The oil and gas industry is intensely competitive. We compete with numerous individuals and companies, including many major oil and gas companies, which have substantially greater technical, financial and operational resources and staff. Accordingly, there is a high degree of competition for desirable oil and gas leases, suitable properties for drilling operations and necessary drilling equipment, as well as for access to funds. There are other competitors that have operations in the Nevada area and the presence of these competitors could adversely affect our ability to acquire additional leases.
Our oil and gas operations are subject to various United States federal, state and local governmental regulations. Matters subject to regulation include discharge permits for drilling operations, drilling and abandonment bonds, reports concerning operations, the spacing of wells, and pooling of properties and taxation. From time to time, regulatory agencies have imposed price controls and limitations on production by restricting the rate of flow of oil and gas wells below actual production capacity in order to conserve supplies of oil and gas. The production, handling, storage, transportation and disposal of oil and gas, by-products thereof, and other substances and materials produced or used in connection with oil and gas operations are also subject to regulation under federal, state, provincial and local laws and regulations relating primarily to the protection of human health and the environment. To date, expenditures related to complying with these laws, and for remediation of existing environmental contamination, have not been significant in relation to the results of operations of our company. The requirements imposed by such laws and regulations are frequently changed and subject to interpretation, and we are unable to predict the ultimate cost of compliance with these requirements or their effect on our operations.
Our business plan is focused on a strategy for maximizing the long-term exploration and development of our oil and gas leases in Nevada. To date, execution of our business plan has largely focused on acquiring prospective oil and gas leases. We are in the process of establishing a going forward exploration and development plan.
Currently our only employees are our directors and officers. We do not expect any material changes in the number of employees over the next 12 month period other than adding an office administration assistant. We do and will continue to outsource contract employment as needed. However, if we are successful in our initial and any subsequent drilling programs we may retain additional employees.
For the next 12 months we plan to continue to explore our leases in eastern Nevada, including additional gravity surveys, well studies, surface mapping and seismic. Currently we hold approximately 211,000 acres pursuant to lease agreements. The expiration dates for the leases are in 2014. The leases may be extended upon production from the leases.
Under the terms of the Participation Agreement, Exhibit D - Management Services Agreement, the funding obligations of our company include primary exploration payments to be made to Cedar Strat at a rate of $50,000 per month for 10 months of the first year and $50,000 per month for 10 months during the second year. In the event exploration is progressing ahead of plan, management of our company has agreed to accelerate payments accordingly. Additionally, $500,000 is budgeted for existing seismic data acquisition and processing.
These ongoing leasehold and applicable exploration expenses including the additional seismic program (see below), which are expected to take the prospect to a drillable stage, are currently estimated at $ 3,000,000. In addition, we have budgeted $4,000,000 for the drilling and completion of the first well on our leases, which we expect to drill within the next 12 months.
We will require additional funds to implement our growth strategy in our oil and gas exploration operations. These funds may be raised through equity financing, debt financing, or other sources, which may result in further dilution in the equity ownership of our shares. There is still no assurance that we will be able to maintain operations at a level sufficient for an investor to obtain a return on his investment in our common stock. Further, we may continue to be unprofitable.
Our net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2004 was $3,105,000. |
In order to proceed with our plans we raised funds by way of a private placement of equity securities in our company. The offering consisted of 6,190,000 shares at a price of $0.50 per share for gross proceeds of $3,095,000. We closed the private placement on November 12, 2004. The net proceeds received will be used as working capital to allow us to finance our commitments under the assignment agreement. On November 24, 2004, we issued a further 20,000 shares at a price of $0.50 per share for gross proceeds of $10,000. On April 4, 2005, we issued 3,840,067 shares and 1,920,035 share purchase warrants at a price of $1.50 per share for gross proceeds of $5,760,100. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase an additional share of common stock of our company at a price of $2.00 per share until April 4, 2006. On April 27, 2005, we issued 200,000 shares and 100,000 share purchase warrants at a price of $1.50 per share for gross proceeds of $300,000. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase an additional share of common stock of our company at a price of $2.00 per share until April 27, 2006.
