Employees |
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We had a total of thirty-five employees on December 31, 2006. As of March 10, 2007, the Company had increased the number of employees to sixty-two. Twenty-three of the new employees were added to our rapidly expanding rig operations segment. |
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Available Information |
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We file annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission using SEC's EDGAR system. The SEC maintains a site on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding us and other registrants that file reports electronically with the SEC. You may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at its Public Reference Room at 450 5th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Our common stock is listed on the American Stock Exchange, under the symbol TIV. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about their public reference rooms. Our website is located at http://www.tri-valleycorp.com. |
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We furnish our shareholders with a copy of our annual report on Form 10-K, which contains audited financial statements, and such other reports as we, from time to time, deem appropriate or as may be required by law. We use the calendar year as our fiscal year. |
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ITEM 1A Risk Factors |
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In addition to the other information contained in this Form 10-K, the following risk factors should be considered in evaluating our business. |
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Risks Involved in Oil and Gas Operations |
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Our success depends heavily on market conditions and prices for oil and gas. |
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Our success depends heavily upon our ability to market oil and gas production at favorable prices. In recent decades, there have been both periods of worldwide overproduction and underproduction of hydrocarbons and periods of increased and relaxed energy conservation efforts. As a result the world has experienced periods of excess supply of, and reduced demand for, crude oil on a worldwide basis and for natural gas on a domestic basis; these periods have been followed by periods of short supply of, and increased demand for, crude oil and to a lesser extent, natural gas. The excess or short supply of oil and gas has placed pressures on prices and has resulted in dramatic price fluctuations. |
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Estimating oil and gas reserves leads to uncertain results and thus our estimates of value of those reserves could be incorrect. |
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While the Company has always had its holdings annually estimated by a qualified, independent engineering firm, the process of estimating oil and gas reserves is complex, requiring significant decisions and assumptions in the evaluation of available geological, geophysical, engineering and economic data for each reservoir. As a result, such estimates are inherently imprecise. Actual future production, oil and gas prices, revenues, taxes, development expenditures, operating expenses and quantities of recoverable oil and gas reserves may vary substantially from those estimated in reserve reports that we periodically obtain from independent reserve engineers. |
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Any significant variance in these assumptions could materially change the estimated quantities and present value of our reserves. In addition, our proved reserves may be subject to downward or upward revision based upon production history, results of future exploration and development, prevailing oil and gas prices and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Actual production, revenues, taxes, development expenditures and operating expenses with respect to our reserves will likely vary from the estimates used, and such variances may be material. |
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Continued production of oil and gas depends on our ability to find or acquire additional reserves, which we may not be able to accomplish. |
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In general, the volume of production from oil and gas properties declines as reserves are produced. Except to the |
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extent that we acquire properties containing proved reserves or conduct successful development and exploitation activities, or both, our proved reserves will decline as reserves are produced. Our future oil and gas production is, therefore, highly dependent upon our ability to find or acquire additional reserves. The business of acquiring, enhancing or developing reserves is capital intensive. We require cash flow from operations as well as outside investments to fund our acquisition and development activities. If our cash flow from operations is reduced and external sources of capital become limited or unavailable, our ability to make the necessary capital investment to maintain or expand our asset base of oil and gas reserves would be impaired. |
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The unavailability or high cost of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies, personnel and oil field services could adversely affect our ability to execute our exploration and development plans on a timely basis and within our budget. |
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Our industry is cyclical and, from time to time, there is a shortage of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies or qualified personnel. During these periods, the costs and delivery times of rigs, equipment and supplies are substantially greater. In addition, the demand for, and wage rates of, qualified drilling rig crews rise as the number of active rigs in service increases. As a result of increasing levels of exploration and production in response to strong prices of oil and natural gas, the demand for oilfield services has risen, and the costs of these services are increasing, while the quality of these services may suffer. The unavailability or high cost of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies or qualified personnel has become particularly severe in California and has materially and adversely affected us because our operations and properties are concentrated in those areas. However, in late 2005, the Company acquired six production rigs and is currently in the process of converti ng four into rigs that can also drill. The Company has also acquired one medium deep drilling rig. |
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Our oil and gas reserves are concentrated in California. |
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Because we are not diversified geographically, local conditions may have a greater effect on us than on other companies. Substantially all of our oil and gas reserves are located in California. Because our reserves are not diversified geographically, our business is more subject to local conditions than other, more diversified companies. |
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Oil and gas drilling and production activities are subject to numerous mechanical and environmental risks that could cause less production. |
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These risks include the risk that no commercially productive oil or gas reservoirs will be encountered, that operations may be curtailed, delayed or canceled and that title problems, weather conditions, compliance with governmental requirements, mechanical difficulties or shortages or delays in the delivery of drilling rigs and other equipment may limit our ability to develop, produce or market our reserves. New wells we drill may not be productive and we may not recover all or any portion of our investment in the well. |
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Drilling for oil and gas may involve unprofitable efforts, not only from dry wells but also from wells that are productive but do not produce sufficient net revenues to return a profit after drilling, operating and other costs. In addition, our properties may be susceptible to hydrocarbon drainage from production by other operators on adjacent properties. |
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Industry operating risks include the risks of fire, explosions, blow-outs, pipe failure, abnormally pressured formation and environmental hazards, such as oil spills, natural gas leaks, ruptures or discharges of toxic gases, the occurrence of any of which could result in substantial losses due to injury or loss of life, severe damage, clean-up responsibilities, regulatory investigation and penalties and suspension of operations. In accordance with customary industry practice, we maintain insurance against these kinds of risks, but our level of insurance may not cover all losses in the event of a drilling or production catastrophe. Insurance is not available for all operational risks, such as risks that we will drill a dry hole, fail in an attempt to complete a well or have problems maintaining production from existing wells. |
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Oil and gas activities can result in liability under federal, state, and local environmental regulations for activities involving among other things, water pollution and hazardous waste transport, storage and disposal. Such liability can attach not only to the operator of record of the well, but also to other parties that may be deemed to be current or prior operators or owners of the wells or the equipment involved. Environmental laws could subject us to liabilities for environmental damages even where we are not the operator who caused the environmental damage. |
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- discuss our future expectations; |
- contain projections of our future results of operations or of our financial condition; and |
- state other "forward-looking" information. |
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We believe it is important to communicate our expectations. However, there may be events in the future that we are not able to accurately predict and/or over which we have no control. The risk factors listed in this section, other risk factors about which we may not be aware, as well as any cautionary language in this prospectus, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our forward-looking statements. You should be aware that the occurrence of the events described in these risk factors could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. |
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If we are unable to obtain additional funding our business operations will be harmed. |
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We believe that our current cash position and estimated 2007 cash from operations will be sufficient to meet our current estimated operating and general and administrative expenses and capital expenditures through the end of fiscal year 2007; however, the Company will require additional funding to complete our aggressive drilling activities. Although we have always been successful in the past attracting sufficient capital and have sufficient capital for 2007 operations, we do not know if additional financing will be available when needed, or if it is available, if it will be available on acceptable terms. Insufficient funds may prevent or limit us from implementing our full business strategy. |
