Verde Clean Fuels (VGAS) 10-Q 2024 Q3 Quarterly report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024

☐ 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: 001-40743

Verde Clean Fuels, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	85-1863331
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

711 Louisiana St, Suite 2160 Houston, Texas	77002
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (908) 281-6000

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share	VGAS	The Nasdaq Capital Market
Warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one share of Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share	VGASW	The Nasdaq Capital Market

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

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

Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☒	Smaller reporting company	☒
Emerging growth company	☒

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

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

There were 9,549,621 shares of Class A common stock and 22,500,000 shares of Class C common stock of the registrant outstanding on November 11, 2024. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	1
ITEM 2.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	23
ITEM 3.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	33
ITEM 4.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	33
PART II OTHER INFORMATION		34
ITEM 1.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	34
ITEM 1A.	RISK FACTORS	34
ITEM 2.	UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS	34
ITEM 3.	DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES	34
ITEM 4.	MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES	34
ITEM 5.	OTHER INFORMATION	34
ITEM 6.	EXHIBITS	34
SIGNATURES		35

i

Item 1. Financial Statements

VERDE CLEAN FUELS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

	As of
	September 30, 2024			December 31, 2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	21,673,151		$	28,779,177
Accounts receivable – other		242,138			-
Restricted cash		100,000			100,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		759,285			373,324
Total current assets		22,774,574			29,252,501
Non-current assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net		749,008			62,505
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net		297,335			524,813
Intellectual patented technology		1,925,151			1,925,151
Other assets		162,119			160,669
Total non-current assets		3,133,613			2,673,138
Total assets	$	25,908,187		$	31,925,639
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	1,070,636		$	184,343
Accrued liabilities		2,211,319			1,976,812
Operating lease liabilities		221,213			297,380
Other current liabilities		17,928			-
Total current liabilities		3,521,096			2,458,535
Non-current liabilities:
Promissory note – related party		-			409,612
Operating lease liabilities		93,898			232,162
Total non-current liabilities		93,898			641,774
Total liabilities		3,614,994			3,100,309
Commitments and Contingencies (see Note 5)
Stockholders’ equity
Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 9,549,621 and 9,387,836 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		955			939
Class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 22,500,000 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		2,250			2,250
Additional paid in capital		36,451,797			35,014,836
Accumulated deficit		(26,376,540	)		(23,922,730	)
Noncontrolling interest		12,214,731			17,730,035
Total stockholders’ equity		22,293,193			28,825,330
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	25,908,187		$	31,925,639

The accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

1

VERDE CLEAN FUELS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
General and administrative expenses	$	2,693,490		$	2,511,176		$	8,471,640		$	9,234,697
Contingent consideration		-			-			-			(1,299,000	)
Research and development expenses		91,303			78,314			350,158			246,788
Total operating loss		2,784,793			2,589,490			8,821,798			8,182,485
Other (income)		(291,385	)		(144,004	)		(953,721	)		(238,891	)
Interest expense		-			67,430			-			236,699
Loss before income taxes		(2,493,408	)		(2,512,916	)		(7,868,077	)		(8,180,293	)
Income tax (benefit) provision		-			119,186			(13,866	)		119,186
Net loss	$	(2,493,408	)	$	(2,632,102	)	$	(7,854,211	)	$	(8,299,479	)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	$	(1,715,676	)	$	(1,858,910	)	$	(5,400,401	)	$	(6,202,678	)
Net loss attributable to Verde Clean Fuels, Inc.	$	(777,732	)	$	(773,192	)	$	(2,453,810	)	$	(2,096,801	)
Earnings per share
Weighted average Class A common stock outstanding, basic and diluted		6,336,078			6,153,461			6,269,230			6,136,171
Loss per share of Class A common stock	$	(0.12	)	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.39	)	$	(0.34	)

The accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

2

VERDE CLEAN FUELS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024

	Class A Common				Class C Common				Additional Paid In		Accumulated			Non controlling			Total Stockholders’
	Shares		Values		Shares		Values		Capital		Deficit			Interest			Equity
Balance – June 30, 2024		9,549,621	$	955		22,500,000	$	2,250	$	36,050,663	$	(25,598,808	)	$	13,930,407		$	24,385,467
Stock-based compensation		-		-		-		-		401,134		-			-			401,134
Net loss		-		-		-		-		-		(777,732	)		(1,715,676	)		(2,493,408	)
Balance – September 30, 2024		9,549,621	$	955		22,500,000	$	2,250	$	36,451,797	$	(26,376,540	)	$	12,214,731		$	22,293,193

Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

	Class A Common				Class C Common				Additional Paid In		Accumulated			Non controlling			Total Stockholders’
	Shares		Values		Shares		Values		Capital		Deficit			Interest			Equity
Balance – June 30, 2023		9,387,836	$	939		22,500,000	$	2,250	$	34,460,323	$	(22,502,750	)	$	21,143,954		$	33,104,716
Stock-based compensation		-		-		-		-		276,880		-			-			276,880
Net loss		-		-		-		-		-		(773,192	)		(1,858,910	)		(2,632,102	)
Balance – September 30, 2023		9,387,836	$	939		22,500,000	$	2,250	$	34,737,203	$	(23,275,942	)	$	19,285,044		$	30,749,494

The accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

3

VERDE CLEAN FUELS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024

	Class A Common				Class C Common				Additional Paid In			Accumulated			Non controlling			Total Stockholders’
	Shares		Values		Shares		Values		Capital			Deficit			Interest			Equity
Balance – December 31, 2023		9,387,836	$	939		22,500,000	$	2,250	$	35,014,836		$	(23,922,730	)	$	17,730,035		$	28,825,330
Related party promissory note settlement		40,961		4		-		-		409,608			-			-			409,612
Conversion of restricted stock units		120,824		12		-		-		(12	)		-			-			-
Stock-based compensation		-		-		-		-		912,462			-			-			912,462
Rebalancing of ownership percentage for issuance of Class A shares		-		-		-		-		114,903			-			(114,903	)		-
Net loss		-		-		-		-		-			(2,453,810	)		(5,400,401	)		(7,854,211	)
Balance – September 30, 2024		9,549,621	$	955		22,500,000	$	2,250	$	36,451,797		$	(26,376,540	)	$	12,214,731		$	22,293,193

Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

	Member’s			Class A Common					Class C Common					Additional Paid In			Accumulated			Non controlling			Total Stockholders’
	Equity			Shares		Values			Shares		Values			Capital			Deficit			Interest			Equity
Balance – December 31, 2022	$	12,775,901			-	$	-			-	$	-		$	-		$	(11,672,536	)	$	-		$	1,103,365
Retroactive application of recapitalization		-			-		936			-		2,573			(3,509	)		-			-			-
Adjusted beginning balance		12,775,901			-		936			-		2,573			(3,509	)		(11,672,536	)		-			1,103,365
Reversal of Intermediate original equity		(12,775,901	)		-		(936	)		-		(2,573	)		3,509			11,672,536			-			(1,103,365	)
Recapitalization transaction		-			9,358,620		936			22,500,000		2,250			15,391,286			(4,793,142	)		25,487,723			36,089,053
Class A Sponsor earn out shares		-			-		-			-		-			5,792,000			(5,792,000	)		-			-
Class C Sponsor earn out shares		-			-		-			-		-			10,594,000			(10,594,000	)		-			-
Stock-based compensation		-			-		-			-		-			2,623,936			-			-			2,623,936
Warrant Exercise		-			29,216		3			-		-			335,981			-			-			335,984
Net loss		-			-		-			-		-			-			(2,096,800	)		(6,202,679	)		(8,299,479	)
Balance – September 30, 2023	$	-			9,387,836	$	939			22,500,000	$	2,250		$	34,737,203		$	(23,275,942	)	$	19,285,044		$	30,749,494

The accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

4

VERDE CLEAN FUELS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(7,854,211	)	$	(8,299,479	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities
Contingent consideration		-			(1,299,000	)
Depreciation		9,687			1,763
Share-based compensation expense		912,462			2,623,936
Finance lease amortization		-			127,617
Amortization of right-of-use assets		227,478			216,743
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Prepaid expenses		(387,410	)		(699,253	)
Accounts payable		707,314			284,132
Accrued liabilities		(55,758	)		351,453
Operating lease liabilities		(214,431	)		(210,530	)
Other changes in operating assets and liabilities		(393	)		108,850
Net cash used in operating activities		(6,655,262	)		(6,793,768	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(1,445,174	)		(2,723	)
Reimbursement of capital expenditures		994,410			-
Net cash used in investing activities		(450,764	)		(2,723	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
PIPE proceeds		-			32,000,000
Cash received from Trust		-			19,031,516
Transaction expenses		-			(10,043,793	)
BCF Holdings capital repayment		-			(3,750,000	)
Repayments of notes payable - insurance premium financing		-			(11,166	)
Repayments of the principal portion of finance lease liabilities		-			(44,469	)
Warrant exercises		-			335,984
Deferred financing costs		-			(22,570	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		-			37,495,502
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(7,106,026	)		30,699,011
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of year		28,879,177			463,475
CENAQ operating cash balance acquired		-			91,454
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$	21,773,151		$	31,253,940
Supplemental cash flows:
Non-cash income tax payable and deferred tax liability obtained from CENAQ	$	-		$	312,446
Non-cash impact of debt issuance through the business combination		-			409,612
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses (at period end)		469,244			-
Accounts receivable for reimbursement of capital expenditures (at period end)		223,818			-

The accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

5

VERDE CLEAN FUELS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION

Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. (the “Company”, “Verde” and “Verde Clean Fuels”) is a clean fuels company focused on the deployment of its innovative and proprietary liquid fuels processing technology through development of commercial production plants. Verde Clean Fuels’ synthesis gas (“syngas”)-to-gasoline plus (STG+®) process converts syngas derived from diverse feedstocks, such as natural gas or biomass, into fully finished liquid fuels that require no additional refining, such as reformulated blend-stock for oxygenate blending (“RBOB”) gasoline.