Over the next twelve months we intend to use all available funds to expand on the exploration and development of our leases, as follows:
Estimated Funding Required During the Next Twelve Months
General, Administrative and Corporate Expenses | 720,000 |
Delay Land Rentals – BLM | 315,000 |
Gravity Surveys | 85,600 |
Field Mapping Management | 60,000 |
Seismic Program | 2,500,000 |
Drilling – First Well | 4,000,000 |
Working Capital | 319,400 |
Total | 8,000,000 |
| | |
As at March 31, 2005, we had $358,600 in current liabilities. Our financial statements report a net loss of $199,189 for the three month period ended March 31, 2005 compared to a net loss of $13,136 for the three month period ended March 31, 2004. As a result, our accumulated losses to March 31, 2005 increased to $521,313. Our losses increased primarily as a result of general, administrative and corporate expenses increasing to meet our obligations of $208,153 for the three month period ended March 31, 2005, as compared to $13,136 for the three month period ended March 31, 2004. We realized an overall increase in all expense categories during the three month period ended March 31, 2005 as we were actively involved in the oil and gas business, as compared to the three month period ended March 31, 2004 when we were acquiring and formulating our new business opportunities.
Our total liabilities as of March 31, 2005 were $787,767, as compared to total liabilities of $449,865 as of December 31, 2004. The increase was due to the increase in accounts payable (from $33,198 as at December 31, 2004 to $358,600 as at March 31, 2005). The increase was also due to an outstanding convertible debenture that we granted to Fort Scott as previously mentioned. On April 4, 2005, we issued 3,840,067 shares and 1,920,035 share purchase warrants at a price of $1.50 per share for gross proceeds of $5,760,100.50. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase an additional share of common stock of our company at a price of $2.00 per share until April 4, 2006. On April 27, 2005, we issued 200,000 shares and 100,000 share purchase warrants at a price of
$1.50 per share for gross proceeds of $300,000. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase an additional share of common stock of our company at a price of $2.00 per share until April 27, 2006.
During the three month period ended March 31, 2005 we spent $294,400 on exploration of our oil and gas properties.
We have suffered recurring losses from operations. The continuation of our company is dependent upon our company attaining and maintaining profitable operations and raising additional capital. In this regard we have raised additional capital through the equity offerings noted above.
The continuation of our business is dependent upon obtaining further financing, a successful program of exploration, and, finally, achieving a profitable level of operations. The issuance of additional equity securities by us could result in a significant dilution in the equity interests of our current stockholders. Obtaining commercial loans, assuming those loans would be available, will increase our liabilities and future cash commitments.
There are no assurances that we will be able to obtain further funds required for our continued operations. As noted herein, we are pursuing various financing alternatives to meet our immediate and long-term financial requirements. There can be no assurance that additional financing will be available to us when needed or, if available, that it can be obtained on commercially reasonable terms. If we are not able to obtain the additional financing on a timely basis, we will be unable to conduct our operations as planned, and we will not be able to meet our other obligations as they become due. In such event, we will be forced to scale down or perhaps even cease our operations.
Product Research and Development
Our business plan is focused on a strategy for maximizing the long-term exploration and development of our oil and gas leases in Nevada. To date, execution of our business plan has largely focused on acquiring prospective oil and gas leases. We are in the process of establishing a going forward action plan which includes a 2D seismic exploration plan for our leases.
Purchase of Significant Equipment
We do not intend to purchase any significant equipment (excluding oil and gas activities) over the twelve months ending March 31, 2006 other than office computers and communication equipment as required.
Employees
Currently our only employees are our directors and officers. We do not expect any material changes in the number of employees over the next 12 month period other than adding an office administration assistant. We do and will continue to outsource contract employment as needed. However, if we are successful in our initial and any subsequent drilling programs we may retain additional employees.
Going Concern
We have suffered recurring losses from operations. The continuation of our company as a going concern is dependent upon our company attaining and maintaining profitable operations and raising additional capital. The financial statements do not include any adjustment relating to the recovery and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amount and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should our company discontinue operations.
