10-K 1 a09-1629_110k.htm 10-K

Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

Form 10-K

 

x

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008

 

OR

 

o

 

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  001-16749

 


 

GeoPetro Resources Company

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

California

 

94-3214487

(State of incorporation)

 

(IRS Employer Identification Number)

 

 

 

One Maritime Plaza, Suite 700
San Francisco, CA

 

94111

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(415) 398-8186

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, No Par Value

 

NYSE Alternext US

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o  No x

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No x

 

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 o

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer x

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller Reporting Company o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No x

 

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates was approximately $108,170,063 based on the closing sale price of $4.01 per share as reported by the American Stock Exchange on June 30, 2008.

 

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding on March 23, 2009 was 34,284,646.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement relating to the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed on or before April 30, 2009, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

GEOPETRO RESOURCES COMPANY

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Page

PART I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Business

 

3

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

9

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

 

21

Item 2.

Properties

 

21

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

 

32

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

32

 

 

 

 

PART II

 

 

 

Item 5.

Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

33

Item 6.

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

 

35

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

37

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

48

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

48

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

48

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

 

48

Item 9B.

Other Information

 

48

 

 

 

 

PART III

 

 

 

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

49

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

 

49

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters

 

49

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

 

49

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

49

 

 

 

 

PART IV

 

 

 

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

50

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

51

 

 

 

Index to Financial Statements

 

F-1

 

 

 

Glossary of Oil and Natural Gas Terms

 

52

 



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Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act as of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and we intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby.  These statements are related to future events or our future financial performance.  We have attempted to identify forward-looking statements with terminology, including “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “will,” or similar expressions as they relate to us and our business, industry and markets.  All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, such as those statements that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future. These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. Such forward looking statements are subject to change based on factors beyond our control. Certain factors that may affect our financial condition and results of operations are discussed in Item 1A “Risk Factors” , Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and may be discussed from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission subsequent to this report.  We assume no obligation, nor do we intend to update these forward-looking statements, unless required by law. Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to “GeoPetro,” “Company”, “we,” “us” and “our” refer to GeoPetro Resources Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

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PART I

 

Item 1. Business

 

We were incorporated in the State of Wyoming in August 1994 under the name GeoPetro Company as an oil and gas exploration, development drilling and production company. In June 1996, we merged with our wholly-owned subsidiary, GeoPetro Resources Subsidiary Company, a California corporation, and the resulting merged company is incorporated in the state of California under the California General Corporation Law under the name GeoPetro Resources Company.

 

Our principal and registered office is located at One Maritime Plaza, Suite 700, San Francisco, California, USA 94111.  We maintain a website located at www.geopetro.com.

 

Intercorporate Relationships

 

We hold 100% of the shares of Redwood Energy Company, a Texas corporation, “Redwood.”  Redwood is the general partner of, and holds a 5% interest in, Redwood Energy Production, L.P., “Redwood LP”, a Texas limited partnership. We are the sole limited partner of Redwood LP and own the remaining 95% partnership interest in Redwood LP. Redwood also holds a 100% interest in Madisonville Midstream, LLC, “Madisonville Midstream”, a Texas  limited liability company.

 

In addition, we hold a 12% interest in Continental-GeoPetro (Bengara II) Ltd., “C-G Bengara” which is a British Virgin Islands company and a 50% interest in CG Xploration Inc., “CG Xploration”, which is a Delaware corporation.

 

We also hold 100% of the shares of GeoPetro Canada Ltd., “GeoPetro Canada”, an Alberta company, 100% of the shares of GeoPetro Alaska LLC “GeoPetro Alaska”, an Alaska limited liability company, and 100% of the shares of South Texas GeoPetro, LLC, “South Texas GeoPetro”, a Texas limited liability company.

 

Our Company also holds 100% of the shares of GeoPetro International Ltd., a British Virgin Islands company, 100% of the shares of GeoPetro Resources Pte. Ltd., a Republic of Singapore Company, 100% shares of GeoPetro Resources (South Bengara – II) Pte, Ltd., a Republic of Singapore Company and 25% of the shares of ACG (South Bengara – II) Pte, Ltd., a Republic of Singapore Company.

 

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS

 

During the past five years, we have conducted leasehold acquisition, exploration and drilling activities on our North American, Australian and Indonesian prospects. These projects currently encompass approximately 379,547 gross (161,171 net) acres, consisting of mineral leases, production sharing contracts and exploration permits that give us the right to explore for, develop and produce oil and natural gas. Most of these properties are in the exploration, appraisal or development drilling phase and have not begun to produce revenue from the sale of oil and natural gas. Excluding minor interest and dividend income, our only cash inflows until 2003 were the recovery of capital invested in projects through sale or other divestiture of interests in oil and gas prospects to industry partners.

 

In December 2000, we acquired working interests in oil and natural gas leases in the Madisonville Field in Madison County, Texas, including interests in the Rodessa Formation. Also included in the acquisition was the Magness Well, an existing well that had been drilled, cased and production tested in the Rodessa Formation. In October 2001, we re-completed and tested the Magness Well over a 12-day period. In October 2002, we drilled, completed and successfully tested an injection well to dispose of waste products resulting from the treating process for gas produced from the Rodessa Formation. The Madisonville Field gas treatment plant and associated pipelines, which were built specifically for this project, were placed into service in May 2003, and the Magness Well began production in late May 2003. Since 2003, substantially all of our revenue has been generated from natural gas sales derived from the Madisonville Field, and the Madisonville Project was our primary source of revenue in 2008. The first development well in the Madisonville Field, the Fannin Well, was drilled in 2005 and was tested at rates of up to 25.7 MMcf/d. In 2006, we drilled the Wilson and Mitchell wells. In March 2009, the Fannin, Mitchell and Magness wells are producing while the Wilson well is shut-in awaiting a fracture stimulation. We own a 100% working interest in the four wells. Historically, our wells have been production constrained by the gas treatment plant at the Madisonville Field, which had a treating capacity limit of approximately 18,000 Mcf per day. In 2003, we entered into an agreement with the then plant owner, Madisonville Gas Processing, LP (“MGP”), an unaffiliated third party, which required, among other things, that MGP expand the design treating capacity of the plant from 18,000 to 68,000 Mcf per day

 

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to treat additional volumes from our producing wells. In late 2007, MGP began operations of the additional treating facilities and the additional treating capacity at such facilities; however, full operations were never reached due to the presence of diamondoids in the gas stream produced from the Rodessa Formation.  On December 31, 2008, GeoPetro acquired the MGP gas treatment plant, as well as the related gas gathering pipelines and facilities.   This acquisition is expected to allow the Company to improve operating efficiencies by consolidating the upstream and midstream portions of Madisonville project. By owning the midstream portion of the Madisonville project, we not only expect better net price realizations and operational efficiencies (i.e. improved volume realizations), but we also will control the timing and design of the current expansion of the plant facilities as well as future expansions, if needed.   See “Properties — Description of the Properties — Texas — The Madisonville Midstream Gas Treatment Plant and Gathering Facilities.”

 

As of March 23, 2009, we have 34,284,646 shares of common stock outstanding as a result of raising approximately $56 million of equity, net of offering costs, by way of private placements and a public offering in Canada. These funds have been used primarily to acquire, explore and develop our oil and natural gas prospects.

 

Growth Strategy

 

Our growth strategy is to maximize shareholder value through the exploration and development drilling of oil and natural gas prospects. To carry out this philosophy we employ the following business strategies:

 

·       identify and pursue potential projects which individually have the potential to be “company makers” which we define as projects which could generate a minimum unrisked net present value of $50 million net to our interest using a 10% discount factor;

 

·       perform geological, engineering and geophysical evaluations;

 

·       gain control of key acreage;

 

·       generate high quality drillable exploration and development drilling prospects;

 

·       retain a large working interest in those projects which involve low risk appraisal or development drilling, exploitation or appraisal of proved, probable and possible reserves; and

 

·       minimize early investment and exploration risk in higher risk exploratory prospects through farmouts to other oil and natural gas companies and maintain meaningful interests with a “carry” through the exploration phase.

 

Risks Associated With Foreign Operations

 

Our business activities in Indonesia, Canada and the United States are subject to political and economic risks, including: loss of revenue, property and equipment as a result of unforeseen events like expropriation, nationalization, war, terrorist attacks and insurrection; risks of increases in import, export and transportation regulations and tariffs, taxes and governmental royalties; renegotiation of contracts with governmental entities; changes in laws and policies governing operations of foreign-based companies in Indonesia; exchange controls, and numerous other factors. While we expect these risks are greater in Indonesia, especially political risk, any one or more of such political or economic conditions could change in the United States or Canada to our detriment. For a related discussion of the risks attendant with our foreign operations, see “Risk Factors.”

 

Financial Information About Geographic Areas

 

Please see the notes to the financial statements for information concerning oil and gas properties located in the United States and foreign countries.

 

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Regulations

 

Domestic exploration, production and sale of oil and gas are extensively regulated at both the federal and state levels. Our business is and will be directly or indirectly affected by numerous governmental laws and regulations applicable to the energy industry, including:

 

·       Federal environmental laws and regulations

 

·       State environmental laws and regulations

 

·       Local environmental laws and regulations

 

·       Federal energy laws and regulations

 

·       Conservation laws and regulations

 

·       Tax and other laws and regulations pertaining to the energy industry

 

Legislation, rules and regulations affecting the oil and gas industry are under constant review for amendment or expansion, frequently increasing the regulatory burden. Any changes in the existing legislation, rules or regulations could adversely affect our business. The regulatory burdens are often costly to comply with and carry substantial penalties for failure to comply.

 

As of December 2008, we have re-completed an existing producing well and drilled three additional producing wells and an injection well in the Madisonville Project as operator. In addition, we may drill oil, gas and disposal wells in the future as the operator and will be required to obtain local government and other permits to drill such wells. There can be no assurance that such permits will be available on a timely basis or at all. Texas and other states have statutes or regulations pertaining to conservation matters which, among other matters, regulate the unitization or pooling of gas properties and the spacing, plugging and abandonment of such wells and set limits on the maximum rates of natural gas that can be produced from gas wells.

 

Our operations and activities are subject to numerous federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. These laws and regulations:

 

·       Require the acquisition of permits

 

·       Restrict the type, quantities and concentration of various substances that can be discharged into the environment

 

·       Limit or prohibit drilling and other activities on wetlands and other designated, protected areas

 

·       Regulate the generation, handling, storage, transportation, disposal and treatment of waste materials

 

·       Impose criminal or civil liabilities for pollution resulting from oil and natural gas operations

 

We expect that with the increase in our exploratory and development drilling activities, the impact of environmental laws and regulations on our business and operations will also increase. We may be required in the future to make substantial outlays of money to comply with environmental laws and regulations. Additional changes in operating procedures and expenditures to comply with future environmental laws cannot be predicted.