On February 15, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), the Company finalized a business combination (the “Business Combination”) pursuant to that certain business combination agreement, dated as of August 12, 2022 (the “Business Combination Agreement”) by and among CENAQ Energy Corp. (“CENAQ”), Verde Clean Fuels OpCo, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of CENAQ (“OpCo”), Bluescape Clean Fuels Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Holdings”), Bluescape Clean Fuels Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Intermediate”), and CENAQ Sponsor LLC (“Sponsor”). Immediately upon the completion of the Business Combination, CENAQ was renamed to Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. See Notes 3 and 4 for further information.

Following the completion of the Business Combination, the combined company is organized under an umbrella partnership C corporation (“Up-C”) structure, and the direct assets of the Company consist of equity interests in OpCo, whose direct assets consist of equity interests in Intermediate. Immediately following the Business Combination, Verde Clean Fuels is the sole manager of and controls OpCo.

Prior to the Business Combination, and up to the Closing Date, Verde Clean Fuels, previously CENAQ Energy Corp., was a special purpose acquisition company (“SPAC”) incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses.

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 28, 2024 and are presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) have been made that are necessary to present fairly the financial position, and the results of its operations and its cash flows. The results of operations for an interim period may not give a true indication of results for a full year.

Risks and Uncertainties

The Company is currently in the development stage and has not yet commenced principal operations or generated revenue. The development of the Company’s projects are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the receipt of the necessary permits and regulatory approvals, commodity price risk impacting the decision to go forward with the projects, the availability and ability to obtain the necessary financing for the construction and development of projects.

The Company’s ability to develop and operate commercial production facilities, as well as expand production at future commercial production facilities, is subject to many risks beyond its control, including regulatory developments, construction risks, and global and regional macroeconomic developments.

6

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

Making estimates requires management to exercise significant judgment. It is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect of a condition, situation or set of circumstances that existed at the date of the financial statements, which management considered in formulating its estimate, could change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events. The most significant estimates pertain to the calculations of the fair values of equity instruments, impairment of intangible and long-lived assets and income taxes. Such estimates may be subject to change as more current information becomes available. Accordingly, the actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Principles of Consolidation

The Company’s policy is to consolidate all entities that the Company controls by ownership interest or other contractual rights giving the Company control over the most significant activities of an investee. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Verde Clean Fuels and its subsidiaries: OpCo, Intermediate, Bluescape Clean Fuels Employee Holdings, LLC, Bluescape Clean Fuels EmployeeCo., LLC, Bluescape Clean Fuels, LLC, and Maricopa Renewable Fuels I, LLC.

Certain comparative amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had cash equivalents of $19,942,258 and $26,155,789, respectively, which were comprised of funds held in a short-term money market fund having investments in high-quality short-term securities that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash accounts in financial institutions, which, at times, may exceed the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) limit of $250,000. Additionally, the majority of the Company’s cash balances are held in a short-term money market fund that is not guaranteed by the FDIC. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had not experienced losses on these accounts, and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such accounts.

Accounts Receivable – Other

Accounts receivable – other primarily consists of amounts to be reimbursed to the Company from Cottonmouth Ventures LLC (“Cottonmouth”) in connection with the terms of the joint development agreement (“JDA”) between the Company and Cottonmouth. See Notes 6 and 11 for further information. In accordance with Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”, the Company’s accounts receivable are required to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected through an allowance for credit losses that are expected to occur over the life of the remaining life of the asset, rather than incurred losses. The Company considers the amounts due from Cottonmouth to be fully collectible and, accordingly, there was no allowance for credit losses recorded by the Company as of September 30, 2024.

7

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”), approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheet, primarily due to their short-term nature. The fair values of cash, restricted cash, cash equivalents, receivables, prepaid expenses, accounts payable and accrued expenses are estimated to approximate their respective carrying values as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 due to the short-term maturities of such instruments.

In determining fair value, the valuation techniques consistent with the market approach, income approach and cost approach shall be used to measure fair value. ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy for inputs, which represent the assumptions used by the buyer and seller in pricing the asset or liability. These inputs are further defined as observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs are those that the buyer and seller would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s assumptions about the inputs that the buyer and seller would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

The fair value hierarchy is categorized into three levels based on the inputs as follows:

Level 1 —  Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not being applied. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these securities does not entail a significant degree of judgment.

Level 2 —  Valuations based on (i) quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, (ii) quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets, (iii) inputs other than quoted prices for the assets or liabilities, or (iv) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market through correlation or other means.

Level 3 —  Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

Net Loss Per Share of Common Stock

Subsequent to the Business Combination, the Company’s capital structure is comprised of shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A common stock”) and shares of Class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class C common stock”). Public stockholders, the Sponsor, and the investors in the private offering of securities of Verde Clean Fuels in connection with the Business Combination (the “PIPE Financing”) hold shares of Class A common stock and warrants, and Holdings owns shares of Class C common stock and Class C units of OpCo (the “Class C OpCo Units”). Holders of Class C OpCo Units, other than Verde Clean Fuels, have the right, subject to certain limitations, to exchange all or a portion of its Class C OpCo Units and a corresponding number of shares of Class C common stock for, at Opco’s election, (i) shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like, or (ii) an equivalent amount of cash. Each share of Class C common stock represents the right to cast one vote per share at the Verde Clean Fuels level and carries no economic rights, including rights to dividends or distributions upon liquidation. Thus, shares of Class C common stock are not participating securities per ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share”. As the shares of Class A common stock represent the only participating securities, the application of the two-class method is not required.

Antidilutive instruments, including outstanding warrants, stock options, certain restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and earn out shares, were excluded from diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 because the inclusion of such instruments would be anti-dilutive. As a result, diluted net loss per share of common stock is the same as basic net loss per share of common stock for all periods presented.

Warrants

The Company accounts for warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and the applicable authoritative guidance in ASC 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity” (“ASC 480”) and ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”). The Company’s assessment considers whether the warrants are freestanding financial instruments pursuant to ASC 480, whether they meet the definition of a liability pursuant to ASC 480, and whether the warrants meet all of the requirements for equity classification under ASC 815, including whether the warrants are indexed to the Company’s own common stock and whether the warrant holders could potentially require “net cash settlement” in a circumstance outside of the Company’s control, among other conditions for equity classification. This assessment, which requires the use of professional judgment, is conducted at the time of warrant issuance and as of each subsequent quarterly period-end date while the warrants are outstanding.

8

For issued or modified warrants that meet all of the criteria for equity classification, they are recorded as a component of additional paid-in capital at the time of issuance. For issued or modified warrants that do not meet all the criteria for equity classification, they are recorded at their initial fair value on the date of issuance and are subject to remeasurement each balance sheet date with changes in the estimated fair value of the warrants to be recognized as a non-cash gain or loss in the statement of operations.

Segments

Operating segments are defined as components of an entity for which separate financial information is available and that is regularly reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment and in assessing performance. The Company’s CODM is its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). The Company has determined that it operates in one operating segment, as the CODM reviews financial information presented on a combined basis for purposes of making operating decisions, allocating resources, and evaluating financial performance.

Income Taxes 

The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under ASC 740, “Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. 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 included the enactment date. The Company has elected to use the outside basis approach to measure the deferred tax assets or liabilities based on its investment in its subsidiaries without regard to the underlying assets or liabilities.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considered whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. There were no unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related asset. The estimated useful lives of assets are as follows:

Computers, office equipment and hardware	3 – 5 years
Furniture and fixtures	7 years
Machinery and equipment	7 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of the lease term (including estimated renewals) or the estimated useful lives of the improvement

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Directly identifiable costs incurred in connection with constructing an asset are capitalized to the extent that the construction project is probable of occurring. Depreciation expense is not recorded for construction in progress assets until construction is completed and the assets are placed into service. Cost reimbursement from project participants related to assets under construction is recorded as an offset to the construction in progress assets. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, and improvements are capitalized. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the accompanying statements of operations in the period realized.

