UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
x | ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 | |
TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
For the transition period from ________ to _________ |
Commission File Number: 000-49846
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada | 87-0638750 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
445 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
(Address of principal executive office)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 307-3568
Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act: None
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
Common Stock, $.001 par value per share
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (section 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer | o | Accelerated filer | o |
Non-accelerated filer | o | Smaller reporting company | x |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No x
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, as of the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $69,015,691. All executive officers and directors of the registrant have been deemed, solely for the purpose of the foregoing calculation, to be "affiliates" of the registrant.
As of March 11, 2009, there were 20,784,080 shares of the issuer's common stock, $0.001 par value, issued and outstanding.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
None
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I | Page | |
Item 1. | Business | 1 |
Item 1A | Risk Factors | 9 |
Item 2. | Properties | 17 |
Item 3. | Legal Proceedings | 18 |
Item 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders | 18 |
Part II | ||
Item 5. | Market for Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | 18 |
Item 6. | Selected Financial Data | 19 |
Item 7. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation | 20 |
Item 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk | 26 |
Item 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data | 26 |
Item 9. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | 26 |
Item 9A (T). | Controls and Procedures | 27 |
Item 9B. | Other Information | 28 |
Part III | ||
Item 10. | Directors, Executive Officers Corporate Governance | 28 |
Item 11. | Executive Compensation | 30 |
Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters | 32 |
Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence | 33 |
Item 14. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services | 34 |
Item 15. | Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules | 35 |
Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to historical information, this report contains predictions, estimates and other forward-looking statements that relate to future events or our future financial performance. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and other factors include those listed under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this report, and some of which we may not know. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. We discuss many of these risks in this report in greater detail under the heading “Risk Factors.” Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Also, forward-looking statements represent our management’s beliefs and assumptions only as of the date of this report. You should read this annual report on Form 10-K and the documents that we have filed as exhibits to this annual report completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.
Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.
PART I
Overview
We are engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil in Northern China. We have an arrangement with the Jilin Refinery of PetroChina Group to sell our crude oil production for use in the China marketplace. As of December 31, 2008, we operated 247 producing wells located in four oilfields in Northern China and have plans for additional drilling projects.
In particular, through two of our subsidiaries, Song Yuan City Yu Qiao Oil and Gas Development Ltd. Corp. (“Yu Qiao”) and Longde Oil and Gas Development Co. Ltd. (“LongDe”), we have entered into binding sales agreements with the PetroChina Group, whereby we sell our crude oil production for use in the China marketplace.
We currently operate 4 oilfields located in Northern China, which include:
Field | Acreage Gross (developed and undeveloped) at 12/31/2008 | Producing Oil Wells at 12/31/2008 | Proved Reserves (Bbls) at 12/31/2008 | |||||||
Qian’an 112 | 5,115 | 219 | 5,292,591 | |||||||
Daan 34 | 2,298 | 7 | 13,240 | |||||||
Gudian 31 | 1,779 | 7 | 95,729 | |||||||
Hetingbao 301 | 2,471 | 14 | 52,232 |
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The following chart illustrates our company’s organizational structure.
Organizational History
We were incorporated in the State of Nevada on August 20, 1999 under the name Draco Holding Corporation. On March 29, 2004, we executed an Agreement for Share Exchange with Hong Xiang Petroleum Group Limited, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (“Hong Xiang”), and the individual shareholders owning 100% of the outstanding common shares of Hong Xiang (the “Hong Xiang Shareholders”).
Pursuant to the Agreement for Share Exchange, we issued 18,700,000 shares of our common stock to the Hong Xiang Shareholders in exchange for all of the shares of capital stock of Hong Xiang owned by the Hong Xiang Shareholders at closing, and Hong Xiang became our wholly-owned subsidiary. On June 28, 2004, we changed our name to China North East Petroleum Holdings Ltd.
During 2004, we acquired a 100% ownership in Song Yuan City Hong Xiang Petroleum Technical Services Co., Ltd. (“Hong Xiang Technical”), and Hong Xiang Technical in turn acquired a 100% interest in Song Yuan City Yu Qiao Qianan Hong Xiang Oil and Gas Development Co., Ltd. (“Hong Xiang Oil Development”), which was engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil in the Jilin region of the PRC.
As a result of the Yu Qiao acquisition discussed below, all operations, assets and liabilities of the Company’s subsidiary Hong Xiang Oil Development were transferred to Yu Qiao on March 19, 2007. Since Hong Xiang Oil Development and Hong Xiang Technical were no longer necessary elements of the Company’s corporate structure, and they were liquidated and dissolved.
PetroChina Oil Leases
Pursuant to a 20-year exclusive Cooperative Oil Lease (the “Oil Lease”), among PetroChina Group, Yu Qiao and the Company, entered into in May 2002, the Company has the right to explore, develop and produce oil at Qian’an 112 Oilfield. Pursuant to the Oil Lease, (i) PetroChina is entitled to 20% of the Company’s oil production for the first ten years of the Oil Lease term and 40% of the Company’s oil production for the remaining ten years of the Oil Lease term; and (ii) Yu Qiao is entitled to 2% of the Company’s oil production as a management fee. The payment of management fee was stopped following the acquisition of Yu Qiao by the Company.
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LongDe is a party to a 20-year contract with PetroChina Group entered into in May 2003, pursuant to which LongDe has the right to explore, develop and produce oil at the Hetingbao 301 oilfield in the PRC. Pursuant to such between PetroChina and LongDe, PetroChina is entitled to 20% of LongDe’s output in the first ten years and 40% of LongDe’s output thereafter until the end of the contract.
As the controlling shareholder of Yu Qiao, the Company has the rights to extract and develop Qian’an 112 and other oil fields under contracts that Yu Qiao has entered into with PetroChina. These oilfields include the Daan 34 oilfield and Gudian 31 oilfield in Jilin Province.
Song Yuan Technical Joint Venture
On July 26, 2006, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement with Wang Hong Jung (“Mr. Wang”), the president and a stockholder of the Company and Ju Guizhi (“Ms. Ju”), mother of Mr. Wang, to contribute to the increased registered capital of Song Yuan North East Petroleum Technical Service Co. Ltd. (“Song Yuan Technical”). The purpose of Song Yuan Technical is to acquire oil and gas properties and to engage in the exploration of crude oil in the PRC. The Company owns a 90% equity interest in Song Yuan Technical, and Ms. Ju owns the remaining 10% equity interest in Song Yuan Technical.
Acquisition of LongDe
In order to comply with certain PRC laws relating to foreign entities’ ownership of oil and gas company in the PRC, prior to March 17, 2008, Song Yuan Technical directly owned a 70% equity interest in LongDe, while Sun Peng and Ai Chang Shan, respectively, owned 10% and 20% of the equity interests in Long De in trust for Song Yuan Technical. On March 17, 2008, Song Yuan Technical additionally acquired an additional 20% equity interest in LongDe, of which it acquired a 10% of the equity interest in LongDe from Sun Peng, and 10% of the equity interest in LongDe from Ai Chang Shan. Accordingly, Song Yuan Technical now owns directly 90% of the equity interests in LongDe, with Ai Chang Shan holding the remaining 10% in trust for Song Yuan Technical. The acquisition of LongDe was made pursuant to the laws of the PRC. As a 90% owner of Song Yuan Technical, the Company effectively controls LongDe.
Acquisition of Yu Qiao
On January 26, 2007, the Company, through its 90% owned subsidiary Song Yuan Technical, acquired beneficial ownership of all of the interests in Yu Qiao from Ms. Ju. In consideration for such acquisition, the Company issued to Ms. Ju an aggregate of 10 million shares of its common stock (the “Acquisition Shares”), having a market value of approximately U.S.$3.1 million. However, on June 29, 2007, the Company, Mr. Wang and Ms. Ju entered into an agreement pursuant to which, among other things, all of the Acquisition Shares were contributed to the Company.
In order to comply with certain PRC laws relating to foreign entities’ ownership of oil and gas company in the PRC, the former owners of Yu Qiao, Wang Pingwu and Meng Xiangyun, held 10%, and 20% of the equity interests, respectively, in Yu Qiao in trust for the benefit of Song Yuan Technical. The laws of the PRC govern the agreements by which the Company acquired Yu Qiao and by which the former owners of Yu Qiao hold equity interests in trust. See “Regulations Affecting Our Business” under “Risk Factors.” Subsequently, on March 17, 2008, Song Yuan Technical acquired from Meng Xiangyun the 20% equity interest which he had held in Yu Qiao. Accordingly, Song Yuan Technical currently directly holds a 90% equity interest in Yu Qiao, while Wang Hongjun holds a 10% equity interest in Yu Qiao in trust for the benefit of Song Yuan Technical. Thus the Company, through Song Yuan Technical, currently effectively controls 90% of the equity interests in Yu Qiao, while the remaining 10% equity interests in Yu Qiao is effectively controlled by Ms. Ju.
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Oil and Gas Properties and Activities
As of December 31, 2008, the Company had a total of 247 producing wells, including 219 producing wells at the Qian’an 112 oilfield, 14 producing wells at the Hetingbao 301 oilfield, 7 producing wells at the Daan 34 oilfield and 7 producing wells at the Gudian 31 oilfield.
All of the Company’s crude oil production is sold to the Jilin Refinery of PetroChina Group. The approximate distance of each of the Company’s oil fields from the Jilin Refinery is as follows: the Qian’an 112 oilfield is four kilometers away, the Hetingbao 301 oilfield is three kilometers away, the Daan 34 oilfield is fifteen kilometers away and the Gudian Oilfield 31 is thirty kilometers away.
PetroChina pays the Company a price per barrel equal to the monthly mean price calculated from the Mean of Platts Singapore (“MOPS”) daily price for sour, heavy Indonesian crude, as measured during the previous month. Platts is an international commodity and trading company that collects and publishes pricing data on a wide range of petroleum and non-petroleum commodity types. The price paid to the Company is FOB at the local Jilin Province PetroChina oil storage depot.
PetroChina pays the Company monthly in arrears, on approximately the 15th day after the end of each month. The amount paid to the Company in the first two months of each calendar quarter is decreased by the amount of oil surcharge tax the Company will owe to the PRC government at the end of that calendar quarter. PetroChina holds those amounts back from the Company until the end of each calendar quarter, and then pays those amounts to the Company with the balance due for oil deliveries in the final month of the quarter. For this reason, the Accounts Receivable balance at the end of each quarter is larger than the prior month’s oil sales revenue, because it includes the oil surcharge tax amounts the Company owes for the first two months of the quarter.
Sales Volumes and Prices
The following table shows the Company’s annual sales volumes of crude oil for the last two fiscal years.
2008 | 2007 | ||||||
China | (Bbls) | (Bbls) | |||||
Crude Oil | 645,856 | 267,516 |
Proved Reserves
As of December 31, 2008, total proven reserves were 5,453,792 barrels of crude oil. The Qian’an 112 Oilfield had proven reserve of 5,292,591 barrels. The Hetingbao 301 Oilfield had proven reserve of 52,232 barrels. The Gudian 31 Oilfield had proven reserve of 95,729 barrels, and the Daan 34 Oilfield had proven reserve of 13,240 barrels.
Proved reserve estimates were made as of December 31, 2008 by Ralph E. Davis Associates Inc., an independent worldwide petroleum consultant based in Houston TX. Ralph E. Davis Associates Inc. conducted a study of each of the aforementioned oilfields in accordance with generally accepted petroleum engineering and evaluation principles in conformity with SEC definitions and guidelines.
The Company’s estimates of proved reserves, proved developed reserves and proved undeveloped reserves at December 31, 2008 and 2007 are contained in the Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures— Unaudited (Supplemental Information) in the CNEH Consolidated Financial Statements (Consolidated Financial Statements).
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Also contained in the Supplemental Information in the Consolidated Financial Statements are the Company’s estimates of future net cash flows and discounted future net cash flows from proved reserves. See Operating Results and Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates for additional information on the Company’s proved reserves.
The following table shows the Company’s annual average sales prices and average production costs. Production costs are costs incurred to operate and maintain the Company’s wells and related equipment and include cost of labor, well service and repair, location maintenance, power and fuel, transportation, cost of product, property taxes, production and severance taxes and production related general and administrative costs. Additional detail of production costs is contained in the Supplemental Information.
Qian’an 112 Oilfield | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
Average annual sales price per barrel | $ | 94.29 | $ | 70.03 | ||||
Aggregate annual sales | $ | 56,258,744 | $ | 18,466,325 | ||||
Average annual production cost per barrel equivalent | $ | 5.24 | $ | 10.50 |
Hetingbao 301 Oilfield | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
Average annual sales price per barrel | $ | 94.29 | $ | 70.03 | ||||
Aggregate annual sales | $ | 1,605,505 | $ | 797,696 | ||||
Average annual production cost per barrel equivalent | $ | 30.33 | $ | 16.05 |
Daan 34 Oilfield | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
Average annual sales price per barrel | $ | 94.29 | $ | 70.03 | ||||
Aggregate annual sales | $ | 158.114 | $ | 177,231 | ||||
Average annual production cost per barrel equivalent | $ | 5.24 | $ | 10.50 |
Gudian 31 Oilfield | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
Average annual sales price per barrel | $ | 94.29 | $ | 70.03 | ||||
Aggregate annual sales | $ | 549,887 | $ | 40,817 | ||||
Average annual production cost per barrel equivalent | $ | 5.24 | $ | 10.50 |
Drilling Programs
During 2008, the Company drilled 86 new productive wells at the Qian’an 112 oilfield, 3 new productive wells at the Hetingbao 301oilfield, 0 new productive well at the Daan 34 oilfield, and 1 new productive well at the Gudian 31 oilfield.
Drilling Statistics
The following table shows the results of the oil and gas wells drilled and tested as of December 31, 2008:
Net Exploratory | Net Development | |||||||||||||||||||||
Productive | Dry Holes | Total | Productive | Dry Holes | Total | Total | ||||||||||||||||
2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 247 | 0 | 247 | 247 | |||||||||||||||
2007 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 157 | 0 | 157 | 157 |
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Properties and Leases
The following schedule shows the number of developed leases, undeveloped lease and fee mineral acres in which the Company held interests at December 31, 2008:
Developed Lease (1) | Undeveloped Lease (2) | ||||||||||||
Property | Gross | Net | Gross | Net | |||||||||
Qian’an 112 | 4,644 | 3,715 | 605 | 484 | |||||||||
Hetingbao 301 | 475 | 380 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
Daan 34 | 173 | 138 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
Gudian 31 | 130 | 104 | 194 | 156 |
(1) | Developed Proved Acres means the acres assigned to each productive well. Total proved producing wells as of December 31, 2008 were 247. |
(2) | Undeveloped Proved Acres means the acres assigned to each undeveloped location under lease that contains proved oil reserves. |
Marketing and Sales
Currently, all of the Company’s crude oil production is sold to PetroChina’s Jilin Refinery. We do not expect the Company to have any other customers during the next twelve months. As restricted by contract with PetroChina, we may not sell any crude oil to any other customer. PetroChina pays the Company a price per barrel equal to the monthly mean price calculated from the Mean of Platts Singapore (“MOPS”) daily price for sour, heavy Indonesian crude, as measured during the previous month. Platts is an international commodity and trading company that collects and publishes pricing data on a wide range of petroleum and non-petroleum commodity types. The price paid to the Company is FOB at the local Jilin Province PetroChina oil storage depot.
Employees
At March 1, 2009, we employed 257 people, of which 69 are in management and 188 are site workers. This figure represents a reduction from the number of employees reported last year. We have reduced the number of site workers employed, even as we have increased our number of operating wells substantially, through more efficient deployment of site workers. This has resulted in a lower cost per field labor unit for the Company. Substantially all of our employees are located in Northern China. Many of them are highly educated, including senior engineers and specialists with bachelors or masters degrees. None of our employees belong to a union nor are any employed pursuant to any collective bargaining agreement or similar agreement. We believe that relationships with our employees are satisfactory.
Regulations
Restrictions on Foreign Ownership in the Oil and Gas Industry
The principal regulation governing foreign ownership of oil and gas companies in China is the “Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by the Foreign Investors” issued by Ministry of Commerce, Foreign Investment Administration, Stock Exchange Committee (September 2006). Currently, qualified foreign investors cannot own 100% of an oil and gas company in China. The foreign investors’ equity holding ratios are subject to the approval of relevant government authorities.
As we understand that any foreign investment in China should be subject to the approval of the Ministry of Commerce and approvals of other authorities (if applicable).
