UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q/A
(Amendment No. 1)
x | QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009 | |
o | 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 small business issuer as specified in its charter)
Nevada | 87-0638750 | |||
(State of other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (IRS Employer identification No.) |
445 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022
(Address of principal executive offices)
(212) 307-3568
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicated by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 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 whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerate filer, an accelerate filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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 Exchange Act). Yes o No x
Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of November 12, 2009: 25,852,181
EXLANATORY NOTE
This Amendment on Form 10-Q/A (the “Amended Filing”) amends the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, originally filed on November 16, 2009 (the “Original Filing”), of China North East Petroleum Holdings Limited. (the “Company”). The purpose of this amendment is to revise certain non-cash items in Part I, Item Financial Statements: (i) reclassify warrants issued in conjunction with a secured debenture issued on February 28, 2008, in accordance with FASB’s Emerging Issues Task force 00-19 as liability instruments rather than equity instruments; (ii) the change in fair value of those warrants from the date of issuance through the end of the reporting period; (iii) effective interest expense arising from amortization of the discount to the carrying value of the secu red debenture issued on February 28, 2008; (iv) the recording of warrants issued to investment consultants in connection with the secured debenture issued on February 28, 2008 as deferred financing costs instead of consulting fees; (v) the amount of amortization of deferred financing costs associated with the issuance of the secured debenture issued on February 28, 2008; (vi) compensation issued to employees in the form of stock; (vii) depreciation, depletion and amortization of oil properties; (viii) ceiling test reduction of the net carrying value of oil properties; (ix) income tax expense; (x) noncontrolling interests; and (xi) restructuring of the secured debenture on March 5, 2009, treated as an extinguishment of debt.
As a result of the revisions in Part I, Item 1 of this Amended Filing, Part I, Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial condition and Results of Operation, is revised to incorporate all the revisions made to Part I, Item 1 as stated in the previous paragraph. Furthermore, due to the revisions described above, management has concluded that the Company did not maintain effective controls over financial reporting, and accordingly Part I, Item 4T is revised to state such conclusion and to state the remedial actions which the Company has taken and will take to attain effective control over its financial reporting.
In accordance with Rule 12b-15 under the Exchange Act, each item of the Original Filing that is amended by this Amended Filing is also restated in its entirety, and this Amended Filing is accompanied by currently dated certifications on Exhibits 31.1, 31.2, 32.1 and 32.2 by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Except as described above, this Amended Filing does not amend, update, or change any items, financial statements, or other disclosures in the Original Filing, and does not reflect events occurring after the filing of the Original Filing, including as to any exhibits to the Original Filing affected by subsequent events. Information not affected by the changes described above is unchanged and reflects the disclosures made at the time of the Original Filing. Accordingly, this Amended Filing should b e read in conjunction with the Original Filing and our other SEC filings subsequent to the filing of the Original Filing, including any amendments to those filings. Capitalized terms not defined in the Amended Filing are as defined by the Original Filing.
For additional detailed information regarding the restatements affecting this report, please see the attached amended and restated consolidated financial statement and Note 1.
INDEX | ||
Page No. | ||
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION | ||
Item 1. | Financial Statements | 2 |
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – September 30, 2009 (Restated and unaudited) and December 31, 2008 (Restated and audited) | 2 | |
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income - three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (Restated and unaudited) | 3 | |
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (Restated and unaudited) | 4 | |
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of September 30, 2009 (Unaudited) | 5 | |
Item 2. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition And Results of Operations | 28 |
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk | 39 |
Item 4T. | Controls and Procedures | 39 |
PART II OTHER INFORMATION | ||
Item 1. | Legal Proceedings | 41 |
Item 1A. | Risk Factors | 41 |
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | 41 |
Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities | 41 |
Item 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders | 42 |
Item 5. | Other Information | 42 |
Item 6. | Exhibits | 42 |
SIGNATURES | 43 |
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
On one or more occasions, we may make forward-looking statements in this amended and restated Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A regarding our assumptions, projections, expectations, targets, intentions or beliefs about future events. Words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “targets,” “will likely result,” “will continue” or similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are only our predictions and involve numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those listed below and those business risks and factors described elsewhere in this report and our other Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed. We caution that while we make such statements in good faith and believe such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, including without limitation, management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in records and other data available from third parties, we cannot assure you that our projections will be achieved. Factors that may cause such differences include but are not limited to:
● | Our expectation of continued growth in the demand for our oil; |
● | Our expectation that we will 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; and | |||
♦ | Decreases in purchases of oil by our customer will adversely affect our revenues. |
We have attempted to identify, in context, certain of the factors that we believe may cause actual future experience and results to differ materially from our current expectation regarding the relevant matter or subject area. In addition to the items specifically discussed above, our business and results of operations are subject to the uncertainties described under the caption “Risk Factors” which is a part of the disclosure included in Item 2 of this amended and restated Report entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
From time to time, oral or written forward-looking statements are also included in our reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, Proxy Statements on Schedule 14A, press releases, analyst and investor conference calls, and other communications released to the public. Although we believe that at the time made, the expectations reflected in all of these forward-looking statements are and will be reasonable, any or all of the forward-looking statements in this amended and restated quarterly report on Form 10-Q/A, our reports on Forms 10-K and 8-K, our Proxy Statements on Schedule 14A and any other public statements that are made by us may prove to be incorrect. This may occur as a result of inaccurate assumptions or as a consequence of known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many factors discussed in this amended and restated Quarterly Report o n Form 10-Q/A, certain of which are beyond our control, will be important in determining our future performance. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from those that might be anticipated from forward-looking statements. In light of these and other uncertainties, you should not regard the inclusion of a forward-looking statement in this amended and restated Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A or other public communications that we might make as a representation by us that our plans and objectives will be achieved, and you should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. However, your attention is directed to any further disclosures made on related subjects in our subsequent annual and periodic reports filed with the SEC on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K and Proxy Statements on Schedule 14A.
Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” and “NEP” refer specifically to China North East Petroleum Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries.
1
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES ("NEP") | ||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||||||||
As of | ||||||||
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
(Unaudited) | (Audited) | |||||||
Restated | ||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 33,158,348 | $ | 13,239,213 | ||||
Accounts receivable, net | 6,509,440 | 4,230,080 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 3,987,771 | 781,121 | ||||||
Value added tax recoverable | - | 311,240 | ||||||
Total Current Assets | 43,655,559 | 18,561,654 | ||||||
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT | ||||||||
Oil properties, net | 36,696,300 | 54,326,410 | ||||||
Fixed assets, net | 13,820,768 | 1,684,377 | ||||||
Oil properties under construction | - | 714,629 | ||||||
Total Property and Equipment | 50,517,068 | 56,725,416 | ||||||
LAND USE RIGHTS, NET | 641,204 | 36,198 | ||||||
GOODWILL | 1,645,589 | - | ||||||
DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS, NET | - | 1,481,557 | ||||||
DEFERRED TAX ASSETS | 7,150,306 | 3,122,519 | ||||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 103,609,726 | $ | 79,927,344 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 8,178,864 | $ | 10,985,894 | ||||
Current portion of secured debenture | 6,875,000 | 2,625,000 | ||||||
Other payables and accrued expenses | 5,677,494 | 821,918 | ||||||
Due to related parties | 14,625 | 66,262 | ||||||
Income tax and other taxes payable | 5,598,835 | 3,710,870 | ||||||
Due to a stockholder | 5,602,176 | 738 | ||||||
Total Current Liabilities | 31,946,994 | 18,210,682 | ||||||
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES | ||||||||
Accounts payable | 9,347,865 | 13,944,903 | ||||||
Secured debenture, net of discount | 4,875,000 | 4,750,765 | ||||||
Warrants | 20,328,106 | 6,830,962 | ||||||
Total Long-term Liabilities | 34,550,971 | 25,526,630 | ||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES | 66,497,965 | 43,737,312 | ||||||
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | - | - | ||||||
EQUITY | ||||||||
NEP Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||
Common stock ($0.001 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized, | ||||||||
25,119,619 shares issued and outstanding as of | ||||||||
September 30, 2009; 20,784,080 shares issued and | ||||||||
outstanding as of December 31, 2008) | 25,120 | 20,784 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 29,155,572 | 13,067,693 | ||||||
Retained earnings (deficit) | ||||||||
Unappropriated | (1,798,301 | ) | 15,264,623 | |||||
Appropriated | 1,372,999 | 1,372,999 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 3,165,785 | 3,085,703 | ||||||
Total NEP Stockholders' Equity | 31,921,175 | 32,811,802 | ||||||
Noncontrolling interests | 5,190,586 | 3,378,230 | ||||||
TOTAL EQUITY | 37,111,761 | 36,190,032 | ||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | $ | 103,609,726 | $ | 79,927,344 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements
2
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Restated and Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | |||||||||||||
NET SALES | $ | 14,403,921 | $ | 19,060,007 | $ | 34,654,549 | $ | 44,051,519 | ||||||||
COST OF SALES | ||||||||||||||||
Production costs | 1,103,163 | 895,155 | 2,769,762 | 2,390,432 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization of oil properties | 2,369,888 | 3,774,327 | 7,684,931 | 8,155,321 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of land use rights | 2,982 | 2,975 | 8,943 | 8,743 | ||||||||||||
Government oil surcharge | 1,655,000 | 4,480,955 | 2,273,167 | 9,865,655 | ||||||||||||
Total Cost of Sales | 5,131,033 | 9,153,412 | 12,736,803 | 20,420,151 | ||||||||||||
GROSS PROFIT | 9,272,888 | 9,906,595 | 21,917,746 | 23,631,368 | ||||||||||||
OPERATING EXPENSES | ||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 855,138 | 1,527,175 | 2,252,285 | 2,080,836 | ||||||||||||
Professional fees | 105,225 | 69,590 | 278,140 | 202,573 | ||||||||||||
Consulting fees | 89,265 | (116,092 | ) | 159,260 | 286,715 | |||||||||||
Depreciation of fixed assets | 69,947 | 50,445 | 209,748 | 160,930 | ||||||||||||
Impairment of oil properties | 1,456 | - | 13,833,812 | - | ||||||||||||
Total Operating Expenses | 1,121,031 | 1,531,118 | 16,733,245 | 2,731,054 | ||||||||||||
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS | 8,151,857 | 8,375,477 | 5,184,501 | 20,900,314 | ||||||||||||
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) | ||||||||||||||||
Other income | 7,134 | 809 | 7,134 | 66,651 | ||||||||||||
Other expense | (20,780 | ) | (2,000 | ) | (22,581 | ) | (107,601 | ) | ||||||||
Interest expense | (236,931 | ) | (296,761 | ) | (777,595 | ) | (721,805 | ) | ||||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs | - | (218,943 | ) | (144,507 | ) | (519,594 | ) | |||||||||
Amortization of discount on debenture | - | (1,015,864 | ) | (670,492 | ) | (2,410,848 | ) | |||||||||
Imputed interest expense | (70,210 | ) | (16,794 | ) | (120,127 | ) | (49,535 | ) | ||||||||
Interest income | 25,141 | 4,238 | 44,905 | 34,204 | ||||||||||||
Change in fair value of warrants | 2,272,159 | 18,191,606 | (9,805,886 | ) | 1,146,381 | |||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | - | - | (8,260,630 | ) | - | |||||||||||
Total Other Income (Expense), net | 1,976,513 | 16,646,291 | (19,749,779 | ) | (2,562,147 | ) | ||||||||||
NET INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES | 10,128,370 | 25,021,768 | (14,565,278 | ) | 18,338,167 | |||||||||||
Income tax expense | (1,955,789 | ) | (2,390,961 | ) | (1,955,789 | ) | (5,695,498 | ) | ||||||||
NET INCOME(LOSS) | 8,172,581 | 22,630,807 | (16,521,067 | ) | 12,642,669 | |||||||||||
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (704,386 | ) | (711,301 | ) | (541,857 | ) | (1,687,394 | ) | ||||||||
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO NEP COMMON STOCKHOLDERS | 7,468,195 | 21,919,506 | (17,062,924 | ) | 10,955,275 | |||||||||||
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | ||||||||||||||||
Total other comprehensive income | 19,608 | 152,651 | 88,980 | 2,020,632 | ||||||||||||
Less: foreign currency translation gain attributable to noncontrolling interests | (1,961 | ) | (15,265 | ) | (8,898 | ) | (202,063 | ) | ||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain attributable to NEP common stockholders | 17,647 | 137,386 | 80,082 | 1,818,569 | ||||||||||||
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO NEP COMMON | ||||||||||||||||
STOCKHOLDERS | $ | 7,485,842 | $ | 22,056,892 | $ | (16,982,842 | ) | $ | 12,773,844 | |||||||
Net income (loss) per share | ||||||||||||||||
- basic | $ | 0.34 | $ | 1.10 | $ | (0.81 | ) | $ | 0.56 | |||||||
- diluted | $ | 0.31 | $ | 1.06 | $ | (0.81 | ) | $ | 0.56 | |||||||
Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period | ||||||||||||||||
- basic | 21,780,364 | 19,987,123 | 21,143,560 | 19,480,284 | ||||||||||||
- diluted | 24,025,976 | 20,676,711 | 21,143,560 | 19,624,216 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements
3
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | ||||||||
For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (Restated and Unaudited) | ||||||||