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consist of the following:

	As of
	September 30, 2024		December 31, 2023
Accrued bonus	$	215,104	$	-
Accrued construction in progress		290,265		-
Accrued legal fees		-		237,839
Accrued professional fees		81,500		143,900
Accrued excise tax payable		1,587,975		1,587,975
Other accrued expenses		36,475		7,098
Total accrued expenses	$	2,211,319	$	1,976,812

Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IR Act”) was signed into federal law. The IR Act provides for, among other things, a new U.S. federal 1% excise tax on certain repurchases of stock occurring on or after January 1, 2023. The excise tax is imposed on the repurchasing corporation itself, not its stockholders from which shares are repurchased. The amount of the excise tax is generally 1% of the fair market value of the shares repurchased at the time of the repurchase. The amount of repurchases applicable to the excise tax can be reduced by the fair market value of any issuances at the time of issuance that occurred during the year, as well as certain exceptions provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”).

In April 2024, the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service released proposed regulations that detail the kinds of transactions that are and are not subject to the new excise tax as well as give procedural guidance on how and when companies should pay the tax. Final regulations providing procedural guidance have been issued, however final regulations regarding the excise tax computation have not yet been issued.

As of September 30, 2024, the Company has recorded an excise tax liability of $1,587,975, which is included within Accrued Liabilities on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets.

Leases

The Company accounts for leases under ASU 842, “Leases” (“ASC 842)”. The core principle of ASC 842 is that a lessee should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases by recognizing in the consolidated balance sheet a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset (“ROU asset”) representing the lessee’s right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. In accordance with the guidance of ASC 842, leases are classified as finance or operating leases, and both types of leases are recognized on the consolidated balance sheet.

Certain lease arrangements may contain renewal options. Renewal options are included in the expected lease term only if they are reasonably certain of being exercised by the Company.

The Company elected the practical expedient to not separate non-lease components from lease components for real estate lease arrangements. The Company combines the lease and non-lease component into a single accounting unit and accounts for the unit under ASC 842 where lease and non-lease components are included in the classification of the lease and the calculation of the ROU asset and lease liability. In addition, the Company has elected the practical expedient to not apply lease recognition requirements to leases with a term of one year or less. Under this expedient, lease costs are not capitalized; rather, are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company’s leases do not contain residual value guarantees or material restrictions or covenants.

The Company uses either the rate implicit in the lease, if readily determinable, or the Company’s incremental borrowing rate for a period comparable to the lease term in order to calculate the net present value of the lease liability. The incremental borrowing rate represents the rate that would approximate the rate to borrow funds on a collateralized basis over a similar term and in a similar economic environment.

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Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

The Company’s intangible asset consists of its intellectual property and patented technology and is considered an indefinite-lived intangible asset and is not subject to amortization. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the gross and carrying amount of this intangible asset was $1,925,151. 

Impairment of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

A qualitative assessment of indefinite-lived intangible assets is performed in order to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. In performing this analysis, macroeconomic, industry and market conditions are considered in addition to current and forecasted financial performance, entity-specific events and changes in the composition or carrying amount of net assets.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not record any impairment charges.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets when indicators of impairment exist. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired when the estimated separately identifiable, undiscounted cash flows from such asset are less than the carrying value of the asset. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset. Fair value is determined primarily using the estimated cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not record any impairment charges.

Emerging Growth Company Accounting Election

The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as modified by the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act of 2012, (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

Additionally, section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect not to take advantage of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies, and any such election to not take advantage of the extended transition period is irrevocable. The Company expects to be an emerging growth company through 2026. Prior to the Business Combination, CENAQ elected to irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period, which means that when a financial accounting standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company will adopt the new or revised standard when those standards are effective for public registrants.

Equity-Based Compensation

The Company applies ASC 718, “Compensation — Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”), in accounting for unit and share-based compensation to employees.

Unit-Based Compensation

Service-based unit compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the equity instruments awarded and is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, or the requisite service period, which is usually the vesting period. Performance-based unit compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the equity instruments awarded and is expensed over the requisite service period, based on the probability of achieving the performance goal, with changes in expectations recognized as an adjustment to earnings in the period of the change. If the performance goal is not met, no unit-based compensation expense is recognized and any previously recognized unit-based compensation expense is reversed. Forfeitures of service-based and performance-based units are recognized upon the time of occurrence.

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Prior to closing of the Business Combination, certain subsidiaries of the Company, including Intermediate, were wholly-owned subsidiaries of Holdings. Holdings, which was outside of the Business Combination perimeter, had entered into several compensation related arrangements with management of Intermediate. Compensation costs associated with those arrangements were allocated by Holdings to Intermediate as the employees were rendering services to Intermediate. However, the ultimate contractual obligation related to these awards, including any future settlement, rested and continues to rest with Holdings. 

On August 5, 2022, Holdings entered into an agreement with its management team whereby all outstanding unvested Series A Incentive Units and Founder Incentive Units became fully vested on the closing of the Business Combination. As part of the agreement, the priority of distributions under the Series A Incentive Units and Founders Incentive Units was also revised such that participants receive 10% of distributions after a specified return to Holdings’ Series A Preferred Unit holders (instead of 20%). Series A Incentive Units refers to 800 incentive units issued by Holdings on August 7, 2020 to certain members of management of Intermediate in compensation for their services. Founder Incentive Units refers to 1,000 incentive units issued by Holdings on August 7, 2020 to certain members of management of Intermediate in compensation for their services.

In connection with the close of the Business Combination, the Company accelerated the unvested service and performance-based units and recorded share-based payment expense within general and administrative expense of $2,146,792 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Performance conditions for the performance-based Founder Incentive Units had not and were unlikely to be met as of September 30, 2024. As such, no share-based compensation cost was recorded for these units.

Equity-Based Awards

In March 2023, the Company authorized and approved the Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. 2023 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2023 Plan”).

The Company estimates the fair value of stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model and the fair value of RSUs on the date of grant based on the value of the stock price on that date, subject to a discount for lack of marketability.

The cost of awarded equity instruments is recognized based on each instrument’s grant-date fair value over the period during which the grantee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. The determination of fair value requires significant judgment and the use of estimates, particularly with regard to Black-Scholes assumptions such as stock price volatility and expected option term. Equity-based compensation is recorded as a general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Company estimates the expected term of options granted based on peer benchmarking and expectations. Treasury yield curve rates are used for the risk-free interest rate in the option valuation model with maturities similar to the expected term of the options. Volatility is determined by reference to the actual volatility of several publicly traded peer companies that are similar to the Company in its industry sector. The Company does not anticipate paying cash dividends and therefore uses an expected dividend yield of zero in the option valuation model. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur. The Company assesses whether a discount for lack of marketability is applied based on certain liquidity factors. All equity-based payment awards subject to graded vesting based only on a service condition are amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods.

There is substantial judgment in selecting the assumptions used to determine the fair value of such equity awards, and other companies could use similar market inputs and experience and arrive at different conclusions.

RSUs represent an unsecured right to receive one share of the Company’s Class A common stock equal to the value of the Class A common stock on the settlement date. RSUs have a zero-exercise price and vest over time in whole after the first anniversary of the date of grant subject to continuous service through the vesting date.

Contingent Consideration

Holdings had an arrangement payable to the Company’s CEO and a consultant whereby a contingent payment could become payable in the event that certain return on investment hurdles were met. On August 5, 2022, Holdings entered into an agreement with the Company’s management and CEO whereby if the Business Combination was completed, the contingent consideration would be forfeited.

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The Business Combination closed on February 15, 2023, and therefore the contingent consideration arrangement was terminated, and no payments were made. Thus, $1,299,000 of accrued contingent consideration was reversed through earnings during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. No contingent consideration was recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Recent Accounting Standards

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-07”). ASU 2023-07 enhances segment reporting under Topic 280 by expanding the breadth and frequency of segment disclosures. ASU 2023-07 requires disclosure of significant expenses that are regularly provided to an entity’s CODM and included in the reported measure(s) of a segment’s profit or loss. When applying this disclosure requirement, an entity identifies the segment expenses that are regularly provided to the CODM or easily computable from information that is regularly provided to the CODM. Entities are also required to disclose other segment items, i.e., the difference between reported segment revenue less the significant segment expenses and the reported measure(s) of a segment’s profit or loss. ASU 2023-07 also clarifies that single reportable segment entities are subject to Topic 280 in its entirety. ASU 2023-07 is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The amendments in ASU 2023-07 should be adopted retrospectively unless impracticable. Early adoption is permitted. The disclosures required by ASU 2023-07 are not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-09”). ASU 2023-09 requires public entities, on an annual basis, to provide: a tabular rate reconciliation (using both percentages and reporting currency amounts) of (1) the reported income tax expense (or benefit) from continuing operations, to (2) the product of the income (or loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and the applicable statutory federal (national) income tax rate of the jurisdiction (country) of domicile using specific categories, and separate disclosure for any reconciling items within certain categories that are equal to or greater than a specified quantitative threshold. For each annual period presented, ASU 2023-09 also requires all reporting entities to disclose the year-to-date amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by federal (national), state, and foreign. It also requires additional disaggregated information on income taxes paid (net of refunds received) to an individual jurisdiction equal to or greater than 5% of total income taxes paid (net of refunds received). ASU 2023-09 is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. ASU 2023-09 is to be applied on a prospective basis with the option to apply the standard retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2023-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements. 