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As a result of the rules and regulations described above, we conduct our businesses in China through Yu Qiao and Wang Hongjun, who holds the equity interests of Yu Qiao in trust for the Company and LongDe and Ai ChangShan, who holds the equity interests of LongDe in trust for the Company. We have entered into contractual arrangements with Wang Hongjun and Ai ChangShan pursuant to which we believe, based on the advice of PRC legal counsel, that:
• | we are able to exert effective control over Yu Qiao and LongDe; | ||
• | substantially all of the economic benefits of Yu Qiao and LongDe will be transferred to us; and | ||
• | our 90% owned joint venture, Song Yuan Technical, has an exclusive option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in Yu Qiao and LongDe to the extent permitted by PRC law. |
The Company further believes, based on the advice of PRC legal counsel, that:
• | the ownership structure of Yu Qiao and LongDe are in compliance with existing PRC laws and regulations; | ||
• | the contractual arrangements among Song Yuan Technical, Yu Qiao, Wang Hongjun, LongDe and Ai ChangShan are valid, binding and enforceable, and will not result in any violation of PRC laws or regulations currently in effect; and | ||
• | the PRC business operations of Song Yuan Technical and Yu Qiao and LongDe as described in this annual report, are in compliance with existing PRC laws and regulations in all material respects. |
We have been further advised, however, that there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of current and future PRC laws and regulations. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the PRC regulatory authorities will not in the future take a view that is contrary to the above opinion of our PRC legal counsel.
Environmental Regulations
We are subject to the environmental laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which we carry on our business. Existing or future laws and regulations could have a significant impact on the exploration and development of natural resources by us. However, to date, we have not been required to spend any material amounts for environmental control facilities. The Chinese government strictly monitors compliance with these laws but compliance therewith has not had any adverse impact on our operations or our financial resources.
Special Oil Fees
In June 2006, the PRC government imposed a new regulation on all oil and gas producers. Under this new regulation, all oil and gas producers are subject to a mandatory special oil fee. The fee is calculated based on the per barrel selling price of crude oil received by the producer. If the selling price of crude oil received by the producer exceeds $40 per barrel, the special oil fee is 20% of that portion of the selling price that exceeds $40 per barrel. If the selling price of the crude oil exceeds $60 per barrel, the special oil fee is 40% of the portion of the selling price that exceeds $60 per barrel. As a result of this new regulation, the Company paid additional special oil fees of $11,105,325 to the PRC government during 2008. The Company will be required to continue to pay these special oil fees to the PRC government if the selling price of crude oil remains above $40 per barrel, and these special oil fees will increase to the extent that crude oil prices rise.
Competition
By virtue of our binding contractual agreements with PetroChina Group as described above, we have no competitor with respect to the extraction and production of crude oil from the oilfields where we operate.
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Properties
China North East Petroleum’s principal headquarters are located in Song Yuan City, Jilin Province in the People’s Republic of China. The Company leases an approximately 7,747 square foot facility for approximately $14,006 per year that expires in June 30, 2015. These headquarters house all of our administrative and clerical staff. The Company also leases an approximately 26,910 square foot facility as its production base for $182 per year that expires in September 20, 2023. At the same time, we have operation offices in Harbin City, China and New York City, United States.
The Company’s crude oil exploration and production operations are conducted on property which is located in the Jilin Oil Region.
The Company also has an office located at the Qian’an 112 Oilfield. The Company owns the buildings although the land is leased pursuant to the Oil Lease. Actual oil exploration and production operations are controlled from this office and housing is provided for up to 60 workers. The Company pays no rent for use of this space. In addition the Company has no written agreement or formal arrangement pertaining to the use of this space. No other businesses operate from this office.
The Company does not have an office located in the Hetingbao 301, Daan 34 or Gudian 31 Oilfields.
The Company has no current plans to occupy any additional office space.
Legal Proceedings
On August 17, 2007, the Company filed a complaint in the Third Judicial District Court in and for Salt Lake County, State of Utah, naming Topworth Assets Limited ("Topworth") as the principal defendant. The Company asserted conversion, unjust enrichment, breach of warranty, fraud, and for declaratory relief causes of action. The actions arise out of the issuance of 3,715,000 shares of the Company's stock to Topworth in or about early 2004. The Company was able to recover from Topworth 2,715,000 of these shares shortly after their issuance, and now contends it is entitled to recover the remaining 1,000,000 shares because Topworth received all the stock by fraud. The Company sought and obtained an injunction preventing Topworth's transfer of this disputed stock.
In response to the Company's complaint and the issuance of the injunction against it, Topworth filed an answer to the complaint and a counterclaim against the Company, Wei Guo Ping, and Wang Hong Jun on December 11, 2007. Topworth asserts various legal theories that contend it performed consulting services to the Company; was entitled to all of the disputed stock as compensation for services; and was improperly required to return some of the disputed stock to the Company.
On March 5, 2009, the Company and Topworth entered into a Settlement and Release Agreement (the “Settlement”) whereby the Company and Topworth agreed to mutually release each other from any and all claims they have against each other, including any and all claims and counterclaims pending in the action brought by the Company in the Third District Court, State of Utah, Civil Case Number 070911868 (the “Action”). Under the Settlement, the parties’ shall dismiss the Company’s complaint and Topworth’s counterclaim. The 627,360 shares of common stock in the Company held in the name of Topworth (the “Shares”) that were a subject of dispute in the Action shall be disposed of on the following material terms: Topworth shall deliver all certificates representing the Shares to a designated custodian; the custodian shall hold the certificates until at least June 26, 2009; and, thereafter, the custodian shall release 100,000 of the Shares to Topworth each month until November 30, 2009, when Topworth will be entitled to receive all of the remaining Shares. The custodian shall release the Shares without any restriction on Topworth’s ability transfer or sell the Shares imposed by the Company subject to restrictions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Shares have been held in Topworth’s name and have been included in the Company’s outstanding shares; as such the Shares will not have an additional dilutive effect on the Company’s shareholders.
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We know of no other material, active or pending legal proceedings against our Company, and, other than as disclosed above, we are not involved as a plaintiff in any other material proceeding or pending litigation. There are no proceedings in which any of our directors, officers or affiliates, or any registered or beneficial shareholder, is an adverse party or has a material interest adverse to our interest.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Our business is subject to certain risks, and we want you to review these risks while you are evaluating our business and our historical results. Please keep in mind that any of the following risks discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report could materially and adversely affect us, our operating results, our financial condition and our projections and beliefs as to our future performance. As such, our results could differ materially from those projected in our forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or those we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business.
Risks Related To Our Business
Oil prices fluctuate significantly, and lower prices for an extended period of time are likely to have a material adverse impact on our business.
Our revenues, profitability and future growth depend substantially on prevailing prices for crude oil. We sell to one customer, PetroChina, and PetroChina pays the Company a price per barrel equal to the monthly mean price calculated from the Mean of Platts Singapore (“MOPS”) daily price for sour, heavy Indonesian crude, as measured during the previous month. Platts is an international commodity and trading company that collects and publishes pricing data on a wide range of petroleum and non-petroleum commodity types. The price paid to the Company is FOB at the local Jilin Province PetroChina oil storage depot.
These prices also affect the amount of cash flow available for capital expenditures and our ability to borrow and raise additional capital. The lower prices may reduce the amount of crude oil that we can economically produce.
Among the factors that can cause fluctuations are:
• | The price and availability of alternative fuels; |
• | disruptions in supply and changes in demand caused by weather conditions; |
• | changes in demand as a result of changes in price; |
• | political conditions in oil and gas producing regions; and |
• | domestic governmental regulations. |
Our future success depends on our ability to find, develop and acquire oil and gas reserves.
To maintain production levels, we must locate and develop or acquire new crude oil reserves to replace those depleted by production. Without successful exploration or acquisition activities, our reserves, production and revenues will decline rapidly. We may be unable to find and develop or acquire additional reserves at an acceptable cost. In addition, substantial capital is required to replace and grow reserves. If lower crude oil price or operating constraints or production difficulties result in our cash flow from operations being less than expected, we may be unable to expend the capital necessary to locate and develop or acquire new crude oil reserves.
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We may need to raise substantial additional capital, which may result in substantial dilution to existing stockholders.
Although the Company currently has no plans to raise additional capital, the Company may need to raise additional capital to fully deploy wells onto its oilfields or to make acquisitions. There can be no assurance that we will be able to raise sufficient capital at all or on terms favorable to our stockholders or us. If we issue equity securities in order to raise additional capital in the amounts currently contemplated, the stockholders will experience immediate and substantial dilution in their ownership percentage of the combined company. In addition, to raise the capital we need, we may need to issue additional shares at a discount to the current market price. If the terms of such financing are unfavorable to us or our stockholders, the stockholders may experience substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of their stock. In addition, any new equity securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing holders of common stock. If we cannot raise funds on acceptable terms, we may not be able to fully develop or exploit our existing oil reserves, take advantage of future opportunities or respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated requirements all of which could have a material adverse effect on us.
Environmental and regulatory factors
The oil drilling industry in China to date has not been subject to the type and scope of regulation seen in Europe and the United States. However, the possibility exists that new legislation or regulations may be adopted or that the enforcement of existing laws could become more stringent, either of which may have a significant impact on our mining operations or our customers’ ability to use oil and may require us or our customers to significantly change operations or to incur substantial costs. We believe that our operations in China are in compliance with China’s applicable legal and regulatory requirements. However, there can be no assurance that China’s central or local governments will not impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that would require additional expenditures.
Reserve degradation and depletion
Our profitability depends substantially on our ability to exploit our oil reserves at competitive costs. Replacement reserves may not be available when required or, if available, may not be capable of being drilled at costs comparable to those characteristics of the depleting oil field. We may in the future acquire oil reserves from third parties. We may not be able to accurately assess the geological characteristics of any reserves that we acquire, which may adversely affect our profitability and financial condition. Exhaustion of reserves at our existing oil fields and at oil fields that we may acquire in the future can also have an adverse effect on operating results that is disproportionate to the percentage of overall production represented by such mines.
Reserves – title; leasehold interests
Our proved reserves are estimates. Any material inaccuracies in our reserve estimates or assumptions underlying our reserve estimates could cause the quantities and net present value of our reserves to be overstated or understated. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved reserves, including many factors beyond our control that could cause the quantities and net present value of our reserves to be overstated. The reserve information included or incorporated by reference in this report represents estimates prepared by our internal engineers and examined by independent petroleum consultants. Estimation of reserves is not an exact science. Estimates of economically recoverable oil and natural gas reserves and of future net cash flows necessarily depend upon a number of variable factors and assumptions, any of which may cause these estimates to vary considerably from actual results, such as:
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• historical production from an area compared with production from similar producing areas; | |
• assumed effects of regulation by governmental agencies; | |
• assumptions concerning future oil and natural gas prices, future operating costs and capital expenditures; and | |
• estimates of future severance and excise taxes, workover and remedial costs. |
Estimates of reserves based on risk of recovery and estimates of expected future net cash flows prepared or audited by different engineers, or by the same engineers at different times, may vary substantially. Actual production, revenues and expenditures with respect to our reserves will likely vary from estimates, and the variance may be material. The net present values referred to in this report should not be construed as the current market value of the estimated oil reserves attributable to our properties. In accordance with SEC requirements, the estimated discounted net cash flows from proved reserves are generally based on prices and costs as of the date of the estimate, whereas actual future prices and costs may be materially higher or lower.
Acquisitions
We are seeking to expand our operations and oil reserves in the regions in which we operate through acquisitions of businesses and assets, including leases of oil reserves. Acquisition transactions involve inherent risks, such as:
• | uncertainties in assessing the value, strengths, weaknesses, contingent and other liabilities and potential profitability of acquisition or other transaction candidates; | |
• | the potential loss of key personnel of an acquired business; | |
• | the ability to achieve identified operating and financial synergies anticipated to result from an acquisition or other transaction; |
• | problems that could arise from the integration of the acquired business; |
• | unanticipated changes in business, industry or general economic conditions that affect the assumptions underlying the acquisition or other transaction rationale; and |
• | Unexpected development costs that adversely affects our profitability. |
Any one or more of these factors could cause us not to realize the benefits anticipated to result from the acquisition of businesses or assets.
Risks Related To Doing Business In China
Our operations are primarily located in China and may be adversely affected by changes in the policies of the Chinese government.
The political environment in the PRC may adversely affect the Company’s business operations. The PRC has operated as a socialist state since 1949 and is controlled by the Communist Party of China. In recent years, however, the government has introduced reforms aimed at creating a “socialist market economy” and policies have been implemented to allow business enterprises greater autonomy in their operations. Changes in the political leadership of the PRC may have a significant effect on laws and policies related to the current economic reforms program, other policies affecting business and the general political, economic and social environment in the PRC, including the introduction of measures to control inflation, changes in the rate or method of taxation, the imposition of additional restrictions on currency conversion and remittances abroad, and foreign investment. These effects could substantially impair the Company’s business, profits or prospects in China. Moreover, economic reforms and growth in the PRC have been more successful in certain provinces than in others, and the continuation or increases of such disparities could affect the political or social stability of the PRC.
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The PRC’s economic, political and social conditions, as well as governmental policies, could affect the financial markets in China and our liquidity and access to capital and our ability to operate our business.
The PRC economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the amount of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. While the PRC economy has experienced significant growth over the past, growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. The PRC government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures benefit the overall PRC economy, but may also have a negative effect on us. The PRC economy has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more market-oriented economy. Although the PRC government has implemented measures since the late 1970s emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of improved corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in China is still owned by the PRC government. In addition, the PRC government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. The PRC government also exercises significant control over China’s economic growth through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign currency- denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. Since late 2003, the PRC government implemented a number of measures, such as raising bank reserves against deposit rates to place additional limitations on the ability of commercial banks to make loans and raise interest rates, in order to slow down specific segments of China’s economy which it believed to be overheating. These actions, as well as future actions and policies of the PRC government, could materially affect our liquidity and access to capital and our ability to operate our business.
The Chinese government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which the Company must conduct its business activities.
The PRC only recently has permitted greater provincial and local economic autonomy and private economic activities. The government of the PRC has exercised and continues to exercise substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state ownership. Accordingly, government actions in the future, including any decision not to continue to support recent economic reforms and to return to a more centrally planned economy or regional or local variations in the implementation of economic policies, could have a significant effect on economic conditions in the PRC or particular regions thereof, and could require the Company to divest the interests it then holds in Chinese properties or joint ventures. Any such developments could have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, financial condition and prospects of the Company.
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Future inflation in China may inhibit economic activity and adversely affect the Company’s operations.
In recent years, the Chinese economy has experienced periods of rapid expansion and within which some years with high rates of inflation and deflation, which have led to the adoption by the PRC government, from time to time, of various corrective measures designed to restrict the availability of credit or regulate growth and contain inflation. While inflation has moderated since 1995, high inflation may in the future cause the PRC government to impose controls on credit and/or prices, or to take other action, which could inhibit economic activity in China, and thereby adversely affect the Company’s business operations and prospects in the PRC.
We may be restricted from freely converting the Renminbi to other currencies in a timely manner.
The Renminbi is not a freely convertible currency at present. The Company receives all of its revenue in Renminbi, which may need to be converted to other currencies, primarily U.S. dollars, and remitted outside of the PRC. Effective July 1, 1996, foreign currency “current account” transactions by foreign investment enterprises, including Sino-foreign joint ventures, are no longer subject to the approval of State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE,” formerly, “State Administration of Exchange Control”), but need only a ministerial review, according to the Administration of the Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange Provisions promulgated in 1996 (the “FX regulations”). “Current account” items include international commercial transactions, which occur on a regular basis, such as those relating to trade and provision of services. Distributions to joint venture parties also are considered a “current account transaction.” Other non-current account items, known as “capital account” items, remain subject to SAFE approval. Under current regulations, the Company can obtain foreign currency in exchange for Renminbi from swap centers authorized by the government. The Company does not anticipate problems in obtaining foreign currency to satisfy its requirements; however, there is no assurance that foreign currency shortages or changes in currency exchange laws and regulations by the Chinese government will not restrict the Company from freely converting Renminbi in a timely manner. If such shortages or change in laws and regulations occur, the Company may accept Renminbi, which can be held or re-invested in other projects.
We may suffer from exchange rate risks that could result in foreign currency exchange loss.
Because our business transactions are denominated in RMB and our funding and result of operations will be denominated in USD, fluctuations in exchange rates between USD and RMB will affect our balance sheet and financial results. Since July 2005, RMB is no longer solely pegged with USD but is pegged against a basket of currencies as a whole in order to keep a more stable exchange rate for international trading. With the very strong economic growth in China in the last few years, RMB is facing a very high pressure to appreciate against USD. Such pressure would result more fluctuations in exchange rates and in turn our business would be suffered from higher exchange rate risk.
There are very limited hedging tools available in China to hedge our exposure in exchange rate fluctuations. They are also ineffective in the sense that these hedges cannot be freely preformed in the PRC financial market, and more important, the frequent changes in PRC exchange control regulations would limit our hedging ability for RMB.
We may be unable to enforce our rights due to policies regarding the regulation of foreign investments in China.
The PRC’s legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes in which decided legal cases have little value as precedents, unlike the common law system prevalent in the United States. The PRC does not have a well-developed, consolidated body of laws governing foreign investment enterprises. As a result, the administration of laws and regulations by government agencies may be subject to considerable discretion and variation, and may be subject to influence by external forces unrelated to the legal merits of a particular matter. China’s regulations and policies with respect to foreign investments are evolving. Definitive regulations and policies with respect to such matters as the permissible percentage of foreign investment and permissible rates of equity returns have not yet been published. Statements regarding these evolving policies have been conflicting and any such policies, as administered, are likely to be subject to broad interpretation and discretion and to be modified, perhaps on a case-by-case basis. The uncertainties regarding such regulations and policies present risks that the Company will not be able to achieve its business objectives. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to enforce any legal rights it may have under its contracts or otherwise.
