UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x | QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED: DECEMBER 31, 2015 | |
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ___ TO ___ |
Commission file number: 0-26402
THE AMERICAN ENERGY GROUP, LTD. |
(Name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
Nevada |
| 87-0448843 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
| (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
20 Nod Hill Road Wilton, Connecticut |
| 06897 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
| (Zip code) |
(Issuer's telephone number 203/222-7315)
___________________________
Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
None
Securities registered under section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, Par Value $.001 Per Share
___________________________
Check whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY
PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS
Check whether the issuer has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes x No ¨
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS
As of February 22, 2016, the number of Common shares outstanding was 62,119,341
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 x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer | ¨ | Accelerated filer | ¨ |
Non-accelerated filer | ¨ | Smaller reporting company | x |
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
THE AMERICAN ENERGY GROUP, LTD.
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION | |||||
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Item 1. | Financial Statements (unaudited) |
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Item 2. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition And Results of Operations |
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| 12 |
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Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
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| 15 |
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Items 4 and 4T. | Controls and Procedures |
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION |
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Item 1. | Legal Proceedings |
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| 16 |
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Item 1A. | Risk Factors |
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| 18 |
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Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
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Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities |
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Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures |
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| 19 |
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Item 5. | Other Information |
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| 19 |
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Item 6. | Exhibits |
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| 19 |
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2 |
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
THE AMERICAN ENERGY GROUP, LTD.
Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
| December 31, |
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| June 30, |
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| 2015 |
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| 2015 |
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Assets | ||||||||
Current Assets |
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Cash |
| $ | 6,835 |
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| $ | 24,999 |
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Prepaid expenses |
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| 15,518 |
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| 39,715 |
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Total Current Assets |
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| 22,353 |
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| 64,714 |
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Property and Equipment |
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Office equipment |
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| 25,670 |
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| 25,670 |
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Accumulated depreciation |
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| (23,103 | ) |
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| (22,702 | ) |
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Net Property and Equipment |
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| 2,567 |
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| 2,968 |
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Other Assets |
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Investment in oil and gas working interest |
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| 1,583,914 |
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| 1,583,914 |
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Total Other Assets |
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| 1,583,914 |
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| 1,583,914 |
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Total Assets |
| $ | 1,608,834 |
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| $ | 1,651,596 |
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Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||
Current Liabilities |
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Accounts payable |
| $ | 54,116 |
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| $ | 59,553 |
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Note payable |
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| 12,633 |
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| 32,935 |
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Accrued liabilities |
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| 274,184 |
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| 438,649 |
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Notes payable – related parties, net of unamortized debt discount of $142,920 |
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| 1,182,080 |
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| 825,000 |
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Total Liabilities |
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| 1,523,013 |
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| 1,356,137 |
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Stockholders' Equity |
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Common stock, par value $0.001 per share; authorized 80,000,000 shares; 61,019,341 and 60,469,757 shares issued and outstanding, respectively |
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| 61,020 |
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| 60,470 |
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Capital in excess of par value |
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| 17,025,328 |
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| 16,560,954 |
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Accumulated deficit |
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| (17,000,527 | ) |
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| (16,325,965 | ) |
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Total Stockholders' Equity |
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| 85,821 |
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| 295,459 |
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Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity |
| $ | 1,608,834 |
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| $ | 1,651,596 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
3 |
THE AMERICAN ENERGY GROUP, LTD.
Statements of Operations
For the Three Months and Six Months Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended |
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| Six Months Ended |
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| December 31, |
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| December 31, |
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| December 31, |
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| December 31, |
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Revenue – Oil and Gas Royalties |
| $ | - |
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| $ | 126,104 |
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| $ | - |
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| $ | 375,821 |
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Expenses |
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Administrative salaries |
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| 57,144 |
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| 111,924 |
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| 163,112 |
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| 220,128 |
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Legal and professional |
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| 64,114 |
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| 77,285 |
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| 131,554 |
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| 151,218 |
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General and administrative |
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| 52,488 |
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| 47,279 |
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| 102,723 |
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| 94,560 |
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Office overhead expenses |
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| 621 |
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| 1,284 |
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| 8,128 |
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| 19,943 |
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Depreciation |
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| 201 |
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| 176 |
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| 401 |
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| 351 |
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Total Expenses |
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| 174,568 |
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| 237,948 |
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| 405,918 |
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| 486,200 |
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Net Operating Income (Loss) |
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| (174,568 | ) |
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| (111,844 | ) |
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| (405,918 | ) |
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| (110,379 | ) |
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Other Income and (Expense) |
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Interest expense – related party |
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| (66,567 | ) |
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| (42,236 | ) |
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| (261,652 | ) |
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| (50,361 | ) |
Interest expense |
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| (4,260 | ) |
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| (2,160 | ) |
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| (6,992 | ) |
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| (4,163 | ) |
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Total Other Income (Expense) |
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| (70,827 | ) |
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| (44,396 | ) |
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| (268,644 | ) |
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| (54,254 | ) |
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Net Income (Loss) Before Taxes |
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| (245,395 | ) |
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| (156,240 | ) |
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| (674,562 | ) |
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| (164,903 | ) |
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Income Taxes |
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| 0 |
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| 0 |
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| 0 |
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| 0 |
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Net Income (Loss) |
| $ | (245,395 | ) |
| $ | (156,240 | ) |
| $ | (674,562 | ) |
| $ | (164,903 | ) |
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Earnings per Share |
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Basic |
| $ | (0.00 | ) |
| $ | (0.00 | ) |
| $ | (0.00 | ) |
| $ | (0.00 | ) |
Fully Diluted |
| $ | (0.00 | ) |
| $ | (0.00 | ) |
| $ | (0.00 | ) |
| $ | (0.00 | ) |
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Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding |
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Basic |
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| 61,019,341 |
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| 52,369,104 |
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| 60,721,651 |
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| 51,721,062 |
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Fully Diluted |
| 71,995,284 |
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| 61,062,437 |
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| 69,922,455 |
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| 60,414,395 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
4 |
THE AMERICAN ENERGY GROUP, LTD.