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In March 2024, the SEC issued Release No. 33-11275, “The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors”, which will mandate detailed disclosure of certain climate-related information, including, among other items, material climate-related risks and related governance, strategy and risk management processes, certain financial statement disclosures, and Scopes 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions, if material, for certain public companies. In April 2024, the SEC issued an administrative stay of the implementation of Release No. 33-11275, pending judicial review. Prior to the stay, the required disclosures were subject to a phased compliance timeline, with initial disclosures for non-accelerated filers and smaller reporting companies commencing with the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2027. The Company is currently monitoring the status of Release No. 33-11275 and is evaluating the impact that the release would have on its consolidated financial statements.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, “Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40) – Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses,” which requires additional disclosure about specified categories of expenses included in relevant expense captions presented on the income statement. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2024-03 will have on its disclosures. 

The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs issued by the FASB. There are no other accounting pronouncements which have been issued but are not yet effective that would have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements when adopted. 

NOTE 3 – BUSINESS COMBINATION

Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, (i) (A) CENAQ contributed to OpCo (1) all of its assets (excluding its interests in OpCo and the aggregate amount of cash required to satisfy any exercise by CENAQ stockholders of their redemption rights (the “Redemption Rights”) and (2) the shares of Class C common stock (the “Holdings Class C Shares”) and (B) in exchange therefor, OpCo issued to CENAQ a number of Class A OpCo Units equal to the number of total shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding immediately after the Closing (taking into account the PIPE financing (“PIPE Financing”) and following the exercise of Redemption Rights) (such transactions, the “SPAC Contribution”) and (ii) immediately following the SPAC Contribution, (A) Holdings contributed to OpCo 100% of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of Intermediate and (B) in exchange therefor, OpCo transferred to Holdings the Holdings OpCo Units and the Holdings Class C Shares. Holdings holds 22,500,000 OpCo Units and an equal number of shares of Class C common stock.

Pursuant to ASC 805, “Business Combinations” (“ASC 805”), the Business Combination was accounted for as a common control reverse recapitalization where Intermediate is deemed the accounting acquirer and the Company is treated as the accounting acquiree, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded, in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Business Combination was treated as the equivalent of Intermediate issuing stock for the net assets of CENAQ, accompanied by a recapitalization. The Business Combination is not treated as a change in control of Intermediate. This determination reflects Holdings holding a majority of the voting power of Verde Clean Fuels, Intermediate’s Pre-Business Combination operations being the majority post-Business Combination operations of Verde Clean Fuels, and Intermediate’s management team retaining similar roles at Verde Clean Fuels. Further, Holdings continues to have control of the Board of Directors through its majority voting rights. Under ASC 805, the assets, liabilities, and noncontrolling interests of Intermediate are recognized at their respective carrying amounts on the date of the Business Combination.

14

The Business Combination included:

● Holdings contributing 100% of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of Intermediate to OpCo in exchange for 22,500,000 Class C OpCo Units and an equal number of shares of Class C common stock;

● The issuance and sale of 3,200,000 shares of Class A common stock for a purchase price of $10.00 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $32,000,000 in the PIPE Financing pursuant to the subscription agreements;

● Delivery of $19,031,516 of proceeds from CENAQ’s Trust Account related to non-redeeming holders of 1,846,120 of Class A common stock; and

● Repayment of $3,750,000 of capital contributions made by Holdings since December 2021 and payment of $10,043,793 of transaction expenses including deferred underwriting fees of $1,700,000;

The following summarizes the Verde Clean Fuels Class A common stock and Class C common stock (collectively, the “Common Stock”) outstanding as of February 15, 2023. The percentage of beneficial ownership was based on 31,858,620 shares of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding as of February 15, 2023, comprised of 9,358,620 shares of Class A common stock and 22,500,000 shares of Class C common stock.

	Shares		% of Common Stock
CENAQ Public Stockholders		1,846,120		5.79	%
Holdings		23,300,000		73.14	%
New PIPE Investors (excluding Holdings)		2,400,000		7.53	%
Sponsor and Anchor Investors		1,078,125		3.39	%
Sponsor Earn Out shares		3,234,375		10.15	%
Total Shares of Common Stock at Closing		31,858,620		100.00	%
Earn Out Equity shares		3,500,000
Total diluted shares at Closing (including shares above)		35,358,620

Total net proceeds raised from the Business Combination were $37,329,178, consisting of $32,000,000 in PIPE Financing proceeds, $19,031,516 from the CENAQ trust, and $91,454 from the CENAQ operating account, offset by $10,043,793 in transaction expenses that were recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital and offset by a $3,750,000 capital repayment to Holdings.

NOTE 4 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

Promissory Note

On February 15, 2023, the Company entered into a new promissory note with the Sponsor totaling $409,612 (the “New Promissory Note”). The New Promissory Note canceled and superseded all prior promissory notes. The New Promissory Note was non-interest bearing and the entire principal balance of the New Promissory Note was payable on or before February 15, 2024 in cash or shares at the Company’s election. On February 15, 2024, the Company settled the New Promissory Note through the issuance of shares of its Class A common stock at a conversion price of $10.00 per share. As a result, during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company issued 40,961 shares of its Class A common stock and recorded an increase to additional paid-in capital of $409,608.

Holdings

The Company has a related party relationship with Holdings whereby Holdings holds a majority ownership in the Company via voting shares and has control of its Board of Directors. Further, Holdings possesses 3,500,000 earn out shares. See Note 3 for further information.

On June 3, 2024, the Company entered into a contract for a front-end engineering and design (“FEED”) study with Chemex Global, LLC (“Chemex”), a Shaw Group company (“Shaw Group”). On June 5, 2024, the parent organization of Holdings, through a separate subsidiary, made an unrelated preferred equity investment in Shaw Group and, in connection with the investment, Jonathan Siegler (a Company director) was appointed as a director of Shaw Group. Total FEED study costs incurred as of September 30, 2024, net of reimbursement from Cottonmouth, were $678,243, and are recorded to Construction in Progress within Property, Plant and Equipment, Net on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. See Notes 6 and 11 for further information. 

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NOTE 5 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is, or contains, a lease at inception based on whether that contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset in exchange for consideration for a period of time. Leases are classified as either finance or operating. This classification dictates whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. For all lease arrangements with a term of greater than 12 months, the Company presents at the commencement date: a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis, and a ROU asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term.

The Company leases office space and other office equipment under operating lease arrangements with initial terms greater than 12 months. The office lease in Hillsborough, New Jersey was extended until 2025. In August 2023, the Company entered into a 40-month office lease in Houston, Texas commencing in November 2023. Office space is leased to provide adequate workspace for all employees.

In February 2023, the Company commenced a 25-year land lease in Maricopa, Arizona with the intent of building a renewable gasoline processing facility. On the commencement date, the present value of the minimum lease payments exceeded the fair value of the land, and, accordingly, the lease was classified as a finance lease. On August 31, 2023, the Company terminated the land lease in Maricopa, Arizona. In connection with the termination, the Company incurred a termination fee of three months’ base rent. The termination was effective four months after the termination notice; thus, the Company had a continued right-of-use and obligation to make rental payments for use of the land through December 31, 2023. The Company accounted for the termination with a continued right-of-use as a lease modification resulting in a reclassification of the lease from finance to operating as of the lease modification date. Accordingly, the Company incurred finance lease costs up to the modification date and operating lease costs subsequent to the modification until lease termination. The Company exited the lease as of December 31, 2023.

Lease costs for the Company’s operating and finance leases are presented below.

	Statements of Operations	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
Lease Cost	Classification	2024		2023		2024		2023
Operating lease cost	General and administrative expense	$	86,253	$	106,689	$	250,162	$	229,913
Variable lease cost	General and administrative expense		48,036		38,861		121,496		112,869
Total operating lease cost		$	134,289	$	145,550	$	371,658	$	342,782
Amortization of finance lease ROU asset	General and administrative expense	$	-	$	36,462	$	-	$	127,617
Interest on finance lease liability	Interest expense		-		67,430		-		236,698
Total finance lease cost		$	-	$	103,892	$	-	$	364,315
Total lease cost		$	134,289	$	249,442	$	371,658	$	707,097

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Supplemental information related to the Company’s operating lease arrangements was as follows:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
Operating lease – supplemental information	2024			2023
ROU assets obtained in exchange for operating lease	$	353,162		$	273,712
Remaining lease term – operating lease		17.0 months			5.2 months
Discount rate – operating lease		7.50	%		7.50	%

Contingencies

The Company is not party to any litigation.