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Because our assets are located overseas, stockholders may not receive distributions that they would otherwise be entitled to if we were declared bankrupt or insolvent.
Our assets are, for the most part, located in the PRC. Because the Company’s assets are located overseas, the assets of the Company may be outside of the jurisdiction of U.S. courts to administer if the Company was the subject of an insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding. As a result, if the Company was declared bankrupt or insolvent, the Company’s stockholders may not receive the distributions on liquidation that they are otherwise entitled to under U.S. bankruptcy law.
Our acquisitions of LongDe and Yu Qiao were structured to attempt to fully comply with PRC rules and regulations. However, such arrangements may be adjudicated by relevant PRC government agencies as not being in compliance with PRC governmental regulations on foreign investment in oil and gas industries and such structures may limit our control with respect to such entities.
PRC rules and regulations do not allow foreign investors to directly own 100% of a domestic oil and gas business. As such, we are ineligible to own directly 100% a domestic oil and gas business in China. We acquired Hong Xiang Oil Development through Hong Xiang Technical, our 100% owned subsidiary. We acquired a majority interest of LongDe and Yu Qiao through Song Yuan Technical, our 90% owned joint venture incorporated in the PRC. Our acquisition of Yu Qiao is currently provided through a trust arrangement with a PRC citizen designated by PetroChina, a government owned entity; pursuant to which they agree to hold 10% securities of Yu Qiao for the benefit of Song Yuan Technical in compliance with the applicable law of the PRC. However, pursuant to the trust agreement, they agree, among other things, to (i) vote the securities as directed by Song Yuan technical, (ii) deliver all payments, distributions and other economic benefits received with respect to the securities to Song Yuan Technical, (iii) not transfer or encumber the securities without the consent of Song Yuan Technical and (iv) to transfer the securities to Song Yuan Technical as soon as permissible under the laws of the PRC.
Although we have been advised by our PRC counsel that our arrangements with our affiliated Chinese entities are valid under current PRC laws and regulations, we cannot assure you that we will not be required to restructure our organization structure and operations in China to comply with changing and new PRC laws and regulations. Restructuring of our operations may result in disruption of our business, diversion of management attention and the incurrence of substantial costs.
Recent PRC regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may increase our administrative burden and restrict our overseas and cross-border investment activities. If our shareholders who are PRC residents fail to make any required applications and filings under such regulations, we may be unable to distribute profits and may become subject to liability under PRC laws.
The PRC National Development and Reform Commission, or NDRC, and SAFE recently promulgated regulations that require PRC residents and PRC corporate entities to register with and obtain approvals from relevant PRC government authorities in connection with their direct or indirect offshore investment activities. These regulations apply to our shareholders who are PRC residents and may apply to any offshore acquisitions that we make in the future.
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Under the SAFE regulations, PRC residents who make, or have previously made, direct or indirect investments in offshore companies will be required to register those investments. In addition, any PRC resident who is a direct or indirect shareholder of an offshore company is required to file with the local branch of SAFE, with respect to that offshore company, any material change involving capital variation, such as an increase or decrease in capital, transfer or swap of shares, merger, division, long-term equity or debt investment or creation of any security interest over the assets located in China. If any PRC shareholder fails to make the required SAFE registration, the PRC subsidiaries of that offshore parent company may be prohibited from distributing their profits and the proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation, to their offshore parent company, and the offshore parent company may also be prohibited from injecting additional capital into their PRC subsidiaries. Moreover, failure to comply with the various SAFE registration requirements described above could result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions.
We cannot assure you that all of our shareholders who are PRC residents will comply with our request to make or obtain any registrations or approvals required under these regulations or other related legislation. Furthermore, as the regulations are relatively new, the PRC government has yet to publish implementing rules, and much uncertainty remains concerning the reconciliation of the new regulations with other approval requirements. It is unclear how these regulations, and any future legislation concerning offshore or cross-border transactions, will be interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant government authorities. The failure or inability of our PRC resident shareholders to comply with these regulations may subject us to fines and legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our ability to inject additional capital into our PRC subsidiaries, and the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make distributions or pay dividends, or materially and adversely affect our ownership structure. If any of the foregoing events occur, our acquisition strategy, business operations and ability to distribute profits to you could be materially and adversely affected.
PRC regulation of loans and direct investment by offshore holding companies to PRC entities may delay or prevent us from raising finance to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC operating subsidiaries and affiliates.
As an offshore holding company of our PRC operating subsidiaries and affiliates, we may make loans to our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated PRC affiliated entities, or we may make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries. Any loans to our PRC subsidiaries or consolidated PRC affiliated entities are subject to PRC regulations and approvals.
We may also determine to finance Song Yuan Technical, by means of capital contributions. These capital contributions to Song Yuan Technical must be approved by the PRC Ministry of Commerce or its local counterpart. We cannot assure you that we can obtain these government registrations or approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future loans or capital contributions by us to our operating subsidiaries. If we fail to receive such registrations or approvals, our ability to capitalize our PRC operations would be negatively affected which would adversely and materially affect our liquidity and our ability to expand our business.
Risks Related To Corporate And Stock Matters
Our authorized preferred stock exposes stockholders to certain risks.
Our Articles of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to 150,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.001 per share. To date, no shares of preferred stock have been issued. The authorized preferred stock constitutes what is commonly referred to as “blank check” preferred stock. This type of preferred stock allows the Board of Directors to divide the preferred stock into series, to designate each series, to fix and determine separately for each series any one or more relative rights and preferences and to issue shares of any series without further stockholder approval. Preferred stock authorized in series allows our Board of Directors to hinder or discourage an attempt to gain control of us by a merger, tender offer at a control premium price, proxy contest or otherwise. Consequently, the preferred stock could entrench our management. In addition, the market price of our common stock could be materially and adversely affected by the existence of the preferred stock.
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The market for the Company’s common stock is illiquid.
The Company’s common stock is traded on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board. It is thinly traded compared to larger more widely known companies in its industry. Thinly traded common stock can be more volatile than stock trading in an active public market. The Company cannot predict the extent to which an active public market for its common stock will develop or be sustained.
Our stock is a penny stock. Trading of our stock may be restricted by the SEC’s penny stock regulations which may limit a stockholder’s ability to buy and sell our stock.
Our stock is a penny stock. The SEC has adopted Rule 15g-9 which generally defines “penny stock” to be any equity security that has a market price (as defined) less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. Our securities are covered by the penny stock rules, which impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell to persons other than established customers and “accredited investors”. The term “accredited investor” refers generally to institutions with assets in excess of $5,000,000 or individuals with a net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or annual income exceeding $200,000 or $300,000 jointly with their spouse. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document in a form prepared by the SEC which provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account. The bid and offer quotations, and the broker-dealer and salesperson compensation information, must be given to the customer orally or in writing prior to effecting the transaction and must be given to the customer in writing before or with the customer’s confirmation. In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from these rules, the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for the stock that is subject to these penny stock rules. Consequently, these penny stock rules may affect the ability of broker-dealers to trade our securities. We believe that the penny stock rules discourage investor interest in and limit the marketability of our common stock.
NASD sales practice requirements may also limit a stockholder’s ability to buy and sell our stock.
In addition to the “penny stock” rules described above, the NASD has adopted rules that require that in recommending an investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that customer. Prior to recommending speculative low priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other information. Under interpretations of these rules, the NASD believes that there is a high probability that speculative low priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. The NASD requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our common stock, which may limit your ability to buy and sell our stock and have an adverse effect on the market for our shares.
Stockholders should have no expectation of any dividends.
The holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefore. To date, we have not declared nor paid any cash dividends. The board of directors does not intend to declare any dividends in the foreseeable future, but instead intends to retain all earnings, if any, for use in our business operations.
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A majority of our directors and officers are located outside the United States, with the result that it may be difficult for investors to enforce within the United States any judgments obtained against us or any of our overseas-based directors or officers.
A majority of our directors and officers are nationals and/or residents of countries other than the United States, and all or a substantial portion of such persons’ assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process on our overseas-based directors or officers, or enforce within the United States or Canada any judgments obtained against us or our overseas-based officers or directors, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof. Consequently, you may be effectively prevented from pursuing remedies under U.S. federal securities laws against them. In addition, investors may not be able to commence an action in a Canadian court predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States.
If we or our independent registered public accountants cannot attest our adequacy in the internal control measures over our financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act, for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009, we may be adversely affected.
As a public company, we are subject to report our internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting in our annual reports on Form 10-K, as a requirement of Section 404 of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The report must contain an assessment by management about the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. Moreover, the independent registered public accountants of our company must attest to and report on management’s assessment of the same. Even if our management attests to our internal control measure to be effective, our independent registered public accountants may not satisfy with our internal control structure and procedures. We cannot assure possible outcomes about the conclusion of the report and it could result in an adverse impact on us in the financial marketplace due to the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which could negatively impact to our stock market price.
ITEM 2 PROPERTIES
China North East Petroleum’s principal headquarters are located in Song Yuan City, in the People’s Republic of China. The Company leases an approximately 7,747 square foot facility for approximately $14,006 per year that expires in June 30, 2015. These headquarters house all of our administrative and clerical staff. The Company also leases an approximately 26,910 square foot facility as its production base for $182 per year that expires in September 20, 2023. At the same time, we have administrative offices in Harbin City, China and New York City, United States.
The Company’s crude oil exploration and production operations are conducted on property which is located in the Jilin Oil Region.
The Company also has an office located at the Qian’an 112 Oilfield. The Company owns the buildings although the land is leased pursuant to the Oil Lease. Actual oil exploration and production operations are controlled from this office and housing is provided for up to 60 workers. The Company pays no rent for use of this space. In addition the Company has no written agreement or formal arrangement pertaining to the use of this space. No other businesses operate from this office.
The Company does not have an office located in the Hetingbao 301, Daan 34 or Gudian 31 Oilfields.
The Company has no current plans to occupy any additional office space.
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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On August 17, 2007, the Company filed a complaint in the Third Judicial District Court in and for Salt Lake County, State of Utah, naming Topworth Assets Limited ("Topworth") as the principal defendant. The Company asserted conversion, unjust enrichment, breach of warranty, fraud, and for declaratory relief causes of action. The actions arise out of the issuance of 3,715,000 shares of the Company's stock to Topworth in or about early 2004. The Company was able to recover from Topworth 2,715,000 of these shares shortly after their issuance, and now contends it is entitled to recover the remaining 1,000,000 shares because Topworth received all the stock by fraud. The Company sought and obtained an injunction preventing Topworth's transfer of this disputed stock.
In response to the Company's complaint and the issuance of the injunction against it, Topworth filed an answer to the complaint and a counterclaim against the Company, Wei Guo Ping, and Wang Hong Jun on December 11, 2007. Topworth asserts various legal theories that contend it performed consulting services to the Company; was entitled to all of the disputed stock as compensation for services; and was improperly required to return some of the disputed stock to the Company.
On March 5, 2009, the Company and Topworth entered into a Settlement and Release Agreement (the “Settlement”) whereby the Company and Topworth agreed to mutually release each other from any and all claims they have against each other, including any and all claims and counterclaims pending in the action brought by the Company in the Third District Court, State of Utah, Civil Case Number 070911868 (the “Action”). Under the Settlement, the parties’ shall dismiss the Company’s complaint and Topworth’s counterclaim. The 627,360 shares of common stock in the Company held in the name of Topworth (the “Shares”) that were a subject of dispute in the Action shall be disposed of on the following material terms: Topworth shall deliver all certificates representing the Shares to a designated custodian; the custodian shall hold the certificates until at least June 26, 2009; and, thereafter, the custodian shall release 100,000 of the Shares to Topworth each month until November 30, 2009, when Topworth will be entitled to receive all of the remaining Shares. The custodian shall release the Shares without any restriction on Topworth’s ability transfer or sell the Shares imposed by the Company subject to restrictions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Shares have been held in Topworth’s name and have been included in the Company’s outstanding shares; as such the Shares will not have an additional dilutive effect on the Company’s shareholders.
We know of no other material, active or pending legal proceedings against our company, and, other than as disclosed above, we are not involved as a plaintiff in any other material proceeding or pending litigation. There are no proceedings in which any of our directors, officers or affiliates, or any registered or beneficial shareholder, is an adverse party or has a material interest adverse to our interest.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 2008.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
Market Information
CNEH common stock is quoted on the Over-the-Counter Electronic Bulletin Board under the symbol “CNEH.OB”. Presented below is the high and low bid information of CNEH’s common stock for the periods indicated. The source of the following information is OTC Bulletin Board. These quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not represent actual transactions.
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CNEH COMMON STOCK | ||||||||
HIGH | LOW | |||||||
FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2008: | ||||||||
First Quarter | $ | 2.52 | $ | 1.64 | ||||
Second Quarter | $ | 5.37 | $ | 2.27 | ||||
Third Quarter | $ | 5.58 | $ | 2.27 | ||||
Fourth Quarter | $ | 2.50 | $ | 1.57 | ||||
FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2007: | ||||||||
First Quarter | $ | 0.39 | $ | 0.31 | ||||
Second Quarter | $ | 0.50 | $ | 0.30 | ||||
Third Quarter | $ | 4.24 | $ | 0.37 | ||||
Fourth Quarter | $ | 4.12 | $ | 2.0 |
Holders
As of March 11, 2009, CNEH had approximately 91 holders of record.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth certain information as of March 11, 2009 about our equity compensation plans under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance.
Equity Compensation Plan Information Table
Plan Category | (a) Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | (b) Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | (c) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 1,720,000 | $2.18 | 780,000 |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | - | - | - |
Total | 1,720,000 | 780,000 |
Dividend Policy
We have not declared any dividends since incorporation and do not anticipate that we will do so in the foreseeable future. Although there are no restrictions that limit the ability to pay dividends on our common shares, our intention is to retain future earnings for use in our operations and the expansion of our business.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
Not required for smaller reporting companies.
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION.
The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historic or current facts. They use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to:
• | Our expectation of continued growth in the demand for our oil; | |
• | Our expectation that we will continue to have adequate liquidity from cash flows from operations; | |
• | A variety of market, operational, geologic, permitting, labor and weather related factors; and | |
• | The other risks and uncertainties which are described below under “RISK FACTORS”, including, but not limited to, the following: | |
• | Unanticipated conditions may cause profitability to fluctuate. | |
• | Decreases in purchases of oil by our customer will adversely affect our revenues. |
Overview
We are engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil in Northern China. We have an arrangement with the Jilin Refinery of PetroChina Group to sell our crude oil production for use in the China marketplace. We currently operate 247 producing wells located in four oilfields in Northern China and have plans for additional drilling projects.
In particular, through two of our subsidiaries, Song Yuan City Yu Qiao Oil and Gas Development Co. Ltd. (“Yu Qiao”) and Chang Ling Longde Oil and Gas Development Co. Ltd. (“LongDe”), we have entered into binding sales agreements with the PetroChina Group, whereby we sell our crude oil production for use in the China marketplace.
We currently operate 4 oilfields located in Northern China, which include:
Field | Acreage (Gross developed and undeveloped) | Producing Oil Wells | Proved Reserves (Bbls) | |||||||
Qian’an 112 | 5,249 | 219 | 5,292,591 | |||||||
Daan 34 | 173 | 7 | 13,240 | |||||||
Gudian 31 | 324 | 7 | 95,729 | |||||||
Hetingbao 301 | 475 | 14 | 52,232 |
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The following chart illustrates our company’s organizational structure.
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Company is paid by PetroChina base on the crude oil price in the international commodity market. Prices in 2008 averaged RMB 4,845 per ton or approximately $94.29 per barrel, which represents an increase of 23% over 2007.
Our cost of net revenues consists of cost of labor, well service and repair, location maintenance, power and fuel, transportation, cost of product, property taxes, production and severance taxes and production related general and administrative costs.
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and related expenses for executive, finance, accounting, information technology, facilities and human resources personnel, recruiting expenses, professional fees and costs associated with expanding our information systems.
Comparing Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2008 and 2007:
The following table presents certain consolidated statement of operations information. Financial information is presented for the 12-month period ending as of December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Revenues, net | $ | 58,572,250 | $ | 19,482,069 | ||||
Cost and Expenses | $ | 23,973,808 | $ | 10,236,486 | ||||
Income from Operations | $ | 34,598,442 | $ | 9,245,583 |
Revenues. Revenues for 2008 increased to $58,572,250 from $19,482,069 in 2007 as a result of the increase in oil production and higher oil prices. During the whole year, the Company drilled 90 new oil wells in the four oilfields which are owned by the Company. The total number of producing wells increased from 157 in 2007 to 247 in 2008, a total increase of 57%. Total oil production for 2008 was 645,856 barrels, or approximately a 141% increase, as compared to 267,516 barrels in the same period in 2007 due to the increase in producing wells and the implementation of water flooding in the Qian’an 112 oil field. Oil prices in 2008 averaged RMB 4,845 per ton or approximately $94.29 per barrel, which represents an increase of 23% over 2007 levels of RMB 3,937 per ton or approximately $ 70.03 per barrel.
