UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
ECCO ENERGY CORP.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Nevada | 75-2990007 | |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
3315 Marquart St., Suite 206
Houston, Texas 77027
(Address of Principal Executive Office)
2009 Stock Option Plan
(Full title of the plan)
R/A’s of America
1504 US HWY 395 N #8
Gardnerville, NV 89410-5273
(Name and address of agent for service)
Telephone: (713) 771-5500
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Large accelerated filer ¨ | Accelerated filer ¨ |
Non-accelerated filer ¨ | Smaller reporting company x |
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities To Be Registered | Amount Being Registered(1) | Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share(2) | Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(2) | Amount of Registration Fee | ||||||||||||
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share | 2,000,000 | $ | 0.17 | $ | 340,000 | $ | 18.97 | |||||||||
TOTAL | $ | 18.97 |
(1) | Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the number of shares of the issuer’s Common Stock registered hereunder will be adjusted in the event of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. |
(2) | Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h), on the basis of the average of the high and low prices for a share of common stock as reported by the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board. |
PART I
ITEM 1. | PLAN INFORMATION |
The documents containing the information specified in Item 1 will be sent or given to participants in the 2009 Stock Option Plan, as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Such documents are not required to be and are not filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424. These documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this Form S-8, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
ITEM 2. | REGISTRANT INFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE PLAN ANNUAL INFORMATION |
Upon written or oral request, any of the documents incorporated by reference in Item 3 of Part II of this Registration Statement (which documents are incorporated by reference in this Section 10(a) Prospectus), other documents required to be delivered to eligible employees, non-employee directors and consultants, pursuant to Rule 428(b) are available without charge by contacting:
N. Wilson Thomas
Ecco Energy Corp.
3315 Marquart St., Suite 206
Houston, Texas 77027
713-771-5500
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Pursuant to General Instruction C of Form S-8, the resale prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Part I of Form S-3 and may be used for reofferings and resales of registered shares of common stock which have been issued upon the grants of common stock and/or options to purchase shares of common stock to executive officers and directors of Ecco Energy Corp. (“ECCE” or the “Company”).
RESALE PROSPECTUS
2,000,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF
ECCO ENERGY CORP.
This Resale Prospectus relates to the offer and sale of up to 2,000,000 shares of our common stock from time to time by selling stockholders of shares of our common stock. The common stock is issuable to the selling stockholders from time to time under the 2009 Stock Option Plan.
Our common stock is traded on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol “ECCE.” On June 11, 2009, the closing price of a share of our common stock was $0.17 per share.
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sales by the selling stockholders. The common stock may be sold from time to time by the selling stockholders either directly in private transactions, or through one or more brokers or dealers, or any other market or exchange on which the common stock is quoted or listed for trading, at such prices and upon such terms as may be obtainable. These sales may be at fixed prices (which may be changed), at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.
Upon any sale of the common stock, by a selling stockholder and participating agents, brokers, dealers or market makers may be deemed to be underwriters as that term is defined in the Securities Act, and commissions or discounts or any profit realized on the resale of such securities purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act.
No underwriter is being utilized in connection with this offering. We will pay all expenses incurred in connection with this offering and the preparation of this Resale Prospectus.
INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK INVOLVES RISKS. SEE “RISK FACTORS” BEGINNING ON PAGE 2.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES, OR DETERMINED IF THIS RESALE PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this Resale Prospectus is June 26, 2009
1 | |
1 | |
2 | |
11 | |
11 | |
12 | |
14 | |
14 | |
14 |
You should rely only on the information contained in this Resale Prospectus or any supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that which is contained in or incorporated by reference to this Resale Prospectus. The information contained in this Resale Prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this Resale Prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this Resale Prospectus or of any sale of the common stock.
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Included in this Resale Prospectus are “forward-looking” statements, as well as historical information. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including matters described in the section titled “Risk Factors.” Forward-looking statements include those that use forward-looking terminology, such as the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “project,” “plan,” “will,” “shall,” “should,” and similar expressions, including when used in the negative. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable and achievable, these statements involve risks and uncertainties and no assurance can be given that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ from these forward-looking statements include the factors described in the “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in this Resale Prospectus.
All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by these and other factors. We undertake no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect events or circumstances after the date initially filed or published, to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or otherwise.
Any investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following information about these risks, together with the other information contained in this prospectus, before you decide to buy our securities.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this Resale Prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to another document filed separately by us with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this Resale Prospectus, except for information superseded by this prospectus. This Resale Prospectus incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that we have previously filed with the SEC as of their respective filing dates. These documents contain important information about us and our finances.
(1) | The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, filed on April 15, 2009; |
(2) | The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2009, filed on May 15, 2009; and |
(3) | Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed on March 5, 2009; filed on March 20, 2009; and filed on April 13, 2009. |
All documents filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, subsequent to the date of this Resale Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering to which it relates shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Resale Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Resale Prospectus to the extent that the statement is modified or superseded by any other subsequently filed document which is incorporated or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Resale Prospectus. Nothing in this Resale Prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate information furnished by us but not filed with the SEC pursuant to Items 2.02, 7.01, 8.01 or 9.01 of Form 8-K.
Any investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following information about these risks, together with the other information contained in this prospectus, before you decide to buy our securities.
Risks Related to our Financial Condition
We are an early stage business and, as such, there is a risk of failure.
Any investment in ECCE should be considered a high-risk investment because investors will be placing funds at risk in an early stage business with unforeseen costs, expenses, competition, a history of operating losses and other problems to which start-up ventures are often subject. Investors should not invest in ECCE unless they can afford to lose their entire investment. Your investment must be considered in light of the risks, expenses, and difficulties encountered in establishing a new business in a highly competitive and mature industry. Our limited business history will make it difficult for you to analyze or to aid you in making an informed judgment concerning the merits of an investment in ECCE.
We currently have revenues, but we are not profitable.
