Basis of Presentation | NOTE 3 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION Basis of Presentation The Company prepares its financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. As discussed above in Note 2, the Company merged with Dala Petroleum Corp., a Nevada corporation (“Dala”) on June 2, 2014 (the “Merger”). Dala is focused on the acquisition and development of oil and natural gas resources in the United States. Prior to the Merger, Westcott was considered a shell company, as defined in SEC Rule 12b-2. For financial reporting purposes, the Merger represents a “reverse merger” rather than a business combination. Consequently, the assets and liabilities and the operations that are reflected in the historical financial statements are those of Dala immediately following the consummation of the reverse merger. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported 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. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates in the accompanying financial statements include the amortization period for intangible assets, valuation and impairment valuation of intangible assets, allowance for accounts receivable, depreciable lives of the web site, valuation of warrants and beneficial conversion feature debt discounts, valuation of derivatives, and valuation of share-based payments. Accounting for Derivatives The Company evaluates its convertible debt, options, warrants or other contracts to determine if those contracts or embedded components of those contracts qualify as derivatives to be separately accounted for. The result of this accounting treatment is that under certain circumstances the fair value of the derivative is marked-to-market each balance sheet date and recorded as a liability. In the event that the fair value is recorded as a liability, the change in fair value is recorded in the statement of operations as other income or expense. Upon conversion or exercise of a derivative instrument, the instrument is marked to fair value at the conversion date and then that fair value is reclassified to equity. Equity instruments that are initially classified as equity that become subject to reclassification under this accounting standard are reclassified to liability at the fair value of the instrument on the reclassification date. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company accounts for long-lived assets in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ASC 360-10, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”. This statement requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. The Company measures its financial assets and liabilities in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. For certain of our financial instruments, including cash, accounts payable, accrued expenses, deposits received from customers for layaway sales and short-term loans the carrying amounts approximate fair value due to their short maturities. We follow accounting guidance for financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. This standard defines fair value, provides guidance for measuring fair value and requires certain disclosures. This standard does not require any new fair value measurements, but rather applies to all other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. This guidance does not apply to measurements related to share-based payments. This guidance discusses valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). The guidance utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following is a brief description of those three levels: Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. Level 3: Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore developed using estimates and assumptions developed by us, which reflect those that a market participant would use. Unproved oil and natural gas properties are accounted for and measured under Regulation S-X, Rule 4-10. We currently measure and report at fair value other intangible assets (due to our impairment analysis) and derivative liabilities using ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurement. The fair value of intangible assets has been determined using the present value of estimated future cash flows method. The fair value of derivative liabilities is measured using the Black-Scholes option pricing method. The following tables summarizes our non-financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2017: Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2017 Quoted Prices In Active Significant Markets for Other Significant Identical Observable Unobservable Total Assets Inputs Inputs Carrying (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Value Description Unproved oil and natural gas properties $ - $ - $ 171,000 $ 171,000 Activity Change in During Fair Value of Disposal September 30, Fiscal Intangible of September 30, 2016 Year Asset Property 2017 Description Unproved oil and natural gas properties $ 171,000 $ - $ - $ - $ 171,000 Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2016 Quoted Prices In Active Significant Markets for Other Significant Identical Observable Unobservable Total Assets Inputs Inputs Carrying (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Value Description Unproved oil and natural gas properties $ - $ - $ 171,000 $ 171,000 Activity Change in During Fair Value of Disposal September 30, Fiscal Intangible of September 30, 2015 Year Asset Property 2016 Description Unproved oil and natural gas properties $ 608,000 $ - $ - $ (437,000) $ 171,000 Oil and Natural Gas Properties The Company follows the full cost method of accounting for oil and natural gas operations whereby all costs related to the exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties are initially capitalized into a single cost center (“full cost pool”). Such costs include land acquisition costs, a portion of employee salaries related to Property development, geological and geophysical expenses, carrying charges on non-producing