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Oilfield | 2008 wells | 2007 wells | 2008 Production | 2007 Production | |||||||||
Qian’an112 | 219 | 133 | 621,820 | 253,116 | |||||||||
Hetingbao 301 | 14 | 11 | 16,626 | 11,318 | |||||||||
Gudian31 | 7 | 6 | 5,821 | 502 | |||||||||
Daan 34 | 7 | 7 | 1,588 | 2,580 | |||||||||
Total | 247 | 157 | 645,856 | 267,516 |
Company | 2008 wells | 2007 wells | 2008 Production | 2007 Production | |||||||||
Yu Qiao | 233 | 146 | 629,230 | 256,198 | |||||||||
LongDe | 14 | 11 | 16,626 | 11,318 |
Cost of sales. Cost of sales increased by 136% from $8,941,976 for the year ended December 31, 2007 to $21,137,240 for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase in cost of sales resulted primarily from the increased number of producing wells and higher production levels in 2008. During 2008, our total number of producing wells increased from 157 in 2007 to 247 in 2008, a total increase of 57%. Higher production also lead to an increase of the Special Oil Surcharge. The company paid a special oil surcharge of $11,105,325 to the PRC government in 2008, while $2,857,376 was paid to the PRC government for the same period in 2007. In addition, depreciation of oil and gas properties was increased by 73% to $6,172,422 in 2008, compared to $3,562,265 in the same period in 2007 by the result of an increase in the number of producing wells.
Operating Expenses. Operating expenses increased by 119% from $1,294,510 for the year ended December 31, 2007 to $2,836,568 for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase in operating expenses resulted primarily from higher selling and administrative expenses, higher depreciation due to increased fixed assets and an increase in consultant fees related to financing activities. During 2008, the Company paid approximately $396,330 for consulting service in connection with financing activities and other consulting services related to obligations of the Company as a U.S. publicly traded company, as compared with $108,500 in 2007.
General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses increased by 123% to $1,959,602 for the year ended 2008 compared to $880,161 for the year ended 2007. This increase was mainly due to expenses associated with increased stock compensation of $708,228 to management and consultants in 2008.
Net Income. The Company’s net income increased by 282% to $19,582,038 for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to $5,132,581 for the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase in net income was primarily due to the increase in revenues as a result in increased production, higher crude oil prices and increased proven reserves which result in lower per-unit depreciation of oil and gas properties.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of December 31, 2008, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $13,239,213, other current assets of $5,322,441 and current liabilities of $16,995,154. For the year ended December 31, 2008, our primary source of liquidity was $36,203,786 in net cash provided by operations and proceeds from the issuance of a secured debenture in the aggregate principal amount of $15,000,000.
As of December 31, 2008, the Company’s current liabilities were $16,995,154, consisting of $10,985,894 in accounts payable primarily comprised of costs related to the drilling of an additional 90 wells in 2008, $3,710,870 in income and other taxes payable, and $1,489,126 for the current portion of secured debenture due to the lender net of discount.
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Net cash provided by operating activities was $36,203,786 for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $9,503,642 for the year 2007. The increase is primarily related to an increase in sales and net income in 2008.
Net cash used in investing activities was $31,875,938 for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $12,334,036 for the year 2007. This is primarily a result of the purchase of oil and gas properties and fixed assets.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $10,079,101 for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $4,362,473 for the same period in 2007. This increase is primarily a result of the successful completion of our 8% secured debenture financing in February 2008.
While we expect cash provided by operations may decrease due to the dramatic drop of global oil prices, however as the newly drilled additional oil wells come into production may offset the impact of lower oil price, and still creates positive cash inflow. Global oil prices have declined from historic high levels experienced in 2008, and we anticipate that oil prices will remain below those levels for the balance of 2009. In spite of the lower anticipated oil prices in the current year, we expect that cash flow from operations will be sufficient to allow us to meet all of our obligations and to continue to drill new oil wells.
Capital Commitment
As of December 31, 2008, the Company had capital commitments of $783,000 with a contractor for the completion of drilling of 7 oil wells under construction.
Inflation
Inflation did not have a material impact on our business in 2008 other than the increase in oil price received as discussed above.
Material Subsequent Events
Amendment to 8% Secured Debenture and Warrants
On March 5, 2009, the Company and Lotusbox Investments Limited (the “Investor”) entered into Amendment No. 1 to 8% Secured Debenture (the “Amendment”) which amended the 8% Secured Debenture (the “Debenture”) issued to the Investor on February 28, 2008 for the principal amount of $15,000,000. Pursuant to the Amendment, the Investor agreed to extend the Company’s requirement to effect a listing of its common stock on either the NYSE Alternext US LLC (formerly known as the American Stock Exchange) or NASDAQ until August 30, 2010, and the Company agreed to issue warrants to purchase up to (1) 250,000 shares of common stock at a per share exercise price of $2.00 and (2) 250,000 shares of common stock at a per share exercise price of $2.35 (together, the “Warrants”). Also pursuant to the Amendment, the parties have agreed to amend the principal repayment schedule of the Debenture as follows:
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Repayment Date | Repayment Amount |
August 28, 2008 | $750,000 |
March 28, 2009 | $1,250,000 |
June 28, 2009 | $1,250,000 |
September 28, 2009 | $1,250,000 |
December 28, 2009 | $1,250,000 |
March 28, 2010 | $1,875,000 |
August 28, 2010 | $2,500,000 |
February 28, 2011 | $2,500,000 |
August 28, 2011 | $1,500,000 |
February 28, 2012 | $875,000 |
Total Principal Payment | $15,000,000 |
The Company is obligated to file a registration statement registering the resale of share of the Company’s common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants on or before the March 5, 2010 (the “Filing Date”). On the 180th day following the Filing Date and each sixth month anniversary thereafter until the registration statement is declared effective, the Company must execute and deliver to the Investor new warrants to purchase up to a total of 62,500 on the same terms as the Warrants.
Settlement and Release Agreement
On March 5, 2009, the Company and Topworth Asset Limited (“Topworth”) entered into a Settlement and Release Agreement (the “Settlement”) whereby the Company and Topworth agreed to mutually release each other from any and all claims they have against each other, including any and all claims and counterclaims pending in the action brought by the Company in the Third District Court, State of Utah, Civil Case Number 070911868 (the “Action”). Under the Settlement, the parties’ shall dismiss the Company’s complaint and Topworth’s counterclaim. The 627,360 shares of common stock in the Company held in the name of Topworth (the “Shares”) that were a subject of dispute in the Action shall be disposed of on the following material terms: Topworth shall deliver all certificates representing the Shares to a designated custodian; the custodian shall hold the certificates until at least June 26, 2009; and, thereafter, the custodian shall release 100,000 of the Shares to Topworth each month until November 30, 2009, when Topworth will be entitled to receive all of the remaining Shares. The custodian shall release the Shares without any restriction on Topworth’s ability transfer or sell the Shares imposed by the Company subject to restrictions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Shares have been held in Topworth’s name and have been included in the Company’s outstanding shares; as such the Shares will not have an additional dilutive effect on the Company’s shareholders.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Proved Reserves. Proved oil and gas reserves, as defined by SEC Regulation S-X Rule 4-10(a) (2i), (2ii), (2iii), (3) and (4), are the estimated quantities of crude oil that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions, i.e., prices and costs as of the date the estimate is made. Prices include consideration of changes in existing prices provided only by contractual arrangements, but not on escalations based upon future conditions.
The Company’s estimates of proved reserves are made using available geological and reservoir data as well as production performance data. These estimates, made by the Company’s engineers, are reviewed annually and revised, either upward or downward, as warranted by additional data. Revisions are necessary due to changes in, among other things, reservoir performance, prices, economic conditions and governmental restrictions. Decreases in prices, for example, may cause a reduction in some proved reserves due to reaching economic limits sooner.
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Properties and Equipment. The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for exploration and development activities as defined by the SEC. Under this method of accounting, the costs of unsuccessful, as well as successful, exploration and development activities are capitalized as properties and equipment. This includes any internal costs that are directly related to exploration and development activities but does not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead or similar activities. Gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of oil and gas properties is not recognized, unless the gain or loss would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves of oil and natural gas attributable to a country. The application of the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas properties generally results in higher capitalized costs and higher DD&A rates compared to the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and gas properties.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to our investors.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
On December 31, 2008, the SEC published the revised rules and interpretations updating its oil and gas reporting requirements. Many of the revisions are updates to definitions in existing oil and gas rules to make them consistent with the petroleum resources management system, which is a widely accepted standard for the management of petroleum resources that was developed by several industry organizations. Key revisions include the ability to include nontraditional resources in reserves, the use of new technology for determining reserves, permitting disclosure of probable and possible reserves, and changes to the pricing used in determining reserves. To determine reserves companies must use a 12-month average price. The Company is required to comply with the amended disclosure requirement for registration statements filed after January 1, 2010, and for annual reports for fiscal years ending on or after December 15, 2009. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that the adoption will have on the Company’s disclosures, operating results, financial position and cash flows.
In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141R”). SFAS 141R establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and the goodwill acquired. SFAS 141R also establishes disclosure requirements to enable the evaluation of the nature and financial effects of the business combination. This statement is effective beginning January 1, 2009. The Company does not expect the adoption of this statement to have a material impact on its financial position and results of operations.
In December 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No. 51.” This statement improves the relevance, comparability, and transparency of the financial information that a reporting entity provides in its consolidated financial statements by establishing accounting and reporting standards that require; the ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent and the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest be clearly identified and presented on the face of the consolidated statement of income, changes in a parent’s ownership interest while the parent retains its controlling financial interest in its subsidiary be accounted for consistently, when a subsidiary is deconsolidated, any retained noncontrolling equity investment in the former subsidiary be initially measured at fair value, entities provide sufficient disclosures that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. SFAS 160 affects those entities that have an outstanding noncontrolling interest in one or more subsidiaries or that deconsolidate a subsidiary. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Early adoption is prohibited. The adoption of this statement did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations.
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In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133.” This statement is intended to improve transparency in financial reporting by requiring enhanced disclosures of an entity’s derivative instruments and hedging activities and their effects on the entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161 applies to all derivative instruments within the scope of SFAS 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (SFAS 133) as well as related hedged items, bifurcated derivatives, and nonderivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments. Entities with instruments subject to SFAS 161 must provide more robust qualitative disclosures and expanded quantitative disclosures. SFAS 161 is effective prospectively for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application permitted. The adoption of this statement did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” SFAS 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. SFA 162 will be effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the PCAOB amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The adoption of this statement did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 163, “Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 60.” The scope of this Statement is limited to financial guarantee insurance and reinsurance contracts, as described in the Statement, issued by enterprises included within the scope of Statement 60. Accordingly, this Statement does not apply to financial guarantee contracts issued by enterprises excluded from the scope of Statement 60 or to some insurance contracts that seem similar to financial guarantee insurance contracts issued by insurance enterprises (such as mortgage guaranty insurance or credit insurance on trade receivables). This Statement also does not apply to financial guarantee contracts that are derivative instruments included within the scope of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS 163 is effective prospectively for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years; disclosure requirements in paragraphs 30(g) and 31 are effective for the first period (including interim periods) beginning after May 23, 2008. The adoption of this statement did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active”, to clarify guidance on determining the fair value of a financial asset under SFAS 157 in a market that is not active. FSP FAS 157-3 was effective upon issuance, including prior periods for which financial statements had not been issued. The adoption of this statement effective September 30, 2008 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITIAVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Not required for smaller reporting issuers.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and its subsidiaries including the notes thereto, together with the report of Jimmy C.H. Cheung & Co. is presented beginning on page F-1 of this report.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENT WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
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ITEM 9A(T). CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report, being December 31, 2008, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. This evaluation ("Evaluation") was performed by our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer in consultation with our accounting personnel.
Based upon the Evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Further, because of changes in conditions, effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting may vary over time.
A significant deficiency is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that adversely affects the company’s ability to initiate, authorize, record, process, or report external financial data reliably in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles such that there is more than a remote likelihood that a misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements that is more than inconsequential will not be prevented or detected. An internal control material weakness is a significant deficiency, or combination of significant deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected.
Management of the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on the Company’s evaluation under the COSO framework, management concluded that its internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.
This Annual Report does not include an attestation report of the Company's registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by the Company's registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management's report in this Annual Report.
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Changes In Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Management and Board of Directors
The following table sets forth the names, ages and positions of our directors and executive officers:
Name | Age | Position | ||
Wang Hong Jun | 37 | President and Chairman of the Board | ||
Yu Li Guo | 36 | Director | ||
Robert C. Bruce | 46 | Director | ||
Edward M. Rule | 61 | Director | ||
Li Jing Fu | 59 | Director | ||
Zhang Yang | 27 | Chief Financial Officer | ||
Jiang Chao | 29 | Secretary |
Each Director will hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor has been elected and qualified.
Background of Executive Officers and Directors
WANG HONG JUN has served as Chairman and President of the Company since May 2004, following completion of the share exchange transaction with Hong Xiang. Mr. Wang has over 15 years experience in the business management and oil industry experience. Before he joined the company, Mr. Wang worked for Jilin Oil Field and Drilling Company as an Executive with the responsibility of overseeing operations and coordinating various projects.
YU LI GUO has served as Director of the Company since June 2005. In 2003, Mr. Yu was elected a director of Harbin Hong Xiang Petroleum Services Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hong Xiang Petroleum Group Limited. From 2000 to 2003, Mr. Yu was employed by Jilin Yong Ji Telecommunication Company as General Manager. Prior, Mr. Yu was employed by the Department of Industrial & Commercial Bank of China as Vice Manager of Human Resources from 1997 to 2000. Mr. Yu received a bachelor’s degree in International Finance from Jilin Financial College.
ROBERT C. BRUCE has served as Director of the Company since May 2008. Mr. Bruce is President of Oakmont Advisory Group, LLC, a financial management consulting firm located in Portland, Maine. Prior to founding Oakmont Advisory Group, from 1999 through 2004 he served as Chief Operating Officer, Treasurer and Director for Enterix Inc., a privately-held, venture-funded medical device and laboratory services company that was purchased by Quest Diagnostics. He also previously served as Chief Financial Officer for Advantage Business Services (1997 to 1998), a privately-held national payroll processing and tax filing business that was subsequently acquired by PayChex. Mr. Bruce is a member of the Board of Directors of Immucell Corp., a NASDAQ listed manufacturer of animal health products. Mr. Bruce received his MBA from the Yale School of Management, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in East Asian Studies from Princeton University. Mr. Bruce speaks and reads Mandarin Chinese.
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EDWARD M. RULE has served as Director of the Company since May 2008. Mr. Rule is Chairman of TDR Capital International Limited, a Hong Kong based financial services house. Most of his career has been spent in China, initially as a diplomat and subsequently as an investment banker with the Standard Chartered Group and private equity professional with the $800 million Asian Infrastructure Fund. He is a graduate in Chinese language of the University of Melbourne and the Australian National University. He speaks Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese. He has been director of several listed companies in Hong Kong and Australia.
LI JING FU has served as Director of the Company since May 2008. Mr. Li is the Chairman and top representative of Joint Management Committee of Qian Guo County Longhai Petroleum & Natural Gas Co., Ltd. and was appointed to that position by Petro China’s Jilin branch in 2005. Mr. Li has been in the petroleum industry since 1970. In his extensive career he has served as Vice Monitor for Jiang Han Oil Field’s comprehensive logging team, Secretary of Command Department of Petroleum Hui Zhan in Jilin Province, Vice President of Jilin Oilfield Exploration and Development Research Institute. From 1995 to 2002, Mr. Li was appointed by PetroChina’s Jilin branch to serve as General Manger of management and production operation of oil exploitation of Jilin Jiyuan Petroleum & Natural Gas Development Co. Ltd. From 2002 to 2005, Mr. Li, served as Project Manager of Song Yua City Qian Yuan Oil & Gas Development Co., Ltd. also by appointment by PetroChina’s Jilin branch. Mr. Li received his bachelor’s degree from Chang Chun Geology Institute in Jilin, China.
ZHANG YANG has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company since January 2006. Prior to CNEH, Mr. Zhang served as Controller of Harbin Gloria Inn from 2004 to 2005. Mr. Zhang received a Business degree in 2001, from London College of International Business Study and a degree in Accounting from London South Bank University. Mr. Zhang is a candidate member under the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
JIANG CHAO has served as Secretary of the Company since January 2006. Prior to joining CNEH, from 2004 to 2005, Mr. Jiang served as a Financial Manager at Songzai International Holding Group, Inc., a Nevada corporation engaged in the coal mining business. Mr. Jiang holds a Master’s degree in International Business Management from University of Surrey (UK) and received Business degree from University of Bradford (UK) and Heilongjiang University (China).
