The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
4
| | | | | | | |
TORCHLIGHT ENERGY RESOURCES, INC. | | | | |
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW | | |
| | | | | NINE MONTHS | | NINE MONTHS |
| | | | | ENDING | | ENDING |
| | | | | September 30, 2013 | | September 30, 2012 |
| | | | | (Unaudited) | | (Unaudited) |
Cash Flows From Operating Activities | | | | |
| Net loss | $ | (6,350,159) | $ | (2,025,409) |
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from operating activities: | | | | |
| | Stock based compensation | | 3,357,148 | | 1,310,974 |
| | Accretion expense | | 1,451,237 | | 155,229 |
| | Debt Cancellation income | | (660,000) | | - |
| | Depreciation, depletion and amortization | | 894,366 | | 89,275 |
| | Change in: | | | | |
| | | Accounts and note receivable | | 566,511 | | (132,763) |
| | | Prepaid expenses | | (65,286) | | (4,257) |
| | | Debt issuance costs | | (720,450) | | - |
| | | Increase on other assets | | (21,406) | | - |
| | | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | | (457,835) | | 195,298 |
| | | Accounts payable - related party | | (18,648) | | 281,250 |
| | | Revenue payable – Participants | | 167,056 | | - |
| | | ARO | | - | | - |
| | | Interest payable | | 170,885 | | 56,374 |
Net cash provided (used) in operating activities | | (1,686,581) | | (74,029) |
| | | | | | | |
Cash Flows From Investing Activities | | | | |
| Purchase property, plant, & equipment | | (10,434) | | - |
| Proceeds from sale of leases | | 86,400 | | - |
| Investment in oil andgas properties, net | | (5,101,434) | | (657,230) |
Net Cash From Investing Activities | | (5,025,468) | | (657,230) |
| | | | |
Cash Flows From Financing Activities | | | | |
| Proceeds from issuance of convertible Debt | | 8,465,288 | | - |
| Payment of promissory notes | | (601,000) | | - |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | 7, 864,288 | | 214,000 |
| | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in cash | | 1,152,239 | | (517,259) |
| | | | | | | |
Cash - beginning of period | | 63,252 | | 518,281 |
| | | | | | | |
Cash - end of period | $ | 1,215,491 | $ | 1022 |
| | | | | | | |
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | | | | |
| Non cash transactions: | | | | |
| | Common stock issued in acquisition of leases | $ | 1,758,821 | $ | - |
| | Common stock issued in connection with promissory Notes | $ | 56,000 | $ | 67,725 |
| | Warrants issued in connection with promissory notes | $ | 914,449 | $ | 45,076 |
| | Beneficial conversion feature on promissory notes | $ | 1,827,100 | $ | - |
| | Promissory Note issued for debt issuance cost | $ | (50,000) | $ | - |
| | Liabilities assumed in purchase of oil and gas properties | $ | 1,809,572 | $ | - |
| | Sale of oil and gas properties in exchange for note receivable | $ | 990,000 | $ | - |
| | Capitalized interest cost | $ | 32,335 | $ | - |
| | | | | |
| Interest paid | $ | 244,643 | $ | - |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
5
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
1.
NATURE OF BUSINESS
Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc. (“we,” “us,” and the “Company”) was incorporated in October 2007 under the laws of the State of Nevada as Pole Perfect Studios, Inc. (“PPS”). From its incorporation to November 2010, the company was primarily engaged in business start-up activities.
On November 23, 2010, we entered into and closed a Share Exchange Agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) between the major shareholders of PPS and the shareholders of Torchlight Energy, Inc (“TEI”). At closing, the TEI Stockholders transferred all of their shares of TEI common stock to us in exchange for an aggregate of 9,444,500 newly issued shares of our common stock. This transaction was recorded as a reverse acquisition for accounting purposes where TEI is the accounting acquirer. The assets and liabilities of PPS were recorded at fair value of $0. The Company recorded $447,084 of goodwill which represents the estimated fair value of the consideration exchanged. Also at closing of the Exchange Agreement, certain of the former PPS shareholders transferred to us an aggregate of 14,400,000 shares of our common stock for cancellation in exchange for aggregate consideration of $270,000. Upon closing of these transactions, we had 12,251,420 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. The 9,444,500 shares issued to the TEI Stockholders at closing represented 77.1% of our voting securities after completion of the Exchange Agreement.
As a result of the transactions effected by the Exchange Agreement, at closing (i) TEI became our wholly-owned subsidiary, (ii) we abandoned all of our previous business plans within the health and fitness industries and (iii) the business of TEI became our sole business. TEI is an exploration stage energy company, incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada in June 2010. It is engaged in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation and/or development of oil and natural gas properties in the United States.
On December 10, 2010, we effected a 4-for-1 forward split of our shares of common stock outstanding. All owners of record at the close of business on December 10, 2010 (record date) received three additional shares for every one share they owned. All share amounts reflected throughout this report take into account the 4-for-1 forward split.
Effective February 8, 2011, we changed our name to “Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc.” In connection with the name change, our ticker symbol changed from “PPFT” to “TRCH.”
The Company is engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of oil and gas properties within the United States. The Company’s success will depend in large part on its ability to obtain and develop profitable oil and gas interests.
2.
GOING CONCERN
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applicable to a going concern, which assumes that the Company will be able to meet its obligations and continue its operations for its next fiscal year.
At September 30, 2013, the Company had not yet achieved profitable operations, had accumulated losses of $11,772,455 since its inception and expects to incur further losses in the development of its business, which casts substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to generate future profitable operations and/or to obtain the necessary financing to meet its obligations and repay its liabilities arising from normal business operations when they come due. Management’s plan to address the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern includes: (1) obtaining debt or equity funding from private placement or institutional sources; (2) obtain loans from financial institutions, where possible, or (3) participating in joint venture transactions with third parties. Although management believes that it will be able to obtain the necessary funding to allow the Company to remain a going concern through the methods discussed above, there can be no assurances that such methods will prove successful. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
3.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company maintains its accounts on the accrual method of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These interim period unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and footnotes which are included as part of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. Accounting principles followed and the methods of applying those principles, which materially affect the determination of financial position, results of operations and cash flows are summarized below:
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Use of estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and certain assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Basis of presentation—The financial statements are presented on a consolidated basis and include all of the accounts of Torchlight Energy Resources Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Torchlight Energy, Inc. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Risks and uncertainties – The Company’s operations are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including financial, operational, technological and other risks associated with operating an emerging business, including the potential risk of business failure.