NOTE 6 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Major classes of property, plant and equipment are as follows:

	As of
	September 30, 2024		December 31, 2023
Construction in progress	$	678,243	$	-
Computers, office equipment and hardware		34,330		16,956
Furniture and fixtures		47,256		47,256
Machinery and equipment		43,799		43,799
Property, plant and equipment		803,628		108,011
Less: accumulated depreciation		54,620		45,506
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	749,008	$	62,505

The construction in progress balance is comprised of capitalized FEED costs, net of reimbursements to be received from Cottonmouth in accordance with the JDA. The construction in progress balance as of September 30, 2024 is comprised of capitalized FEED costs of $1,896,471 and is net of $1,218,228 of cost reimbursements from Cottonmouth. See Note 11 for further information.  

NOTE 7 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Stock Options

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company granted 1,840,637 stock options, of which 1,400,075 were granted to certain employees and officers and 440,562 were granted to non-employee directors, consistent with the terms of the 2023 Plan.

Stock options represent the contingent right of award holders to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a stated price for a limited time. The stock options granted in 2024 have an exercise price of $5.99 per share and will expire 7 years from the date of grant. Stock options granted to employees and officers will vest at a rate of 25% on each of the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to continued service through the vesting dates. Stock options granted to non-employee directors will vest one year from the date of grant, subject to continued service through the vesting date.

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The Company estimates the fair value of stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model and the following underlying assumptions. Expected volatility was based on historical volatility for public company peers that operate in the Company’s industry. The expected term of awards granted represents management’s estimate for the number of years until a liquidity event as of the grant date. The risk-free rate for the period of the expected term was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

The fair value of stock options granted in 2024 were determined using the following assumptions as of the grant date:

Risk-free interest rate	4.6	%
Expected term	3.5 years
Volatility	50	%
Dividend yield	Zero
Discount for lack of marketability – employee and officer awards	19	%
Discount for lack of marketability – non-employee director awards	14	%

The table below presents activity related to stock options during the nine months ended September 30, 2024:

	Number of options		Weighted average exercise price per share		Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2023		1,236,016	$	11.00		6.3
Granted		1,840,637		5.99		7.0
Exercised		-		-		-
Forfeited / expired		-		-		-
Outstanding as of September 30, 2024		3,076,653		8.00		6.2
Unvested as of September 30, 2024		2,767,651		7.67		6.3
Exercisable as of September 30, 2024		-		-		-

The grant-date fair value of stock options granted in 2024 was $1.39 per share for options granted to employees and officers and $1.48 per share for options granted to non-employee directors. As of September 30, 2024, there were 2,636,091 options granted to employees and officers outstanding, of which 2,327,089 were unvested, and 440,562 options granted to non-employee directors outstanding, all of which were unvested.

Restricted Stock Units

In April 2024, all 141,656 of RSUs outstanding were vested. Of these vested RSUs, 120,824 were converted into an equal number of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, and the remaining 20,832 were outstanding as of September 30, 2024, as the director elected to defer receipt.

NOTE 8 – WARRANTS

There were 15,383,263 warrants outstanding as of September 30, 2024. Each warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as discussed below. However, no warrants will be exercisable for cash unless there is an effective and current registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to such shares of Class A common stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a registration statement covering the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective within a specified period following the consummation of the Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when we shall have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a cashless basis pursuant to the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, provided that such exemption is available. If that exemption, or another exemption, is not available, holders will not be able to exercise their warrants on a cashless basis. In the event of such cashless exercise, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the warrants for that number of shares of Class A common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Class A common stock underlying the warrants, multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the “fair market value” (defined below) by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” for this purpose will mean the average reported last sale price of the shares of Class A common stock for the five trading days ending on the trading day prior to the date of exercise. The warrants will expire on February 15, 2028, at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

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The Company may call the warrants for redemption, in whole and not in part, at a price of $0.01 per warrant:

● at any time after the warrants become exercisable;

● upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrant holder;

● if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the shares of Class A common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations and recapitalizations), for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period commencing at any time after the warrants become exercisable and ending on the third business day prior to the notice of redemption to warrant holders; and

● if, and only if, there is a current registration statement in effect with respect to the shares of Class A common stock underlying such warrants.

If and when the warrants become redeemable by the Company, the Company may exercise its redemption right even if it is unable to register or qualify the underlying securities for sale under all applicable state securities laws.

An aggregate of 29,216 warrants were exercised on various dates during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, resulting in the issuance of 29,216 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock. The Company received cash of $335,984 related to such warrant exercises during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

No warrants were exercised during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

NOTE 9 – INCOME TAX

As of September 30, 2024, Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. holds 29.80% of the economic interest in OpCo, which is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a partnership, OpCo generally is not subject to U.S. federal income tax under current U.S. tax laws. Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. is subject to U.S. federal income taxes, in addition to state and local income taxes, with respect to its distributive share of the net taxable income (loss) and any related tax credits of OpCo.

Intermediate was historically and remains a disregarded subsidiary of a partnership for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. As a direct result of the Business Combination, OpCo became the sole member of Intermediate. As such, OpCo’s distributive share of any net taxable income or loss and any related tax credits of Intermediate are then distributed to the Company.

The Company’s effective tax rate was 0% for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and was (2.08%) for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. The effective income tax rates for each period differed significantly from the statutory rate primarily due to the losses allocated to noncontrolling interests and the recognition of a valuation allowance as a result of the Company’s tax structure. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 also included a return to provision adjustment.

The Company has assessed the realizability of its net deferred tax assets and that analysis has considered the relevant positive and negative evidence available to determine whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The Company has maintained a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets as of September 30, 2024, which will be maintained until there is sufficient evidence to support the reversal of all or some portion of these allowances.

The Company’s income tax filings will be subject to audit by various taxing jurisdictions. The Company will monitor the status of U.S. Federal, state and local income tax returns that may be subject to audit in future periods. No U.S. Federal, state and local income tax returns are currently under examination by the respective taxing authorities.

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Tax Receivable Agreement

On the Closing Date, in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination and as contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, Verde Clean Fuels entered into a tax receivable agreement (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”) with Holdings (together with its permitted transferees, the “TRA Holders,” and each a “TRA Holder”) and the Agent (as defined in the Tax Receivable Agreement). Pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement, Verde Clean Fuels is required to pay each TRA Holder 85% of the amount of net cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income and franchise tax that Verde Clean Fuels actually realizes (computed using certain simplifying assumptions) or is deemed to realize in certain circumstances in periods after the Closing Date as a result of, as applicable to each such TRA Holder, (i) certain increases in tax basis that occur as a result of Verde Clean Fuels’ acquisition (or deemed acquisition for U.S. federal income tax purposes) of all or a portion of such TRA Holder’s Class C OpCo Units pursuant to the exercise of the OpCo Exchange Right, a Mandatory Exchange or the Call Right (each as defined in the Amended and Restated LLC Agreement of OpCo) and (ii) imputed interest deemed to be paid by Verde Clean Fuels as a result of, and additional tax basis arising from, any payments Verde Clean Fuels makes under the Tax Receivable Agreement. Verde Clean Fuels will retain the benefit of the remaining 15% of these net cash savings. The Tax Receivable Agreement contains a payment cap of $50,000,000, which applies only to certain payments required to be made in connection with the occurrence of a change of control. The payment cap would not be reduced or offset by any amounts previously paid under the Tax Receivable Agreement or any amounts that are required to be paid (but have not yet been paid) for the year in which the change of control occurs or any prior years. 

As of September 30, 2024, the Company did not have a tax receivable balance.  

NOTE 10 – LOSS PER SHARE

Loss per share

Prior to the reverse recapitalization in connection with the Business Combination, all net loss was attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

Basic net loss per share has been computed by dividing net loss attributable to Class A common stockholders for the period subsequent to the Business Combination by the weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding for the same period. Diluted loss per share of Class A common stock was computed by dividing net loss attributable to Class A common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding adjusted to give effect to potentially dilutive securities.

The Company’s potentially dilutive securities have been excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share as the effect would be to reduce the net loss per share. Therefore, the weighted average number of common stock outstanding used to calculate both basic and diluted net loss per share is the same. The following table sets forth the computation of net loss used to compute basic net loss per share of Class A common stock.

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Net loss attributable to Verde Clean Fuels, Inc.	$	(777,732	)	$	(773,192	)	$	(2,453,810	)	$	(2,096,801	)
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding		6,336,078			6,153,461			6,269,230			6,136,171
Dilutive effect of share-based awards		-			-			-			-
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding		6,336,078			6,153,461			6,269,230			6,136,171
Basic loss per share	$	(0.12	)	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.39	)	$	(0.34	)
Diluted loss per share	$	(0.12	)	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.39	)	$	(0.34	)

The Company’s warrants, earnout shares and stock options could have the most significant impact on diluted shares should the instruments represent dilutive instruments. However, securities that could potentially be dilutive are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share when a loss from continuing operations exists or when the exercise price exceeds the average closing price of the Company’s common stock during the period, because their inclusion would result in an anti-dilutive effect on per share amounts.