Yu Li Guo, a Director and employee of the Company is the brother-in-law of Wang Hong Jun, Chairman and President of the Company. Other than this relationship, there are no family relationships, or other arrangements or understandings between or among any of the directors, executive officers or other person pursuant to which such person was selected to serve as a director or officer.
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Corporate Governance Matters
Code of Ethics. A Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is a written standard designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote (a) honest and ethical conduct, (b) full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in regulatory filings and public statements, (c) compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, (d) the prompt reporting violation of the code and (e) accountability for adherence to the Code. We are not currently subject to any law, rule or regulation requiring that we adopt a Code of Ethics, however, we have adopted a code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. Such code of ethics will be provided to any person without charge, upon written request, a copy of such code of ethics by sending such request to us at our principal office.
Audit Committee. In June 2008, Messrs. Bruce, Rule and Li were appointed to serve on the audit committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Bruce serves as Chair of the audit committee.
Board of Directors Independence. Our Board of Directors consists of five members. Three of the members of the board of directors are “independent” as defined under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market.
Audit Committee Financial Expert. Our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Bruce qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” and that all three members of the Audit Committee are “independent,” in each case as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We believe that the members of our Board of Directors are collectively capable of analyzing and evaluating our financial statements and understanding internal controls and procedures for financial reporting.
Nominating Committee. In August 2008, Messrs. Rule, Wang and Li were appointed to serve on the nominating committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Li serves as Chair of the Nominating Committee
Compensation Committee. In June 2008, Messrs. Rule, Wang and Li were appointed to serve on the compensation committee of the Board of Directors. Mr. Rule serves as Chair of the compensation committee.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our executive officers and directors and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial statements of beneficial ownership, reports of changes in ownership and annual reports concerning their ownership of our common stock and other equity securities, on Forms 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Executive officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required by the Securities and Exchange Commission regulations to furnish our company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.
To the best of our knowledge, other than Lotusbox Investments Limited all executive officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders filed the required reports in a timely manner.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
The table below sets forth information concerning compensation paid to the chief executive officer and chief financial officer. None of the Company’s other executive officers currently serving as such had annual compensation exceeded $100,000 (U.S.) in the last fiscal year.
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Summary Compensation Table (1)
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus ($) | Stock Awards ($) | Option Awards ($) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) | All Other Compensation ($) | Total ($) |
Wang Hong Jun, President and Chairman of the Board | 2008 | 5,922 | - | - | 154,972 | - | - | - | 160,894 |
2007 | 5,922 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 5,922 | |
2006 | 3,002 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3,002 | |
Zhang Yanng, Chief Financial Officer | 2008 | 6,580 | - | 103,125 | - | - | - | - | 109,705 |
2007 | 6,580 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6,580 | |
2006 | 3,075 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3,075 |
(1) All compensation is paid in RMB. The amounts in the foregoing table have been converted to U.S. dollars at the conversion rate of one U.S. dollar to RMB 6.96225 for year 2008, one U.S. dollar to RMB 7.2946 for year 2007 and one U.S. dollar to RMB 7.8041 for year 2006.
No deferred compensation or long-term incentive plan awards were issued or granted to the Company’s officers and directors as at the fiscal year end, December 31, 2008.
Director Compensation
The following Director Compensation Table summarizes the compensation of our directors for services rendered to the Company during the year ended December 31, 2008.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE(1)
Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | Stock Awards ($) | Option Awards ($) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings | All Other Compensation ($) | Total ($) |
Wang Hong Jun | 0 | - | 20,288 | - | - | - | 20,288 |
Robert Bruce | 23,500 | - | 29,176 | - | - | - | 52,676 |
Edward Rule | 22,000 | - | 29,176 | - | - | - | 51,676 |
Li Jing Fu | 14,000 | - | 29,176 | - | - | - | 43,176 |
Yu Liguo | 0 | - | 20,288 | - | - | 53,903 | 74,191 |
Wei Guo Ping(2) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
(1) All compensation is paid in U.S. dollar.
(2) Wei Guo Ping’s term as our director expired at our annual meeting of the stockholders held on September 2, 2008 and was not nominated for reelection.
For 2008, the non-employee directors will each receive annual cash compensation of $20,000 paid on a quarterly basis. Each director will also receive $1,000 for each meeting attended in person or by telephone, except for directors who reside outside of Jilin or Heilongjiang provinces will receive $5,000 for each meeting attended in person held at the Company’s principal office. The Chairman of the audit committee will receive an additional annual cash compensation of $5,000, paid on a quarterly basis.
In addition to cash compensation, each director will receive an option to purchase up to 20,000 shares of the Company common stock, with 25% of the options vesting upon grant and 25% vesting every three months thereafter.
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Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment and Change-In-Control Arrangements
There are no employment contracts, compensatory plans or arrangements, including payments to be received from the Company, with respect to any director or executive officer of the Company which would in any way result in payments to any such person because of his resignation, retirement or other termination of employment with the Company, any change in control of the Company, or a change in the person’s responsibilities following a change in control of the Company.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The following tables set forth information as of March 11, 2009 regarding the beneficial ownership of stock by (a) each stockholder who is known by the Company to own beneficially in excess of 5% of the Company’s outstanding stock; (b) each director; (c) the Company’s chief executive officer; and (d) the executive officers and directors as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, all persons listed below have (i) sole voting power and investment power with respect to their shares of common stock (the only class of outstanding stock), except to the extent that authority is shared by spouses under applicable law, and (ii) record and beneficial ownership with respect to their shares of stock. The percentage of beneficial ownership is based upon 20,784,080 shares of common stock outstanding, as of March 11, 2009.
Security Ownership Of Certain Beneficial Owners, Directors And Executive Officers In
Common Stock
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER(1) | AMOUNT OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(2) | PERCENT OF CLASS OF STOCK OUTSTANDING (%) | ||||
Officers and Directors | Common Stock | |||||
Wang Hong Jun(3) | 6,867,000 | 33 | ||||
Zhang Yang | 100,000 | * | ||||
Robert Bruce(4) | 29,000 | * | ||||
Edward Rule(5) | 20,000 | * | ||||
Li Jing Fu(5) | 20,000 | * | ||||
Yu Li Guo(6) | 60,000 | * | ||||
Jiang Chao | 20,000 | * | ||||
All Officers and Directors as a Group (7 persons) | 7,116,000 | 33.8 | ||||
5% Beneficial Owners | ||||||
Lotusbox Investments Limited(7) 137, telok Ayer Street #04-04/05 Singapore 068602 | 5,300,000 | 21.3 |
_______________
* Less than one percent
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the address of the stockholders is 445 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
(2) Security ownership information for beneficial owners is taken from statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to information made known by the Company. There are no shares issuable to any beneficial owner, director or executive officer pursuant to stock options that are/or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 11, 2009.
(3) Includes 6,732,000 shares of common stock, 130,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable, and 5,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options which are exercisable within 60 days of March 11, 2009.
(4) Includes 20,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of option that are exercisable and 4,000 share of common stock and 5,000 shares of common stock held in his wife’s name.
(5) Includes 20,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable.
32
(6) Includes 55,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable and 5,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options which are exercisable within 60 days of March 11, 2009.
(7) Includes 1,200,000 shares of common stock and 4,100,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants that are exercisable. Harmony Investment Fund Limited, through its directors Suresh Withana and John Robert Nicholls, has shared voting and dispositive rights over the securities held by Lotusbox Investments Limited.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plan
Please refer to information disclosed in Part II, Item 5 of this report.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIP AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
During the last two fiscal years, we have not entered into any material transactions or series of transactions that would be considered material in which any officer, director or beneficial owner of 5% or more of any class of our capital stock, or any immediate family member of any of the preceding persons, had a direct or indirect material interest. There are no transactions presently proposed, except as follows:
a) | As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company owed a related party $51,672 and $3,118,085 respectively which is repayable in December 2009. Imputed interest expense is computed at 5% and 7% per annum on the amount due for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 respectively. |
b) | As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company owed a related party $14,590 and $13,672 respectively which is repayable on demand. Imputed interest expense is computed at 5% and 7% per annum on the amount due for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 respectively. |
c) | As of December 31, 2007, the Company owed a related party $14,364 which is repayable on demand. Imputed interest expense is computed at 7% per annum on the amount due. |
d) | As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company owed a stockholder $738 and $123,105 respectively which is repayable on demand. Imputed interest expense is computed at 5% and 7% per annum on the amount due for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 respectively. |
e) | Total imputed interest expenses recorded as additional paid-in capital amounted to $50,587 and $200,165 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 respectively. |
f) | The Company paid a stockholder $13,789 and $12,603 for leased office spaces for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 respectively. |
Indemnification Agreements
None.
Director Independence
Our Board of Directors consists of five members. The Company has adopted the independence standards promulgated by NASDAQ. Based on these standards, the Board has determined that all of the members of the Board of Directors, except for Messrs. Wang and Yu, are “independent” as defined under the listing standards for NASDAQ. The three independent directors are Robert Bruce, Edward Rule and Li Jing Fu.
33
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
Jimmy C.H. Cheung & Co., Certified Public Accountants, is our independent auditors engaged to examine our financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007. The following table shows the fees that we paid or accrued for the audit and other services provided by Jimmy C.H. Cheung & Co. for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
Years Ended December 31 | |||||||
2008 | 2007 | ||||||
Audit Fees | 65,800 | 100,000 | |||||
Audit-Related Fees | 3,200 | - | |||||
Tax Fees | - | - | |||||
Other Fees | - | - |
Audit Fees
This category includes the audit of our annual financial statements, review of financial statements included in our annual and quarterly reports and services that are normally provided by the independent auditors in connection with engagements for those fiscal years. This category also includes advice on audit and accounting matters that arose during, or as a result of, the audit or the review of interim financial statements.
Audit-Related Fees
This category consists of assurance and related services by the independent auditors that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported above under “Audit Fees”. The services for the fees disclosed under this category include services relating to our registration statement and consultation regarding our correspondence with the SEC.
Tax Fees
This category consists of professional services rendered for tax compliance and tax advice.
All Other Fees
This category consists of fees for other miscellaneous items.
34
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Exhibit No. | Description |
2.1 | Distribution Agreement between Draco Holding Corporation and Jump’n Jax, dated April 30, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 14, 2004. |
2.2 | Agreement for Share Exchange dated as of March 29, 2004, by and among Draco Holding Corp., Hong Xiang Petroleum International Holdings, Ltd., and the shareholders of Hong Xiang is incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 30, 2004. |
3.1 | Articles of Incorporation are incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed with the SEC on March 28, 2001. |
3.2 | By-laws are incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed with the SEC on March 28, 2001. |
3.3 | Certificate of Amendments to Articles of Incorporation is incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Information Statement on Form 14C filed with the SEC on May 26, 2004. |
3.4 | Certificate of Amendments to Articles of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State of Nevada on September 12, 2005* |
3.5 | Amended and Restated By-laws are incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 30, 2008. |
4.1 | 2006 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan is incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on February 27, 2006. |
4.2 | 8% Secured Debenture issued to Lotusbox Investments Limited is incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 3, 2008. |
4.3 | Form of Series A and C Common Stock Warrant is incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 3, 2008. |
4.4 | Form of Series B Common Stock Warrant is incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 3, 2008. |
4.5 | Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant is incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 6, 2008. |
4.6 | Amendment No. 1 to 8% Secured Debenture issued to Lotusbox Investments Limited is incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 6, 2008. |
10.1 | Loan Contract between Song Yuan City Yu Qiao Qian’an Hong Xiang Oil and Gas Development Limited Company and Song Yuan City Wu Lan Da Jie Cheng Shi Xin Yong She is incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed with the SEC on November 23, 2005. (Translated from the original Mandarin) |
10.2 | Loan Contract between Song Yuan City Yu Qiao Qian’an Hong Xiang Oil and Gas Development Limited Company and Song Yuan City Wu Lan Da Jie Cheng Shi Xin Yong She is incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed with the SEC on November 23, 2005. (Translated from the original Mandarin) |
10.3 | Warranty Deed between Lien holder: Song Yuan City Wu Lan Da Jie Cheng Shi Xin Yong She and Mortgager: Wang Hongjun, Sun Jishuang is incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed with the SEC on November 23, 2005. (Translated from the original Mandarin) |
10.4 | Guarantee Contract between Creditor: Song Yuan City Wu Lan Da Jie Cheng Shi Xin Yong She and Assurer: Songyuan City Hongxiang Petroleum Technical Services Co., Ltd is incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed with the SEC on November 23, 2005. (Translated from the original Mandarin) |
10.5 | Qian-112 Oilfield Cooperative Development Contract among PetroChina Oil and Gas Company Limited, Jilin Oil Field Branch Company; Song Yuan City Yu Qiao Oil and Gas Development Company Limited, dated as of May 28, 2003 is incorporated by reference from Registrant’s annual report on Form 10-KSB filed with the SEC on April 17, 2006. |
35
Exhibit No. | Description |
10.6 | Joint Venture Agreement among the Registrant, Ms. Ju GuiZhi and Mr. Wang Hongjun, to form a joint venture limited liability company in China, to be named Song Yuan North East Petroleum Technical Service Co., Ltd is incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 28, 2006. |
10.7 | Equity Transfer Agreement by and among LongDe Oil & Gas Development Co. Ltd and Song Yuan North East Petroleum Technical Service Co., Ltd. dated June 1, 2005 is incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 28, 2006. |
10.8 | Hetingbao 301 Oilfield Cooperative Development Contract among PetroChina Oil and Gas Company Limited and Chang Ling LongDe Oil and Gas Development Company Limited dated as of May 28, 2003. |
10.9 | Agreement for the Purchase and Sale of Stock among Song Yuan North East Petroleum Technical Service Co., Ltd., China North East Petroleum Holdings, Limited, Ju Guizhi, Ping Wu Wang, Meng Xiangyun, dated January 26, 2007 is incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 29, 2007. |
10.10 | Trust Agreement between Bing Wu Wang and Song Yuan North East Petroleum Technical Service Co., Ltd. is incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 29, 2007. |
10.11 | Trust Agreement between Meng Xiangyun and Song Yuan North East Petroleum Technical Service Co., Ltd. is incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 29, 2007. |
10.12 | Cooperative Development Contract among PetroChina Oil and Gas Company Limited, Jilin Oil Field Branch Company and Song Yuan City Yu Qiao Oil and Gas Development Company Limited dated as May 28, 2003 to develop Qian 112 Oilfield, Da 34 Oilfield and Gu 31 Oilfield is incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 16, 2007. |
10.13 | Capital Contribution Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2007, by and among the Company, Mr. Hong Jun Wang and Ms. Guizhi Ju is incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 7, 2007. |
10.14 | Securities Purchase Agreement dated February 28, 2008 between the Company and Lotusbox Investments Limited is incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 3, 2008. |
10.15 | Security Agreement dated February 28, 2008 between the Company and Lotusbox Investments Limited is incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 3, 2008. |
10.16 | Agreement of Pledge dated February 28, 2008 between the Company and Lotusbox Investments Limited is incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 3, 2008. |
10.17 | Registration Rights Agreement dated February 28, 2008 between the Company and Lotusbox Investments Limited is incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 3, 2008. |
10.18 | Option Agreement dated February 28, 2008 between the Company and Lotusbox Investments Limited is incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 3, 2008. |
14.1 | Code of Ethics of China North East Petroleum Holdings, Ltd. is incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed with the SEC on May 18, 2005. |
21.1 | List of Subsidiaries is incorporated herein by reference from Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2008. |
23.1 | Consent of Independent Petroleum Consultants Ralph E. Davis & Associates, Inc.* |
31.1 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by the Chief Executive Officer* |
31.2 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by the Chief Financial Officer* |
32.1 | Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002* |
32.2 | Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002* |
* Filed herewith
36
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, China North East Petroleum Holdings, Limited has duly caused this annual report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: March 30, 2009 | |||
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS, LIMITED | |||
By: | /s/ Hong Jun Wang | ||
Wang Hong Jun | |||
Chairman of the Board and President |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name | Title | Date | ||