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The departure of any of our key personnel would slow our operation until we could fill the position again. |
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Our success will depend in large part on the continued services of our president and chief executive officer, F. Lynn Blystone. Our employment agreement with Mr. Blystone ended at the end of 2006 and is awaiting formal extension through December 31, 2007 by the Board of Directors. On March 3, 2007, the Board elected Mr. Blystone to the additional post of Chairman. The loss of his services would be particularly detrimental to us because of his background and experience in the oil and gas industry. We carry key man insurance of $500,000 on Mr. Blystone's life. |
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We also consider our chief administrative officer, Thomas J. Cunningham, and the president of our TVOG subsidiary, Joseph R. Kandle, to be key employees whose loss would be detrimental to us because of their oil and gas industry experience. We do not have employment contracts with either Mr. Cunningham or Mr. Kandle. We carry key man life insurance of $1,000,000 on Mr. Kandle, and no key man insurance on Mr. Cunningham. |
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We consider the president of our mining subsidiary, Dr. Henry J. Sandri, to also be a key employee. We have no employment contract in place but carry a key man life insurance policy of $1,000,000. |
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ITEM 2 Properties |
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Our headquarters and administrative offices are located at 4550 California Avenue, Suite 600, Bakersfield, California 93309. We lease approximately 10,300 square feet of office space at that location. Our principal properties consist of proven and unproven oil and gas properties, mining claims on unproven precious metals properties, maps and geologic records related to prospective oil and gas and unproven precious metal properties, office and other equipment. TVOG has a worldwide geologic library with data on every continent except Antarctica including over 700 leads and prospects in California, our present area of emphasis, along with more than 20,000 line miles of digitized 2-D seismic, the workhorse of the majority of the seismic in California. |
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Oil and Gas Operations |
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In 2005, Tri-Valley acquired several oil and gas properties and transferred them to the Opus-I Partnership for development. Tri-Valley receives a 25% carried working interest in the initial wells drilled on these properties and will pay its 25% pro rata share of subsequent development drilling and operations on the properties. |
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The Temblor Valley property in Kern County consists of two producing oil properties, one in the South Belridge Oil Field contains 50 wells, 25 producing, 24 idle and 1 injector well. The other property is in the Edison Oil Field and consists of 7 wells, 3 producing, 3 idle and 1 injector well. During 2006, we drilled two additional wells in South Belridge, the Lundin-Weber D-352-30 and the Lundin-Weber D-540-30. Our plan for 2007 is to return 15 idle wells in South Belridge to production and drill additional wells this year. |
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In September 2006, TVOG, as operator for the Opus partnership, completed and fraced the Lundin-Weber D-352-30 with 500,000 pounds of sand in a three stage frac in the South Belridge field. We are still evaluating the frac job in the diatomite zone. We are planning on steam stimulating the fractures themselves. |
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In December 2006, the Lundin-Weber D-540-30 was drilled and completed in the diatomite zone. The well is currently waiting on the steam results from the Lundin-Weber D-352 and will be steam stimulated following those results. |
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Another property is in Ventura County and is comprised of three leases in the Oxnard Oil Field. This is referred to as the Pleasant Valley property. During 2007, the Company plans to drill and core a vertical Vaca well followed by plugging back and then drilling the same well bore horizontally 1,000 feet into the Vaca zone. Depending on the results, other wells may be drilled horizontally |
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The Company purchased, for its own account, approximately 6,670 acres of mineral rights, which basically covers what was the Chowchilla Ranch Gas Field in Madera County, California. This land position is held by a single producing gas well at this time. Tri-Valley believes this land position to be very under developed and under exploited and plans to re-enter, recomplete and further infill drill the leasehold position. Tri-Valley has also leased an approximate additional 7,500 acres offsetting the 6,670 acre Chowchilla property. |
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In 2005, the Company successfully hydraulically fractured the Ekho #1 well in the Vedder Zone of completion in the interval between 18,018' and 18,525' injecting approximately 5,000 barrels of fluid, which carried approximately 118,000-pounds of bauxite propping material. While very successful mechanically, the operation did not result in the well producing hydrocarbons at commercial rates. This well still has multiple targets to evaluate further up the hole. The Company has been reviewing the resulting data from the fracturing operation both internally and with outside firms as it believes the potential reserve of the Vedder Zone deserves that degree of attention. We have not made a final decision yet concerning the next course of action pending a joint study by Tri-Valley and a worldwide scientific research firm it retained in December 2006. |
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Also in 2005, the Company successfully hydraulically fractured a 1,000' portion of the 3,000' horizontal portion of the well bore in the Sunrise-Mayel #2H Redrill #2 well in the Sunrise Natural Gas Project in Delano, California. The well was hydraulically fractured utilizing gelled diesel, which carried in approximately 138,000 pounds of sand. Again, while mechanically successful, the operation did not result in the well producing hydrocarbons at commercial rates. As with the Ekho Project, the Company continues to review all available techniques to bring the Sunrise Project potential to commercial realization because of the volume of natural gas in place in the tight reservoir. The Sunrise project is included in the joint study with the scientific research organization. The Company believes the tight McClure Shale which hosts an estimated 3 TCF of gas in the mapped area of closure can ultimately be stimulated to release a portion of the gas in place at commercial rates once th e right method is identified. |
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During 2006, the Company acquired several oil properties. Below is a description of the properties, which were acquired 100% by Tri-Valley. |
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The C & L/Crofton & Coffee lease consisting of ten wells, which are all idle. The Claflin lease consisting of eight wells which are all idle and the SP/Chevron lease consisting of six idle wells. The Company plans to return the idle wells in all three fields to production during 2007. |
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Also, the Company holds approximately 17,000 acres in Nevada, all chosen from proprietary data as prospective for oil and gas exploration. |
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We hold interests in other properties outside of the Opus Partnership. We have producing interests in gas fields in the Sacramento Valley of Northern California including the Rio Vista and Dutch Slough Gas Fields. |
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The trend of demand outstripping available supplies continues and has become more acute in the last year both worldwide and particularly in California which is currently importing nearly 60% of its oil and nearly 90% of its natural gas. This is all reflected in the extreme spiraling up price trend in the last year. While the Company expects occasional dips in the oil price, barring catastrophic terrorist or natural disaster, the Company believes the overall long-term price trend is up. |
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We no longer contract for the drilling of the majority of our wells, since we now have our own fleet of production and drill rigs, we do not own any bulk storage facilities or refineries. We own a small segment of a pipeline in Tracy, California. To counter the mounting shortage of production and drilling rigs, we are assembling a fleet to service our wells and contract out when not in use. |
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We have retained the services of Cecil Engineering, an independent engineer qualified to estimate our net share of proved developed oil and gas reserves on all of our oil and gas properties at December 31, 2006 for SEC filing. We do not include any undeveloped reserves in these reserve studies. Only proved developed reserves are listed in our reserve report. Price is a material factor in our stated reserves, because higher prices permit relatively higher-cost reserves to be produced economically. Higher prices generally permit longer recovery, hence larger reserves at higher values. Conversely, lower prices generally limit recovery to lower-cost reserves, hence smaller reserves. The process of estimating oil and gas reserve quantities is inherently imprecise. Ascribing monetary values to those reserves, therefore, yields imprecise estimated data at best. |
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Our estimated future net recoverable oil and gas reserves from proved developed properties as of December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 were as follows: |
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No cash dividends have been declared. |
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ITEM 7 Management's Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition |
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Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements |
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This report contains forward-looking statements. The words, "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "plan," "intend," "estimate," "project," "could," "may," "foresee," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include information regarding expected development of the Company's business, lending activities, relationship with customers, and development in the oil and gas industry. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially and adversely from those anticipated, believed, estimated or otherwise indicated. |
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Overview |
