UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
þ QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014
¨ TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 000-30234
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
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 þ 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 þ 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.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes¨ No þ
The number of shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value, outstanding on May 12, 2014 was 109,514,028 shares.
ENERJEX RESOURCES, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART 1 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
EnerJex Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Revenues:
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1 – Basis of Presentation
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of EnerJex Resources, Inc. (“we”, “us”, “our” and “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year. Certain amounts in the prior year statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentations. The statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and footnotes thereto included in our Annual Report Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, EnerJex Kansas, Inc., DD Energy, Inc., Black Sable Energy, LLC, Working Interest, LLC, and Black Raven Energy, Inc. (“Black Raven”) for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. On September 27, 2013 we acquired Black Raven. Accordingly, only the financial position, results of operation and cash flows of Black Raven for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 were included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.
Note 2 - Stock Options
A summary of stock options is as follows:
Note 3 – Fair Value Measurements
We hold certain financial assets which are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis in accordance with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 157,"Fair Value Measurements" ("ASC Topic 820-10"). ASC Topic 820-10 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). ASC Topic 820-10 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 on the measurement date. A fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC Topic 820-10 are described below:
Level 1. Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that an entity has the ability to access. We believe our debt approximates fair value at March 31, 2014.
Level 2. Valuations based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. We consider the derivative liability to be Level 2. We determine the fair value of the derivative liability utilizing various inputs, including NYMEX price quotations and contract terms.
Level 3. Valuations based on inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. We consider our marketable securities to be Level 3.
Our derivative instruments consist of fixed price commodity swaps.
Note 4 - Asset Retirement Obligation
Our asset retirement obligations relate to the liabilities associated with the abandonment of oil wells. The amounts recognized are based on numerous estimates and assumptions, including future retirement costs, inflation rates and credit adjusted risk-free interest rates. The following shows the changes in asset retirement obligations:
Note 5 - Derivative Instruments
We have entered into certain derivative or physical arrangements with respect to portions of our crude oil production to reduce our sensitivity to volatile commodity prices and/or to meet hedging requirements under our Credit Facility. We believe that these derivative arrangements, although not free of risk, allow us to achieve a more predictable cash flow and to reduce exposure to commodity price fluctuations. However, derivative arrangements limit the benefit of increases in the prices of crude oil. Moreover, our derivative arrangements apply only to a portion of our production.
We have an Intercreditor Agreement in place between the Company; our counterparties, BP Corporation North America, Inc. ("BP") and Cargill Incorporated (“Cargill”) and our agent Texas Capital Bank, N.A., which allows Texas Capital Bank to also act as agent for the counterparties for the purpose of holding and enforcing any liens or security interests resulting from our derivative arrangements. Therefore, we are not required to post additional collateral, including cash.
The following derivative contracts were in place at March 31, 2014:
Monthly volume is the weighted average throughout the period.
The total fair value is shown as a derivative instrument in both the current and non-current liabilities on the balance sheet.
Note 6 - Long-Term Debt
Senior Secured Credit Facility
On October 3, 2011, the Company and DD Energy, Inc., EnerJex Kansas, Inc., Black Sable Energy, LLC and Working Interest, LLC ("Borrowers") entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Texas Capital Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”) and other financial institutions and banks that may become a party to the Credit Agreement from time to time. The facilities provided under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement were used to refinance Borrowers prior outstanding revolving loan facility with Bank, dated July 3, 2008, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.
At our option, loans under the facility will bear stated interest based on the Base Rate plus Base Rate Margin, or Floating Rate plus Floating Rate Margin (as those terms are defined in the Credit Agreement). The Base Rate will be, for any day, a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% and (b) the Bank's prime rate. The Floating Rate shall mean, at Borrower's option, a per annum interest rate equal to (i) the Eurodollar Rate plus Eurodollar Margin, or (ii) the Base Rate plus Base Rate Margin (as those terms are defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement). Eurodollar borrowings may be for one, two, three, or six months, as selected by the Borrowers. The margins for all loans are based on a pricing grid ranging from 0.00% to 0.75% for the Base Rate Margin and 2.25% to 3.00% for the Floating Rate Margin based on the Company's Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement).