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
Net (loss) income | $ | (16,521,067 | ) | $ | 12,642,669 | |||
Adjusted to reconcile net (loss) income to cash provided by | ||||||||
operating activities: | ||||||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization of oil properties | 7,684,931 | 8,155,321 | ||||||
Depreciation of fixed assets | 209,748 | 160,930 | ||||||
Amortization of land use rights | 8,943 | 8,743 | ||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs | 144,507 | 519,594 | ||||||
Amortization of discount on debenture | 670,492 | 2,410,848 | ||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | 8,260,630 | - | ||||||
Amortization of stock option compensation | 794,951 | 263,584 | ||||||
Change in fair value of warrants | 9,805,886 | (1,146,381 | ) | |||||
Impairment of oil properties | 13,833,812 | - | ||||||
Warrants issued for services | 175,855 | 62,393 | ||||||
Stocks issued for consulting services | 88,000 | 27,125 | ||||||
Stock-based compensation for employee services | 607,500 | 810,000 | ||||||
Imputed interest expense | 120,127 | 49,535 | ||||||
Gain on disposal of fixed assets | (7,134 | ) | - | |||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities | ||||||||
(Increase) decrease in: | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | (2,279,360 | ) | (5,742,601 | ) | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | (3,206,650 | ) | (1,863,807 | ) | ||||
Value added tax recoverable | 311,240 | 651,905 | ||||||
Deferred tax assets | (4,027,787 | ) | (209,102 | ) | ||||
Increase (decrease) in: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | (7,404,068 | ) | (3,458,626 | ) | ||||
Other payables and accrued expenses | 163,052 | (73,911 | ) | |||||
Income tax and other taxes payable | 1,242,325 | 4,918,065 | ||||||
Deferred tax assets | - | (543,100 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 10,675,933 | 17,643,184 | ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
Purchase of oil properties | (3,053,668 | ) | (18,300,636 | ) | ||||
Purchase of fixed assets | (185,369 | ) | (668,233 | ) | ||||
Additions to oil properties under construction | - | (649,786 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets | 28,656 | - | ||||||
Cash outflow from acquisition of a subsidiary (Note 5) | (7,837,926 | ) | - | |||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (11,048,307 | ) | (19,618,655 | ) | ||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
Proceeds from issuance and sale in a public offering of | ||||||||
common stock and warrants, net | 17,276,003 | - | ||||||
Payment of deferred financing costs | - | (1,186,229 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from issuance of secured debenture | - | 15,000,000 | ||||||
Repayment of secured debenture | (2,500,000 | ) | (750,000 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from exercise of stock warrants | 1,200 | 12,000 | ||||||
Increase in amount due to a stockholder | 5,601,438 | 660,153 | ||||||
Decrease in amounts due to related parties | (51,637 | ) | (2,644,819 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 20,327,004 | 11,091,105 | ||||||
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE ON CASH | (35,495 | ) | (1,428,255 | ) | ||||
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | 19,919,135 | 7,687,379 | ||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD | 13,239,213 | 74,638 | ||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD | $ | 33,158,348 | $ | 7,762,017 | ||||
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | ||||||||
Cash paid during the period for: | ||||||||
Income tax expense | $ | 5,975,876 | $ | 4,932,518 | ||||
Interest expense | $ | 540,664 | $ | 721,805 | ||||
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE FOR NON-CASH OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
During 2008, the Company issued warrants in connection with the secured debenture to the investor consultant valued at $10,268,321 and $1,026,832 respectively. | ||||||||
During 2009, the Company issued 15,000 S-8 shares of common stock valued at $66,000 for consulting services. | ||||||||
During 2009, the Company issued 5,000 S-8 shares of common stock valued at $22,000 for consulting services. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements
4
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 1 RESTATEMENT OF PREVIOUSLY REPORTED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
On February 23, 2010, China North East Petroleum Holdings Limited (the “Company) determined that the Company’s financial statements as of September 30, 2009 and for the three and nine months then ended should no longer be relied upon and should be restated as a result of certain non-cash errors contained therein regarding the accounting for: (i) warrants issued in conjunction with a secured debenture on February 28, 2008, which warrants should have been classified according to Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) 00-19 as liability instruments rather than equity instruments; (ii) the change in the fair value of those warrants from the date of issuance through the end of the reporting period; (iii) effective interest expense arising from amortization of the discount to the carrying value of the secured debenture; (iv) the recording of warrants issued to investment consultants in connection with the issuance of the secured debenture as deferred financing costs instead of consulting fees; (v) the rate of amortization of deferred financing costs associated with the issuance of that secured debenture; (vi) compensation issued to employees in the form of stock; (vii) depreciation, depletion and amortization of oil properties; (viii) ceiling test reduction of the net carrying value of oil properties; (ix) income tax expense; (x) noncontrolling interests; and (xi) restructuring of the secured debenture on March 5, 2009, treated as an extinguishment of debt.
As a result, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2009 and for the three and nine months then ended have been restated from the amounts previously reported. The information in the data table below represents only those income statement, balance sheet, cash flow and comprehensive income statement line items affected by the restatement.
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) INFORMATION
Three months ended September 30, 2009 | Nine months ended September 30, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
As previously reported | Adjustments | As restated | As previously reported | Adjustments | As restated | |||||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depletion, depreciation and amortization of oil properties | $ | 2,824,981 | $ | (455,093 | ) | $ | 2,369,888 | $ | 8,283,230 | $ | (598,299 | ) | $ | 7,684,931 | ||||||||||
Operating Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 749,204 | 105,934 | 855,138 | 1,932,541 | 319,744 | 2,252,285 | ||||||||||||||||||
Professional fees | 98,261 | 6,964 | 105,225 | 323,309 | (45,169 | ) | 278,140 | |||||||||||||||||
Consulting fees | 142,332 | (53,067 | ) | 89,265 | 298,627 | (139,367 | ) | 159,260 | ||||||||||||||||
Impairment of oil properties | - | 1,456 | 1,456 | - | 13,833,812 | 13,833,812 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other Income (Expense): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs | (74,139 | ) | 74,139 | - | (222,418 | ) | 77,911 | (144,507 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Amortization of discount on debenture | (513,415 | ) | 513,415 | - | (1,515,473 | ) | 844,981 | (670,492 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of warrants | - | 2,272,159 | 2,272,159 | - | (9,805,886 | ) | (9,805,886 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | - | - | - | - | (8,260,630 | ) | (8,260,630 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | 4,688,695 | 3,483,866 | 8,172,581 | 10,675,244 | (27,196,311 | ) | (16,521,067 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | (2,186,156 | ) | 230,367 | (1,955,789 | ) | (5,273,823 | ) | 3,318,034 | (1,955,789 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Non-controlling interests | (635,986 | ) | (68,400 | ) | (704,386 | ) | (1,533,605 | ) | (991,748 | ) | (541,857 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to NEP common stockholders | 4,052,709 | 3,415,486 | 7,468,195 | 9,141,639 | (26,204,561 | ) | (17,062,924 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain | 37,618 | (19,871 | ) | 17,647 | 112,673 | (32,591 | ) | 80,082 | ||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) | 4,090,327 | 3,395,515 | 7,485,842 | 9,254,312 | (26,237,154 | ) | (16,982,842 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Net income( loss) per share -- Basic | 0.19 | 0.15 | 0.34 | 0.43 | (1.24 | ) | (0.81 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss)per share -- Diluted | 0.17 | 0.14 | 0.31 | 0.41 | (1.22 | ) | (0.81 | ) |
5
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
As of September 30, 2009 | ||||||||||||
As previously reported | Adjustments | As restated | ||||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||||||
Oil properties, net | $ | 65,847,281 | $ | (29,150,981 | ) | $ | 36,696,300 | |||||
Deferred financing costs, net | 716,680 | (716,680 | ) | - | ||||||||
Deferred tax assets | - | 7,150,306 | 7,150,306 | |||||||||
Total Assets | 126,327,081 | (22,717,355 | ) | 103,609,726 | ||||||||
Current Liabilities: | ||||||||||||
Current portion of secured debenture, net | 3,971,112 | 2,903,888 | 6,875,000 | |||||||||
Total current liabilities | 29,043,106 | 2,903,888 | 31,946,994 | |||||||||
Long-term Liabilities: | ||||||||||||
Secured debenture, net of discount | 2,815,879 | 2,059,121 | 4,875,000 | |||||||||
Deferred tax liabilities | 64,465 | (64,465 | ) | - | ||||||||
Warrants | - | 20,328,106 | 20,328,106 | |||||||||
Total long-term liabilities | 12,228,209 | 22,322,762 | 34,550,971 | |||||||||
Stockholders' Equity: | ||||||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 39,934,062 | (10,778,490 | ) | 29,155,572 | ||||||||
Deferred stock compensation | (641,250 | ) | 641,250 | - | ||||||||
Retained earnings (deficit), unappropriated | 33,677,718 | (35,476,019 | ) | (1,798,301 | ) | |||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 3,365,741 | (199,956 | ) | 3,165,785 | ||||||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 77,734,390 | (45,813,215 | ) | 31,921,175 | ||||||||
Noncontrolling interests | 7,321,376 | (2,130,790 | ) | 5,190,586 | ||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | 126,327,081 | (22,717,355 | ) | 103,609,726 |
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION
Nine months ended September 30, 2009 | ||||||||||||
As previously reported | Adjustments | As restated | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 9,141,639 | $ | (26,204,563 | ) | $ | (17,062,924 | ) | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income(loss) to cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||||||
Depreciation, depletion and amortization of oil properties | 8,283,230 | (598,299 | ) | 7,684,931 | ||||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs | 222,418 | (77,911 | ) | 144,507 | ||||||||
Amortization of discount on debenture | 1,515,473 | (844,981 | ) | 670,492 | ||||||||
Amortization of stock option compensation | 475,207 | 319,744 | 794,951 | |||||||||
Change in fair value of warrants | - | 9,805,886 | 9,805,886 | |||||||||
Reduction in carrying value of oil properties, net | - | 13,833,812 | 13,833,812 | |||||||||
Loss on extinguishment of debt | - | 8,260,630 | 8,260,630 | |||||||||
Warrants issued for services | 280,737 | (104,882 | ) | 175,855 | ||||||||
Noncontrolling interests | 1,533,605 | (991,748 | ) | 541,857 | ||||||||
Deferred tax assets | - | (4,027,787 | ) | (4,027,787 | ) | |||||||
Deferred tax liabilities | (697,940 | ) | 697,940 | - | ||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 10,687,746 | (11,813 | ) | 10,675,933 | ||||||||
Effect of exchange rate on cash | (47,308 | ) | 11,813 | (35,495 | ) |
NOTE 2 BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.
6
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments consisting only of normal recurring accruals considered necessary to present fairly the Company's financial position at September 30, 2009, the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008. The results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year ending December 31, 2009.
These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2009.
FASB Launches New Accounting Standards Codification
In June 2009 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”) as the single source of authoritative GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The Codification supersedes all existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. All other non-grandfathered, non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification have become non-authoritative.
Following the Codification, FASB will not issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff Positions (“FSP”) or Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Abstracts. Instead, it will issue Accounting Standards Updates, which will serve to update the Codification, provide background information about the guidance and provide the basis for conclusions on the changes to the Codification.
GAAP is not intended to be changed as a result of the FASB's Codification, but it will change the way the guidance is organized and presented. As a result, these changes will have a significant impact on how companies reference GAAP in their financial statements and in their accounting policies. The Company has adopted the Codification in this quarterly report by using plain English to describe FASB broad topic references.
NOTE 3 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.
Song Yuan City Hong Xiang Petroleum Technical Services Co., Ltd. (“Hong Xiang Technical”) was incorporated in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) on December 5, 2003 to provide technical advisory services to oil and gas exploration companies in the PRC.
7
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 3 ORGANIZATION (CONTINUED)
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 exploration 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.
On September 25, 2009, Song Yuan Technical acquired from third parties 100% of the equity interest of Song Yuan Tiancheng Drilling Engineering Co., Ltd. (“Tiancheng”) at a consideration of $13,000,000 in cash. Tiancheng provides contract land drilling services to customers for exploration and production of crude oil in the PRC.
North East Petroleum, Hong Xiang Petroleum Group, Song Yuan Technical, LongDe, Yu Qiao and Tiancheng are hereinafter referred to as (“the Company”).
NOTE 4 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of consolidation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for 2009 include the unaudited 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, Yu Qiao and Tiancheng (collectively, “the Company”). The noncontrolling interests represent the minority shareholders’ 10% share of the results of Song Yuan Technical, LongDe, Yu Qiao and Tiancheng.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for 2008 include the unaudited 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. The noncontrolling 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.
Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates include the value of the Company’s oil reserve quantities which are the basis for the calculation of the depletion, depreciation and amortization of oil properties and impairments of oil properties and estimates of the fair value of warrants. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
8
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
Foreign currency translation and other comprehensive income
The reporting currency of the Company is the US dollar. The functional currency of Song Yuan Technical, LongDe, Yu Qiao and Tiancheng is the Chinese Renminbi (RMB).
For the subsidiaries whose functional currencies are other than the US dollar, all assets and liabilities accounts were translated at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date; stockholder's equity is translated at the historical rates and items in the statement of operations items and statement of cash flows are translated at the average rate for the year. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are included in accumulated other comprehensive income in the statement of stockholders’ equity. The resulting translation gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in the results of operations as incurred.
Accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity amounted to $3,165,785 and $3,085,703 as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. The balance sheet amounts with the exception of equity at September 30, 2009 were translated at 6.8376 RMB to $1.00 USD. The average translation rates applied to income statement amounts for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was 6.84251 RMB to $1.00 USD.
Cash and concentration of risk
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents, for statement of cash flows purposes. Cash includes cash on hand and demand deposits in accounts maintained with state owned banks within the PRC and with banks the US.
The Company’s cash equivalents are exposed to concentration of credit risk. The Company maintains balances at financial institutions which, from time to time, may exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured limits for the banks located in the United States. Balances at financial institutions or state owned banks within the PRC are not covered by insurance. As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had deposits in excess of federally insured limits totaling $899,024 and $1,016,733, respectively. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant risks on its cash in bank accounts.
Substantially all of the Company's operations are carried out in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environments in that country, and by the general state of that country’s economy. The Company's operations in the PRC are subject to specific considerations and significant risks not typically associated with companies in the United States. These include risks associated with, among others, the political, economic and legal environments and foreign currency exchange. The Company's results may be adversely affected by changes in governmental policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion and remittance abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things.
Revenue Recognition
The Company records revenues from the sales of oil on a net basis when delivery to its sole customer (PetroChina) has occurred and title has transferred. This occurs when oil has been delivered to a PetroChina depot.
Pursuant to the Oil Lease entered into in 2002 and 2003 with PetroChina, each with twenty year terms, the Company is entitled to 80% of the Company’s oil production for the first ten years and 60% of the Company’s oil production for the remaining ten years . The Company receives payment for the net physical volume of oil delivered (either 80% or 60% by volume, depending upon the lease terms that are current at that point in time). The Company only records revenue for the production that the Company is entitled to.
Our oilfield services business (Tiancheng) records revenues from the sales of services that are generally sold based upon purchase orders or contracts with the customer that include fixed or determinable prices and that do not include right of return or other similar provisions or other significant post-delivery obligations. Revenue for services is recognized as the services are rendered and when collectibility is reasonably assured. Rates for services are typically priced on a per day, per meter, per man hour or similar basis. In certain situations, revenue is generated from transactions that may include multiple services under one contract or agreement. Revenue from these arrangements is recognized as each service is delivered based on their relative fair value.
9
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
Major customers
Our oil production business has only one customer – PetroChina’s Jilin Refinery branch, located in Song Yuan City, Jilin Province, PRC. Pursuant to our lease agreements with PetroChina we are unable to sell our oil production to any other customer.
Our oilfield services business has one primary customer (PetroChina) but also serves other independent oil production companies located in Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces in the PRC. Revenue recognized by Tiancheng during the three months ended September 30, 2010 were immaterial, but pro forma revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 included approximately 90% of revenues that were derived from sales to PetroChina, while the remaining 10% was derived from sales to independent oil production companies.
Accounts receivables and allowance for doubtful accounts
Our oil production business bills PetroChina on a monthly basis, at month-end, for the oil that we delivered to PetroChina during that month. We receive payment from PetroChina approximately 10 to 20 days following the end of each month. We receive payment in full for the prior month, less a holdback in the first and second months of each calendar quarter for the amount of oil surcharge tax (if any) due the PRC government for the respective month’s oil sales. These oil surcharge tax holdbacks are paid to the Company with the normal monthly payment for the third month of each quarter, and therefore are timed to be received by us shortly before we are responsible for remitting the quarterly oil surcharge tax to the PRC government. Therefore, the amount we show as accounts receivable at the end of ea ch reporting period will include the amounts due to us for sales in the prior month, as well as lesser amounts due from the two preceding months equal to the amount of oil surcharge tax payable by us. We do not recognize any allowance for doubtful accounts, as PetroChina has always paid our invoices on a correct, consistent and timely basis.
Our oilfield services business bills customers according to the terms of each service contract. These contracts generally provide for payment of 30% of the drilling contract at the initiation of drilling services and payment of the remaining 70% of the drilling contract value in twelve monthly installments following completion of the drilling services.
Long-lived assets
Long-lived assets to be held and used in the Company's operations are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amount may not be recoverable. When the carrying amounts of long-lived assets exceed the fair value, which is generally based upon discounted future cash flows the Company records an impairment. Impairment loss recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, were $1,456 and $13,833,812, respectively.
Financial instruments
The Company analyzes all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under ASC 480-10 (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity”), ASC 815-10 (formerly SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”) and ASC 815-40 (formerly EITF 00-19, “Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock”). The warrants issued in conjunction with the issuance of the secured debenture in February, 2008 are treated as liability instruments and will be marked to fair value as of each reporting date. Additionally, the Company analyzes registration rights ag reements associated with any equity instruments issued to determine if penalties triggered for late filing should be accrued under ASC 825-20 (formerly FSP EITF 00-19-2, “Accounting for Registration Payment Arrangements”) (See Note 12, Registration Payment Arrangements, below).
10
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
Fair value of financial instruments
On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted ASC 820-10 (formerly SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”), which defines fair value, establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of fair value measurement and enhances disclosures requirements for fair value measures. The three levels are defined as follow:
· | Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. | |
· | Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the assets or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instruments. |
· | Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value. |
The financial assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of the fair value of assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2009 are summarized as follows (unaudited):
Fair value measurement using inputs | ||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||||||
Derivative instruments − Warrants | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 20,328,106 | ||||||
Total | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 20,328,106 |
The Company determines the fair value of the warrants using a Black-Scholes option model using inputs that are derived from observable and unobservable data and are therefore considered Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 9 for further information.
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, current trade payables, and short-term bank loans and debts approximate their fair values due to the short maturities of these instruments. The Company believes that the carrying value of non-current trade payables and the secured debenture at September 30, 2009 approximates fair value, after considering the various attributes of the debt and the Company’s current credit standing (see Note 9, “Secured Debenture,” for additional information regarding the carrying value of the secured debenture).
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company follows ASC 718 (formerly SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payments”). This Statement requires a company to measure the cost of services provided by employees in exchange for an award of equity instruments to be based on the grant-date fair value of the award. That cost will be recognized over the period during which services are received. Stock compensation for stock granted to non-employees has been determined in accordance with ASC 718 and ASC 505-50 (formerly EITF No. 96-18, "Accounting for Equity Instruments that are issued to Other than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling Goods or Services"), as the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measured.
11
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
Property and equipment, net
The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for oil properties. As the Company currently maintains oil operations in only one country (the PRC), the Company has only one cost center. All costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration, and development of properties (including costs of surrendered and abandoned leaseholds, delay lease rentals, dry holes and overhead related to exploration and development activities) and the fair value of estimated future costs of site restoration, dismantlement, and abandonment activities are capitalized.
Investments in unproved properties, including capitalized interest costs, are not depleted pending determination of the existence of proved reserves. Unproved reserves are assessed periodically to ascertain whether impairment has occurred. Unproved properties whose costs are individually significant are assessed individually by considering the primary lease terms of the properties, the holding periods of the properties, and geographic and geologic data obtained relating to the properties. Where it is not practicable to assess individually the amount of impairment of properties for which costs are not individually significant, such properties are grouped for purposes of assessing impairment. The amount of impairment assessed is added to the costs to be amortized, or is reported as a period exp ense, as appropriate. As of September 30, 2009, the Company did not have any investment in unproved oil properties.
Pursuant to full cost accounting rules, the Company must perform a ceiling test each quarter on its proved oil assets within each separate cost center. The ceiling test provides that capitalized costs less related accumulated depletion and deferred income taxes for each cost center may not exceed the sum of (1) the present value of future net revenue from estimated production of proved oil reserves using current prices, excluding the future cash outflows associated with settling asset retirement obligations that have been accrued on the balance sheet, at a discount factor of 10%; plus (2) the cost of properties not being amortized, if any; plus (3) the lower of cost or estimated fair value of unproved properties included in the costs being amortized, if any; less (4) income tax effects related to the differences in the book and tax bas is of oil properties. Should the net capitalized costs for a cost center exceed the sum of the components noted above, an impairment charge would be recognized to the extent of the excess capitalized costs. Due to the significant decline in oil prices during the fourth quarter of 2008 and the continued decline in prices for the first quarter of 2009, the net capitalized costs of our oil properties exceeded the sum of the components noted above by $13,184,103 on December 31, 2008 and by $13,833,812on September 30, 2009, and therefore the Company has recognized impairment charges and corresponding reductions in the carrying value of those net capitalized costs of $13,184,103 and $13,833,812, as of December 31, 2008 and September 30, 2009, respectively. For additional details regarding net carrying value of oil properties and the calculations used to derive the value of the impairment, please see Note 17, “Oil Properties” below.
Gain or loss is not recognized on the sale of oil properties unless the sale significantly alters the relationship between capitalized costs and estimated proved oil reserves attributable to a cost center.
Depletion of proved oil properties is computed on the unit-of-production method, whereby capitalized costs, as adjusted for future development costs and asset retirement obligations, net of salvage, are amortized over the total estimated proved reserves. Furniture and fixtures, leasehold improvements, computer hardware and software, and other equipment are depreciated on the straight-line method, based upon estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from three to fifteen years.
Asset Retirement Obligations
ASC 410-20 (formerly SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations”) requires entities to record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred with a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Subsequent to initial measurement, the asset retirement liability is required to be accreted each period to its present value. Capitalized costs are depleted as a component of the full cost pool using the unit-of-production method. Pursuant to our lease agreements with PetroChina, which terminate in 2022 and 2023, we do not recognize any asset retirement obligations, because at the end of the lease term we are obligated to hand over to PetroChina all of the physical assets we have erected on the le ased properties, including all wells, facilities and equipment.
12
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
Earnings per share
The Company reports earnings per share in accordance with the provisions of ASC 260-10 (formerly SFAS No. 128, "Earnings Per Share”). ASC 260-10 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.
Income taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method in accordance with ASC 740-10 (formerly SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company pro vides valuation allowances against the net deferred tax asset for amounts that are not considered more likely than not to be realized.
The Company adopted ASC 740-10 (formerly FASB Interpretation 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”)), on January 1, 2007. A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. The adoption had no effect on the Company’s financial statements.
Deferred tax is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method in respect of temporary differences arising from differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax basis used in the computation of assessable tax profit. In principle, deferred tax liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences, and deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probably that taxable profit will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilized. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized or the liability is settled. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it related to items credited or charged directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Company intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis. As of September 30, 2009, the Company’s deferred tax assets amounted to $7,150,306.
Value Added Tax
Sales revenue represents the invoiced value of oil, net of a value-added tax (“VAT”). All of the Company’s oil that is sold in the PRC is subject to a Chinese value-added tax at a rate of 17% of the gross sales price. This VAT may be offset by VAT paid by the Company on investment and operating costs associated with oil production. The Company records its net VAT Payable or VAT Recoverable balance in the financial statements. As of September 30, 2009 the Company had a net VAT Payable liability balance of $783,724, compared with a net VAT Recoverable asset balance of $311,240 as of December 31, 2008.
Recently issued accounting pronouncements
In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASC 825-10 (formerly SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115”). This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. Most of the provisions of ASC 825-10 apply only to entities that elect the fair value option. However, the amendment to ASC 320-10 (formerly SFAS No. 115 “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities”) applies to all entities with available-for-sale and trading securities. ASC 825-10 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. Early adoption is permitted as of the beg inning of a fiscal year that begins on or before November 15, 2007, provided the entity also elects to apply the provision of FASB ASC 820-10 (formerly FSP FAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”). The adoption of this statement did not have a material effect on the Company's financial statements.
13
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
In December 2007, the FASB issued ASC 810-10-65 (formerly 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. ASC 810-10-65 affects those entities that have an outstanding noncontrolling interest in one or more subsidiaries or that deconsolidate a subsidiary. ASC 810-10-65 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 will result in the reclassification of “Minority interests” to equity as “Noncontrolling interests” and separate disclosures in the statements of operations.
In December 2007, the FASB issued ASC 805-10 (formerly SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations – a replacement of FASB Statement No. 141”), which significantly changes the principles and requirements of how the acquirer of a business recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree. The statement also provides guidance for recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in the business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. This statement is effective prospectively, except for certain retrospective adjustments to deferred tax balances, for fiscal years beg inning after December 15, 2008. This statement will be effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2010. The adoption of ASC 805-10 will only impact future acquisitions.
Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted ASC 805-20 (formerly FSP FAS 141R-1, Accounting for Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise from Contingencies), which amends ASC 805-10 to require that an acquirer recognize at fair value, at the acquisition date, an asset acquired or a liability assumed in a business combination that arises from a contingency if the acquisition-date fair value of that asset or liability can be determined during the measurement period. If the acquisition-date fair value of such an asset acquired or liability assumed cannot be determined, the acquirer should apply the provisions of ASC Topic 450, Contingences, to determine whether the contingency should be recognized at the acquisition date or after such date. The adoption of ASC 805-20 did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
In March 2008, the FASB issued ASC 815-10-65 (formerly SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133”). This statement amends and expands the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 133 to require qualitative disclosure about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The statement will be effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2009. We are currently evaluating the disclosure implications of this statement.