 

Other than our U.S. projects, we do not operate oil and gas properties in which we own an interest. In those instances, we are not in the position to exert direct control over compliance with most of the rules and regulations discussed above. We are substantially dependent on the operators of our non-operated oil and gas properties to monitor, administer and oversee such compliance. The failure of the operator to comply with such rules and regulations could result in substantial liabilities to us.

 

As the operator of the Madisonville Project, among other various environmental laws and regulations, we are subject to the U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) and any comparable legislation adopted by Texas which imposes strict, joint and several liability on owners and operators of properties and on persons who dispose or arrange for the disposal of “hazardous substances” found on or under the sites of such properties.

 

Under CERCLA, one owner, lessee or other party, having responsibility for and an interest in a site requiring cleanup may, under certain circumstances, be required to bear a disproportionate share of liability for the cost of such cleanup if payments cannot be obtained from other responsible parties. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) and comparable rules adopted by Texas and other states regulate the generation, management and disposal of hazardous oil and gas waste.

 

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The Texas Railroad Commission has been delegated the responsibility and authority to regulate and prevent pollution from oil and gas operations, including the prevention of pollution of surface or subsurface water resulting from the drilling of oil and gas wells and the production of oil and gas. In addition to regulating the generation, management and disposal of hazardous oil and gas waste, the Texas Railroad Commission has been delegated authority to regulate underground hydrocarbon storage, saltwater disposal pits and injection wells.

 

The drilling of oil and gas wells in Texas requires operators to obtain drilling permits, file an organization report and a performance bond or other form of financial security, such as a letter of credit, and obtain a permit to maintain pits to store and dispose of drilling fluids, saltwater and waste as well as other types of pits for other purposes. The issuance of such permits is conditioned upon the Texas Railroad Commission’s determination that these pits will not result in waste or pollution of surface or subsurface water.

 

Other states in which we have an interest in oil and gas properties may impose similar or more stringent regulations than imposed under CERCLA or RCRA.

 

In re-completing the existing well on the Madisonville Project, we were required to drill a well for injection or disposal of produced waste gas from wells. Injection wells are subject to regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA”) and the regulations and procedures which have been adopted by the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) under that Act. Generally, enforcement procedures under the SDWA are administered by the EPA unless such authority has been delegated by the EPA to a state which has primary enforcement responsibility based on the EPA’s determination that the state has adopted drinking water regulations no less stringent than the national primary drinking water regulations and meets certain other criteria. Underground injection wells not used for the underground injection of natural gas for storage are generally unlawful and subject to penalties under the SWDA unless authorized by:

 

·       permit issued by the EPA or a state having primary enforcement responsibility, or

 

·       rule pursuant to an underground injection control program established by a state or the EPA.

 

To the extent our pipelines transport natural gas in interstate commerce, the rates, terms and conditions of that transportation service are subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, pursuant to Section 311 of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978, or NGPA, which regulates, among other things, the provision of transportation services by an intrastate natural gas pipeline on behalf of an interstate natural gas pipeline.  Under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the FERC has authority to impose penalties for violations of the Natural Gas Act, up to $1 million per day for each violation and disgorgement of profits associated with any violation.

 

The regulatory burden on the natural gas and oil industry increases our cost of doing business.  Future developments, such as stricter requirements of environmental or health and safety laws and regulations affecting our business or more stringent interpretations of, or enforcement policies with respect to, such laws and regulations, could adversely affect us. To meet changing permitting and operational standards, we may be required, over time, to make site or operational modifications at our facilities, some of which might be significant and could involve substantial capital expenditures. There can be no assurance that material costs or liabilities will not arise from these or additional environmental matters that may be discovered or otherwise may arise from future requirements of law.   See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Business”

 

Foreign Regulations

 

We own a working interest in an oil and gas project located in Indonesia. We have farmed out our interest in this project to a third party who is the operator of this project. In exploring for, drilling and developing this property, this operator will be required to comply with the environmental, conservation, tax and other laws and regulations of Indonesia. We own non-operated working interests in oil and gas projects located in Canada.  In exploring for, drilling and developing these properties, these operators will be required to comply with the environmental, conservation, tax and other laws and regulations in Canada.

 

Technology

 

We participate in projects utilizing economically feasible exploration technology in our exploration and development drilling activities to reduce risks, lower costs, and more efficiently produce oil and gas. We believe that the availability of

 

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cost effective 2-D and 3-D seismic data makes its use in exploration and development drilling activities attractive from a risk management perspective in certain areas.

 

Briefly, through the use of a seismograph, a seismic survey sends pulses of sound from the surface down into the earth, and records the echoes reflected back to the surface. By calculating the speed at which sound travels through the various layers of rock, it is possible to estimate the depth to the reflecting surface. It then becomes possible to infer the structure of rock deep below the earth’s surface. We evaluate substantially all of our exploratory prospects using 2-D seismic data. In addition, we own approximately 12 square miles of 3-D seismic data covering our leasehold and adjacent lands in the Madisonville Project.

 

The use of seismic technology does not entirely remove the risk of exploration and development drilling of oil and natural gas deposits. It is important to consider the following:

 

·       we may not recognize significant geological features due to errors in interpretation, processing limitations, the presence of certain geological environments that are out of our control or other factors;

 

·       seismic generally becomes less reliable with increasing depth of the geological horizon; and

 

·       the use of this technology may increase our finding cost.

 

Principal Products

 

Our principal products are the production of natural gas and crude oil from properties in which we own an interest. Since our inception, we have realized only limited production of natural gas and crude oil from the properties in which we own an interest. We have working interests in various undeveloped oil and gas properties. See “Properties” for a general description of these properties.

 

During the last three fiscal years, 100% of our revenues have been derived from the sale of natural gas. Substantially all of our natural gas sales, over 98%, have been generated by three producing wells, the Magness #1, Fannin #1 and Mitchell #1 wells, located in the Madisonville Field in East Texas. Natural gas produced by the wells is delivered to a gathering pipeline and transported to a nearby gas treatment plant where it is treated to remove impurities. On December 31, 2008, we purchased this natural gas treatment plant and related gathering pipeline from Madisonville Gas Processing, LP (“MGP”), an unaffiliated third party.   Prior to the plant being purchased, our untreated natural gas was sold at the well head to MGP.  Upon completion of the purchase of the treatment plant and gathering pipeline facilities, all future natural gas sales will occur upon delivery to our common carriers.   From the plant, the natural gas is transported approximately nine miles to one of two common carrier pipelines from which point it is delivered to the greater Dallas, Texas area. The price received for the natural gas is the Houston Ship Channel price index less certain adjustments for the quality of the gas delivered and gathering and transportation costs.

 

For financial information regarding our business activities, please see our Financial Statements beginning on page F-1 of this annual report. Substantially all of our revenue is produced from natural gas sales in the Madisonville Field located in East Texas.

 

Reserves

 

The volume of production from oil and natural gas properties generally declines as reserves are depleted, with the rate of decline depending on reservoir characteristics. Our proved reserves will decline as reserves are produced from our properties unless we are able to acquire or develop new reserves.

 

Acquisition of Producing Properties

 

We may supplement our exploration efforts with acquisitions of producing oil and gas properties. We may seek to acquire producing properties that are underperforming relative to their potential.

 

Patents, Trademarks, Licenses, Franchises and Concessions Held

 

Permits and licenses are important to our operations, since they allow the search for the extraction of any oil, gas and minerals discovered on the areas covered. See “Properties” for a general description of the permits and licenses under which

 

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we operate. Provided we establish a commercial discovery thereon, the Bengara PSC in Indonesia grants us the right to produce oil and gas from the PSC area until 2027.

 

Seasonality of Business

 

Our business is not seasonal.

 

Working Capital Items

 

The majority of our current assets are in the form of cash received from the sale of natural gas from our Madisonville Project in Texas, amounts received from issuance of long-term notes and from the sale of common stock in private placements. We use this cash to pay for the cost of our operations, service of debt facilities, and other administrative activities. For further information see, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

Customers

 

Substantially all of our revenues to date have been derived from sales by MGP to two customers, Luminant Energy Company, and ETC Katy Pipeline, Ltd., of natural gas produced from our Madisonville Project in Texas. We have not committed any forward sales of our natural gas. We contract to sell the gas with spot-market based contracts that vary with market forces. No other customer accounts for in excess of 10% of our revenues.  The loss of either of these customers could result in the loss of our revenues, which would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.  See “Risk Factors”.

 

Competition

 

The natural gas and oil industry is intensely competitive and speculative in all of its phases. We encounter competition from other natural gas and oil companies in all areas of our operations. In seeking suitable natural gas and oil properties for acquisition, we compete with other companies operating in our areas of interest, including large natural gas and oil companies and other independent operators, which have greater financial resources and in many instances, have been engaged in the exploration and production business for a much longer time than we have. Many of our competitors also have substantially larger operating staffs than we do. Many of these competitors not only explore for and produce natural gas and oil but also market natural gas and oil and other products on a regional, national or worldwide basis. These competitors may be able to pay more for productive natural gas and oil properties and exploratory prospects and define, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than us. In addition, these competitors may have a greater ability to continue exploration activities during periods of low market prices. Our ability to acquire additional properties and to discover reserves in the future will depend on our ability to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment.

 

The prices of our natural gas production are controlled by market forces. However, competition in the natural gas and oil exploration industry also exists in the form of competition to acquire leases and obtain favorable transportation prices. Our Company is relatively small and may have difficulty acquiring additional acreage and/or projects and may have difficulty arranging for the transportation of our production. We also face competition in obtaining natural gas and oil drilling rigs and in sourcing the manpower to run them and provide related services.

 

Employees

 

Currently, we have 20 employees, all of whom are full time. We use the services of independent consultants and contractors to perform various professional services, including reservoir engineering, land, legal, environmental and tax services. On those properties where we are not the operator, we rely on outside operators to drill, produce and market our natural gas and oil.

 

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Available Information

 

We maintain a website located at http://www.geopetro.com and electronic copies of our annual, quarterly and current reports, and any amendments to those reports, are available free of charge under the Investor Relations link on our website.  This information is available on our website, as soon as practicable after such material is filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

In addition to risks and uncertainties in the ordinary course of business that are common to all businesses, important factors that are specific to our industry and our company could materially impact our future performance and results of operations. We have provided below a list of these risk factors that should be reviewed when considering our securities. These are not all the risks we face and other factors currently considered immaterial or unknown to us may impact our future operations.