For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company had revenues of approximately $432,959, and for the three month period ended March 31, 2009, the Company had revenues of approximately $38,416. During these periods, the Company had net losses attributable to common shareholders of $2,040,477 and $577,158 respectively. There can be no assurance that the Company will have income from operations or net income for the remainder of fiscal 2009 or thereafter.
We have negative cash flow from operations.
We have experienced losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern and management is attempting to raise additional capital to address our liquidity. There can be no assurance that we will ever be able to generate positive cash flow from operations.
We will need additional capital in 2009 to implement our business plan and/or meet our financial obligations.
At March 31, 2009, we had a working capital deficit of $2,710,824. We will need to raise additional capital in 2009 to fund general corporate working capital needs. Additionally, in 2009 the Company will be required to (i) repay a $1,000,000 note, plus accrued interest, in connection with the acquisition of the Pipeline, (ii) a $328,578 note with Ray Nesbitt, plus accrued interest, (iii) a $25,000 note to Louisiana X Partners, plus accrued interest, in connection with the purchase of the Louisiana Shelf property, and (iv) a $25,000 note to Bamco Inc, plus accrued interest, in connection with the purchase of the Louisiana Shelf property. We also have a $518,361 demand note payable to Samurai Corp. and to Sam Skipper, with no interest due. As the Company has no debt or equity funding commitments, we will need to rely upon best efforts financings. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in raising the required capital. The failure to raise sufficient capital through future debt or equity financings or otherwise may cause the Company to curtail operations, sell assets, or result in the failure of our business.
We will need to obtain additional financing to complete further exploration.
A substantial portion of our proved oil and gas reserves are undeveloped. At December 31, 2008, we estimated that we would require a total of $15 million of development costs to recover approximately $38 million of discounted pretax cash flows from our reserves.
We will require significant additional financing in order to continue our exploration, development and production activities and our assessment of the commercial viability of our properties. Furthermore, if the costs of our planned exploration, development and production programs are greater than anticipated, we may have to seek additional funds through public or private share offerings or arrangements with partners. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in our efforts to raise these required funds, or on terms satisfactory to us. The continued exploration of properties and the development of our business will depend upon our ability to establish the commercial viability of our oil and gas properties and to ultimately develop cash flow from operations and reach profitable operations. Although we have generated revenue from operations, we are experiencing a negative cash flow. Accordingly, the only other sources of funds presently available to us may be through the sale of equity or through debt financing. It is possible that debt financing may not be an alternative to us, due to the general instability of the credit market in the current economic environment. Alternatively, we may finance our business by offering an interest in prospective oil and gas properties to be earned by another party or parties carrying out further exploration and development thereof or to obtain project or operating financing from financial institutions. If we are unable to obtain this additional financing, we will not be able to continue our business activities and our assessment of the commercial viability of our properties. Further, if we are able to establish that development of our properties is commercially viable, our inability to raise additional financing at this stage would result in our inability to place our properties into production and recover our investment.
Risks Related to our Business
We depend on successful exploration, development and acquisitions to maintain revenue in the future.
In general, the volume of production from natural gas and oil properties declines as reserves are depleted, with the rate of decline depending on reservoir characteristics. Except to the extent that we conduct successful exploration and development activities or acquire properties containing proved reserves, or both, our proved reserves will decline as reserves are produced. Our future natural gas and oil production is, therefore, highly dependent on our level of success in finding or acquiring additional reserves. Additionally, the business of exploring for, developing, or acquiring reserves is capital intensive. Recovery of our reserves, particularly undeveloped reserves, will require significant additional capital expenditures and successful drilling operations. Our ability to make the necessary capital investment to maintain or expand our asset base of natural gas and oil reserves will be impaired unless other external sources of capital become available. In addition, we may be required to find partners for any future exploratory activity. To the extent that others in the industry do not have the financial resources or choose not to participate in our exploration activities, we will be adversely affected.
Although certain of our oil and gas properties contain known reserves, we may not discover commercially exploitable quantities of oil or gas on other potential oil and gas properties that would enable us to enter into commercial production, achieve revenues and recover the money we spend on exploration.
There is no assurance that any prospective oil and gas exploration and development programs will result in establishment of reserves. Although our current oil and gas properties are in the production stage, future prospective properties may be only in the development stage and have no known body of reserves. Unproved or proved reserves on these properties may never be determined to be economical. We plan to conduct further exploration and development activities on properties, which may include the completion of feasibility studies necessary to evaluate whether a commercial reserve exists on any of the properties. There is a substantial risk that these exploration activities will not result in discoveries of commercially recoverable reserves of oil and gas. Any determination that properties contain commercially recoverable quantities of oil and gas may not be reached until such time that final comprehensive feasibility studies have been concluded that establish that a reserve is likely to be economic. There is a substantial risk that any preliminary or final feasibility studies carried out by us will not result in a positive determination that such properties can be commercially developed.
Reserve estimates depend on many assumptions that may turn out to be inaccurate. Any material inaccuracies in these reserve estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect the quantities and present value of our reserves.
The process of estimating oil and natural gas reserves is complex. It requires interpretations of available technical data and many assumptions, including assumptions relating to economic factors. Any significant inaccuracies in these interpretations or assumptions could materially affect the estimated quantities and present value of our reported reserves. In order to prepare our estimates, we must project production rates and the timing of development expenditures. We must also analyze available geological, geophysical, production and engineering data. The extent, quality and reliability of this data can vary. The process also requires that economic assumptions be made about matters such as oil and natural gas prices, drilling and operating expenses, capital expenditures, taxes and availability of funds. Therefore, estimates of oil and natural gas reserves are inherently imprecise.
Actual future production, oil and natural gas prices received, revenues, taxes, development expenditures, operating expenses and quantities of recoverable oil and natural gas reserves most likely will vary from our estimates. Any significant variance could materially affect the estimated quantities and present value of our reported reserves. In addition, we may adjust estimates of proved reserves to reflect production history, results of exploration and development, prevailing oil and natural gas prices and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.