/s/ Wang Hong Jun | Chairman of the Board and President | March 30, 2009 | ||
Wang Hong Jun | (Principal Executive Officer) | |||
/s/ Robert Bruce | Director | March 30, 2009 | ||
Robert Bruce | ||||
/s/ Edward Rule | Director | March 30, 2009 | ||
Edward Rule | ||||
/s/ Li Jing Fu | Director | March 30, 2009 | ||
Li Jing Fu | ||||
/s/ Yu Li Guo | Director | March 30, 2009 | ||
Yu Li Guo | ||||
/s/ Zhang Yang | Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer | March 30, 2009 | ||
Zhang Yang | (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer) |
37
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONTENTS
Pages | ||
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | F-1 | |
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 | F-2 | |
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 | F-3 | |
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 | F-4 | |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 | F-5 | |
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 | F-6 – F-23 |
Jimmy C.H. Cheung & Co Certified Public Accountants (A member of Kreston International) | Registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors of:
China North East Petroleum Holdings Limited
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of China North East Petroleum Holdings Limited and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits of the financial statements provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of China North East Petroleum Holdings Limited and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
JIMMY C.H. CHEUNG & CO
Certified Public Accountants
Hong Kong
Date: February 23, 2009
1607 Dominion Centre, 43 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 25295500 Fax: (852) 21277660 Email: jimmy.cheung@jchcheungco.hk Website: http://www.jchcheungco.hk |
F-1
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 13,239,213 | $ | 74,638 | ||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance | 4,230,080 | 4,852,633 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 781,121 | 398,046 | ||||||
Value added tax recoverable | 311,240 | 651,905 | ||||||
Total Current Assets | 18,561,654 | 5,977,222 | ||||||
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT | ||||||||
Oil and gas properties, net | 70,193,852 | 40,345,008 | ||||||
Fixed assets, net | 1,684,377 | 885,474 | ||||||
Oil and gas properties under construction | 714,629 | 2,550,058 | ||||||
Total Property and Equipment | 72,592,858 | 43,780,540 | ||||||
LAND USE RIGHTS, NET | 36,198 | 45,076 | ||||||
DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS, NET | 939,098 | - | ||||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 92,129,808 | $ | 49,802,838 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 10,985,894 | $ | 6,580,930 | ||||
Current portion of secured debenture, net of discount | 1,489,126 | - | ||||||
Other payables and accrued liabilities | 742,264 | 1,020,980 | ||||||
Due to related parties | 66,262 | 28,036 | ||||||
Note payable | - | 273,444 | ||||||
Income tax and other taxes payable | 3,710,870 | 2,687,449 | ||||||
Due to a stockholder | 738 | 123,105 | ||||||
Total Current Liabilities | 16,995,154 | 10,713,944 | ||||||
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES | ||||||||
Accounts payable | 13,944,903 | 15,467,661 | ||||||
Secured debenture, net of discount | 6,594,700 | - | ||||||
Deferred tax payable | 762,405 | 543,100 | ||||||
Due to a related party | - | 3,118,085 | ||||||
Total Long-term Liabilities | 21,302,008 | 19,128,846 | ||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES | 38,297,162 | 29,842,790 | ||||||
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | - | - | ||||||
MINORITY INTERESTS | 4,513,650 | 1,124,964 | ||||||
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
Common stock ($0.001 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized, | ||||||||
20,784,080 shares issued and outstanding as of | ||||||||
December 31, 2008; 19,224,080 shares issued and | ||||||||
outstanding as of December 31, 2007) | 20,784 | 19,224 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 21,384,816 | 11,361,579 | ||||||
Deferred stock compensation | (1,248,750 | ) | (27,125 | ) | ||||
Retained earnings | ||||||||
Unappropriated | 24,326,209 | 5,200,907 | ||||||
Appropriated | 1,372,999 | 916,263 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 3,462,938 | 1,364,236 | ||||||
Total Stockholders' Equity | 49,318,996 | 18,835,084 | ||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | $ | 92,129,808 | $ | 49,802,838 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-2
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
NET SALES | $ | 58,572,250 | $ | 19,482,069 | ||||
COST OF SALES | ||||||||
Production costs | 3,847,775 | 2,872,990 | ||||||
Depreciation of oil and gas properties | 6,172,422 | 3,562,265 | ||||||
Amortization of land use rights | 11,718 | 10,711 | ||||||
Government oil surcharge | 11,105,325 | 2,857,376 | ||||||
Recovery of deposit from a supplier previously written off | - | (361,366 | ) | |||||
Total Cost of Sales | 21,137,240 | 8,941,976 | ||||||
GROSS PROFIT | 37,435,010 | 10,540,093 | ||||||
OPERATING EXPENSES | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 1,959,602 | 880,161 | ||||||
Professional fees | 251,202 | 186,214 | ||||||
Consulting fees | 396,330 | 108,500 | ||||||
Depreciation of fixed assets | 229,434 | 187,766 | ||||||
Gain on disposal of fixed assets | - | (68,131 | ) | |||||
Total Operating Expenses | 2,836,568 | 1,294,510 | ||||||
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS | 34,598,442 | 9,245,583 | ||||||
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) | ||||||||
Other expense | (112,517 | ) | (13,144 | ) | ||||
Interest expense | (1,011,367 | ) | (81,434 | ) | ||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs | (247,131 | ) | - | |||||
Amortization of discount on debenture | (1,622,678 | ) | - | |||||
Imputed interest expense | (50,587 | ) | (200,165 | ) | ||||
Interest income | 38,829 | 1,760 | ||||||
Total Other Expense, net | (3,005,451 | ) | (292,983 | ) | ||||
NET INCOME BEFORE TAXES AND MINORITY INTERESTS | 31,592,991 | 8,952,600 | ||||||
Income tax expense | (9,101,267 | ) | (3,097,649 | ) | ||||
Minority interests | (2,909,686 | ) | (722,370 | ) | ||||
NET INCOME | 19,582,038 | 5,132,581 | ||||||
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | ||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain | 2,098,702 | 1,091,940 | ||||||
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | $ | 21,680,740 | $ | 6,224,521 | ||||
Net income per share | ||||||||
- basic | $ | 0.99 | $ | 0.21 | ||||
- diluted | $ | 0.98 | $ | 0.21 | ||||
Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year | ||||||||
- basic | 19,805,340 | 24,128,190 | ||||||
- diluted | 19,924,929 | 24,128,190 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-3
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
Common stock | Additional | Deferred | Unappropriated | Appropriated | Accumulated other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of | paid-in | stock | retained | retained | comprehensive | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
shares | Amount | capital | compensation | earnings | earnings | income | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2006 | 29,224,080 | $ | 29,224 | $ | 3,953,601 | $ | (135,625 | ) | $ | 696,955 | $ | 287,634 | $ | 272,296 | $ | 5,104,085 | ||||||||||||||||
Components of comprehensive income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income for the year | - | - | - | - | 5,132,581 | - | - | 5,132,581 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1,091,940 | 1,091,940 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6,224,521 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred stock compensation related to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
common stocks issued for services | - | - | - | 108,500 | - | - | - | 108,500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contribution from a stockholder by waive of repayment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
of advance from the stockholder | - | - | 1,746,128 | - | - | - | - | 1,746,128 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contribution from a related party by waive of repayment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
of advance from the related party | - | - | 5,451,685 | - | - | - | - | 5,451,685 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contribution from a related party by cancellation of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
common stock previously issued to the related party | (10,000,000 | ) | (10,000 | ) | 10,000 | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Imputed interest expenses on advances from | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
a stockholder and related parties | - | - | 200,165 | - | - | - | - | 200,165 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transfer from retained earnings to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
statutory and staff welfare reserves | - | - | - | - | (628,629 | ) | 628,629 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2007 | 19,224,080 | 19,224 | 11,361,579 | (27,125 | ) | 5,200,907 | 916,263 | 1,364,236 | 18,835,084 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Components of comprehensive income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income for the year | - | - | - | - | 19,582,038 | - | - | 19,582,038 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2,098,702 | 2,098,702 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 21,680,740 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock for services | 360,000 | 360 | 1,619,640 | (1,620,000 | ) | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred stock compensation related | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
to common stocks issued for services | - | - | - | 398,375 | - | - | - | 398,375 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of warrants for cash | 1,200,000 | 1,200 | 10,800 | - | - | - | - | 12,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Value of beneficial conversion feature of secured debenture | - | - | 7,788,852 | - | - | - | - | 7,788,852 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants issued for services | - | - | 216,380 | - | - | - | - | 216,380 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock compensation expenses on options issued | - | - | 336,978 | - | - | - | - | 336,978 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Imputed interest expenses on advances from | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
a stockholder and related parties | - | - | 50,587 | - | - | - | - | 50,587 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transfer from retained earnings to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
statutory and staff welfare reserves | - | - | - | - | (456,736 | ) | 456,736 | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2008 | 20,784,080 | $ | 20,784 | $ | 21,384,816 | $ | (1,248,750 | ) | $ | 24,326,209 | $ | 1,372,999 | $ | 3,462,938 | $ | 49,318,996 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-4
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
Net income | $ | 19,582,038 | $ | 5,132,581 | ||||
Adjusted to reconcile net income to cash provided by | ||||||||
operating activities: | ||||||||
Depreciation of oil and gas properties | 6,172,422 | 3,562,265 | ||||||
Depreciation of fixed assets | 229,434 | 187,766 | ||||||
Amortization of land use rights | 11,718 | 10,711 | ||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs | 247,131 | - | ||||||
Amortization of discount on debenture | 1,622,678 | - | ||||||
Amortization of stock option compensation | 336,978 | - | ||||||
Warrants issued for services | 216,380 | - | ||||||
Minority interests | 2,909,686 | 722,370 | ||||||
Stocks issued for services | 27,125 | 108,500 | ||||||
Stock-based compensation for service | 371,250 | - | ||||||
Imputed interest expense | 50,587 | 200,165 | ||||||
Gain on disposal of fixed assets | - | (68,131 | ) | |||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities | ||||||||
(Increase) decrease in: | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | 622,553 | (4,101,949 | ) | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | (383,075 | ) | 527,312 | |||||
Due from related parties | - | 64,031 | ||||||
Value added tax recoverable | 340,665 | (204,302 | ) | |||||
Increase (decrease) in: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | 2,882,206 | 811,727 | ||||||
Other payables and accrued liabilities | (278,716 | ) | (372,289 | ) | ||||
Income tax and other taxes payable | 1,023,421 | 2,582,537 | ||||||
Deferred tax payable | 219,305 | 340,348 | ||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 36,203,786 | 9,503,642 | ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
Purchase of oil and gas properties | (29,206,040 | ) | (9,699,958 | ) | ||||
Purchase of fixed assets | (957,449 | ) | (352,219 | ) | ||||
Additions to oil and gas properties under construction | (1,712,449 | ) | (2,448,587 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from the disposal of fixed assets | - | 166,728 | ||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (31,875,938 | ) | (12,334,036 | ) | ||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
Contribution to increased registered capital of a subsidiary | ||||||||
by minority interests | 479,000 | - | ||||||
Payment of deferred financing costs | (1,186,229 | ) | - | |||||
Repayment of note payable | (273,444 | ) | (110,743 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from issuance of secured debenture | 15,000,000 | - | ||||||
Repayment of secured debenture | (750,000 | ) | - | |||||
Decrease in other loans payable | - | (25,612 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from exercise of stock warrants | 12,000 | - | ||||||
(Decrease) increase in amount due to a stockholder | (122,367 | ) | 212,298 | |||||
(Decrease) increase in amounts due to related parties | (3,079,859 | ) | 4,286,530 | |||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 10,079,101 | 4,362,473 | ||||||
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE ON CASH | (1,242,374 | ) | (1,471,187 | ) | ||||
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | 13,164,575 | 60,892 | ||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR | 74,638 | 13,746 | ||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR | $ | 13,239,213 | $ | 74,638 |
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | ||||||||
Cash paid during the year for: | ||||||||
Income tax expenses | $ | 7,824,394 | $ | 1,681,005 | ||||
Interest expenses | $ | 1,011,367 | $ | 81,434 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
F-5
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
1. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ORGANIZATION |
(A) Organization
China North East Petroleum Holdings Limited (“North East Petroleum”) was incorporated in Nevada on August 20, 1999 under the name of Draco Holding Corporation (“Draco”).
Hong Xiang Petroleum Group Limited ("Hong Xiang Petroleum Group") was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (“BVI”) on August 28, 2003 as an investment holding company.
On December 5, 2003, Song Yuan City Hong Xiang Petroleum Technical Services Co., Ltd. (“Hong Xiang Technical”) was incorporated in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) which provided technical advisory services to oil and gas exploration companies in the PRC.
During 2004, Hong Xiang Petroleum Group acquired a 100% ownership of Hong Xiang Technical.
During 2004, Hong Xiang Technical acquired a 100% interest in Song Yuan City Yu Qiao Qianan Hong Xiang Oil and Gas Development Co., Ltd. (“Hong Xiang Oil Development”) which is engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil in the Jilin Oil Region, of the PRC. In December 2002, Hong Xiang Oil Development entered into an oil lease agreement with Song Yuan City Yu Qiao Oil and Gas Development Limited Corporation (“Yu Qiao”) to develop the proven reserves in the Qian’an Oil Field Zone 112 (Qian’an 112) in Jilin Oil Region for 20 years.
During 2004, Draco executed a Plan of Exchange to acquire 100% of Hong Xiang Petroleum Group.
On July 26, 2006, the Company entered into a Joint Venture Agreement (the “JV Agreement”) with a principal stockholder and a related party, hereafter referred to as the “Related Parties,” to acquire oil and gas properties for the exploration of crude oil in the PRC. Pursuant to the JV Agreement, the Company and the Related Parties are obligated to contribute $1 million and $121,000, respectively, to the registered capital of Song Yuan North East Petroleum Technical Service Co., Ltd. (“Song Yuan Technical”), and the Company and the Related Parties will each share 90% and 10% respectively of the equity and profit interests of Song Yuan Technical.
On June 1, 2005, Song Yuan Technical acquired from third parties 100% equity interest of LongDe Oil & Gas Development Co. Ltd. (“LongDe”) at a consideration of $120,773 in cash. LongDe is engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil in the Jilin Oil Region of the PRC.
On January 26, 2007, Song Yuan Technical acquired 100% of the equity interest of Yu Qiao for 10,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock having a fair value of $3,100,000. Yu Qiao is engaged in the extraction and production of crude oil in Jilin Province, PRC and operates 3 oilfields with a total exploration area of 39.2 square kilometers. Pursuant to a 20-year exclusive Cooperative Exploration Contract (the “Oil Lease”) which was entered into on May 28, 2002 with PetroChina Group, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of PRC (“PetroChina”), the Company has the right to explore, develop and extract oil at Qian’an 112, Da 34 and Gu 31 area.
After the acquisition of Yu Qiao, the oil lease agreement between Yu Qiao and Hong Xiang Oil Development was rescinded and Hong Xiang Technical and Hong Xiang Oil Development were dissolved in March 2007.
North East Petroleum, Hong Xiang Petroleum Group, Song Yuan Technical, LongDe and Yu Qiao are hereinafter referred to as (“the Company”).
(B) | Principles of consolidation |
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of North East Petroleum and its wholly owned subsidiary, Hong Xiang Petroleum Group and 90% equity interest owned subsidiaries, Song Yuan Technical, LongDe and Yu Qiao (collectively, “the Company”). The minority interests represent the minority shareholders’ 10% share of the results of Song Yuan Technical, LongDe and Yu Qiao.
All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
F-6
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ORGANIZATION (CONTINUED)
(C) | Use of estimates |
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant assumptions are for estimated reserves of oil and gas. Oil and gas reserve estimates are developed from information provided by the Company to Ralph E. Davis Associates, Inc. of Houston, Texas for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. In 2008, management’s estimate of its proved reserves was revised upward from 2,468,824 to about 5,453,794 barrels of oil. The estimates were made using performance methods that utilize extrapolations of various historical data including, but not limited to oil, gas and water production. For the undeveloped reserves, estimates were made using analogy to wells within each respective field and reservoir. While reserves are not reflected on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, the revision in estimate has affected the depreciation expense associated with its oil and gas properties which is calculated on the basis of proved reserves. The change was accounted for as a revision in an estimate, and the effect was to increase the net income by approximately $8,260,000.
(D) | Cash and cash equivalents |
For purpose of the statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and demand deposits with a bank with a maturity of less than three months.
(E) | Accounts receivable |
The Company sells crude oil solely to PetroChina a PRC Government owned enterprise. The Company considers its accounts receivable from PetroChina to be fully recoverable.
(F) | Oil and gas properties |
The Company follows the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas properties. Accordingly, all costs associated with the acquisition of development rights and the development of oil reserves, including direct related overhead costs, are capitalized.
Depreciation, depletion and amortization of capitalized costs, excluding unproved properties, are based on the unit-of-production methods based on proved reserves. Investments in unproved properties and major development projects are not amortized until proved reserves associated with the projects can be determined or until impairment occurs. If the results of an assessment indicate that the properties are impaired, the amount of the impairment is added to the capitalized costs to be amortized.
In addition, the capitalized costs are subject to a “ceiling test”, which basically limits such costs to the aggregate of the “estimated present value”, discounted at a 10-percent interest rate of future net revenues from proved reserves, based on current economic and operating conditions, plus the lower of cost or fair market value of unproved properties.
Sales of portion of development rights and other proved and unproved properties are accounted for as adjustments to capitalized costs with no gain or loss recognized, unless such adjustments would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves of oil and gas, in which case the gain or loss is recognized as income.
Abandonment of oil and gas properties other than the development rights are accounted for as adjustments to capitalized costs with no loss recognized.
