1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549 FORM 10-Q ---------------------------- (Mark One) /X/ 	Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1997 or / /	Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 	For the Transition period from _________ to __________ -------------------------- COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-13305 -------------------------- PARALLEL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 75-1971716 (State of other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification incorporation or organization) Number) One Marienfeld Place, Suite 465, Midland, Texas 79701 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (915) 684-3727 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) NOT APPLICABLE (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report) 	 Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes 'X' No ___ The number of outstanding shares of the issuer's common stock, $.01 par value, was 17,824,358 shares as of October 1, 1997. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I. - FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 	Reference is made to the succeeding pages for the following financial statements: - Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and September 30, 1997 - Statements of Operations for the three months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 and nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 - Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 - Notes to Financial Statements ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. PART II. - OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K /a/ Exhibits 27. Financial Data Schedule 	/b/ Reports on Form 8-K No reports were filed on Form 8-K during the quarterly period ended September 30, 1997. 3 PARALLEL PETROLEUM CORPORATION BALANCE SHEET September 30, December 31, 1997 ASSETS 1996 (Unaudited) - ------ ------------ ----------- Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 41,569 $ 20,331 Accounts receivable: Oil and gas 2,888,400 1,799,994 Other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $28,130 in 1996 and 1997 127,837 348,732 Affiliate 24,991 4,992 ----------- ----------- 3,041,228 2,153,718 Other assets 7,540 123,168 ----------- ----------- Total current assets 3,090,337 2,297,217 ----------- ----------- Property and equipment, at cost: Oil and gas properties, full cost method 47,130,874 55,019,184 Other 380,207 428,159 ----------- ----------- 47,511,081 55,447,343 Less accumulated depreciation and depletion 12,576,560 15,162,849 ----------- ----------- Net property and equipment 34,934,521 40,284,494 ----------- ----------- Other assets, net of accumulated amortization of $33,263 in 1996 and $52,558 in 1997 73,311 71,429 ----------- ----------- $38,098,169 $42,653,140 =========== =========== 4 September 30, December 31, 1997 1996 (Unaudited) -------------- -------------- LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - ------------------------------------ Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities: Trade $ 2,735,639 $ 2,239,769 Affiliates 3,181 5,722 ----------- ----------- Total current liabilities 2,738,820 2,245,491 ----------- ----------- Long-term debt 8,521,391 8,302,610 Deferred income taxes 2,119,823 3,349,138 Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock - par value of $.10 per share, authorized 40,000,000 shares, none issued -- -- Common stock - par value of $.01 per share, authorized 100,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 17,406,358 in 1996 and 17,824,358 in 1997 174,063 178,242 Additional paid-in surplus 21,189,442 22,727,146 Retained earnings 3,354,630 5,850,513 ----------- ----------- Total stockholders' equity 24,718,135 28,755,901 Contingencies ----------- ----------- $38,098,169 $42,653,140 =========== =========== * The balance sheet as of December 31, 1996 has been derived from the Company's audited financial statements. The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 5 PARALLEL PETROLEUM CORPORATION STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Three Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 Nine months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 (Unaudited) Three Months Nine months 1996 1997 1996 1997 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Oil and gas revenues $3,974,208 $2,878,040 $9,693,448 $9,573,421 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Cost and expenses: Lease Operating expense 803,503 713,319 1,902,193 2,253,102 General and administrative 74,506 74,375 204,822 217,546 Public reporting, auditing and legal 54,603 48,750 181,350 203,492 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 1,186,728 793,416 2,618,525 2,608,024 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 2,119,340 1,629,860 4,906,890 5,282,164 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Operating income 1,854,868 1,248,180 4,786,558 4,291,257 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Other income (expense), net: Interest income 733 3,629 1,208 8,232 Other income 9,764 8,031 57,250 24,996 Interest expense (338,763) (216,041) (932,437) (592,958) Other expense (243) (1,545) (613) (6,329) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total other expense, net (328,509) (205,926) (874,592) (566,059) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Income before income taxes 1,526,359 1,042,254 3,911,966 3,725,198 Income tax expense - deferred 519,068 343,943 1,330,068 1,229,315 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net income 1,007,291 698,311 2,581,898 2,495,883 ========== ========== ========== ========== Net income per common share $ .06 $ .04 $ .17 $ .14 ========== ========== ========== ========== Weighted average common share and common stock equivalents outstanding 15,695,106 18,367,957 15,579,175 18,480,817 ========== ========== ========== ========== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements 6 PARALLEL PETROLEUM CORPORATION STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Nine months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 (Unaudited) 1996 1997 ----------- ----------- Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $2,581,898 $2,495,883 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used in) by operating activities: Depreciation, depletion and amortization 2,618,525 2,608,024 Deferred income taxes 1,330,068 1,229,315 (Increase) decrease in other, net (48,628) 1,882 Changes in assets and liabilities: Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable (2,102,723) 887,510 (Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other 4,763 (115,628) (Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities 161,900 (493,329) ---------- ---------- Net cash provided (used in) by operating activities 4,545,803 6,613,657 ---------- ---------- Cash flows from investing activities: Additions of property and equipment (9,855,055) (13,620,405) Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment 606,610 5,662,408 ---------- ---------- Net cash used in investing activities (9,248,445) (7,957,997) ---------- ---------- Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt 19,607,261 11,215,000 Payment of long-term debt (15,068,621) (11,433,781) Proceeds from exercise of options and warrants 21,438 71,968 Proceeds from common stock issuance - net -- 1,469,915 ---------- ---------- Net cash provided by financing activities 4,560,078 1,323,102 ---------- ---------- Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (142,564) (21,238) Beginning cash and cash equivalents 558,748 41,569 ---------- ---------- Ending cash and cash equivalents 416,184 20,331 ========== ========== * The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements 7 PARALLEL PETROLEUM CORPORATION NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 1. OPINION OF MANAGEMENT The financial information included herein is unaudited. However, such information includes all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations for the interim periods. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted in this Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's 1996 Annual Report and Form 10-K. NOTE 2. LONG TERM DEBT On July 1, 1996, the Company entered into a loan agreement with a bank to refinance the outstanding indebtedness with its former lender and to provide funds for working capital. The loan agreement provides for a revolving credit facility in the maximum amount of $30,000,000 with a current borrowing base of $17,000,000 reduced by a monthly commitment reduction of $282,250 until April 1, 1998. The borrowing base and the monthly commitment reduction are subject to redetermination every six months on April 1 and October 1 of each year, or at such other times as the bank elects. The loan agreement, which matures in July 2001, is secured by substantially all of the Company's oil and gas properties. Commitment fees of .25% per annum on the difference between the commitment and the average daily amount outstanding are due quarterly. The unpaid principal balance on the note bears interest at the election of the Company at a rate equal to (i) the bank's base lending rate or (ii) the bank's Eurodollar rate plus a margin of 2.5%. On September 30, 1997, the interest rate in effect was the bank's base lending rate of 8.5%. The loan agreement contains various restrictive covenants and compliance requirements, which include (1) maintenance of certain financial ratios, (2) limiting the incurrence of additional indebtedness, and (3) prohibiting the payment of dividends. NOTE 3. COMMON STOCK OFFERING On December 18, 1996, the Company closed a public offering of 2,500,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $4.25 per share. Proceeds received, net of related expenses, were approximately $9,421,000. In connection with the common stock offering the underwriters were granted an over-allotment option to purchase an additional 375,000 shares of common stock. In January 1997, the over-allotment option was exercised and an additional 375,000 shares of common stock were sold at a price of $4.25 per share. Proceeds received by the Company, net of related expenses, were approximately $1,470,000. The net proceeds from the sale of the 2,875,000 shares of common stock were used to reduce the indebtedness outstanding under the Company's loan agreement. 