Concentration of risks – The Company’s cash is placed with a highly rated financial institution, and the Company periodically reviews the credit worthiness of the financial institutions with which it does business. At times the Company’s cash balances are in excess of amounts guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Fair value of financial instruments – Financial instruments consist of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, notes payable to related party and convertible promissory notes. The estimated fair values of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and notes to related party approximate the carrying amount due to the relatively short maturity of these instruments. The carrying amounts of the convertible promissory notes approximate their fair value giving affect for the term of the note and the effective interest rates.
For assets and liabilities that require re-measurement to fair value the Company categorizes them in a three-level fair value hierarchy as follows:
·
Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
·
Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration.
·
Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on management’s own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value.
A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Accounts receivable – Accounts receivable consist of uncollateralized oil and natural gas revenues due under normal trade terms, as well as amounts due from working interest owners of oil and gas properties for their share of expenses paid on their behalf by the Company. Management reviews receivables periodically and reduces the carrying amount by a valuation allowance that reflects management’s best estimate of the amount that may not be collectible. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 no valuation allowance was considered necessary.
Investment in oil and gas properties – The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for exploration and development activities as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Under this method of accounting, the costs of unsuccessful, as well as successful, exploration and development activities are capitalized as properties and equipment. This includes any internal costs that are directly related to property acquisition, exploration and development activities but does not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead or similar activities. Gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of oil and gas properties is not recognized, unless the gain or loss would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves.
Oil and gas properties include costs that are excluded from costs being depleted or amortized. Oil and natural gas property costs excluded represent investments in unevaluated properties and include non-producing leasehold, geological and geophysical costs associated with leasehold or drilling interests and exploration drilling costs. The Company allocates a portion of its acquisition costs to unevaluated properties based on relative value. Costs are transferred to the full cost pool as the properties are evaluated over the life of the reservoir.
Capitalized interest -The Company capitalizes interest on unevaluated properties during the periods in which they are excluded from costs being depleted or amortized. During nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company capitalized $47,312 of interest on unevaluated properties.
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Depreciation, depletion and amortization –The depreciable base for oil and natural gas properties includes the sum of all capitalized costs net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”), estimated future development costs and asset retirement costs not included in oil and natural gas properties, less costs excluded from amortization. The depreciable base of oil and natural gas properties is amortized on a unit-of-production method.
Ceiling test – Future production volumes from oil and gas properties are a significant factor in determining the full cost ceiling limitation of capitalized costs. Under the full cost method of accounting, the Company is required to periodically perform a “ceiling test” that determines a limit on the book value of oil and gas properties. If the net capitalized cost of proved oil and gas properties, net of related deferred income taxes, plus the cost of unproved oil and gas properties, exceeds the present value of estimated future net cash flows discounted at 10 percent, net of related tax affects, plus the cost of unproved oil and gas properties, the excess is charged to expense and reflected as additional accumulated DD&A. The ceiling test calculation uses a commodity price assumption which is based on the unweighted arithmetic average of the price on the first day of each month for each month within the prior 12 month period and excludes future cash outflows related to estimated abandonment costs. The Company did not recognize impairment on its oil and gas properties during the quarter ended September 30, 2013, nor any prior period. Due to the volatility of commodity prices, should oil and natural gas prices decline in the future, it is possible that a write-down could occur.
Proved reserves are estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids, which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions. The independent engineering estimates include only those amounts considered to be proved reserves and do not include additional amounts which may result from new discoveries in the future, or from application of secondary and tertiary recovery processes where facilities are not in place or for which transportation and/or marketing contracts are not in place. Estimated reserves to be developed through secondary or tertiary recovery processes are classified as unevaluated properties.
The determination of oil and gas reserves is a subjective process, and the accuracy of any reserve estimate depends on the quality of available data and the application of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. Estimates of economically recoverable reserves and future net cash flows depend on a number of variable factors and assumptions that are difficult to predict and may vary considerably from actual results. In particular, reserve estimates for wells with limited or no production history are less reliable than those based on actual production. Subsequent re-evaluation of reserves and cost estimates related to future development of proved oil and gas reserves could result in significant revisions to proved reserves. Other issues, such as changes in regulatory requirements, technological advances and other factors which are difficult to predict could also affect estimates of proved reserves in the future.
Gains and losses on the sale of oil and gas properties are not generally reflected in income. Sales of less than 100% of the Company’s interest in the oil and gas property are treated as a reduction of the capital cost of the field, with no gain or loss recognized, as long as doing so does not significantly affect the unit-of-production depletion rate. Costs of retired equipment, net of salvage value, are usually charged to accumulated depreciation.
Goodwill - Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable tangible and intangible assets of acquired companies. Goodwill is not amortized; instead, it is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist.
Goodwill was $447,084 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and was acquired on November 23, 2010 in connection with the Company’s reverse acquisition (Note 1).
Asset retirement obligations – Accounting principles require that the fair value of a liability for an asset’s retirement obligation (“ARO”) be recorded in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made, and that the corresponding cost be capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The liability is accreted to its then-present value each subsequent period, and the capitalized cost is depleted over the useful life of the related asset. Abandonment cost incurred is recorded as a reduction to the ARO liability.
Inherent in the fair value calculation of an ARO are numerous assumptions and judgments including the ultimate settlement amounts, inflation factors, credit adjusted discount rates, timing of settlement, and changes in the legal, regulatory, environmental and political environments. To the extent future revisions to these assumptions impact the fair value of the existing ARO liability, a corresponding adjustment is made to the oil and gas property balance. Settlements greater than or less than amounts accrued as ARO are recorded as a gain or loss upon settlement.
Asset retirement obligation activity is disclosed in Note 10.
8
Share-based compensation– Compensation cost for equity awards is based on the fair value of the equity instrument on the date of grant and is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. Compensation cost for liability awards is based on the fair value of the vested award at the end of each period.
Revenue recognition – The Company recognizes oil and gas revenues when production is sold at a fixed or determinable price, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred and title has transferred, and collectability is reasonably assured.
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share -Basic earnings (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share is computed in the same way as basic earnings (loss) per common share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would be outstanding if all potential common shares had been issued and if the additional common shares were dilutive. The Company has not included potentially dilutive securities in the calculation of loss per share for any periods presented as the effects would be anti-dilutive.