 

Risks Related to Our Business

 

As of December 31, 2008, we have capitalized costs totaling $59 million as evaluated and unevaluated oil and gas properties whereas we have generated revenues of only $36 million since January 1, 2003 and revenues of only $6.2 million during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

 

Since inception, our activities have been primarily related to acquiring and exploring leasehold interests in oil and natural gas properties in Texas, California, Alaska, Canada, Indonesia and Australia. We incur substantial acquisition and exploration costs and overhead expenses in our operations, and until 2003, excluding minor interest and dividend income, our only significant cash inflows were the recovery of capital invested in projects through sale or other divestitures of interests in oil and gas prospects to industry partners. As a result, we have sustained an accumulated deficit through December 31, 2008 of $12.2 million. Our production activities were commenced in May 2003. Since May 2003, over 98% of our revenue has been generated from natural gas sales derived from wells in the Madisonville Field in Texas. It is possible that in the future we will be unable to continue to generate revenues from our sales of natural gas from our Madisonville Field wells because our proved reserves decline as reserves are produced from the wells. The drilling of exploratory oil and natural gas wells is highly speculative and often unproductive. Our participation in future drilling activities to explore, develop and exploit the properties in which we have an interest, or in which we may acquire interests, may be unsuccessful, may fail to generate positive cash flow, and may not enable us to maintain profitability in the future.

 

We may be unable to integrate successfully the operations of the Madisonville Gas Treatment Plant with our operations and we may not realize all the anticipated benefits of the Madisonville Gas Treatment Plant.

 

We formerly contracted with Madisonville Gas Processing, LP, (“MGP”) which owned and operated gathering pipelines and a dedicated natural gas treatment plant (which we refer to as the Madisonville Gas Treatment Plant), to treat impurities in the natural gas generated by our Madisonville Project.  Effective December 31, 2008, we acquired the Madisonville Gas Treatment Plant from MGP through our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Madisonville Midstream LLC.  We plan to complete the expansion of the Madisonville Gas Treatment Plant’s treatment capacity from 18 MMcf/d to 68 MMcf/d.  Operations in the additional facilities were suspended by MGP in December 2007 in order to deal with the presence of diamondoids in the gas stream produced from the Rodessa Formation.  During March 2009,  the Fannin, Magness and Mitchell wells are producing at a combined restricted rate of approximately 7 MMcf/d while the Wilson  well is shut-in.    There can be no assurance that we will be able to accomplish the expansion and achieve a full treatment capacity of 68 MMcf/d.

 

Even if we are able to successfully complete the expansion of the Madisonville Gas Treatment Plant from 18 MMcf/d to 68 MMcf/d, third parties may seek access to the plant through regulatory proceedings, which could limit our use of the Plant and disrupt our production operations.

 

Third parties have, and may in the future, seek access to the Madisonville Gas Treatment Plant through regulatory proceedings, which could restrict our access to the Plant, disrupt our production operations and negatively impact our revenues.  An example of such a proceeding is the complaint filed by Crimson with the Texas Railroad Commission described under “Properties — Description of the Properties — Texas — The Madisonville Gas Treatment Plant and Gathering Facilities.”  On August 9, 2006, the Texas Railroad Commission issued an order requiring MGP to ratably process, take,

 

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transport or purchase natural gas produced by Crimson into the Madisonville Gas Treatment Plant.  Since Crimson now has the right to have its natural gas treated at the Plant, our ability to treat our own natural gas will be reduced to the extent of Crimson’s usage.  Crimson is currently utilizing approximately 3% of the Plant’s capacity, which does not materially impact our operations; however, Crimson’s usage could increase in the future.

 

Substantially all of our revenues have been generated from natural gas sales derived from wells in the Madisonville Field, and 100% of our natural gas generated from the Madisonville  Field wells is treated at the Madisonville Midstream Gas Treatment Plant, which is 100% indirectly owned by the Company.  If our ability to treat natural gas at the Madisonville Midstream Gas Treatment Plant is limited for any reason, including but not limited to increased demands by third parties, our revenues may be adversely affected.

 

Substantially all  of our current revenues are generated by our interest in the Madisonville Project. Delays or interruptions of the Madisonville Project natural gas drilling and production operations including, but not limited to, events beyond our control or the failure of third parties on which we rely to provide key services, could negatively impact our revenues.

 

Substantially all of our oil and natural gas revenues for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were derived from the Madisonville Project. In connection with that project, we have contracted with Gateway Processing Company, (“Gateway”) which operates a sales pipeline for natural gas.

 

The failure of Gateway to perform its contractual obligations to us could impose delays or interruptions in our production operations and prevent us from generating revenues. In addition, events which are beyond our control, or that of Gateway, could affect our production operations. Such events include, but are not limited to:

 

·       events referred to as force majeure, such as an act of God, act of a public enemy, war, blockade, public riot, lightning, fire, storm, flood, explosion and any other causes whether of the kind enumerated or otherwise not reasonably within the control of Gateway.

 

·       the inability to secure raw materials or equipment,

 

·       transportation accidents, and

 

·       labor disputes and equipment failures.

 

We do not own all of the land on which our pipelines and facilities are located, and we are therefore subject to the possibility of not being able to retain necessary land use and associated increased costs.

 

We have the right to operate our pipelines on land owned by third parties for specified periods of time.   Our loss of these rights, through our inability to renew rights-of-way contracts, leases or otherwise, could result in the suspension of our operations, or increased costs related to continuing operations elsewhere, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

If third-party pipelines and other facilities interconnected to our natural gas pipelines and processing facilities become partially or fully unavailable to transport natural gas, our revenues could be adversely affected.

 

We depend upon third party pipelines and other facilities to provide delivery options from the Madisonville Midstream Gas Treatment Plant to our customers.  If any of these third party pipelines become unavailable to transport the natural gas produced at the Madisonville Gas Treatment Plant, or if the gas quality specifications for these pipelines or facilities change, we would be required to find alternate means to transport our natural gas out of the Madisonville Gas Treatment Plant, which could increase our costs, reduce the revenues we might obtain from the sale of our natural gas or reduce our ability to process natural gas at the Plant.

 

In excess of 90% of our revenues to date have been derived from sales by MGP to two customers. The loss of one or both these customers could have a material adverse impact on our oil and gas revenues.

 

Approximately 99% of our oil and natural gas revenues for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were derived from the Madisonville Project. During 2008 and 2007, approximately 99% of our revenues have been derived from sales by MGP to two customers, Luminant Energy Company, LLC, and ETC Katy Pipeline, Ltd. The loss of, or material nonpayment

 

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by one of these customers could impact the price we receive for our gas sold due to lessened competition. The loss of, or material nonpayment by, both customers could result in a  loss of our revenue.  Our customers may be subject to their own operating risks which could increase the risk that they could default on their obligation to us.

 

Unless we replace our oil and natural gas reserves, our reserves and production will decline.

 

The volume of production from oil and natural gas properties generally declines as reserves are depleted, with the rate of decline depending on reservoir characteristics. Our proved reserves will decline as reserves are produced from our properties unless we are able to acquire or develop new reserves. The business of exploring for, developing or acquiring reserves is capital intensive. For example, as of December 31, 2008 we have capitalized costs totaling $59 million as evaluated and unevaluated oil and gas properties. To the extent cash flow from operations is reduced and external sources of capital become limited or unavailable, our ability to make the necessary capital investment to maintain or expand our asset base of oil and natural gas reserves will be impaired. Even if we are able to raise capital to develop or acquire additional properties, no assurance can be given that our future exploitation and development drilling activities will result in the discovery of any reserves.

 

Our exploration and development drilling activities may not be commercially successful. The drilling of exploratory oil and natural gas wells is expensive, highly speculative and often unproductive.

 

Exploration for oil and natural gas on unproven prospects is expensive, highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk, including the risk that no commercially productive oil or natural gas reservoirs will be encountered. Reserves are dependent on our ability to successfully complete drilling activity on proven prospects.

 

The cost of drilling, completing and operating wells is often uncertain, and drilling operations may be curtailed, delayed or cancelled as a result of a variety of factors, including:

 

·  unexpected drilling conditions, pressure or irregularities in formations;

 

·  subsurface conditions or formations encountered during the drilling of wells, whether natural or mechanical, including but not limited to blowout, igneous rock, salt, saltwater flow, loss of circulation, loss of hole, abnormal pressures, or any other impenetrable substance or adverse condition, which renders further drilling of a well impossible or impractical.

 

·  equipment failures or accidents, adverse weather conditions;

 

·  compliance with governmental requirements; and

 

·  shortages or delays in the availability of drilling rigs, the delivery of equipment, and availability of qualified manpower.

 

Our evaluations of the oil and gas prospects of our properties may be wrong.

 

With the exception of the Madisonville Project, the properties in which we have an interest are prospects in which the presence of oil and natural gas reserves in commercial quantities has not been established. Any decision to engage in exploratory drilling or other activities on any of these properties will be dependent in part on the evaluation of data compiled by petroleum engineers and geologists and obtained through geophysical testing and geological analysis.

 

Reservoir engineering, geophysics and geology are not exact sciences and the results of studies and tests used to make such evaluations are sometimes inconclusive or subject to varying interpretations. As such, there is no certain way to know in advance whether any of our prospects will yield oil and natural gas in commercial quantities. Further, it is possible that we will participate in the drilling of more dry holes than productive wells or that all or substantially all of the wells drilled will be dry holes. The drilling of dry holes on prospects in which we have an interest could adversely affect their values and our decision to undertake further exploration and development drilling of such prospects. It is not certain or predictable whether, and no assurance can be made that, the wells drilled on the properties in which we have an interest will be productive or, if productive, that we will recover all or any part of our investment in the properties. In sum, our participation in future drilling activities may not be successful and, if unsuccessful, such failure will negatively impact our revenues and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Our oil and natural gas revenues were $6,152,542 and $6,890,777 for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Future revenues could decline from those levels if our future drilling efforts are not successful. Furthermore, as of December 31, 2008 we have capitalized costs totaling $59 million as evaluated and unevaluated oil and gas properties. Should our future drilling activities be unsuccessful, we may

 

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then be required to record an impairment charge equal to a portion of, or all, of the capitalized costs resulting in an immediate adverse impact on our results of operations and financial position.

 

Our business may be harmed by failures of third party operators on which we rely.

 

Our ability to manage and mitigate the various risks associated with certain of our exploration and operations in Alberta, Canada, and Indonesia is limited since we rely on third parties to operate our projects. We are a non-operating interest owner in our Canadian and Indonesian properties. With respect to our interests in Canada and Indonesia, we have entered into agreements with third party operators for the conduct and supervision of drilling, completion and production operations. In the event that commercial quantities of oil and natural gas are discovered on one of our properties, the success of the oil and natural gas operations on that property depends in large measure on whether the operator of the property properly performs its obligations. The failure of such operators and their contractors to perform their services in a proper manner could result in materially adverse consequences to the owners of interests in that particular property, including us.

 

Our percentage share of oil and gas revenues from our Indonesian property is diminished by the terms of our production sharing contract in the Bengara Block.

 

C-G Bengara owns 100% of the underlying rights to explore for and produce oil and natural gas within the Bengara Block.  We have a 12% interest in C-G Bengara. C-G Bengara is subject to a production sharing contract, which means generally that C-G Bengara is entitled to receive, from production proceeds, 100% of expenditures in the block as “cost recovery.” Once these costs are recovered, C-G Bengara’s production share will be reduced to approximately 26.7% of oil produced and 62.5% of all natural gas produced. We are entitled to 12% of C-G Bengara’s reduced share of any such production. See the discussion under “Properties- Indonesia — Terms of Participation in the Bengara Block” for more information concerning the production sharing contract.