F-7
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
1. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ORGANIZATION (CONTINUED) |
(G) | Fixed assets |
Fixed assets are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for additions, major renewals and betterments are capitalized and expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.
Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis, less estimated residual values over the assets’ estimated useful lives. The estimated useful lives are as follows:
Buildings | 20 Years |
Furniture, fixtures and equipment | 5 Years |
Motor vehicles | 5 Years |
Land use rights are stated at cost, less accumulated amortization and are amortized over 6 years from the date of acquisition (See note 6).
(H) | Long-lived assets |
The Company accounts for long-lived assets under the Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) Nos. 142 and 144 “Accounting for Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” and “Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“SFAS No. 142 and 144”). In accordance with SFAS No. 142 and 144, long-lived assets held and used by the Company are reviewed for impairment annually in the fourth quarter or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. For purposes of evaluating the recoverability of long-lived assets, when undiscounted future cash flows will not be sufficient to recover an asset’s carrying amount, the asset is written down to its fair value. The long-lived assets of the Company, which are subject to evaluation, consist primarily of oil and gas properties and fixed assets. For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company has not recognized any allowances for impairment to its long-lived assets.
(I) | Fair value of financial instruments |
SFAS No. 107, "Disclosure About Fair Value of Financial Instruments," requires certain disclosures regarding the fair value of financial instruments. Fair value of financial instruments is made at a specific point in time, based on relevant information about financial markets and specific financial instruments. As these estimates are subjective in nature, involving uncertainties and matters of significant judgment, they cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions can significantly affect estimated fair values.
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable (trade and others), accounts payable (trade and related party) and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for loans and similar terms and average maturities, the fair value of long-term debts also approximates its carrying value. The management of the Company is of the opinion that the Company is not exposed to significant interest or credit risks arising from these financial instruments.
(J) | Revenue recognition |
The Company recognizes revenue upon the delivery of its share of crude oil extracted to its sole customer, PetroChina at which time title is passed; there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance; persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; the sales price is fixed and determinable; and collectability is deemed probable.
Pursuant to the Oil Lease entered into on May 28, 2002 with PetroChina, the Company is entitled to 80% of the Company’s oil production for the first ten years to 2012 and 60% of the Company’s oil production for the remaining ten years to 2022.
F-8
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
1. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ORGANIZATION (CONTINUED) |
(K) | Income taxes |
The Company accounts for income taxes under the SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“SFAS 109”). Under SFAS 109, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under SFAS 109, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date.
On January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 prescribes a more-likely-than-not threshold for financial statements recognition and measurement of a tax position taken (or expected to be taken) in a tax return. This Interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, accounting for income taxes in interim periods and income tax disclosures. The adoption of FIN 48 has not resulted in any material impact on the Company’s financial position or results.
(L) | Foreign currency translation |
Except for North East Petroleum and Hong Xiang Petroleum Group, which maintain their accounting records in their functional currency in United States dollars (“US$”), all other subsidiaries of the Company maintain their accounting records in their functional currency in Renminbi (“RMB”). Foreign currency transactions during the year are translated to the functional currency at the approximate rates of exchange on the dates of transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are translated at the approximate rates of exchange at that date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing at the time the assets or liabilities were acquired. Exchange gains or losses are recorded in the statements of operations.
The financial statements of the subsidiaries whose functional currencies are RMB are translated into US$ using the closing rate method. The balance sheet items are translated into US$ using the exchange rates at the respective balance sheet dates. The capital and various reserves are translated at historical exchange rates prevailing at the time of the transactions while income and expenses items are translated at the average exchange rate for the year. All exchange differences are recorded within equity.
The exchange rates used to translate amounts in RMB into US$ for the purposes of preparing the financial statements were as follows:
December 31, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | |
Balance sheet items, except for common | ||
stock, additional paid-in capital and | ||
retained earnings, as of year end | US$1=RMB6.8542 | US$1=RMB7.3141 |
Amounts included in the statements of | ||
operations and cash flows for the year | US$1=RMB6.96225 | US$1=RMB7.6172 |
The translation difference recorded for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were gains of $2,098,702 and $1,091,940 respectively.
No presentation is made that RMB amounts have been, or would be, converted into US$ at the above rates. Although the Chinese government regulations now allow convertibility of RMB for current account transactions, significant restrictions still remain. Hence, such translations should not be construed as representation that the RMB could be converted into US$ at that rate or any other rate.
The value of RMB against US$ and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions, any significant revaluation of RMB may materially affect the Company’s financial condition in terms of US$ reporting.
F-9
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
1. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ORGANIZATION (CONTINUED) |
(M) | Comprehensive income |
The foreign currency translation gain or loss resulting from the translation of the financial statements expressed in RMB to US$ is reported as other comprehensive income in the statements of operations and stockholders’ equity. Other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $2,098,702 and $1,091,940 respectively.
(N) | Stock-based compensation |
The Company adopts the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payments”, which establishes the accounting for employee stock-based awards. Under the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date, based on the calculated fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the requisite employee service period (generally the vesting period of the grant). The Company determines the fair value of each stock award to be equal to the quoted market price for the Company’s common stock on the date of the award. Unearned compensation represents shares issued to executives and employees that will be vested over a certain service period. These shares will be amortized over the vesting period in accordance with FASB 123 (R). The average vesting period for the shares issued to date has been 1.76 years, based on the terms of the employment agreements under which the stock was awarded. The expense related to the vesting of unearned compensation was $336,978 and $0 for years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 respectively.
The Company measures compensation expense for its non-employee stock-based compensation under the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 96-18, “Accounting for Equity Instruments that are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods or Services”. The fair value of the option issued is used to measure the transaction, as this is more reliable than the fair value of the services received. Fair value is measured as the value of the Company’s common stock on the date that the commitment for performance by the counterparty has been reached or the counterparty’s performance is complete. The fair value of the equity instrument is charged directly to compensation expense and additional paid-in capital.
(O) | Earnings per share |
Earnings per share in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 128, "Earnings Per Share." SFAS No. 128 requires presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share in conjunction with the disclosure of the methodology used in computing such earnings per share. Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share takes into account the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised and converted into common stock using the treasury method.
(P) | Segments |
The Company operates in only one segment. Thereafter segment disclosure is not presented.
(Q) | Environmental costs |
The PRC has adopted extensive environmental laws and regulations that affect the operations of the oil and gas industry. The outcome of environmental liabilities under proposed or future environmental legislation cannot be reasonably estimated at present, and could be material. Under existing legislation, however, the management believes that there are no probable liabilities that will have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company. Hence no reserves have been set up for environmental costs.
F-10
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ORGANIZATION (CONTINUED)
(R) | Asset retirement obligations |
The Company adopts the provisions of SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations. This Statement generally applies to legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and/or the normal operation of a long-lived asset. SFAS No. 143 requires the Company to recognize the fair value of asset retirement obligations in the financial statements by capitalizing that cost as a part of the cost of the related asset. With regard to the Company, asset retirement obligations primarily relate to the abandonment of oil producing facilities. The Company did not incur and does not anticipate incurring any material dismantlement, restoration and abandonment costs given the nature of its crude oil producing activities and the current PRC regulations surrounding such activities.
(S) | Recent accounting pronouncements |
On December 31, 2008, the SEC published the revised rules and interpretations updating its oil and gas reporting requirements. Many of the revisions are updates to definitions in existing oil and gas rules to make them consistent with the petroleum resources management system, which is a widely accepted standard for the management of petroleum resources that was developed by several industry organizations. Key revisions include the ability to include nontraditional resources in reserves, the use of new technology for determining reserves, permitting disclosure of probable and possible reserves, and changes to the pricing used in determining reserves. To determine reserves companies must use a 12-month average price. The Company is required to comply with the amended disclosure requirement for registration statements filed after January 1, 2010, and for annual reports for fiscal years ending on or after December 15, 2009. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that the adoption will have on the Company’s disclosures, operating results, financial position and cash flows.
In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141R”). SFAS 141R establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and the goodwill acquired. SFAS 141R also establishes disclosure requirements to enable the evaluation of the nature and financial effects of the business combination. This statement is effective beginning January 1, 2009. The Company does not expect the adoption of this statement to have a material impact on its financial position and results of operations.
In December 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No. 51.” This statement improves the relevance, comparability, and transparency of the financial information that a reporting entity provides in its consolidated financial statements by establishing accounting and reporting standards that require; the ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent and the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest be clearly identified and presented on the face of the consolidated statement of income, changes in a parent’s ownership interest while the parent retains its controlling financial interest in its subsidiary be accounted for consistently, when a subsidiary is deconsolidated, any retained noncontrolling equity investment in the former subsidiary be initially measured at fair value, entities provide sufficient disclosures that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. SFAS 160 affects those entities that have an outstanding noncontrolling interest in one or more subsidiaries or that deconsolidate a subsidiary. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Early adoption is prohibited. The adoption of this statement did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations.
F-11
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ORGANIZATION (CONTINUED)
(S) | Recent accounting pronouncements (Continued) |
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133.” This statement is intended to improve transparency in financial reporting by requiring enhanced disclosures of an entity’s derivative instruments and hedging activities and their effects on the entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161 applies to all derivative instruments within the scope of SFAS 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (SFAS 133) as well as related hedged items, bifurcated derivatives, and nonderivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments. Entities with instruments subject to SFAS 161 must provide more robust qualitative disclosures and expanded quantitative disclosures. SFAS 161 is effective prospectively for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application permitted. The adoption of this statement did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” SFAS 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. SFA 162 will be effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the PCAOB amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The adoption of this statement did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 163, “Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 60.” The scope of this Statement is limited to financial guarantee insurance and reinsurance contracts, as described in the Statement, issued by enterprises included within the scope of Statement 60. Accordingly, this Statement does not apply to financial guarantee contracts issued by enterprises excluded from the scope of Statement 60 or to some insurance contracts that seem similar to financial guarantee insurance contracts issued by insurance enterprises (such as mortgage guaranty insurance or credit insurance on trade receivables). This Statement also does not apply to financial guarantee contracts that are derivative instruments included within the scope of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS 163 is effective prospectively for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years; disclosure requirements in paragraphs 30(g) and 31 are effective for the first period (including interim periods) beginning after May 23, 2008. The adoption of this statement did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active”, to clarify guidance on determining the fair value of a financial asset under SFAS 157 in a market that is not active. FSP FAS 157-3 was effective upon issuance, including prior periods for which financial statements had not been issued. The adoption of this statement effective September 30, 2008 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
F-12
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
2. | ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE |
Accounts receivable at December 31, 2008 and 2007 consisted of the following:
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Accounts receivable from PetroChina | $ | 4,230,080 | $ | 4,852,633 | ||||
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts | - | - | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance | $ | 4,230,080 | $ | 4,852,633 |
As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company considered all accounts receivable collectable and has not recorded a provision for doubtful accounts.
3. PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Prepaid expenses and other current assets at December 31, 2008 and 2007 consist of the following:
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Prepaid expenses | $ | 690,838 | $ | 150,973 | ||||
Deposits paid to suppliers | 50,330 | 183,562 | ||||||
Other receivables | 39,953 | 63,511 | ||||||
$ | 781,121 | $ | 398,046 |
4. OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES
The following is a summary of oil and gas properties at December 31, 2008 and 2007:
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Oil and gas properties, proven reserves | $ | 84,200,160 | $ | 47,594,281 | ||||
Intangible mining rights | 13,445 | 13,445 | ||||||
Less: accumulated depreciation | (14,019,753 | ) | (7,262,718 | ) | ||||
Oil and gas properties, net | $ | 70,193,852 | $ | 40,345,008 |
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $6,172,422 and $3,562,265 respectively.
F-13
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
5. FIXED ASSETS
The following is a summary of fixed assets at December 31, 2008 and 2007:
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Buildings | $ | 1,075,061 | $ | 308,067 | ||||
Furniture, fixtures and equipment | 224,180 | 197,171 | ||||||
Motor vehicles | 1,064,636 | 798,613 | ||||||
2,363,877 | 1,303,851 | |||||||
Less: accumulated depreciation | (679,500 | ) | (418,377 | ) | ||||
Fixed assets, net | $ | 1,684,377 | $ | 885,474 |
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $229,434 and $187,766 respectively.
6. LAND USE RIGHTS
The following is a summary of land use rights at December 31:
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Land use rights | $ | 71,418 | $ | 66,927 | ||||
Less: accumulated amortization | (35,220 | ) | (21,851 | ) | ||||
Land use rights, net | $ | 36,198 | $ | 45,076 |
The term of the land use rights are 30 years from the date of grant and expire in 2023. The land use rights are amortized by the Company over 6 years from the date of acquisition of the rights in 2005. The amortization policy of these rights is to conform with the tax benefit scheme enjoyed by the Company to enterprises in the Northeast Region of the PRC. The amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $11,718 and $10,711 respectively.
F-14
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
7. SECURED DEBENTURE
The following is a summary of secured debenture at December 31:
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
8% Secured Debenture, net of unamortized discount of | ||||||||
$6,166,174 as of December 31, 2008 at 8% interest | ||||||||
per annum, secured by 66% of the Company's equity interest | ||||||||
in Song Yuan Technical and certain properties of the Company | ||||||||
and 6,732,000 shares of common stock of the Company | ||||||||
owned by a stockholder, due on February 27, 2012 | $ | 8,083,826 | $ | - | ||||
8,083,826 | - | |||||||
Less: current maturities | (1,489,126 | ) | - | |||||
Long-term portion | $ | 6,594,700 | $ | - |
On February 28, 2008, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") with Lotusbox Investments Limited (the "Investor"). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company issued to the Investor an 8% Secured Debenture due 2012 (the "Debenture") in the aggregate principal amount of $15,000,000, and issued to the Investor five-year warrants exercisable for up to (i) 1,200,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an initial exercise price equal to $0.01 per share ("Class A Warrants"), (ii) 1,500,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an initial exercise price equal to $3.20 per share ("Class B Warrants") and (iii) 2,100,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an initial exercise price equal to $3.45 (“Class C Warrants”), with all warrant exercise prices being subject to certain adjustments. The Class B Warrants are subject to certain call rights by the Company. The Company also granted the Investor an option to purchase up to 24% of the registered capital of Song Yuan Technical at a fair market value which option shall vest immediately on the date following the occurrence of an event of default.
The Company accounts for warrants as liability instruments in accordance with paragraph 8 of EITF 00-19, Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and potentially settled in, a Company’s Own Stock. The beneficial conversion feature associated with the secured debenture is measured at its intrinsic value after allocation between the warrant and the debenture and before transaction costs in accordance with EITF 00-27, Application of Issue 98-5 to Certain Convertible Instruments. Debt proceeds are first allocated to the warrant (as it is mark-to-market, fair-value liability instrument) and the remaining proceeds are allocated to the debt. The debenture will be accreted to liquidation value over two years, using the effective interest rate method.
The Company has recorded a cost of $7,788,852 for the beneficial conversion feature granted to the Investor. The beneficial conversion feature is reflected as a discount on the debenture and is being amortized as an interest expense over the term of the debenture.
Interest expense and discount amortized on the debenture in 2008 were $991,592 and $1,622,678 respectively.
8. OTHER PAYABLES AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Other payables and accrued liabilities at December 31, 2008 and 2007 consist of the following:
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Other payables | $ | 494,553 | $ | 662,941 | ||||
Accrued professional fees | 117,335 | 154,869 | ||||||
Other accrued liabilities | 130,376 | 203,170 | ||||||
$ | 742,264 | $ | 1,020,980 |
F-15
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
9. NOTE PAYABLE
Note payable at December 31, 2008 and 2007 consist of the following:
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Note payable to a bank, interest rate of 11.16% | ||||||||
per annum, secured by a property owned | ||||||||
by a stockholder, due July 2008 | $ | - | $ | 273,444 | ||||
- | 273,444 | |||||||
Less: current maturities | - | 273,444 | ||||||
Long-term portion | $ | - | $ | - |
Interest expense paid for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $11,548 and $81,434 respectively.
10. NET INCOME PER SHARE
The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in computing basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Numerator: | ||||||||
Net income used in computing basis net income per share | $ | 19,582 | $ | 5,133 | ||||
Net income used in computing diluted net income per share | $ | 19,582 | $ | 5,133 | ||||
Denominator: | ||||||||
Shares used in computation of basic net income per share | ||||||||
(weighted average common stock outstanding) | 19,805 | 24,128 | ||||||
Dilutive potential common stock: | ||||||||
Options and warrants | 120 | - | ||||||
Shares used in computation of diluted net income per share | 19,925 | 24,128 | ||||||
Basic net income per share | $ | 0.99 | $ | 0.21 | ||||
Diluted net income per share | $ | 0.98 | $ | 0.21 |
In 2008, options to purchase 410,000 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 3,960,000 shares of common stock with exercise prices greater than the average fair market value of the Company’s stock of $2.92 were not included in the calculation because the effect is anti-dilutive.