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Thanks to the acquisition of producing properties, TVOG's production and reserves are increasing while demand increases. While the trend for demand to outstrip available supplies is worldwide as well as national, we believe that it is particularly acute in California, our primary venue for exploration and production, which imports nearly 60% of its oil and nearly 90% of its natural gas demand. Oil prices tend to be set based on supply and demand, while natural gas prices seem to be more dependent on local conditions. We expect that gas prices will hold steady or possibly increase over this year. If, however, prices should fall, for instance due to new regulatory measures or the discovery of new and easily producible reserves or a terrorist attack that would reduce flying and traveling to create a temporary glut from reduced fuel use, our revenue from oil and gas sales would also fall. |
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In 2002 we created a limited partnership called the OPUS-I. The purpose of this partnership is to raise one hundred million dollars by selling partnership interests. For the year ended December 31, 2006, OPUS I partnership raised $4,637,900 and spent $4,981,625 primarily on the purchase of the Moffat East Ranch prospect; on drilling the Belridge-Carneros workover; the Lundin-Weber 352 turnkey and completion; and the Lundin-Weber 540 turnkey |
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and completion |
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At the end of 2005, with the acquisition of Pleasant Valley, Temblor Valley and Moffat Ranch East on behalf of the partnership, it was determined to end the raising of funds for the remainder of exploration plays in favor of capitalizing development of the properties to build production and revenue to achieve a high multiple return to Opus investors rather than continue further exploration risk for the Opus I partners. A new partnership is envisioned for further exploration. |
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We continue grading and prioritizing our proprietary geologic library, which contains over 700 California leads and prospects, for exploratory drilling. We use our library and our seismic database and other geoscientific data to decide where we should seek oil and gas leases for future exploration. From this library we were able to put together many of the prospects currently in OPUS-I. Of course, we cannot be sure that any future prospect can be obtained at an attractive lease price or that any exploration efforts would result in a commercially successful well. |
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We believe that we have acquired an inventory of under explored/under-exploited properties with the potential to yield a multiple return on investment with further development. We believe our existing inventory of projects bears a high enough ratio of potentially successful to unsuccessful projects to deliver value to our drilling partners and our shareholders from successful wells, in excess of the total costs of all successful and unsuccessful projects. Our future results will depend on our success in finding new reserves and commercial production, and there can be no assurance what revenue we can ultimately expect from any new discoveries. We do not engage in hedging activities and does not use commodity futures or forward contracts for cash management functions. |
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Critical Accounting Policies |
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We prepare Consolidated Financial Statements for inclusion in this Report in accordance with accounting principles that are generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements (contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report) contains a comprehensive discussion of our significant accounting policies. Critical accounting policies are those that may have a material impact on our financial statements and also require management to exercise significant judgment due to a high degree of uncertainty at the time the estimate is made. Our senior management has discussed the development and selection of our accounting policies, related accounting estimates and disclosures with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. |
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Successful Efforts Method of Accounting |
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We utilize the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and gas activities as opposed to the alternate acceptable full cost method. In general, we believe that, during periods of active exploration, net assets and net income are more conservatively measured under the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and gas producing activities than under the full cost method. The critical difference between the successful efforts method of accounting and the full cost method of accounting is as follows: Under the successful efforts method, exploratory dry holes and geological and geophysical exploration costs are charged against earnings during the periods in which they occur; whereas, under the full cost method of accounting, such costs and expenses are capitalized as assets, pooled with the costs of successful wells and charged against the earnings of future periods as a component of depletion expense. |
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Use of Estimates |
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Preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements under GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and some narrative disclosures. The estimates that are most critical to our Consolidated Financial Statements involve oil and gas reserves, recoverability and impairment of reserves, and useful lives of assets. |
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Oil and Gas Reserves. Estimates of our proved oil and gas reserves included in this report are prepared in accordance with GAAP and SEC guidelines and were based on evaluations audited by independent petroleum engineers with respect to our major properties. The accuracy of a reserve report estimate is a function of: |
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- The quality and quantity of available data; |
- The interpretation of that data; |
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- The accuracy of various mandated economic assumptions; and |
- The judgment of the persons preparing the estimate. |
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Because these estimates depend on many assumptions, all of which may substantially differ from future actual results, reserve estimates will be different from the quantities of oil and gas that are ultimately recovered. In addition, results of drilling, testing and production after the date of an estimate may justify material revisions to the estimate. |
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In 2006, our proved, developed gas reserve estimates were revised upward by approximately 93,596 million cubic feet. These upward revisions were the result of increasing the potential future recoverable reserves to approximately 787,017 million cubic feet. Also in 2006, our proved oil reserves estimated were increased by approximately 125,413 barrels of oil due to acquisitions of oil properties and were revised downward by a total of approximately 61,391 barrels of oil. The net result was increasing the potential future recoverable reserve by 57,422 barrels of oil to approximately 275,452 barrels of oil. |
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It should not be assumed that the present value of future net cash flows included in this Report as of December 31, 2006 is the current market value of our estimated proved reserves. In accordance with SEC requirements, we have based the estimated present value of future net cash flows from proved reserves on prices and costs on the date of the estimate. Actual future prices and cost may be materially higher or lower than the prices and costs as of the date of the estimate. |
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Estimates of proved reserves materially impact depletion expense. If the estimates of proved reserves decline, the rate at which we record depletion expense will increase, reducing future net income. Such a decline may result from lower market prices, which may make it uneconomic to drill for and produce higher cost fields. In addition, a decline in proved reserve estimates may impact the outcome of our assessment of its oil and gas producing properties for impairment. |
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Impairment of Proved Oil and Gas Properties. We review our long-lived proved properties, consisting of oil and gas reserves, at least annually and record impairments to those properties, whenever management determines that events or circumstances indicate that the recorded carrying value of the properties may not be recoverable. Proved oil and gas properties are reviewed for impairment by depletable field pool, which is the lowest level at which depletion of proved properties are calculated. Management assesses whether or not an impairment provision is necessary based upon its outlook of future commodity prices and net cash flows that may be generated by the properties. We determine that a property is impaired when prices being paid for oil or gas make it no longer profitable to drill on, or to continue production on, that property. Price increases over the past three years have reduced the instances where impairment of reserves appeared to be required, though we did re cord impairment expense of $459,243 in 2006 as a result of reducing potential future recoverable reserves. |
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Additional production data indicated the initial reserve estimates would not be achievable, so we reduced reserves accordingly. If petroleum prices, particularly natural gas prices, in Northern California begin to fall in the future, more of our proved developed reserves could become impaired, which would reduce our estimates of future revenue, our proved reserve estimates and our profitability. |
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Asset Retirement Obligations. We adopted SFAS No. 143,"Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations" effective January 1, 2003. Under this guidance, management is required to make judgments based on historical experience and future expectations regarding the future abandonment cost of its oil and gas properties and equipment as well as an estimate of the discount rate to be used in order to bring the estimated future cost to a present value. The discount rate is based on the risk free interest rate which is adjusted for our credit worthiness. The adjusted risk free rate is then applied to the estimated abandonment costs to arrive at the obligation existing at the end of the period under review. We review our estimate of the future obligation quarterly and accrue the estimated obligation based on the above. |
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Stock-Based Compensation. We adopted SFAS No. 123(R) to account for our stock option plan beginning January 1, 2006. This standard requires us to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The modified prospective method was selected as described in SFAS 148,Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure. Under this method, we recognize stock option compensation expense as if we had applied the fair value method to account |