 

Drilling and completion equipment, services, supplies and personnel are scarce and may not be available when needed, which could significantly disrupt or delay our operations.

 

From time to time, there has been a general shortage of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies and oilfield services in North America and Indonesia.  In addition, the costs and delivery times of rigs, equipment and supplies have risen when short supply of equipment existed in the past. There can be no assurance that sufficient drilling and completion equipment, services and supplies will be available when needed. Shortages could delay our proposed exploration, development drilling, and sales activities, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Our oil and natural gas revenues were $6.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. Future revenues could decline from those levels if we experience delays in our proposed exploration, development drilling, and sales activities. The demand for, and wage rates of, qualified rig crews have risen in the drilling industry due to the increasing number of active rigs in service. If the demand for qualified rig crews continues to rise in the drilling industry, then the oil and gas industry may experience shortages of qualified personnel to operate drilling rigs. This could delay our drilling operations and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our working interest in properties, and our ability to realize any profits from such properties, will be diminished to the extent that we enter into farmout arrangements with unaffiliated third parties.

 

We have previously entered into, and may in the future enter into, farmout arrangements with third parties willing to drill natural gas and oil wells on leaseholds in which we originally acquired working interests, in exchange for our assignment of part or all of our leasehold interests. As a consequence of these arrangements, our retained interests in properties which are subject to farmout arrangements have been or may be diminished. Our opportunity to realize revenues and profits from properties which are successfully developed under farmout arrangements will be diminished to the extent of our reduced interests.

 

Competition with other oil and natural gas exploration and development drilling companies for viable oil and natural gas properties may limit our success.

 

It is likely that in seeking future property acquisitions, we will compete with companies which have substantially greater financial and management resources. Our competition comes primarily from three sources:

 

(a)                                  those competitors that are seeking oil and gas fields for expansion, further drilling, or increased production through improved engineering techniques;

 

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(b)                                 income-seeking entities purchasing a predictable stream of earnings based upon historic production from fields being acquired; and

 

(c)                                  junior companies seeking exploration opportunities in unknown, unproven territories.

 

Our competitors may be able to pay more for productive oil and natural gas properties and may be able to define, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than we can. Our ability to acquire additional properties in the future will depend upon our ability to conduct efficient operations, evaluate and select suitable properties, implement advanced technologies and consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment.

 

Estimates of oil and natural gas reserves are inherently imprecise. Any material inaccuracies in these reserve estimates or underlying assumptions will affect materially the quantities and present value of our reserves.

 

Estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves and the future net cash flows attributable to those reserves are prepared by independent petroleum engineers and geologists. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved oil and natural gas reserves and cash flows attributable to such reserves, including factors beyond our control and that of our engineers. Reserve engineering is a subjective process of estimating underground accumulations of oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact manner. Different reserve engineers may make different estimates of reserves and cash flows based on the same available data. The accuracy of an estimate of quantities of reserves, or of cash flows attributable to such reserves, is a function of the available data, assumptions regarding future oil and natural gas prices and expenditures for future development drilling and exploration activities, and of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. Additionally, reserves and future cash flows may be subject to material downward or upward revisions, based upon production history, development drilling and exploration activities and prices of oil and natural gas. Actual future production, revenue, taxes, development drilling expenditures, operating expenses, underlying information, quantities of recoverable reserves and the value of cash flows from such reserves may vary significantly from the assumptions and underlying information set forth herein.

 

Competitive pressures may force us to implement new technologies at substantial cost and our limited financial resources may limit our ability to implement such technologies at the same rate as our competitors.

 

The oil and gas industry is characterized by rapid and significant technological advancements and introductions of new products and services utilizing new technologies. Other oil and gas 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 do. There can be no assurance that we will be able to respond to such competitive pressures and implement such technologies on a timely basis or at all. One or more of the technologies currently utilized by us or implemented in the future may become obsolete.

 

We will require additional capital to fund our future activities. Our ability to pursue our business plan may be restricted by our access to additional financing.

 

Until such time as the properties in which we own interests are generating sufficient cash flow to fund planned capital expenditures, we will be required to raise additional capital through the issuance of additional securities or otherwise sell or farmout interests in our oil and natural gas properties to third parties. If and when the properties in which we own interests become productive and have adequate reserves, we may borrow funds to finance our future oil and natural gas operations and exploratory and development drilling activities. We may not be able to raise additional funds in the future from any source or, if such additional funds are made available to us, we may not be able to obtain such additional financing on terms acceptable to us. To the extent such funds are not available from any of those sources, our operations and activities will be limited to those operations and activities we can afford with the funds then available to us. Our larger competitors, by reason of their size and relative financial strength, may be more easily able to access capital markets than us.

 

The volatility in crude oil and natural gas prices could adversely affect our financial results and ability to raise additional capital.

 

Our revenues, cash flows and profitability are substantially dependent on prevailing prices for both oil and natural gas. Decreases in natural gas prices will decrease revenues and cash flows from the Madisonville Project and our other producing properties, if any, and decreases in oil and natural gas prices could deter potential investors from investing in our company and generally impede our ability to raise additional financing to fund our exploration and development drilling activities. Historically, oil and natural gas prices and markets have been volatile, and they are likely to continue to be volatile in the future. Prices for oil and natural gas are subject to wide fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in the supply of,

 

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and demand for, oil and natural gas, market uncertainty and a variety of additional factors that are beyond our control. These factors include, but are not limited to, political conditions in the Middle East and other regions, internal and political decisions of OPEC and other oil and natural gas producing nations to decrease or increase production of crude oil, domestic and foreign supplies of oil and natural gas, consumer demand, weather conditions, domestic and foreign government regulations and taxation, transportation costs, the price and availability of alternative fuels, the impact of energy conservation efforts and overall economic conditions.

 

Risks associated with recent economic trends could adversely affect our financial performance.

 

As widely reported, the global financial markets have been experiencing extreme disruption in recent months, including severely diminished liquidity and credit availability. Concurrently, economic weakness has begun to accelerate globally. We believe these conditions have not materially impacted our financial position as of December 31, 2008 or liquidity for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008. However, our financial condition and performance could be negatively impacted if either of these conditions exists for a sustained period of time, or if there is further deterioration in financial markets and major economies. We are unable to predict the likely duration and severity of the current disruption in financial markets and adverse economic conditions in the U.S. and the world.

 

We are subject to a number of operational risks beyond our control against which we may not have, or be able to obtain insurance.

 

Our operations are subject to the many risks and hazards incident to exploring and drilling for, and producing and transporting, oil and natural gas, including among other risks:

 

·       blowouts, fires, craterings, pollution and equipment failures that may result in damage to or destruction of wells, pipelines, producing formations, production facilities and equipment;

 

·  damage to pipelines, facilities and properties caused by hurricanes, tornados, floods and other natural disasters

 

·       personal injuries or death due to accidents, human error or acts of God;

 

·       unavailability of materials and equipment to drill and complete or re-complete wells; unfavorable weather conditions; engineering and construction delays;

 

·       fluctuations in product markets and prices; proximity and capacity of pipeline, and trucking or termination facilities to our oil and natural gas reserves; hazards resulting from unusual or unexpected geological or environmental conditions; environmental regulations and requirements;

 

·       accidental leakage of toxic or hazardous materials, such as petroleum liquids or drilling fluids into the environment, remediation and clean-up costs; and

 

·       political instability and civil unrest, insurrections or disruptions in foreign countries in which some of our interests are located.

 

If one or more of these events occurs, we could incur substantial liabilities to third parties or governmental entities, the payment of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations, or we could lose properties in which we have invested significant sums (totaling $59 million) which are capitalized as evaluated and unevaluated oil and gas properties as of December 31, 2008.

 

A loss not covered by insurance could result in substantial expenses to us.

 

We do not insure fully against all business risks either because such insurance is not available or because premium costs are prohibitive.  We are not insured against all environmental accidents that might occur which may include toxic tort claims. If a significant accident or event occurs that is not fully insured, if we fail to recover all anticipated insurance proceeds for significant accidents or events for which we are insured, or if we fail to rebuild facilities damaged by such accidents or events, our operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. In addition, we may not be able to maintain or obtain insurance of the type and amount we desire at reasonable rates. As a result of market conditions, premiums and deductibles for certain of our insurance policies have increased substantially, and could escalate further. For example, following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, insurance premiums, deductibles and co-insurance requirements increased substantially, and terms generally are less favorable than terms that could be obtained prior to such hurricanes.  In some

 

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instances, certain insurance could become unavailable or available only for reduced amounts of coverage.  A loss not fully covered by insurance could result in expenses to us and could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations. Uninsured losses in excess of $1.0 million would be materially adverse to our financial position and results of operations.

 

We are subject to extensive government regulations that can change from time to time, compliance with which are costly and could negatively impact our production, operations and financial results.

 

The oil and gas industry is subject to extensive government regulations in the countries in which we operate. Matters subject to regulation include discharge permits for drilling operations, drilling bonds, reports concerning operations, unitization and pooling of properties and taxation. Historically, our costs of complying with these regulations have not exceeded $100,000 per year. From time to time, regulatory agencies have imposed price controls and limitations on production by restricting the rate of flow of oil and natural gas wells below actual production capacity in order to conserve supplies of oil and natural gas. We are also subject to changing and extensive tax laws, the effects of which cannot be predicted. Legal requirements are frequently changed and subject to interpretation, and we are unable to predict the ultimate cost of compliance with these requirements or their effects on our operations. Future laws, or existing laws or regulations, as currently interpreted or reinterpreted or changed in the future, could result in increased operating costs, fines and liabilities, in amounts which are unknown at this time, any of which could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

Our industry is subject to extensive environmental regulation that may limit our operations and negatively impact our production.

 

Extensive national, state, provincial and local environmental laws and regulations in the United States and foreign jurisdictions affect nearly all of our operations.  Environmental laws to which we are subject in the U.S. include, but are not limited to, (1) the Clean Air Act and comparable state laws that impose obligations related to air emissions, (2) the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA), and comparable state laws that impose requirements for the handling, storage, treatment or disposal of solid and hazardous waste from our facilities, (3) the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and comparable state laws that regulate the cleanup of hazardous substances that may have been released at properties currently or previously owned or operated by us or at locations to which our hazardous substances have been transported for disposal, and (4) the Clean Water Act, and comparable state laws that regulate discharges of wastewater from our facilities to state and federal waters. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations or newly adopted laws or regulations may trigger a variety of administrative, civil and criminal enforcement measures, including the assessment of monetary penalties, the imposition of remedial requirements, and the issuance of orders enjoining future operations or imposing additional compliance requirements on such operations. Certain environmental laws, including CERCLA and analogous state laws, impose strict, joint and several liability for costs required to clean up and restore sites where hazardous substances or hydrocarbons have been disposed or otherwise released.  Moreover, it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the release of hazardous substances, hydrocarbons or other waste products into the environment.