Exploration activities on oil and gas properties may not be commercially successful, which could lead us to abandon our plans to develop the property and our investments in exploration.
Our long-term success depends on our ability to establish commercially recoverable quantities of oil and gas on our properties that can then be developed into commercially viable drilling operations. Oil and gas exploration is highly speculative in nature, involves many risks and is frequently non-productive. These risks include unusual or unexpected geologic formations, and the inability to obtain suitable or adequate machinery, equipment or labor. The success of oil and gas exploration is determined in part by the following factors:
· | identification of potential reserves based on superficial analysis; |
· | availability of government-granted exploration permits; |
· | the quality of management and geological and technical expertise; and |
· | the capital available for exploration and development. |
Substantial expenditures are required to establish proven and probable reserves through drilling and analysis, and to develop the drilling and processing facilities and infrastructure at any site chosen. Whether a property will be commercially viable depends on a number of factors, which include, without limitation, the particular attributes of the property, such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure; oil and gas prices, which fluctuate widely; and government regulations, including, without limitation, regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting of oil and gas and environmental protection. We may invest significant capital and resources in exploration activities and abandon such investments if we are unable to identify commercially exploitable oil and gas reserves. The decision to abandon a project may reduce the future trading price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise financing. We cannot provide any assurance to investors that we will discover or acquire any oil and gas reserves in sufficient quantities on any properties to justify commercial operations. Further, we will not be able to recover the funds that we may spend on exploration if we are not able to establish commercially recoverable quantities of oil and gas.
As part of our growth strategy, we intend to acquire additional oil and gas properties.
As part of our growth strategy, we intend to acquire additional oil and gas production properties. Current and subsequent acquisitions may pose substantial risks to our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In pursuing acquisitions, we will compete with other companies, many of which have greater financial and other resources to acquire attractive properties. Even if we are successful in acquiring additional properties, some of the properties may not produce positive results of exploration, or we may not complete exploration of such prospects within specified time periods that may cause the forfeiture of the lease in that prospect. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully integrate acquired properties, which could result in substantial costs and delays or other operational, technical, or financial problems. Further, acquisitions could disrupt ongoing business operations. If we fail to drill in a timely manner on our properties, the State may cancel our leases. If any of these events occur, it would have a material adverse effect upon our operations and results from operations.
We are a new entrant into the oil and gas exploration and development industry without a profitable operating history.
Our recent activities have been limited to organizational efforts, obtaining working capital and acquiring and developing a very limited number of properties. As a result, there is limited information regarding production or revenue generation. Further, our future revenues may be limited.
The business of oil and gas exploration and development is subject to many risks and if oil and gas is found in economic production quantities, the potential profitability of future possible oil and gas ventures depends upon factors beyond our control. The potential profitability of oil and gas properties if economic quantities of oil and gas are found is dependent upon many factors and risks beyond our control, including, but not limited to: (i) unanticipated ground conditions; (ii) geological problems; (iii) drilling and other processing problems; (iv) the occurrence of unusual weather or operating conditions and other force majeure events; (v) lower than expected reserve quantities; (vi) accidents; (vii) delays in the receipt of or failure to receive necessary government permits; (viii) delays in transportation; (ix) labor disputes; (x) government permit restrictions and regulation restrictions; (xi) unavailability of materials and equipment; and (xii) the failure of equipment or drilling to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations.
Our drilling operations may not be successful.
In the event we acquire additional oil and gas properties, we intend to test certain zones in wellbores already drilled on the properties and if results are positive and capital is available, drill additional wells and begin production operations from existing and new wells. There can be no assurance that such well re-completion activities or future drilling activities will be successful, and we cannot be sure that our overall drilling success rate or our production operations within a particular area will ever come to fruition and, if it does, will not decline over time. We may not recover all or any portion of our capital investment in the wells or the underlying leaseholds. Unsuccessful drilling activities would have a material adverse effect upon our results of operations and financial condition. The cost of drilling, completing, and operating wells is often uncertain, and a number of factors can delay or prevent drilling operations including: (i) unexpected drilling conditions; (ii) pressure or irregularities in geological formations; (iii) equipment failures or accidents; (iv) adverse weather conditions; and (iv) shortages or delays in availability of drilling rigs and delivery of equipment.
Prospects that we decide to drill may not yield natural gas or oil in commercially viable quantities.
Our prospects are in various stages of preliminary evaluation and assessment and we have not reached the point where we will decide to drill at all on the subject prospects. However, the use of seismic data, historical drilling logs, offsetting well information, and other technologies and the study of producing fields in the same area will not enable us to know conclusively prior to drilling and testing whether natural gas or oil will be present or, if present, whether natural gas or oil will be present in sufficient quantities or quality to recover drilling or completion costs or to be economically viable. In sum, the cost of drilling, completing and operating any wells is often uncertain and new wells may not be productive.
We may be unable to identify liabilities associated with the properties or obtain protection from sellers against them.
One of our growth strategies is to capitalize on opportunistic acquisitions of oil and natural gas reserves. However, our reviews of acquired properties are inherently incomplete because it generally is not feasible to review in depth every individual property involved in each acquisition. A detailed review of records and properties may not necessarily reveal existing or potential problems, nor will it permit a buyer to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to assess fully their deficiencies and potential. Further, environmental problems, such as ground water contamination, are not necessarily observable even when an inspection is undertaken. We may not be able to obtain indemnification or other protections from the sellers against such potential liabilities, which would have a material adverse effect upon our results of operations.
The potential profitability of oil and gas ventures depends upon global political and market related factors beyond our control.
World prices and markets for oil and gas are unpredictable, highly volatile, potentially subject to governmental fixing, pegging, controls, or any combination of these and other factors, and respond to changes in domestic, international, political, social, and economic environments. Additionally, due to worldwide economic uncertainty, the availability and cost of funds for production and other expenses have become increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to project. These and other changes and events may materially affect our financial performance. The potential profitability of oil and gas properties is dependent on these and other factors beyond our control.