Due to the uncertainty of our ability to meet our current operating expenses and the capital expenses noted above, in their report on the annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004, our independent auditors included an explanatory paragraph regarding concerns about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our financial statements contain additional note disclosures describing the circumstances that lead to this disclosure by our independent auditors.
The continuation of our business is dependent upon us raising additional financial support. The issuance of additional equity securities by us could result in a significant dilution in the equity interests of our current stockholders. Obtaining commercial loans, assuming those loans would be available, will increase our liabilities and future cash commitments.
There are no assurances that we will be able to obtain further funds required for our continued operations. As noted herein, we are pursuing various financing alternatives to meet our immediate and long-term financial requirements. There can be no assurance that additional financing will be available to us when needed or, if available, that it can be obtained on commercially reasonable terms. If we are not able to obtain the additional financing on a timely basis, we will be unable to conduct our operations as planned, and we will not be able to meet our other obligations as they become due. In such event, we will be forced to scale down or perhaps even cease our operations.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In December 2004, FASB issued SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets - An Amendment of APB Opinion No. 29”. The guidance in APB Opinion No. 29, “Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions”, is based on the principle that exchanges of nonmonetary assets should be measured based on the fair value of the assets exchanged. The guidance in that Opinion, however, included certain exceptions to that principle. SFAS No. 153 amends Opinion No. 29 to eliminate the exception for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance. A nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. The provisions of SFAS No. 153 are effective for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. Early application is permitted and companies must apply the standard prospectively. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on our company’s results of operations or financial position.
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123R, “Share Based Payment”. SFAS 123R is a revision of SFAS No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and its related implementation guidance. SFAS 123R establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. It also addresses transactions in which an entity incurs liabilities in exchange for goods or services that are based on the fair value of the entity’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of those equity instruments. SFAS 123R focuses primarily on accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions. SFAS 123R does not change the accounting guidance for share-based payment transactions with parties other than employees provided in SFAS 123 as originally issued and Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 96-18, “Accounting for Equity Instruments That Are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods or Services”. SFAS 123R does not address the accounting for employee share ownership plans, which are subject to AICPA Statement of Position 93-6, “Employers’ Accounting for Employee Stock Ownership Plans”. SFAS 123R requires a public entity to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award (with limited exceptions). That cost will be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award – the requisite service period (usually the vesting period). SFAS 123R requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in financial statements. That cost will be measured based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. The scope of SFAS 123R includes a wide range of share-based compensation arrangements including share options, restricted share plans, performance-based awards, share appreciation rights, and employee share purchase plans. Public entities (other than those filing as small business issuers) will be required to apply SFAS 123R as of the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. Public entities that file as small business issuers will be required to apply SFAS 123R in the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after December 15, 2005. For nonpublic entities, SFAS 123R must be applied as of the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2005. Management is currently evaluating the impact, which the adoption of this standard will have on our company’s results of operations or financial position.
Application of Critical Accounting Policies
Our audited financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles used in the United States. Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are affected by management's application of accounting policies. We believe that understanding the basis and nature of the estimates and assumptions involved with the following aspects of our consolidated financial statements is critical to an understanding of our financials.
Oil and Gas Properties
We utilize the full cost method to account for our investment in oil and gas properties. Accordingly, all costs associated with acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas reserves, including such costs as leasehold acquisition costs, capitalized interest costs relating to unproved properties, geological expenditures, tangible and intangible development costs including direct internal costs are capitalized to the full cost pool. As of March 31, 2005, we have no properties with proven reserves. When we obtain proven oil and gas reserves, capitalized costs, including estimated future costs to develop the reserves and estimated abandonment costs, net of salvage, will be depleted on the units-of-production method using estimates of proved reserves. Investments in unproved properties and major development projects including capitalized interest, if any, are not depleted until proved reserves associated with the projects can be determined. If the future exploration of unproved properties are determined uneconomical the amount of such properties are added to the capitalized cost to be depleted. As of March 31, 2005, all of our oil and gas properties were unproved and were excluded from depletion. At March 31, 2005, management believes none of our unproved oil and gas properties were considered impaired.
The capitalized costs included in the full cost pool are subject to a "ceiling test", which limits such costs to the aggregate of the estimated present value, using a ten percent discount rate, of the future net revenues from proved reserves, based on current economic and operating conditions plus the lower of cost and estimated net realizable value of unproven properties.
