UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x | Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013
Or
o | Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
For the Transition Period From ___ to ___.
Commission file number 000-54044
USA Synthetic Fuel Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 13-3995258 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer |
Incorporation or Organization) | Identification No.) |
312 Walnut Street, Suite 1600, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)
(513) 762-7870
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), Yes x No o
and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).* Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | ¨ | Accelerated filer | ¨ |
Non-accelerated filer | ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company | x |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
There were 80,682,390 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock issued and outstanding on April 30, 2013.
USA Synthetic Fuel Corporation
Index to Form 10-Q
Part I. Financial Information | |
Item 1 | Financial Statements and notes (unaudited) | 3 |
| Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 | 4 |
| Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and prior periods. | 5 |
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and prior periods. | 6 |
| Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | 8 |
Item 2 | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 9 |
Item 3 | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 19 |
Item 4T | Controls and Procedures | 19 |
| |
Part II. Other Information | |
Item 1 | Legal Proceedings | 20 |
Item 1A | Risk Factors | 20 |
Item 2 | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and use of Proceeds | 20 |
Item 3 | Defaults Upon Senior Securities | 20 |
Item 4 | Mine Safety Disclosures | 20 |
Item 5 | Other Information | 20 |
Item 6 | Exhibits | 20 |
| | |
SIGNATURES | | 21 |
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, and stockholders' equity in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations and financial position have been included and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.
USA SYNTHETIC FUEL CORPORATION | |
(A Development Stage Company) | |
Consolidated Balance Sheets | |
| |
| | March 31, | | | December 31, | |
| | 2013 | | | 2012 | |
| | (unaudited) | | | (audited) | |
Assets | |
| | | | | | |
Current Assets | | | | | | |
Cash | | $ | 1,168,272 | | | $ | 2,996,312 | |
Accounts Receivable | | | 4,000 | | | | - | |
Prepaid Expenses | | | 109,589 | | | | 7,500 | |
Prepaid Interest | | | 1,446,197 | | | | 2,185,923 | |
Total Current Assets | | | 2,728,058 | | | | 5,189,735 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Property, Plant & Equipment | | | | | | | | |
Lima Energy Project | | | 3,118,071 | | | | 2,629,584 | |
Furniture & Fixtures, net | | | 15,455 | | | | 5,123 | |
Total Property, Plant & Equipment | | | 3,133,526 | | | | 2,634,707 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Other Assets | | | | | | | | |
Restricted Cash | | | 3,000,382 | | | | 3,001,609 | |
Escrowed Cash | | | 749,442 | | | | 250,000 | |
BOE Energy | | | 25,568,863 | | | | 25,568,863 | |
Total Other Assets | | | 29,318,687 | | | | 28,820,472 | |
Total Assets | | $ | 35,180,271 | | | $ | 36,644,914 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | |
| | | | | | | | |
Current Liabilities | | | | | | | | |
Accounts Payable | | $ | 463,943 | | | $ | 313,854 | |
Advances from Related Parties | | | 154,257 | | | | 154,257 | |
Accrued Expenses | | | 303,213 | | | | 139,058 | |
Payroll Liabilities | | | 1,398,068 | | | | 1,398,068 | |
Land Purchase Liability | | | 100,000 | | | | 100,000 | |
Total Current Liabilities | | | 2,419,481 | | | | 2,105,237 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Long Term Liabilities | | | | | | | | |
Land Purchase Liability | | | 200,000 | | | | 200,000 | |
Notes Payable, net of debt discount of $5,177,394 and $5,536,065, | | | | | | | | |
at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively | | | 28,072,606 | | | | 27,713,935 | |
Total Long Term Liabilities | | | 28,272,606 | | | | 27,913,935 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities | | | 30,692,087 | | | | 30,019,172 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Stockholders' Equity | | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 9,925,153 shares | | | | | | | | |
authorized, none issued or outstanding | | | - | | | | - | |
Series A super voting preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, | | | | | | | | |
2 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding | | | - | | | | - | |
Series B preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 74,845 shares | | | | | | | | |
authorized, none issued or outstanding | | | - | | | | - | |
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 300,000,000 shares | | | | | | | | |
authorized, 80,682,390 shares issued and | | | | | | | | |
outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 | | | 8,067 | | | | 8,067 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 21,233,603 | | | | 21,233,603 | |
Deficit accumulated during the development stage | | | (16,753,487 | ) | | | (14,615,929 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | 4,488,183 | | | | 6,625,741 | |
Non-controlling interest | | | 1 | | | | 1 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Stockholders' Equity | | | 4,488,184 | | | | 6,625,742 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | | $ | 35,180,271 | | | $ | 36,644,914 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
USA SYNTHETIC FUEL CORPORATION |
(A Development Stage Company) |
Consolidated Statements of Operations |
(Unaudited) |
| | | | | | | | Cumulative Total | |
| | Three | | | Three | | | November 30, | |
| | Months Ended | | | Months Ended | | | 2009 (Inception) to | |
| | March 31, 2013 | | | March 31, 2012 | | | March 31, 2013 | |
Cost and expenses | | | | | | | | | |
General and Administrative Expenses | | $ | (866,100 | ) | | $ | (324,532 | ) | | $ | (6,727,109 | ) |
Impairment Expense | | | - | | | | - | | | | (6,439,429 | ) |
(Loss) from operations before other | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (expense) and income taxes | | | (866,100 | ) | | | (324,532 | ) | | | (13,166,538 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other Income (Expense) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest Income | | | 1,352 | | | | - | | | | 1,352 | |
Other Income | | | - | | | | - | | | | 70,812 | |
Derivative Expense | | | - | | | | - | | | | (314,500 | ) |
Interest Expense | | | (1,272,810 | ) | | | (2,003 | ) | | | (3,344,613 | ) |
Total Other Income (Expense) | | | (1,271,458 | ) | | | (2,003 | ) | | | (3,586,949 | ) |
(Loss) before income taxes | | | (2,137,558 | ) | | | (326,535 | ) | | | (16,753,487 | ) |
Provision for income taxes | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net (Loss) | | $ | (2,137,558 | ) | | $ | (326,535 | ) | | $ | (16,753,487 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Loss per Common Share - Basic | | | | | | | | | | | | |