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The following amounts were not included in the calculation of net income per diluted share for all periods presented because their effects were anti-dilutive:

	As of September 30,
	2024		2023
Warrants		15,383,263		15,383,263
Earn out shares (1)		3,234,375		3,234,375
Convertible debt		-		40,961
Stock options		3,076,653		1,236,016
RSUs (2)		-		141,656
Total anti-dilutive instruments		21,694,291		20,036,271

(1)	Excludes 3,500,000 Class C earn out shares convertible into shares of Class A common stock. Shares of Class C common stock are not participating securities; thus, the application of the two-class method is not required.
(2)	Excludes 20,832 of vested and deferred RSUs outstanding as of September 30, 2024. Such shares are included within weighted-average shares outstanding for the computation of basic and diluted loss per share. See Note 7 for further information.

Noncontrolling Interests

Following the Business Combination, holders of Class A common stock own direct controlling interest in the results of the combined entity, while Holdings own an economic interest in the Company, shown as noncontrolling interests (“NCI”) in stockholders’ equity in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The indirect economic interests are held by Holdings in the form of Class C OpCo units.

Following the completion of the Business Combination, the ownership interests of the Class A common stockholders and the NCI were 29.38% and 70.62%, respectively. As of September 30, 2024, the ownership interests of the Class A common stockholders and the NCI were 29.80% and 70.20%, respectively. The change in ownership interests was due to warrant exercises during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as well as the settlement of the related party New Promissory Note and the issuance of shares of Class A common stock as a result of RSUs vesting during the nine months ended September 30, 2024. See Notes 4, 7 and 8 for further information. The NCI may further decrease according to the number of shares of Class C common stock and Verde Clean Fuels OpCo LLC Class C units that are exchanged for shares of Class A common stock or due to the issuance of additional Class A common stock.

As a result of these exchanges, the Company’s equity attributable to the NCI and the Class A common stockholders was rebalanced to reflect the change in ownership percentage, as calculated based on the respective ownership interests of the combined equity interests.

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NOTE 11 – JOINT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH COTTONMOUTH

On February 6, 2024, the Company and Cottonmouth, a subsidiary of Diamondback Energy, Inc. (“Diamondback”), entered into the JDA for the proposed development, construction, and operation of a facility to produce commodity-grade gasoline using natural gas feedstock supplied from Diamondback’s operations in the Permian Basin.

Diamondback is an independent oil and natural gas company headquartered in Midland, Texas, focused on the acquisition, development, exploration and exploitation of unconventional, onshore oil and natural gas reserves in the Permian Basin in West Texas.

The JDA provides a pathway forward for the parties to reach final definitive documents and Final Investment Decision (“FID”). The JDA frames the contracts contemplated to be entered into between the parties, including an operating agreement, ground lease agreement, construction agreement, license agreement and financing agreements, as well as conditions precedent to close, such as FID.

On June 4, 2024, the Company announced that it had selected Chemex as the contractor to spearhead the FEED phase of the project contemplated by the JDA. With the selection of Chemex, FEED work commenced and is expected to be completed in mid-2025. In connection with entering into the JDA and commencement of the FEED, the Company began to incur development costs with respect to the project. Under the terms of the JDA, 65% of the approved development costs incurred by the Company (which includes the FEED costs) are reimbursed by Cottonmouth. See Note 6 for further information.

NOTE 12 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date, up to the date which the consolidated financial statements were issued. There were no subsequent events or transactions.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

References in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”) to “we,” “our,” “us,” “Verde,” “Verde Clean Fuels” or the “Company” refer to Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. (formerly known as CENAQ Energy Corp.). References to our “management” or our “management team” refer to our officers and directors. The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

Special note regarding forward-looking statements

This Quarterly Report includes “forward-looking statements” for the purposes of federal securities laws that are not historical facts and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected and projected. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this Quarterly Report including, without limitation, statements in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” regarding the Company’s financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “expect,” “continue,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “potential,” “possible,” “may,” “focused,” “might,” “predict,” “proposed,” “project,” “should,” “would,” “will,” “estimate,” “seek” and variations and similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance, but reflect management’s current beliefs, based on information currently available. A number of factors could cause actual events, performance or results to differ materially from the events, performance and results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others, that may affect actual results or outcomes include:

● the financial and business performance of the Company;

● the ability to maintain the listing of the Class A common stock and the Verde Clean Fuels warrants on Nasdaq, and the potential liquidity and trading of such securities;

● the failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination (as defined below) that the Company consummated in February 2023, which may be affected by, among other things, competition;

● the Company’s ability to develop and operate anticipated and new projects;

● the Company’s ability to obtain financing for any current and future projects;

● the reduction or elimination of government economic incentives to the renewable energy market;

● delays in acquisition, financing, construction and development of new or anticipated projects;

● the length of development cycles for new or anticipated projects, including the design and construction processes for the Company’s projects;

● the Company’s ability to identify suitable locations for new or anticipated projects;

● the Company’s dependence on suppliers;

● existing laws and regulations and changes to laws, regulations and policies that affect the Company’s operations;

● decline in public acceptance and support of renewable energy development and projects;

● demand for renewable energy not being sustained;

● impacts of climate change, changing weather patterns and conditions, and natural disasters;

● the ability to secure necessary governmental and regulatory approvals;

● the ability to qualify for federal or state level low-carbon fuel credits or other carbon credits;

● any decline in the value of federal or state level low-carbon fuel credits or other carbon credits and the development of the carbon credit markets;

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● risks relating to the Company’s status as a development stage company with a history of net losses and no revenue;

● risks relating to the uncertainty of success, any commercial viability, or delays of the Company’s research and development efforts including any study in which the Company participates that is funded by the Department of Energy or any other governmental agency;

● disruptions in the supply chain, fluctuation in price of product inputs, and market conditions and global and economic factors beyond the Company’s control;

● the Company’s success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, its officers, key employees or directors;

● the ability of the Company to execute its business model, including market acceptance of gasoline derived from renewable feedstocks;

● litigation and the ability to adequately protect intellectual property rights;

● competition from companies with greater resources and financial strength in the industries in which the Company operates; and

● the effect of legal, tax and regulatory changes.

For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors contained in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company’s securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Overview

Formation

On July 29, 2020, Green Energy Partners, Inc. (“GEP”), formed by the Chief Executive Officer of Bluescape Clean Fuels Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Intermediate”), and an additional individual (the “Founders”), entered into an asset purchase agreement with Primus Green Energy, Inc. (“Primus”) to purchase the assets of Primus. The assets under the asset purchase agreement included a demonstration facility, a laboratory, office space and intellectual property including the patented STG+® process technology.

GEP then assigned its rights under the asset purchase agreement to a newly formed subsidiary of Intermediate. Immediately following the closing of the asset purchase agreement, the Founders sold 100% of their membership interests to BEP Clean Fuels Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“BEP”) in exchange for agreeing to make the payments under the asset purchase agreement as well as other capital contributions and a contingent payment. BEP ultimately contributed the membership interests to Intermediate. Intermediate holds the acquired assets through Bluescape Clean Fuels, LLC. Since acquiring the assets from Primus, we have developed the use and application of the technology acquired to focus on the renewable energy industry.

The Transactions

On February 15, 2023 (the “Closing Date” or “Closing”), the Company consummated a business combination (the “Business Combination”) pursuant to that certain business combination agreement, dated as of August 12, 2022 (the “Business Combination Agreement”) by and among CENAQ Energy Corp. (“CENAQ”), Verde Clean Fuels OpCo, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of CENAQ (“OpCo”), Bluescape Clean Fuels Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Holdings”), Intermediate and CENAQ Sponsor LLC (“Sponsor”). Immediately upon the completion of the Business Combination, CENAQ was renamed as Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. The Business Combination is discussed further in Note 3 in the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, (i) (A) CENAQ contributed to OpCo (1) all of its assets, excluding its interests in OpCo and the aggregate amount of cash required to satisfy any exercise by CENAQ stockholders of their redemption rights (the “Redemption Rights”), and (2) 22,500,000 shares of Class C common stock (the “Holdings Class C Shares”) and (B) in exchange therefor, OpCo issued to CENAQ a number of Class A common units of Opco (the “Class A OpCo Units”) equal to the number of total shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding immediately after the Closing taking into account the private offering of shares of Class A common stock and warrants consummated contemporaneously with the Closing (the “PIPE Financing”) and the exercise of Redemption Rights (such transactions, the “SPAC Contribution”) and (ii) immediately following the SPAC Contribution, (A) Holdings contributed to OpCo 100% of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of Intermediate and (B) in exchange therefor, OpCo transferred to Holdings (1) 22,500,000 Class C common units of OpCo (the “Class C OpCo Units”) and the Holdings Class C Shares.

The Business Combination was accounted for as a common control reverse recapitalization, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Business Combination was not a change in control of Intermediate. This determination reflects Holdings holding a majority of the voting power of Verde Clean Fuels, Intermediate’s pre-Business Combination operations being the majority post-Business Combination operations of Verde Clean Fuels, and Intermediate’s management team retaining similar roles at Verde Clean Fuels. Further, Holdings continues to have control of the Company’s Board of Directors through its majority voting rights.

Under the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805 “Business Combinations” (“ASC 805”), for transactions between entities under common control, the assets, liabilities, and noncontrolling interests of CENAQ and Intermediate are recognized at their carrying amounts on the date of the Business Combination. Under this method of accounting, CENAQ will be treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Business Combination was treated as the equivalent of Intermediate issuing stock for the net assets of CENAQ, accompanied by a recapitalization.

