporting obligations, and we may determine that further reporting is no longer appropriate under the guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Commission and its staff.  If we receive this relief or if we otherwise make this determination, certain information about us (including audited financial information) currently reported to you and the public would no longer be available.

Our officers may have interests in the dissolution that are different from those of our stockholders in general.    In accordance with the terms of pre-existing agreements, such as our employment agreements with executive officers, our executive officers may receive certain benefits as a result of the termination of their employment as a result of our dissolution.  Our officers will likely receive the additional severance benefits to which they became eligible as a result of the sale of our Venezuelan interests on October 7, 2016, because we currently expect to terminate their employment within 730 days following that date.  If we proceed with our dissolution, it is expected that eventually and probably within this 730-day period, we will terminate the employment of all of our executive officers and we will be required to provide them with the severance benefits required by their employment agreements, including the additional severance benefits payable after a change of control.  We estimate that the cost of making these payments will be approximately $12 million.  As a result, some officers may have interests that are different from certain stockholders’ interests and may support actions with which stockholders may disagree.

In particular, we are obligated to pay James A. Edmiston, our President and Chief Executive Officer, approximately $4.3 million in severance benefits.  On April 13, 2017, we terminated the employment agreement of Mr. Edmiston and entered into a separation and release agreement with Mr. Edmiston.

We may undergo, or may have already undergone, an “ownership change” within the meaning of section 382 of the Code, which could affect our ability to use our net operating losses and certain tax credits for U.S. federal income tax purposes.    Section 382 of the Code contains rules that limit the ability of a corporation that undergoes an ownership change to use its net operating losses and tax credits existing as of the date of the ownership change. For these purposes, an ownership change is generally any change in ownership of more than 50 percent of a corporation’s stock within a rolling three-year period. The Treasury Regulations focus on changes in the ownership of significant stockholders, i.e., those owning, directly or indirectly, five percent or more of the stock of a corporation (“5% Stockholders”). 

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had cumulative net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs") of approximately $56.0 million, which can be utilized in certain circumstances to offset possible future U.S. taxable income.  If Harvest were to undergo one or more “ownership changes” within the meaning of section 382 of the Code, or if one has already occurred, our net operating losses and certain of our tax credits existing as of the date of each ownership change may be unavailable, in whole or in part, to offset income or gain, if any, from the proposed dissolution and liquidation of our subsidiaries. If we are unable to fully offset any U.S.

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federal taxable income or gain that result from those proposed dissolutions and liquidation, we may be liable for U.S. federal income taxes that could reduce the assets available for distributions to our stockholders.

Currently, we do not believe that we have undergone an ownership change in the 2014, 2015 or 2016 taxable years, years in which we incurred significant net operating losses. We intend to monitor future filings with the SEC to determine if additional 5% Stockholders arise or if the ownership percentages of existing 5% Stockholders change, either of which might indicate an ownership change under section 382 of the Code. However, the Treasury Regulations under section 382 of the Code are complex and we cannot assure you that we will be able to detect whether and when we might undergo an ownership change.

On February 16, 2017, the Board adopted a Rights Agreement (as amended from time to time the “Rights Plan”) designed to preserve the Company’s tax assets.  The Rights Plan reduces the likelihood that changes in Harvest’s investor base would limit Harvest’s future use of its tax benefits.  See Part I Financial Information, Item 1 – Financial Statements, Note 1 – Organization, Rights Agreement to Protect Net Operating Losses for further information.

Stockholders may not be able to recognize a loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes until they receive a final distribution from us.  As a result of our dissolution and liquidation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our stockholders generally will recognize gain or loss, on a per share basis, equal to the difference between (1) the sum of the amount of cash and the fair market value (at the time of the distribution) of property, if any, distributed to them with respect to each share of common stock and (2) their tax basis in each share of our common stock.  A liquidating distribution pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution may occur at various times and in more than one tax year.  Any loss generally will be recognized by a stockholder only in the tax year in which the stockholder receives our final liquidating distribution, and then only if the aggregate value of all liquidating distributions with respect to a share of our common stock is less than the stockholder’s tax basis for that share.  Stockholders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors as to the specific tax consequences to them of our dissolution, liquidation and winding up pursuant to the Plan of Dissolution.

The tax treatment of any liquidating distribution may vary from stockholder to stockholder.  We have not requested a ruling from the IRS with respect to the anticipated tax consequences of our complete dissolution and liquidation, and we will not seek an opinion of counsel with respect to the anticipated tax consequences of any liquidating distributions. If any of the anticipated tax consequences prove to be incorrect, the result could be increased taxation at the corporate or stockholder level, thus reducing the benefit to our stockholders and us from our dissolution and liquidation. Tax considerations applicable to particular stockholders may vary with and be contingent on the stockholder’s individual circumstances. You should consult your own tax advisor for tax advice.

The loss of key personnel could adversely affect our ability to efficiently dissolve, liquidate and wind up. We intend to rely on a few individuals in key management roles to dissolve, liquidate and wind up, either through their continued employment or in consulting roles. Loss of one or more of these key individuals could hamper the efficiency or effectiveness of these processes.

Item 6.     Exhibits







* Filed herewith.

**Furnished herewith.

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SIGNATURES

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





HARVEST NATURAL RESOURCES, INC.















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