and Diluted | | $ | (0.03 | ) | | $ | (0.00 | ) | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted Average Number of Common | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares Outstanding | | | 80,682,390 | | | | 76,425,248 | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
USA SYNTHETIC FUEL CORPORATION | |
(A Development Stage Company) | |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 | | | Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 | | | Cumulative Total November 30, 2009 (Inception) to March 31, 2013 | |
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | | |
Net (loss) | | $ | (2,137,558 | ) | | $ | (326,535 | ) | | $ | (16,753,487 | ) |
Adjustment to reconcile net loss to net cash | | | | | | | | | | | | |
used in operating activities; | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Employee stock compensation | | | - | | | | - | | | | 170,049 | |
Depreciation expense | | | 1,219 | | | | - | | | | 1,219 | |
Note payable redemption fee | | | 125,100 | | | | - | | | | 258,533 | |
Debt discount amortization | | | 358,671 | | | | - | | | | 835,570 | |
Stock issued for services | | | - | | | | - | | | | 340,485 | |
Expenses contributed by stockholder | | | - | | | | - | | | | 148,608 | |
Impairment expense | | | - | | | | - | | | | 6,439,429 | |
Derivative expense | | | - | | | | - | | | | 314,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | | | (4,000 | ) | | | - | | | | (4,000 | ) |
Prepaid expenses | | | (102,089 | ) | | | - | | | | (109,589 | ) |
Prepaid interest | | | 739,726 | | | | - | | | | (1,446,197 | ) |
Accounts payable | | | 150,089 | | | | 62,081 | | | | 463,943 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 39,055 | | | | - | | | | 44,680 | |
Payroll liabilities | | | - | | | | 195,033 | | | | 1,681,403 | |
Accrued interest | | | - | | | | 2,003 | | | | 591,060 | |
Net cash provided in operating activities | | | (829,787 | ) | | | (67,418 | ) | | | (7,023,794 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Lima Project - Land Liability | | | - | | | | - | | | | 300,000 | |
Lima Project -- Site Work | | | (488,487 | ) | | | - | | | | (1,117,013 | ) |
Lima Project - Land | | | - | | | | - | | | | (2,001,057 | ) |
Furniture and Fixtures | | | (11,551 | ) | | | - | | | | (16,674 | ) |
BOE Asset | | | - | | | | - | | | | (25,168,863 | ) |
Escrowed Cash | | | (499,442 | ) | | | - | | | | (749,442 | ) |
Restricted cash | | | 1,227 | | | | - | | | | (3,000,382 | ) |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (998,253 | ) | | | - | | | | (31,753,431 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sale of common stock | | | - | | | | - | | | | 11,000,100 | |
Advances from related parties | | | - | | | | 14,157 | | | | 498,761 | |
Notes payable, long term | | | - | | | | - | | | | 30,250,000 | |
Loan fees, long term debt | | | - | | | | - | | | | (1,773,614 | ) |
Note payable, short term: | | | | | | | | | | | - | |
Proceeds | | | - | | | | 52,500 | | | | 105,500 | |
Payments | | | - | | | | - | | | | (135,250 | ) |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | - | | | | 66,657 | | | | 39,945,497 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in cash | | | (1,828,040 | ) | | | (761 | ) | | | 1,168,272 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash at beginning of the period | | | 2,996,312 | | | | 1,117 | | | | - | |
Cash at end of period | | $ | 1,168,272 | | | $ | 356 | | | $ | 1,168,272 | |
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest paid | | $ | 49,315 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 955,489 | |
Income taxes paid | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
NON CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Lima property | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | (6,439,429 | ) |
Note payable | | | - | | | | - | | | | 6,439,429 | |
Other asset | | | - | | | | - | | | | (1 | ) |
Non-Controlling interest | | | - | | | | - | | | | 1 | |
Stock issued for debt and accrued interest | | | - | | | | - | | | | 7,658,328 | |
Accrued interest | | | - | | | | - | | | | (591,060 | ) |
Note payable, Lima | | | - | | | | - | | | | (6,439,429 | ) |
Advances from related parties | | | - | | | | - | | | | (344,504 | ) |
Payroll liabilities | | | - | | | | - | | | | (283,335 | ) |
Notes payable | | | - | | | | - | | | | (23,000 | ) |
Common stock | | | - | | | | - | | | | 66 | |
Paid-in capital | | | - | | | | - | | | | 22,934 | |
Debt discount | | | - | | | | - | | | | (1,186,600 | ) |
Paid-in capital | | | - | | | | - | | | | 1,186,600 | |
BOE Energy | | | - | | | | - | | | | (400,000 | ) |
Paid-in capital | | | - | | | | - | | | | 399,750 | |
Common stock | | | - | | | | - | | | | 250 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
USA SYNTHETIC FUEL CORPORATION |
(A Development Stage Company) Notes To The Consolidated Financial Statements March 31, 2013 (Unaudited) |
NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The interim unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-K as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, these consolidated financial statements do not include all of the disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2012. In the opinion of management, the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements furnished herein include all adjustments, all of which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim period presented.
The consolidated statements of operations and cash flows reflect the results of operations and the changes in cash flows of the Company for the period ended March 31, 2013. Operating results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013.
NOTE 2 – GOING CONCERN
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis of accounting which contemplates continuity of operations, realization of assets, liabilities, and commitments in the normal course of business. As of March 31, 2013, the Company is in the development stage and has incurred significant losses since inception. Further losses are anticipated in the development stage raising substantial doubt as the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Company plans to acquire sufficient capital from its investors or other debt financings with which to pursue its business plan. There can be no assurance that the future operations will be significant and profitable, or that the Company will have sufficient resources to meet it objectives.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes appearing elsewhere in this interim report Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December 31, 2012. We are a development stage company and have had no revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 and had no revenues for quarter ended March 31, 2012. We anticipate that we may not receive any significant revenues from operations until we begin to receive some revenues from operations at our Lima Energy Project, which we estimate will be at a minimum approximately twenty-four to thirty-seven months from funding.