 

Environmental legislation may require that we:

 

·       acquire permits before commencing drilling;

 

·       restrict spills, releases or emissions of various substances produced in association with our operations;

 

·       limit or prohibit drilling activities on protected areas such as wetlands or wilderness areas;

 

·       take reclamation measures to prevent pollution from former operations;

 

·       take remedial measures to mitigate pollution from former operations, such as plugging abandoned wells and remedying contaminated soil and groundwater;

 

·       take remedial measures with respect to property designated as a contaminated site.

 

There is inherent risk of incurring environmental costs and liabilities in connection with our operations due to our handling of natural gas and other petroleum products, air emissions and water discharges related to our operations, and

 

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historical industry operations and waste disposal practices.  The costs of any of these liabilities are presently unknown but could be significant.  We may not be able to recover all or any of these costs from insurance.

 

We are not presently aware of any environmental liabilities or able to predict the ultimate cost of liabilities not yet recognized.  We have not established a separate reserve fund for the purpose of funding any possible future environmental liability.  As a result, we may not be able to satisfy these obligations, if they occur.  Any such costs incurred will be funded out of our cash flow from operations.  If we are unable to fully fund the cost of remedying an environmental obligation, we might be required to suspend operations or enter into interim compliance measures pending satisfaction of the liability, which could have an adverse affect on our financial condition and results of operations.  We have recorded an asset requirement obligation in connection with the estimated future costs to plug certain wells at our Madisonville Project in Texas upon abandonment totaling approximately $59,099 as of December 31, 2008.  See “Business — Regulation.”

 

The effects of future environmental legislation on our business is unknown but could be substantial.

 

Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner expected to result in stricter standards and enforcement, larger fines and liability and potentially increased capital expenditures and operating costs. Changes in, or enforcement of, environmental laws may result in a curtailment of our production activities, or a material increase in the costs of production, development drilling or exploration, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations or prospects. In addition, many countries, as well as several states in the United States have agreed to regulate emissions of “greenhouse gases.”  Methane, a primary component of natural gas, and carbon dioxide, a byproduct of burning natural gas, are greenhouse gases.  Regulation of greenhouse gases could adversely impact some of our operations and demand for products in the future.  See “Business — Regulations.”

 

Should we fail to comply with all applicable FERC administered statutes, rules, regulations and orders, we could be subject to substantial penalties and fines.

 

Under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, has authority to impose penalties for violations of the Natural Gas Act, up to $1 million per day for each violation and disgorgement of profits associated with any violation.  FERC has recently proposed and adopted regulations that may subject our facilities to reporting and posting requirements.  Additional rules and legislation pertaining to these and other matters may be considered or adopted by FERC from time to time.  Failure to comply with FERC regulations could subject us to civil penalties.

 

We may incur significant costs and liabilities as a result of pipeline integrity management program testing and any related pipeline repair or preventative or remedial measures.

 

The United States Department of Transportation, or DOT, has adopted regulations requiring pipeline operators to develop integrity management programs for transportation pipelines located where a leak or rupture could do the most harm in “high consequence areas.”  The regulations require operators to:

 

·                  Perform ongoing assessments of pipeline integrity;

 

·                  Indentify and characterize applicable threats to pipeline segments that could impact a high consequence area;

 

·                  Improve data collection, integration and analysis;

 

·                  Repair and remediate the pipeline as necessary; and

 

·                  Implement preventive and mitigating actions.

 

Political and/or economic conditions in Indonesia, Canada or the United States could change in manners that negatively affect our operations and prospects in those countries.

 

Our business activities in Indonesia, Canada and the United States are subject to political and economic risks, including: loss of revenue, property and equipment as a result of unforeseen events like expropriation, nationalization, war, terrorist

 

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attacks and insurrection; increases in import, export and transportation regulations and tariffs, taxes and governmental royalties; renegotiation of contracts with governmental entities; changes in laws and policies governing operations of foreign-based companies; exchange controls, currency fluctuations and other uncertainties arising out of foreign government sovereignty over international operations; laws and policies affecting foreign trade, taxation and investment; and the possibility of being subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of foreign courts in connection with legal disputes and the possible inability to subject foreign persons to the jurisdiction of courts in the United States.

 

Terrorist attacks could have an adverse effect on our oil and natural gas operations, especially overseas.

 

To date, our operations have not been disrupted by terrorist activity. It is uncertain how terrorist activity will affect us in the future, or what steps, if any, the Indonesian, Canadian or American government may take in response to terrorist activities. The attack on the New York World Trade Center in 2001 and the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have increased the likelihood that U.S. citizens and U.S. owned interests may be targeted by terrorist groups operating both in the United States and in foreign countries, especially in Indonesia.

 

We could lose our entire Production Sharing Contract (“PSC”), if BP Migas ascertains we have not discovered commercially producible hydrocarbons.

 

It is possible that BP Migas could terminate our entire Production Sharing Contract (“PSC”) if it is determined that the hydrocarbons we have discovered are not in commercially producible quantities.  Our Indonesian PSC requires us and our partners to submit to and receive approval from BP Migas for a “Plan of Development”  by specified dates in order to maintain our oil and natural gas rights. See “Properties—Description of the Properties—Indonesia.” If we do not establish commerciality and receive an approved Plan of Development for the PSC, or successfully renegotiate the terms, all or part of our contract may be terminated. If this contract is terminated, we would also lose all of our investment in that overseas prospect. If we forfeit our interest in the contract area, it will be necessary to record an impairment write-down equal to the net capitalized costs recorded for the area forfeited. This could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of future operations in future periods. If approval of a Plan of Development is not obtained and if further deferrals of such obligations are not secured, we will need to record an impairment charge equal to the amount of costs capitalized which were approximately $584,000  as of December 31, 2008, and we may lose all of our rights in the Bengara Block.

 

We may not be able to sell our natural gas production in Indonesia, limiting our ability to obtain a return on our investment there.

 

Our Indonesian operations lack a local market for natural gas, and if we produce natural gas in Indonesia, it will most likely have to be transported to an area where there is a demand. If no market for natural gas develops locally, we may incur costs for transportation. If we are not able to sell our natural gas production at a commercially acceptable price or at all, we may not be able to obtain a return on our investment in our Indonesian property.

 

We could lose our ownership interests in our properties due to a title defect of which we are not presently aware.

 

As is customary in the oil and gas industry, only a perfunctory title examination, if any, is conducted at the time properties believed to be suitable for drilling operations are first acquired. Before starting drilling operations, a more thorough title examination is usually conducted and curative work is performed on known significant title defects. We typically depend upon title opinions prepared at the request of the operator of the property to be drilled. The existence of a title defect on one or more of the properties in which we have an interest could render it worthless and could result in a large expense to our business. Industry standard forms of operating agreements usually provide that the operator of an oil and natural gas property is not to be monetarily liable for loss or impairment of title. The operating agreements to which we are a party provide that, in the event of a monetary loss arising from title failure, the loss shall be borne by all parties in proportion to their interest owned.

 

Our acquisition activities are subject to uncertainties and may not be successful nor  provide a return to us on our investments.

 

We have grown primarily through acquisitions and intend to continue acquiring undeveloped oil and gas properties. Although we perform a review of the properties proposed to be acquired, such reviews are subject to uncertainties. It generally is not feasible to review in detail every individual property involved in an acquisition. Ordinarily, management review efforts are focused on the higher-valued properties; however, even a detailed review of all properties and records may not reveal existing or potential problems; nor will it permit us to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to assess fully their deficiencies and capabilities. Inspections are not always performed on every well, and potential problems, such as mechanical integrity of equipment and environmental conditions that may require significant remedial expenditures, are not necessarily observable even when an inspection is undertaken.

 

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We are dependent upon our key officers and employees and our inability to retain and attract key personnel could significantly hinder our growth strategy and cause our business to fail.

 

While no assurances can be given that our current management resources will enable us to succeed as planned, a loss of one or more of our current directors, officers or key employees could severely and negatively impact our operations and delay or preclude us from achieving our business objectives. Stuart Doshi and David Creel,  two members of our senior management team, have a combined experience of approximately 75 years in the oil and gas industry. Although we have entered into employment agreements with Messrs. Doshi and Creel, we could suffer the loss of key individuals for one reason or another at any time in the future. There is no guarantee that we could attract or locate other individuals with similar skills or experience to carry out our business objectives. We maintain “key man” insurance with respect to our Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Doshi.

 

Some of our directors may become subject to conflicts of interest which could impair their abilities to act in our best interest.

 

Nick DeMare, one of our directors, is a director, officer and/or significant shareholder of other natural resource companies and David Anderson, another one of our directors, is a director and officer of Dundee Securities Corporation, an investment banking firm that was the lead underwriter of our public offering of common stock in Canada and concurrent previous private placement of common shares with qualified institutional buyers in the U.S. Their association with these other companies in the oil and gas business may give rise to conflicts of interest from time to time. For example, they could be presented with business opportunities in their capacities as our directors, which they could, in turn, offer to the other companies for whom they also serve as directors, rather than to us, whose interests might be competitive with ours. Our directors are required by law to act honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests and to disclose any interest which they may have in any project or opportunity to us; however, their interests in the other companies may affect their judgment and cause such directors to act in a manner that is not necessarily in our best interests.

 

Our directors and officers hold significant positions in our shares and their interests may not always be aligned with those of our other shareholders.

 

As of December 31, 2008 our directors and officers beneficially own approximately 27% of our outstanding common stock. This shareholding level will allow the directors, officers and certain beneficial owners to have a significant degree of influence on matters that are required to be approved by shareholders, including the election of directors and the approval of significant transactions. The short-term interests of our directors, officers and certain beneficial owners may not always be aligned with the long-term interests of our public shareholders, and vice versa. Because our directors, officers and certain beneficial owners have a significant degree of influence on matters that are required to be approved by our shareholders, they could influence the approval of transactions.

 

Our failure to manage internal or acquisition-based growth may cause operational difficulties and negatively affect our financial performance.

 

We expect to experience internal and/or acquisition-based growth, which may bring many challenges. Growth in the number of employees, sales and operations will place additional pressure on already limited resources and infrastructure. No assurances can be given that we will be able to effectively manage this or future growth. Our growth may place a significant strain on our managerial, operational, financial and other resources. Our success will depend upon our ability to manage our growth effectively which will require that we continue to implement and improve our operational, administrative and financial and accounting systems and controls and continue to expand, train and manage our employee base. Our systems, procedures and controls may not be adequate to support our operations and our management may not be able to achieve the rapid execution necessary to exploit the market for our business model. If we are unable to manage internal and/or acquisition-based growth effectively, our business, results of operations and financial condition will be materially adversely affected.

 

Risks associated with recent economic trends could adversely affect our financial performance.