In May 2008, the FASB released SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” SFAS No. 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. SFAS No. 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 Company does not believe SFAS 162 will have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
On December 31, 2008, the SEC adopted a final rule that amends its oil and gas reporting requirements. The revised rules change the way oil and gas companies report their reserves in the financial statements. The rules are intended to reflect changes in the oil and gas industry since the original disclosures were adopted in 1978. Definitions were updated to be consistent with Petroleum Resource Management System (PRMS). Other key revisions include a change in pricing used to prepare reserve estimates, the inclusion of non-traditional resources in reserves, the allowance for use of new technologies in determining reserves, optional disclosure of probable and possible reserves and significant new disclosures. The revised rules will be effective for our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009 . The SEC is precluding application of the new rules in quarterly reports prior to the first annual report in which the revised disclosures are required and early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect the new rules will have on our financial reporting and anticipate that the following rule changes could have a significant impact on our results of operations as follows:
14
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
• | The price used in calculating reserves will change from a single-day closing price measured on the last day of the company’s fiscal year to a 12-month average price, and will affect our depletion and ceiling test calculations. | ||
• | Several reserve definitions have changed that could revise the types of reserves that will be included in our year-end reserve report. | ||
• | Many of our financial reporting disclosures could change as a result of the new rules. |
In December 2008, the FASB issued ASC 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits (formerly Staff Position No. FAS 132(R)-1 “Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets” (“FSP FAS 132(R)-1”). ASC 715 requires more detailed disclosures about employers’ plan assets in a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan, including employers’ investment strategies, major categories of plan assets, concentrations of risk within plan assets, and inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets. ASC 715 also requires, for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), disclosure of the effect of the measurements on changes in plan assets for the period. The disclosures about plan assets required by ASC 715 must be provided for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. As this pronouncement is only disclosure-related, it does not have an impact on the financial position and results of operations.
Effective January 1, 2009, the first day of fiscal 2009, the Company adopted FASB ASC 350-30 and ASC 275-10-50 (formerly FSP FAS 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets”), which amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” The Company will apply ASC 350-30 and ASC 275-10-50 prospectively to intangible assets acquired subsequent to the adoption date. The adoption of ASC 350-30 and ASC 275-10-50 had no impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
In April 2009, the FASB issued ASC 825-10-65 (formerly Staff Position No. FAS 107-1 and APB No. 28-1 “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” (“FSP FAS No. 107-1 and APB Opinion No. 28-1”)). ASC 825-10-65 requires fair value disclosures for financial instruments that are not reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Prior to the issuance of ASC 825-10-65, the fair values of those assets and liabilities were disclosed only once each year. With the issuance of ASC 825-10-65, the Company will now be required to disclose this information on a quarterly basis, providing quantitative and qualitative information about fair value estimates for all financial instruments not measured in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value. ASC 825-10-65 are effective f or interim reporting periods that end after June 15, 2009. As this pronouncement is only disclosure-related, it does not have an impact on the financial position and results of operations.
In May 2009, the FASB issued ASC 855-10 (formerly SFAS No. 165 “Subsequent Events”). ASC 855-10 establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. Specifically, ASC 855-10 sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements, and the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. ASC 855-10 is effective for the interim report and annual periods that end after June 15, 2009. The adoption of ASC 855-10 has no impact on the financial statements as management has already followed a similar approach prior to the adoption of this standard.
In June 2009, the FASB issued ASC 860-10-65 (formerly SFAS No. 166 “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140”). ASC 860-10-65 amends various provisions of SFAS No. 140 “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities—a replacement of FASB Statement No. 125” by removing the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity and removes the exception from applying FIN 46(R) to variable interest entities that are qualifying special-purpose entities; limits the circumstances in which a transferor derecognizes a portion or component of a financial asset; defines a participating interest; requires a transferor to recognize and initially measure at fair value all assets obtained and liabilities incurred as a result of a tra nsfer accounted for as a sale; and requires enhanced disclosure; among others. ASC 860-10-65 will be effective as of the beginning of each reporting entity's first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. Management is currently evaluating the potential impact of ASC 860-10-65 on the financial statements.
15
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167 “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)” (“SFAS 167”) (codified by ASU No. 2009-17, issued in December 2009). SFAS 167 amends FASB Interpretation No. 46 (Revised December 2003) “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities—an interpretation of ARB No. 51” (FIN 46(R)) to require an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity; to require ongoing reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity; to eliminate the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity; to add an additional reconsideration event f or determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity when any changes in facts and circumstances occur such that holders of the equity investment at risk, as a group, lose the power from voting rights or similar rights of those investments to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; and to require enhanced disclosures that will provide users of financial statements with more transparent information about an enterprise’s involvement in a variable interest entity. SFAS 167 will be effective as of the beginning of each reporting entity's first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period, and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. Early adoption is not permitted. This guidance will be codified under FASB ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation” when it becomes effective. The Company does not expect the standard to have any impact on the Company’s financial position.
In June 2009, the FASB issued ASC 105-10 (formerly SFAS No. 168 “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles—a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162”). ASC 105-10 replaces SFAS No. 162 and establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”) as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The FASB will no longer issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff Positions, or EITF Abstracts; instead the FASB will issue Accounting Standards Up dates. Accounting Standards Updates will not be authoritative in their own right as they will only serve to update the Codification. The issuance of ASC 105-10 and the Codification does not change GAAP. ASC 105-10 will be effective for interim and annual periods that end after September 15, 2009. Management has determined that the adoption of ASC 105-10 will not have an impact on the financial statements.
In August, 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2009-05 (“ASU 2009-05”) to provide guidance on measuring the fair value of liabilities under FASB ASC 820 (formerly SFAS 157, "Fair Value Measurements"). The Company is required to adopt ASU 2009-05 in the fourth quarter of 2009. It is expected the adoption of this Update will have no material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
In August 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-05 “Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value”, now codified under FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, (“ASU 2009-05”) which amends Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures – Overall (ASC Topic 820-10) to provide guidance on the fair value measurement of liabilities. This update requires clarification for circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available, a reporting entity is required to measure fair value using one or more of the following techniques: 1) a valuation technique that uses either the quoted price of the identical liability when traded as an asset or quoted prices for similar liabilities or similar liabilities when traded as an asset; or 2) another valuation techni que that is consistent with the principles in ASC Topic 820 such as the income and market approach to valuation. The amendments in this update also clarify that when estimating the fair value of a liability, a reporting entity is not required to include a separate input or adjustment to other inputs relating to the existence of a restriction that prevents the transfer of the liability. This update further clarifies that if the fair value of a liability is determined by reference to a quoted price in an active market for an identical liability, that price would be considered a Level 1 measurement in the fair value hierarchy. Similarly, if the identical liability has a quoted price when traded as an asset in an active market, it is also a Level 1 fair value measurement if no adjustments to the quoted price of the asset are required. This update is effective for our fourth quarter 2009. Management does not expect this new guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statement s.
16
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13, “Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements”, now codified under FASB ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition”, (“ASU 2009-13”). ASU 2009-13 requires entities to allocate revenue in an arrangement using estimated selling prices of the delivered goods and services based on a selling price hierarchy. The amendments eliminate the residual method of revenue allocation and require revenue to be allocated using the relative selling price method. ASU 2009-13 should be applied on a prospective basis for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted. Management is currently evaluating the potential impact of ASU2009-13 on our financial statements.
In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-14, “Certain Arrangements That Include Software Elements, now codified under FASB ASC Topic 985, “Software”, (“ASU 2009-14”). ASU 2009-14 removes tangible products from the scope of software revenue guidance and provides guidance on determining whether software deliverables in an arrangement that includes a tangible product are covered by the scope of the software revenue guidance. ASU 2009-14 should be applied on a prospective basis for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted. Management is currently evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2009-14 on our financial statements.
In October, 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-15, “Accounting for Own-Share Lending Arrangements in Contemplation of Convertible Debt Issuance or Other Financing”, now codified under FASB ASC Topic 470 “Debt”, (“ASU 2009-15”), and provides guidance for accounting and reporting for own-share lending arrangements issued in contemplation of a convertible debt issuance. At the date of issuance, a share-lending arrangement entered into on an entity’s own shares should be measured at fair value in accordance with Topic 820 and recognized as an issuance cost, with an offset to additional paid-in capital. Loaned shares are excluded from basic and diluted earnings per share unless default of the share-lending arrangement occurs. The amendments also require several disclosur es including a description and the terms of the arrangement and the reason for entering into the arrangement. The effective dates of the amendments are dependent upon the date the share-lending arrangement was entered into and include retrospective application for arrangements outstanding as of the beginning of fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2009. Management is currently evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2009-15 on our financial statements.
Reclassifications
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on net income or cash flows.
NOTE 5 BUSINESS COMBINATION
On September 25, 2009, Song Yuan Technical entered into a Share Transfer Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the stockholders (“Selling Stockholders”) of Tiancheng. Pursuant to the Agreement, Song Yuan Technical acquired all of the Selling Stockholders’ interest in Tiancheng at a consideration of US$13,000,000 (the “Purchase Price”) for 100% of the equity in Tiancheng held by the Selling Stockholders. The Purchase Price is payable in two installments. The first installment of US$6,500,000 is due within 15 days from the date of execution of the Agreement and the second installment of US$6,500,000 is due within 15 days after the completion of the registration of the transfer of title of 95% of the equity interest in Tiancheng with the local Industry and Commerce Bureau and the establishment of a tru st holding 5% of the equity interest in Tiancheng by one of the Selling Stockholders for the benefit of Song Yuan Technical. The trust is established in order to comply with certain laws of the People’s Republic of China.
On September 27, 2009, the Selling Stockholders completed the registration of the transfer of title of 95% of the equity interest in Tiancheng to Song Yuan Technical and the establishment of the trust.
Tiancheng is engaged in providing contract land drilling services to customers for exploration and production of crude oil in the PRC.
17
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
The preliminary allocation of the net assets acquired is as follows:
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 645,533 | ||
Property and equipment, net | 12,178,235 | |||
Land use rights, net | 613,867 | |||
Goodwill | 1,645,589 | |||
Total assets | 15,083,224 | |||
Less: Other payables and accrued expenses | (175,983 | ) | ||
Income tax and other taxes payable | (645,640 | ) | ||
Noncontrolling interests | (1,261,601 | ) | ||
Total purchase price | $ | 13,000,000 |
As of September 30, 2009, $8,483,459 had been paid to the Selling Stockholders and the remaining outstanding balance of $4,516,541 was included in Other Payables and Accrued Expenses (See note 8).
Analysis of the net outflow of cash and cash equivalents in respect of the business combination is as follows:
Consideration paid | $ | 8,483,459 | ||
Less: cash and cash equivalents acquired | (645,533 | ) | ||
Net cash outflow | $ | 7,837,926 |
The acquisition of Tiancheng was accounted for as a purchase under ASC Topic 805 Business Combinations (formerly SFAS No. 141(revised 2007), Business Combinations). Accordingly, the operating results of Tiancheng have been included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income after the effective date of the acquisition of September 25, 2009.
The following table reflects the unaudited pro forma combined results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, assuming the acquisition of Tiancheng had occurred and was completed at the beginning of 2009.
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||
2009 | 2009 | |||||||
Revenues | $ | 19,932,631 | $ | 76,362,043 | ||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 9,373,124 | $ | (16,751,949) | ||||
Net income (loss) per share | ||||||||
- basic | $ | 0.43 | $ | (0.75) | ||||
- diluted | $ | 0.39 | $ | (0.75) |
NOTE 6 PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Prepaid expenses and other current assets at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 consist of the following:
18
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
(Unaudited) | (Audited) | |||||||
(Restated) | ||||||||
Prepaid expenses | $ | 353,259 | $ | 690,838 | ||||
Deposits paid to suppliers | 85,528 | 50,330 | ||||||
Deposits paid for purchase of drilling equipment | 3,363,753 | - | ||||||
Other receivables | 185,231 | 39,953 | ||||||
$ | 3,987,771 | $ | 781,121 |
NOTE 7 FIXED ASSETS
The following is a summary of fixed assets at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
(Unaudited) | (Audited) | |||||||
(Restated) | ||||||||
Buildings | $ | 2,095,441 | $ | 1,075,061 | ||||
Drilling rigs and equipment | 12,584,971 | - | ||||||
Furniture, fixtures and equipment | 300,570 | 224,180 | ||||||
Motor vehicles | 1,478,528 | 1,064,636 | ||||||
16,459,510 | 2,363,877 | |||||||
Less: accumulated depreciation | (2,638,742 | ) | (679,500 | ) | ||||
Fixed assets, net | $ | 13,820,768 | $ | 1,684,377 |
Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008 was $209,748 and $229,434 respectively.