Certain information included in this report contains, and other reports or materials filed or to be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by the Company or its management) contain or will contain, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements may relate to financial results and plans for future business activities, and are thus prospective. The forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. They can be identified by the use of terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “should” and other comparable terms or the negative of them. You are cautioned that, while forward-looking statements reflect management’s good faith belief and best judgment based upon current information, they are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties.
Any forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are current only as of the date made.
As used in this interim report on Form 10-Q, the terms “we,” “our,” “us,” “the Company” and “USASF” mean USA Synthetic Fuel Corporation, a Delaware corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.
Overview
USA Synthetic Fuel Corporation is an environmental energy company focused on low cost clean energy solutions from the deployment of proven Ultra Clean Btu Converter technology. USASF is a development stage company and, as of March 31, 2013, had $1,168,272 of cash on hand and restricted cash of $3,000,382 and no inception to date revenues. We intend to build, own and operate synthetic fuel production facilities, to convert lower value, solid hydrocarbons such as coal, renewables and petroleum coke (“petcoke”) into higher value, environmentally cleaner energy sources. These solid hydrocarbons are one class of feedstock that may be used in Ultra Clean Btu Converters in order to produce synthetic gas (“SG”) that can be further processed into ultra clean synthetic fuel products such as synthetic liquid fuels (including ultra clean synthetic crude and liquid transportation fuels such as diesel, gasoline and jet), synthetic natural gas, hydrogen or electric power We initially intend to focus on production of ultra clean synthetic crude. For the purposes of this interim report on Form 10-Q, hereinafter the terms “solid hydrocarbon(s)”, “feedstock(s)”, and “solid hydrocarbon feedstock(s)” are used interchangeably in the remainder of this interim report on Form 10-Q.
For this discussion, the terms “lower value” and “higher value” refer to the approximate market cost of the sources on a barrel of oil equivalent basis, which equals an equivalent energy content basis of 5.8 million British thermal units. The produced energy sources such as synthetic natural gas and liquid transportation fuels are considered to be “environmentally cleaner” because they produce significantly reduced emissions of materials of concern such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and particulates when burned compared with coal or petcoke. As part of its integrated business strategy, the Company intends to control its solid hydrocarbon feed supply and costs, with flexibility in sourcing, to ensure continued low-cost production to satisfy sales commitments and create acceptable margins from its operations.
The major activities in the quarter ending March 31, 2013 focused on contracting, financing and ongoing site work related to the build out of our commercial Ultra Clean Btu Converter facilities. Most of the activities centered on the Lima Energy Project. To date the Company has committed $900,000 to forward construction on our Technology Innovation Center and $730,867 for continued construction-related activities at the Project site.
On September 24, 2012, the Company completed a $35 million investment transaction with Third Eye Capital Corporation of Toronto, Canada (“Third Eye”) that provided substantial growth capital to enable the Company’s business plan to accelerate. The transaction focused on moving the Company’s Lima Energy Gas 1 Phase forward to secure future revenue and earnings. The Third Eye transaction enabled the Company to benefit from $11 million in equity capital and $35 million in debt capital. From net proceeds, the Company was able to purchase a major Energy Asset that represents a 50 year fuel supply for the Lima Energy Project. The Energy Asset is approximately 50 million tons of Illinois Basin coal which has an energy equivalent of about 200 million BOE (barrels of oil equivalent) and will serve as a hedge against short term fuel supply contracts. The Lima Energy Project has petcoke as a primary feedstock with multiple supply points in the U.S. and Canada. The adjacent refinery may also become a petcoke supply source, and the Lima Energy Project is also able to utilize coal and renewables.
The Third Eye transaction and related activities also enabled Lima Energy Company to complete the acquisition of the approximately 63 acre project site from the City of Lima on October 26, 2012. The Company believes this long anticipated event unifies the Lima Energy Project as it now moves forward with further site development following the groundbreaking on its Technology Innovation Center. The project site has had initial site development and construction work done, resulting in 100,000 square feet of engineered concrete. To further the work at the Lima Energy Project site, on November 16, 2012, the Company entered into an agreement with a third party to provide site preparation services to our Lima Energy Project. The contract provides a price not to exceed $1,782,500 and it is expected that the services will be completed by July 1, 2013. The Company has the right to suspend work under the contract at its sole discretion. In addition, on December 1, 2012, the Company entered into a Design-Build Contract with an unrelated third party to provide design, construction and services for the Technology Innovation Center the Company is constructing at its site in Lima, Ohio. The cost of the work for this initial construction phase I is $2,000,000. The parties may amend the contract at any time to include the additional phases of the Lima Energy Project. The total cost of constructing the Technology Innovation Center is estimated at $9.5 million. The Company may suspend, delay or interrupt the work in whole or in part for such period of time as the Company may determine.
Lima Energy Project
On October 26, 2012, Lima Energy entered into a Real Estate Acquisition and Development Agreement pursuant to which Lima Energy purchased 63 acres of land from the City of Lima, Ohio, (the “Property”) on which it is constructing an environmental energy park with synthetic fuel production facilities. The purchase price was $1.5 million. In connection with the acquisition, Lima Energy agreed that certain funds will be contributed to a non-profit entity over the term of the Agreement for the benefit of long term economic development within the City of Lima. At the signing of the Agreement, Lima Energy made an initial contribution of $100,000. It will contribute $100,000 per year for the next three years, and, commencing on the second calendar year immediately following commencement of commercial operations, it will contribute annually, for 20 years, the lesser of $5.0 million or 10% of net distributable cash flow of the Lima Energy Project, as those terms are defined in the Agreement. The City has the right to repurchase the Property for a purchase price of $1,500,000 on or after November 1, 2017, if the market value of the Property at the time of exercise of the repurchase right as shown on the real property tax duplicate of County of Allen, Ohio is less than $2,500,000. Upon the City’s delivery of written notice to the Company of its exercise of its right to repurchase the Property, and delivery of the purchase price of $1,500,000, title to the Property shall revert to the City. The right of the City to repurchase the Property shall automatically terminate on the earlier to occur of the following: (i) the date the Company provides to the City reasonable evidence that the market value of the Property shown on the real property taxes duplicate of the County of Allen, Ohio, equals or exceeds $2,500,000 or (ii) November 1, 2020.