 

In 2009 we will need to raise capital.  Due to the tight credit markets and recent downturn in the stock market, funds may not be available, or may be available only on unfavorable terms. Due to the recent decrease in our stock price, we may need to sell more shares to raise the same amount of money than we would have in the past, resulting in greater dilution to existing shareholders than would be the case if our stock price was higher and this trend could continue.  We have scheduled

 

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exploratory and development well drilling during 2009 and future periods on our undeveloped properties. It is anticipated that these exploration activities together with others that we may undertake will impose financial requirements which will exceed our existing working capital. We may raise additional equity and/or debt capital, and we may farmout certain of our projects to finance our continued participation in planned activities; however, if additional financing is not available, we may be compelled to reduce the scope of our business activities. If we are unable to fund planned expenditures, it may be necessary to:

 

·                                          farm-out our interest in proposed wells;

 

·                                          sell a portion of our interest in prospects and use the sale proceeds to fund our participation for a lesser interest;

 

·                                          forfeit our interest in wells that we propose to drill; and

 

·                                          reduce general and administrative expenses.

 

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

 

The shareholding position of holders of our common stock could be diluted by future issuances and conversions of other securities.

 

If our options and warrants are exercised for common shares, holders of our common stock will experience immediate and, depending on the magnitude of the exercises, substantial dilution. As of March 23, 2009, 34,284,646 shares of our common stock are outstanding, 1,249,857 shares of our common stock are issuable upon exercise of warrants and 2,740,000 shares of our common stock are issuable upon exercise of options.

 

Investors may be subject to further dilution if we sell additional common shares or issue additional common shares in connection with future financings. If a significant number of our common shares are sold in the public market, the market price of our common shares could be depressed. This could hamper our ability to raise capital by issuing additional equity securities.

 

Our results may be affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

 

Our financial statements are reported in U.S. dollars and all of our revenue, and most of our operating costs, are currently denominated in U.S. dollars; however, we have operations outside the United States and we plan to expend money in Indonesia and Canada, where our operating costs will be denominated in local currencies. Fluctuations in exchange rates may increase our relative cost of operating in these countries, and may therefore have a negative effect on our financial results.

 

Non- U.S. holders of our common shares may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the sale of our common shares and purchasers may have IRS withholding requirements

 

Since we believe that we are a United States real property holding corporation, gain recognized by a non-U.S. holder on the sale of our common shares will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at normal graduated rates, and a purchaser will be required to withhold for the benefit of the IRS 10% of the purchase price, unless certain trading requirements are met. There is an exemption from U.S. federal income tax for non-U.S. holders of 5% or less of our common shares (and therefore no tax withholding requirements) if our common shares are “regularly traded on an established securities market.”  In the event that 100 or fewer persons own 50% or more of our common shares (which had been, may now be and may continue to be, the case), temporary Treasury Regulations provide that our common shares will be “regularly traded on an established securities market” for a calendar quarter if the established securities market is located in the United States and our common shares are regularly quoted by more than one broker or dealer making a market in our common shares; our common shares are currently listed on the NYSE Alternext US (which constitutes an established United States securities market for this purpose) and are being regularly quoted. There can be no assurance, however, that our common shares will continue to be regularly traded on an established securities market for this purpose in any particular calendar quarter so as to avoid U.S. federal income tax on the sale of our common shares by non-U.S. holders of 5% or less of our common shares and the withholding requirement on the purchaser.

 

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At such time that it is no longer the case that 100 or fewer persons own 50% or more of our common shares, under temporary Treasury Regulations, our common shares would also be “regularly traded” on an established securities market for a calendar quarter if:  (a) our common shares trade, other than in de minimis quantities, on at least 15 days during the calendar quarter; (b) the aggregate number of our common shares traded during the calendar quarter is at least 7.5% of the average number of our common shares outstanding during such calendar quarter (reduced to 2.5% if there are 2,500 or more record shareholders); and (c) in the event that our common shares are traded on an established securities market located outside the United States, the common shares are registered under Sec. 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (which is presently the case). See “Material Income Tax Consequences — Dispositions of Common Shares” for a more detailed discussion.

 

There is a limited public market for our common shares, and the ability of our shareholders to dispose of their common shares may be limited.

 

Our common shares have been trading on the NYSE Alternext US (formerly the American Stock Exchange) since February 15, 2007. We cannot foresee the degree of liquidity that will be associated with our common shares. A holder of our common shares may not be able to liquidate his, her or its investment in a short time period or at the market prices that currently exist at the time the holder decides to sell. The purchase and sale of relatively small common share positions may result in disproportionately large increases or decreases in the price of our common shares. A trade involving a large number of common shares could have an exaggerated effect on the reported market price of our common shares.

 

Our stock price may fluctuate significantly.

 

The stock market in general and the market for natural gas and oil exploration companies have experienced price and volume fluctuations that are often unrelated or disproportionate to the operating results or asset values of companies. These broad market and industry factors may seriously impact the market price and trading volume of our common shares regardless of our actual operating performance. The market price of our common stock could also fluctuate significantly as a result of:

 

·       actual or anticipated quarterly variations in our operating results and our reserve estimates;

 

·       changes in expectations as to our future financial performance or changes in financial estimates, if any, of public market analysts;

 

·       announcements relating to our business or the business of our competitors;

 

·       conditions generally affecting the oil and natural gas industry, including changes in oil and natural gas prices;

 

·       speculation in the press or investment community;

 

·       general market and economic conditions;

 

·       the success of our operating strategy; and

 

·       the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies.

 

The sale of large numbers of our common stock may depress the market price of our common stock.

 

The sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that substantial sales may occur, could cause the market price of our common stock to decrease. Substantially all of the shares of our common stock are freely transferable or will be transferable in compliance with restrictions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  In 2009, we will need to raise additional working capital and investors may be subject to further dilution if we sell additional common shares or issue additional common shares in connection with future financings. If a significant number of our common shares are sold in the public market, the market price of our common shares could be depressed. This could hamper our ability to raise capital by issuing additional equity securities.

 

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We will continue to incur significant expenses as a result of being a public company, which may negatively impact our financial performance.

 

We have incurred and will continue to incur significant legal, accounting, insurance and other expenses as a result of being a public company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as related rules implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, and the NYSE Alternext US, have required changes in corporate governance practices of public companies. Compliance with these laws, rules and regulations has increased our expenses, including our legal and accounting costs, and made some activities more time-consuming and costly. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as officers. Furthermore, any additional increases in legal, accounting, insurance and certain other expenses that we may experience in the future could negatively impact our financial performance and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

 

None.

 

Item 2. Properties

 

Our principal executive office consists of 2,956 square feet and is located at One Maritime Plaza, Suite 700, San Francisco, CA 94111.

 

Description of the Properties

 

Our current oil and natural gas exploration, appraisal and development drilling activities are focused in four distinct project areas as follows:

 

·       United States—Texas (onshore South and East Texas regions), Alaska (onshore Cook Inlet area) and California (onshore San Joaquin basin);

 

·       Canada—Alberta (central Alberta basin);

 

·       Indonesia—onshore East Kalimantan Province; and

 

·       Australia—onshore in two permit areas located in the South Perth basin.

 

We do not fully insure against all business risks either because such insurance is not available or because premium costs are prohibitive. This is a common practice in the oil and gas industry. We believe our property is adequately insured in view of the nature of our operations and industry practices in this regard.

 

Texas

 

Madisonville Project, Madison County, East Texas

 

We own and operate the interest in the Madisonville Project in Madison County, Texas. We own working interests in approximately 4,716 gross and net acres of leases in the Rodessa Formation interval, as well as approximately 4,348 gross and net acres of leases as to depths below the Rodessa Formation interval. We also own a license as to 12.5 square miles of 3-D seismic data over the Madisonville Field.

 

The Madisonville Field, located approximately 100 miles north of Houston, has produced oil and natural gas from four different horizons above the Rodessa Formation for over 50 years. The field was discovered in 1945 with the Boring No. 1 well, which was drilled to the Rodessa Formation. The well blew out at an uncontrolled rate for three days during a test; however, due to hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen in the Rodessa Formation natural gas, the gas reserves were never developed. Over 125 wells were drilled in the Madisonville Field to shallower intervals above the Rodessa Formation. In 1994, nearly 50 years after the initial discovery, United Meridian Corporation (“UMC”) drilled the Magness Well as the first follow-up well into the Rodessa Formation to the Boring No. 1 well. The Magness Well had 139 feet of net pay but the natural gas was found to contain 28% impurities.

 

UMC previously production tested the Magness Well in 1994 through perforations in the lower most ten feet of the indicated Rodessa Formation pay interval. The well tested at a rate of 12 MMcf/d from this limited interval on a 22/64ths inch choke with flowing wellhead pressures increasing from 3,915 to 3,919 pounds per square inch. In 2001, we re-entered and recompleted the Magness Well. A total of 139 feet of interval has been perforated in the Rodessa Formation at approximately 12,000 feet of depth for this well. The well was production tested over a 12-day period in 2001 on various choke sizes with flowing rates ranging up to approximately 20.8 MMcf/d. We own a 100% working interest (75.1333% net revenue interest) in the Magness Well located in the surrounding production unit consisting of 684 gross and 629 net acres. The Magness Well commenced production in May of 2003.

 

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The first development well, the Fannin Well, was drilled and completed in 2004. We own a 100% working interest (69.9162% net revenue interest) in the Fannin Well located in the surrounding production unit consisting of 704 gross and net acres. A total of 146 feet of indicated pay was perforated in the well and a flow test of the well was completed in December 2004 from the Rodessa Formation at rates of up to 25.7 MMcf/d. We commenced production from the Fannin Well in early 2006.

 

The Madisonville Field is a geologic feature encompassing approximately 5,800 acres at the Rodessa limestone at about 11,800 feet of depth. A 3-D seismic program shot in early 1998 confirmed the size of the structure and slightly increased its size over earlier interpretations.

 

Our working interest covers the Rodessa Formation at approximately 12,000 feet of depth. The Rodessa reserves are being developed through the recompletion of the Magness Well and the drilling of additional proved and probable undeveloped locations. Production began in May 2003 and stabilized at a rate of 18 MMcf/d of raw gas from the Magness Well. In 2006, we drilled the Wilson and Mitchell wells. We own a 100% working interest (70% net revenue interest) in the Wilson and Mitchell wells.  The Magness, Fannin and Mitchell wells are currently producing at a combined restricted rate of approximately 7 MMcf/d while the Wilson well is shut-in. Current net sales production is approximately 4 MMcf/d. In addition, we own a working interest in certain leases and farmout rights which cover depths below the Rodessa Formation.