Statements of Cash Flows
For the Six Months Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
(Unaudited)
| 2015 |
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| 2014 |
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Cash Flows From Operating Activities |
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Net Income (Loss) |
| $ | (674,562 | ) |
| $ | (164,903 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) operating activities: |
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Depreciation |
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| 401 |
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| 351 |
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Amortization of debt discount |
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| 235,504 |
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| 33,485 |
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Common stock issued for current debt, services |
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| - |
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| 30,100 |
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Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
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(Increase) decrease in oil and gas sales receivable |
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| - |
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| (375,821 | ) |
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses |
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| 24,197 |
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| 4,335 |
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Increase (decrease) in accounts payable |
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| (5,437 | ) |
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| (3,916 | ) |
Increase (decrease) in accrued expensesand other current liabilities |
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| (164,465 | ) |
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| 130,574 |
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Net Cash (Used In) Operating Activities |
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| (584,362 | ) |
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| (345,795 | ) |
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Cash Flows From Investing Activities |
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Cash Flows From Financing Activities |
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Proceeds from the issuance of debt – related party |
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| 500,000 |
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| 75,000 |
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Principal payments on notes payable |
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| (20,302 | ) |
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| - |
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Proceeds from the issuance of common stock |
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| 86,500 |
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| 281,500 |
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Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities |
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| 566,198 |
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| 356,500 |
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Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash |
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| (18,164 | ) |
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| 10,705 |
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Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period |
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| 24,999 |
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| 11,814 |
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Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period |
| $ | 6,835 |
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| $ | 22,519 |
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Cash Paid For: |
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Interest |
| $ | 4,245 |
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| $ | 4,163 |
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Taxes |
| $ | - |
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| $ | - |
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Non-Cash Financing Activities: |
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Common stock issued in satisfaction of accounts payable and accrued expenses |
| $ | - |
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| $ | 15,000 |
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Common stock issued for services rendered |
| $ | - |
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| $ | 30,100 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
5 |
THE AMERICAN ENERGY GROUP, LTD.
Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements
December 31, 2015
Note 1 - General
The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted in accordance with such rules and regulations. The information furnished in the interim condensed financial statements includes normal recurring adjustments and reflects all adjustments, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements. Although management believes the disclosures and information presented are adequate to make the information not misleading, it is suggested that these interim condensed financial statements be read in conjunction with the Company's audited financial statements and notes thereto included in its June 30, 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Operating results for the three months and six months ended December 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending June 30, 2016.
Note 2 - Basic Loss Per Share of Common Stock
| Three Months Ended |
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| Six Months Ended |
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| December 31, |
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| December 31, |
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| December 31, |
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| December 31, |
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Income (Loss) (numerator) |
| $ | (245,395 | ) |
| $ | (156,240 | ) |
| $ | (674,562 | ) |
| $ | (164,903 | ) |
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Basic Shares (denominator) |
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| 61,019,341 |
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| 52,369,104 |
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| 60,721,651 |
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| 51,721,062 |
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Fully Diluted Shares (denominator) |
| 71,995,284 |
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| 61,062,437 |
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| 69,922,455 |
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| 60,414,395 |
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Basic Income (Loss) Per Share |
| $ | (0.00 | ) |
| $ | (0.00 | ) |
| $ | (0.00 | ) |
| $ | (0.00 | ) |
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Fully Diluted Earnings Per Share |
| $ | (0.00 | ) |
| $ | (0.00 | ) |
| $ | (0.00 | ) |
| $ | (0.00 | ) |
The basic income per share of common stock is based on the weighted average number of shares issued and outstanding during the period of the financial statements. Stock warrants convertible into 11,193,333 shares of common stock are included in the fully diluted income per share calculation. Fully diluted earnings per share information is not presented as the effects of common stock equivalents would have been anti-dilutive.
Note 3 - Oil & Gas Sales Royalties Receivable and Revenue Recognition
Prior to the year ended June 30, 2015, the Company recognized revenue in accordance with SEC SAB 104 which stipulates that pervasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably assured. Prior to the year ended June 30, 2015, our revenue was derived exclusively from an overriding royalty interest. The Company recognized royalty revenues when production had occurred and royalties were due and payable under its contract with Hycarbex (Note 10 – Other Contingencies). During the year ended June 30, 2015, the Company was awarded 100% of the stock of Hycarbex. Our prior oil and gas receivable earned through our ownership of the 18% overriding royalty interest in the Yasin Concession was due from Hycarbex and was not collected prior to our successful litigation results and being awarded 100% of the actual stock of the Hycarbex entity. Upon re-acquisition of the Hycarbex subsidiary, the previously recognized oil and gas receivable was written off. Future oil and gas revenues will continue to be recorded in accordance with SEC SAB 104, upon obtaining full control of the entity.
Note 4 - Common Stock
During July, 2015, the Company issued 316,250 shares of common stock for cash at $0.16 per share and an additional 233,334 shares at $0.15 per share.
6 |
THE AMERICAN ENERGY GROUP, LTD.
Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements
December 31, 2015
Note 5 - Income Taxes
The Company accounts for corporate income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC 740-10 "Income Taxes". FASB ASC 740-10 requires an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income tax purposes.
As of December 31, 2015, the Company had net operating loss carryovers of $52,686,690 which can be used to reduce future taxable income. No deferred tax benefit has been recorded related to these carryovers as utilization cannot be reasonably assured.
Note 6 - Investment in Oil and Gas Working Interest
The Company owns an interest in two oil and gas leases located in Southeast Texas. The Company is exploring various opportunities to realize value from these interests, including potential farmout or sale. The Company intends to adopt the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas properties in the event that the Company develops their interests in these leases. As of December 31, 2015, the Company does not have any proved reserves as defined under FASB ASC 932-235-50 (formerly SFAS No. 69) and has not incurred any costs associated with the development of these oil and gas properties and had not received any oil and gas revenue from these leases. The carrying value of these leases is $0.
Subsequent to the year ended June 30, 2015, the Company was awarded 100% of the stock of its previously wholly owned subsidiary, Hycarbex American Energy, Inc. Prior to the year ended June 30, 2015, the Company held an 18% gross royalty interest in the Yasin Concession in Pakistan, which was received in exchange for the original sale of Hycarbex. As of June 30, 2015, the Company had earned approximately $3,749,355, but not yet received payment for all royalties earned from their interest in this concession. Revenues to date derived from this interest were overriding in nature and there were no future financial obligations or commitments required of the Company to secure this royalty interest.
The Company has not yet received full access to the historical financial and property records of Hycarbex since receiving the judgment award of the ICC subsequent to the year ended June 30, 2015. Oil and Gas properties currently determined to be owned by Hycarbex include working interests in five (5) large exploration blocks within Pakistan. These interests include: Block No. 2768-7 (Yasin), 673 square miles; Block No. 2667-8 (Zamzama North), 474 square miles; Block No. 3068-2 (Sanjawi), 871 square miles; Block No. 2466-8 (Karachi), 851 square miles; and Block No. 3371-13 (Peshawar), 960 square miles. Hycarbex is the registered owner of a 75% working interest in the Yasin Exploration Block, 95% working interest in the Karachi and Peshawar Exploration Blocks, 20% working interest in Zamzama North and Sanjawi Exploration Blocks, of which 10% is carried as to exploration costs with back-in rights to acquire an additional 10% working interest upon commercial discovery. Until full access to records and full concurrent control is obtained, Hycarbex operations have not and will not be consolidated with the accounts of the Company.