The Company believes this long anticipated land purchase unifies the Lima Energy Project as it now moves forward with further site development following the groundbreaking on its Technology Innovation Center located at our site in Lima, Ohio. The project site has had initial site development and construction work done, resulting in 100,000 square feet of engineered concrete. To further the work at the Lima Energy Project site, on November 16, 2012, the Company entered into an agreement with an unrelated third party to provide site preparation services to our Lima Energy Project. The contract provides a price not to exceed $1,782,500 and it is expected that the services will be completed by July 1, 2013. The Company has the right to suspend work under the contract at its sole discretion. In addition, on December 1, 2012, the Company entered into a Design-Build Contract with an unrelated third party to provide design and construction services for the Technology Innovation Center. The cost of the work for this Phase I is $2,000,000. The parties may amend the contract at any time to include the additional phases of the Lima Energy Project. The total cost of constructing the Technology Innovation Center is estimated at $9.5 million. The Company may suspend, delay or interrupt the work in whole or in part for such period of time as the Company may determine.
The project also has benefited from indirect funding of about $70 million by city, state and federal sources for supporting infrastructure. In total, Lima Energy now owns a major fuel asset and has benefited from significant direct and indirect capital investments. Lima Energy will seek to complete site development and construction with anticipated bond proceeds as more fully described below in “Future Capital Requirements.”
The Lima Energy Project is being developed in two phases: Gas 1, and Gas 2, which combined are being designed to produce 8.0 million Barrels of Oil Equivalent ("BOE") per year of synthetic fuel products, initially concentrating on the production of ultra clean synthetic crude. The project costs for these two phases of the Lima Energy Project are expected to be approximately $497 million (Gas 1) and $1,020 million (Gas 2) for a total for both phases of approximately $1.517 billion. Note that project costs include capital, engineering, procurement and construction (“EPC”) and other owner costs incurred up to commencement of operations (such as interest during construction and development fees), but do not include annual fixed or variable facility operations and maintenance costs, including the cost of purchasing solid hydrocarbon feedstock which itself reflects the cost of extraction and delivery of the solid hydrocarbon.
The Lima Energy Project was fully permitted and the initial contracts awarded for certain site preparation work and foundation work, which began in 2004 and 2005. The Lima Energy Project received a Permit to Construct from Ohio Environmental Agency in March 2002. The project also received a Certificate of Need and Environmental Compatibility from the Ohio Power Siting Board, an arm of Public Utility Commission of Ohio in May 2002. The project was issued a Stormwater Construction permit by Ohio Environmental Protection Agency in February 2005. These are the only permits affecting the ability of the Lima Energy Project to engage in field construction. The project was issued a technology license for the gasification process by Gasification Engineering Corporation, a related party, in April 2003, which was subsequently novated to ConocoPhillips upon their purchase of the technology in July 2003. As time and the Lima Energy Project scope have evolved, we are modifying the permits to reflect current regulatory requirements.
We expect to commence commercial operation of Gas 1 within approximately twenty-four to thirty-seven months from the date of Gas 1 project financing. Successful financing of this phase will enable us to continue field work on both phases while facilitating financing for Gas 2. Lima Energy has been seeking financing for the Lima Energy Project since 2006. The economic downturn commencing in 2007 has provided challenging circumstances for the Lima Energy Project financing. However, management completed a $35 million investment transaction in the third quarter 2012 that has provided substantial growth capital to enable the Company’s business plan to accelerate. The transaction is more fully described elsewhere in this interim report on Form 10-Q.
Indiana BOE Energy Asset
To further the Company’s integrated business strategy to control its solid hydrocarbon feed supply and costs, on September 24, 2012, Lima Energy acquired an approximately 200 million BOE Energy Asset consisting of approximately 50 million net tons of Illinois Basin coal located in Vigo County Indiana from GEI pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement between Lima Energy and GEI. The Indiana asset represents a 50-year fuel supply for Lima Energy Gas 1 and will serve as a hedge against short term fuel supply contracts. The purchase price was $50 million, comprised of $25 million in cash and assumed liabilities and 2.5 million shares of common stock of USASF at $10 per share. The carrying value of the asset on the Company’s books is shown as $25,568,863 which reflects the $25 million in cash and assumed liabilities and associated acquisition costs plus the fair value of the 2.5 million shares of common stock USASF issued to GEI which was based on the average share price of shares that were actively traded on OTC Markets on or near the date of the transaction.
The acquisition of the Indiana BOE energy asset was funded through the Third Eye transaction as discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-Q report. Third Eye holds the mortgage on the property.
Cleantech Energy Project
This project is being developed by our subsidiary, Cleantech Energy Company. The Cleantech Energy Project is an Ultra Clean Btu conversion project that is being designed to produce 30.6 million BOE/year of synthetic fuel products, initially concentrating on ultra clean synthetic crude, and capture and fully utilize the CO2 produced during the manufacturing process. The project cost for this Cleantech Energy Project is expected to be approximately $2.3 billion. Note that project costs include capital, engineering, procurement and construction (“EPC”) and other owner costs incurred up to commencement of operations (such as interest during construction and development fees), but do not include annual fixed or variable facility operations and maintenance costs, including the cost of purchasing solid hydrocarbon feedstock which itself reflects the cost of extraction and delivery of the solid hydrocarbon. Financing for this project has not yet been secured. The Cleantech Energy Project will be located in Wyoming, and we plan to use the adjacent Energy Asset of approximately 1.02 billion BOE of solid hydrocarbons described below under “Wyoming BOE Energy Asset.” Engineering, technology licensing, and permit planning for this facility currently are ongoing.