Production or oil and gas resources if found are dependent on numerous operational uncertainties specific to the area of the resource that affects its profitability.
Production area specifics affect profitability. Adverse weather conditions can hinder drilling operations and ongoing production work. A productive well may become uneconomic in the event water or other deleterious substances are encountered which impair or prevent the production of oil and/or gas from the well. Production and treatments on other wells in the area can have either a positive or negative effect on our production and wells. In addition, production from any well may be unmarketable if it is impregnated with water or other deleterious substances. The content of hydrocarbons is subject to change over the life of producing wells. The marketability of oil and gas from any specific reserve which may be acquired or discovered will be affected by numerous factors beyond our control. These factors include, but are not limited to, the proximity and capacity of oil and gas pipelines, availability of capacity in the pipelines to accommodate additional production, processing and production equipment operating costs and equipment efficiency, market fluctuations of prices and oil and gas marketing relationships, local and state taxes, mineral owner and other royalties, land tenure, lease bonus costs and lease damage costs, allowable production, and environmental protection. These factors cannot be accurately predicted and the combination of these factors may result in us not receiving an adequate return on our invested capital.
We are dependent upon transportation and storage services provided by third parties.
We are dependent on the transportation and storage services offered by various interstate and intrastate pipeline companies for the delivery and sale of our oil and gas supplies. Both the performance of transportation and storage services by interstate pipelines and the rates charged for such services are subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or state regulatory agencies. An inability to obtain transportation and/or storage services at competitive rates could hinder our processing and marketing operations and/or affect our sales margins.
Our results of operations are dependent upon market prices for oil and gas, which fluctuate widely and are beyond our control.
If and when production from oil and gas properties is reached, our revenue, profitability, and cash flow depend upon the prices and demand for oil and natural gas. The markets for these commodities are very volatile and even relatively modest drops in prices can significantly affect our financial results and impede our growth. Prices received also will affect the amount of future cash flow available for capital expenditures and may affect our ability to raise additional capital. Lower prices may also affect the amount of natural gas and oil that can be economically produced from reserves either discovered or acquired. Factors that can cause price fluctuations include: (i) the level of consumer product demand; (ii) domestic and foreign governmental regulations; (iii) the price and availability of alternative fuels; (iv) technical advances affecting energy consumption; (v) proximity and capacity of oil and gas pipelines and other transportation facilities; (vi) political conditions in natural gas and oil producing regions; (vii) the domestic and foreign supply of natural gas and oil; (viii) the ability of members of Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to agree to and maintain oil price and production controls; (ix) the price of foreign imports; and (x) overall domestic and global economic conditions.
The availability of a ready market for our oil and gas depends upon numerous factors beyond our control, including the extent of domestic production and importation of oil and gas, the relative status of the domestic and international economies, the proximity of our properties to gas gathering systems, the capacity of those systems, the marketing of other competitive fuels, fluctuations in seasonal demand and governmental regulation of production, refining, transportation and pricing of oil, natural gas and other fuels.
The oil and gas industry in which we operate involves many industry related operating and implementation risks that can cause substantial losses, including, but not limited to, unproductive wells, natural disasters, facility and equipment problems and environmental hazards.
Our success largely depends on the success of our exploitation, exploration, development and production activities. Our oil and natural gas exploration and production activities are subject to numerous risks beyond our control, including the risk that drilling will not result in commercially viable oil or natural gas production. Drilling for oil and natural gas can be unprofitable, not only from dry holes, but from productive wells that do not produce sufficient revenues to return a profit. In addition, our drilling and producing operations may be curtailed, delayed or canceled as a result of other drilling and production, weather and natural disaster, equipment and service failure, environmental and regulatory, and site specific related factors, including but not limited to: (i) fires; (ii) explosions; (iii) blow-outs and surface fractures; (iv) uncontrollable flows of underground natural gas, oil, or formation water; (v) natural disasters; (vi) facility and equipment failures; (vii) title problems; (viii) shortages or delivery delays of equipment and services; (ix) abnormal pressure formations; and (x) environmental hazards such as natural gas leaks, oil spills, pipeline ruptures and discharges of toxic gases. 1(xi) weather related events such as hurricanes can cause disruption of deliveries or destruction of producing facilities, either on or off shore. Such damage may be to our facilities or to facilities operated by other companies needed for the delivery of our production.
If any of these events occur, we could incur substantial losses as a result of: (i) injury or loss of life; (ii) severe damage to and destruction of property, natural resources or equipment; (iii) pollution and other environmental damage; (iv) clean-up responsibilities; (v) regulatory investigation and penalties; (vi) suspension of our operations; or (vii) repairs necessary to resume operations.
If we were to experience any of these problems, it could affect well bores, gathering systems and processing facilities, any one of which could adversely affect our ability to conduct operations. We may be affected by any of these events more than larger companies, since we have limited working capital.
Our producing properties are located in regions which make us vulnerable to risks associated with operating in a limited number of geographic areas, including the risk of damage or business interruptions from hurricanes.
Our properties are geographically located in the Texas Gulf Coast region. As a result, we may be affected by any delays or interruptions in production or transportation in these areas caused by governmental regulation, transportation capacity constraints, natural disasters, regional price fluctuations or other factors.
Such disturbances could in the future have any or all of the following adverse effects on our business:
· | interruptions to our operations as we suspend any production in advance of an approaching storm; |
· | damage to our facilities and equipment, including damage that disrupts or delays any production; and |
· | disruption to any transportation systems we may rely upon for delivery. |
Terrorist attacks aimed at our energy operations could adversely affect our business.
The continued threat of terrorism and the impact of military and other government action has led and may lead to further increased volatility in prices for oil and natural gas and could affect these commodity markets or the financial markets used by us. In addition, the U.S. government has issued warnings that energy assets may be a future target of terrorist organizations. These developments have subjected our oil and natural gas operations to increased risks, or any future terrorist attack.