In addition, on October 29, 2009, the Company executed an agreement to acquire from Hycarbex – American Energy, Inc. (Hycarbex), a two and one half percent (2-1/2%) working interest in each of the 2,258 square kilometer Sanjawi Block No. 3068-2, Zone II, Baluchistan Province, Pakistan, and 1,229 square kilometer Zamzama North Block No. 2667-8, Zone III, Sindh Province, Pakistan. In exchange for the working interest, the Company issued (1) 2,000,000 shares of common stock to Hycarbex, (2) 100,000 warrants with a three year duration to purchase an additional 100,000 shares at $1.75 per share and (3) $100,000 in cash. The Company has the option to convert the two and one half percent working interests described above to a one and one half percent gross royalty working interest at any time. As of December 31, 2015 the Company has capitalized $1,583,914 related to these working interests.
Note 7 - Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment (such as Investment in Oil and Gas Working Interests) when indicators are present that suggest that such impairment may be necessary. As of December 31, 2015, the Company's management has reviewed the valuation of its long-lived assets and has determined that no impairment to recorded value is necessary.
7 |
THE AMERICAN ENERGY GROUP, LTD.
Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements
December 31, 2015
Note 8 - Subsequent Events
In accordance with ASC 855-10, management of the Company has reviewed all material events from December 31, 2015 through the date the financial statements were issued.
Subsequent to December 31, 2015, the Company issued $1,100,000 shares of its common stock for $110,000.
Subsequent to December 31, 2015, the Company extended the due date on its notes payable of $1,125,000 to related parties from February 5, 2016 until August 31, 2016.
Note 9 - Notes Payable – Related Parties
During the six months ended December 31, 2015, the Company borrowed $300,000 from a current shareholder with interest at 5%, payable in full at maturity. This note originally matured on February 5, 2016 but was extended to a maturity date of August 31, 2016. In addition, the Company extended the due date of its remaining related party notes payable of $825,000 from their original due date of February 5, 2016 to an extended due date of August 31, 2016. The Company also borrowed an additional $200,000 from an individual investor with interest at 5%, payable in full in three years. The Company incurred $28,895 of interest expense on notes payable during the six months ended December 31, 2015.
Warrants to acquire additional shares of common stock were issued in connection with $1,125,000 of the notes payable. Amortization of related debt discount resulted in $52,156 of interest expense for the three months ended December 31, 2015. Unamortized debt discount remaining as of December 31, 2015 was $142,920.
Note 10 - Other Contingencies - Litigation
In December, 2011, we initiated civil legal proceedings against Hycarbex and others in the High Court of Islamabad, Pakistan. Our pleadings with respect to the 2.5% carried working interest positions in the Sanjawi and Zamzama North concessions sought a registration of those interests with the Government of Pakistan and simultaneously sought the imposition of an injunction preventing the transfer of the working interest in those concessions until the registration can be effected, thereby protecting our interests. In our pleadings with respect to the Yasin concession and the right to receive 18% of the gross production revenues, our pleadings sought a referral to arbitration based upon ownership of, in effect, a 25% carried working interest to which is attributed 18% of gross production revenues and the right to receive pertinent records and data, the appointment of a receiver to both protect and cause disbursement of the 18% of gross revenues since the inception of production in April, 2011, and the imposition of an injunction against the transfer of the working interest in the Yasin concession.The Courtimmediatelyissued two injunction orders preserving the status quo as to the Company's interests in each of the Yasin, Sanjawi and Zamzama North petroleum concessions.
On March 27, 2012, the Islamabad High Court issued its final order (later clarified as to certain arbitration procedures by a clarification Order dated April 4, 2012). The Court directed the parties to proceed to arbitration in London, UK under the ICC Rules of Arbitration and further reaffirmed the continuation of the pending temporary injunctions against Hycarbex's potential transfer of interests in the concessions prior to final resolution in the arbitration forum. Our application for the appointment of a receiver was neither granted nor denied, but was instead deferred by the Court to the arbitration forum. Hycarbex appealed the March 27, 2012 Order asserting that litigation should not have been initiated by American Energy without first going to arbitration, asserting that our claims to 18% of gross production revenues were premature (despite already having made some payments toward that production interest) because a "commercial discovery" had not yet been declared, and asserting that the injunctions had the effect of enjoining all of the working interest, not just a portion. American Energy countered with an appeal that the Court should reconsider the application for a receiver due to an existing arbitration rule which would prevent the arbitration forum from granting interim relief of that type, irrespective of the merits of such an application. These appeals have become moot by virtue of the ICC Partial Final Award described below.
8 |
THE AMERICAN ENERGY GROUP, LTD.
Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements
December 31, 2015
Note 10 - Other Contingencies – Litigation (continued)
On April 10, 2012, pursuant to the terms of the March 27, 2012, Islamabad High Court Order, we filed our claim with the International Chamber of Commerce ("ICC") International Court of Arbitration seeking an order which voids, ab initio, the original 2003 Stock Purchase Agreement under which Hycarbex's parent company acquired thestock of Hycarbex (and thus the underlying Yasin concession owned by Hycarbex) and in conjunction therewith, seeks the recovery of any financial dividends or advances which may have been made by Hycarbex to its shareholders based upon our assertions in the claim that Hydro Tur, Ltd., the original purchaser of the Hycarbex stock under the 2003 Stock Purchase Agreement, fraudulently misrepresented to American Energy that "no current or past shareholders, officers and/or directors of American Energy or Hycarbex have any interest, direct or indirect, in the ownership of Hydro Tur, Ltd."