Environmental laws and regulations – The Company is subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. Environmental expenditures are expensed or capitalized depending on their future economic benefit. The Company believes that it is in compliance with existing laws and regulations.
Recent accounting pronouncements – In May 2011, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance related to fair value measurements and disclosures. This guidance includes amendments that clarify the application of existing fair value measurement requirements, in addition to other amendments that change principles or requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In September 2011, the FASB issued guidance that amends and simplifies the rules related to testing goodwill for impairment. The revised guidance allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The results of this assessment will determine whether it is necessary to perform the currently required two-step impairment test. Under this update, an entity also has the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to performing the two-step goodwill impairment test. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Other recently issued or adopted accounting pronouncements are not expected to have, or did not have, a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results from operations.
Subsequent events –The Company evaluated subsequent events through November 14, 2013, the date of issuance of the financial statements. Subsequent events are disclosed in Note 11.
Reclassifications – Certain amounts from the prior year have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. The reclassifications had no impact on total assets or the net loss.
4.
RELATED PARTY PAYABLES
As of September 30, 2013, related party payables consisted of accrued and unpaid compensation to our two executive officers totaling $90,000. The balance at September 30, 2013 consisted entirely of accrued compensation and travel expenses due to our executive officers and directors.
5.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is subject to contingencies as a result of environmental laws and regulations. Present and future environmental laws and regulations applicable to the Company’s operations could require substantial capital expenditures or could adversely affect its operations in other ways that cannot be predicted at this time. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, no amounts had been recorded because no specific liability has been identified that is reasonably probable of requiring the Company to fund any future material amounts.
9
6.
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
The Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to fix the number of shares constituting any such series, and to fix the rights and preferences of the shares constituting any series, without any further vote or action by the stockholders. As of September 30, 2013 there were no issued and outstanding shares of preferred stock and there were no agreements or understandings for the issuance of preferred stock.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2013, the Company issued 361,752 shares of Common Stock as compensation for services valued at $689,972.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2013, the Company issued 558,356 shares of Common Stock as acquisition of lease interests valued at $1,233,967.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2013 the Company issued 32,000 shares of Common Stock in conversions of convertible note principal of $56,000.
A summary of warrants outstanding as of September 30, 2013 by exercise price and year of expiration is presented below:
| | | | | | | |
Exercise | | | Expiration Date in |
Price | | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | Total |
| | | | | | | |
$ 1.75 | | 80,000 | 855,000 | 1,235,714 | - | - | 2,170,714 |
$ 2.00 | | - | - | 855,938 | 126,000 | 1,462,040 | 2,443,978 |
$ 2.09 | | | | | | 100,000 | 100,000 |
$ 2.14 | | | | | | 1,000,000 | 1,000,000 |
$ 2.50 | | 225,000 | 50,000 | - | - | - | 275,000 |
$ 2.75 | | | | 250,000 | | | 250,000 |
$ 2.82 | | | | | | 38,174 | 38,174 |
$ 5.00 | | 771,212 | - | - | - | - | 771,212 |
| | 1,076,212 | 905,000 | 2,341,652 | 126,000 | 2,600,214 | 7,049,078 |
At September 30, 2013 the Company had reserved 7,049,078 shares for future exercise of warrants.
Warrants issued in relation to the promissory notes issued (see note 9) were valued using the Black Scholes Option Pricing Model. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of the warrants issued are as follows:
| |
Risk-free interest rate | 0.78% |
Expected volatility of common stock | 191% - 247% |
Dividend yield | 0.00% |
Discount due to lack of marketability | 30.00% |
Expected life of warrant | 3 years - 5 years |
10
7.
CAPITALIZED COSTS
The following table presents the capitalized costs of the Company as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
| | | | | |
| | | 2013 | | 2012 |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Evaluated costs subject to amortization | $ | 10,505,481 | $ | 3,435,918 |
Unevaluated costs | | 623,978 | | 577,658 |
| Total capitalized costs | | 11,129,459 | | 4,013,576 |
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization | | (1,446,256) | | (551,890) |
| Net capitalized costs | $ | 9,683,203 | $ | 3,461,686 |
Unevaluated costs as of September 30, 2013 consisted of $623,978 associated with the Company’s interest in the Coulter #1 well. The Coulter #1 wells is undergoing production and test operations with the goal of removing sufficient water from the wellbore to allow production of natural gas. The unevaluated costs as of December 31, 2012 consisted entirely of the Company’s interest in the Coulter #1 well.
In April 2013, we entered into an agreement to acquire certain assets of Xtreme Oil & Gas, Inc. of Plano, Texas (“Xtreme”). Included in that agreement were the Smokey Hills Prospect in McPherson County, Kansas, the Cimarron Area Hunton Project in Logan County, Oklahoma, and an interest in a salt water disposal facility in Seminole, Oklahoma. Total consideration for all the properties was $1.6 million.
8.
INCOME TAXES
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established to reduce deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that the related tax benefits will not be realized. The Company has placed a 100% valuation allowance against the net deferred tax asset because future realization of these assets is not assured.
Authoritative guidance for uncertainty in income taxes requires that the Company recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an examination. Management has reviewed the Company’s tax positions and determined there were no uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the consolidated financial statements. The Company’s tax returns remain subject to Federal and State tax examinations for all tax years since inception as none of the statutes have expired. Generally, the applicable statutes of limitation are three to four years from their respective filings.
Estimated interest and penalties related to potential underpayment on any unrecognized tax benefits are classified as a component of tax expense in the statement of operation. The Company has not recorded any interest or penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits for any periods covered by these financial statements.
As of September 30, 2013, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $7.1 million available to offset future taxable income, and has incurred additional taxable losses during 2013. These loss carryforwards will expire in various years through 2031, if not previously utilized. Utilization of these net operating loss carryforwards is dependent, in part, on generating sufficient taxable income prior to the expiration of such loss carryforwards. In addition, the Company’s ability to utilize its net operating loss carryforwards may be substantially limited or eliminated pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 382.
11
9.
PROMISSORY NOTES
On December 18, 2012, the Company exchanged $412,500 of outstanding convertible promissory notes for new 12% Series A Secured Convertible Promissory Notes (“12% Notes”) described below. The 12% Notes were issued as part of a larger offering with senior liens on the Company’s oil and gas properties. In order to induce the holders of the previously outstanding convertible promissory notes to exchange such promissory notes and to relinquish their priority liens on the Company’s oil and gas properties in favor of all 12% Convertible Promissory Note holders, the Company agreed to grant the note holders a total of 235,714 four year warrants to purchase common stock at $1.75 per share, valued at $240,428, and 235,714 four year warrants to purchase common stock at $2.00 per share, valued at $233,357. The total of these warrants, $473,785, is reflected as debt issuance costs on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2012, as these costs relate to the larger offering of 12% Convertible Promissory Notes.