The oil and gas industry is highly competitive and there is no assurance that we will be successful in acquiring leases.
The oil and natural gas industry is intensely competitive, and we compete with other companies that have greater resources. Many of these companies not only explore for and produce oil and natural gas, but also carry on refining operations and market petroleum and other products on a regional, national or worldwide basis. These companies may be able to pay more for productive oil and natural gas properties and exploratory prospects or define, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than our financial or human resources permit. In addition, these companies may have a greater ability to continue exploration activities during periods of low oil and natural gas market prices. Our larger competitors may be able to absorb the burden of present and future federal, state, local and other laws and regulations more easily than we can, which would adversely affect our competitive position. Our ability to acquire additional properties and to discover reserves in the future will be dependent upon our ability to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment. In addition, because we have fewer financial and human resources than many companies in our industry, we may be at a disadvantage in bidding for exploratory prospects and producing oil and natural gas properties.
We may not be able to keep pace with technological developments in our industry.
The natural gas and oil industry is characterized by rapid and significant technological advancements and introduction of new products and services which utilize new technologies. As others use or develop new technologies, we may be placed at a competitive disadvantage or competitive pressures may force us to implement those new technologies at substantial costs. In addition, other natural gas and oil companies may have greater financial, technical, and personnel resources that allow them to enjoy technological advantages and may in the future allow them to implement new technologies before we are able to. We may not be able to respond to these competitive pressures and implement new technologies on a timely basis or at an acceptable cost. If one or more of the technologies we use now or in the future were to become obsolete or if we are unable to use the most advanced commercially available technology, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
The marketability of natural resources will be affected by numerous factors beyond our control, which may result in us not receiving an adequate return on invested capital to be profitable or viable.
The marketability of natural resources which may be acquired or discovered by us will be affected by numerous factors beyond our control. These factors include market fluctuations in oil and gas pricing and demand, the proximity and capacity of natural resource markets and processing equipment, governmental regulations, land tenure, land use, regulation concerning the importing and exporting of oil and gas and environmental protection regulations. The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination of these factors may result in us not receiving an adequate return on invested capital to be profitable or viable.
Oil and gas operations are subject to comprehensive regulation which may cause substantial delays or require capital outlays in excess of those anticipated causing an adverse effect on our business operations.
Oil and gas operations are subject to federal, state, and local laws relating to the protection of the environment, including laws regulating removal of natural resources from the ground and the discharge of materials into the environment. Oil and gas operations are also subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations which seek to maintain health and safety standards by regulating the design and use of drilling methods and equipment. Various permits from government bodies are required for drilling operations to be conducted; no assurance can be given that such permits will be received. Environmental standards imposed by federal, provincial, or local authorities may be changed and any such changes may have material adverse effects on our activities. Moreover, compliance with such laws may cause substantial delays or require capital outlays in excess of those anticipated, thus causing an adverse effect on us. Additionally, we may be subject to liability for pollution or other environmental damages which we may elect not to insure against due to prohibitive premium costs and other reasons. To date we have not been required to spend material amounts on compliance with environmental regulations. However, we may be required to do so in future and this may affect our ability to expand or maintain our operations.
We may not have enough insurance to cover all of the risks that we face and operations of prospects in which we participate may not maintain or may fail to obtain adequate insurance.
We cannot insure fully against pollution and environmental risks. The occurrence of an event not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. The impact of recent hurricanes has resulted in escalating insurance costs and less favorable coverage terms.
Oil and natural gas operations are subject to particular hazards incident to the drilling and production of oil and natural gas, such as blowouts, cratering, explosions, uncontrollable flows of oil, natural gas or well fluids, fires and pollution and other environmental risks. These hazards can cause personal injury and loss of life, severe damage to and destruction of property and equipment, pollution or environmental damage and suspension of operation. The occurrence of a significant adverse event that is not fully covered by insurance could result in the loss of our total investment in a particular prospect which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Any change to government regulation/administrative practices may have a negative impact on our ability to operate and our profitability.
The laws, regulations, policies or current administrative practices of any government body, organization or regulatory agency in the United States or any other jurisdiction, may be changed, applied or interpreted in a manner which will fundamentally alter our ability to carry on business. The actions, policies or regulations, or changes thereto, of any government body or regulatory agency, or other special interest groups, may have a detrimental effect on us. Any or all of these situations may have a negative impact on our ability to operate and/or our profitably.
We may be unable to retain key employees or consultants or recruit additional qualified personnel.
Our extremely limited personnel means that we would be required to spend significant sums of money to locate and train new employees in the event any of our employees resign or terminate their employment with us for any reason. Due to our limited operating history and financial resources, we are entirely dependent on the continued service of Samuel Skipper, our Chief Executive Officer, and N. Wilson Thomas, our Chief Financial Officer. Further, we do not have key man life insurance on either of these individuals. We may not have the financial resources to hire a replacement if one or both of our officers were to die. The loss of service of either of these employees could therefore significantly and adversely affect our operations.
We may experience difficulty in achieving and managing future growth.
We may not be successful in upgrading our technical, operations, and administrative resources or in increasing our ability to internally provide certain of the services currently provided by outside sources, and we may not be able to maintain or enter into new relationships with project partners and independent contractors. Our inability to achieve or manage growth may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Nevada law and our articles of incorporation may protect our directors from certain types of lawsuits.
Nevada law provides that our officers and directors will not be liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for all but certain types of conduct as officers and directors. Our Bylaws permit us broad indemnification powers to all persons against all damages incurred in connection with our business to the fullest extent provided or allowed by law. The exculpation provisions may have the effect of preventing stockholders from recovering damages against our officers and directors caused by their negligence, poor judgment or other circumstances. The indemnification provisions may require us to use our limited assets to defend our officers and directors against claims, including claims arising out of their negligence, poor judgment, or other circumstances.