If we are not able to receive commercially feasible quantities of the solid hydrocarbon from this Energy Asset, a negative impact on the Cleantech Energy Project may result. Cleantech Energy Company plans to engage a contract production company to permit, finance, own and operate a facility to extract the solid hydrocarbon and deliver it to Cleantech Energy Company. The third party solid hydrocarbon production operation, once permitted by the State of Wyoming, will essentially be a surface mining operation. There are three seams of solid hydrocarbon, each overlain by overburden soil of varying depths – ranging from zero to over 100 feet. The method and sequencing of overburden removal and stockpiling will be developed by the production company and described in detail in its application to the State of Wyoming. While the initial operation of the facility will utilize the shallowest seam of coal, the production plan will seek to avoid or minimize repeated handling of overburden, and to optimize production of all seams in a given area methodically and optimally across the over 8,600 acre leasehold. As the facility currently is planned to be located at a suitable location within the leasehold site area, transport of solid hydrocarbon to the facility will most likely be by conveyor, backed up by large capacity truck, as appropriate. Our current plan calls for feedstock to be delivered into covered structures in accordance with state requirements, for weather protection and to facilitate blending for optimum feedstock composition. We have not yet identified or engaged a contract production company to permit, finance, own and operate a facility to extract the solid hydrocarbon and deliver it to the Cleantech Energy Project. Preliminary discussions with potential production companies have indicated an estimated extraction cost of between $7.50 and $10.00 per ton for the Powder River Basin coal of the solid hydrocarbon Energy Asset. This is consistent with the $9.23 per ton and $10.68 per ton costs for extraction of Powder River Basin coal as reported by Arch Coal, Inc. in its press releases announcing its results for the second quarter of 2010 and third quarter of 2011, respectively(52, 53). This is an estimate only, and we cannot guarantee that the extraction costs we incur will be consistent with this estimate.
Wyoming BOE Energy Asset
The Cleantech Energy Project will be located in Wyoming, and we plan to use our adjacent Energy Asset of approximately 1.02 billion BOE of solid hydrocarbons. On June 18, 2010, Cleantech Energy Company purchased the Energy Asset from Interfuel E&P Ltd. pursuant to the Barrel of Oil Equivalent Energy Purchase & Sale Agreement between Interfuel E&P Ltd, an unrelated party, and Cleantech Energy Company. Interfuel E&P Ltd. is a private company with shareholders from Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific regions. Mr. Graves, the Company’s Chairman, is a 17% shareholder in Interfuel E&P Ltd. Cleantech Energy Company issued 714,041 shares of its no par value preferred stock and assigned an aggregate value of $1.00 for the shares issued. In future periods when the BOE asset is utilized in the gasification process, Cleantech Energy Company will record an expense of $0.70 per BOE with a corresponding increase in the Company’s paid in capital. Once commercial operations have begun, the preferred stock will earn a 5% annual dividend, commencing on the commercial operations date, payable on a quarterly basis. Annual redemptions of preferred stock will be dependent on the net income of Cleantech Energy Company. Provided there is net income in a given year, Cleantech Energy Company has the option to redeem such amount of preferred shares that is equal to not less than 7% and not more than 10% of net income in that year. Any preferred stock remaining after 20 years from the date of commercial operations may either be redeemed at that time, or, at the option of Cleantech Energy Company, may be converted to Cleantech Energy Company’s common shares, according to this formula: for every one percent (1%) of the original estimated value of preferred shares (1,020,058,000 BOE X $.70=$714,040,600) that is remaining at that time, Interfuel E&P Ltd. will be entitled to one-half of one percent (0.5%) of common shares then issued and outstanding in Cleantech Energy Company. Additionally, Cleantech Energy will pay $70 million to Interfuel E&P Ltd. upon receipt of financing and start of construction for the proposed Cleantech Energy Project facility and related solid hydrocarbon BOE production. In the event Cleantech Energy Company does not commence construction of the Cleantech Energy Project by June 18, 2013, as extended by the parties, Interfuel E&P Ltd. may terminate the contract resulting in an unwinding of the transaction whereby Cleantech Energy Company would re-convey the Energy Asset to Interfuel E&P Ltd., which then would return the preferred shares to Cleantech Energy Company. While we believe the parties intend to mutually extend the agreement if necessary, we can give no assurances of that or that the construction of the Cleantech Energy Project will commence by this deadline and, as a result, we may not be able to receive commercially feasible quantities of the solid hydrocarbon which may result in a negative impact on this project. The parties have further agreed that this asset may serve as collateral for a $440 million planned bond transaction as more fully described elsewhere in this document, in which case, upon payment of $28 million of the $70 million due to Interfuel E&P Ltd., Interfuel E&P Ltd. will allow the debt capital provider to hold a first security position on the asset and will remove the milestone schedule dates for construction and operations of the project.
The Company believes this solid hydrocarbon Energy Asset consists of over 700 million gross tons and over 400 million net tons of Powder River Basin coal. Mobil Mining and Minerals Company, which is not a related party to, and has no overlapping ownership interests with, either USASF or GEI, held the rights to the BOE Energy Asset and conducted the exploratory drilling during the time period from 1974 through 1981. Mobil Mining and Minerals Company, a subsidiary of Mobil Corporation until its divestiture in 1996, was engaged in the business of mining and selling minerals including coal, phosphate rock, and fertilizers as well as sulfur recovered from Mobil Corporation’s operations. At that time, Mobil Corporation (the parent company) was the second largest U.S. oil producer, behind Exxon Corporation. Mobil Corporation and Exxon Corporation merged forming Exxon Mobil Corporation on November 30, 1999 in a transaction that valued Mobil Corporation at approximately $80 billion. Because Mobil Mining and Minerals Company was a subsidiary, specific information on it is not readily available. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, it owned leases on approximately 8,600 contiguous acres in the Johnson County, Wyoming portion of the Powder River Basin coal region. Powder River Basin coal has classical sub-bituminous characteristics. The State of Wyoming owns all coal resources and leases them to companies. The lease represents a right to produce the coal. Once the coal is produced, it is owned by the leaseholder or their designee. Mobil conducted an assessment of the holding between 1974 and 1981, drilling over 400 holes spread across the acreage. Those drilling records include a report characterizing the coal deposits. These drill holes provided representative data on the aerial extent, depth and thickness of the three primary coal seams (Healy, Cameron, UCross), as well as proximate and ultimate analysis of representative samples from each seam. Sometime after the drilling program, Mobil Mining and Minerals Company elected to divest these holdings, and Stoltz, a private investor, acquired the leases from Mobil Mining and Minerals Company.