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for unvested stock options from the original effective date. Stock option compensation expense is recognized from the date of grant to the vesting date. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model that uses the following assumptions. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of our stock. We use historical data to estimate option exercises and employee terminations within the valuation model. The expected term of options granted is based on historical exercise behavior and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding; The risk free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on U.S. Treasury rates in effect at the time of grant. |
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Other Significant Accounting Policies |
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In addition to those significant accounting policies described in Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we have adopted the following accounting policies which may require the use of estimates. |
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Intangible Assets |
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Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowances. We maintain a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets, which result from net operating losses and statutory depletion carryforwards from prior years. SFAS 109 requires that the Company continually assess both positive and negative evidence to determine whether it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets can be realized prior to their expiration. As of December 31, 2006, the Company has concluded that it is more likely than not that it will not realize its gross deferred tax asset position after giving consideration to relevant facts and circumstances. See Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. |
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We will continue to monitor company-specific, oil and gas industry economic factors and will reassess the likelihood that the Company's net operating loss and statutory depletion carryforwards will be utilized prior to their expiration. |
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Commitments and contingencies. We make judgments and estimates regarding possible liabilities for litigation and environmental remediation. We have no ongoing litigation. We routinely have clean-up and maintenance obligations in connection with oil and gas drilling and production activities, but we have never had a material environmental liability or claim. Actual costs can vary from such estimates for a variety of reasons. Environmental remediation liabilities are subject to change because of changes in laws and regulations; additional information obtained relating to the extent and nature of site contamination and improvements in technology. Under GAAP, a liability is recorded for these types of contingencies if the Company determines the loss to be both probable and reasonably estimated. See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Company's commitments a nd contingencies. |
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Goodwill. We evaluate goodwill at least annually in December. At December 31, 2006, goodwill, which consists of purchased assets of our subsidiary, TVOG, constituted less than 1% of our total assets. The Company has adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" (SFAS 142). Under SFAS 142, goodwill is a non-amortizable asset, and is subject to a periodic review for impairment. |
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The following is a discussion of the Company's most critical accounting estimates, judgments and uncertainties that are inherent in the Company's application of GAAP: |
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Accounting for Oil and Gas Producing Activities |
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Accounting for Suspended Well Costs: The Company has adopted FASB Staff Position FAS 19-1, "Accounting for Suspended Well Costs" effective January 1, 2005. Under this guidance, management is required to expense the capitalized costs of drilling an exploratory well if proved reserves are not found unless reserves are found and the enterprise is making sufficient progress on assessing the reserves and the economic and operating viability of the project. |
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Oil and Gas Production: The Company sells its production at the monthly spot price. In 2006, 2005 and 2004, we sold our gas 100% on the spot market. Because we expect gas prices to be steady or to rise, we intend to sell 100% |
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of our production on the spot market in 2007. Thus, a drop in the price of gas in 2007 could possibly have a more adverse impact on us than if we entered into some fixed price contracts for sale of future production. |
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Our proved hydrocarbon reserves were valued using a standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows of $6,121,295 at December 31, 2006, compared to $7,056,072 and $1,958,238 on December 31, 2005, and 2004 after taking into account a 10% discount rate and also taking into consideration the effect of income tax. This decrease was due primarily to higher projected production costs being partially offset by our share of the acquisition of the Temblor Valley project. Estimates such as these are subject to numerous uncertainties inherent in the estimation of quantities of proved reserves. |
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Because of unpredictable variances in expenses and capital forecasts, crude oil and natural gas price changes, largely influenced and controlled by U.S. and foreign government actions and the fact that the basis for such estimates vary significantly, management believes the usefulness of these projections is limited. Estimates of future net cash flows presented do not represent management's assessment of future profitability or future cash flows to the Company. This value does not appear on the balance sheet because accounting rules require discovered reserves to be carried on the balance sheet at the cost of obtaining them rather than the actual future net revenue from producing them. Tri-Valley typically has no discovery cost to put on the balance sheet as explained below. |
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Drilling and Development Activities: We sold working interests and prospects in test wells to the Opus-1 drilling partnership. The sales price of the interest is intended to pay for all drilling and testing costs on the property. We retain a minority "carried" revenue interest in the well and do not pay our proportionate share of drilling and testing costs for the first well drilled on each prospect. However, we do pay our proportionate cost of any subsequent well drilled on each prospect. Under these arrangements, we usually minimize our cost to drill and also receive a minority interest in revenues from the reserves we discover. On the other hand, we occasionally incur extra expenses for drilling or development that we choose, in our discretion, not to pass on to other venture participants. |
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In 2005, we acquired a 25% working interest in three (3) oil properties that we believe to be very under developed and under exploited oil properties. One property consisted of three separate leases in the Oxnard Oil Field in Ventura County, California and two properties were in Kern County, California. |
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One Kern County property was a producing property in the Edison Oil Field with a second property being a producing property in the South Belridge Oil Field containing a total of 57 wells, of which 28 wells were currently producing at the end of 2006. Plans call for returning the remaining wells to active production. The Oxnard Oil Field properties contained three existing non-producing wells. The Moffat Ranch East natural gas producing field has only two producible wells on its 5,700 acres and the Company expects to begin reworking those and drilling new wells in 2007. |
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We also have approximately 6,670-acres of mineral rights, which basically covers what was the Chowchilla Ranch Gas Field in Madera County, California. Currently, the land position is held by a single producing gas well. We believe this land position to be very under developed and under exploited and we plan to being re-entering, recompleting and further infill drill the leasehold position. |
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In addition to these properties, we also hold producing interests in gas leases in the Sacramento Valley of Northern California in the RioVista and Dutch Slough Gas Fields. |
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Rig Operations |
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In 2006 we created two new subsidiaries, Great Valley Production Services (GVPS) and Great Valley Drilling (GVDC). These are owned 51% by Tri-Valley and 49% by third parties. |
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GVPS is a production services/well work over company whose services will primarily be contracted to TVOG. Operations began in the third quarter of 2006. However, from time to time GVPS may contract various units to third parties when not immediately need for TVOG prnojects. |
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GVDC is based in Nevada and the majority of its work will be drilling wells for third parties. There will be occasion where TVOG contracts services from GVDC for its own account. GVDC began operation in the first quarter of 2007. |
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We expect these companies to contribute significantly to our operations in 2007. |
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Mining Activity |
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Precious Metals |
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During 2006, the price of gold has fluctuated between $525 and $725 per ounce continuing the support for the exploration and development of precious metals, including the support of junior exploration ventures. Accordingly, management is advancing its precious metal opportunities. |
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The 2006 precious metal program consisted largely of continued assessment and compilation of the geologic information collected in previous work programs associated with the Richardson and Shorty Creek properties in Alaska. Select also undertook an on-site reconnaissance for carrying out a 2006 field program for both the Richardson and Shorty Creek properties, including resolving access routing issues. |
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We initiated discussions with a number of parties on the financing of advanced exploration work on both the Richardson and Shorty Creek properties. These discussions are ongoing. |
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Select undertook an evaluation of additional Alaska claims held by third parties, adjacent to the Richardson property and other properties in Alaska. Select also reviewed data on gold and gold/silver properties in Southern California, Nevada, |
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Idaho, Arizona and northern Mexico. All of these potential properties were rejected at this time due to cost, size, scope, grade or title related issues. Select continues to evaluate precious metal properties and will do so through 2007. |
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Select also undertook annual repair and maintenance activities associated with the Richardson Roadhouse, 65 miles southeast of Fairbanks on the Alaska Richardson Highway, which is owned by us and has been used in the past as a base camp for Richardson related exploration activities. |