8 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company's Financial Statements and the related notes thereto. OVERVIEW The Company's long-term business strategy is to increase the Company's reserve base by utilizing 3-D seismic technology to obtain exploratory drilling returns on capital invested with developmental drilling risks. The Company intends to exploit its existing properties and acquire those properties which it believes can be exploited by developing reserves not previously produced. The Company undertakes projects only when it believes the project has the potential for initial cash flow adequate to return the project's capital expenditures within a short period of time, generally less than 36 months. The Company also endeavors to maximize the present value of its projects by accelerating production of its reserves consistent with prudent reservoir management. As part of this business strategy, the Company has made acquisitions of oil and gas producing properties in the Permian Basin of West Texas and has discovered oil and gas reserves through the use of 3-D seismic technology in the Horseshoe Atoll Reef Trend of West Texas and the Yegua/Frio Gas Trend onshore the Gulf Coast of Texas. Capital utilized to acquire such reserves has been provided primarily by secured bank financing, sales of the Company's equity securities and cash flow from operations. The Company's operating performance is influenced by several factors, the most significant of which are the prices received for its oil and gas and the Company's production volumes. The world price for oil has overall influence on the prices that the Company receives for its oil production. The prices received for different grades of oil are based upon the world price for oil, which is then adjusted based upon the particular grade. Typically, light oil is sold at a premium, while heavy grades of crude are discounted. Gas prices the Company receives are primarily influenced by seasonal demand, weather, hurricane conditions in the Gulf of Mexico, availability of pipeline transportation to end users and proximity of the Company's wells to major transportation pipeline infrastructure and, to a lesser extent, world oil prices. Additional factors influencing operating performance include production expenses, overhead requirements, and cost of capital. The Company's oil and gas producing activities are accounted for using the full cost method of accounting. Accordingly, the Company capitalizes all costs incurred in connection with the acquisition of oil and gas properties and the exploration for and development of oil and gas reserves. These costs include lease acquisition costs, geological and geophysical expenditures, costs of drilling both productive and non-productive wells, and overhead expenses directly related to land acquisition and exploration and development activities. Proceeds from the disposition of oil and gas properties are accounted for as a reduction in capitalized costs, with no gain or loss recognized unless such disposition involves a material change in reserves, in which case the gain or loss is recognized. Depletion of the capitalized costs of oil and gas properties, including estimated future development costs, is provided using the equivalent unit-of-production method based upon estimates of proved oil and gas reserves and production, which are converted to a common unit of measure based upon their relative energy content. Unproved oil and gas properties are not amortized, but are individually assessed for impairment. The cost of any impaired property is transferred to the balance of oil and gas properties being depleted. The Company's quarterly production and results of operations have varied from quarter to quarter. Based on its scheduled drilling activities, the Company does not currently anticipate that its production volumes in the fourth quarter of 1997 will increase significantly compared to its production volumes in the prior year, prior quarters, and normal operating considerations and other factors could result in decreased production volumes in subsequent quarters. 9 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Because of the Company's ever-changing reserve base and sources of production, year to year or quarter to quarter comparisons of the Company's results of operations can be difficult. This situation is further complicated by significant changes in product mix (oil vs. gas volumes) and related price fluctuations for both oil and gas. For these reasons, the table below compares the Results of Operations on the basis of equivalent barrels of oil ("EBO") for the period indicated. An EBO means one barrel of oil equivalent using the ratio of six Mcf of gas to one barrel of oil. THREE MONTHS ENDED THREE MONTHS ENDED ----------------------------- ----------------------- 3-31-97 6-30-97 9-30-97 9-30-96 9-30-97 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Production and Prices: Oil (Bbls) 50,554 48,154 35,217 61,203 35,217 Natural Gas (Mcf) 976,555 862,245 793,660 1,063,521 793,660 Equivalent Barrels of Oil (EBO) 213,313 191,861 167,494 238,457 167,494 Oil Price (per Bbl) $21.01 $19.03 $21.57 $21.34 $21.57 Gas