On December 15, 2011, we entered into a First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Second Amended and Restated Promissory Note in the amount of $50,000,000 with the Bank. The Amendment reflected the addition of Rantoul Partners as an additional Borrower and added as additional security for the loans the assets held by Rantoul Partners.
On August 31, 2012, we entered into a Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with the Bank. The Second Amendment: (i) increased our borrowing base to $7,000,000, (ii) reduced the minimum interest rate to 3.75%, and (iii) added additional new leases as collateral for the loan.
On November 2, 2012, we entered into a Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with the Bank. The Third Amendment (i) increased our borrowing base to $12,150,000, and (ii) clarified certain continuing covenants and provided a limited waiver of compliance with one of the covenants so clarified for the quarter ended December 31, 2011.
On January 24, 2013, we entered into a Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, which was made effective as of December 31, 2012 with the Bank. The Fourth Amendment reflects the following changes: (i) the Bank consented to the restructuring transactions related to the dissolution of Rantoul Partners, and (ii) the Bank terminated a Limited Guaranty, as defined in the Credit Agreement, executed by Rantoul Partners in favor of the Bank.
On April 16, 2013, the Bank increased our borrowing base to $19.5 million.
On September 30, 2013, we entered into a Fifth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Fifth Amendment reflects the following changes: (i) an expanded principal commitment amount of the Bank to $100,000,000, (ii) an increase in our Borrowing Base to $38,000,000, (iii) the addition of Black Raven Energy, Inc. to the Credit Agreement as a borrower party, (iv) the addition of certain collateral and security interests in favor of the Bank, and (v) the reduction of our current interest rate to 3.30%.
On November 19, 2013, we entered into a Sixth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Sixth Amendment reflects the following changes: (i) added Iberia Bank as a participant into our credit facility, and (ii) made a technical correction to our covenant calculations.
Our current borrowing base is $38 million, of which we had borrowed $32.0 million as of March 31, 2014. We intend to conduct an additional borrowing base review in the second quarter of 2014 and we expect increases in production and the maturity of existing production to result in an additional borrowing base increase as part of the additional borrowing base review. For the three month period ended March 31, 2014 and for the year ended December 31, 2013 the interest rate was 3.3%. This facility expires on October 3, 2015.
Other Long Term Debt
We financed the purchase of vehicles through a bank. The notes are for four years and the vehicles collateralize these notes. The long term balance on the notes at March 31, 2014 was $38,159.
Note 7 – Commitments & Contingencies
As of March 31, 2014 the Company has an outstanding irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of $50,000 issued in favor of the Texas Railroad Commission. The letter of credit is required by the Texas Railroad Commission for all companies operating in the state of Texas with production greater than limits they prescribe.
Rent expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $51,000 and $29,000 respectively. Future non-cancellable minimum lease payments are approximately $120,000 for the remainder of 2014, $154,000 for 2015, $147,000 for 2016, $145,000 for 2017, $90,000 for 2018 and $77,000 for 2019.
Note 8 - Equity Transactions
On January 15, 2014, 110,000 shares were issued to two employees of the Company as compensation. From February 5, 2014 through March 17, 2014, 143,922 shares were issued to a consultant for professional services rendered on behalf of the Company.
Note 9 - Subsequent Events
We have reviewed all material events through the date of this report in accordance with ASC 855-10.