NOTE 8 OTHER PAYABLES AND ACCRUED EXPENSES
Other payables and accrued expenses at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 consist of the following:
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
(Unaudited) | (Audited) | |||||||
(Restated) | ||||||||
Other payables | $ | 496,363 | $ | 494,553 | ||||
Due to former stockholders of Tiancheng | ||||||||
for acquisition of the subsidiary | 4,516,541 | - | ||||||
Accrued professional fees | 175,414 | 117,335 | ||||||
Other accrued expenses | 489,176 | 210,030 | ||||||
$ | 5,677,494 | $ | 821,918 |
NOTE 9 SECURED DEBENTURE
The following is a summary of secured debenture at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
(Unaudited) | (Audited) | |||||||
(Restated) | ||||||||
8% Secured Debenture 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 28, 2012 | $ | 11,750,000 | $ | 7,375,765 | ||||
Less: current maturities | (6,875,000 | ) | (2,625,000 | ) | ||||
Long-term portion | $ | 4,875,000 | $ | 4,750,765 |
19
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
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 agreed to issue to the Investor an 8% Secured Debenture due 2012 (the "Debenture") in the aggregate principal amount of $15,000,000, and agreed to issue 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 per share ("Class C Warrants"), with all warrant exerc ise prices being subject to certain adjustments. The Class B Warrants are subject to certain call rights by the Company. As additional security provided to the Investor, the Company also granted the Investor the right to purchase up to 24% of the registered capital of Song Yuan Technical at fair market value which right shall only become enforceable immediately on the date following the occurrence of an event of a payment default. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the exercise price of the Series B and C Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued on February 28, 2008 (the “B Warrants” and “C Warrants”) for the purchase of 3,600,000 shares of common stock of Company, the exercise price of the B Warrants and C Warrants have been reset to $2.35 per share.
The Company accounts for these 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.” Upon issuance, the warrants were recorded at fair value of $10,268,321, which was recognized as a discount to the carrying value of the debenture. The initial carrying value of the debenture, net of discount, was $4,731,679.
On March 5, 2009, the Company and the Investor entered into Agreement No.1 to 8% Secured Debenture (the "Amendment" or the “restructuring”) which amended 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 or NASDAQ until August 30, 2010, and the Company issued four-year warrants to the Investor to purchase up to (i) 250,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2 per share and (ii) 250,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.35 per share. Also pursuant to the Amendment, the parties have agreed to amend the monthly principal repayment schedule of the Debenture. The net present value of c ash flows projected to be paid by the Company to the Investor as a result of this Amendment exceed the net present value of cash flows projected to be paid by the Company to the Investor pursuant to the previously existing repayment schedule by greater than 10%. Therefore, the Company has accounted for this Amendment as an extinguishment and reissue of debt. Accordingly, the Company has recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt, effective March 5, 2009, of $8,260,630, which is comprised of the remaining unamortized discount on the secured debenture prior to the Amendment date, plus the unamortized deferred financing fees on the secured debenture prior to the Amendment date, plus the fair value of the warrants issued to the Investor in conjunction with the Amendment.
As the restructuring is presumed to have the effect of reflecting fair market terms and conditions for the Amended secured debenture, the carrying value of the debenture is the remaining principal balance of the debenture and no discount is recognized. Changes in the fair value of the warrants will be recognized as gain or loss in the period incurred.
Interest expense on the secured debenture for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $236,931 and $777,595 respectively.
Discount amortized on the secured debenture for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $0 and $670,492 respectively.
20
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 10 NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in computing basic and diluted net income (loss) per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):
Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
(Restated) | (Restated) | |||||||
Numerator: | ||||||||
Net (loss) income attributable to NEP common stockholders | ||||||||
used in computing basis net (loss) income per share | $ | (17,063) | $ | 10,955 | ||||
Net (loss) income attributable to NEP common stockholders | ||||||||
used in computing diluted net (loss) income per share | $ | (17,063) | $ | 10,955 | ||||
Denominator: | ||||||||
Shares used in the computation of basic net (loss) income per share | ||||||||
(weighted average common stock outstanding) | 21,144 | 19,480 | ||||||
Dilutive potential common stock: | ||||||||
Options and warrants | - | 144 | ||||||
Shares used in the computation of diluted net (loss) income per share | 21,144 | 19,624 | ||||||
Basic net (loss) income per share | $ | (0.81) | $ | 0.56 | ||||
Diluted net (loss) income per share | $ | (0.81) | $ | 0.56 |
For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, options and warrants to purchase shares of common stock were not included in the calculation because the effect is anti-dilutive.
Three months ended September 30, | ||||||||
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
Numerator: | (Restated) | (Restated) | ||||||
Net income attributable to NEP common stockholders | ||||||||
used in computing basis net income per share | $ | 7,468 | $ | 21,920 | ||||
Net income attributable to NEP common stockholders | ||||||||
used in computing diluted net income per share | $ | 7,468 | $ | 21,920 | ||||
Denominator: | ||||||||
Shares used in computation of basic net income per share | ||||||||
(weighted average common stock outstanding) | 21,780 | 19,987 | ||||||
Dilutive potential common stock: | ||||||||
Options and warrants | 2,246 | 690 | ||||||
Shares used in computation of diluted net income per share | 24,026 | 20,677 | ||||||
Basic net income per share | $ | 0.34 | $ | 1.10 | ||||
Diluted net income per share | $ | 0.31 | $ | 1.06 |
For the three months ended September 30, 2009, warrants to purchase 960,000 shares of common stock with exercise prices greater than the average fair market value of the Company’s stock of $4.81 were not included in the calculation because the effect is anti-dilutive.
21
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 11 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
(A) Lease commitment
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, December 31, 2009, January 20, 2011 and January 31, 2010 at annual rental of $183, $5,850, $19,013 and $20,160 respectively.
As of September 30, 2009, the Company had outstanding commitments with respect to the above operating leases, which are due as follows:
2009 | $ | 11,302 | ||
2010 | 20,876 | |||
2011 | 1,768 | |||
2012 | 183 | |||
Thereafter | 1,967 | |||
$ | 36,096 |
(B) Capital commitments
As of September 30, 2009, the Company had commitments for capital expenditure of $9,426,000 with a contractor to complete the drilling of 43 oil wells.
NOTE 12 REGISTRATION PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS
In conjunction with the March 5, 2009 modification of the terms of the Company’s secured debenture issued on February 28, 2008 (see Note 6, Secured Debenture, above) and the original issuance of the secured debenture, the Company entered into two Registration Rights Agreements which cover stock to be issued underlying warrants associated with both the modification and the issuance of the secured debenture. These Registration Rights Agreements provide for financial penalties in certain circumstances, including (i) if the registration statement covering the shares of common stock underlying the Original Warrants is not declared effective within 180 days of the date of the Registration Rights Agreement or (ii) after effectiveness, the registration statement ceases to remain continuously effective for more than 10 consecut ive calendar days or more than 30 calendar days in any 30 calendar day period. The financial penalty equals to 1% of the aggregate purchase price paid for the Original Warrants subject to the registration rights up to a maximum of 10% of the principal amount of the debenture.
The Company analyzes these Registration Rights Agreements to determine if penalties triggered for late filing should be accrued under ASC 825-20 (formerly FSP EITF 00-19-2, “Accounting for Registration Payment Arrangements”). The Company evaluates the potential likelihood of incurring these financial penalties, and the magnitude of the associated costs, on a probabilistic basis, as required under ASC 825-20. For the reporting period ended September 30, 2009, the Company estimates that no financial penalties are likely to be incurred as a result of any of its Registration Rights Agreements, and therefore no expense has been accrued for anticipated future registration payments.
NOTE 13 STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
From May 2008 to May 2009, 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 September 30, 2009, stock options granted under the Company’s 2006 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan to purchase 470,000 shares of its Common Stock (the “Options”) at an exercise prices from $2.94 to $4.50 per share were outstanding. 25% of the 160,000 stock options shall vest upon grant and 25% shall vest every three months thereafter, these stock options granted shall expire ten years 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 |
5 years | 292% to 316% | 0% | 2.43% to 3.42% | $2.94 to $4.50 |
22
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
- | 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 2.43% to 3.42% 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. ASC 718-10 (formerly FAS 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.
As of September 30, 2009, 470,000 stock options with a fair value of approximately $1,992,598 were granted to staff, of which the Company recognized $794,951 as staff compensation expenses included in selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
As of September 30, 2009, the total compensation cost related to stock options not yet recognized was $654,193 and will be recognized over the next twelve months.
The following is a summary of the stock options activity:
Number of Options Outstanding | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | |||||||
Balance, December 31, 2008 | 410,000 | $ | 4.43 | |||||
Granted | 60,000 | $ | 2.94 | |||||
Forfeited | - | - | ||||||
Exercised | - | - | ||||||
Balance, September 30, 2009 | 470,000 | $ | 4.24 |
The following is a summary of the status of options outstanding at September 30, 2009:
Outstanding Options | Exercisable Options | |||||||||
Exercise Price | Number | Average Remaining Contractual Life | Average Exercise Price | Number | Weighted Average Exercise Price | |||||
$4.05 | 60,000 | 8.67 years | $4.05 | 60,000 | $4.05 | |||||
$4.50 | 40,000 | 8.88 years | $4.50 | 40,000 | $4.50 | |||||
$4.50 | 310,000 | 8.88 years | $4.50 | 310,000 | $4.50 | |||||
$2.94 | 60,000 | 9.67 years | $2.94 | 30,000 | $2.94 |
Stock Grants
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 $607,500 during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
23
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 14 STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(A) Issuance of warrants
(1) | On February 28, 2008, the Company issued three tranches of warrants in conjunction with the issuance of a secured debenture as discussed in Note 9. In addition, the Company issued an additional three tranches of warrants to investment consultants in conjunction with the issuance of the secured debenture. On March 5, 2009, the Company issued two tranches of warrants in conjunction with the Amendment to the secured debenture as discussed in Note 9. The Company analyzes all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under ASC 480-10 (formerly SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity”), ASC 815-10 (formerly SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”) and ASC 815-40 (formerly EITF 00-19, “Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company’s Own Stock”). |
(2) | Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement with effect from September 15, 2009, the Company issued to several investors warrants to purchase up to 800,000 shares of its common stock. The warrants are exercisable beginning six months after their initial issuance at an exercise price of $6.00 per share until March 15, 2011. The exercise price and number of shares issuable upon exercise are subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits or dividends, business combinations, sale of assets or other similar transactions. The Company’s stock was trading at $5.03 at the time of issuance of the warrant. The warrant has been determined to have a fair value of $2,150,909 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with market value per common stock $5.03, an exercise period of 1.5 year and a volatility of 129%. |
(3) | Pursuant to an engagement agreement with effect from September 10, 2009, the Company issued to a placement agent a five-year warrant for 80,000 shares of the common stock of the Company at an exercise price equal to $6.00 per share as placement agent fees. The Company’s stock was trading at $5.13 at the time of issuance of the warrant. The warrant shall be exercisable as of the effective date of the engagement agreement. The warrant has been determined to have a fair value of $410,256 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with market value per common stock of $5.13, an exercise period of 5 years and a volatility of 320%. |
(4) | Pursuant to a consulting agreement with effect from September 10, 2009, the Company issued a consultant for financial advisory services on the placement of 4 million shares of common stock a five-year warrant for 80,000 shares of common stock of the Company at an exercise price equal to $6.00 per share. The Company’s common stock was trading at $5.13 at the time of issuance of the warrant. The warrant shall be exercisable as of the effective date of the engagement agreement. The warrant has been determined to have a fair value of $410,256 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with market value per common stock of $5.13, and exercise period of 5 years and a volatility of 320%. |
The Company treats these warrants as liabilities under ASC 815-40 and accordingly records the warrants at fair value with changes in fair values recorded in profit or loss until such time as the warrants are exercised or expire. The fair values of (1) – (4) above were $14,986,411 at issuance and $20,328,106 at September 30, 2009. For the three an d nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded gain of $2,272,159 and loss of $9,805,886, respectively, in changes in the fair value of the warrants in earnings. |
The Company estimates the fair value of these warrants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions:
September 30, 2009 | February 28, 2008 | ||
Market price and estimated fair value of common stock: | $4.47 | $2.14 | |
Exercise price: | $2 - $6 | $0.01 - $3.45 | |
Remaining contractual life (years): | 1.49 - 4.92 | 5 | |
Dividend yield: | – | – | |
Expected volatility: | 124% - 316% | 316% | |
Risk-free interest rate: | 0.40% - 2.31% | 2.73% |
(5) | On February 28, 2008, the Company issued warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock to a professional service provider in conjunction with a two year service agreement. The Company treats these warrants as equity instruments and is accordingly recognizing the grant date fair value of the warrants as professional fee expense ratably over the two year term. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recognized $26,740 and $80,220, respectively, of expenses associated with these warrants. |
(6) | On April 29, 2009, the Company issued warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock to a consultant in conjunction with a one year investor relations consulting services. The company treats these warrants as equity instruments and is accordingly recognizing the grant date fair value of the warrants of $94,343 as consulting fee. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recognized $0 and $14,689, respectively, as consulting fee and applied the balance of $79,654 against accrued liabilities. |
24
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
(B) Stock issuance
(1) | On August 26, 2008, Class A Warrants to purchase 1,200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per shares were exercised. |
(2) | On May 8, 2009, the Company issued 120,000 shares of common stock to a consultant who exercised the Class A Warrants at the exercise price of $0.01 per share. |
(3) | On July 16, 2009, the Company issued 15,000 S-8 shares of common stock to a consultant for consulting services. The stock was valued at the closing price on the date of grant of $4.40 per share, yielding an aggregate fair value of $66,000. The Company recognized expense of $66,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. |
(4) | On July 16, 2009, the Company issued 5,000 S-8 shares of common stock to a consultant for consulting services. The stock was valued at the closing price on the date of grant of $4.40 per share, yielding an aggregate fair value of $22,000. The Company recognized expense of $22,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. |
(5) | On July 27, 2009, the Company issued 65,007 shares of its common stock to a consultant at a volume weighted average price of $4.1474 per share pursuant to a cashless exercise option in place of the consultant exercising all of his Class B Warrants for 150,000 shares of common stock at $2.35 per share. |
(6) | On August 10, 2009, the Company issued 130,532 shares of its common stock to a consultant at a volume weighted average price of $6.21 per share pursuant to a cashless exercise option in place of the consultant exercising all of his Class C Warrants for 210,000 shares of common stock at $2.35 per share. |
(7) | On September 15, 2009, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with several investors. The Securities Purchase Agreement relates to the issuance and sale in a public offering by the Company of an aggregate of 4,000,000 shares of its common stock, at a price of $4.60 per share and warrants to purchase up to an additional 800,000 shares of common stock (See note 14(A)2). The Company received gross proceeds of $17,076,003 after placement agent fees and other expenses. |
25
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 15 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
(1) | As of September 30, 2009, the Company owed a stockholder $5,602,176 which is unsecured and repayable on demand. Imputed interest is computed at 5% per annum on the amount due. |
(2) | As of September 30, 2009, the Company owed a related party $14,625 which is unsecured and repayable on demand. Imputed interest is computed at 5% per annum on the amount due. |
(3) | Total imputed interest expenses recorded as additional paid-in capital amounted to $70,210 and $120,127 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 respectively. |
(4) | The Company paid a stockholder $877 and $4,384 for leased office spaces for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 respectively. |
NOTE 16 SEGMENTS
The Company operates in two reportable segments; exploration and production of crude oil (“Crude oil”) and contract land drilling of oil wells (“Contract drilling”). The accounting policies of the segments are the same as described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The Company evaluates segment performance based on income from operations. All inter-company transactions between segments have been eliminated. As a result, the components of operating income for one segment may not be comparable to another segment. The following is a summary of the Company’s segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | |||||||||||||
(Restated) | (Restated) | |||||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
Crude oil | $ | 14,404 | $ | 19,060 | $ | 34,655 | $ | 44,052 | ||||||||
Contract drilling | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 14,404 | $ | 19,060 | $ | 34,655 | $ | 44,052 | ||||||||
Gross profit: | ||||||||||||||||
Crude oil | $ | 9,273 | $ | 9,907 | $ | 21,318 | $ | 23,631 | ||||||||
Contract drilling | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Total gross profit | $ | 9,273 | $ | 9,907 | $ | 21,318 | $ | 23,631 | ||||||||
Income from operations: | ||||||||||||||||
Crude oil | $ | 8,152 | $ | 9,510 | $ | 5,185 | $ | 22,661 | ||||||||
Contract drilling | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Total income from operations | 8,152 | 9,510 | 5,185 | 22,661 | ||||||||||||
Corporate and other | 1,977 | (1,454 | ) | (19,750 | ) | (3,077 | ) | |||||||||
Net income before income taxes | $ | 10,128 | $ | 8,056 | $ | (14,565 | ) | $ | 19,584 |
26
CHINA NORTH EAST PETROLEUM HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
(UNAUDITED)
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
(Unaudited) | (Audited) | |||||||
(Restated) | ||||||||
Total assets | ||||||||
Crude oil | $ | 36,696 | $ | 90,023 | ||||
Contract drilling | 12,178 | - | ||||||
Intangible assets, net | 614 | - | ||||||
Corporate and other | 1,643 | 2,107 | ||||||
$ | 51,158 | $ | 92,130 |
NOTE 17 OIL PROPERTIES
As of September 30, 2009, the Company’s full cost pool exceeded the ceiling limitation, based on oil prices of $40.64 per barrel, by $13,833,812. Therefore, impairment expense related to our oil and gas properties of $13,833,812 was recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. For the year ended December 31, 2008 we recognized impairment to the value of our oil properties of $13,184,103.