Sales of proved and unproved properties are accounted for as adjustments of capitalized costs with no gain or loss recognized, unless such adjustments would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves of oil and gas, in which case the gain or loss is recognized in the statement of operations.
Long-Lived Assets
In accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets", the carrying value of intangible assets and other long-lived assets is reviewed on a regular basis for the existence of facts or circumstances that may suggest impairment. We recognize impairment when the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset. Impairment losses, if any, are measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its estimated fair value.
Going Concern
Our annual financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis, which assumes the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of operations. The financial statements have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern. However, certain conditions exist which raise doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. We have suffered recurring losses from operations and have accumulated losses of $521,313 since inception of the exploration stage through March 31, 2005.
RISK FACTORS
Much of the information included in this quarterly report includes or is based upon estimates, projections or other "forward looking statements". Such forward looking statements include any projections or estimates made by us and our management in connection with our business operations. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the
direction of our business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested herein.
Such estimates, projections or other "forward looking statements" involve various risks and uncertainties as outlined below. We caution the reader that important factors in some cases have affected and, in the future, could materially affect actual results and cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in any such estimates, projections or other "forward looking statements".
Our common shares are considered speculative during our search for a new business opportunity. Prospective investors should consider carefully the risk factors set out below.
We have had negative cash flows from operations.
To date we have had negative cash flows from operations and we have been dependent on sales of our equity securities and debt financing to meet our cash requirements and have incurred losses totalling approximately $199,189 for the three months ending March 31, 2005, and cumulative losses of $521,313 since inception of the exploration stage to March 31, 2005. As of March 31, 2005 we had working capital of $7,107,971 as a result of recent financing activities. We do not expect positive cash flow from operations in the near term. There is no assurance that actual cash requirements will not exceed our estimates. In particular, additional capital may be required in the event that:
- drilling and completion costs for further wells increase beyond our expectations; or
- we encounter greater costs associated with general and administrative expenses or offering costs.
The occurrence of any of the aforementioned events could adversely affect our ability to meet our business plans.
We will depend almost exclusively on outside capital to pay for the continued exploration and development of our properties. Such outside capital may include the sale of additional stock and/or commercial borrowing. Capital may not continue to be available if necessary to meet these continuing development costs or, if the capital is available, that it will be on terms acceptable to us. The issuance of additional equity securities by us would result in a significant dilution in the equity interests of our current stockholders. Obtaining commercial loans, assuming those loans would be available, will increase our liabilities and future cash commitments.
If we are unable to obtain financing in the amounts and on terms deemed acceptable to us, we may be unable to continue our business and as a result may be required to scale back or cease operations for our business, the result of which would be that our stockholders would lose some or all of their investment.
A decline in the price of our common stock could affect our ability to raise further working capital and adversely impact our operations.
A prolonged decline in the price of our common stock could result in a reduction in the liquidity of our common stock and a reduction in our ability to raise capital. Because our operations have been primarily financed through the sale of equity securities, a decline in the price of our common stock could be especially detrimental to our liquidity and our continued operations. Any reduction in our ability to raise equity capital in the future would force us to reallocate funds from other planned uses and would have a significant negative effect on our business plans and operations, including our ability to develop new products and continue our current operations. If our stock price declines, we may not be able to raise additional capital or generate funds from operations sufficient to meet our obligations.
We have a history of losses and fluctuating operating results.
Through March 31, 2005, we have incurred aggregate losses of approximately $521,313 since inception of the exploration stage. Our loss from operations for the three month period ended March 31, 2005 was $199,189.
There is no assurance that we will operate profitably or will generate positive cash flow in the future. In addition, our operating results in the future may be subject to significant fluctuations due to many factors not within our control, such as the unpredictability of when customers will purchase our services, the size of customers’ purchases, the demand for our services, and the level of competition and general economic conditions. If we cannot generate positive cash flows in the future, or raise sufficient financing to continue our normal operations, then we may be forced to scale down or even close our operations. Until such time as we generate revenues, we expect an increase in development costs and operating costs. Consequently, we expect to incur operating losses and negative cash flow until our properties enter commercial production.