In February, 2013, we filed an Application For Interim Relief with the ICC which was heard by the tribunal on June 13, 2013. By Order dated September 25, 2013, the ICC granted all requests made by the Company against Hycarbex American Energy, Inc. ("Hycarbex"), Hycarbex Asia Pte, Ltd. ("Hycarbex Asia") and Hydro Tur, Ltd. ("Hydro Tur") in its Application For Interim Relief filed with the ICC in February, 2013 and presented to the ICC in a hearing conducted June 13, 2013. By Order dated September 25, 2013, the ICC granted to the Company all requested relief and therein ordered Hycarbex, Hycarbex Asia and Hydro Tur to do the following within fourteen (14) days of the Order: (1) to produce to the Company the records of production and sales from the Yasin petroleum concession in Pakistan for the period August 2011 through the date of the Order and to continue to do so pending further order, (2) to pay to the Company 18% of all sales proceeds of hydrocarbons received by such parties between August 2011 through December 2012, (3) to pay to the Company 18% of all sale proceeds of hydrocarbons received by such parties between December 2012 and the date of the Order, and (4) to direct the purchaser of the hydrocarbons to pay direct to the Company 18% of all future sale proceeds during the pendency of the arbitration proceedings. The ICC further ordered that in the event that Hycarbex, Hycarbex Asia and Hydro Tur fail to produce to the Company the production and sales records for the period August 2011 through December 2012 within the fourteen (14) days following the Order, that such parties are ordered to pay to the Company $1,436,138 as an approximate interim amount pending the determination of actual sales proceeds from the actual records. The ICC further ordered that in the event that Hycarbex, Hycarbex Asia and Hydro Tur fail to produce to the Company the production and sales records for the period December 2012 through the date of the Order and continue to do so, that the arbitration tribunal will consider an application from the Company for a further Order as to an approximate interim monetary amount pending the determination of actual sale proceeds for such period. The Order granting interim relief is not appealable to a court or other tribunal and under Pakistan's Arbitration Act of 1940, international arbitration orders are enforceable in the Pakistan courts.
Subsequent to the ICC Order, Hycarbex produced certain sales records and other records of Hycarbex but Hycarbex and Hycarbex Asia failed to pay the ordered monetary sum. Hycarbex and Hycarbex Asia also requested a modification of the Order granting interim relief. The Order was not suspended by the ICC while this request was under consideration. By communication from the ICC dated February 4, 2014, the modification requested by Hycarbex and Hycarbex Asia was denied by the arbitration tribunal. The Liquidators for Hycarbex Asia appointed in 2013 in the pending insolvency proceedings for Hycarbex Asia in Singapore replaced their legal counsel and then requested a stay of the arbitration proceedings on February 12, 2014 from the English High Court of Justice, Chancery Division. However, this request for stay of the arbitration proceedings was promptly denied by the English Court and Hycarbex Asia was directed by the Court to pay to the Company costs of £40,000, which have been paid.
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THE AMERICAN ENERGY GROUP, LTD.
Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements
December 31, 2015
Note 10 - Other Contingencies – Litigation (continued)
On February 17, 2014, the arbitration proceedings commenced before the 3-arbitrator tribunal with the first order of business being consideration of another request to the arbitration tribunal by the Liquidators of Hycarbex Asia for suspension of the proceeding or, in the alternative, a postponement to permit newly appointed legal counsel to prepare a proper defense to the Company's claims in arbitration. A complete suspension was rejected by the Tribunal. The Liquidators voluntarily offered to pay interim costs of $50,000 toward the actual costs determined by the Tribunal as caused by the request. We opposed the postponement and indicated that any consideration of same must be conditioned upon protection of the disputed assets and adequate measures to assure payment to us of the monies due to us under the September 25, 2013 Order granting interim relief. The tribunal adjourned the final hearing on the merits until June 16, 2014, based upon Hycarbex Asia's assertion that the change of counsel was necessitated by a conflict arising out of a divergence of the respective interests of Hycarbex Asia and the otherDefendants. We were awarded the $50,000 in inconvenience costs offered by Hycarbex Asia, which have been paid, and given the opportunity to request an increase in that sum based upon actual costs incurred. The Tribunal further issued an interim Order dated February 25, 2014, requiring Hycarbex to produce to us all records of production from August 2011 forward, including any production which occurs after the date of the Order. The Order further required Hycarbex to produce any future notices of regulatory action or default received from the Government of Pakistan. The Order further ordered that the parties prepare a joint letter to Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (the purchaser of the gas from the Haseeb No.1 Well) withdrawing Hycarbex's October 8, 2013 instruction letter to Sui Southern Gas Company and further ordered that the joint letter direct Sui Southern Gas Company Limited to pay 18% of the gross production proceeds directly to the Company going forward. The Order further directed that the joint letter be submitted to Sui Southern Gas Company Limited within 7 days after agreement is reached on the form of the letter. The Company and Hycarbex Asia reached agreement as to the form of the letter during the second week of May, 2014, and the joint letter was submitted to Sui Southern Gas Company Limited. The Order further authorized our use of any documents and transcripts from the arbitration proceedings in any ancillary proceeding initiated by the Company in Pakistan.
In August, 2014, we initiated separate legal actions in Pakistan for an injunction against Sui Southern Gas Company Limited ("Sui Southern") and Hycarbex-American Energy, Inc. ("Hycarbex"), respectively, in furtherance of the prior interim orders of the Arbitration Tribunal. The action filed in the Sindh, Karachi High Court named as defendants Sui Southern, Hycarbex, its parent company, Hycarbex Asia Pte. Ltd. ("Hycarbex Asia") and two additional pro forma defendants and requests an injunction against Sui Southern against payment to Hycarbex of 18% of the total proceeds of gas sales. The requested injunction was granted to us by the Karachi Court but later vacated by the Court as premature as it pertains to Sui Southern. The action filed in the Islamabad High Court named Hycarbex, Hycarbex Asia and Hydro Tur as defendants and sought injunctive relief against Hycarbex from interference with the Arbitration Tribunal-ordered notifications to Sui Southern to pay us directly our 18% of production, sought injunctive relief against Hycarbex from acceptance by Hycarbex of any production proceeds which may be paid by Sui Southern, and sought a deposit into the Court from Hycarbex of the sum of $1,436,137, which Hycarbex was ordered to pay to us by prior Interim Order of the Arbitration Tribunal dated September 25, 2013 as the sum due through December, 2012. The Arbitration Tribunal likewise ordered in that prior Interim Order that Hycarbex direct Sui Southern to pay to us directly 18% of production occurring after December, 2012. The April 15 Award from the ICC Arbitration Tribunal eliminates any further need for this injunctive relief. On April 15, 2015, the ICC Arbitration Tribunal rendered its Partial Final Award in the pending arbitration proceedings which declared that the November 9, 2003 Stock Purchase Agreement between the Company, Hycarbex and Hydro-Tur, which was amended on February 16, 2004, and December 15, 2009, is void ab initio and of no legal effect on account of the fraud and misrepresentations of Hycarbex, Hydro-Tur and Hycarbex-Asia and that the Company is thus the 100% owner of the common stock of Hycarbex relating back to the original Stock Purchase Agreement date of November 9, 2003. In connection with its findings, the ICC Arbitration Tribunal ordered that the register of shareholders for Hycarbex be corrected to reflect the Company as the owner of 100% of the common stock, that Hycarbex and Hycarbex-Asia take any and all steps necessary to effect the rectification of the register of shareholders of Hycarbex to reflect the Company as the owner of 100% of the common stock, and that Hycarbex and Hycarbex-Asia bear all costs of the arbitration proceedings, including the Company's legal costs, which costs and fees are to be fixed by the ICC Arbitration Tribunal in a subsequent award after submission of the total costs and fees by AEGG. The ICC Arbitration Tribunal dismissed Hydro-Tur's application for costs. The April 15 Award makes moot certain of the pending actions in Pakistan due to the recovery of ownership of 100% of the stock of Hycarbex. The Company has effected the shareholder and management registration changes ordered by the ICC and has caused Hycarbex to open a new office in Islamabad, Pakistan for Hycarbex's future operations. The new management of Hycarbex has also assumed control of Hycarbex's Pakistan personnel. Finally, the new management of Hycarbex has begun its efforts to assume complete control of the Pakistan-based assets, including review and appraisement of each asset and interfacing with the local oil and gas regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over those assets to assure regulatory compliance. The assumption of complete control of the Hycarbex Pakistan-based assets is expected to take several months and to be completed in calendar 2016.