27
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
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:
● | Deviations in and volatility of the market price of crude oil produced by us; | |
● | Uncertainties in the estimation of proved reserves and in the projection of future rates of production; | |
● | Timing and amount of production; | |
● | The availability of, and our ability to raise additional capital resources and provide liquidity to meet cash flow needs; | |
● | Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates; | |
● | Our ability to find, acquire, lease, develop, and produce from new properties; and | |
● | The other risks and uncertainties which are described below under “RISK FACTORS.” |
OVERVIEW OF OUR BUSINESS
Overview
We are engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil in Northern China. We have an arrangement with PetroChina to sell our crude oil production for use in the China marketplace. We currently operate 259 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:
Details of Oil and Gas Properties and Activities
Field | Acreage | Producing wells # | Proven Reserves (bbls) |
Qian112 | 5,115 | 227 | 5,292,591 |
Da34 | 2,298 | 7 | 13,240 |
Gu31 | 1,779 | 7 | 95,729 |
He301 | 2,471 | 18 | 52,232 |
Total | 11,663 | 259 | 5,453,792 |
Additionally, through our newly acquired subsidiary, Song Yuan Tiancheng Drilling Engineering Co. Ltd., we provide contract drilling and other oilfield services for state-owned and non-state-owned oil companies in Northern China.
28
The flowing 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.
29
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”), entered into among PetroChina Group, Yu Qiao and the Company 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 in 2007.
In May 2003, LongDe entered into a 20-year contract with PetroChina Group. Pursuant to the contract, LongDe has the right to explore, develop and produce oil at the Hetingbao 301 oilfield in the PRC. In addition, pursuant to the contract 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 the 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 Jun (“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. On December 20, 2006, Mr. Wang transferred his interest (4.5%) in Song Yuan Technical to Ms. Ju and as a result, 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 companies 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 acquired an additional 20% equity interest in LongDe, 10% from Sun Peng, and 10% 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.
This beneficial ownership structure is governed by two trust agreements: (i) Trust Agreement dated October 8, 2006 by and between Song Yuan Technical and Ai Chang Shan, and (ii) Trust Agreement dated April 18, 2008 by and between Song Yuan Technical and Wang Hongjun. Pursuant to the first trust agreement, Ai Chang Shan holds 20% of the equity interest in Long De in trust for the benefit of Song Yuan Technical. On March 17, 2008, Ai Chang Shan entered into a transfer agreement whereby Ai Chang Shan transferred 10% of the equity interest of Long De held in trust pursuant to the trust agreement to Song Yuan Technical to be held directly by Song Yuan Technical. Currently under the trust agreement dated October 8, 2006, Ai Chang Shan holds 10% of the total equity interest of Long De in trust for the benefit of Song Yuan Technical. Pursuant to the second trust agreement, Wang Hongjun holds 10% of the total outstanding equity interest in LongDe in trust for the benefit of Song Yuan Technical.
Acquisition of Yu Qiao
The Company acquired a beneficial interest in 100% of the equity interest in Yu Qiao from Yu Qiao’s shareholders, Ms. Ju (70%), Meng Xiangyun (20%) and Wang Bingwu (10%) on January 26, 2007. In order to comply with PRC laws, which restrict ownership of oil and gas companies by foreign entities, following the acquisition, Meng Xiangyun and Wang Pingwu held 20% and 10% of the equity interest, respectively, in Yu Qiao in trust for the benefit of Song Yuan Technical.
On March 17, 2008, the trust agreement with Meng Xiangyun was cancelled and the 20% equity interest in Yu Qiao held in trust by Meng Xiangyun was transferred to Song Yuan Technical. As a result of the termination of the trust agreement and the transfer, Song Yuan Technical became the direct owner of the 20% equity interest in Yu Qiao held in trust by Meng Xiangyun.
On April 18, 2008, the 10% equity interest in Yu Qiao held by Wang Pingwu in trust was transferred to the Company’s President and Chairman, Wang Hongjun to hold in trust for the benefit of Song Yuan Technical.
Currently 90% of Yu Qiao is directly held by Song Yuan Technical and 10% of Yo Qiao is held in trust by Wang Hongjun for the benefit of Song Yuan Technical.
Acquisition of Tiancheng
On September 27, 2009, we acquired through Song Yuan Technical all of the beneficial ownership of all of the equity interest in Song Yuan Tiancheng Drilling Engineering Co., Ltd. or “Tiancheng.” In order to comply with certain PRC laws, 5% of the equity interest in Tiancheng is held in trust by one of the Tiancheng selling stockholders for the benefit of Song Yuan Technical, while the other 95% of the equity interest in Tiancheng is held directly by Song Yuan Technical. Tiancheng provides oil drilling services. Tiancheng currently has seven drilling teams with the same number of rigs in house, which include one 4,000 meters rig (~13,000 feet depth), three 3,000 meters rigs (~9,800 feet depth) and three 2,000 meters rigs (~6,500 feet depth) respectively. Two of its seven drilling teams have received approvals issued by the Qualification Administrative Committee of China National Petroleum Corporation (PetroChina) and another three drilling teams are expected to be granted such approval by the end of the year when the Committee conducts the annual inspection on the qualification certificates for drilling for PetroChina oilfields. Tiancheng has existing drilling contracts with PetroChina and other private oil companies to provide drilling and oilfield services.
The acquisition of Tiancheng was accounted for as a purchase under ASC Topic 805 Business Combinations (formerly SFAS No. 141(revised 2007), Business Combinations). Accordingly, the operating results of Tiancheng have been included in the consolidated statements of operation and comprehensive income after the effective date of the acquisition of September 25, 2009.
30
The following table reflects the unaudited pro forma combined results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, assuming the acquisition of Tiancheng had occurred and was completed at the beginning of 2009.
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||
2009 | 2009 | |||||||
Revenues | $ | 19,932,631 | $ | 49,355,004 | ||||
Net income | $ | 9,390,771 | $ | (11,706,635 | ) | |||
Net income per share | ||||||||
- basic | $ | 0.43 | $ | 0.55 | ||||
- diluted | $ | 0.39 | $ | 0.55 |
For more financial information about the Tiancheng acquisition, please refer to the financial statement Note 5 Business Combination.
Listing on the NYSE Amex LLC.
On June 15, 2009, the Company’s common stock commenced trading on the NYSE Amex LLC (“AMEX”). Upon trading on AMEX, the Company changed its ticker symbol from “CNEH.OB” to “NEP”.
Oil Properties and Activities
As of September 30, 2009, the Company had a total of 259 producing wells, including 227 producing wells at the Qian’an 112 oilfield, 18 producing wells at the Hetingbao 301 oilfield, 7 producing wells at the Daan 34 oilfield and 7 producing wells at the Gudian 31 oilfield. Additionally, we have 3 wells under construction in Qian’an 112 oilfield.
All of the Company’s crude oil production is sold to the 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 a leading global provider of energy and metals information that collects and publishes pricing data on a wide range of petroleum and non-petroleum commodity types. An independent provider, Platts serves the oil, natural gas, electricity, emissions, nuclear power, coal, petrochemical, shipping, and metals markets from 17 offices worldwide. Price paid to the Company is FOB at the local Jilin Province PetroChina oil storage depot. As the oil produced in China is heavy and sour, compared with light and sweet oil quoted as West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) and Brent, therefore, the oil price we rec eive from PetroChina generally is slightly discounted to the WTI or Brent price.
The following table shows the difference between WTI and MOPS China in monthly oil price.
Month | Oil Sale Price (US dollars per bbl) | |
WTI | MOPS-China | |
Jul-08 | 133 | 116 |
Aug-08 | 116 | 119 |
Sep-08 | 103 | 101 |
Oct-08 | 76 | 85 |
Nov-08 | 57 | 68 |
Dec-08 | 41 | 45 |
Jan-09 | 41 | 41 |
Feb-09 | 39 | 38 |
Mar-09 | 47 | 41 |
Apr-09 | 49 | 46 |
May-09 | 59 | 52 |
Jun-09 | 69 | 54 |
Jul-09 | 64 | 63 |
Aug-09 | 71 | 61 |
Sep-09 | 69 | 69 |
(Note: data references to Wall Street Journal, and MOPS China price is exchanged from RMB to USD at the exchange rate of 6.8376)
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As noted in the table above, compared with WTI prices, the MOPS China price generally has a slight discount due to the lower oil quality and there is also one-month time lag between the prices.
PetroChina pays the Company for crude oil sold 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 crude 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. As of September 30, 200 9, the Company’s Accounts Receivable balance totaled $6,509,440, which is all due to the Company from PetroChina, and includes amounts related to the following items:
September Oil Sales, net of oil surcharge: | $ 6,114,279 | |
Quarterly total oil surcharge: | $ 1,655,000 |
Operating Performance
Our operating performance is influenced by several factors, the most significant of which are the price we receive for our crude oil and the quantities of crude oil that we are able to produce. Global crude oil prices are the most important factor affecting the price that we receive for our crude oil production. The prices received for different grades of crude oil are based upon the world price of crude oil, which is then adjusted based upon the particular grade. Typically, light crude oil is sold at a premium, while heavy grades of crude (such as the type we produce from the four fields we operate) are discounted.
Our crude oil development and acquisition activities require substantial and continuing capital expenditures. Historically, the sources of financing to fund our capital expenditures have included:
● | Cash flow from operations; | |
● | Sales of equity securities; | |
● | Loans from shareholders and third parties; and | |
● | Extension of credit from our suppliers, including particularly our suppliers of well drilling and completion services. |
For the three months ended September 30, 2009 (the “Current Quarter”), the sale price we received for our crude oil production averaged $64.33 per barrel, compared with $111.90 per barrel for the three months ended September 30, 2008 (the “Comparable Quarter”). For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the sale price we received for our crude oil production averaged $51.53 per barrel, compared with $103.60 per barrel for the same period ended a year ago.