On December 18, 2012, the Company issued $690,000 of 12% Notes to new investors. Together with the conversion described above, there was $1,102,500 of principal amount outstanding as of December 31, 2012. The 12% Notes are due and payable on March 31, 2015 and provide for conversion into common stock at a price of $1.75 per share and include the issuance of 8,000 warrants for each $70,000 of principal amount purchased. The warrants carry a five year term and have an exercise price of $2.00 per share. They were valued at $137,340, which is reflected as a discount on the 12% Notes, to be amortized over the life of the debt under the effective interest method. Since the conversion price on the 12% Notes was below the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of issuance, this constitutes a beneficial conversion feature. The amount is calculated as the difference between the market price of the common stock on the date of closing and the effective conversion price as adjusted by the discount for the warrants issued. The amount of the beneficial conversion feature was $390,600, and is also reflected as a discount on the 12% Notes. The fair value of the 12% Notes is determined utilizing Level 2 measurements in the fair value hierarchy.
During the quarter ended June 30, 2013, the Company issued an additional $4,205,850 in principal value of 12% Notes. Such notes carry the same terms as described above. In connection therewith, the Company also issued a total of 480,669 five-year warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share. The value of the warrant shares was $432,602 and the amount recorded for the beneficial conversion feature was $1,233,930. These amounts were recorded as a discount on the 12% Notes. In addition, the Company engaged a placement agent to source investors for the majority of these additional notes. This placement agent was paid a fee of 10% of the principal amount of the notes. The placement agent also received 240,345 warrants to purchase common shares at $2.00 per share for a period of three years, valued at $187,469. All the amounts paid to the placement agent have been included in debt issuance costs and will be amortized into interest expense over the life of the 12% Notes.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2013, the Company issued and additional $2,463,488 in principal value of 12% Notes. Such notes carry the same terms as described above. In connection therewith, the Company also issued a total of 281,542 five-year warrants to purchase common stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share. The value of the warrant shares was $467,361 and the amount recorded for the beneficial conversion feature was $1,806,238. These amounts were recorded as a discount on the 12% Notes. In addition, the Company engaged a placement agent to source investors for the majority of these additional notes. This placement agent was paid a fee of 10% of the principal amount of the notes plus a non-accountable expense reimbursement up to 2% of the principal raised by the agent. The placement agent also received 30,679 warrants to purchase common shares at $2.00 per share for a period of three years, valued at $43,257. All the amounts paid to the placement agent have been included in debt issuance costs and will be amortized into interest expense over the life of the 12% Notes.
The 12% Notes have a first priority lien on all of the assets of the Company. The Company was previously required to set aside in a separate account, an amount of funds equal to the (x) outstanding principal amount of each 12% Note divided by the total number of full calendar months after the date of issuance of that 12% Note until the maturity date, plus (y) the annual amount of simple interest to accrue on the outstanding principal amount of that 12% Note divided by 12. The sinking fund requirement was waived by the note holders during the quarter that ended September 30, 2013.
12
10.
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
The following is a reconciliation of the asset retirement obligation liability through September 30, 2013:
| | |
Asset retirement obligation – January 1, 2011 | $ | - |
Estimated liabilities recorded | | 10,828 |
Accretion expense | | 541 |
Asset retirement obligation – December 31, 2011 | | 11,369 |
Adjustment to estimated liability | | 693 |
Accretion expense | | 552 |
Asset retirement obligation – December 31, 2012 | | 12,614 |
Adjustment to estimated liability | | - |
Accretion expense | | 346 |
Asset retirement obligation – March 31, 2013 | $ | 12,960 |
Accretion expense | | 346 |
Asset retirement obligation – June 30, 2013 | $ | 13,306 |
Accretion Expense | $ | 345 |
Asset retirement obligation – September 30, 2013 | $ | 13,651 |
11.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Subsequent to September 30, 2013, the Company issued an additional $2.9 million in 12% Series A Secured Convertible Promissory Notes, with the same terms and maturity dates described in Note 9. The Company continued to sell 12% convertible promissory notes until October 31, 2013 when the offering terminated. Substantially all of these notes were sold through a placement agent and carried placement fees and debt issuance costs similar to those described in Note 9.
On October 15, 2013, the Company entered into a Development Agreement with Ring Energy, Inc. for the development of an area of mutual interest located in the Kansas counties of Gray, Finney and Haskell. Under the terms of the agreement, Torchlight is responsible to drill ten wells to its account for a 50% Working Interest in the 17,000 acres currently under lease by Ring Energy. The total amount of drilling capital needed for the ten well program is expected to be around $6.2 million. Once Torchlight reaches $6.2 million in capital spending, we earn our 50% Working Interest in the entire play. Thereafter, all drilling costs are equally borne by each entity respective of their Working Interest. Well locations have been selected for the first five wells, and drilling operations are expected to commence in December 2013.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The information set forth and discussed in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Results of Operations is derived from our historical financial statements and the related notes thereto which are included in this Form 10-Q. The following information and discussion should be read in conjunction with such financial statements and notes. Additionally, this Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Plan of Operations contain certain statements that are not strictly historical and are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve a high degree of risk and uncertainty. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements due to other risks and uncertainties that exist in our operations, development efforts and business environment, and due to other risks and uncertainties relating to our ability to obtain additional capital in the future to fund our planned expansion, the demand for oil and natural gas, and other general economic factors. All forward-looking statements included herein are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.
Basis of Presentation of Financial Information
On November 23, 2010, the Share Exchange Agreement (the “Exchange Agreement” or “Transaction”) between Pole Perfect Studios, Inc. (“PPS”) and Torchlight Energy, Inc. (“TEI”) was entered into and closed, through which the former shareholders of TEI became shareholders of PPS. At closing, PPS abandoned its previous business. Consequently, as a result of the Transaction, the business of TEI became our sole business
Summary of Key Results
Overview
Our sole business is that of Torchlight Energy, Inc., a company engaged in oil and gas acquisition and development, formed as a corporation in the state of Nevada on June 25, 2010. We are engaged in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation and/or development of oil and natural gas properties in the United States.