Effective as of May 1, 2014, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Working Interest, LLC (“WILLC”), entered into a transaction pursuant to which (i) WILLC agreed to assign to Coal Creek Energy, LLC (“Coal Creek”) all of its working interests in certain oil leases comprising approximately 373 net acres in our Cherokee Project, and (ii) Coal Creek agreed to assign to WILLC all of its working interests in certain oil leases comprising approximately 791 net acres in our Cherokee Project. As a result of this transaction, we significantly consolidated our working interests and increased our net acreage in this project by approximately 5%. The net production associated with the producing leases that we assigned and received was comparable and less than 5 barrels of oil per day in each instance.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this report, including statements regarding future events, our future financial performance, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. We have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including "anticipates," "believes," "can," "continue," "could," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "may," "plans," "potential," "predicts," or "should" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although we do not make forward-looking statements unless we believe we have a reasonable basis for doing so, we cannot guarantee their accuracy. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the risks outlined under "Risk Factors" or elsewhere in this report, which may cause our or our industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all risk factors, nor can we address the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. The factors impacting these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:
You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement, each of which applies only as of the date of this report. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this report to conform our statements to actual results or changed expectations. For a detailed description of these and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, please see "Risk Factors" in this document and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
All references in this report to "we," "us," "our," "company" and "EnerJex" refer to EnerJex Resources, Inc. and our wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, EnerJex Kansas, Inc., DD Energy, Inc., Black Sable Energy, LLC, Working Interest, LLC, and Black Raven Energy, Inc. unless the context requires otherwise. We report our financial information on the basis of a December 31stfiscal year end.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and other reports and other information with the SEC. You can read these SEC filings and reports over the Internet at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or on our website at www.enerjex.com. You can also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. Please call the SEC at (800) SEC-0330 for further information on the operations of the public reference facilities. We will provide a copy of our annual report to security holders, including audited financial statements, at no charge upon receipt to of a written request to us at EnerJex Resources, Inc., 4040 Broadway, Suite 508, San Antonio, Texas 78209.
INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA
The market data and certain other statistical information used throughout this report are based on independent industry publications, government publications, reports by market research firms or other published independent sources. In addition, some data are based on our good faith estimates.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes to our financial statements included elsewhere in this report. In addition to historical financial information, the following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results and timing of selected events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those discussed under ITEM 1A. Risk Factors and elsewhere in this report.
Overview
Our principal strategy is to acquire, develop, explore and produce domestic onshore oil properties. Our business activities are currently focused in Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska and Texas.
We continue to investigate multiple opportunities to both unlock value and accelerate growth in an accretive manner on behalf of shareholders, including but not limited to mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and non-dilutive financings. There can be no assurance of the results or timing associated with this process.
We are currently focusing 100% of our capital budget on our Colorado and Kansas properties where we have identified hundreds of drilling locations that we believe will generate a high rate of return with a low risk profile.
Recent Developments
The following is a brief description of our most significant corporate developments that have occurred since the end of 2013:
During the first quarter, we successfully reactivated two oil wells in our Adena Project located in Colorado. In addition, we entered into a new natural gas purchase contract and initiated natural gas production in this project. Unseasonably cold weather and harsh operating conditions slowed our operations in Colorado during the first quarter of 2014.
During the first quarter, we successfully completed workover operations on eight natural gas wells in our Niobrara Project located in Colorado. We also filed 17 drilling permits in this project where we have identified dozens of high-ranking drilling locations based on 3D seismic analysis. We are in the process of soliciting bids for drilling and completion operations associated with these wells, along with pipeline construction and the upgrade of an existing tap into the Trailblazer pipeline.
Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, among other matters, the parties released each other from certain claims and obligations, the Farmout Agreement was terminated, and the parties entered into a new Gathering Agreement and Contract Operating Agreement under which Atlas shall pay to Black Raven an overhead charge of $12,000 per month from December 1, 2013 through November 30, 2015. Unless the Contract Operating Agreement is terminated at the option of either party after November 30, 2015, from and after December 1, 2015, the overhead charge per month shall be the lesser of (a) $12,000, and (b) an amount equal to $0.25 per thousand cubic feet of natural gas produced in each such month from wells that Black Raven operates for Atlas pursuant to the Contract Operating Agreement.
Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, Atlas also agreed to pay Black Raven the sum of $687,939 and assign to Black Raven its rights to depth in any zone below the Niobrara formation on approximately 8,360 acres that are held by production in Phillips and Sedgwick counties in the State of Colorado. In addition, Black Raven agreed to purchase seven non-producing wells from Atlas for $150,000.