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THE AMERICAN ENERGY GROUP, LTD.
Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements
December 31, 2015
Note 11 - Going Concern
The Company's financial statements have been prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include any adjustments related to the recoverability of assets or classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. At December 31, 2015, the Company's current liabilities exceeded its current assets and it has recorded negative cash flows from operations. The preceding circumstances combine to raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Management expects to continue to be successful in future capital raises, if necessary, to continue operations until current oil and gas receivables are collected.
Note 12 - Warrants
During the six months ended December 31, 2015, the Company issued 3,000,000 warrants in connection with the financing addressed in Note 9. The warrants can be purchased at $0.20 per share. The Company reported $254,808 of expense during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and $123,616 of expense during the three months ended December 31, 2015 related to these warrant issuances. The expense of these warrants was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions:
Dividend yield |
|
| 0 |
|
Expected volatility |
|
| 1.42 | % |
Risk free interest |
|
| 0.50 | % |
Expected life |
| 4.5 years |
|
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ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This report contains statements about the future, sometimes referred to as "forward-looking" statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the use of the words "believe," "may," "will," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "propose," "plan," "intend" and similar words and expressions. We intend the forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Statements that describe our future strategic plans, goals or objectives are also forward-looking statements.
Readers of this report are cautioned that any forward-looking statements, including those regarding the Company or its management's current beliefs, expectations, anticipations, estimations, projections, proposals, plans or intentions, are not guarantees of future performance or results of events and involve risks and uncertainties, such as:
| · | The future results of drilling individual wells and other exploration and development activities; |
| · | Future variations in well performance as compared to initial test data; |
| · | Future events that may result in the need for additional capital; |
| · | Fluctuations in prices for oil and gas; |
| · | Future drilling and other exploration schedules and sequences for various wells and other activities; |
| · | Uncertainties regarding future political, economic, regulatory, fiscal, taxation and other policies in Pakistan; |
| · | Our future ability to raise necessary operating capital. |
The forward-looking information is based on present circumstances and on our predictions respecting events that have not occurred, which may not occur or which may occur with different consequences from those now assumed or anticipated. Actual events or results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including the risk factors detailed in this report. The forward-looking statements included in this report are made only as of the date of this report. We are not obligated to update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
Overview
In November, 2003, we sold our Hycarbex-American Energy, Inc. ("Hycarbex") subsidiary, which was the owner and operator of the Yasin 2768-7 Petroleum Concession Block in the Republic of Pakistan, to a foreign corporation. We retained in the sale an 18% overriding royalty interest in the Yasin Block. Drilling of the first well in Pakistan as to which our overriding royalty pertains, named the Haseeb No. 1 Well, was successfully completed by Hycarbex-American Energy, Inc. ("Hycarbex"), in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005. A state-of-the-art, third party owned, surface facility for the well was constructed for Hycarbex after well completion. During September 2010, Hycarbex connected the well to the Sui Southern Gas Company pine line, and commenced gas sales under an Extended Well Test but the production quickly ceased due to mechanical difficulties encountered in the commissioning of the surface facility owned by the third party. The production re-commenced into the pipe line in July, 2011, at the initial rate of 3.5 million cubic feet of gas per day (MMCFD). Hycarbex has advised that this rate is expected to be gradually increased to 15 MMCFD during the Extended Well Test. Such production can likewise experience temporary interruptions to permit testing, calibration and other activities common with an extended well test.
In the fall of 2011, we received the initial two production revenue payments for Yasin production, but in November, 2011, Hycarbex, the operator of the Yasin concession, suspended the monthly revenue payments due to Hycarbex's financial difficulties and advised that it would continue to accrue the revenues to the Company until it resolved its alleged financial difficulties. Although the daily production rate has increased to over 10 million cubic feet per day under the Extended Well Test, the accrued production revenues due to the Company from August, 2011 through the date of this report have not been distributed to the Company. In December, 2011, we initiated legal proceedings against Hycarbex and others in the High Court of Islamabad, Pakistan to enforce the revenue payment obligations. During 2012, 2013 and 2014, we sold shares of Common Stock to certain private investors to provide working capital to the Company and anticipate making future sales as needed for working capital requirements.
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On April 15, 2015, the ICC Arbitration Tribunal rendered its Partial Final Award in the pending arbitration proceedings which declares that the November 9, 2003 Stock Purchase Agreement between the Company, Hycarbex and Hydro-Tur, which was amended on February 16, 2004, and December 15, 2009, is void ab initio and of no legal effect on account of the fraud and misrepresentations of Hycarbex, Hydro-Tur and Hycarbex-Asia and that the Company is thus the 100% owner of the common stock of Hycarbex relating back to the original Stock Purchase Agreement date of November 9, 2003. In connection with its findings, the ICC Arbitration Tribunal ordered that the register of shareholders for Hycarbex be corrected to reflect the Company as the owner of 100% of the common stock, that Hycarbex and Hycarbex-Asia take any and all steps necessary to effect the rectification of the register of shareholders of Hycarbex to reflect the Company as the owner of 100% of the common stock, and that Hycarbex and Hycarbex-Asia bear all costs of the arbitration proceedings, including the Company's legal costs, which costs and fees are to be fixed by the ICC Arbitration Tribunal in a subsequent award after submission of the total costs and fees by AEGG. The ICC Arbitration Tribunal dismissed Hydro-Tur's application for costs. The April 15 Award makes moot certain of the pending actions in Pakistan due to the recovery of ownership of 100% of the stock of Hycarbex. The Company has effected the shareholder and management registration changes ordered by the ICC and has caused Hycarbex to open a new office in Islamabad, Pakistan for Hycarbex's future operations. The new management of Hycarbex has also assumed control of Hycarbex's Pakistan personnel. Finally, the new Hycarbex management has begun its efforts to assume complete control of the Pakistan-based assets, including review and appraisement of each asset and interfacing with the local oil and gas regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over those assets to assure regulatory compliance. The assumption of complete control of the Hycarbex Pakistan-based assets is expected to take several months and to be completed in calendar 2016.