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited financial statements included herewith and our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012, included in Form 10-K. This discussion should not be construed to imply that the results discussed herein will necessarily continue into the future, or that any conclusion reached herein will necessarily be indicative of actual operating results in the future. Such discussion represents only the best present assessment by our management.
We had no active operations prior to the inception of TEI on June 25, 2010 and had limited revenues prior to the year ended December 31, 2012. Due to this fact, results from previous years may not present a relevant comparison to current operations.
Current Projects
We currently have interests in four oil and gas projects, the Marcelina Creek Field Development in Wilson County, Texas, the Coulter Field in Waller County, Texas, the Smokey Hills Prospect in McPherson County, Kansas and the Cimarron Area, Hunton play in Logan and Kingfisher Counties, Oklahoma.
Marcelina Creek Field Development.
On July 6, 2010, TEI entered into a participation agreement with Bayshore Operating Corporation, LLC (“Bayshore”), which is currently the holder of an oil, gas and mineral lease covering approximately 1,045 acres in Wilson County, Texas, known as the Marcelina Creek Field Development. The Participation Agreement provides for the drilling of four wells. Three of the obligation wells have been drilled. The first three wells include a horizontal re-entry well known as the Johnson-1-H, a vertical well known as the Johnson #4, and a lateral well known as the Johnson #2-H. All are presently producing. The remaining well is to be a vertical development well at a location to be determined within the existing lease.
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TEI paid Bayshore an initial $50,000 deposit in July 2010, which amount was credited to the initial $50,000 payment due at the rig move in for the first well, the Johnson #1-BH. TEI was responsible for 100% of total drilling and completion costs for this re-entry well, in return for a 50% working interest. In August 2010, drilling on the first well commenced, with the drilling of a lateral section of the Buda Formation of approximately 1840 feet. The Johnson #1-BH encountered good oil and gas shows and a completion was attempted. The well, however, produced large volumes of water, some introduced by Bayshore during drilling and some from another source, either a deeper formation or from a nearby well. In July 2011 a workover crew was brought in to service the well, replace a broken rod and re-work the downhole pump. On July 27, 2011, the crew dropped two joints of pipe in the hole and on July 28 another six joints. The well was damaged sufficiently to be “shut-in” (meaning the valves at the wellhead have been closed so that the well stops pumping). The service company, Mercer Well Services, was notified of the damage and a meeting was to be arranged to settle the claim Bayshore and TEI would file against Mercer. In May 2012, Mercer informed us that they would re-drill the lateral portion of the Johnson #1, at their sole expense, as soon as was practical. Field operations began in June and the rig was moved in at the end of June. In July and August, the Johnson 1-BH well was successfully drilled and completed by Mercer. The Johnson #1 was originally drilled in the Buda Formation but was completed in the Austin Chalk Formation to avoid water problems. We completed the well at an initial rate of 419 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) and later tested 196 BOPD on an extended 30 day test. We have a 50% working interest in the well.
On April 15, 2011, TEI exercised its option to continue with the development program in Marcelina Creek by committing to the second well in the program (the first vertical development location well), the Johnson #4 well. We paid to Bayshore the $50,000 rig move in and paid drilling and completion costs of approximately $1.6 million for a 75% working interest in the well. We also paid $200,000 when the well was completed pursuant to the contract. A rig was contracted and moved in to drill the well and drilling operations began in July 2011. The well encountered several pay zones and an attempt to complete in the Buda Formation was made. We have encountered several mechanical and pump problems with the well which has delayed completion. After correcting the mechanical problems, in February 2012 the well was acidized (a technique involving pumping hydrochloric acid into the well under high pressure to reopen and enlarge the pores in the oil-bearing formations), and subsequently we have seen more stabilized flow in the well. Although the well is producing, we are contemplating either a lateral buda or re-perforating the entire Buda zone in an effort to increase production.
On December 31, 2010 TEI executed an agreement with Bayshore for an extension of its drilling obligation deadline under the Participation Agreement. As a condition for the extension we paid to Bayshore $50,000 and issued it 10,000 shares of our common stock. As additional consideration, Bayshore is no longer obligated to pay its proportionate share of completion costs on the third well (the second vertical well) under the Participation Agreement. As of December 2012, we have paid Bayshore $50,000 for the rig move in fees for the third obligation well. We have entered into extension agreements with Bayshore, pursuant to which, by April 17, 2013 we are required to have paid 100% of the drilling, testing and completion costs of the third well. We are also obligated to pay the equipping or abandoning costs, as the case may be, and thereafter, $200,000 of the acquisition fee for the third well. Also pursuant to the extension agreements, in February 2013 we agreed to issue a total of 20,000 restricted shares of common stock to Bayshore principals and have paid, in advance, $150,000 as the portion of the leasehold money that becomes due and payable at the completion or plug and abandonment of the third well. For the third well, TEI was responsible for 100% of the total drilling costs and 100% of the completion costs, for a 75% working interest in the well. Drilling operations began the third week of May and the well was successfully completed at the end of June 2013. Subsequent to the quarter end June 30, 2013, the well tested with rates of 200 barrels of oil per day. Total estimated costs of the well, including contingent amounts for unexpected problems that may or may not be encountered in drilling operations, are $3.5 million. Actual well costs, including costs subsequent to the quarter, are $2.94 million. If we continue with the fourth well contemplated by the Participation Agreement, TEI is obligated to pay Bayshore $50,000 at rig move in and $150,000 when the well is completed or plugged and abandoned. For the fourth well, we will be responsible for 100% of the total drilling costs and 75% of the completion costs (with Bayshore to pay 25% of the completion costs), for a 75% working interest in the well. TEI will also receive a 75% working interest on any subsequent wells drilled outside of the Johnson unit, with work to be done, as and when proposed, on a pro rata basis.
The Marcelina Creek Field Development is located over the Austin Chalk, Buda and Eagle Ford Formations, which formations are well known and established producers in central Texas. Their production is controlled by vertical fracturing of the rock with high productivity in wells which encounter the greatest amount of fractures. With the advent of horizontal drilling technology, numerous opportunities exist in areas and fields that were only drilled vertically.
Coulter Field
In January 2012, we entered into a farm-in agreement, titled the “Coulter Limited Partnership Agreement” (the “Coulter Agreement”), with La Sal Energy, LLC (“La Sal”). La Sal owns a 100% working interest and a 75% net revenue interest in approximately 940 acres of oil, gas and mineral leases in Waller County, Texas, upon which the well known as “John Coulter #1-R” is located. This well is adjacent to the Katy Field, located on its northwestern updip edge, which produces primarily from the Wilcox Sparks formation.