Price (per Mcf) $ 3.05 $ 2.02 $2.67 $2.51 2.67 Price per EBO $18.94 $13.84 $17.18 $16.67 $17.18 	 Results of Operations per EBO Oil and gas revenues $18.94 $13.84 $17.18 $16.67 $17.18 Costs and expenses: Lease operating expense 4.19 3.37 4.26 3.37 4.26 General and administrative .39 .31 .44 .31 .44 Public reporting, auditing and legal .27 .51 .29 .23 .29 Depreciation and depletion 4.50 4.45 4.74 4.98 4.74 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total costs and expenses 9.35 8.64 9.73 8.89 9.73 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Operating income 9.59 5.20 7.45 7.78 7.45 Interest expense, net .77 1.08 1.27 1.42 1.27 Other expense (income) (.03) (.03) (.04) (.04) (.04) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Pretax income 8.85 4.15 6.22 6.40 6.22 Income tax expense 2.92 1.37 2.05 2.18 2.05 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Net income 5.93 2.78 4.17 4.22 4.17 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- Cash flow before working capital adjustments $13.35 $ 8.60 $10.96 $11.38 $10.96 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== NINE MONTHS ENDED 9-30-95 9-30-96 9-30-97 ------- ------- ------- [S] [C] [C] [C] Production and Prices: Oil (Bbls) 102,207 163,303 133,924 Natural Gas (Mcf) 1,137,857 2,672,242 2,632,460 Equivalent Barrels of Oil (EBO) 291,850 608,677 572,667 Oil Price (per Bbl) $17.17 $21.00 $20.45 Gas Price (per Mcf) $1.46 $2.34 $2.60 Price per EBO $11.72 $15.93 $16.72 10 NINE MONTHS ENDED 9-30-95 9-30-96 9-30-97 ------- ------- ------- Results of Operations per EBO Oil and gas revenues $11.72 $15.93 $16.72 Costs and expenses: Lease operating expense 3.65 3.13 3.93 General and administrative .56 .34 .38 Public reporting, auditing and legal .52 .30 .36 Depreciation and depletion 3.75 4.30 4.55 ------ ------ ------ Total costs and expenses 8.48 8.07 9.22 ------ ------ ------ Operating income 3.24 7.86 7.50 ------ ------ ------ Interest expense, net 2.65 1.53 1.03 Other expense (income) (.12) (.09) (.03) ------ ------ ------ Pretax income .71 6.42 6.50 Income tax expense .24 2.18 2.15 ------ ------ ------ Net income .47 4.24 4.35 ------ ------ ------ Net cash flow before working capital $ 4.46 $10.72 $11.05 ====== ====== ====== The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the percentage of total revenues represented by each item reflected on the Company's statements of operations. THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED ------------------------------ -------------------- 3-31-97 6-30-97 9-30-97 9-30-96 9-30-97 ---------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Oil and gas revenues 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Costs and expenses: Production costs 22.1 24.4 24.8 19.6 23.5 General and administrative 2.1 2.2 2.6 2.1 2.2 Public reporting, auditing and legal 1.4 3.7 1.7 1.9 2.2 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 23.8 32.1 27.6 27.0 27.2 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total costs and expense 49.4 62.4 56.7 50.6 55.1 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Operating income 50.6 37.6 43.3 49.4 44.9 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Interest expense, net 4.1 7.8 7.4 9.6 6.2 Other expense (income) (.2) (.2) (.3) (.6) (.2) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Pretax income 46.7 30.0 36.2 40.4 38.9 Income tax expense 15.4 9.9 11.9 13.7 12.8 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Net income 31.3% 20.1% 24.3% 26.7% 26.1% ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== 11 THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 1996: Oil and Gas Revenues. Oil and gas revenues decreased $1,096,168, or 28%, to $2,878,040 for the three months ended September 30, 1997, from $3,974,208 for the same period of 1996. The decrease was primarily the result of a 70,963 EBO, or 30%, decrease to 167,494 EBO in the Company's oil and gas production, offset by a slight increase of 3% in the average sales price per EBO from $16.67 in the three months ended September 30, 1996 to $17.18 for the same period of 1997. Of the $1,096,168 decrease in revenues, approximately 90% was attributable to decreased oil and gas production volume offset by approximately a 10% increase in average sales prices. Production volumes decreased 30% primarily due to normal decline associated with new wells drilled during the first nine months of 1996 and wells temporarily off production pending remedial work during the third quarter 1997. Also, as a result of severe weather in the first half of fiscal 1997 the Company's drilling activities were curtailed which resulted in very little new production volumes being added. Production Costs. Production costs decreased $90,184, or 11%, to $713,319 during the third three months of 1997, from $803,503 for the same period of 1996. The 30% decrease in production of 70,963 EBO was primarily responsible for the increase in production costs per EBO. Average production costs per EBO increased $.89, or 26%, to $4.26 for the third three months in 1997 compared to $3.37 for the same period in 1996. General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased slightly to $74,375 for the third three months of 1997, from $74,506 for the same period of 1996 primarily due to a decrease in general corporate expense. General and Administrative expenses were $.44 per EBO sold in the third three months of 1997 compared to $.31 per EBO sold in the third three months of 1996. General and administrative costs are expected to remain fairly stable with no material increases expected in any particular category. Public Reporting, Auditing and Legal Expenses. Public reporting, auditing and legal expense decreased $5,853, or 11%, to $48,750 for the third three months of 1997, from $54,603 for the same period of 1996. Such decrease is primarily due to decreased legal expense and shareholder communication costs. Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense decreased $393,312, or 33%, to $793,416 for the third three months of 1997, from $1,186,728 for the same period of 1996. The decrease in depreciation, depletion and amortization as a percentage of revenues is primarily a result of the slight increase in prices realized per EBO and the aforementioned 30% decrease in EBO's sold in 1997 compared to 1996. Net Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $125,618, or 37%, to $212,412 for the three months ended September 30, 1997, from $338,030 for the same period of 1996, due principally to the decrease in the Company's revolving line of credit. Such decrease resulted from the repayment of the loan with the proceeds of the December 1996 stock offering and the Company's cash management system, whereby it maintains minimum cash balances with any excess cash applied against the line of credit. Income Tax Expense. The Company had an effective tax rate of 33% for the three months ended September 30, 1997. Net Income and Operating Cash Flow. Net income decreased $308,980, or 31%, to $698,311 for the three months ended September 30, 1997, compared to $1,007,291 for the three months ended September 30, 1996. Operating cash flow decreased $877,417, or 32%, to $1,835,670 for the three months ended September 30, 1997 compared to $2,713,087 for the three months ended September 30, 1996. The net income and operating cash flow decreases are primarily due to the 28% decrease in oil and gas revenues. 	 NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 1996: Oil and Gas Revenues. Oil and gas revenues decreased $120,027, or 1%, to $9,573,421 for the nine months ended September 30, 1997, from $9,693,448 for the same period of 1996. The decrease was primarily the result of 36,010 EBO, or 6%, decrease to 572,667 EBO in the Company's oil and gas production, and an increase of 5% in the average sales price per EBO from $15.93 in the nine months ended September 30, 1996 to $16.72 for the same period of 1997. Of the $120,027 decrease in revenues, approximately 55% was attributable to decreased oil and gas production volume offset by approximately 12 45% increase in average sales prices. Production volumes decreased 6% primarily due to normal decline associated with new wells drilled during the first nine months of 1996 and wells temporarily off production pending remedial work during the third quarter 1997. Also, as a result of severe weather in the first half of fiscal 1997 the Company's drilling activities were curtailed which resulted in very little new production volumes being added. Production Costs. Production costs increased $350,909, or 18%, to $2,253,102 for the first nine months of 1997, from $1,902,193 for the same period of 1996. The 6% decrease in production of 36,010 EBO was primarily responsible for the increase in production costs per EBO. The average production costs per EBO increased $.80, or 26%, to $3.93 for the first nine months in 1997 compared to $3.13 for the same period in 1996 as a result of increased day to day operating costs associated with production from the Company's Yegua/Frio wells. General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased $12,724, or 6%, to $217,546 for the first nine months of 1997, from $204,822 for the same period of 1996. As a result of the Company's low administrative cost structure and the decrease in revenues, the Company's general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues increased slightly from 2.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 to 2.2% for the same period in 1997. General and administrative costs are expected to remain fairly stable with no material increases expected in any particular category. Public Reporting, Auditing and Legal Expenses. Public reporting, auditing and legal expense increased $22,142, or 12%, to $203,492 for the first nine months of 1997, from $181,350 for the same period of 1996. Such increase is primarily due to increased legal expense, shareholder communication costs and the costs associated with one new employee. Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Expense. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense decreased $10,501, or .4%, to $2,608,024 for the first nine months of 1997, from $2,618,525 for the same period of 1996. The slight increase in depreciation, depletion and amortization as a percentage of revenues is primarily a result of an increase in the DD&A Rate to $4.55 in the nine months ended September 30, 1997 from $4.30 in 1996. The increase in the DD&A Rate is attributable to increased exploration and drilling activities. Net Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $346,503, or 37%, to $584,726 for the nine months ended September 30, 1997, from $931,229 for the same period of 1996, due principally to the decrease in the Company's revolving line of credit. Such decrease resulted from the repayment of the loan with the proceeds of the December 1996 stock offering and the Company's cash management system, whereby it maintains minimum cash balances with any excess cash applied against the line of credit. Income Tax Expense. The Company had an effective tax rate of 33% for the nine months ended September 30, 1997. Net Income and Operating Cash Flow. Net income decreased $86,015, or 3%, to $2,495,883 for the nine months ended September 30, 1997, compared to $2,581,898 for the nine months ended September 30, 1996. Operating cash flow decreased approximately $197,269, or 3%, to $6,333,222 for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 compared to $6,530,491 for the nine months ended September 30, 1996. The net income and operating cash flow decreases are primarily due to the 18% increase in production costs offset by the 37% decrease in interest expense. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Working capital decreased $299,791 as of September 30, 1997 compared to December 31, 1996. Current assets exceeded current liabilities by $51,726 at September 30, 1997 compared to $351,517 at December 31, 1996. Current assets decreased primarily due to a decrease of $887,510 in accounts receivable offset by an increase of $115,628 in prepaid expenses and a decrease in cash of $21,238 . The decrease in cash was primarily due to the Company's investments in oil and gas drilling activities, payment of trade payables and the Company's cash management system, whereby it maintains minimum cash balances with any excess cash applied against its bank line of credit. The Company continues to employ 3-D seismic technology in conjunction with its drilling activities, which are concentrated on certain gas prospects located onshore the Texas Gulf Coast. 13 The Company incurred net property costs of $7,957,997 primarily for its oil and gas property acquisition, development, and enhancement activities for the nine months ended September 30, 1997. Such costs were financed by the utilization of the Company's cash provided by operations, proceeds from the sale of certain properties, net cash provided by its line of credit and proceeds from the issuance of common stock. Based on the Company's projected oil and gas revenues and related expenses, management believes that its internally generated cash flow, coupled with proceeds from borrowings under the Company's lending facility, will be sufficient to fund its current operations. The Company continually reviews and considers alternative methods of financing. TREND AND PRICES changes in oil and gas prices. The markets for oil and gas have historically been, and will continue to be, volatile. Prices for oil and gas typically fluctuate in response to relatively minor changes in supply and demand, market uncertainty, seasonal, political and other factors beyond the control of the Company. The Company is unable to accurately predict domestic or worldwide political events or the effects of such other factors on the prices received by the Company for its oil and gas. The Company historically has not entered into transactions to hedge against changes in oil and gas prices, but may elect to enter into hedging transactions in the future to protect against fluctuations in oil and gas prices. During 1996, the average sales price received by the Company for its oil was approximately $21.83 per barrel ("Bbl"), as compared to $17.26 in 1995, while the average sales prices for the Company's gas was approximately $2.55 per thousand cubic feet ("Mcf") in 1996, as compared to $1.50 per Mcf in 1995. At September 30, 1997, the average price received by the Company for its oil production was approximately $20.45 per Bbl, while the average price received by the Company, at that same date, for its gas production was approximately $2.60 per Mcf. 14 PART II - OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Exhibits 27. Financial Data Schedule (b) Reports on Form 8-K No reports were filed on Form 8-K during the quarter ended September 30, 1997. 15 SIGNATURES PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, THE REGISTRANT HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REPORT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED. PARALLEL PETROLEUM CORPORATION Date: November 14, 1997 /s/ THOMAS R. CAMBRIDGE ------------------------------ THOMAS R. CAMBRIDGE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Date: November 14, 1997 /s/ LARRY C. OLDHAM ------------------------------ LARRY C. OLDHAM, PRESIDENT AND PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER 16 INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit		 No. Description of Exhibit - ------ -------------------------- *27 Financial Data Schedule - ----------------------- * Filed herewith