Our oil producing activities are accounted for using the full cost method of accounting. Under this accounting method, we capitalize all costs incurred in connection with the acquisition of oil properties and the exploration for and development of oil reserves. These costs include lease acquisition costs, geological and geophysical expenditures, costs of drilling productive and non-productive wells (to date, all of the wells we have drilled have been productive wells), conversion of productive wells into production support infrastructure such as water-injection wells, and overhead expenses directly related to land and property acquisition and exploration and development activities. Proceeds from the disposition of oil properties are accounted for as a reduction in capitalized costs, with no gain or loss re cognized unless a disposition involves a material change in the relationship between capitalized costs and reserves, in which case the gain or loss is recognized.
Depreciation of the capitalized costs of oil properties, including estimated future development costs, is based upon estimates of proved oil reserves and production. Unproved oil properties are not amortized, but are individually assessed for impairment. The cost of any impaired property is transferred to the balance of oil properties being depleted. Reserve values are calculated annually, at our fiscal year-end, by a third-party geological consulting company, and are estimated in accordance with ASC Topic 932, “Extractive Activities - Oil and Gas”, (formerly FAS 19 – Financial Accounting and Reporting by Oil and Gas Producing Companies (as amended)), SEC Regulation S-K and Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the SEC’s Industr y Guide 2.
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Production, Average Sales Prices, and Production Costs
Our business operations are characterized by frequent, and sometimes significant, changes in the price we receive for the crude oil we produce and in the volumes of crude oil we produce. The following table shows selected operating data for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008.
Three months ended September 30 | Nine months ended September 30 | |||||||||||||||
2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | |||||||||||||
Oil Output (Bbl) | 224,750 | 172,730 | 671,352 | 422,788 | ||||||||||||
Avg. Sale Price ($/bbl) | $ | 64.33 | $ | 111.90 | $ | 51.53 | $ | 103.60 | ||||||||
Operating Revenue | $ | 14,403,921 | $ | 19,060,007 | $ | 34,654,549 | $ | 44,051,519 | ||||||||
Cost of sales | ||||||||||||||||
Production costs | $ | 1,103,163 | $ | 895,155 | $ | 2,769,762 | $ | 2,390,432 | ||||||||
Depreciation of oil properties | $ | 2,369,888 | $ | 3,774,327 | $ | 7,684,931 | $ | 8,155,321 | ||||||||
Amortization of land use rights | $ | 2,982 | $ | 2,975 | $ | 8,943 | $ | 8,743 | ||||||||
Governement oil surcharge | $ | 1,655,000 | $ | 4,480,955 | $ | 2,273,167 | $ | 9,865,655 | ||||||||
Gross Profit | $ | 9,272,888 | $ | 9,906,595 | $ | 21,917,746 | $ | 23,631,368 |
As shown in the above table, the significant decline of oil prices in 2009 compared with 2008 caused our revenues to decrease substantially. However, increases in our production output partially offset the impact of this declinein oil prices.
The following table reflects the significant oil sale price fluctuation in China in the past 12 months.
Month | Oil Sale Price | |
RMB/Ton | USD/Bbl | |
Jul-08 | 5854 | 116 |
Aug-08 | 6026 | 119 |
Sep-08 | 5095 | 101 |
Oct-08 | 4280 | 85 |
Nov-08 | 3423 | 68 |
Dec-08 | 2267 | 45 |
Jan-09 | 2078 | 41 |
Feb-09 | 1941 | 38 |
Mar-09 | 2051 | 41 |
Apr-09 | 2302 | 46 |
May-09 | 2603 | 52 |
Jun-09 | 2708 | 54 |
Jul-09 | 3180 | 63 |
Aug-09 | 3064 | 61 |
Sep-09 | 3475 | 69 |
(Note: 1 Ton = 7.38 Bbls, Exchange rate 1 USD = 6.8376 RMB as of 9/30/2009)
As noted in the table above, oil prices have declined significantly from their August 2008 levels. The decline in commodity prices has caused us to reduce our 2009 level of drilling activity and spending.
Contract Drilling Services
China North East Petroleum’s newest subsidiary, Song Yuan Tiancheng Drilling Engineering Co. Ltd (“Tiancheng”), founded in December 2007, provides contract drilling and other oilfield services for state-owned and non-state-owned oil companies in Northern China.
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Tiancheng is one of the four private contract drilling and service companies that has been qualified and licensed to operate in PetroChina’s Jilin oilfield. Tiancheng has also been granted contracts to drill for PetroChina. Compared to the other three drilling companies operating in the Jilin oilfield, Tiancheng is the largest, in terms of the number of drilling rigs owned in house. Tiancheng was started with only two rigs at the end of 2007, and now has seven drilling teams with the same number of rigs, which include one 4,000 meters rig (capable drill down to ~13,000 feet depth), three 3,000 meters rigs (~9,800 feet) and three 2,000 meters rigs (~6,500 feet) respectively. Two of its seven drilling teams have received approvals issued by the Qualification Administrative Committee of China National Petroleum C orporation (PetroChina) and another three drilling teams are expected to be granted such approval by the end of the year when the Committee conducts the annual inspection on the qualification certificates for drilling in PetroChina oilfields.
Tiancheng enters into drilling contracts with PetroChina and other private oil companies to provide oilfield drilling services, and generates revenue based on the depth of each well drilled for clients. Clients will typically pay 30% of the total projected drilling costs as a down payment to start the drilling process, and pay the remaining balance within 12 months according to the specific contract term.
In the first nine months of 2009, Tiancheng has completed contracts to drill 80 shallow wells, which include 74 wells for state-owned PetroChina Jilin Branch and six wells for non-state-owned Daqing Shunwei Energy Development Co. Ltd. The total drilling depth accomplished this year is 105,896 meters (~347,428 feet), with the revenue of $14,700,455 and net income of $4,820,661 or $0.22 in fully-diluted, pro forma EPS for nine months ended September 30, 2009. Tiancheng currently has existing contracts to drill 86 additional wells, and more contracts are under negotiation to increase the utilization of rigs and continue to grow sales revenue.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared To Three Months Ended September 30, 2008
Revenues. Revenues for the Current Quarter were $14,403,921 compared to $19,060,007 for the Comparable Quarter, a decrease of $4,656,086, or 24%. This decrease was due to a decrease in the average price we received for our crude oil. The average oil price for the Current Quarter was $64.33, a 43% decrease from $111.90 for the Comparable Quarter. Our output of crude oil for the Current Quarter was 224,750 barrels compared to 172,730 barrels for the Comparable Quarter, an increase of 30%, which substantially offset the impact of lower oil prices. This increase in production was mainly due to: (i) an increase in the number of producing wells from 218 in the Comparable Quarter to 259 in the Current Quarter; (ii) refracturing and other technical improvements made to the existing wells; and (iii) implementation of a water injection network, which helped to maintain production levels at certain of our existing wells.
Cost of sales. Cost of sales decreased by 44%, from $9,153,412 for the three months ended September 30, 2008 to $5,131,033 for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in cost of sales resulted primarily from a decrease in the oil surcharge paid to the PRC government, due to the decline in oil prices generally. For the Current Quarter, the Company paid an oil surcharge of $1,655,000 to the PRC government as compared to $4,480,955 paid for the Comparable Quarter. Under a regulation introduced in June 2006, a surcharge is imposed on the portion of the selling price of crude oil as set forth in the table below.
Crude Price $/Bbl | Surcharge Rate | |
$40-45 | 20% | |
$45-50 | 25% | |
$50-55 | 30% | |
$55-60 | 35% | |
Above $60 | 40% |
For example, if the MOPS China oil price is $57 per barrel, the oil surcharge is $4.45 per barrel ($1+$1.25+$1.5+0.7); if the oil price is $75 per barrel, the oil surcharge is $11.5 per barrel ($1+$1.25+$1.5+$1.75+$6).
Operating Expenses. Operating expenses totaled $1,121,031 for the Current Quarter, compared to $1,531,118 for the Comparable Quarter, a decrease of 27%. This decrease is primarily a result of a decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses from $1,527,175 in the Comparable Quarter to $855,138 in the Current Quarter. And it is offset by an increase in consulting fee from $(116,092) in the Comparable Quarter to $89,265 in the Current Quarter, as well as an increase in professional fees from $69,590 in the Comparable Quarter to $105,225 in the Current Quarter as a result of recent business development activities.
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Other Income (Expense). Other income decreased from $16,646,291 for the Comparable Quarter to $1,976,513 for the Current Quarter. This increase is primarily the result of decrease in change in fair value of warrants from $18,191,606 in the Comparable Quarter to $2,272,159 in the Current Quarter.
Net Income. Net income decreased by 66%, from $21,919,506 for the Comparable Quarter to $7,468,195 for the Current Quarter, primarily as a result of the decrease in average selling price and increased non-cash expenses as described above.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared To Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
Revenues. Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were $34,654,549 compared to $44,051,519 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, a decrease of $9,396,970, or 21%. This decrease was due to a decrease in the average price we received for our crude oil. The average oil price for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $51.53, a 50% decrease from $103.60 for the same period in 2008. Our output of crude oil for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was 671,352 barrels compared to 422,788 barrels for the same period in 2008, an increase of 59%, which substantially offset the impact of lower oil prices. This increase in production was mainly due to: (i) an increase in the number of producing wells, (ii) refracturing and other technical improvements made to the existing wells; and (iii) implementation of a water injection network, which helped to maintain production levels at certain of our existing wells.
Cost of sales. Cost of sales decreased by 38%, from $20,420,151 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to $12,736,803 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in cost of sales resulted primarily from a decrease in the oil surcharge paid to the PRC government, due to the decline in oil prices generally. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company paid an oil surcharge of $2,273,167 to the PRC government as compared to $9,865,655 paid for the same period in 2008. Under a regulation introduced in June 2006, a surcharge of 20% is imposed on the portion of the selling price of crude oil which exceeds $40 per barrel and a surcharge of 40% is imposed on the portion of the selling price of crude oil which exceeds $60 per barrel. This government oil surcharge tax is paid by the Company on a quarterly basis, following the end of each quarter.
Operating Expenses. Operating expenses totaled $16,733,245 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $2,731,054 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, an increase of 513%. This increase is primarily a result of ceiling test impairment write down of $13,833,812, due to a significant decline of the oil price in the first quarter 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.
Other Income (Expense). Other expenses increased from $2,562,147 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to $19,749,779 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. This increase is primarily the results of increase in change of fair value of warrants from $1,146,381 in the Comparable Period to $9,805,886 in the Current Period. And also a loss on extinguishment of debt by $8,260,630 in the Current Period, compare to zero in the Comparable Period.
Net Income. Net income decreased by 256% from $10,955,275 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to $17,062,924 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, primarily as a result of the decrease in average selling price and increased non-cash expenses as described above.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We have historically financed our operations and capital expenditures through cash flows from operations, the issuance of secured debt and the issuance of new shares of our common stock. Our capital resources consist primarily of cash flows from our oil producing properties. Our level of earnings and cash flows depend upon many factors, including the price we receive for crude oil we produce.
As of September 30, 2009, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $33,158,348, other current assets of $10,497,211 and current liabilities of $31,946,994. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, our primary sources of liquidity were $10,675,933 provided by operating activities and $20,327,004 in cash provided by financing activities. This cash balance of $33,158,348 represents an increase of $10,483,324 over our cash balance as of June 30, 2009 and an increase of $19,919,135 over our cash balance as of December 31, 2008.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $10,675,933 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $17,643,184 for the same period in 2008. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was the result of a number of changes in our operating accounts. Cash from operating activities decreased due to a reduction in net income and higher cash payments of income and other taxes. Also the decrease in accounts receivable and increase in accounts payable in the Current Period compared to the Comparable Period caused the reduction.
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Net cash used in investing activities was $11,048,307 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $19,618,655 for the same period in 2008. This decrease is primarily due to the significant decrease in purchase of oil and gas properties of $15,246,968 during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $20,327,004 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to $11,091,105 for the same period in 2008. This was primarily a result of the financing by the issuance and sale in a public offering by the Company of an aggregate of 4,000,000 shares of its common stock on September 15, 2009, at a price of $4.60 per share and warrants to purchase up to an additional 800,000 shares of common stock. The Company received gross proceeds of approximately $18.4 million before placement agent and other expenses.
The Company has paid for the development of its producing oil wells and oil wells under construction, along with its acquisition of an oil well drilling and servicing company, with cash from operations as well as by funds raised through the issuance of secured debt, common stock and warrants to purchase the Company’s common stock. The Company is continually evaluating opportunities to expand production and grow the Company’s operations. The Company may require additional resources to fully implement the Company’s business plan and growth strategy. Our ability to obtain additional capital to achieve certain of these expansion goals will depend on market conditions, national and global economies and other factors beyond its control. We cannot assure you that the Company will be able to implement or ca pitalize on various financing alternatives or otherwise obtain required capital, the need for which could be substantial given the Company’s business and development goals. However, the Company anticipates that cash flows from operations will be sufficient to fund continued development at the four oil fields it currently operates and to fund continued operations at its oil well drilling and servicing subsidiary.
Capital Commitments
As of September 30, 2009, the Company had commitments for capital expenditure of $9,426,000 with a contractor to complete the drilling of 43 oil wells.