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Pursuant to the Coulter Agreement, we acquired a 34% working interest and a 25.5% net revenue interest from La Sal’s interest in the John Coulter #1-R for the purchase price of $350,000, which was to be applied to 100% of the costs of a fracture stimulation treatment on the well. Under the agreement, we had options to purchase additional working interests up to a total of 45%. We exercised the first option and purchased an additional 6% for $50,000, bringing our working interest to 40% and our net revenue interest to 30%. Our option to purchase an additional 5% working interest can be exercised by the payment of $50,000 within 30 days of first commercial production from the well. If commercial production is established, the net revenue split will be 80% to us and 20% to La Sal until net revenue totals $437,500, after which the net revenue will be split according to the interests in the well. Expenses above the initial $350,000 will be split according to the working interests in the well. Our total investment in the project, including fracture stimulation, subsequent testing, purchase of additional interests and capitalized interest, amounted to $609,001 as of September 30, 2013.
The Coulter #1-R was a replacement well drilled by La Sal for the Coulter #1 which had mechanical problems caused by split casing. In February 2012 the well was fracture stimulated. The results were encouraging and the well appears to be capable of commercial gas production. However, the well is still recovering fluid and has not yet been hooked up to a nearby pipeline for production. The source of the fluid has not been conclusively determined. It may be recovery of drilling and/or fracture stimulation fluid or may be entering the wellbore from one or more downhole formations or an adjacent wellbore in the field. We are continuing to flow fluid from the well and the well is periodically shut–in for pressure build up tests. We have cemented off the split casing in the Coulter #1 well and are conducting tests to determine productivity. We have begun discussions with the gas gatherer in the area and are working on completing the gas contract and the well. No activity has occurred in the third quarter as we continue to explore our options for this property.
Smokey Hills Prospect, McPherson County, Kansas
In April 2013, we entered into an agreement to acquire certain assets of Xtreme Oil & Gas, Inc. of Plano, Texas (“Xtreme”). Included in that agreement were the Smokey Hills Prospect in McPherson County, Kansas, the Cimarron Area Hunton Project in Logan County, Oklahoma, and an interest in a salt water disposal facility in Seminole, Oklahoma. Total consideration for all the properties was $1.6 million.
The Smokey Hills acquisition included approximately 10,000 gross acres and a well, the Hoffman 1-H within the greater Lindsborg Field area. Our working interest is nearly 18%. Wells had been drilled vertically in the 1960’s to present at depths of less than 4,000 feet looking for production from Mississippian carbonated fractured reservoirs. The Hoffman well, which was drilled laterally 4,200 feet, had not been fracked. Core analysis and logs indicated good porosity at 14 to 22%. Following our acquisition, the well was hydraulically fractured, but the results were disappointing. We presently are evaluating our next efforts to monetize the investment of nearly $940,000. Allocated costs are high due to the large acreage position. We are planning to drill a ten well program late Q4 or early Q1 to evaluate the possibility of producing the formation in a traditional vertical method. Of the 800 wells of interest in the area, all were produced vertically and in economic quantities.
Cimarron Area Hunton Play, Logan and Kingfisher Counties, Oklahoma
The Xtreme transaction also included the acquisition of three Hunton wells, the Hancock, Robinson and Lenhart. The Hancock and Robinson are producing wells but have small working interests of 1% and ¼ of 1%, respectively. The Lenhart well is a 62% working interest and was being prepared for a fracture stimulation when it was previously damaged, prior to our acquisition, by the service contractor. The well bore at the Hunton level has an irretrievable pipe in the hole and cannot be used to produce from the Hunton. Although Xtreme won the litigation against the contractor, he failed to pay for the replacement of the well bore, and Xtreme was responsible for costs primarily to Baker-Hughes for work done on the well. We took responsibility for those charges and negotiated a settlement of approximately $600,000.
Subsequent to the above, we have identified a shallow sandstone that could potentially be productive. As previously planned, we tested this formation, and although there were hydrocarbons present, they are not in sufficient quantities to be economic. Therefore, we have elected to plug and abandon this well bore.
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While doing the due diligence for the above projects, we met with the operator of the Hancock and Robinson well, Husky Ventures of Oklahoma City. At that time Husky had completed 17 successful wells in the Hunton formation and was expanding its acreage position. We were able to negotiate a 15% working interest in approximately 3,700 acres in the Cimarron Area of Logan County in May 2013. Within a week the Boeckman #1-H well was spud and was subsequently completed and fracture stimulated in July. At present the well is “unloading” but initial results are exceeding our expectations, and after only 14 days of returning the frac fluids injected, the well is making 275 barrels of oil per day and over 500 thousand cubic feet of gas per day. The Boeckman well continues to produce nicely at a rate of 175 barrels of oil per day and over 675 thousand cubic feet of gas per day. The well has produced significant income to date, however, as of September 30, 2013 Torchlight has yet to be paid on its oil and gas revenue from this well. Estimated revenue to September 30, 2013 is accrued based on production reports.
The Company acquired a working interest in the Boeckman #1-H well and subsequently sold part of its ownership in the Boeckman well for $990,000. The purchaser executed a promissory note dated May 1, 2013 for the purchase. The Company has collected the balance in full as of the date of these financial statements. The Company agreed to a preferential payout to the purchaser equal to 50% of his acquired interest. Revenue payable to the investor based on estimated revenue to September 30 has been accrued at 9/30/13.
In the third quarter, Torchlight acquired from a third party for stock, a 15.3% working interest in 5011+/- acres in the Chisolm Trail AMI with Husky Ventures Inc. as the operator. This acquisition will allow Torchlight to participate in 60+ gross wells in the coming two years. This acquisition along with the previous acreage position in the Cimarron Trail will give Torchlight 80+ drilling locations in the entire play. It is our intention to continue to increase this position through advanced leasing and forced pooling.
At the end of Q3, in addition to the producing Boeckman well, our operator Husky Ventures Inc. was actively drilling four wells in which Torchlight owned an interest. Two of these wells, we financed by a third party, whereby they paid 100% of the costs and we retained a small ORRI and a small working interest. The second two, we paid our AFE directly and we are participating in these wells based on our pro-rated working interest. By year end we will likely be participating in two to four more wells in this play with 30 to 40 wells planned for 2014.