We have a limited operating history and if we are not successful in continuing to grow our business, then we may have to scale back or even cease our ongoing business operations.
We have no history of revenues from operations and have no significant tangible assets. We have yet to generate positive earnings and there can be no assurance that we will ever operate profitably. Our company has a limited operating history and must be considered in the development stage. The success of the company is significantly dependent on a successful acquisition, drilling, completion and production program. Our company’s operations will be subject to all the risks inherent in the establishment of a developing enterprise and the uncertainties arising from the absence of a significant operating history. We may be unable to locate recoverable reserves or operate on a profitable basis. We are in the development stage and potential investors should be aware of the difficulties normally encountered by enterprises in the development stage. If our business plan is not successful, and we are not able to operate profitably, investors may lose some or all of their investment in our company.
Trading of our stock may be restricted by the SEC's "Penny Stock" regulations which may limit a stockholder's ability to buy and sell our stock.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted regulations which generally define "penny stock" to be any equity security that has a market price (as defined) less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. Our securities are covered by the penny stock rules, which impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell to persons other than established customers and "accredited investors." The term "accredited investor" refers generally to institutions with assets in excess of $5,000,000 or individuals with a net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or annual income exceeding $200,000 or $300,000 jointly with their spouse. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document in a form prepared by the SEC which provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer's account. The bid and offer quotations, and the broker-dealer and salesperson compensation information, must be given to the customer orally or in writing prior to effecting the transaction and must be given to the customer in writing before or with the customer's confirmation. In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from these rules, the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser's written agreement to the transaction. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for the stock that is subject to these penny stock rules. Consequently, these penny stock rules may affect the ability of broker-dealers to trade our securities. We believe that the penny stock rules discourage investor interest in and limit the marketability of, our common stock.
NASD sales practice requirements may also limit a stockholder’s ability to buy and sell our stock.
In addition to the “penny stock” rules described above, the NASD has adopted rules that require that in recommending an investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that customer. Prior to recommending speculative low priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other information. Under interpretations of these rules, the NASD believes that there is a high probability that speculative low priced securities will not be suitable for at least
some customers. The NASD requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our common stock, which may limit your ability to buy and sell our stock and have an adverse effect on the market for our shares.
Trading in our common shares on the OTC Bulletin Board is limited and sporadic making it difficult for our shareholders to sell their shares or liquidate their investments.
Our common shares are currently listed for public trading on the OTC Bulletin Board. The trading price of our common shares has been subject to wide fluctuations. Trading prices of our common shares may fluctuate in response to a number of factors, many of which will be beyond our control. The stock market has generally experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies with no current business operation. There can be no assurance that trading prices and price earnings ratios previously experienced by our common shares will be matched or maintained. These broad market and industry factors may adversely affect the market price of our common shares, regardless of our operating performance.
In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company's securities, securities class-action litigation has often been instituted. Such litigation, if instituted, could result in substantial costs for us and a diversion of management's attention and resources.
A majority of our directors and officers are outside the United States, with the result that it may be difficult for investors to enforce within the United States any judgments obtained against us or any of our directors or officers.
We do not currently maintain a permanent place of business within the United States. In addition, a majority of our directors and officers are nationals and/or residents of countries other than the United States, and all or a substantial portion of such persons’ assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process on our directors or officers, or enforce within the United States or Canada any judgments obtained against us or our officers or directors, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof. Consequently, you may be effectively prevented from pursuing remedies under U.S. federal securities laws against them. In addition, investors may not be able to commence an action in a Canadian court predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States. The foregoing risks also apply to those experts identified in this quarterly report that are not residents of the United States.
Because of the early stage of development and the nature of our business, our securities are considered highly speculative.