Risks Related to Our Common and Preferred Stock
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock into the public market by stockholders may result in significant downward pressure on the price of our common stock and could affect your ability to realize the current trading price of our common stock.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market by stockholders could cause a reduction in the market price of our common stock. As of the date of this Resale Prospectus, we have 9,914,954 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, 100,000 of our Series A convertible preferred stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) issued and outstanding , 1,000,000 or our Series B convertible preferred stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”)issued and outstanding, 660,000 of our Series C convertible preferred stock (“Series C Preferred Stock”)issued and outstanding, and 303,936 of our Series D convertible preferred stock (“Series D Preferred Stock”). Each share of our preferred stock is convertible into one share of our common stock. As of the date of this Resale Prospectus, there are 7,744,177 outstanding shares of our common stock and 2,063,936 outstanding shares of our preferred stock that are restricted securities as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Although the Securities Act and Rule 144 place certain prohibitions on the sale of restricted securities, restricted securities may be sold into the public market under certain conditions. In the event that any of the convertible preferred shares of stock are converted into shares of common stock, such shares may be available for immediate resale which could have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock.
Any significant downward pressure on the price of our common stock as stockholders sell their shares of our common stock could encourage short sales by others. Any such short sales could place further downward pressure on the price of our common stock.
The trading price of our common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board will fluctuate significantly and stockholders may have difficulty reselling their shares.
Effective March 14, 2007, our shares of common stock commenced trading on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board. There is a volatility associated with Bulletin Board securities in general and the value of your investment could decline due to the impact of any of the following factors upon the market price of our common stock: (i) disappointing results from our discovery or development efforts; (ii) failure to meet our revenue or profit goals or operating budget; (iii) decline in demand for our common stock; (iv) downward revisions in securities analysts' estimates or changes in general market conditions; (v) technological innovations by competitors or in competing technologies; (vi) lack of funding generated for operations; (vii) investor perception of our industry or our prospects; and (viii) general economic trends.
In addition, stock markets have experienced price and volume fluctuations and the market prices of securities have been highly volatile. These fluctuations are often unrelated to operating performance and may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Additional issuance of equity securities may result in dilution to our existing stockholders.
Our Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of 75,000,000 shares of common stock. We have also issued preferred stock classes A, B, C and D. The board of directors has the authority to issue additional shares of our capital stock to provide additional financing in the future and the issuance of any such shares may result in a reduction of the book value or market price of the outstanding shares of our common stock. If we do issue any such additional shares, such issuance also will cause a reduction in the proportionate ownership and voting power of all other stockholders. As a result of such dilution, your proportionate ownership interest and voting power will be decreased accordingly. Further, any such issuance could result in a change of control.
There is not now, and there may not ever be, an active market for the Company’s common stock.
There currently is a limited public market for the Company’s common stock. Further, although the common stock is currently quoted on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board, trading of its common stock may be extremely sporadic. For example, several days may pass before any shares may be traded. As a result, an investor may find it difficult to dispose of, or to obtain accurate quotations of the price of, the common stock. Accordingly, investors must assume they may have to bear the economic risk of an investment in the common stock for an indefinite period of time. This severely limits the liquidity of the common stock, and would likely have a material adverse effect on the market price of the common stock and on the Company’s ability to raise additional capital.
The Company cannot assure you that our common stock will become liquid or that the common stock will be listed on a securities exchange.
Until the common stock is listed on an exchange, the Company expects its common stock to remain eligible for quotation on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board, or on another over-the-counter quotation system, or in the “pink sheets.” In those venues, however, an investor may find it difficult to obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of the common stock. In addition, if the Company fails to meet the criteria set forth in the SEC regulations, various requirements would be imposed by law on broker-dealers who sell the Company’s securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors. Consequently, such regulations may deter broker-dealers from recommending or selling the common stock, which may further affect the liquidity of the common stock. This would also make it more difficult for the Company to raise additional capital.
Our common stock is classified as a “penny stock” under SEC rules which limits the market for our common stock.
The SEC has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in "penny stocks." Penny stocks generally are equity securities with a price of less than $5.00 (other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or quoted on the NASDAQ system, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system). Penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document prepared by the SEC, which specifies information about penny stocks and the nature and significance of risks of the penny stock market. A broker-dealer must also provide the customer with bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer, and sales person in the transaction, and monthly account statements indicating the market value of each penny stock held in the customer's account. In addition, the penny stock rules require that, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules; the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser's written agreement to the transaction. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the trading activity in the secondary market for stock that becomes subject to those penny stock rules. If a trading market for our common stock develops, our common stock will probably become subject to the penny stock rules, and shareholders may have difficulty in selling their shares.
We presently do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock.
We currently anticipate that no cash dividends will be paid on the common stock in the foreseeable future. Therefore, prospective investors who anticipate the need for immediate income by way of cash dividends from their investment should not purchase our common stock.
The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares which may be sold pursuant to this Resale Prospectus for the respective accounts of the selling stockholders. All such proceeds, net of brokerage commissions, if any, will be received by the selling stockholders. See “Selling Stockholders” and “Plan of Distribution.”
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The selling stockholders will be our current or future officers, directors, consultants and employees who acquire shares of our common stock pursuant to the Plan and are considered our “affiliates” as that term is defined in the federal securities laws. The selling stockholders may from time to time resell all, a portion, or none of the shares of our common stock covered by this Resale Prospectus.
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED
Common Stock
We are authorized to issue 75,000,000 shares of common stock, $.001 par value. The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share with respect to all matters required by law to be submitted to stockholders. The holders of common stock have the sole right to vote, except as otherwise provided by law or by our certificate of incorporation, including provisions governing any preferred stock. The common stock does not have any cumulative voting, preemptive, subscription or conversion rights. Election of directors and other general stockholder action requires the affirmative vote of a majority of shares represented at a meeting in which a quorum is represented. The outstanding shares of common stock are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
Subject to the rights of any outstanding shares of preferred stock, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company, the holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining available for distribution to them after payment or provision for all liabilities and any preferential liquidation rights of any preferred stock then outstanding.