Salt Water Disposal Facility
We also acquired, at no associated cost, a 22.5% net royalty on a salt water disposal facility in Seminole, Oklahoma. The facility which was newly commissioned in January 2013 is a state of the art disposal facility which can handle 20,000 barrels of produced and injected fluids per day. Oil and gas wells produce large quantities of saltwater that must be trucked and disposed of at a cost to the producer. During the second quarter, the facility averaged only approximately 2,000 barrels of fluids per day. But with increasing activity in the area, we anticipate that volume increasing in the future. With only a royalty, we have no working interest and are therefore not responsible for any operating expenses. We do however have the right to a working interest of 37.5% when the original investors in the facility receive a payout of their investment.
Historical Results for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
Revenues and Cost of Revenues
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we had production revenue of $837,901 compared to $550,525 of production revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. During the first half of 2013, production began a natural decline in both the Johnson #1-BH and the Johnson #4 wells. Refer to the table of production and revenue for 2013 included below. Our cost of revenue, consisting of lease operating expenses and production taxes, was $314,662, and $405,934 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
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We recorded depreciation, depletion and amortization expense of $894,366 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
General and Administrative Expenses
Our general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were $4,815,712 and $1,907,990, respectively. Our general and administrative expenses consisted of compensation expense, substantially all of which was non-cash or deferred, accounting and administrative costs, professional consulting fees and other general corporate expenses. The increase in general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to 2012 is primarily related to higher consulting costs and compensation incurred during the latter period as the Company has grown and increased operations.
Historical Results for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
Revenues and Cost of Revenues
For the three months ended September 30, 2013, we had production revenue of $430,782 compared to $274,896 of production revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2012. During the first half of 2013, production began a natural decline in both the Johnson #1-BH and the Johnson #4 wells. Refer to the table of production and revenue for 2013 included above. Our cost of revenue, consisting of lease operating expenses and production taxes, was $136,607 and $142,189 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
We recorded depreciation, depletion and amortization expense of $539,782 for the three months ended September 30, 2013.
General and Administrative Expenses
Our general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were $2,701,062 and $457,031, respectively. Our general and administrative expenses consisted of compensation expense, substantially all of which was non-cash or deferred, accounting and administrative costs, professional consulting fees and other general corporate expenses. The increase in general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to 2012 is primarily related to higher consulting costs and compensation incurred during the latter period as the Company has grown and increased operations.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As September 30, 2013, we had working capital of $(193,365), current assets of $1,805,509 consisting of cash, accounts receivable and prepaid expenses and total assets of $13,028,612 consisting of current assets, investments in oil and gas properties and goodwill. As of September 30, 2013, we had current liabilities of $1,998,874, consisting of the balance due on acquisition of properties of $852,931, accounts payable, payables to related parties, notes payable and accrued interest and stockholders’ equity was $6,327,628.
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Cash flow used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30 2013, was $1,686,581 compared to $74,029 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Cash flow used in operating activities during 2013 can be primarily attributed to net losses from operations, which consists primarily of general and administrative expenses, a substantial portion of which are non-cash in nature, offset by increases in accounts and note receivable and increases in accounts payable. We expect to continue to use cash flow in operating activities until such time as we achieve sufficient commercial oil and gas production to cover all of our cash costs.
Cash flow used in investing activities for nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $5,025,468 compared to $657,230 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Cash flow used in investing activities consists primarily of oil and gas investments in the Johnson wells in the Marcelina Creek Field and the Oklahoma properties acquired during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
Cash flow provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $7,864,288 as compared to $214,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Cash flow provided by financing activities in 2013 consists of convertible promissory notes issued for cash, net of repayments of debt. We expect to continue to have cash flow provided by financing activities as we seek new rounds of financing and continue to develop our oil and gas investments.
Our current assets are insufficient to meet our current obligations or to satisfy our cash needs over the next twelve months and as such we will require additional debt or equity financing. Subsequent to September 30, 2013, we received net proceeds of approximately $2.9 million from the sale of additional 12% convertible promissory notes, but these proceeds will not be sufficient to fund all of our proposed drilling operations and operating needs during 2013 and 2014. We will seek additional financing to meet these plans and needs. We face obstacles in continuing to attract new financing due to our history and current record of net losses and working capital deficits. Therefore, despite our efforts we can provide no assurance that we will be able to obtain the financing required to meet our stated objectives or even to continue as a going concern.
We do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
Commitments and Contingencies
We are subject to contingencies as a result of environmental laws and regulations. Present and future environmental laws and regulations applicable to our operations could require substantial capital expenditures or could adversely affect our operations in other ways that cannot be predicted at this time. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, no amounts have been recorded because no specific liability has been identified that is reasonably probable of requiring us to fund any future material amounts.
We currently have interests in three oil and gas projects, the Marcelina Creek Field Development in Wilson County, Texas, the Coulter Field in Waller County, Texas, and projects in Logan and Kingfisher counties, Oklahoma. See the description under “Current Projects” above for more information and disclosure regarding commitments and contingencies relating to these projects. During the three months ended June 30, 2013, the Company signed an Authority for Expenditure to drill the third well in the Marcelina Creek Field, the Johnson #2, and the drilling was completed on July 31, 2013. Total estimated costs of the well, including contingent amounts for unexpected problems that may or may not be encountered in drilling operations, are approximately $3.0 million.
Additionally, we have undertaken certain financial obligations in connection with an agreement signed April 15, 2013 with Xtreme Oil and Gas, Inc.
Going Concern
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applicable to a going concern, which assumes that we will be able to meet our obligations and continue our operations for our next fiscal year.