Results of Operations
Our operations for the three months and six months ended December 31, 2015 reflected net (losses) of $(245,395) and $(674,562), respectively, as compared to net losses of $(156,240) and $(164,903), respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2014. The reduction of net income from the prior year is predominately the result of amortization of debt issuance costs related to stock warrant issuances in the amount of $235,504 and a reduction in oil and gas royalties in the amount of $375,821.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have funded our operations through private loans and the private sale of securities due to the non-payment by Hycarbex of the 18% of production revenues from the Haseeb No.1 Well while the litigation and arbitration proceedings with the Hycarbex parties were ongoing. We sold 549,584 shares during the quarter ended September 30, 2015 for $86,500 and an additional 1,100,000 shares for $110,000 in February of 2016. There were no sales of securities during the quarter ended December 31, 2015, but the Company obtained loans during the quarter from shareholder investors totaling $500,000. The funds have been and will continue to be utilized for general and administrative expenses incurred by the Company, including the non-recurring legal and accounting costs associated with the pending litigation in Pakistan and, where necessary, the administrative expenses incurred by the newly acquired subsidiary, Hycarbex.
While the April 15 Arbitration Award decreed that we are the 100% owner of Hycarbex, the recent cessation of production from the Haseeb No.1 Well due to water infusion into the wellbore will mean that production revenues will not be available as a source of capital unless and until the well is successfully reworked to correct the problem and re-establish commercial production. Based upon available cost estimates, management believes that Hycarbex can bear these workover costs with funds on hand and has formulated the workover plan. While a successful workover of the Haseeb No.1 Well cannot be assured, due to the available technical data, management believes that the well can be repaired so as to re-establish commercial gas production. Management is likewise optimistic that its ongoing negotiations with potential strategic development partners will result in the consummation of a transaction which will provide needed capital for the development of the other Hycarbex exploration licenses and funding of future administrative costs. We will seek additional loans or make additional sales of securities in the future, as necessary, to fund the Company's working capital needs as they arise in the event that the anticipated results are not achieved. There is no assurance of management's ability to secure loans or consummate securities sales to meet working capital requirements. (See Note 11 – Going Concern footnote to Financial Statements above).
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Business Strategy and Prospects
The Haseeb No. 1 Well was drilled on the Yasin Concession by the Polish Oil and Gas Company for Hycarbex during March and April 2005 to a total depth of 4,945 feet (1,507 meters). Open hole logs performed on the well demonstrated gas shows from 3,543 feet to 3,688 feet and a net pay thickness of 82 feet. The drill stem test conducted over a short duration on a one-half inch choke indicated a production rate from the Sui Main Limestone equivalent to approximately 7.3 MM cubic feet of 805 BTU gas per day. The gas was tested for carbon dioxide and water content and was found to have low levels of each, indicating a likelihood that processing will not be required prior to pipeline transmission. In the fall of 2005, Hycarbex completed the acidization of the Haseeb No. 1. Post-treatment testing by Schlumberger Oilfield Services indicated an increase in the natural gas flow rate originally calculated at the time of the drill stem test at 7.3 million cubic feet per day. Schlumberger further concluded that the 10 million cubic feet rate could be potentially increased to as high as 25-28 million cubic feet per day if the existing production tubing is replaced with higher diameter production tubing and if the wellhead pressure is maintained at approximately 1,000 psi.The Yasin Concession has access to pipeline infrastructure. The 12-inch Quetta gas line runs NW-SE through the concession and connects to the 20-inch Sui-Karachi gas line. The Karachi-Muzaffargarh oil line also runs through the southern portion of the concession. The Haseeb No. 1 Well was connected to the gas pipe line in September, 2010 and gas sales commenced to Sui Southern Gas Company under the Extended Well Test Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement covering the sale of gas from the Haseeb Gas Field on Yasin Block (2768-7) signed by the parties in December, 2009. In July, 2011, production into the line recommenced at a rate of approximately 3.5 million cubic feet of gas per day (MMCFD) and this rate gradually increased under the Extended Well Test to over ten (10) MMCFD. Recent formation water intrusion into the wellbore has rendered the well non-productive. After assuming control of Hycarbex personnel subsequent to the April 15, 2015 Arbitration Award, we directed Hycarbex management to investigate workover activities which could restore commercial production and the workover plan has been formulated based upon available technical data. However, as of the date of this report, the workover has not been performed and the well is not producing gas into the pipeline. Based upon test results upon the Haseeb No. 1 and other data collected by Hycarbex from its drilling and seismic activities, management also believes that the Yasin Block acreage contains oil and gas producing physical structures which are worthy of further exploration.
The April 15, 2015, Arbitration Award granted to us 100% ownership of the Hycarbex subsidiary. Our Hycarbex subsidiary owns working interests in four exploration blocks within the Republic of Pakistan other than the Yasin Block, being Block No. 2667-8 (Zamzama North), 474 square miles; Block No. 3068-2 (Sanjawi), 871 square miles; Block No. 2466-8 (Karachi), 851 square miles; and Block No. 3371-13 (Peshawar), 960 square miles. Hycarbex is the registered owner of a 95% working interest in the Karachi and Peshawar Exploration Blocks, 20% working interest in Zamzama North Exploration Block and Sanjawi Exploration Block (which is operated by Heritage Oil and Gas Limited). If successfully developed, Hycarbex's interests in one or more of these Blocks will likely be a good source of cash revenues. Due to our limited cash resources (See Note 11 – Going Concern footnote to Financial Statements above), development of the Hycarbex-operated Blocks would most likely be accomplished through a direct sale by Hycarbex with a retained interest or a strategic agreement with a development partner. Management is optimistic that such a sale or strategic agreement can be secured due to available geologic analysis, the exploration activity ongoing on neighboring exploration blocks, and the interest communicated to the Company's President and CEO in recent negotiations. However, there can be no assurance that efforts to seek such a sale or strategic partner will be successful.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We had no off balance sheet arrangements during the three months ended December 31, 2015.