11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
(A) Employee benefits
The full time employees of LongDe and Yu Qiao are entitled to employee benefits including medical care, welfare subsidies, unemployment insurance and pension benefits through a Chinese government mandated multi-employer defined contribution plan. The Company is required to accrue for those benefits based on certain percentages of the employees’ salaries and make contributions to the plans out of the amounts accrued for medical and pension benefits. The total provision and contributions made for such employee benefits for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $15,093 and $92,835 respectively. The Chinese government is responsible for the medical benefits and the pension liability to be paid to these employees.
F-16
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
11. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED) |
(B) | Commitments |
The Company leases office spaces from a stockholder, land and office spaces from third parties under four operating leases which expire on September 20, 2023, June 30, 2015, January 20, 2011 and September 14, 2009 at annual rental of $182, $14,006, $18,966 and $37,200 respectively.
As of December 31, 2008, the Company has outstanding commitments with respect to the above operating leases, which are due as follows:
2009 | $ | 57,924 | ||
2010 | 33,154 | |||
2011 | 15,769 | |||
2012 | 14,188 | |||
Thereafter | 36,972 | |||
$ | 158,006 |
(C) | Capital commitments |
As of December 31, 2008, the Company had capital commitments totaling $783,000 with a contractor to complete the drilling of 7 oil wells under construction.
12. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
During 2008, the Company granted to its employees, stock options qualified under the Company’s 2006 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan to purchase Common Stock. As of December 31, 2008, stock options granted under the Company’s 2006 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan to purchase 410,000 shares of its Common Stock (the “Options”) at an exercise price from $4.05 to $4.50 per share were outstanding. 25% of the 100,000 stock options shall vest upon grant and 25% shall vest every three months thereafter, these stock options granted shall expire one year after the grant date. 50% of the 310,000 stock options shall vest upon grant and 50% shall vest on the first anniversary of the grant date.
The fair value of stock options granted was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
Expected | Expected | Dividend | Risk Free | Grant Date |
Life | Volatility | Yield | Interest Rate | Fair Value |
1 to 2 years | 131 to 173% | 0% | 2.15% to 2.66% | $4.05 to $4.50 |
- | Dividend Yield: The expected dividend yield is zero. The Company has not paid a dividend and does not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future. |
- | Risk Free Rate: Risk-free interest rate of 2.15% to 2.66% was used. The risk-free interest rate was based on U.S. Treasury yields with a remaining term that corresponded to the expected term of the option calculated on the granted date. |
- | Expected Life: Because the Company has no historical share option exercise experience to estimate future exercise patterns, the expected life was determined using the simplified method as these awards meet the definition of "plain-vanilla" options under the rules prescribed by Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107. |
Stock compensation expense is recognized based on awards expected to vest. There was no estimated forfeiture as the Company has a short history of issuing options. SFAS No. 123R requires forfeiture to be estimated at the time of grant and revised in subsequent periods, if necessary, if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
F-17
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
12. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (CONTINUED)
In 2008 410,000 stock options with a fair value of approximately $1,150,031 were issued to staff, of which the Company recognized $336,978 as staff compensation expenses included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
As of December 31, 2008, the total compensation cost related to stock options not yet recognized was $813,053 and these will be recognized over the next 2 years.
The following is a summary of the stock options activity:
Number of Options Outstanding | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | ||
Balance, December 31, 2007 | - | - | |
Granted | 410,000 | $4.43 | |
Forfeited | - | - | |
Exercised | - | - | |
Balance, December 31, 2008 | 410,000 | $4.43 |
The following is a summary of the status of options outstanding at December 31, 2008:
Outstanding Options | Exercisable Options | |||||||||
Exercise Price | Number | Average Remaining Contractual Life | Average Exercise Price | Number | Weighted Average Exercise Price | |||||
$4.05 | 60,000 | 0.40 year | $4.05 | 45,000 | $4.05 | |||||
$4.50 | 310,000 | 1.55 year | $4.50 | 155,000 | $4.50 | |||||
$4.50 | 40,000 | 0.55 year | $4.50 | 20,000 | $4.50 |
13. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(A) | Issuance of warrants |
Pursuant to a Consulting Agreement (“the Agreement”), on January 1, 2008 the Company issued to a consultant for Investor Relations Services a warrant to purchase 50,000 shares of the common stock of the Company at an exercise price of $2.65 per share. The Company’s stock was trading at $2.36 at the time of issuance of the warrants. The warrant shall be exercisable for a term of one year from the effective date of the Agreement. The warrant has been determined to have a market value of $54,112 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with market value per common stock of $1.08, an exercise period of 1 year and a volatility of 130%. The Company recognized $54,112 as consulting expenses in 2008. This warrant expired on December 31, 2008.
On February 28, 2008, the Company issued to a consultant five-year warrants exercisable for up to (i) 120,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an initial exercise price equal to $0.01 per share ("Class A Warrants"), (ii) 150,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an initial exercise price equal to $3.20 per share ("Class B Warrants") and (iii) 210,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an initial exercise price equal to $3.45 (“Class C Warrants”), with all warrant exercise prices being subject to certain adjustments. The Class B Warrants are subject to certain call rights. The Company’s stock was trading at $2.14 at the time of issuance of warrants. The warrants have been determined to have a total market value of $778,885 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with market value per common stock of $2.13, $1.47 and $1.44 for Class A Warrants, Class B Warrants and Class C Warrants respectively, an exercise period of 2 years and a volatility of 158%. The Company recognized $162,268 as consulting expenses in 2008.
F-18
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
13. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (CONTINUED)
(B) | Stock issuances |
On July 18, 2008, the Company issued 360,000 shares of common stock to two executive officers and three engineers as bonuses for a period of two years. The stock was valued at the closing price on the date of grant of $4.50 per share, yielding an aggregate value of $1,620,000. The Company recognized expense of $371,250 in 2008 and recorded deferred stock compensation of $1,248,750 as of December 31, 2008 for these services.
On August 26, 2008, the Company issued Class A Warrants to the Investor to purchase up to 1,200,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share.
(C) Appropriated retained earnings
The Company’s PRC subsidiaries are required to make appropriations to reserve funds, comprising the statutory surplus reserve, statutory public welfare fund and discretionary surplus reserve, based on the after-tax net income determined in accordance with the laws and regulations of the PRC. Prior to January 1, 2006 the appropriation to the statutory surplus reserve should be at least 10% of the after tax net income determined in accordance with the laws and regulations of the PRC until the reserve is equal to 50% of the entities’ registered capital. Appropriations to the statutory public welfare fund are at 5% to 10% of the after tax net income determined by the Board of Directors. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company is only required to contribute to one statutory reserve fund at 10 percent of net income after tax per annum, such contributions not to exceed 50 percent of the respective companies’ registered capital.
The statutory reserve funds are restricted for use to set off against prior period losses, expansion of production and operation or for the increase in the registered capital of the Company. The statutory public welfare fund is restricted for use in capital expenditures for the collective welfare of employees. These reserves are not transferable to the Company in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances. These reserves are therefore not available for distribution except in liquidation.
During 2008 and 2007, the Company appropriated $456,736 and $628,629 respectively to the reserves funds based on its net income in accordance with the laws and regulations of the PRC.
14. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
a) | As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company owed a related party $51,672 and $3,118,085 respectively which is repayable in December 2009. Imputed interest expense is computed at 5% and 7% per annum on the amount due for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 respectively. |
b) | As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company owed a related party $14,590 and $13,672 respectively which is repayable on demand. Imputed interest expense is computed at 5% and 7% per annum on the amount due for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 respectively. |
c) | As of December 31, 2007, the Company owed a related party $14,364 which is repayable on demand. Imputed interest expense is computed at 7% per annum on the amount due. |
d) | As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company owed a stockholder $738 and $123,105 respectively which is repayable on demand. Imputed interest expense is computed at 5% and 7% per annum on the amount due for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 respectively. |
e) | Total imputed interest expenses recorded as additional paid-in capital amounted to $50,587 and $200,165 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 respectively. |
f) | The Company paid a stockholder $13,789 and $12,603 for leased office spaces for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 respectively. |
F-19
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
15. INCOME TAX
It is management's intention to reinvest all the income attributable to the Company earned by its operations outside of the US. Accordingly, no US corporate income taxes are provided for in these financial statements.
The Company is subject to income taxes on an entity basis on income arising in or derived from the tax jurisdiction in which each entity is domiciled.
North East Petroleum was incorporated in the United States and has incurred net operating losses as for income tax purposes for 2008 and 2007.
North East Petroleum has net operating losses carry forwards for income tax purposes amounting to approximately $6,448,000 as of December 31, 2008. These tax losses which may be available to reduce future years’ taxable income will expire, if not utilized, commencing in 2024. Management believes that the realization of the benefits from these tax losses appears uncertain due to the Company’s operating history and continuing losses. Accordingly, a full deferred tax asset valuation allowance has been provided and no deferred tax asset benefit has been recorded. The valuation allowances at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were $2,192,473 and $660,286 respectively. The net change in the valuation allowance was an increase of $1,532,187.
Hong Xiang Petroleum Group was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (the "BVI") and income earned is not subject to income tax.
Song Yuan Technical, Yu Qiao and LongDe were incorporated in the PRC and are subject to PRC income tax which is computed according to the relevant laws and regulations in the PRC. The applicable tax rate has been 25% and 33% for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 respectively and no tax benefit is expected from the tax credits in the future.
The income tax expense for 2008 and 2007 are summarized as follows:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Current | $ | 8,921,242 | $ | 2,784,009 | ||||
Deferred | 180,025 | 313,640 | ||||||
$ | 9,101,267 | $ | 3,097,649 |
The reconciliation of income taxes computed at the statutory income tax rates to total income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 is as follows:
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Federal tax rate on net income | $ | 10,741,617 | $ | 3,043,402 | ||||
Valuation allowance | ||||||||
North East Petroleum | 1,532,187 | 106,471 | ||||||
Hong Xiang Petroleum Group | - | 6,128 | ||||||
Song Yuan Technical | 103,922 | 35,500 | ||||||
Foreign tax differential | (3,276,459 | ) | (93,852 | ) | ||||
Actual tax expense | $ | 9,101,267 | $ | 3,097,649 |
Deferred income tax liabilities for 2008 and 2007 reflect the effect of temporary differences between amounts of assets, liabilities, and equity for financial reporting purposes and the bases of such assets, liabilities, and equity as measured by tax laws.
Deferred income tax liabilities mainly result from temporary differences for revenues earned but not yet taxable under the PRC tax regulations. All the deferred tax liabilities are classified as long-term liabilities as the Company will not be demanded for payment within the next twelve months.
F-20
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
16. CONCENTRATIONS AND RISKS
During 2008, 98% and 2% of the Company's assets were located in the PRC and the United States respectively, and during 2007, 100% of the Company’s assets were located in the PRC.
During 2008 and 2007, 100% of the Company's revenues were derived from one customer located in the PRC. The Oil Lease requires the Company to sell crude oil to PetroChina only.
17. SUPPLEMENTAL OIL AND GAS DISCLOSURES (UNAUDITED)
The accompanying table presents information concerning the Company’s crude oil producing activities as required by SFAS No. 69, Disclosures about Oil and Gas Producing Activities.
A. | Capitalized costs relating to oil and gas producing activities are as follows: |
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Proved crude oil properties | $ | 84,200,160 | $ | 47,594,281 | ||||
Intangible mining right | 13,445 | 13,445 | ||||||
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization | (14,019,753 | ) | (7,262,718 | ) | ||||
Net capitalized costs | $ | 70,193,852 | $ | 40,345,008 |
B. | Cost incurred in oil and gas property acquisitions, exploration and development activities are as follows: |
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Property acquisition costs (net of costs of properties sold) | ||||||||
Proved reserves | $ | 19,001,720 | $ | 12,518,210 | ||||
Property development costs | $ | 65,198,440 | $ | 35,076,071 |
C. | The results of operations for oil and gas producing activities are as follows: |
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Net sales | $ | 58,572,250 | $ | 19,482,069 | ||||
Production costs | (3,847,775 | ) | (2,872,990 | ) | ||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization | (6,413,574 | ) | (3,760,742 | ) | ||||
Government oil surcharge | (11,105,325 | ) | (2,857,376 | ) | ||||
General and administrative expenses | (1,959,602 | ) | (880,161 | ) | ||||
Income tax expense | (9,101,267 | ) | (3,097,649 | ) | ||||
Results of operations from oil and gas producing activities | ||||||||
(excluding corporate overhead and financing costs) | $ | 26,144,707 | $ | 6,013,151 |
F-21
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
17. SUPPLEMENTAL OIL AND GAS DISCLOSURES (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
D. | Estimated quantities of proved oil and gas reserves |
The following schedule estimates proved crude oil reserves attributable to the Company. Proved reserves are estimated quantities of oil which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions. Proved developed reserves are those which are expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods. Reserves are stated in barrels of oil (Bbls). Geological and engineering estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves at one point in time are highly interpretive, inherently imprecise and subject to ongoing revisions that may be substantial in amount. Although every reasonable effort is made to ensure that the reserve estimates reported represent the most accurate assessments possible, these estimates are by their nature generally less precise than other estimates presented in connection with financial statement disclosures.
Bbls | ||||
Proved oil reserves | ||||
Balance at January 1, 2007 | 2,242,194 | |||
Discoveries and extensions | - | |||
Revisions of previous estimates | 494,146 | |||
Production | (267,516 | ) | ||
Balance at December 31, 2007 | 2,468,824 | |||
Discoveries and extensions | - | |||
Revisions of previous estimates | 3,630,826 | |||
Production | (645,856 | ) | ||
Balance at December 31, 2008 | 5,453,794 | |||
Proved developed producing | ||||
reserves at December 31, 2008 | 3,211,333 | |||
Proved developed producing | ||||
reserves at December 31, 2007 | 1,369,401 |
The following schedule presents the standardized measure of estimated discounted future net cash flows from the Company’s proved developed reserves for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. Estimated future cash flows were based on independent reserves evaluation from Ralph E. Davis Associates, Inc. for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. Because the standardized measure of future net cash flows was prepared using the prevailing economic conditions existing at December 31, 2008 and 2007, it should be emphasized that such conditions continually change. Accordingly, such information should not serve as a basis in making any judgment on the potential value of the Company’s recoverable reserves or in estimating future results of operations.
Estimated future net cash flows represent an estimate of future net revenues from the production of proved reserves using current sales prices, along with estimates of the operating costs, production taxes and future development and abandonment costs (less salvage value) necessary to produce such reserves. The average prices per barrel used at December 31, 2008 and 2007 for 4 oilfields were $44.82 and $95.95 respectively. No deduction has been made for depreciation, depletion or any indirect costs such as general corporate overhead or interest expense.
Operating costs and production taxes are estimated based on current costs with respect to producing gas properties. Future development costs are based on the best estimate of such costs assuming current economic and operating conditions.
Income tax expense is computed based on applying the appropriate statutory tax rate to the excess of future cash inflows less future production and development costs over the current tax basis of the properties involved, less applicable carry forwards, for both regular and alternative minimum tax.
F-22
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
17. SUPPLEMENTAL OIL AND GAS DISCLOSURES (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
D. | Estimated quantities of proved oil and gas reserves (Continued) |
The future net revenue information assumes no escalation of costs or prices, except for gas sales made under terms of contracts which include fixed and determinable escalation. Future costs and prices could significantly vary from current amounts and, accordingly, revisions in the future could be significant.
Standardized measures of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and gas reserves at December 31, 2008 and 2007 is as follows:
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Future cash inflows | $ | 244,438,994 | $ | 235,187,861 | ||||
Future production costs and taxes | (138,362,100 | ) | (68,891,575 | ) | ||||
Future development costs | (9,015,252 | ) | (28,713,919 | ) | ||||
Future income tax expense | (7,867,952 | ) | (33,801,457 | ) | ||||
Future net cash flows | 89,193,690 | 103,780,910 | ||||||
Discount at 10% for timing of cash flows | (53,347,261 | ) | (64,469,078 | ) | ||||
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash | ||||||||
related to proved reserves | $ | 35,846,429 | $ | 39,311,832 |
Of the Company’s total proved reserves as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, 59% and 55% respectively were classified as proved developed producing. All of the Company’s reserves are located in the PRC.
The following table sets forth the changes in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows from proved reserves for December 31, 2008 and 2007.
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Balance, beginning of year | $ | 39,311,832 | $ | 36,339,206 | ||||
Purchase of minerals in place | 32,893,880 | 12,148,545 | ||||||
Sales and transfers of oil and gas produced, net | ||||||||
of production costs | (45,670,538 | ) | (13,522,379 | ) | ||||
Changes in prices and production costs | (364,474,506 | ) | 23,455,903 | |||||
Revision of quantity estimates | 349,925,776 | 36,712,367 | ||||||
Changes in estimated future development | ||||||||
and acquisition costs | (13,195,213 | ) | (32,275,264 | ) | ||||
Net changes in income taxes | 25,933,381 | (8,670,317 | ) | |||||
Accretion of discount | 11,121,817 | (14,876,229 | ) | |||||
Standardized measure, end of year | $ | 35,846,429 | $ | 39,311,832 |
F-23