At September 30, 2013, we had not yet achieved profitable operations and had accumulated losses of $11,772,455. We expect to incur further losses in the development of our business, which casts substantial doubt about our ability to generate future profitable operations and/or to obtain the necessary financing to meet our obligations and repay our liabilities arising from normal business operations when they come due. Management’s plan to address our ability to continue as a going concern includes: (1) obtaining debt or equity funding from private placement or institutional sources; (2) obtain loans from financial institutions, where possible, or (3) participating in joint venture transactions with third parties. Although management believes that we will be able to obtain the necessary funding to allow us to remain a going concern through the methods discussed above, there can be no assurances that such methods will prove successful. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not Applicable.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure of Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of September 30, 2013. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and adequately designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms and that such information was accumulated and communicated to our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, in a manner that allowed for timely decisions regarding disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
On September 9, 2013, we appointed a full-time Chief Financial Officer, which may be deemed a change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. The addition of this full-time accounting employee should (i) create more segregation of duties within accounting functions, which is a basic internal control, (ii) provide expertise internally in the key functional areas of finance and accounting, (iii) reduce our reliance on outside contractors and other resources in the areas of finance and accounting, (iv) aid us in properly implementing control procedures and (v) reduce the risk of management override of controls over financial reporting. We will continue to monitor the effects the addition of our Chief Financial Officer has on our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On February 16, 2012, we filed a lawsuit against Hockley Energy, Inc. and Frank O. Snortheim in the District Court of Harris County, Texas in connection with farmout agreements we entered into with Hockley Energy in November 2011 for the Marcelina Creek prospect and the East Stockdale prospect. We allege that Hockley Energy did not perform its obligations under the agreements, which obligations included providing the agreed upon funding, and we seek damages against both Hockley and Mr. Snortheim (who is a shareholder of Hockley Energy) for breach of contract, fraudulent inducement and promissory estoppel. Each defendant has answered our original petition with a general denial, and we have filed a motion for default judgment which is pending. We have also had discussions with the defendants regarding resolving this matter out of court, but we have not reached an agreement to date.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
In July 2013, we issued 50,000 shares of restricted common stock and granted 50,000 warrants to purchase shares of common stock as consideration for consulting services. The securities were issued under the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The issuance of securities did not involve a “public offering” based upon the following factors: (i) the issuance of the securities was an isolated private transaction; (ii) a limited number of securities were issued to a limited number of offerees; (iii) there was no public solicitation; (iv) the investment intent of the offerees; and (v) the restriction on transferability of securities issued.
In September 2013, we issued 250,000 shares of restricted common stock and granted 250,000 warrants to purchase shares of common stock as consideration under a consulting agreement. The warrants have an exercise price of $2.75 and a term of three years. The securities were issued under the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The issuance of securities did not involve a “public offering” based upon the following factors: (i) the issuances of the securities were isolated private transactions; (ii) a limited number of securities were issued to a limited number of offerees; (iii) there was no public solicitation; (iv) the investment intent of the offerees; and (v) the restriction on transferability of securities issued.
In September 2013, we issued 558,356 shares of common stock as consideration for mineral lease acquisition. The securities were issued under the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The issuance of securities did not involve a “public offering” based upon the following factors: (i) the issuance of the securities was an isolated private transaction; (ii) a limited number of securities were issued to a limited number of offerees; (iii) there was no public solicitation; (iv) the investment intent of the offerees; and (v) the restriction on transferability of securities issued.
During the third quarter of 2013 we issued 111,752 shares of restricted common stock to four parties for consulting services. The securities were issued under the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The issuance of securities did not involve a “public offering” based upon the following factors: (i) the issuances of the securities were isolated private transactions; (ii) a limited number of securities were issued to a limited number of offerees; (iii) there was no public solicitation; (iv) the investment intent of the offerees; and (v) the restriction on transferability of securities issued.
During the third quarter of 2013, 38,174 warrants to purchase common stock were issued in connection with a working interest owner investment. The securities were issued under the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The issuance of securities did not involve a “public offering” based upon the following factors: (i) the issuances of the securities were isolated private transactions; (ii) a limited number of securities were issued to a limited number of offerees; (iii) there was no public solicitation; (iv) the investment intent of the offerees; and (v) the restriction on transferability of securities issued.
During the third quarter of 2013, we issued 490,000 warrants to officers as consideration for services. The securities were issued under the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The issuance of securities did not involve a “public offering” based upon the following factors: (i) the issuances of the securities were isolated private transactions; (ii) a limited number of securities were issued to a limited number of offerees; (iii) there was no public solicitation; (iv) the investment intent of the offerees; and (v) the restriction on transferability of securities issued.
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During the third quarter of 2013, we issued 100,000 warrants to Roger Wurtele, CFO, in connection with an employment agreement. Additional warrants are issuable to Mr. Wurtele if and when the company’s net production reaches specified levels. The valuation of those future warrants computed under the Black Scholes model as if they were all issued on September 30, 2013 is $360,000. The securities were issued under the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The issuance of securities did not involve a “public offering” based upon the following factors: (i) the issuances of the securities were isolated private transactions; (ii) a limited number of securities were issued to a limited number of offerees; (iii) there was no public solicitation; (iv) the investment intent of the offerees; and (v) the restriction on transferability of securities issued.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
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Exhibit No. | | Description |
2.1 | | Share Exchange Agreement dated November 23, 2010. (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 24, 2010.) * |
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3.1 | | Articles of Incorporation. (Incorporated by reference from Form S-1 filed with the SEC on May 2, 2008.) * |
3.2 | | Amended and Restated Bylaws (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 12, 2011.) * |
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10.1 | | Agreement to Participate in Oil and Gas Development Joint Venture between Bayshore Operating Corporation, LLC and Torchlight Energy, Inc. (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 24, 2010) * |
10.2 | | Purchase and Sale Agreement between Torchlight Energy, Inc. and Xtreme Oil and Gas, Inc. effective April 1, 2013. (Incorporated by reference from Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 15, 2013.) * |
10.3 | | Employment Agreement with Thomas Lapinski (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 15, 2013.) * |
10.4 | | Employment Agreement with John A. Brda (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 15, 2013.) * |
10.5 | | Employment Agreement with Roger Wurtele (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 15, 2013.) * |
10.6 | | Amendment to Employment Agreement with Willard McAndrew III (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 15, 2013.) * |
10.7 | | Employment Agreement with Willard McAndrew III (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 15, 2013.) * |
10.8 | | Development Agreement between Ring Energy, Inc. and Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc. (Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 22, 2013.) * |
31.1 | | Certification of principal executive officer required by Rule 13a – 14(1) or Rule 15d – 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
31.2 | | Certification of principal financial officer required by Rule 13a – 14(1) or Rule 15d – 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32.1 | | Certification of principal executive officer and principal financial officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Section 1350 of 18 U.S.C. 63. |
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101.INS | | XBRL Instance Document |
101.SCH | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema |
101.CAL | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase |
101.DEF | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definitions Linkbase |
101.LAB | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase |
101.PRE | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase |
* Incorporated by reference from our previous filings with the SEC
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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| Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc. |
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Date: November 14, 2013 | /s/ Thomas Lapinski |
| By: Thomas Lapinski |
| Chief Executive Officer |
| |
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