Nevada anti-takeover statue and charter provisions
Nevada anti-takeover statute.
Nevada’s “Business Combinations” statute, Sections 78.411 through 78.444 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, which applies to Nevada corporations having at least 200 shareholders which have not opted-out of the statute, prohibits an “interested shareholder” from entering into a “combination” with the corporation, unless certain conditions are met. A “combination” includes (a) any merger or consolidation with an “interested shareholder”, or any other corporation which is or after the merger or consolidation would be, an affiliate or associate of the interested shareholder, (b) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition of assets, in one transaction or a series of transactions, to or with an “interested shareholder,” having (i) an aggregate market value equal to 5% or more of the aggregate market value of the corporation’s assets determined on a consolidated basis, (ii) an aggregate market value equal to 5% or more of the aggregate market value of all outstanding shares of the corporation or (iii) representing 10% or more of the earning power or net income of the corporation determined on a consolidated basis, (c) any issuance or transfer of shares of the corporation or its subsidiaries, to any interested shareholder, having an aggregate market value equal to 5% or more of the aggregate market value of all the outstanding shares of the corporation, except under the exercise of warrants or rights to purchase shares offered, or a dividend or distribution paid or made pro rata to all shareholders of the corporation, (d) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the corporation proposed by or under any agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether or not in writing, with the “interested shareholder,” (e) certain transactions which would have the effect of increasing the proportionate share of outstanding shares of the corporation owned by the “interested shareholder,” or (f) the receipt of benefits, except proportionately as a shareholder, of any loans, advances or other financial benefits by an “interested shareholder”.
An interested shareholder is a person who (i) directly or indirectly beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation or (ii) an affiliate or associate of the corporation which at any time within three years before the date in question was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of the corporation.
A corporation to which the statute applies may not engage in a combination within three years after the interested shareholder acquired its shares, unless the combination or the interested shareholder’s acquisition of shares was approved by the board of directors before the interested shareholder acquired the shares. If this approval was not obtained, then after the three-year period expires, the combination may be consummated if all the requirements in the corporation’s Articles of Incorporation are met and either (a)(i) the board of directors of the corporation approves, prior to the “interested shareholder’s” date of acquiring shares, or as to which the purchase of shares by the “interested shareholder” has been approved by the corporation’s board of directors before that date or (ii) the combination is approved by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of voting power not beneficially owned by the “interested shareholder” at a meeting called no earlier than three years after the date the “interested shareholder” became such or (b) the aggregate amount of cash and the market value of consideration other than cash to be received by holders of common shares and holders of any other class or series of shares meets the minimum requirements set forth in Sections 78.411 through 78.444 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, inclusive, and prior to the consummation of the combination, except in limited circumstances, the “interested shareholder” will not have become the beneficial owner of additional voting shares of the corporation.
Nevada law permits a Nevada corporation to “opt out” of the application of the Business Combinations statute by inserting a provision doing so in its original Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws. The Company has opted out of NRS Sections 78.411 through 78.444, inclusive, pursuant to our Articles of Incorporation. The Articles may be amended at any time to subject us to the effect of the “Business Combinations” statutes. Under Nevada law, our Articles of Incorporation may be amended pursuant to a resolution adopted by our Board of Directors and ratified by a vote of a majority of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock. If the “Business Combination” statute becomes applicable to us in the future, the cumulative effect of its terms may be to make it more difficult to acquire and exercise control over the Company and to make changes in management.
Nevada’s “Control Share Acquisition” statute, Sections 78.378 through 78.3793 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, prohibits an acquiror, under certain circumstances, from voting shares of a target corporation’s stock after crossing certain threshold ownership percentages, unless the acquiror obtains the approval of the target corporation’s shareholders. The statute specifies three thresholds: at least one-fifth but less than one-third, at least one-third but less than a majority, and a majority or more, of all the outstanding voting power. Once an acquiror crosses one of the above thresholds, shares, which it acquired in the transaction taking it over the threshold or within ninety days become “Control Shares” which are deprived of the right to vote until a majority of the disinterested shareholders restore that right. A special shareholders’ meeting may be called at the request of the acquiror to consider the voting rights of the acquiror’s shares no more than 50 days (unless the acquiror agrees to a later date) after the delivery by the acquiror to the corporation of an information statement which sets forth the range of voting power that the acquiror has acquired or proposes to acquire and certain other information concerning the acquiror and the proposed control share acquisition. If no such request for a shareholders’ meeting is made, consideration of the voting rights of the acquiror’s shares must be taken at the next special or annual shareholders’ meeting. If the shareholders fail to restore voting rights to the acquiror or if the acquiror fails to timely deliver an information statement to the corporation, then the corporation may, if so provided in its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, call certain of the acquiror’s shares for redemption. The Control Share Acquisition statute also provides that the shareholders who do not vote in favor of restoring voting rights to the Control Shares may demand payment for the “fair value” of their shares (which is generally equal to the highest price paid in the transaction subjecting the shareholder to the statute).
The Control Share Acquisition statute only applies to Nevada corporations with at least 200 shareholders, including at least 100 shareholders who have addresses in Nevada appearing on the stock ledger of the corporation, and which do business directly or indirectly in Nevada. We do not have at least 100 shareholders who have addresses in Nevada appearing on our stock ledger. Therefore, the Control Share Acquisition statute does not currently apply to us. Nevada law also permits a Nevada corporation to “opt out” of the application of the Control Share Acquisition statute by inserting a provision doing so in its original Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws. The Company has opted out of NRS Sections 78.378 through 78.3793, inclusive, pursuant to our Articles of Incorporation.
Articles of Incorporation
Our Articles of Incorporation provides for the authorization of our board of directors to issue, without further action by the stockholders, up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions on the preferred stock.