Our securities must be considered highly speculative, generally because of the nature of our business and the early stage of our development. We are engaged in the business of exploring and, if warranted, developing commercial reserves of oil and gas. Our properties are in the exploration stage only and are without known reserves of oil and gas. Accordingly, we have not generated any revenues nor have we realized a profit from our operations to date and there is little likelihood that we will generate any revenues or realize any profits in the short term. Any profitability in the future from our business will be dependent upon locating and developing economic reserves of oil and gas, which itself is subject to numerous risk factors as set forth herein. Since we have not generated any revenues, we will have to raise additional monies through the sale of our equity securities or debt in order to continue our business operations.
As our properties are in the exploration and development stage there can be no assurance that we will establish commercial discoveries on our properties.
Exploration for economic reserves of oil and gas is subject to a number of risk factors. Few properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing oil and/or gas wells. Our properties are in the exploration and development stage only and are without proven reserves of oil and gas. We may not establish commercial discoveries on any of our properties.
The potential profitability of oil and gas ventures depends upon factors beyond the control of our company.
The potential profitability of oil and gas properties is dependent upon many factors beyond our control. For instance, world prices and markets for oil and gas are unpredictable, highly volatile, potentially subject to governmental fixing, pegging, controls, or any combination of these and other factors, and respond to changes in domestic, international, political, social, and economic environments. Additionally, due to worldwide economic uncertainty, the availability and cost of funds for production and other expenses have become increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to project. These changes and events may materially affect our financial performance.
Adverse weather conditions can also hinder drilling operations. A productive well may become uneconomic in the event water or other deleterious substances are encountered which impair or prevent the production of oil and/or gas from the well. In addition, production from any well may be unmarketable if it is impregnated with water or other deleterious substances. The marketability of oil and gas which may be acquired or discovered will be affected by numerous factors beyond our control. These factors include the proximity and capacity of oil and gas pipelines and processing equipment, market fluctuations of prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, allowable production and environmental protection. These factors cannot be accurately predicted and the combination of these factors may result in our company not receiving an adequate return on invested capital.
Competition in the oil and gas industry is highly competitive and there is no assurance that we will be successful in acquiring the leases.
The oil and gas industry is intensely competitive. We compete with numerous individuals and companies, including many major oil and gas companies, which have substantially greater technical, financial and operational resources and staff. Accordingly, there is a high degree of competition for desirable oil and gas leases, suitable properties for drilling operations and necessary drilling equipment, as well as for access to funds. We cannot predict if the necessary funds can be raised or that any projected work will be completed. Our budget anticipates our acquisition of additional acreage in Nevada. This acreage may not become available or if it is available for leasing, that we may not be successful in acquiring the leases. There are other competitors that have operations in the Nevada area and the presence of these competitors could adversely affect our ability to acquire additional leases.
The marketability of natural resources will be affected by numerous factors beyond our control which may result in us not receiving an adequate return on invested capital to be profitable or viable.
The marketability of natural resources which may be acquired or discovered by us will be affected by numerous factors beyond our control. These factors include market fluctuations in oil and gas pricing and demand, the proximity and capacity of natural resource markets and processing equipment, governmental regulations, land tenure, land use, regulation concerning the importing and exporting of oil and gas and environmental protection regulations. The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination of these factors may result in us not receiving an adequate return on invested capital to be profitable or viable.
Oil and gas operations are subject to comprehensive regulation which may cause substantial delays or require capital outlays in excess of those anticipated causing an adverse effect on our company.
Oil and gas operations are subject to federal, state, and local laws relating to the protection of the environment, including laws regulating removal of natural resources from the ground and the discharge of materials into the environment. Oil and gas operations are also subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations which seek to maintain health and safety standards by regulating the design and use of drilling methods and equipment. Various permits from government bodies are required for drilling operations to be conducted; no assurance can be given that such permits will be received. Environmental standards imposed by federal, provincial, or local authorities may be changed and any such changes may have material adverse effects on our activities. Moreover, compliance with such laws may cause substantial delays or require capital outlays in excess of those anticipated, thus causing an adverse effect on us. Additionally, we may be subject to liability for pollution or other environmental damages which it may elect not to insure against due to prohibitive premium costs and other reasons. To date we have not been required to spend any material amount on compliance with environmental regulations. However, we may be required to do so in future and this may affect our ability to expand or maintain our operations.