properties, costs of drilling directly related to acquisition, and exploration activities. Internal salaries are capitalized based on employee time allocated to the acquisition of leaseholds and development of oil and natural gas properties. The Company did not capitalize interest for the period ended September 30, 2017 as it was not required. Proceeds from Property sales will generally be credited to the full cost pool, with no gain or loss recognized, unless such a sale would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and the proved reserves attributable to these costs. The Company assesses all items classified as unproved Property on a quarterly basis for possible impairment or reduction in value. The assessment includes consideration of the following factors, among others: intent to drill, remaining lease term, geological and geophysical evaluations, drilling results and activity, the assignment of proved reserves, and the economic viability of development if proved reserves are assigned. During any period in which these factors indicate an impairment, the cumulative drilling costs incurred to date for such Property and all or a portion of the associated leasehold costs are transferred to the full cost pool and are then subject to depletion and amortization. The costs of drilling exploratory dry holes are included in the amortization base immediately upon determination that the well is dry. Capitalized costs associated with impaired properties and properties having proven reserves, estimated future development costs, and asset retirement costs under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 410-20-25 are depleted and amortized on the unit-of-production method based on the estimated gross proved reserves. The costs of unproved properties are withheld from the depletion base until such time as they are developed, impaired, or abandoned. Under the full cost method of accounting, capitalized oil and natural gas Property costs less accumulated depletion, net of deferred income taxes, may not exceed a ceiling amount equal to the present value, discounted at 10%, of estimated future net revenues from proved oil and natural gas reserves plus the cost of unproved properties not subject to amortization (without regard to estimates of fair value), or estimated fair value, if lower, of unproved properties that are subject to amortization. Should capitalized costs exceed this ceiling, which is tested on a quarterly basis, an impairment is recognized. The present value of estimated future net revenues is computed by applying prices based on a 12-month unweighted average of the oil and natural gas prices in effect on the first day of each month, less estimated future expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved reserves (assuming the continuation of existing economic conditions), less any applicable future taxes. If such capitalized costs exceed the ceiling, the Company will record a write-down to the extent of such excess as a non-cash charge to earnings. Any such write-down will reduce earnings in the period of occurrence and result in a lower depreciation, depletion and amortization rate in future periods. A write-down may not be reversed in future periods even though higher oil and natural gas prices may subsequently increase the ceiling. In April 2015, the Company participated in the completion of a well in which the Company owns a 10% non-operated working interest targeting the Simpson and Viola formations, Kansas. That well was determined to be dry in June 2015. During the period ended September 30, 2017, the Company incurred total $0 in oil and natural gas expenditures. As of September 30, 2015, the Company’s oil and natural gas properties were determined to be impaired thereby reducing the unproved oil and natural gas properties to $608,000. No additional impairment was realized for the year ended September 30, 2016 or the period ended September 30, 2017. On May 10, 2016, the Company entered into a Partial Cancellation Agreement (the “PCA”) by and among its subsidiary, Dala Petroleum Corp., a Nevada corporation (“Dala NV”), Chisholm II, and certain members of Chisholm II (the “Chisholm Members”) through which Chisholm II (after receiving shares from certain of Chisholm Members) returned a total of 8,567,800 shares of the Company’s common stock to the Company’s treasury for cancellation. In exchange for the return of these shares for cancellation, the Company returned 55,000 acres of the Company’s Property rights, held in the form of oil and gas leases from Chisholm II (approximately 68.75% of its total holdings), to Chisholm II. Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes oil and natural gas revenues from our interests in producing wells when production is delivered to, and title has transferred to, the purchaser and to the extent the selling price is reasonably determinable. The Company uses the sales method of accounting for balancing of natural gas production and would recognize a liability if the existing proven reserves were not adequate to cover the current imbalance situation. For the year ended September 30, 2017, no revenue has been recognized as all wells are still unproved and non-producing. Asset Retirement Obligation Asset retirement obligation (“ARO”) reflects the estimated present value of the amount of dismantlement, removal, site reclamation and similar activities associated with the Company's oil and natural gas properties. Inherent in the fair value calculation of the ARO are numerous assumptions and judgments including the ultimate settlement amounts, inflation factors, credit adjusted discount rates, timing of settlement and changes in the legal, regulatory, environmental and political environments. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had no ARO liability as no wells have been established. Stock-based Compensation The Company records stock based compensation in accordance with the guidance in ASC 718 which requires the Company to recognize expenses related to the fair value of its employee stock option awards. This requires that such transactions be accounted for using a fair-value-based method. The Company recognizes the cost of all share-based awards on a graded vesting basis over the vesting period of the award. The Company accounts for equity instruments issued in exchange for the receipt of goods or services from other than employees in accordance with ASC 718-10 and the conclusions reached by the ASC 505-50. Costs are measured at the estimated fair market value of the consideration received or the estimated fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. The value of equity instruments issued for consideration other than employee services is determined on the earliest of a performance commitment or completion of performance by the provider of goods or services as defined by ASC 505-50. Income Taxes The Company adopted the provisions of ASC 740-10, “Accounting for Uncertain Income Tax Positions.” When tax returns are filed, it is highly certain that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. In accordance with the guidance of ASC 740-10, the benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above should be reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheets along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination. The Company believes its tax positions are all highly certain of being upheld upon examination. As such, the Company has not recorded a liability for unrecognized tax benefits. As of August 31, 2017, tax years 2014 – 2017 remain open for IRS audit and tax years 2015–2017 remain open for HM Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”) audit. The Company has received no notice of audit from the IRS or HMRC for any of the open tax years. The Company adopted ASC 740-10, “ On November 30, 2017, the Company adopted ASU 2015-17, “Income Taxes (Topic 740) Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes” (“ASU 2015-17”). On December 22, 2017, the United States Government passed new tax legislation that, among other provisions, will lower the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. In addition to applying the new lower corporate tax rate in 2018 and thereafter to any taxable income we may have, the legislation affects the way we can use and carry forward net operating losses previously accumulated and results in a revaluation of deferred tax assets recorded on our balance sheet. Given that the deferred tax assets are offset by a full valuation allowance, these changes will have no net impact on the Company’s financial position and net loss. However, if and when we become profitable, we will receive a reduced benefit from such deferred tax assets. Had this legislation passed prior to our September 30, 2017, fiscal year-end, the effect of the legislation would have been a reduction in deferred tax assets and the corresponding valuation allowance. Net Loss Per Share The Company follows ASC Topic 260 to account for the loss per share. Basic loss per common share calculations are determined by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per common share calculations are determined by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive common share equivalents outstanding. During periods when common stock equivalents, if any, are anti-dilutive they are not considered in the computation. As the Company has incurred losses for the period ended September 30, 2017, the potentially dilutive shares totaling 0 are anti-dilutive and are thus not added into the loss per share calculations. Due to the anti-dilutive impact the weighted average dilutive shares outstanding for the period ended September 30, 2017, for basic and dilutive shares, are the same. Segment Information In accordance with the provisions of ASC 280-10, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information”, the Company is required to report financial and descriptive information about its reportable operating segments. The Company does not have any operating segments as of September 30, 2017 and 2016. Effect of Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (“ASU No. 2014-09”), which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method, nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. In November 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-16, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) Determining Whether the Host Contract in a Hybrid Financial Instrument Issued in the Form of a Share is More Akin to Debt or Equity. The amendments clarify that no single term or feature would necessarily determine the economic characteristics and risks of a host contract, but rather, the nature of the host contract depends upon the economic characteristics and risks of the entire hybrid financial instrument. In addition, the amendments in this update clarify that, in evaluating the nature of a host contract, an entity should assess the substance of the relevant terms and features when considering how to weight those terms and features. The guidance applies to all entities that are issuers of, or investor in, hybrid instruments that are issued in the form of a share. The effects of initially adopting the amendments in this update should be applied on a modified retrospective basis to existing hybrid financial instruments issued in the form of a share as of the beginning of the fiscal year for which the amendments are effective. Retrospective application is permitted to all relevant prior periods. The updates in this pronouncement are effective for public entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the adoption of ASU 2014-16 and the impact of the updates upon the Company. The Company plans on adopting the pronouncement for periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and does not anticipate early adoption of this pronouncement. The Company has evaluated all other recent accounting pronouncements and believes that none of them will have a significant effect on the Company’s financial statement. |