Crude Oil Price Trends
Changes in crude oil prices significantly affect our revenues, financial condition and cash flows. Markets for crude oil have historically been volatile and we expect this trend to continue. Prices for crude oil typically fluctuate in response to relatively minor changes in supply and demand, market uncertainty, seasonal, economic, political and other factors beyond our control. Although we are unable to accurately predict the prices we receive for our oil, any significant or sustained decline in oil prices may materially adversely affect our financial condition, liquidity, ability to obtain future debt or equity financing and operating results.
Production Trends
Like all other oil exploration and production companies, we experience natural production declines at existing wells. We recognize that oil production from a given well naturally decreases over time and that a downward trend in our overall production could occur unless the natural declines are offset by additional production from new wells, investment in measures to increase the production from existing wells (such as CO2 and water injection), or acquisitions of producing properties. If any production declines we experience are other than a temporary trend, and if we cannot economically replace our reserves, our results may be materially adversely affected and our stock price may decline. Our future growth will depend upon our ability to continue to add oil reserves in excess of our production at a reasonable cost.
We have achieved increased production and revenue from our four oilfields as a result of our significant investments in these areas. As of September 30, 2009, we have drilled 262 wells out of the 675 wells that we believe can be drilled in our four oilfields. Of these, 259 are produced oil in the Current Quarter and 3 are the wells under construction. We anticipate that we will continue to drill new wells and increase production in these areas. We are also actively seeking additional oil fields that we can lease and operate.
Operating Expense Trends
Costs associated with oil well drilling, improvement (e.g. fracturing and water injection), and maintenance in the northeastern Chinese oil fields where we operate have remained relatively constant over the past year. Similarly, service rates charged by oil field service companies have remained relatively constant over the past year. We are also generally somewhat buffered from changes in world oil prices due to the impact of the government oil surcharge tax. When prices rise, the amount of oil surcharge tax that we are required to pay increases; conversely price declines reduce the amount of oil surcharge tax. In the Current Quarter, the approximate amount of oil surcharge tax we paid was $7.36 per barrel, as compared to $25.94 per barrel in the Comparable Quarter.
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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Proved Reserves. Proved oil and gas reserves, as defined by SEC Regulation S-X Rule 4-10(a) (2)(i), (2)(ii), (2)(iii), (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.
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.
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 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. FAS 132(R)-1 “Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets” (“FSP FAS 132(R)-1”) (ASC Topic 715-20-65). FSP FAS 132(R)-1 (ASC Topic 715-20-65) requires more detailed disclosures about employers’ plan assets in a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan, including employers’ investment strategies, major categories of plan assets, concentrations of risk within plan assets, and inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets. FSP FAS 132(R)-1 (ASC Topic 715-20-65) also requires, for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), disclosure of the effect of the measurements on changes in plan assets for the period. The disclosures about plan assets required by FSP FAS 132(R)-1 (ASC Topic 715-20-65) must be provided for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. As this pronouncement is only disclosure-related, it will not have an impact on the financial position and results of operations.
In May 2009, the FASB issued a new statement that establishes general standards of accounting for, and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The new statement, located in ASC Topic 855 Subsequent Events (formerly SFAS 165, Subsequent Events) requires entities to disclose the date through which subsequent events were evaluated as well as the rationale for why that date was selected, that is, whether that date represents the date the financial statements were issued or were available to be issued. The new statement is effective for interim or annual periods ending after June 15, 2009, which was the quarter ending June 30, 2009 for the Company. The adoption of this new statement did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
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In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166 “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140” (“SFAS 166”) (ASC Topic 810). SFAS 166 (not part of the codification yet) amends various provisions of SFAS No. 140 “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities—a replacement of FASB Statement No. 125” by removing the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity and removes the exception from applying FIN 46(R) to variable interest entities that are qualifying special-purpose entities; limits the circumstances in which a transferor derecognizes a portion or component of a financial asset; defines a participating interest; requires a transferor to recognize and initially measure at fair value all assets obtained and liabilities incurred as a result of a transfer accounted for as a sale; and requires enhanced disclosure; among others. SFAS 166 will be effective as of the beginning of each reporting entity's first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. Early adoption is not permitted. This guidance will be codified under FASB ASC Topic 860, “Transfers and Servicing” when it becomes effective. The Company does not expect the standard to have any impact on the Company’s financial position.
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167 “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)” (“SFAS 167”) (not part of the codification yet). SFAS 167 amends FASB Interpretation No. 46 (Revised December 2003) “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities—an interpretation of ARB No. 51” (FIN 46(R)) to require an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity; to require ongoing reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity; to eliminate the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity; to add an additional reconsideration event for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity when any changes in facts and circumstances occur such that holders of the equity investment at risk, as a group, lose the power from voting rights or similar rights of those investments to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; and to require enhanced disclosures that will provide users of financial statements with more transparent information about an enterprise’s involvement in a variable interest entity. SFAS 167 will be effective as of the beginning of each reporting entity's first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period, and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. Early adoption is not permitted. This guidance will be codified under FASB ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation” when it becomes effective. The Company does not expect the standard to have any impact on the Company’s financial position.
In August 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-05 “Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value”, now codified under FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, (“ASU 2009-05”) which amends Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures – Overall (ASC Topic 820-10) to provide guidance on the fair value measurement of liabilities. This update requires clarification for circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available, a reporting entity is required to measure fair value using one or more of the following techniques: 1) a valuation technique that uses either the quoted price of the identical liability when traded as an asset or quoted prices for similar liabilities or similar liabilities when traded as an asset; or 2) another valuation techni que that is consistent with the principles in ASC Topic 820 such as the income and market approach to valuation. The amendments in this update also clarify that when estimating the fair value of a liability, a reporting entity is not required to include a separate input or adjustment to other inputs relating to the existence of a restriction that prevents the transfer of the liability. This update further clarifies that if the fair value of a liability is determined by reference to a quoted price in an active market for an identical liability, that price would be considered a Level 1 measurement in the fair value hierarchy. Similarly, if the identical liability has a quoted price when traded as an asset in an active market, it is also a Level 1 fair value measurement if no adjustments to the quoted price of the asset are required. This update is effective for our fourth quarter 2009. Management does not expect this new guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statement s.
In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13, “Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements”, now codified under FASB ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition”, (“ASU 2009-13”). ASU 2009-13 requires entities to allocate revenue in an arrangement using estimated selling prices of the delivered goods and services based on a selling price hierarchy. The amendments eliminate the residual method of revenue allocation and require revenue to be allocated using the relative selling price method. ASU 2009-13 should be applied on a prospective basis for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted. Management is currently evaluating the potential impact of ASU2009-13 on our financial statements.
In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-14, “Certain Arrangements That Include Software Elements, now codified under FASB ASC Topic 985, “Software”, (“ASU 2009-14”). ASU 2009-14 removes tangible products from the scope of software revenue guidance and provides guidance on determining whether software deliverables in an arrangement that includes a tangible product are covered by the scope of the software revenue guidance. ASU 2009-14 should be applied on a prospective basis for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted. Management is currently evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2009-14 on our financial statements.
In October, 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-15, “Accounting for Own-Share Lending Arrangements in Contemplation of Convertible Debt Issuance or Other Financing”, now codified under FASB ASC Topic 470 “Debt”, (“ASU 2009-15”), and provides guidance for accounting and reporting for own-share lending arrangements issued in contemplation of a convertible debt issuance. At the date of issuance, a share-lending arrangement entered into on an entity’s own shares should be measured at fair value in accordance with Topic 820 and recognized as an issuance cost, with an offset to additional paid-in capital. Loaned shares are excluded from basic and diluted earnings per share unless default of the share-lending arrangement occurs. The amendments also require several disclosur es including a description and the terms of the arrangement and the reason for entering into the arrangement. The effective dates of the amendments are dependent upon the date the share-lending arrangement was entered into and include retrospective application for arrangements outstanding as of the beginning of fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2009. Management is currently evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2009-15 on our financial statements.
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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not required.
ITEM 4T. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of the end of the period covered by this amended and restated Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A (the “Evaluation Date”). The purpose of this evaluation is to determine if, as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures were operating effectively such that the information, required to be disclosed in our Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) reports (i) was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC ru les and forms, and (ii) was accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures were not operating effectively.
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure controls and procedures and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time period specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Deficiencies Relating to Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
We recently completed an internal review of our financial reporting. As a result of this review, management and the audit committee concluded that the impact of certain non-cash accounting and disclosure errors on previously issued financial statements was material and required a restatement. The audit committee of our board of directors engaged an outside consulting firm to assist in its investigation of financial reporting revisions. Our investigation found that a number of factors at the Company contributed to the need to restate certain financial reports in order to correct non-cash accounting errors, including the following:
• | the Company lacked adequate internal guidance or training on the reporting of certain non-cash accounting topics, such as warrant accounting, calculation of the ceiling test value of its oil properties, calculation of depreciation, depletion and amortization of oil properties, evaluation of the conditions which trigger the accounting treatment of a restructuring of terms of a liability as an extinguishment of debt, and accounting for stock issued to employees as compensation; | ||
• | the Company lacked adequate internal controls over the calculation methodologies used in calculation of depreciation, depletion and amortization, and of the ceiling test value, on its oil properties. |
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As part of its investigation, the audit committee proposed a number of recommendations, including the following:
• | provide periodic training for employees on accounting and financial reporting practices, particularly with respect to oil industry measurements and disclosures; | ||
• | retain an outside consulting firm with expertise in financial accounting and oil industry accounting and disclosure matters, to assist the management team with its preparation of quarterly and annual financial reports; | ||
• | institute and cultivate a culture of excellence with respect to accounting and financial reporting practices to ensure that the foregoing contributing factors do not recur. |
The board of directors has accepted the recommendations proposed by the audit committee, and the board of directors implemented and resolved to continue to implement all of the recommendations.
Consequently, we have revised our financial reports for the periods from March 31, 2008 to September 30, 2009, including this amended quarterly financial report. This restatement, as well as specific information regarding its impact, is discussed in Note 1, “Restatement” to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Restatement of previously issued financial statements to reflect the correction of a misstatement is an indicator of the existence of a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting as defined in the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s Auditing Standard No. 2, “An Audit of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Performed in Conjunction with an Audit of Financial Statements.” We have identified deficiencies in our internal controls that did not prevent the m isstatement of certain non-cash accounting items. These deficiencies, which we believe constituted a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, included inadequate training and understanding of the SEC and accounting rules for booking certain non-cash accounting items, including items specific to oil industry reporting. In light of the determination that previously issued financial statements should be restated, our management concluded that a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting existed as of September 30, 2009 and disclosed this matter to the audit committee, and our independent registered public accounting firm.
Remedial Actions
Our management, at the direction of our board of directors, is actively working to improve the control environment and to implement controls and procedures that will ensure the integrity of our financial statement preparation process.
We have implemented the following actions to mitigate weaknesses identified:
• | we have retained an outside consulting firm with expertise in financial accounting and oil industry accounting and disclosure matters, to assist the management team with its review and restatement of the financial reports for the periods in question. |
We intend to implement the following actions in 2010:
• | implement formal and informal training programs, particularly with respect to the accounting for non-cash items; | ||
• | during 2010 and thereafter, consult with our outside consulting firm on a interim basis on the preparation of financial reports. |
Evaluation of Disclosure Control and Procedures
Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, with the participation of other members of our senior management, reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. In making this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer considered the issues discussed above, together with the remedial steps we have taken. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, because of the material weakness discussed above, as of September 30, 2009, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the & #8220;Exchange Act”).
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Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-(f) of the Exchange Act. Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer, and our Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2009 based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework, our management concluded we did not maintain effective controls over our financial reporting for the periods from March 31, 2008 to September 30, 2009, and t hese ineffective controls constituted a material weakness. As a result of this material weakness, our financial statements for the quarters ended March 31, 2008, June 30, 2008, September 30, 2008, March 31, 2009, June 30, 2009, and September 30, 2009, and the year ended December 31, 2008 were restated. These restatements affected certain non-cash items, including accounting for warrants, the Company’s proved oil properties, depreciation, depletion and amortization of oil properties, the ceiling test write-down of oil properties accounts, and accounting for the effect of a restructuring of a liability.
Because of this material weakness, management has concluded that, as of September 30, 2009, we did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the COSO.
Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2009 has not been audited by Baker Tilly Hong Kong Limited (successor to Jimmy Cheung & Co.), an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During 2010, we implemented the following actions to improve our control environment and to implement controls and procedures that will ensure the integrity of our financial reporting process:
• | we have retained an outside consulting firm with specialized knowledge in financial accounting and specific knowledge of oil industry accounting to assist us with the review and restatement of the financial statements in question. |
We intend to implement the following additional actions in 2010:
• | implement formal and informal training programs, particularly with respect to the accounting for non-cash items; | ||
• | continue our retention of an outside consulting firm to assist us with a review of financial report preparation. |
Except as discussed above, there has not been any change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our quarter ended September 30, 2009 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There has been no material change in the Company’s risk factors as previously disclosed in the Company’s amended and restated Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on July , 2010.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
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ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. | Description | |
31.1 | Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
32.1 | Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this amended and restated report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
China North East Petroleum Holdings Limited | |||
August 31, 2010 | By: | /s/ Jingfu Li | |
Jingfu Li | |||
Acting CEO | |||
(Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer) |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. | Description | |
31.1 | Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
32.1 | Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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