 

The hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen combined comprise about 28% of the gas content. The untreated natural gas is delivered to the Madisonville Midstream Gas Treatment Plant where all the natural gas impurities are removed before delivery to the sales pipeline. As a result of the costs to treat the natural gas, we receive a net price that is substantially lower than we would otherwise receive if the gas did not contain the 28% of impurities. In addition, the high concentrations of hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide result in higher capital and operating costs for our wells. For example, the hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide are corrosive to the wellbores. This means we have to utilize higher grade specification well tubing and casing which is more expensive than what we would utilize absent the impurities. In addition, we continuously treat the wellbores with chemicals designed to inhibit the corrosive effects of the impurities. We also maintain field personnel at or near the wellsites who monitor the wells on a twenty four hour basis and equip the wellsites with extensive safety equipment systems due to the toxic properties of the hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide. These factors and others result in higher capital and operating costs for our wells in the Madisonville Project.

 

The Madisonville Midstream Gas Treatment Plant and Gathering Facilities

 

In order to produce the proved gas reserves from the Rodessa Formation, we developed an onsite plan to treat and remove impurities from the Madisonville Project natural gas in order to meet pipeline-quality specifications. On June 15, 2001, we, through our subsidiary Redwood LP, entered into an agreement, which agreement was subsequently amended and restated, together with certain related agreements (collectively, the “Hanover Agreement”), with Hanover Compression Limited Partnership pursuant to which Hanover committed to fund, construct and operate a dedicated natural gas treatment plant to process our Rodessa Formation natural gas.  The Hanover Agreement also provided for the installation by Gateway of field gathering pipelines and an approximately nine-mile sales pipeline with an estimated capacity of approximately 70 MMcf/d to transport the Madisonville Field natural gas to a major pipeline.  By April of 2003, the construction and installation of Hanover’s natural gas treatment plant and Gateway’s associated pipeline and gathering facilities were completed. Gas production from the Magness Well commenced in May 2003. We received the first revenues from the sale of natural gas from the Madisonville Project in July 2003.

 

On July 25, 2005, MGP purchased the natural gas treatment plant from Hanover and purchased the gathering pipelines upstream of the gas treatment plant from Gateway. Concurrent with MGP’s purchase of the gas treatment plant and gathering pipelines, we, through our subsidiary Redwood LP, Gateway and MGP terminated the Hanover Agreement and entered into a new agreement, (the “MGP Agreement”), to treat and transport our gas production from the Madisonville Project. As a result of the MGP Agreement, MGP committed to install and make operational additional treating facilities capable of treating 50 MMcf/d, which combined with the capacity of the current in-service treating facilities would represent a total treating capacity of 68 MMcf/d for the Madisonville treatment plant. The MGP Agreement provided that the newly installed gas treatment facilities would be electrically driven. Currently, the existing in-service treatment plant utilizes some of the natural gas produced and delivered from our well(s). The conversion to electricity on the expanded portion of the treatment plant is expected to reduce shrinkage of our natural gas that occurs in the treating process.

 

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Originally, the MGP Agreement required MGP to complete the additional treating facilities by March 1, 2006.  However, due to events of force majeure, construction of the additional treating facilities was delayed.  In early November 2007, MGP began testing the additional treatment facilities by accepting 20 MMcf/d at the inlet.   Subsequently in December 2007, MGP temporarily suspended the operations of the additional treatment facilities in order to make modifications to more effectively deal with the presence of diamondoids in the gas stream produced from the Rodessa Formation. A diamondoid is a rare, naturally occurring compound that can segregate out of the gas stream upon a decrease in temperature and pressure and as such, could cause operational problems for the nitrogen rejection portion of the additional treating facilities.  MGP obtained a detailed laboratory composition analysis of the diamondoids which indicated that removal of the diamondoids will require flowing the natural gas stream through a diesel contactor after the gas stream has had the hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide removed.  Through this contactor process, the diesel will absorb the diamondoids from the gas stream prior to entry into the nitrogen removal tower.

 

During 2008, MGP analyzed various options for removing the diamondoids;  however, they did not complete the necessary plant system modifications.  On December 31, 2008, we purchased the gas treatment plant and related gathering pipelines from MGP in exchange for the assumption of secured bank debt, payment of certain outstanding payables of MGP and shares of GeoPetro’s common stock.  The secured bank debt we incurred as part of the Plant acquisition totaled $6.7 million and is in the form of a 3 year loan with the lender, Bank of Oklahoma, National Association (“BOK”).  The loan agreement provides for minimum quarterly principal payments of $150,000 and supplemental principal amounts payable upon GeoPetro achieving certain cash flow thresholds.  The Company has pledged its Madisonville natural gas reserves as well as the Plant assets as collateral for the loan.  There is a loan fee of $60,000 payable annually for any yearly period during which any principal remains outstanding under the loan.  There is no prepayment penalty.  GeoPetro and its wholly owned subsidiary Redwood Energy Production, LP (“Redwood”) are guarantors of the loan.

 

The effective date of the acquisition was December 31, 2008 and the new owner of the Plant is GeoPetro’s wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary, Madisonville Midstream LLC (“MM”).  We expect to complete installation of the system modifications required in the new plant in 2009.  In the meantime, the existing, in service portion of the plant continues to operate with a capacity of approximately 18 million cubic feet per day of inlet gas.

 

Our natural gas deliveries to our gas treatment plant may be affected by third party demands for access to the plant. On August 9, 2006, the Texas Railroad Commission issued an order requiring the Plant to ratably process, take, transport or purchase natural gas produced by Crimson Exploration, Inc. (“Crimson”) into the Madisonville gas treatment plant. There is no guarantee that we will be able to maintain full access to treatment capacity of up to 68 MMcf/d at the Madisonville Plant at all times because, for example, Crimson now has the right to have its natural gas treated at the plant, which may reduce the plant’s ability to treat all of our natural gas, unless the plant’s capacity is further expanded.

 

To date, Crimson has permitted four wells to be drilled to the Rodessa Formation. The drilling of two of these wells has been completed to a depth of approximately 12,635 feet. Crimson has also drilled an injection well for disposal of waste products resulting from the treatment of their natural gas.  Crimson is presently delivering approximately 0.3 MMcf/d of natural gas to the treatment plant.

 

Other Interests in the Madisonville Project

 

Our working interest in the Madisonville Project is subject to a net profits interest in favor of the third party that sold us our working interests in the Madisonville Project. The net profits interest is 12.5% (proportionately reduced to our interest) of the net operating profits until payout is achieved. After payout, the net profits interest increases to 30% (proportionately reduced to our interest). “Payout”, for purposes of the net profits interest, is defined and achieved at such time as we have recouped from net operating cash flows our total net investment in the Madisonville Project plus a 33% cash on cash return.

 

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South Dry Hollow Project, Lavaca County, South Texas

 

We own a 15% non-operated working interest in approximately 1,605 gross and 241 net acres of leases in Lavaca County, South Texas.  A test well, the Willstar Eichhorn No. 1 well (the “Willstar well”), has been drilled to a total depth of 16,650 feet and is currently being evaluated.  The primary objective of this well was to test the Rochelle sands in the Lower Wilcox formation.  Secondary objectives include the “10,500”, Peck, Dagg, Lampley and Massive sandstone formations in the Wilcox formation.  The Willstar well is a vertical well located approximately 800 feet south of the Eichhorn Gas Unit No. 1 well drilled by Newfield Exploration Company (the “Newfield well”) in 2002.  The Newfield well was completed in 2002 in the Lampley member of the Wilcox formation at an initial rate of 3.8 MMcf/d and has produced approximately 0.9 Bcf of natural gas.  The Newfield well also encountered natural gas shows in the Rochelle, “10,500”, Peck, Dagg, and Massive members of the Wilcox formation which were not tested.  The Newfield Eichhorn well has subsequently been re-entered and completed in the “10,500” zone.  This well may need to be fraced to increase production.

 

Alaska

 

The Cook Inlet Alaska Project

 

We entered into an agreement with Pioneer Oil Company, Inc. (“Pioneer”) dated April 20, 2005, wherein we secured the Cook Inlet Option to acquire a 100% working interest, 81% net revenue interest, in approximately 116,806 acres onshore in Cook Inlet, Alaska. We have since acquired 5,368 additional acres. We believe this acreage to be prospective for both conventional gas production and coal bed methane production.

 

The 122,174 acre lease position consists of two separate target areas that have been selected for exploration. These areas are called the Point MacKenzie and Trading Bay Prospects, respectively.

 

The Point MacKenzie Prospect is located twelve miles northwest of Anchorage. The Trading Bay Prospect is located 50 miles west of Anchorage across the Cook Inlet. The Cook Inlet basin contains a thick section of terrestrial Tertiary rocks which includes shales, sandstones, and coals. The coals occur in seams which are commonly 20 feet thick and can be as thick as 70 feet. Accessible onshore areas have 200 to 300 feet of coal shallower than 5,000 feet. Gas content for these coals ranges from 80 to 250 standard cubic feet per ton, but testing is restricted to a very small number of bore holes and is almost completely unknown for most of the inlet.

 

Markets for natural gas in the Cook Inlet area include power generation, heating, fertilizer production and liquefied natural gas exports. An extensive pipeline system supplies these facilities and crosses the Point MacKenzie Prospect and Trading Bay Prospect lease blocks. These pipelines are only partially filled with gas and could accommodate additional production.

 

In addition to coal bed methane reserve potential, preliminary log analysis indicates the Point MacKenzie Prospect and Trading Bay Prospect lease blocks may also contain conventional accumulations of natural gas reserves in Tertiary sandstones.

 

The terms of the Cook Inlet Option provide for us to pay total consideration of $20 per acre, or approximately $2.3 million, for the leases. The Cook Inlet Option provides that we will pay the total lease consideration in two installments. We paid the first installment totaling $1,168,063 on August 17, 2005 and we have received assignment of the 100% working interest in the leases. Within three years from the date of receipt of assignment of the 100% working interest in the leases, we have the option to conduct a $2.5 million work program on the leases over a three-year period, and, after completion of the work program and an evaluation of the results, to remit the final additional acreage consideration of $10 per acre for the leases. The Cook Inlet Option provides that if we fail to pay the lease consideration when due, fail to perform the work program or otherwise default under the Cook Inlet Option, we shall forfeit our interest and reassign the leases to Pioneer, and we will have no further liability to Pioneer.

 

On July 31, 2008, we entered into a third amendment with Pioneer.  Per the terms of the amendment, the Company paid Pioneer the sum of $1,168,093 on August 7, 2008, which represents the second and final payment for leases comprising 116,806 acres onshore in Cook Inlet, Alaska.  The amendment further provided that the work program requiring $2.5 million in expenditures by GeoPetro has been eliminated.

 

Approximately one to two miles of pipeline will be required to tie in any wells drilled at a currently preferred location at the Point MacKenzie Prospect, and approximately four to five miles of the pipeline will be required to tie in any wells drilled at a currently preferred location at the Trading Bay Prospect. We have not yet prepared an estimate of the cost to tie these wells in.

 

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We are aware of two major pipelines which transverse the acreage blocks, the Enstar 20” line and the UnoCal-Marathon 16” line. We estimate the UnoCal-Marathon 16” line presently has available unused capacity of approximately 40 MMcf/d. In addition, we estimate the Enstar 20” line has available unused capacity of approximately 100 MMcf/d.