GEI acquired the leases from Stoltz who indicated, at that time, their belief that a maximum of 694.9 million gross tons, and most likely 521.0 million potentially recoverable tons, of Powder River Basin coal could be produced from the total acreage. After GEI, Inc. acquired the leases from Stoltz, it commissioned Weir International, Inc. to prepare an updated, more definitive, report of the holdings and recoverable resources. GEI made the drilling records available to Weir International, Inc. who prepared maps of each seam, depicting drill-hole location, depth, and seam thickness. Drill hole density, used to delineate these seams and construct the isopach maps, was approximately 24.6 acres for Healy, 29 acres for Cameron and 49 acres for UCross. Weir International, Inc. utilized all of the drill logs for the holes and topographical maps with approximate locations of the drill holes for the study area provided by GEI. In addition, they also reviewed public information on the general geology of the area, and acquired topographic maps in appropriate computer format for use in locating outcrops of the seams and to create offset boundaries for streams and highways. The available data for all of the drill holes was compiled into a database suitable for modeling using detailed computer software typically utilized by Weir International, Inc. The database was analyzed by the computer software and used to develop a geological model of the Healy, Cameron and Ucross seams. They then prepared seam structure and coal thickness maps based on the geological model, and from that, determined the average thickness and coal quality for the Healy, Cameron and Ucross seams. Weir International, Inc. determined that the Healy, Cameron and Ucross seams had average thicknesses of 25.2 feet, 7.6 feet, and 27.6 feet, respectively. We believe the computer generated isopach maps are more precise than those produced in the 1980’s. From these data, Weir International Inc. maps depict gross and net isopleths across the property for each seam. These maps are typical of those used by mining companies to assess deposits. Weir International, Inc. used the U.S. Geologic Survey Circular 891 (1983) to classify the estimated resources, conservatively considered areas that most likely would not be mined, such as proximity to public roads and property boundaries, and utilized a 92 % recovery factor to estimate the potentially recoverable resources. The Weir International, Inc. report concludes that there are actually over 711 million tons in place, but that 402 million tons should be taken as the conservative potentially recoverable resource amount. Ownership of the coal leases was subsequently transferred from GEI to Interfuel E&P Ltd. The Weir International, Inc. report formed one basis of the Barrel of Oil Equivalent Energy Purchase & Sale Agreement between Interfuel E&P Ltd and Cleantech Energy Company.
Weir International, Inc. is a mining, geology and energy consulting firm founded in 1936. The firm is comprised of 25 technical and administrative personnel with expertise in specialized engineering and management disciplines within the mining, geology and energy arenas. A review of the firm’s web site, http://www.weirintl.com, shows a broad and diverse client base across the country. Their expertise includes geological and geotechnical engineering, geology and geologic mine modeling, mining engineering and planning, environmental engineering, coal and mineral processing, economic and financial analysis, reserve audits, economic analysis, asset appraisals, reserve valuations and feasibility studies.
Based upon these data, we believe this solid hydrocarbon Energy Asset consists of over 711 million tons of in place resources of which 402 million tons of PRB coal are potentially recoverable resources. While it remains to be seen how much more coal can be produced above the 402 million net tons, we and Interfuel E&P Ltd. are in agreement that, based on the Weir International Inc. report, the 402 million net ton basis represents a conservative value and is the correct one to use. The 1.02 billion BOE described elsewhere in this quarterly report in Form 10-Q equals the energy content of the net tons of PRB referred to here. Energy Asset This approximately 1.02 billion BOE of solid hydrocarbons represents a 25 year, low cost feedstock supply for the Cleantech Energy Project. Additionally, because the Cleantech Energy Project is adjacent to the solid hydrocarbon Energy Asset, transportation expenses would be minimized for this project, resulting in an additional economic advantage for the Cleantech Energy Project.
We do not own proven or probable reserves in connection with any of our projects or our BOE Energy Assets in Indiana or Wyoming, nor do we know if it is commercially feasible to receive a sufficient quantity of BOE from our solid hydrocarbon Energy Asset to support the development and operation of our projects. Construction of the Cleantech Energy Project will depend, in part, upon our confirmation that it is economically feasible to extract a sufficient quantity of BOE from the solid hydrocarbon Energy Asset in Wyoming and upon future delivery of the solid hydrocarbon Energy Asset to support the development and operation of that project. If we determine that we will be unable to extract a sufficient quantity of BOE from the Energy Asset or if we are unable to receive a sufficient quantity of solid hydrocarbons from this Energy Asset to justify the construction of the Cleantech Energy Project, we may decide to redesign, relocate, develop alternate feedstock supplies, delay, or elect not to proceed on the development of this project. Furthermore, if we determine that it is not commercially feasible to receive our solid hydrocarbon Energy Asset, we may be required to write off the value of the asset on our consolidated financial statements that could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Contract discussions progressed for off-take arrangements from both our Lima Energy and Cleantech Energy facilities. Completion of these contracts, which we believe will occur sometime in 2013, is expected to substantially commit the planned production from these facilities for 20 years. While there can be no assurance that these contracts will be signed, nevertheless, they represent key objectives for the Company and an area of focus in 2013. This work also highlights the shift in our product slate to a greater proportion of ultra clean synthetic crude and ultra clean liquid transportation fuels, which we believe will improve returns and enable a 10-year term for bond financing rather than the previous plan for a 20 year term.
In December 2012, we formed a Luxembourg company, USASF S.a.r.l. to act as the special purpose vehicle for the proceeds from the bond sale that the company is actively pursuing. The proceeds will be used to fund the construction of the Lima Energy Project.