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Base Metals |
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Select acquired two copper exploration properties in Nevada. The first property, the FARJK claims, target oxide copper in Nye County and covers roughly one square mile and the claim position can be expanded. Select controls 100% of this claim block. The second property, the Delcer property, with oxide and sulphide copper, covers approximately one square mile in Elko County. This property has experienced limited copper production that dates back to World War I. Select is a joint venture participant in the Delcer property. |
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We agreed in April 2006 to assist Duluth Metals Limited, a Canadian corporation, in its initial public offering and listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Duluth Metals is involved in the acquisition and exploration of copper, nickel and platinum group metals in the Duluth Complex in northern Minnesota. Duluth Metals is providing Select financial remuneration, stock options and assistance by Duluth Metals on the monetizing of Select and its properties as compensation for Select's providing management and technical assistance to Duluth Metals. Duluth Metals' initial offering became listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange on October 10, 2006. Select will continue to assist Duluth Metals in 2007 in its early stages of operation as Duluth Metals provides assistance to Select on the monetizing of Select and its properties. |
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Industrial Minerals |
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Select entered the Tri-Western Resources joint venture as a 50% partner in November 2004, with the intent of developing and producing basalt and cinder from deposits near Boron California, and the Monarch calcium carbonate deposit, north of Mojave California. Select had planned to use income from these projects to develop its own majority controlled industrial mineral projects. |
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In the first quarter of 2006, Tri-Western Resources initiated production of cinder from its Boron facility and in the second quarter, initiated limited production of basalt from the same location. As of the fourth quarter, the cinder and |
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basalt quarries had attained limited production status, while the Monarch calcium carbonate project was still awaiting final operational permits, right-of-way conveyance and market acceptance. |
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In November 2006, Select sold its interest in Tri-Western Resources to Trans-Western Materials, our joint venture partner. The decision to sell was prompted by the cash purchase offer from Trans Western, combined with recognition that a significant infusion of additional capital would be required to substantially develop these properties. |
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As part of the divesture, Select sold a 10 acre industrial site in Bakersfield which was originally purchased as a processing site for the joint venture in November 2006. The sale was made to an unrelated third party. |
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The Admiral Calder calcium carbonate mine in Alaska (100% owned and managed by Select) was on care and maintenance during the fourth quarter. Select continued its market and operational assessment studies for the Admiral Calder quarry product as the mine is in the top 1% of high grade chemical and high brightness calcium carbonate deposits in the world, and one of the few deposits to be directly on tidewater. Repair and maintenance activities at the site were initiated in the fourth quarter. |
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In the fourth quarter, Select signed an exclusive agreement with the Trabits Group granting the right to evaluate up to 200 industrial minerals properties within Newmont Mining Corporation's property portfolio. The majority of these properties are located along Nevada rail corridors leading into California and Arizona. The evaluation of these properties will continue through 2007. |
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Results of Operations |
We lost $0.9 million in 2006 compared to a loss of $9.7 million in 2005. Total revenue was $7.6 million lower in 2006 compared to fiscal year 2005. Revenue from oil and gas sales was slightly higher for the fiscal year 2006 compared to fiscal year 2005. |
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In 2006 with the start of our rig operations in the third and fourth quarter our rig income increased to $873,000. In fiscal year 2005 it was nothing. We expect this activity to increase significantly in 2007 as our rig operations increase and we have a full year of operation. |
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In 2006, our interest income decreased from about $121,000 in 2005 to about $73,000 in 2006. This decrease was due to a decreased average cash balance during the year. |
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Revenues from drilling and development activities are $8.9 million less this period compared to 2005. In 2006, we drilled two wells and our revenue from drilling and development decreased to about $2.5 million, compared to $11.4 million in 2005. In 2005 we recorded drilling and development revenues from drilling only one well, but it was a much more expensive well due to its depth. Also in 2006, our largest source of revenue has been oil and gas drilling and development. We record revenue received by us from joint ventures for drilling and development when we complete drilling wells that have been sold to joint venture partners, including the Opus-I drilling partnership. |
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In 2006, we sold our interest in the Tri-Western Resources, LLC joint venture and an industrial site used for Tri-Western's mineral operations. These transactions had a total sales price of $13.8 million and resulted in a gain of about $9.7 million. The Company sold its interest in order to redeploy the capital into ventures it believes will increase share value at a faster rate. In 2005 we recognized no gain or loss on disposal of discontinued operations. See note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a schedule of pro forma results. |
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Also in 2006, other income increased about $365,000 from fiscal year 2005 to $418,000. This increase is due to performing outside consulting services pertaining to our minerals operations and about $160 thousand earned by our recently formed Great Valley Production Services, LLC. |
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We lost $9.7 million in 2005 compared to $1.2 million in 2004. Total revenue was about $8 million higher in 2005 than in 2004. In 2005, our revenue from drilling and development increased to about $11.4 million, compared to $3.6 million in 2004. In 2005 we recorded drilling and development revenues from drilling only one well, compared to revenues recorded from drilling three wells in 2004. This increase was largely due to a $3.5 million frac job on the Ekho well and the drilling of the Midland Trail well in Nevada which cost about $3.4 million in 2005. |
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Costs and Expenses |
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Costs and expenses were $6.6 million less for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared to year end 2005. Mining exploration expenses were $3.6 million less for the period ended December 31, 2006 than for the same period in 2005, due to decreased mining exploration activity because of 2005 expenses incurred in the purchase of royalties and properties which were immediately expensed. Oil and gas lease activity expense was $388,700 for the year ended December 31, 2006 and $93,429 for the year ended December 31, 2005. The increase was mainly due to activity on the new oil and gas properties acquired at the end of 2005. Costs from drilling and development activities were $7.4 million less this year than in 2005 because of the decreased drilling activity (one well complete in 2005 and one well which drilling was in progress but not completed until January 2006), a $3.5 million frac job on the Ekho well and the redrill of the Sunrise well which was incurred in 2005. Operating costs on our recently formed Great Valley Production Services, LLC and our Great Valley Drilling Company, LLC were $566,000. In 2005 it was nothing. General and administrative costs were $2.6 million higher this year than last year due in large part to the increased activity in our minerals segment of the Company. Tri-Western Resources and Select Resources had greatly increased travel costs, start-up expenses, insurance premiums and fees to consulting geologists in 2006. In 2006, we recognized impairment costs of about $459,000, primarily from the Tracy Subthrust. This was a $369,000 increase from 2005. |
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We expect our costs and expenses to increase significantly in 2007 primarily due to drilling and workover activities on the Temblor, Pleasant Valley, and Moffat Ranch East properties. |
Costs and expenses were $11.8 million more for 2005 than 2004. Mining exploration expenses were $3.1 million more for 2005 than in 2004, due to increased mining exploration activity, purchase of royalties and properties that had to be expensed, and start-up expenses associated with our industrial minerals operation. Oil and gas lease activity was $93,429 for 2005 and $144,101 for 2004. We did not spend as much for leases in 2005 compared to 2004 due to the expiration of some leases in 2005 that were not renewed. Costs from drilling and development activities were $7.0 million more in 2005 than in 2004 because of the increased drilling activity (one well complete in 2005) a $3.5 million frac job on the Ehko well and the redrill of the Sunrise well. General and administrative costs were $1.45 million higher in 2005 than in 2004 due in large part to the increased activity in our minerals segment of the Company in 2005. Tri-Western Resources and Select Resources had greatly increa sed travel costs, start-up expenses, insurance premiums and fees to consulting geologists in 2005, their first full year of operation. |
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Financial Condition |
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Balance Sheet |
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At December 31, 2006, we had $15.6 million in cash compared to $4.9 million at December 31, 2005. The increase was due primarily to the sale of Tri-Western Resources and the industrial site used in its operations. Property and equipment is $1.6 million less for the current period compared to last year because of the sale of fixed assets and property of about $6.8 million which was offset by the addition of drilling rigs of about $5.4 million. Deposits decreased about $7 thousand in 2006 compared to 2005. Other assets decreased by about $185,000 associated with the sale of our interest in Tri-Western Resources. |
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Accounts payable and accrued expenses increased about $1.0 million to $2.2 million in 2006 compared to 2005. The increase was all due to purchases for our recently formed drilling and production service subsidiaries. |