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ITEM 3 - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company is not a party to nor does it engage in any activities associated with derivative financial instruments, other financial instruments and/or derivative commodity instruments.
ITEMS 4 AND 4T - CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2015, these disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that all information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is: (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and forms; and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
There have been no material changes in internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the first fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Inherent Limitations Over Internal Controls
Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error and circumvention by collusion or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even an effective internal control system may not prevent or detect material misstatements on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In December 2011, we initiated civil legal proceedings against Hycarbex and others in the High Court of Islamabad, Pakistan. Our pleadings with respect to the 2.5% carried working interest positions in the Sanjawi and Zamzama North concessions sought a registration of those interests with the Government of Pakistan and simultaneously sought the imposition of an injunction preventing the transfer of the working interest in those concessions until the registration can be effected, thereby protecting our interests. In our pleadings with respect to the Yasin concession and the right to receive 18% of the gross production revenues, our pleadings sought a referral to arbitration based upon ownership of, in effect, a 25% carried working interest to which is attributed 18% of gross production revenues and the right to receive pertinent records and data, the appointment of a receiver to both protect and cause disbursement of the 18% of gross revenues since the inception of production in April 2011, and the imposition of an injunction against the transfer of the working interest in the Yasin concession. The Courtimmediatelyissued two injunction orders preserving the status quo as to the Company's interests in each of the Yasin, Sanjawi and Zamzama North petroleum concessions.
On March 27, 2012, the Islamabad High Court issued its final order (later clarified as to certain arbitration procedures by a clarification Order dated April 4, 2012). The Court directed the parties to proceed to arbitration in London, UK under the ICC Rules of Arbitration and further reaffirmed the continuation of the pending temporary injunctions against Hycarbex's potential transfer of interests in the concessions prior to final resolution in the arbitration forum. Our application for the appointment of a receiver was neither granted nor denied, but was instead deferred by the Court to the arbitration forum. Hycarbex appealed the March 27, 2012 Order asserting that litigation should not have been initiated by American Energy without first going to arbitration, asserting that our claims to 18% of gross production revenues were premature (despite already having made some payments toward that production interest) because a "commercial discovery" had not yet been declared, and asserting that the injunctions had the effect of enjoining all of the working interest, not just a portion. American Energy countered with an appeal that the Court should reconsider the application for a receiver due to an existing arbitration rule which would prevent the arbitration forum from granting interim relief of that type, irrespective of the merits of such an application. These appeals have become moot by virtue of the ICC Partial Final Award described below.
On April 10, 2012, pursuant to the terms of the March 27, 2012, Islamabad High Court Order, we filed our claim with the International Chamber of Commerce ("ICC") International Court of Arbitration. In this claim, we sought an order which voids, ab initio, the original 2003 Stock Purchase Agreement under which Hycarbex's parent company acquired the stock of Hycarbex (and thus the underlying Yasin concession owned by Hycarbex) and in conjunction therewith, seeks the recovery of any financial dividends or advances which may have been made by Hycarbex to its shareholders. Alternatively, our claim requests the declaration of a 25% carried working interest (and the in-country registration of same) to which is attributed 18% of gross production free of taxes and costs, plus the recovery from the respondents of all accrued, unpaid production revenues. The request in our arbitration claim for a voiding of the original Stock Purchase Agreement is based upon our assertions in the claim that Hydro Tur, Ltd., the original purchaser of the Hycarbex stock under the 2003 Stock Purchase Agreement, fraudulently misrepresented to American Energy that "no current or past shareholders, officers and/or directors of American Energy or Hycarbex have any interest, direct or indirect, in the ownership of Hydro Tur, Ltd."
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In February, 2013, we filed an Application For Interim Relief with the ICC which was heard by the tribunal on June 13, 2013. By Order dated September 25, 2013, the ICC granted all requests made by the Company against Hycarbex American Energy, Inc. ("Hycarbex"), Hycarbex Asia Pte, Ltd. ("Hycarbex Asia") and Hydro Tur, Ltd. ("Hydro Tur") in its Application For Interim Relief filed with the ICC in February, 2013 and presented to the ICC in a hearing conducted June 13, 2013. By Order dated September 25, 2013, the ICC granted to the Company all requested relief and therein ordered Hycarbex, Hycarbex Asia and Hydro Tur to do the following within fourteen (14) days of the Order: (1) to produce to the Company the records of production and sales from the Yasin petroleum concession in Pakistan for the period August 2011 through the date of the Order and to continue to do so pending further order, (2) to pay to the Company 18% of all sales proceeds of hydrocarbons received by such parties between August 2011 through December 2012, (3) to pay to the Company 18% of all sales proceeds of hydrocarbons received by such parties between December 2012 and the date of the Order, and (4) to direct the purchaser of the hydrocarbons to pay direct to the Company 18% of all future sale proceeds during the pendency of the arbitration proceedings. The ICC further ordered that in the event that Hycarbex, Hycarbex Asia and Hydro Tur fail to produce to the Company the production and sales records for the period August 2011 through December 2012 within the fourteen (14) days following the Order, that such parties are ordered to pay to the Company $1,436,138 as an approximate interim amount pending the determination of actual sale proceeds from the actual records. The ICC further ordered that in the event that Hycarbex, Hycarbex Asia and Hydro Tur fail to produce to the Company the production and sales records for the period December 2012 through the date of the Order and continue to do so, that the arbitration tribunal will consider an application from the Company for a further Order as to an approximate interim monetary amount pending the determination of actual sales proceeds for such period. The Order granting interim relief is not appealable to a court or other tribunal and under Pakistan's Arbitration Act of 1940, international arbitration orders are enforceable in the Pakistan courts.
Subsequent to the ICC Order, Hycarbex produced certain sales records and other records of Hycarbex but Hycarbex and Hycarbex Asia failed to pay the ordered monetary sum. Hycarbex and Hycarbex Asia also requested a modification of the Order granting interim relief. The Order was not suspended by the ICC while this request was under consideration. By communication from the ICC dated February 4, 2014, the modification requested by Hycarbex and Hycarbex Asia was denied by the arbitration tribunal. The Liquidators for Hycarbex Asia appointed in 2013 in the pending insolvency proceedings for Hycarbex Asia in Singapore replaced their legal counsel and then requested a stay of the arbitration proceedings on February 12, 2014 from the English High Court of Justice, Chancery Division. However, this request for stay of the arbitration proceedings was promptly denied by the English Court and Hycarbex Asia was directed by the Court to pay to the Company costs of £40,000, which have been paid.