Subsequent to the Business Combination, the Company’s capital structure is comprised of shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A common stock”) and shares of Class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class C common stock”). Public stockholders, the Sponsor, and the investors in the PIPE Financing hold shares of Class A common stock and warrants to purchase shares of Class A common stock, and Holdings owns the Holdings Class C Shares and an equal number of Class C OpCo Units.

Our Business

We are a clean fuels company focused on the deployment of our innovative and proprietary liquid fuels processing technology through development of commercial production plants. Our synthesis gas (“syngas”)-to-gasoline plus (STG+®) process converts syngas derived from diverse feedstocks, such as natural gas or biomass, into fully finished liquid fuels that require no additional refining, such as reformulated blend-stock for oxygenate blending (“RBOB”) gasoline. Unlike many other gas-to-liquids technologies, not only can our STG+® process produce renewable gasoline from syngas, but we expect that it will be able to be applied at other production facilities to produce other end products, including methanol.  

We acquired our STG+® technology from Primus, a company established in 2007 that developed the patented STG+® technology to convert syngas into gasoline or methanol. Over $110 million has been invested in our technology, including our demonstration facility in New Jersey, which has completed over 10,500 hours of operation producing gasoline or methanol. Our demonstration facility represents the scalable nature of our operational modular commercial design which has fully integrated reactors and recycle lines and is designed with key variables, like gas velocity and catalyst bed length, at a 1-to-1 scale with our commercial design.

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We are currently pursuing opportunities to deploy our technology through development of commercial production plants to deliver scalable and cost-effective gasoline, and we believe that the availability of disadvantaged, stranded or flared natural gas in various markets coupled with the economic upside and environmental impact of this resource presents an opportunity to deploy our STG+® process in order to process such natural gas feedstock into full finished liquid fuels. We have entered into a joint development agreement (the “JDA”) with Cottonmouth Ventures LLC (“Cottonmouth”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Diamondback Energy, Inc. (“Diamondback”), for the proposed development, construction, and operation of a facility to produce commodity-grade gasoline using natural gas feedstock supplied from Diamondback’s operations in the Permian Basin. In addition to the project contemplated by the JDA with Cottonmouth, we are also evaluating other potential opportunities to deploy our technology in other producing basins with similar large quantities of disadvantaged, stranded or flared natural gas.

In addition, we have adapted the application of our STG+® technology to process various biomass feedstocks into fully finished liquid fuels, including renewable gasoline. This adaptation requires a third-party gasification system to produce acceptable syngas from renewable feedstocks. Our proprietary STG+® system converts the syngas into gasoline. We have participated in carbon lifecycle studies to validate the scoring of carbon intensity, which we define as the quantity of greenhouse gas emissions associated with producing, distributing, and consuming a fuel, per unit of fuel energy (“CI”) and reduced lifecycle emissions (the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production, distribution, and consumption of a fuel) of our renewable gasoline as well as fuel, blending and engine testing to validate the specification and performance of our gasoline product. Our carbon intensity score is based on an analysis styled after the Department of Energy’s Greenhouse gases Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies life-cycle analysis. We believe our renewable gasoline, when paired with carbon capture and sequestration, exhibits a significant lifecycle carbon emissions reduction compared to traditional petroleum-based gasoline. As a result, we believe our gasoline produced from renewable feedstock, such as biomass, will qualify under the federal renewable fuel standard (“RFS”) program for the D3 renewable identification number, which could have significant value. Similarly, gasoline produced from our process may also qualify for various state carbon programs, including California’s low carbon fuel standard. In addition to our initial focus on the production of renewable gasoline, we believe that there is opportunity to continue to develop additional process technology to produce middle distillates including lower-carbon diesel and aviation fuel. As with other government programs, the use requirements of the RFS program and other similar state-level programs are subject to change, which could materially harm our business strategy as well as any ability to operate profitably.

As of September 30,2024, we are still in the process of developing our first commercial production facility and have not derived revenue from our principal business activities.

“Clean” or “lower-carbon” as used in relation to our products refers to the lower CI, lower lifecycle emissions, and lower quantity of greenhouse gas emissions resulting directly from fuel combustion, relative to conventional gasoline derived from petroleum. “Renewable” as used in relation to our products refers to energy or fuel derived from biomass feedstock.

Key Factors Affecting Our Prospects and Future Results

We believe that our performance and future success depend on a number of factors that present significant opportunities for us but also pose risks and challenges, including competition from other carbon-based and other non-carbon-based fuel producers, changes to existing federal and state level low-carbon fuel credit systems, and other factors discussed under the section titled “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report. We believe the factors described below are key to our success.

Commencing and Expanding Commercial Operations

Concurrent with the Business Combination, Diamondback through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Cottonmouth, made a $20 million equity investment in Verde and entered into an equity participation right agreement pursuant to which Verde must grant Cottonmouth the right to participate and jointly develop facilities in the Permian Basin utilizing Verde’s STG+® technology for the production of gasoline derived from economically disadvantaged natural gas feedstocks. Diamondback is an independent oil and natural gas company headquartered in Midland, Texas, focused on the acquisition, development, exploration and exploitation of unconventional, onshore oil and natural gas reserves in the Permian Basin in West Texas. The production of gasoline from natural gas sourced from the Permian Basin is designed to allow Diamondback to mitigate the flaring of natural gas while also producing a high-margin product from natural gas streams that are subject to being price disadvantaged compared to other natural gas basins.

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On February 6, 2024, Verde and Cottonmouth entered into the JDA, which provides a pathway forward for the parties to reach final definitive documents and final investment decision (“FID”). The JDA frames the contracts contemplated to be entered into between the parties, including an operating agreement, ground lease agreement, construction agreement, license agreement and financing agreements as well as conditions precedent to close such as FID. The expectation for the project is to produce approximately 3,000 barrels per day of fully-refined gasoline utilizing Verde’s patented STG+® process. We expect that the proposed facility, which is to be located in Martin County, Texas in the heart of the Permian Basin, could serve as a template for additional natural gas-to-gasoline projects throughout the Permian Basin and other pipeline-constrained basins in the U.S., as well as addressing flared or stranded natural gas opportunities internationally.

On June 4, 2024, we announced the selection of Chemex Global, LLC (“Chemex”) as the contractor to spearhead the pre-front-end engineering and design (“FEED”) phase of the project contemplated by the JDA. With the selection of Chemex, FEED work commenced and is expected to be completed in mid-2025. In connection with entering into the JDA and the commencement of FEED, we began to incur development costs with respect to the project. Under the terms of the JDA, 65% of the approved development costs that we incur (which includes the FEED costs) are reimbursed by Cottonmouth. Upon FEED completion and reaching FID, it is anticipated that engineering, procurement and construction work will then commence, with the goal to complete construction in 2027.

In August 2023, we announced a non-binding carbon dioxide management agreement (the “CDMA”) with Carbon TerraVault JV HoldCo, LLC, a carbon management partnership focused on carbon capture and sequestration development formed between Carbon TerraVault, a subsidiary of California Resources Corporation (“CRC”), and Brookfield Renewable Partners. The CDMA was subsequently amended in December 2023 to extend the term to the earlier of entry into a binding, definitive agreement or December 31, 2024. Under the terms of the non-binding CDMA, we would construct a new renewable gasoline production facility at CRC’s existing Net Zero Industrial Park in Kern County, California, to capture carbon dioxide and produce renewable gasoline from biomass and other agricultural waste feedstock to help support the further decarbonization of California’s economy and its transportation sector. It is anticipated that the project could produce up to 7 million gallons per year of renewable gasoline for use as transportation fuel.

In addition to the above, we have additional potential production facility development opportunities in early-stage due diligence. We have identified opportunities to produce gasoline from natural gas in other pipeline-constrained production areas as well as opportunities to produce renewable gasoline from biomass in locations with access to suitable feedstock, carbon sequestration, and markets. We believe the number of identified and planned potential production facilities bodes well for our potential growth.

Successful Implementation of the first commercial facility

A critical step in our business strategy will be the successful construction and operation of the first commercial production facility using our patented STG+® technology. We believe that the first commercial production facility could be operational as early as 2027.

Protection and continuous development of our patented technology

Our ability to compete successfully will depend on our ability to protect, commercialize and further develop our proprietary process technology and commercial facilities in a timely manner, and in a manner technologically superior to and/or are less expensive than competing processes.

Key Components of Results of Operations

We are an early-stage company with no revenues, and our historical results may not be indicative of our future results. Accordingly, the drivers of any future financial results, as well as any components thereof, may not be comparable to our historical or future results of operations.

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Revenue

We have not generated any revenue to date. We expect to generate a significant portion of our future revenue from the sale of renewable RBOB grade gasoline or gasoline derived from natural gas primarily in markets with federal and state level low-carbon fuel credit systems.