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Shareholder equity increased from $7.6 million in 2005 to $16.6 million for 2006. This increase was due mainly to the net proceeds from issuance of common stock in the amount of $2.4 million, Additional paid in capital warrants and stock options in the amount of 1.5 million, and the Great Valley Drilling Company and Great Valley Production Company capital contributions (a $5.4 million increase). |
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At December 31, 2005 we had $4.9 million in cash compared to $11.8 million for December 31, 2004. This represents, for the most part, cash invested by the OPUS I partners for the drilling of oil and gas wells in that limited partnership. The reduction was caused primarily by expenditures in drilling the Sunridge, Midland Trail, the Ekho frac and the Sunrise redrill. Property and equipment was $11.9 million more for 2005 compared to 2004 because of |
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fixed assets and property additions. The property additions were primarily for milling equipment and a facility to house the milling equipment and the purchase of the Pleasant Valley and Temblor Valley oil properties. Deposits increased about $116,000 in 2005 compared to 2004 due to the payments made to secure the purchase of some equipment. |
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Commitments |
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Generally, our financial commitments arise from selling interests in our drilling prospects to third parties, which result in obligations to drill and develop the prospect. If we are unable to sell sufficient interests in a prospect to fund its drilling and development, we must either amend our agreements to drill the prospect or locate a substitute prospect acceptable to the participants. |
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Delay rentals for oil and gas leases amounted to $499,000 in 2006. Advance royalty payments and gold mining claims maintenance fees were $245,000 for the same period. We expect that approximately equal delay rentals and fees will be paid in 2007 from operating revenues. |
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Contractual Obligations and Contingent Liabilities and Commitments |
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The table below presents our fixed, non-cancelable contractual obligations and commitments primarily related to our outstanding purchase orders, certain capital expenditures and lease arrangements as of December 31, 2006 |
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TRI-VALLEY CORPORATION |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
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NOTE 1 - GENERAL |
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History and Business Activity |
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Tri-Valley Corporation ("TVC" or the Company), a Delaware corporation formed in 1971, is in the business of exploring, acquiring and developing petroleum and precious metals properties and interests therein. Tri-Valley has five subsidiaries. Tri-Valley Oil & Gas Company ("TVOG") operates the oil & gas activities and derives the majority of its revenue from oil and gas; Select Resources which handles all precious and industrial mineral interests; Great Valley Production Services, Inc., which was formed in February 2006 to operate oil production, rigs, primarily for TVOG; Great Valley Drilling Company which was formed in 2006 to operate oil drilling rigs, primarily for third parties and Tri-Valley Power Corporation which is inactive (see Item 1 Business for detail of GVPS and GVDC). The Company sold its joint venture interest in Tri-Western Resources, LLC on November 15, 2006. GVPS had paid in capital of $3,881,447 as of December 31, 2006. GVDC's paid in capital was $1,5 56,640 as of December 31, 2006. |
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The Company conducts its oil and gas business primarily through Tri-Valley Oil & Gas Company. TVOG is engaged in the exploration, acquisition and production of oil and gas properties. Substantially all of the Company's oil and gas reserves are located in California. |
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In the fiscal year 1987, the Company added precious metals exploration. Select conducts precious metals exploration activities. TVC has traditionally sought acquisition or merger opportunities within and outside of petroleum and mineral industries. |
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For purposes of reporting operating segments, the Company is involved in four areas. These are oil and gas production, rig operations, minerals, and drilling and development. |
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NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
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This summary of significant accounting policies of Tri-Valley Corporation is presented to assist in understanding the Company's financial statements. The financial statements and notes are representations of the Company's management, which is responsible for their integrity and objectivity. These accounting policies conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and have been consistently applied in the preparation of the financial statements. |
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Principles of Consolidation |
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The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries, Tri-Valley Oil & Gas Co., and Select Resources, Inc. and Tri-Valley Power Corporation, since their inception. Because the Company was the principal beneficiary of a mining venture until the sale of its interest in November 2006, it has also consolidated a 50% owned joint venture, Tri-Western Resources, LLC. Great Valley Production Services, LLC and Great Valley Drilling Company, LLC where the Company has retained a 51% ownership interest are also included in the consolidation. Other partnerships in which the Company has an operating or nonoperating interest in which the Company is not the primary beneficiary and owns less than 51%, are proportionately combined. This includes Opus I, Martins-Severin, Martins-Severin Deep, and Tri-Valley Exploration 1971-1 partnerships. All material intra and intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in combination and consolidation. |
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Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements |
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The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and some narrative disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The estimates that are most critical to our consolidated financial statements involve oil and gas reserves, recoverability and impairment of reserves, and useful lives of assets. |
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NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) |
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Oil and Gas Reserves. Estimates of our proved oil and gas reserves included in this report are prepared in accordance with GAAP and SEC guidelines and were based on evaluations audited by independent petroleum |
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engineers with respect to our major properties. The accuracy of a reserve report estimate is a function of: |
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- The quality and quantity of available data; |
- The interpretation of that data; |
- The accuracy of various mandated economic assumptions; and |
- The judgment of the persons preparing the estimate. |
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Because these estimates depend on many assumptions, all of which may substantially differ from future actual results, reserve estimates will be different from the quantities of oil and gas that are ultimately recovered. In addition, results of drilling, testing and production after the date of an estimate may justify material revisions to the estimate. |
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It should not be assumed that the present value of future net cash flows included in this Report as of December 31, 2006 is the current market value of our estimated proved reserves. In accordance with SEC requirements, we have based the estimated present value of future net cash flows from proved reserves on prices and costs on the date of the estimate. Actual future prices and cost may be materially higher or lower than the prices and costs as of the date of the estimate. |
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Estimates of proved reserves materially impact depletion expense. If the estimates of proved reserves decline, the rate at which we record depletion expense will increase, reducing future net income. Such a decline may result from lower market prices, which may make it uneconomic to drill for and produce higher cost fields. In addition, a decline in proved reserve estimates may impact the outcome of our assessment of its oil and gas producing properties for impairment. |
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Impairment of Proved Oil and Gas Properties. We review our long-lived proved properties, consisting of oil and gas reserves, at least annually and record impairments to those properties, whenever management determines that events or circumstances indicate that the recorded carrying value of the properties may not be recoverable. Proved oil and gas properties are reviewed for impairment by depletable field pool, which is the lowest level at which depletion of proved properties are calculated. Management assesses whether or not an impairment provision is necessary based upon its outlook of future commodity prices and net cash flows that may be generated by the properties. We determine that a property is impaired when prices being paid for oil or gas make it no longer profitable to drill on, or to continue production on, that property. Price increases over the past three years have reduced the instances where impairment of reserves appeared to be required. |
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Additional production data indicated the initial reserve estimates would not be achievable, so we reduced reserves accordingly. If petroleum prices, particularly natural gas prices, in Northern California begin to fall in the future, more of our proved developed reserves could become impaired, which would reduce our estimates of future revenue, our proved reserve estimates and our profitability. |
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Asset Retirement Obligations. We adopted SFAS No. 143,"Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations" effective January 1, 2003. Under this guidance, management is required to make judgments based on historical experience and future expectations regarding the future abandonment cost of its oil and gas properties and equipment as well as an estimate of the discount rate to be used in order to bring the estimated future cost to a present value. The discount rate is based on the risk free interest rate which is adjusted for our credit worthiness. The adjusted risk free rate is then applied to the estimated abandonment costs to arrive at the obligation existing at the end of the period under review. We review our estimate of the future obligation quarterly and accrue the estimated obligation based on the above. |