On February 17, 2014, the arbitration proceedings commenced before the 3-arbitrator tribunal with the first order of business being consideration of another request to the arbitration tribunal by the Liquidators of Hycarbex Asia for suspension of the proceeding or, in the alternative, a postponement to permit newly appointed legal counsel to prepare a proper defense to the Company's claims in arbitration. A complete suspension was rejected by the Tribunal. The Liquidators voluntarily offered to pay interim costs of $50,000 toward the actual costs determined by the Tribunal as caused by the request. We opposed the postponement and indicated that any consideration of same must be conditioned upon protection of the disputed assets and adequate measures to assure payment to us of the monies due to us under the September 25, 2013 Order granting interim relief. The tribunal adjourned the final hearing on the merits until June 16, 2014, based upon Hycarbex Asia's assertion that the change of counsel was necessitated by a conflict arising out of a divergence of the respective interests of Hycarbex Asia and the other Defendants. We were awarded the $50,000 in inconvenience costs offered by Hycarbex Asia, which have been paid, and given the opportunity to request an increase in that sum based upon actual costs incurred. The Tribunal further issued an interim Order dated February 25, 2014, requiring Hycarbex to produce to us all records of production from August 2011 forward, including any production which occurs after the date of the Order. The Order further required Hycarbex to produce any future notices of regulatory action or default received from the Government of Pakistan. The Order further ordered that the parties prepare a joint letter to Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (the purchaser of the gas from the Haseeb No.1 Well) withdrawing Hycarbex's October 8, 2013 instruction letter to Sui Southern Gas Company and further ordered that the joint letter direct Sui Southern Gas Company Limited to pay 18% of the gross production proceeds directly to the Company going forward. The Order further directed that the joint letter be submitted to Sui Southern Gas Company Limited within 7 days after agreement is reached on the form of the letter. The Company and Hycarbex Asia reached agreement as to the form of the letter during the second week of May, 2014, and the joint letter was submitted to Sui Southern Gas Company Limited. The Order further authorized our use of any documents and transcripts from the arbitration proceedings in any ancillary proceeding initiated by the Company in Pakistan.
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In August, 2014, we initiated separate legal actions in Pakistan for an injunction against Sui Southern Gas Company Limited ("Sui Southern") and Hycarbex-American Energy, Inc. ("Hycarbex"), respectively, in furtherance of the prior interim orders of the Arbitration Tribunal. The action filed in the Sindh, Karachi High Court named as defendants Sui Southern, Hycarbex, its parent company, Hycarbex Asia Pte. Ltd. ("Hycarbex Asia") and two additional pro forma defendants and requests an injunction against Sui Southern against payment to Hycarbex of 18% of the total proceeds of gas sales. The requested injunction has been granted to us by the Karachi Court but later vacated by the Court as premature as it pertains to Sui Southern. The action filed in the Islamabad High Court named Hycarbex, Hycarbex Asia and Hydro Tur as defendants and sought injunctive relief against Hycarbex from interference with the Arbitration Tribunal-ordered notifications to Sui Southern to pay us directly our 18% of production, sought injunctive relief against Hycarbex from acceptance by Hycarbex of any production proceeds which may be paid by Sui Southern, and sought a deposit into the Court from Hycarbex of the sum of $1,436,137, which Hycarbex was ordered to pay to us by prior Interim Order of the Arbitration Tribunal dated September 25, 2013 as the sum due through December, 2012. The Arbitration Tribunal likewise ordered in that prior Interim Order that Hycarbex direct Sui Southern to pay to us directly 18% of production occurring after December, 2012. The April 15 Award from the ICC Arbitration Tribunal eliminates any further need for this injunctive relief.
On April 15, 2015, the ICC Arbitration Tribunal rendered its Partial Final Award in the pending arbitration proceedings which declared that the November 9, 2003 Stock Purchase Agreement between the Company, Hycarbex and Hydro-Tur, which was amended on February 16, 2004, and December 15, 2009, is void ab initio and of no legal effect on account of the fraud and misrepresentations of Hycarbex, Hydro-Tur and Hycarbex-Asia and that the Company is thus the 100% owner of the common stock of Hycarbex relating back to the original Stock Purchase Agreement date of November 9, 2003. In connection with its findings, the ICC Arbitration Tribunal ordered that the register of shareholders for Hycarbex be corrected to reflect the Company as the owner of 100% of the common stock, that Hycarbex and Hycarbex-Asia take any and all steps necessary to effect the rectification of the register of shareholders of Hycarbex to reflect the Company as the owner of 100% of the common stock, and that Hycarbex and Hycarbex-Asia bear all costs of the arbitration proceedings, including the Company's legal costs, which costs and fees are to be fixed by the ICC Arbitration Tribunal in a subsequent award after submission of the total costs and fees by AEGG. The ICC Arbitration Tribunal dismissed Hydro-Tur's application for costs. This Award makes moot certain of the pending actions in Pakistan due to the recovery of ownership of 100% of the stock of Hycarbex. The Company has effected the shareholder and management registration changes ordered by the ICC and has caused Hycarbex to open a new office in Islamabad, Pakistan for Hycarbex's future operations. The new management of Hycarbex has also assumed control of Hycarbex's Pakistan personnel. Finally, the new management of Hycarbex has begun its efforts to assume complete control of the Pakistan-based assets, including review and appraisement of each asset and interfacing with the local oil and gas regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over those assets to assure regulatory compliance. The assumption of complete control of the Hycarbex Pakistan-based assets is expected to take several months and to be completed in calendar 2016.
ITEM 1A - RISK FACTORS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2 - UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
During the quarter ended December 31, 2015, we did not sell any equity securities. Subsequent to the end of the quarter in February of 2016, we sold 1,100,000 shares for $110,000. The funds raised were applied to salaries, office rent, legal and accounting expenses and other general and administrative expenses incurred, including the costs associated with our pending litigation with Hycarbex.
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ITEM 3 - DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4 - MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None.
ITEM 5 - OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 6 - EXHIBITS
The following documents are filed as Exhibits to this report:
Exhibit 31.1 |
| Certification by R. Pierce Onthank, President, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a); |
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Exhibit 32.1 |
| Certification by R. Pierce Onthank, President, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Section 1350(a) and (b). |
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101 |
| XBRL Interactive Data Files |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| THE AMERICAN ENERGY GROUP, LTD. |
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Date: February 22, 2016 | By: | /s/ R. Pierce Onthank |
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| R. Pierce Onthank |
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| President, Chief Executive |
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| Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Director |
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