Net Production, Average Sales Price and Average Production and Lifting Costs
The table below sets forth our net oil production (net of all royalties, overriding royalties and production due to others), the average sales prices, average production costs and direct lifting costs per unit of production for the periods ending March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013.
(1) Production costs include all operating expenses, transportation expenses, depreciation, depletion and amortization, lease operating expenses and all associated taxes. Impairment of oil properties is not included in production costs.
(2) Direct lifting costs do not include impairment expense or depreciation, depletion and amortization.
Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 compared.
Income:
Oil Revenues
Oil revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were $3,612,579 compared to revenues of $2,337,301 for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Oil revenues increased primarily as a result of increased oil production from assets that were acquired as part of our merger with Black Raven on September 27, 2013. Oil revenues also increased due to a slight increase in realized prices, which increased $3.01 to $91.08 for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 versus $88.07 for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. Oil production and revenue were negatively impacted during the first quarter of 2014 due to unseasonably cold weather and harsh operating conditions.
Natural Gas Revenues
Natural gas revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were $242,398. Natural gas revenues increased primarily as a result of increased natural gas production from assets that were acquired as part of our merger with Black Raven on September 27, 2013.
Expenses:
Direct Operating Costs
Direct operating costs primarily include direct labor and equipment costs related to pumping, gauging, pulling, well repairs, compression, transportation costs, and general maintenance requirements in our oil and gas fields . These costs also include certain contract labor costs, and other non-capitalized expenses. Direct operating costs for the three months ended March 31, 2014 increased 96% to $1,531,907 from $782,072 for the three months ended March 31, 2013. However, direct operating costs per Boe increased only 5.7% to $31.14 from $29.47. The $749,835 increase in direct operating costs is due primarily to new production associated with the assets that we acquired as part of our merger with Black Raven on September 27, 2013. Direct operating costs also increased as a result of non-recurring expenses that were incurred as a result of unseasonably cold weather and harsh operating conditions during the first quarter of 2014.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Depreciation, depletion and amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $763,758 compared to $444,537 for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The increase in depletion expense is due primarily to increased oil and natural gas production during the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013. Depletion expense per Boe decreased $1.22 or 7.3% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013.
Professional Fees
Professional fees for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were $224,902 compared to $356,222 for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The decrease in professional fees is due primarily to a reduction in transaction and lawsuit related legal fees and a reduction in fees related to outsourced third party engineering and consulting work that we conducted during the first quarter of 2013.
Salaries
Salaries for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were $310,348 compared to $246,011 for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Salaries increased $64,337 due primarily to the addition of employees following our merger with Black Raven.
Administrative Expenses
Administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were $141,029 compared to $139,404 for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Despite growth in production, employees and the addition of a new field office in 2013, administrative expenses were flat as a result of management’s focus on controlling and reducing these expenses.
Interest Expense
Interest expense, which includes amortization of deferred financing costs and accretion, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $378,928 compared to $118,245 for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs increased as a result of increased borrowings due to the Fifth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement under our Credit Facility. Accretion increased due to assets that were acquired as part of our merger with Black Raven on September 27, 2013.
Derivative Losses
We incurred a loss of $404,353 on our derivative contracts in the first quarter of 2014 compared to a loss of $239,941 for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The increase in the loss was due primarily to the completion of contracts during the three month period ended March 31, 2014 and an increase in the WTI benchmark oil price.
Net Income (Loss)
Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $103,634 compared to a net income of $20,036 for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The increase in net income during the first quarter of 2014 compared to the prior year period was primarily a result of higher revenues related to increased production and increased realized sales prices. The increase in net income was partially offset by higher interest expense and increased derivative losses.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is a measure of a company's ability to meet potential cash requirements. We have historically met our capital requirements through debt financing, revenues from operations, asset sales, and the issuance of equity securities. We believe that our historical means of meeting our capital requirements will provide us with adequate liquidity to fund our operations and capital program in 2014.
The following table summarizes total current assets, total current liabilities and working capital.