The Company, at its Annual Meeting held in Washington, D.C. on November 28, 2012, announced the appointment of Daniel W. Dixon as Chief Financial Officer, effective January 1, 2013.
On March 1, 2013, the Board of Directors of USASF elected J. Bradley Davis, John P. Proctor and William J. Weyand as members of the Board of Directors until the next annual stockholders' meeting. Messrs. Davis, Proctor, and Weyand will serve on the following committees: the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Governance Committee. Messrs Davis, Proctor and Weyand, as independent directors, will receive an annual fee pursuant to the newly adopted Independent Director Compensation Policy.
Factors Affecting Results of Operations
The following information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. We are a development stage company and have had no revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2013. We anticipate that we may not receive any significant revenues from operations until we begin to receive revenue from operations at Lima Energy, which we estimate will be at a minimum approximately twenty-four to thirty-seven months from the closing of construction funding.
The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to those discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.
The following discussion of the financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and changes in financial position of our Company should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes filed with the SEC on Form 10-K.
Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012
Revenues
We had no revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 and no revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, and do not anticipate any significant revenues for twenty-four to thirty-seven months from the financing of any of our projects, as stated above.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 totaled $866,100 and for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 totaled $324,532. The primary components of our expenses were related to salary expenses, fees relating to the Third Eye transaction and SEC compliance activities for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. The primary components of our expenses were related to salary expenses and SEC compliance activities for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.
Interest Expense
For the quarter ended March 31, 2013, the Company recorded an expense of $1,272,810 which included $210,105 in debt discount amortization and $273,666 in note fee amortization related to the Third Eye transactions. The Company recorded an expense of $2,003 for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.
Other Income
For the quarter ended March 31, 2013, we had other income of $1,352 related to interest income earned on the $3 million restricted cash balance.
Income Taxes
For the quarter ended March 31, 2013 and the quarter ended March 31, 2012, there were no provisions for income taxes recorded.
The Company uses the liability method in accounting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.
The potential benefit of net operating loss carry forwards has not been recognized in the accompanying financial statements since the Company cannot be assured that it is more likely than not that such benefit will be utilized in future years.
The net operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes are approximately $7,236,000 and will begin to expire in 2029. However, pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, use of the Company’s net operating loss carryforwards may be limited if the Company experiences a cumulative change in ownership of greater than 50% in a moving three year period. Ownership changes could impact the Company’s ability to utilize net operating losses and credit carryforwards remaining at the ownership change date. The limitation will be determined by the fair market value of common stock outstanding prior to the ownership change, multiplied by the applicable federal rate.
Net Loss
For the quarter ended March 31, 2013, we experienced a net loss of $2,137,588, and for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, we experienced a net loss of $326,535. Non-cash expenses were $484,989 and $0 for the quarters ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
We anticipate losses from operations will increase during the next nine months due to anticipated increases in payroll expenses as we add necessary staff, and project development expenses. We expect that we will continue to have net losses from operations for several years until revenues from operating facilities become sufficient to offset operating expenses.
Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Share
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net loss available to common shareholders (numerator) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding (denominator) during the period. Diluted EPS gives effect to all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS excludes all potentially dilutive shares if their effect is anti-dilutive. Our net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 was $0.03 per share, and $0.00 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of March 31, 2013, we have $1,168,272 of cash on hand, which we plan to utilize for working capital purposes as well as for advancing our Lima Energy Project. In addition we have $3,000,382 in restricted cash and $749,442 in escrowed cash on our balance sheet, and we expect to receive the remaining net proceeds of the 4% subordinated secured convertible note, totaling $1,750,000 within 30 days from the date of this filing. While the technology we intend to utilize is currently operational at some facilities in the United States, we do not yet have an operating commercial facility, and we anticipate it will be approximately twenty-four months and thirty-seven months from the date of the Lima Energy Project’s financing until the Gas 1 phase is constructed and operational at our Lima Energy Project. Once the first phase is completed and fully operational, we should begin to receive revenues from plant operations, but we cannot predict exactly when those revenues will start.
Net Cash Used by Operating Activities
For the quarter ended March 31, 2013, we used $829,787 in operating activities. Our primary uses of funds were related to prepaid interest associated with the debt financing transaction, salary expenses, professional fees related to normal operations and SEC reporting costs for the current fiscal quarter while $67,418 was used for payments related to salary expenses and SEC reporting costs for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities
As of March 31, 2013, we used $998,253 in investing activities. Our primary use of funds was for land and site work to enable the Lima Energy Project and further construction of our Technology Innovation Center. We did not engage in investing activities for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
For the quarter ended March 31, 2013, we did not receive any cash from financing activities. For the quarter ended March 31, 2012, we financed our activities through advances from related parties of $66,657.
Cash Position and Outstanding Indebtedness
Our total indebtedness at March 31, 2013 was $35,869,481, which related to the $35 million debt financing transaction, in addition to accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and advances from related parties. The amount reflected in Long Term Liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets is net of $3,712,095 in debt discounts, $1,465,299 unamortized fees expense. Our total indebtedness at March 31, 2012, was $2,281,395 consisting of all current liabilities due within the year.
At March 31, 2013, we had current assets of $2,728,058 in cash while for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 we had $356 in cash.
Contractual Obligations
The Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement, a Unit Purchase Agreement, and a Royalty Agreement with Third Eye as more fully described above. The Third Eye transaction and related activities subsequently enabled Lima Energy Company to complete the acquisition of the approximately 63 acre project site from the City of Lima on October 26, 2012. The Company believes this long anticipated event unifies the Lima Energy Project as it now moves forward with further site development following the groundbreaking on its Technology Innovation Center. The project site has had initial site development and construction work done, resulting in 100,000 square feet of engineered concrete. To further the work at the Lima Energy Project site, on November 16, 2012, the Company entered into an agreement with a third party to provide site preparation services to our Lima Energy Project. The contract provides a price not to exceed $1,782,500 and it is expected that the services will be completed by July 1, 2013. The Company has the right to suspend work under the contract at its sole discretion. In addition, on December 1, 2012, the Company entered into a Design-Build Contract with an unrelated third party to provide design, construction and services for the Technology Innovation Center the Company is constructing at its site in Lima, Ohio. The cost of the work for this Phase I is $2,000,000. The parties may amend the contract at any time to include the additional phases of the Lima Energy Project. The total cost of constructing the Technology Innovation Center is estimated at $9.5 million. The Company may suspend, delay or interrupt the work in whole or in part for such period of time as the Company may determine.