Exploration and production activities are subject to certain environmental regulations which may prevent or delay the commencement or continuance of our operations.
In general, our exploration and production activities are subject to certain federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to environmental quality and pollution control. Such laws and regulations increase the costs of these activities and may prevent or delay the commencement or continuance of a given operation. Compliance with these laws and regulations has not had a material effect on our operations or financial condition to date. Specifically, we are subject to legislation regarding emissions into the environment, water discharges and storage and disposition of hazardous wastes. In addition, legislation has been enacted which requires well and facility sites to be abandoned and reclaimed to the satisfaction of state authorities. However, such laws and regulations are frequently changed and we are unable to predict the ultimate cost of compliance. Generally, environmental requirements do not appear to affect us any differently or to any greater or lesser extent than other companies in the industry.
We believe that our operations comply, in all material respects, with all applicable environmental regulations.
Our operating partners maintain insurance coverage customary to the industry; however, we are not fully insured against all possible environmental risks.
Exploratory drilling involves many risks and we may become liable for pollution or other liabilities which may have an adverse effect on our financial position.
Drilling operations generally involve a high degree of risk. Hazards such as unusual or unexpected geological formations, power outages, labor disruptions, blow-outs, sour gas leakage, fire, inability to obtain suitable or adequate machinery, equipment or labour, and other risks are involved. We may become subject to liability for pollution or hazards against which we cannot adequately insure or which we may elect not to insure. Incurring any such liability may have a material adverse effect on our financial position and operations.
Any change to government regulation/administrative practices may have a negative impact on our ability to operate and our profitability.
The laws, regulations, policies or current administrative practices of any government body, organization or regulatory agency in the United States or any other jurisdiction, may be changed, applied or interpreted in a manner which will fundamentally alter the ability of our company to carry on our business.
The actions, policies or regulations, or changes thereto, of any government body or regulatory agency, or other special interest groups, may have a detrimental effect on us. Any or all of these situations may have a negative impact on our ability to operate and/or our profitably.
Our By-laws contain provisions indemnifying our officers and directors against all costs, charges and expenses incurred by them.
Our By-laws contain provisions with respect to the indemnification of our officers and directors against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, actually and reasonably incurred by him, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment in a civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of his being or having been one of our directors or officers.
Investors' interests in our company will be diluted and investors may suffer dilution in their net book value per share if we issue additional shares or raise funds through the sale of equity securities.
Our constating documents authorize the issuance of 100,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.001 and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.001. In the event that we are required to issue any additional shares or enter into private placements to raise financing through the sale of equity securities, investors' interests in our company will be diluted and investors may suffer dilution in their net book value per share
depending on the price at which such securities are sold. If we issue any such additional shares, such issuances also will cause a reduction in the proportionate ownership and voting power of all other shareholders. Further, any such issuance may result in a change in our control.
Our By-laws do not contain anti-takeover provisions which could result in a change of our management and directors if there is a take-over of our company.
We do not currently have a shareholder rights plan or any anti-takeover provisions in our By-laws. Without any anti-takeover provisions, there is no deterrent for a take-over of our company, which may result in a change in our management and directors.
As a result of all of our assets being located outside the United States and a majority of our directors and officers are residents of other countries other than the United States, investors may find it difficult to enforce, within the United States, any judgments obtained against our company or our directors and officers.
All of our assets are located outside the United States and we do not currently maintain a permanent place of business within the United States. In addition, a majority of our directors and officers are nationals and/or residents of countries other than the United States, and all or a substantial portion of such persons' assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to enforce within the United States any judgments obtained against our company or our officers or directors, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof.
Item 3. Controls and Procedures.
As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, we have carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our company's disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, being March 31, 2005. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our company's management, including our company's president and chief executive officer. Based upon that evaluation, our company's president and chief executive officer concluded that our company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective as at the end of the period covered by this report. There have been no significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal controls over financial reporting.