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Cash Equivalent and Short-Term Investments |
Cash equivalents include cash on hand and on deposit, and highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less. The majority of these funds are held at Smith Barney. |
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NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) |
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Goodwill |
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The consolidated financial statements include the net assets purchased of Tri-Valley Corporation's wholly owned oil and gas subsidiary, TVOG. Net assets are carried at their fair market value at the acquisition date. On January 1, 2002, Tri-Valley Corporation adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142,"Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" (SFAS 142). Under SFAS 142, goodwill is a non-amortizable asset, and is subject to a periodic review for impairment. Prior to the implementation of SFAS 142, the Company had goodwill of $212,414 that was being amortized. The carrying amount of goodwill is evaluated periodically. Factors used in the evaluation include the Company's ability to raise capital as a public company and anticipated cash flows from operating and non-operating mineral properties. |
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Advances from Joint Venture Participants |
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Advances received by the Company from joint venture partners for contract drilling projects, which are to be spent by the Company on behalf of the joint venture partners, are classified within operating inflows on the basis they do not meet the definition of financing or investing activities. When the cash advances are spent, the payable is reduced accordingly. These advances do not contribute to the Company's operating profits and are accounted for or disclosed as balance sheet entries only i.e. within cash and payable to joint venture participants. |
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Revenue Recognition |
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Sale of Oil and Gas |
Crude oil and natural gas revenues are recognized as production occurs, the title and risk of loss transfers to a third party purchaser, net of royalties, discounts, and allowances, as applicable. |
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Drilling and Development |
Oil and gas prospects are developed by the Company for sale to industry partners and investors. These prospects are usually exploratory, and include costs of leasing, acquisition, and other geological and geophysical costs (hereafter referred to as "GGLA") plus a profit to the Company. Prior to 2002, the Company recognized revenue and profit from prospects sales when sold, irrespective of drilling commencement ("spudding"). |
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Starting 2002 the Company changed its prospect offerings by inclusion of estimated costs of drilling in addition to GGLA costs. This offering is termed a "turnkey" exploratory drilling opportunity because investors are charged only one certain amount in return for Tri-Valley drilling a well to the agreed total depth. |
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Once the well is spudded, investor money is not refundable. Tri-Valley recognizes revenue when the well is logged. Amounts charged are included in an Authority for Expenditure (AFE), which is a budget for each project well. Tri-Valley prepares the AFE and bears all risk of well completion to total depth. If the well is drilled to total depth for actual costs less than the AFE amounts, the Company realizes a profit. Conversely, if actual costs exceed the AFE, Tri-Valley realizes a loss. |
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Drilling Agreements/Joint Ventures |
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Tri-Valley frequently participates in drilling agreements whereby it acts as operator of drilling and producing activities. As operator, TVOG is liable for the activities of these ventures. In the initial well in a prospect, the Company owns a carried interest and/or overriding royalty interest in such ventures, earning a working interest upon commencement of drilling. Costs of subsequent wells drilled in a prospect are shared by a pro rata interest. |
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Receivables from and amounts payable to these related parties (as well as other related parties) have been segregated in the accompanying financial statements. For turnkey projects, amounts received for drilling activities, which have not been spudded are deferred and remain within the joint venture liability, in accordance with the Company's revenue recognition policies. Revenue is recognized upon the completion of drilling operations and the well is logged. Actual or estimated costs to complete the drilling are charged as costs against this revenue. |
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NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) |
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Impairment of Long-lived and Intangible Assets |
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The Company evaluates its long-lived assets (property, plant and equipment) and definite-lived intangible assets for impairment whenever indicators of impairment exist, or when it commits to sell the asset. The accounting standards require that if the sum of the undiscounted expected future cash flows from a long-lived asset or definite-lived intangible asset is less than the carrying value of that asset, an asset impairment charge must be recognized. The amount of the impairment charge is calculated as the excess of the asset's carrying value over its fair value, which generally represents the discounted future cash flows from that asset, or in the case of assets the Company evaluates for sale, at fair value less costs to sell. A number of significant assumptions and estimates are involved in developing operating cash flow forecasts for the Company's discounted cash flow model, sales volumes and prices, costs to produce, working capital changes and capital spending requiremen ts. The Company considers historical experience, and all available information at the time the fair values of its assets are estimated. However, fair values that could be realized in an actual transaction may differ from those used to evaluate the impairment of long-lived assets and definite-lived intangible assets. Therefore, assumptions and estimates used in the determination of impairment losses may affect the carrying value of long-lived and intangible assets, and possible impairment expense in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. |
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Oil and Gas Property and Equipment (Successful Efforts) |
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The Company accounts for its oil and gas exploration and development costs using the successful efforts method. Under this method, costs to acquire mineral interests in oil and gas properties, to drill and complete exploratory wells that find proved reserves and to drill and complete development wells are capitalized. Exploratory dry-hole costs, geological and geophysical costs and costs of carrying and retaining unproved properties are expensed when incurred, except those GGLA expenditures incurred on behalf of joint venture drilling projects, which the Company defers until the GGLA is sold at the completion of project funding and the target prospect is drilled. Expenditures incurred in drilling exploratory wells are accumulated as work in process until the Company determines whether the well has encountered commercial oil and gas reserves. |
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If the well has encountered commercial reserves, the accumulated cost is transferred to oil and gas properties; otherwise, the accumulated cost, net of salvage value, is charged to dry hole expense. If the well has encountered commercial reserves but cannot be classified as proved within one year after discovery, then the well is considered to be impaired, and the capitalized costs (net of any salvage value) of drilling the well are charged to expense. In 2006, 2005, and 2004 there was $459,243, $90,165 and $112,395 respectively, charged to expense for impairment of exploratory well costs. Depletion, depreciation and amortization of oil and gas producing properties are computed on an aggregate basis using the units-of-production method based upon estimated proved developed reserves. |
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At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company carried unproved property costs of $ 2.79 million and $3.01 million, respectively. Generally accepted accounting principles require periodic evaluation of these costs on a project-by-project basis in comparison to their estimated value. These evaluations will be affected by the results of exploration activities, commodity price outlooks, planned future sales or expiration of all or a portion of the leases, contracts and permits appurtenant to such projects. If the quantity of potential reserves determined by such evaluations is not sufficient to fully recover the cost invested in each project, the Company will recognize non cash charges in the earnings of future periods. |
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Capitalized costs relating to proved properties are depleted using the unit-of-production method based on proved reserves. Costs of significant non-producing properties, wells in the process of being drilled and development projects are excluded from depletion until such time as the related project is completed and proved reserves are established or, if unsuccessful, impairment is determined. |
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Upon the sale of oil and gas reserves in place, costs less accumulated amortization of such property are removed from the accounts and resulting gain or loss on sale is reflected in operations. Impairment of non-producing leasehold costs and undeveloped mineral and royalty interests are assessed periodically on a property-by-property basis, and any impairment in value is currently charged to expense. |
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NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) |
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Oil and Gas Property and Equipment (Successful Efforts, continued) |
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In addition, we assess the capitalized costs of unproved properties periodically to determine whether their value has been impaired below the capitalized costs. We recognize a loss to the extent that such impairment is indicated. In making these assessments, we consider factors such as exploratory drilling results, future drilling plans, and lease expiration terms. When an entire interest in an unproved property is sold, gain or loss is recognized, taking into consideration any recorded impairment. When a partial interest in an unproved property is sold, the amount is treated as a reduction of the cost of the interest retained, with excess revenue and carrying costs being recognized. Upon abandonment of properties, the reserves are deemed fully depleted and any unamortized costs are recorded in the statement of operations under leases sold, relinquished and impaired. |