Future Capital Requirements
Our cash requirements depend on many factors, including the pace of our project development activities and the employee team build-up to drive our future growth. Over the next four years, we expect to make significant expenditures to expand our projects currently under development and construction to bring them into commercial operation. We estimate that total project costs to bring each project into commercial operation will be approximately $497 million for full construction of Gas 1, approximately $1.02 billion for full construction of Gas 2, and approximately $2.3 billion for full construction of Cleantech Energy Project. Project costs include capital, EPC and other owner costs incurred up to commencement of operations (such as interest during construction and development fees), but do not include annual fixed or variable facility operations and maintenance costs, including the cost of purchasing solid hydrocarbon feedstock which itself reflects the cost of extraction and delivery of the solid hydrocarbon.
We have focused our efforts to date on obtaining large amounts of capital to fund our project development activity. Our current business plan calls for new investment capital to fund our operations for the next twelve to twenty-four months or until commercial operations at Lima Energy commence. Accordingly, we need to raise capital to provide working capital for the next two years in order to meet our funding commitments and business plan objectives. We intend to accomplish this primarily through long and short-term borrowings, together with equity capital and reserve capital, as described below. In the event the Company raises additional funds due to investment demand and various financing options, the additional funds will further advance the Lima Energy Gas 1 Project and add to corporate working capital to accelerate the business plan.
The short term and long term borrowings are expected to consist primarily of project-specific non-recourse debt using the assets of each project to secure such debt. We intend to focus on the Form S-1 Registration Statement $100 million equity raise on file with the SEC together with proceeds from the $440 million BOE Energy Asset-backed bond issue, as well as the $70 million reserve equity capital, as described below, to support construction financing for the Lima Energy Gas 1 phase. An information memorandum for the $440 million bond transaction has been completed and circulated to prospective investors. We will then turn to the $470 million of Ohio Air Quality Development Authority bonds. While we have substantially completed the draft documentation for the Ohio Air Quality Bonds, including the Offering Memorandum, Trust Agreement, Mortgage Security Agreement, and Deposit Account Pledge and Control Agreement, we have shifted the timing for the placement of the bonds due to our plan to utilize equity capital first. We believe that this strategy will make the placement of the debt a more efficient process.
As of the date of this filing, we have completed a $35 million debt financing transaction with Third Eye as more fully described elsewhere in this report. While we have commitments for a total of $70 million in reserve equity to assist in both our project capital requirements and working capital requirements, we do not plan to utilize this reserve equity at this time. This total of $70 million in reserve equity funding is comprised of up to $20 million from Kodiak Capital Group LLC (“Kodiak”) and up to $50 million from AGS Capital Group LLC (“AGS”), as described more fully in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. When available, reserve equity may be used as follows: $10 million to advance the Lima Energy project site, engineering and permit work, $10 million to advance the Cleantech Energy site, engineering, licensing and permit work, and the balance of $46 million for general corporate purposes.
Our ability to obtain up to $20 million in equity funding from Kodiak and up to $50 million in equity funding from AGS is contingent on the Company filing registration statements for the resale of all registrable securities called for by the Investment Agreement between Kodiak and USASF dated April 6, 2011 and the Reserve Equity Financing Agreement between AGS and USASF dated May 16, 2011. According to current SEC requirements, the Company’s common stock must be listed on a national securities exchange or quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board prior to the filing of any resale registration statements related to this type of agreement. The registration statement must be declared effective and remain effective for the Company to access the reserve equity. We can give no assurances that the Company’s stock will be listed on a national securities exchange or quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board, or that the registration statements, if filed, will be declared effective or remain effective. As a result, we can give no assurances that the Company will be able to access the funds committed by either Kodiak or AGS. .
Our ability to obtain adequate funding for our development and construction plan as well as for our working capital needs will depend on a variety of factors and cannot be guaranteed.
No Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any obligations that meet the definition of an off-balance sheet arrangement and that have or are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our financial statements.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not Applicable
ITEM 4T. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
As of March 31, 2013, we carried out an evaluation, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2103 to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our principal executive and principal financial officer as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our controls and procedures provide for full flow of information to Company management, especially to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and our evaluation shows we are able to meet our reporting obligations under the Exchange Act Rules stated above. While our disclosure controls and procedures are effective, we recognize that continued improvement is desired in the areas of management oversight, control of documentation being produced, and review of such control documentation when it is produced. A policy and procedure directive has been established to seek improvement in this area.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period ended March 31, 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time the Company may become a party to legal action and other proceedings in the ordinary course of business. We are not presently involved in any legal proceedings that we believe would have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. The Company was named as a defendant in a complaint filed by Dorsey & Whitney LLP relating to a GEI matter regarding potential fees more than five years ago. It is the Company’s belief that it should not be a party to this matter and, accordingly, will seek dismissal from the case.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry
This information has been omitted based on our status as a smaller reporting company.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
During the quarter ending March 31, 2013, the company did not issue any shares of common stock.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not Applicable
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
No. | Description |
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31.1* | Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
31.2* | Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
32.1* | Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
101.INS* | XBRL Instance Document |
101.SCH* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
101.CAL* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
101.DEF* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
101.LAB* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |
101.PRE* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
| |
* | Furnished herewith. |
| |
| |
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.
Dated: May 3, 2013 | USA SYNTHETIC FUEL CORPORATION | |
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| By: /s/ Dr. Steven C. Vick | |
| Name: Dr. Steven C. Vick | |
| Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | |
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| By: /s/ Daniel W. Dixon | |
| Name: Daniel W. Dixon | |
| Title: Chief Financial Officer | |