These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our board of directors and in the policies formulated by our board of directors and to discourage transactions that may involve an actual or threatened change of control of Ecco Energy Corp. These provisions are designed to reduce the vulnerability of Ecco Energy Corp. to an unsolicited proposal for a takeover of Ecco Energy Corp. However, these provisions could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control of Ecco Energy Corp. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in the management of Ecco Energy Corp.
LEGAL MATTERS
The law firm of Brewer & Pritchard, of which Thomas C. Pritchard is a member, has provided legal advice to the Registrant, and has also rendered a legal opinion attached hereto as an Exhibit, as to the validity and due issuance of the shares of the Company’s common stock to be issued and registered hereby. Brewer & Pritchard does not currently own any shares of the Company’s common stock; however, the Company will from time to time issue shares of its common stock to Brewer & Pritchard or Thomas C. Pritchard as payment for legal services rendered. Neither Thomas C. Pritchard, nor the law firm of Brewer & Pritchard has been employed on a contingent basis. Other than the shares of Company common stock to be issued, neither Mr. Pritchard nor Brewer & Pritchard has or is to receive a substantial interest direct or indirect in Registrant, nor are either of them connected with Registrant other than in their role as outside legal counsel for the Company.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this Resale Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of GBH CPAs, PC, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
The Company files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). You can inspect, read and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information at the public reference facilities the Commission maintains at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549.
You can also obtain copies of these materials at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can obtain information on the operation of the public reference facilities by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Commission also maintains a web site http://www.sec.gov that makes available reports, proxy statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with it.
We have filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to register with the SEC the shares of our common stock described in this Resale Prospectus. This Resale Prospectus is part of that Registration Statement and provides you with a general description of the Shares being registered, but does not include all of the information you can find in the Registration Statement or the exhibits. You should refer to the Registration Statement and its exhibits for more information about us and the Shares being registered.
PART II
ITEM 3. | INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE |
The following documents filed by Ecco Energy Corp. (“the Company”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) are incorporated in this Form S-8 by reference:
(1) | The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, filed on April 15, 2009; |
(2) | The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2009, filed on May 15, 2009; and |
(3) | Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed on March 5, 2009; filed on March 20, 2009; and filed on April 13, 2009; and filed on June 25, 2009 |
All documents filed by Ecco Energy Corp. with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, subsequent to the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the termination of the offering to which it relates shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that the statement is modified or superseded by any other subsequently filed document which is incorporated or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement. Nothing in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to incorporate information furnished by us but not filed with the SEC pursuant to Items 2.02, 7.01 or 9.01 of Form 8-K.
ITEM 4. | DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES |
Our common stock is registered under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is listed on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol “ECCE.”
ITEM 5. | INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL |
The law firm of Brewer & Pritchard, of which Thomas C. Pritchard is a member, has provided legal advice to the Registrant, and has also rendered a legal opinion attached hereto as an Exhibit, as to the validity and due issuance of the shares of the Company’s common stock to be issued and registered hereby. Brewer & Pritchard does not currently own any shares of the Company’s common stock; however, the Company will from time to time issue shares of its common stock to Brewer & Pritchard or Thomas C. Pritchard as payment for legal services rendered. Neither Thomas C. Pritchard, nor the law firm of Brewer & Pritchard has been employed on a contingent basis. Other than the shares of Company common stock to be issued, neither Mr. Pritchard nor Brewer & Pritchard has or is to receive a substantial interest direct or indirect in Registrant, nor are either of them connected with Registrant other than in their role as outside legal counsel for the Company.
ITEM 6. | INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS |
Our articles of incorporation and bylaws provide that we will indemnify our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by Nevada law. In addition, we may also enter into agreements with any officer or director, and may obtain insurance indemnifying officers and directors against certain liabilities incurred by them.
NRS Section 78.138 provides that a director or officer will not be individually liable unless it is proven that (i) the director’s or officer’s acts or omissions constituted a breach of his or her fiduciary duties, and (ii) such breach involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of the law.
NRS Section 78.7502 permits a corporation to indemnify its directors and officers against expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with a threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding if the officer or director (i) is not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138, or (ii) acted in good faith and in a manner the officer or director reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and, in a criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct of the officer or director was unlawful.
NRS Section 78.751 permits a Nevada corporation to indemnify its officers and directors against expenses incurred by them in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding as they are incurred and in advance of final disposition thereof, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the officer or director to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that such officer or director is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation. NRS 78.751 further permits the corporation to grant its directors and officers additional rights of indemnification under its articles of incorporation or bylaws or otherwise. NRS 78.752 provides that a Nevada corporation may purchase and maintain insurance or make other financial arrangements on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, for any liability asserted against him and liability and expenses incurred by him in his capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation has the authority to indemnify him against such liability and expenses.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling an issuer pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the opinion of the Commission is that such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is therefore unenforceable.
ITEM 7. | EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED |
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. | EXHIBITS |
Exhibit No. | Identification of Exhibit | |
2009 Stock Option Plan | ||
Opinion of Brewer & Pritchard, P.C. | ||
23.1 | Consent of Brewer & Pritchard, P.C. * | |
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
_____________________
* Included in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1
ITEM 9. | UNDERTAKINGS |
(a) | The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: |
(1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
i. | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Act; |
ii. | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high and of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and |
iii. | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement. |
Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
(2) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
(3) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
(b) | The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
(c) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 6 above, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, Texas on this 26th day of June, 2009.
ECCO ENERGY CORP. | |||
By: | /S/ SAMUEL SKIPPER | ||
Samuel Skipper, Chief Executive Officer | |||
By: | /S/ N. WILSON THOMAS | ||
N. Wilson Thomas Chief Financial Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on this 17th day of June, 2009.
Signature | Title | Date |
/S/ SAMUEL SKIPPER Samuel Skipper | Director | June 26, 2009 |
18