Expenses

General and Administrative Expense

General and administrative expenses consist of compensation costs including salaries, benefits and share-based compensation expense, for personnel in executive, finance, accounting and other administrative functions. General and administrative expenses also include legal fees, professional fees paid for accounting, auditing and consulting services, and insurance costs. Following the Business Combination, we incurred and expect to continue to incur higher general and administrative expenses for public company costs such as compliance with the regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the Nasdaq Capital Market.

Research and Development Expense

Our research and development (“R&D”) expenses consist primarily of internal and external expenses incurred in connection with our R&D activities. These expenses include labor directly performed on our projects and fees paid to third parties working on and testing specific aspects of our STG+® design and gasoline product output. R&D costs are expensed as incurred. We expect R&D expenses to grow as we continue to develop the STG+® technology and develop market and strategic relationships with other businesses.

Contingent consideration

Prior to the Business Combination, we had an arrangement payable to our Chief Executive Officer and a consultant whereby a contingent payment would become payable if certain return on investment hurdles were met within five years of an asset purchase arrangement. The contingent consideration was forfeited in connection with the Closing of the Business Combination.

Other Income

Other income primarily consists of interest and dividend income earned on our cash and cash equivalents balances.

Income Tax Effects

We hold 29.80% of the economic interest in OpCo, which is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a partnership, OpCo generally is not subject to U.S. federal income tax under current U.S. tax laws. We are subject to U.S. federal income taxes, in addition to state and local income taxes, with respect to our distributive share of the net taxable income (loss) and any related tax credits of OpCo.

Intermediate was historically and remains a disregarded subsidiary of a partnership for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. As a direct result of the Business Combination, OpCo became the sole member of Intermediate. As such, OpCo’s distributive share of any net taxable income or loss and any related tax credits of Intermediate are then distributed to us.

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Results of Operations

Comparison of the three months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023
General and administrative expenses	$	2,693,490		$	2,511,176
Research and development expenses		91,303			78,314
Total operating loss		2,784,793			2,589,490
Other (income)		(291,385	)		(144,004	)
Interest expense		-			67,430
Loss before income taxes		2,493,408			2,512,916
Income tax (benefit)		-			119,186
Net loss	$	2,493,408		$	2,632,102

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses increased approximately $0.2 million, or 7%, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to higher salaries and benefits of $0.2 million as a result of an increase in headcount.

Research and Development

R&D expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2024 were consistent with the same period in 2023.

Other Income

Other income increased approximately $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to higher interest and dividend income earned from our money market investment, which was approximately $19.9 million as of September 30, 2024.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased approximately $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to our former land lease in Maricopa, Arizona, which was classified as a finance lease until the third quarter of 2023, at which time the lease was modified and reclassified to an operating lease. The lease was exited on December 31, 2023. See Note 5 in the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements for further information.

Income Taxes

There was no provision for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2024 due to a full valuation allowance that was recorded as of September 30, 2023, and maintained as of September 30, 2024. The income tax provision for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was due to changes in estimate related to our 2022 tax obligation. 

Comparison of the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023
General and administrative expenses	$	8,471,640		$	9,234,697
Contingent consideration		-			(1,299,000	)
Research and development expenses		350,158			246,788
Total operating loss		8,821,798			8,182,485
Other (income)		(953,721	)		(238,891	)
Interest expense		-			236,699
Loss before income taxes		7,868,077			8,180,293
Income tax (benefit)		(13,866	)		119,186
Net loss	$	7,854,211		$	8,299,479

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General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses decreased approximately $0.8 million, or 8%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease was primarily due to $2.1 million of unit-based compensation expense recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 associated with the accelerated vesting of all the outstanding series A incentive units and Founder incentive units as a result of the Business Combination. The decrease was partially offset by higher salaries and benefits expense of $0.6 million attributable to an increase in headcount, higher professional fees of $0.5 million and higher share-based compensation expense of $0.4 million associated with restricted stock units granted in April 2023 and stock options granted in April 2023 and May 2024.

Contingent Consideration

The $1.3 million change in contingent consideration for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 reflects the reversal during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 of the remaining accrual made by Holdings for certain contingent payments due to a contractual forfeiture of the payments following the close of the Business Combination on February 15, 2023. See Note 2 in the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements for further information.

Research and Development

R&D expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 increased approximately $0.1 million, or 42% compared to the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily due to higher salaries and benefits expense attributable to an increase in headcount.

Other Income

Other income increased approximately $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to higher interest and dividend income earned from our money market investment.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased approximately $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to our former land lease in Maricopa, Arizona, which was classified as a finance lease until the third quarter of 2023, at which time the lease was modified and reclassified to an operating lease. The lease was exited on December 31, 2023.

Income Taxes

The income tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 consisted of a refund received in connection with a previously paid income tax penalty. The income tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was due to changes in estimate related to our 2022 tax obligation. 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

As of September 30, 2024, we are still in the process of developing our first commercial production facility and have not derived revenue from our principal business activities. We do not expect to generate any meaningful revenue unless and until we are able to commercialize our first production facility. Since inception, we have incurred operating losses and generated negative operating cash flows primarily attributable to our ongoing general and administrative expenses and R&D activities.

We measure liquidity in terms of our ability to fund the cash requirements of our development activities and our near-term business operations, including our contractual obligations and other commitments. Our current liquidity needs primarily involve general and administrative expenses and R&D activities for the ongoing development of our first commercial production facility. In connection with entering into the JDA with Cottonmouth, a subsidiary of Diamondback, we have begun to incur development costs with respect to the project, prior to reaching FID and entering into final definitive agreements, irrespective of whether these events occur. We plan to invest approximately $3 million, net of the reimbursement from Cottonmouth, for FEED costs in support of the Permian Basin natural gas-to-gasoline facility.

As of September 30, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $21.7 million. We expect that our current cash would be sufficient to continue funding ongoing general and administrative expenses and R&D activities prior to reaching FID for our first commercial production facility and for at least the next 12 months. We further expect that additional capital will be required, either in the form of equity or project finance, in order to continue development and construction of a commercial production facility.

Summary Statement of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023

The following table sets forth the primary sources and uses of cash and cash equivalents for the periods presented below:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023
Net cash used in operating activities	$	(6,655,262	)	$	(6,793,768	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(450,764	)		(2,723	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		-			37,495,502
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	(7,106,026	)	$	30,699,011

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Cash Flows Used in Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities decreased $0.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease was primarily due to an increase in interest and dividend income and a decrease in cash paid for D&O insurance, mostly offset by higher operating expenses, including salaries and benefits and professional fees.

Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities increased $0.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to development costs incurred in connection with the JDA upon commencement of the FEED in June 2024, partially offset by cash reimbursements for such capital expenditures received from Cottonmouth. See Notes 6 and 11 in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further information.

Cash Flows Provided by Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was zero for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $37.5 million for the same period in 2023. Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 consisted of the net proceeds received from the Closing of the Business Combination and PIPE Financing. Following the Business Combination and the Closing of the PIPE Financing, we received approximately $37.3 million in cash, net of approximately $10.0 million of transaction expenses and the repayment of approximately $3.8 million of capital contributions made by Bluescape Clean Fuels Holdings, LLC since December 2021. The gross amount, before expenses, was composed of approximately $19.0 million release from CENAQ’s Trust Account, after payment of approximately $158.8 million to public stockholders who exercised redemption rights (representing a redemption rate of approximately 89.3%), and $32.0 million of proceeds from the PIPE Financing. We also received $0.1 million from the CENAQ operating account.

Commitments and Contractual Obligations

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 30, 2024, we have not engaged in any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in the rules and regulations of the SEC.

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our unaudited consolidated financial statements are based on the selection and application of significant accounting policies. The preparation of unaudited consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses and allocated charges during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. However, we are not currently aware of any reasonably likely events or circumstances that would result in materially different results.

We describe our significant accounting policies in Note 3 – Significant Accounting Policies, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in our 2023 Form 10-K. We discuss our critical accounting policies and estimates in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations in our 2023 Form 10-K.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 in the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements for information regarding recent accounting pronouncements.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information otherwise required under this item.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. Based on that evaluation, as of September 30, 2024, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act that occurred during the period covered by this Quarterly Report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 

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PART II OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we and our subsidiaries may be parties to legal proceedings arising in the normal course of our business. We and our subsidiaries are currently not a party, nor is our property subject, to any material pending legal proceedings. Regardless of outcome, such proceedings or claims can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of resources and other factors and there can be no assurances that favorable outcomes will be obtained.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on March 28, 2024. Any of these factors could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Additional risk factors not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business or results of operations.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Not applicable.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION  

None.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number	Description
10.1	Employment Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2024 by and between Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. and George W. Burdette III (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 1, 2024).
31.1	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a), as adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a), as adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS	Inline XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

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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.

November 13, 2024	VERDE CLEAN FUELS, INC.
	By:	/s/ Ernest Miller
		Name:	Ernest Miller
		Title:	Chief Executive Office
			(Principal Executive Officer)

November 13, 2024
	By:	/s/ George Burdette
		Name:	George Burdette
		Title:	Chief Financial Officer
			(Principal Financial Officer)

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