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our company's reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our company's reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our company's president and chief executive officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
We know of no material, existing or pending legal proceedings against our company, nor are we involved as a plaintiff in any material proceeding or pending litigation. There are no proceedings in which any of our directors, officers or affiliates, or any registered or beneficial shareholder, is an adverse party or has a material interest adverse to our interest.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
On April 4, 2005, we issued 3,840,067 shares of common stock and 1,920,034 share purchase warrants to the Selling Stockholders listed herein pursuant to a private placement at $1.50 per share for gross proceeds of
$5,760,100.50. Each warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase an additional share of common stock in the capital of our company at a price of $2.00 per share until April 4, 2006. We relied on the exemptions from registration provided by Regulation S and/or Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 and upon Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933.
On April 27, 2005, we issued 200,000 shares of common stock and 100,000 share purchase warrants to one of the Selling Stockholders listed herein pursuant to a private placement at $1.50 per share for gross proceeds of $300,000. Each warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase an additional share of common stock in the capital of our company at a price of $2.00 per share until April 27, 2006. We relied on the exemptions from registration provided by Regulation S and/or Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
None.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits.
Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-B
Exhibit Number | Description |
(3) | (i) Articles of Incorporation; and (ii) Bylaws |
3.1 | Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference from our Registration Statement on Form 10-SB, filed on September 11, 2000). |
3.2 | Bylaws (incorporated by reference from our Registration Statement on Form 10-SB, filed on September 11, 2000). |
3.3 | Certificate of Amendment filed with the Secretary of State of Nevada on June 16, 2004 (incorporated by reference from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed on November 22, 2004). |
3.4 | Certificate of Amendment filed with the Secretary of State of Nevada on August 6, 2004 (incorporated by reference from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed on November 22, 2004). |
(4) | Instruments defining rights of security holders, including indentures |
4.1 | 2004 Stock Option (incorporated by reference from our Form S-8, filed on October 8, 2004). |
(10) | Material Contracts |
10.1 | Purchase and Sale Agreement dated December 31, 2003 between E-Com Technologies Corporation and Ron Jorgensen (incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on April 14, 2004). |
10.2 | Assignment Agreement with Fort Scott Energy Corp. dated the 5th day of August, 2004 (incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 13, 2004). |
10.3 | Convertible Debenture dated August 31, 2004 with Fort Scott Energy Corp. (incorporated by reference from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed on November 22, 2004). |
10.4 | Share Transfer Agreement dated August 5, 2004 with Fort Scott Energy Corp. (incorporated by reference from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed on November 22, 2004). |
10.5 | Management Agreement dated September 1, 2004 with D. Sharpe Management Inc. (incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on April 14, 2005). |
10.6 | Management Agreement dated September 1, 2004 with Neil Maedel (incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on April 14, 2005). |
10.7 | Form of Subscription Agreement entered into with the following persons (incorporated by reference from our Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on May 2, 2005): |
| G. Scott Paterson Stanley Case Clarion Finanz AG OPG Christian Weyer SPGP Johan H. Pleines Evergreen Investment Corp. Radina De Lusignan Giustra Steven Hanson Maria Pedrosa John Rybinski Arbutus Gardens Apartments Corp. John Prevedoros Gregg Layton Peter Ross Randall Goddard Andrew Best Butterfield Bank (Guernsey) Limited as Custodian of the Canadian Opportunities Fund Sara Relling Dolwar Invest & Trade Corp. Keats Investments Ltd. John Tognetti C-Quest Holdings Ltd. Walter H. Berukoff Chartwell Investment Services S.A. Shalimar Business Services S.A. Tradewinds Investments Overseas Inc. |
10.8 | Form of Subscription Agreement with RAB Special Situations LP and Paul Masters (incorporated by reference from our Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed on May 2, 2005). |
(14) | Code of Ethics |
14.1 | Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed on April 14, 2004). |
(31) | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications |
31.1* | Section 302 Certification under Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Donald Sharpe |
31.2* | Section 302 Certification under Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Drew Bonnell |
(32) | Section 1350 Certifications |
32.1* | Section 906 Certification under Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
* Filed herewith.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
EDEN ENERGY CORP.
By: /s/ Donald Sharpe
Donald Sharpe, President
(Principal Executive Officer)
May 12, 2005
By: /s/ Drew Bonnell
Drew Bonnell, Secretary, Treasurer and CFO
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
May 12, 2005