On December 15, 2011, we entered into a First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Second Amended and Restated Promissory Note in the amount of $50,000,000 with the Bank, which closed on December 15, 2011. The Amendment reflected the addition of Rantoul Partners as an additional Borrower and added as additional security for the loans the assets held by Rantoul Partners.
Satisfaction of our cash obligations for the next 12 months
We intend to meet our near term cash obligations through financings under our credit facility with Texas Capital Bank and through cash flow generated from operations.
Summary of product research and development
We do not anticipate performing any significant product research and development under our plan of operation.
Expected purchase or sale of any significant equipment
We anticipate that we will purchase the necessary production and field service equipment required to produce oil during our normal course of operations over the next twelve months.
Significant changes in the number of employees
There have been no significant changes in the number of our employees since December 31, 2013. We currently have 35 full-time employees, including field personnel. As production and drilling activities increase or decrease, we may have to continue to adjust our technical, operational and administrative personnel as appropriate. We are using and will continue to use independent consultants and contractors to perform various professional services, particularly in the area of land services, reservoir engineering, geology drilling, water hauling, pipeline construction, well design, well-site monitoring and surveillance, permitting and environmental assessment. We believe that this use of third-party service providers may enhance our ability to contain operating expenses, general expenses, and capital costs.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our critical accounting estimates include the value of our oil and gas properties, asset retirement obligations, and share-based payments.
Oil and Gas Properties
We follow the full-cost method of accounting under which all costs associated with property acquisition, exploration and development activities are capitalized. We also capitalize internal costs that can be directly identified with our acquisition, exploration and development activities and do not include costs related to production, general corporate overhead or similar activities.
Proved properties are amortized using the units of production method (UOP). Currently we only have operations in the Unites States of America. The UOP calculation multiplies the percentage of estimated proved reserves produced each quarter by the cost of these reserves. The amortization base in the UOP calculation includes the sum of proved property, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A), estimated future development costs (future costs to access and develop proved reserves) and asset retirement costs, less related salvage value.
The cost of unproved properties are excluded from the amortization calculation until it is determined whether or not proved reserves can be assigned to such properties or until development projects are placed into service. Geological and geophysical costs not associated with specific properties are recorded as proved property immediately. Unproved properties are reviewed for impairment quarterly.
Under the full cost method of accounting, the net book value of oil and gas properties, less deferred income taxes, may not exceed a calculated “ceiling.” The ceiling limitation is (a) the present value of future net revenues computed by applying current prices of oil & gas reserves (with consideration of price changes only to the extent provided by contractual arrangements) to estimated future production of proved oil & gas reserves as of the date of the latest balance sheet presented, less estimated future expenditures (based on current costs) to be incurred in developing and producing the proved reserves computed using a discount factor of 10 percent and assuming continuation of existing economic conditions plus (b) the cost of properties not being amortized plus (c) the lower of cost or estimated fair value of unproven properties included in the costs being amortized less (d) income tax effects related to differences between book and tax basis of properties. Future cash outflows associated with settling accrued retirement obligations are excluded from the calculation. Estimated future cash flows are calculated using end-of-period costs and an unweighted arithmetic average of commodity prices in effect on the first day of each of the previous 12 months held flat for the life of the production, except where prices are defined by contractual arrangements.
Any excess of the net book value of proved oil and gas properties, less related deferred income taxes, over the ceiling is charged to expense and reflected as additional DD&A in the statement of operations. The ceiling calculation is performed quarterly. During the quarter ended March 31, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013, there were no impairments resulting from the quarterly ceiling tests.
Proceeds from the sale or disposition of oil and gas properties are accounted for as a reduction to capitalized costs unless a significant portion (greater than 25%) of our reserve quantities are sold, in which case a gain or loss is recognized in income.
Asset Retirement Obligations
The asset retirement obligation relates to the plug and abandonment costs when our wells are no longer useful. We determine the value of the liability by obtaining quotes for this service and estimate the increase we will face in the future. We then discount the future value based on an intrinsic interest rate that is appropriate for us. If costs rise more than what we have expected there could be additional charges in the future however we monitor the costs of the abandoned wells and we will adjust this liability if necessary.