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As of January 1, 2005, the Company adopted FASB Staff Position FAS 19-1,"Accounting for Suspended Well Costs." Upon adoption of the FSP, the Company evaluated all existing capitalized exploratory well costs under the provisions of the FSP. As a result, the Company determined that there were no capitalized costs of exploratory wells during 2006, 2005 and 2004, and does not include amounts that were capitalized and subsequently expensed in the same period. |
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Asset retirement obligations. The Company has significant obligations to remove tangible equipment and facilities and to restore land at the end of oil and gas production operations. The Company's removal and restoration obligations are primarily associated with plugging and abandoning wells and removing and disposing of oil and gas wells. Estimating the future restoration and removal costs is difficult and requires management to make estimates and judgments because most of the removal obligations are many years in the future and contracts and regulations often have vague descriptions of what constitutes removal. Asset removal technologies and costs are constantly changing, as are regulatory, political, environmental, safety and public relations considerations. |
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On January 1, 2003, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 143. SFAS 143 significantly changed the method of accruing for costs an entity is legally obligated to incur related to the retirement of fixed assets. SFAS 143, together with the related FASB Interpretation No. 47, "Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143" ("FIN 47"), requires the Company to record a separate liability for the discounted present value of the Company's asset retirement obligations, with an offsetting increase to the related oil and gas properties on the balance sheet. |
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Inherent in the present value calculation are numerous assumptions and judgments including the ultimate settlement amounts, inflation factors, credit adjusted discount rates, timing of settlement, and changes in the legal, regulatory, environmental and political environments. To the extent future revisions to these assumptions impact the present value of the existing asset retirement obligations, a corresponding adjustment is made to the oil and gas property balance. |
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The Company's asset retirement obligations primarily relate to the future plugging and abandonment of proved properties and related facilities. The Company has no assets that are legally restricted for purposes of settling asset retirement obligations. The following table summarizes the Company's asset retirement obligation transactions recorded in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 143 during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004. |
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Warrants are accounted for under the guidelines established by APB Opinion No. 14Accounting for Convertible Debt and Debt issued with Stock Purchase Warrants (APB14)under the direction of Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) 98-5,Accounting for Convertible Securities with Beneficial Conversion Features or Contingently Adjustable Conversion Ratios, (EITF 98-5)EITF 00-27Application of Issue No 98-5 to Certain Convertible Instruments and (EITF 00-27) |
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The Company calculates the fair value of warrants issued with the convertible instruments using the Black-Scholes valuation method, using the same assumptions used for valuing employee stock options for purposes of SFAS No. 123R, except that the expected life of the warrant is used. Under these guidelines, the Company allocates the value of the proceeds received. The price allocated for the warrants is calculated by subtracting the current market price of the stock from the total proceeds of the sale of the restricted stock with the warrant attached. The allocated fair value is recorded as capital paid in - warrants. This allocated fair value of the proceeds from the sale of warrants is subtracted from the value of the warrants using the Black-Scholes valuation method to calculate the stock issuance expense. |
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Treasury Stock |
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The Company records acquisition of its capital stock for treasury at cost. Differences between proceeds for reissuance of treasury stock and average cost are charged to retained earnings or credited thereto to the extent of prior charges and thereafter to capital in excess of par value. |
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NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) |
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Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements |
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Asset Retirement Obligation |
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In March 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued FASB Interpretation No. 47,"Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations.", Under the provisions of FIN No. 47, the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in SFAS No. 143,"Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations",refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity while the obligation to perform the asset retirement activity is unconditional. Accordingly, an entity is required to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. The fair value of a liability for the conditional asset retirement obligation is required to be recognized when incurred-generally upon acquisition, construction, or development a nd/or through the normal operation of the asset. We have adopted FIN No. 47 as of December 31, 2005. Adoption of this pronouncement did not have a significant effect on our 2005 or 2006 consolidated financial statements, and we do not expect this pronouncement to have a significant effect on our future reported financial position or earnings. |
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Accounting Changes |
In May 2005, SFAS No. 154,Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3 was issued. SFAS No. 154 requires retrospective application to prior period financial statements for changes in accounting principle, unless it is impractical to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. SFAS No. 154 also requires that retrospective application of a change in accounting principle be limited to the direct effects of the change. Indirect effects of a change in accounting principle should be recognized in the period of the accounting change. SFAS No. 154 became effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2006. There was no effect for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2006. |
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Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments |
In February 2006, SFAS No. 155,Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments-an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140was issued. This Statement resolves issues addressed in Statement 133 Implementation Issue No. D1,Application of Statement 133 to Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets. SFAS No. 155 will become effective for our fiscal year beginning after December 31, 2006. We will adopt this Interpretation in the first quarter of 2007 and do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations. |
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Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes |
In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Interpretation No. 48,"Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - An interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109" ("FIN 48"). This Interpretation provides a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns. We will adopt this Interpretation in the first quarter of 2007 and do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations. |
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Fair Value Measurements |
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157,"Fair Value Measurements." This Statement replaces multiple existing definitions of fair value with a single definition, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands financial statement disclosures regarding fair value measurements. This Statement applies only to fair value measurements that already are required or permitted by other accounting standards and does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning subsequent to November 15, 2007. We will adopt this Statement in the first quarter of 2008 and do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations. |
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NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) |
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Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (Continued) |
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Effects of Prior Year Misstatements |
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In September 2006, Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 108, "Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements." Registrants must quantify the impact on current period financial statements of correcting all misstatements, including both those occurring in the current period and the effect of reversing those that have accumulated from prior periods. This SAB was adopted at December 31, 2006. The adoption of SAB No. 108 had no effect on our financial position or on the results of our operations. |
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The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities |
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities," which permits an entity to measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value. The objective of SFAS No. 159 is to improve financial reporting by allowing entities to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by the measurement of related assets and liabilities using different attributes, without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. Under SFAS No. 159, entities that elect the fair value option (by instrument) will report unrealized gains and losses in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The fair value option election is irrevocable, unless a new election date occurs. SFAS No. 159 establishes presentation and disclosure requirements to help financial statement users understand the effect of the entity's election on its earnings, but does not eliminate disclosure requirements of other accounting standar ds. Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value must be displayed on the face of the balance sheet. This statement is effective beginning January 1, 2008 and we are evaluating this pronouncement, but do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations. |
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Change in categorization of rigs |
Due to our rapidly growing rig operations, we created a separate category in 2006 for our rig equipment. In 2005 rig equipment was included in other property and equipment. For comparability purposes, those amounts are now shown separately. |
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NOTE 3 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT |
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Properties, equipment and fixtures consist of the following: |