Share-Based Payments
The value we assign to the options and warrants that we issue is based on the fair market value as calculated by the Black-Scholes pricing model. To perform a calculation of the value of our options and warrants, we determine an estimate of the volatility of our stock. We need to estimate volatility because there has not been enough trading of our stock to determine an appropriate measure of volatility. We believe our estimate of volatility is reasonable, and we review the assumptions used to determine this whenever we issue a new equity instruments. If we have a material error in our estimate of the volatility of our stock, our expenses could be understated or overstated.
Effects of Inflation and Pricing
The oil industry is very cyclical and the demand for goods and services of oil field companies, suppliers and others associated with the industry puts extreme pressure on the economic stability and pricing structure within the industry. Material changes in prices impact revenue stream, estimates of future reserves, borrowing base calculations of bank loans and value of properties in purchase and sale transactions. Material changes in prices can impact the value of oil companies and their ability to raise capital, borrow money and retain personnel. We anticipate business costs and the demand for services related to production and exploration will fluctuate while the commodity prices for oil remains volatile.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
We are a smaller reporting Company as defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are not required to provide the information required under this item.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Our chief executive officer, Robert G. Watson, Jr., and our Chief Financial Officer, Douglas M. Wright evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this Report pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13-a-15(b). Based on the evaluation, Mr. Watson and Mr. Wright concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
We may become involved in various routine legal proceedings incidental to our business. However, to our knowledge as of the date of this transition report, there are no material pending legal proceedings to which we are a party or to which any of our property is subject, except the legal proceedings discussed below.
On January 23, 2012, we filed a petition seeking recovery of damages arising from breach of contract, legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty and fraud in the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri against attorneys Jeffrey T. Haughey, Robert K. Green, and the law firm Husch Blackwell LLP f/k/a Husch Blackwell Sanders, LLC. The petition in this action, EnerJex Resources, Inc., v. Haughey, et al., alleges, among other things, that the defendants violated their fiduciary duties and defrauded us in connection with our stock offering in 2008.
The petition alleges economic loss of approximately $50 million and demands judgment for unspecified actual and punitive damages together with repayment of $484,473 in legal fees paid by EnerJex. At the time the petition was filed, we estimated our economic loss of approximately $50 million by conducting an analysis that considered a number of factors, including the loss of at least $25 million of gross proceeds we would have received in the failed 2008 stock offering, the loss of the value we could have created had it been able to utilize the proceeds from the stock offering to execute its business plan in the 2008 economic environment, and the loss of market value for our common stock.
A trial to hear a portion of this case in the 16th Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri, began on December 2, 2013. In that trial, based on its rulings on written motions, the court disallowed our claims for actual and consequential damages for breach of contract and legal malpractice against the defendants. On December 19, 2013, the Company reached an agreement with the defendants to settle our claims for breach of fiduciary duty and fraud in return for (i) the defendants paying to us the sum of $500,000, which was paid to us in January 2014, and (ii) dismissal of the defendants’ counterclaim of $492,134 and interest on that amount, which was removed from our balance sheet and is not reflected as a liability as of December 31, 2013. Our financial statements reflect the litigation costs that we have incurred to date.
In entering into this settlement, the defendants have not admitted liability on any matter related to the claims in the litigation. As part of this settlement, we are now free to appeal the court’s rulings and request from the appellate court authorization to pursue our claims for actual and consequential damages with respect to our claims alleging breach of contract and legal malpractice against the defendants. There can be no assurance of the outcome of the appellate process, including whether the appellate court will allow us to seek actual and consequential damages for breach of contract and legal malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty, as well as what amount of damages, if any, we may recover.
Any additional monetary award resulting from a settlement of this litigation that is reached for our benefit in an amount that exceeds our total costs of litigation, shall be subject to a contingency fee for the benefit of our attorneys. There can be no assurance of the outcome of this litigation, including whether and in what amount EnerJex may recover damages.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.
None.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.
Exhibit
No.
† Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.