 

Significant operational progress has been made in our Cook Inlet Project within the past year and continues in preparation for drilling the Frontier Spirit #1 well. After reprocessing 50 miles 2-D seismic data which the Company acquired from AMOCO on our Point MacKenzie block, GeoPetro has identified a sizeable initial reserve target. The prospect covers eighteen sections (11,500 acres) under closure and will target conventional gas reserves in the Middle and Lower Tyonek Formations reaching to a depth of approximately 8,000 feet. The Hemlock Formation, a known oil and gas producer in the Cook Inlet, will be the secondary objective for the Frontier Spirit #1 well. GeoPetro has constructed a drill pad and access road at the Frontier Spirit #1 location. This work, as well as the installation of the water supply well which will support exploration drilling operations in May 2009, was completed in October 2008. Coordination of the drilling rig and necessary drilling equipment is also underway. The GeoPetro Frontier Spirit #1 well will be located less than two miles from the Enstar 20” natural gas pipeline which has abundant spare capacity. This well is expected to be drilled in 2010.

 

California

 

Lokern Project

 

We have 100% working interests in 1,280 lease acreage in the Lokern Project, located in the southern San Joaquin basin, near Bakersfield, California. The primary exploration objective is the Miocene Stevens formation. The secondary objectives include the Miocene Reef Ridge and Pliocene Etchegoin sands. The Stevens formation is Upper Miocene age.

 

The Lokern Project is being developed in part as a result of positive results from the Machii-Ross Ackerman show well drilled in 1979 on acreage currently controlled by us. Based on log analysis, we believe this well had approximately 240 feet of potential net oil pay and an additional 150 feet of potential pay in the Stevens zone. The Machii-Ross Ackerman well was drilled to a depth of 15,078 feet by Machii-Ross Petroleum Company and was plugged and abandoned as a dry hole. We believe, based on our log analysis, that the well may have been a bypassed producer.

 

We expect that a well will be drilled, either by us or through a farmout arrangement with a third party, to a depth of 15,000 feet in 2010.

 

Based on our review of title information from public authorities and other publicly available sources, we believe that we have a 100% working interest in the Lokern Project. As is customary in the U.S. oil and gas industry, we will not conduct a thorough title review with respect to our interest in the Lokern Project until we have made a definitive decision to drill in a particular lease area.

 

Alberta

 

Swan Hills Project

 

The Swan Hills Project is located in the Central Alberta Basin, Alberta, Canada. The primary exploration objective is the Swan Hills Formation at approximately 9,000 feet. Secondary objectives will include the shallower Gilwood, Nordegg and Falher formations.

 

We, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, GeoPetro Canada, have reviewed 3-D seismic data over the prospect and plan to participate in the drilling of a test well. We have a 33% non-working interest in approximately 4,480 gross leased acres (1,493 net acres).

 

Indonesia

 

C-G Bengara owns 100% of the underlying rights to explore for and produce oil and natural gas within the contract area designated as the Bengara II Block, which rights have been granted under a production sharing contract dated December 4, 1997 (the “Bengara II PSC”) with Pertamina. Previously we owned 40% of CG Bengara and Continental Energy Corporation (“Continental”) owned the remaining 60% and, through it, the rights to the Bengara II PSC. On September 29, 2006, we executed a definitive agreement to sell 70% of our interest in C-G Bengara to CNPCHK (Indonesia) Limited (“CNPC”). We have retained a 12% stake in C-G Bengara and the Bengara II PSC. Continental has likewise sold its interest and retained an 18% interest in C-G Bengara and the Bengara II PSC.

 

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The Bengara Block is located in the Tarakan Basin, mostly onshore but partially offshore astride the Bulungan River Delta in the Indonesian province of East Kalimantan. It originally covered a single contiguous area of approximately 1.2 million gross acres, of which 300,000 gross acres were relinquished in 2001 and an additional 300,000 gross acres were relinquished in 2007 by C-G Bengara in accordance with the terms of the Bengara II PSC. C-G Bengara has tendered an additional relinquishment such that the remaining acreage within the Bengara II PSC total approximately 240,000 acres, or 970 square kilometers as discussed below.

 

The Makapan Gas Field

 

Since 1938, only two wells have been drilled in the Bengara Block prior to 2008, one of which resulted in the discovery of the Makapan Gas Field. The Muara Makapan No. 1 well was drilled in 1988 by P.T. Deminex Indonesia from a swamp barge positioned on one of the Bulungan River Delta mouth channel distributaries. The well was drilled to a total depth of 10,800 feet and tested 19.5 MMcf/d together with 600 bbls of 54 degree API condensate per day from a 33 feet thick sandstone section near 6,000 feet. The well was plugged and abandoned as a natural gas discovery. Several other gas zones indicated on logs were not tested. The well was not produced nor were any confirmation wells drilled due to the lack of a local natural gas market at the time the well was drilled. The Makapan Gas Field gas is a “Wet’ gas with a high LPG fraction which may be commercial to extract at the wellhead for a third revenue source in addition to the gas and condensate. The Makapan Gas Field lies mostly offshore in very shallow water, less than 10 feet, amidst numerous islands of the Bulungan River Delta.

 

Exploration in the Bengara Block

 

We believe that the key to successful prospecting in the Bengara Block will be the identification of traps and understanding sand distribution.

 

Nearly 2,200 line kilometers of 2-D seismic data available within the Bengara Block appear to be adequate for both detailed and reconnaissance interpretation purposes. Some localized areas may benefit from reprocessing. New seismic data is required in places where insufficient data exists and for prospect confirmation in other locations.

 

Several separate and unique geologic plays within the Bengara Block, as well as a number of prospects and leads, have been identified. Some well-defined prospects present immediate drilling targets. Exploration within the Bengara Block is in its formative stages and it is premature to make meaningful resource or reserve estimates. However, the existing exploration work to date indicates that there may be potential petroleum accumulations in the Bengara Block. Analysis of source rocks indicates a propensity for both oil and natural gas.

 

Terms of Participation in the Bengara Block

 

The Bengara II PSC is a “standard terms” PSC employed by BP Migas for all oil and natural gas concessions in Indonesia. Generally, the joint venture participants are entitled to receive, from production proceeds, 100% of expenditures in the block as “cost recovery”. Once these costs are recovered, C-G Bengara is entitled to a production share of approximately 26.7% of oil produced and 62.5% of all natural gas produced. We will be entitled to 12% of C-G Bengara’s share of any such production. Sharing terms for certain categories of oil vary slightly as defined in the Bengara II PSC. The term of the contract is thirty years from December 1997 or a shorter period if C-G Bengara elects to terminate its obligations under the contract or if no commercial hydrocarbons are discovered within the contract area. At the end of six years, unless mutually extended by C-G Bengara and BP Migas, the contract expires if no commercially producible hydrocarbons have been discovered in the contract area. C-G Bengara and BP Migas have mutually extended the early termination provisions until December 3, 2009. C-G Bengara may terminate the contract at any time by relinquishing all of its rights and obligations under the contract area. C-G Bengara is required to relinquish 25% of the contract area within the first three years of the contract, a further 25% of the contract area within six years from the commencement of the contract and an additional area within the first ten years so that the area retained thereafter shall not be in excess of 970 square kilometers, or 20% of the original total contract area, whichever is less. C-G Bengara may designate which areas are to be relinquished subject to approval by BP Migas. C-G Bengara’s obligation to relinquish parts of the original contract area under these provisions does not apply to the surface area of any field in which petroleum has been discovered. To date, 600,000 gross acres have been relinquished by C-G Bengara in accordance with the terms of the Bengara II PSC. In 2007, C-G Bengara tendered an additional relinquishment such that the remaining acreage within the Bengara II PSC shall total approximately 240,000 acres, or 970 square kilometers.  The remaining 240,000 acres is considered by C-G Bengara to be the most prospective portion of the original 1.2 million acre block.

 

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C-G Bengara is required to pay to BP Migas specified amounts based on achieving certain cumulative production quantities of crude oil from the contract area when and if commercial production is established. These production bonuses are as follows:

 

Cumulative Production

 

Cash Bonus Due

 

25,000,000 boe

 

$

500,000

 

60,000,000 boe

 

$

1,500,000

 

100,000,000 boe

 

$

2,500,000

 

 

In order to maintain the Bengara II PSC in effect, C-G Bengara was required to complete the following work programs and expenditures during the first ten years of the contract, unless the requirement is extended or waived by BP Migas.  C-G Bengara has fulfilled the minimum work and cash expenditure requirements described below.

 

Contract Year

 

Work Program

 

Amount

 

Our 12% Share

 

1998

 

Geologic and geophysical studies

 

$

500,000

 

$

60,000

 

1999

 

Seismic reprocessing

 

500,000

 

60,000

 

2000

 

Drill two wells

 

6,000,000

 

720,000

 

2001

 

Geologic and geophysical studies

 

1,000,000

 

120,000

 

2002

 

Drill one well

 

5,000,000

 

600,000

 

2003

 

Acquire seismic

 

3,750,000

 

450,000

 

2004

 

Drill one well

 

5,250,000

 

630,000

 

2005

 

Evaluate well results

 

1,000,000

 

120,000

 

2006

 

Geologic and geophysical studies

 

1,000,000

 

120,000

 

2007

 

Geologic and geophysical studies

 

1,000,000

 

120,000

 

 

 

TOTAL

 

$

25,000,000

 

$

3,000,000

 

 

Upon establishing commercial production, if ever, C-G Bengara and BP Migas shall share ratably in the first 20% of oil and natural gas produced in the contract area within a given year according to the percentages specified below. After the first 20% of production, C-G Bengara is entitled to receive 100% of production until cost recovery has been achieved. Cost recovery generally includes 100% of the operating and drilling costs and depreciation of fixed assets applicable to oil and natural gas operations within the contract area. After C-G Bengara has received oil and natural gas production with a value sufficient to achieve cost recovery in a given year, C-G Bengara and BP Migas shall then share ratably in the production according to the percentages specified below:

 

Description

 

BP Migas

 

C-G Bengara

 

Our net share

 

Oil production

 

73.2143

%

26.7857

%

3.2143

%

Gas production

 

37.5

%

62.5

%

7.5

%

 

Upon the completion of five years after commercial production commences, C-G Bengara is further subject to a domestic market obligation. This obligation requires C-G Bengara to sell and deliver to BP Migas, to meet Indonesia’s domestic crude oil needs, a specified quantity of crude oil at a price which is only 15% of the market price of the oil. However, for new fields, for a period of five years starting on the month of the first delivery of crude oil produced from a new field, the fee per barrel for such crude oil supplied to the Indonesian domestic market shall be the market price, with the condition that the excess over the 15% of market price shall preferably be used to assist financing of continued exploration efforts in the contract area.

 

Upon the first commercial discovery of oil or natural gas in the contract area, BP Migas has the right to demand that 10% of C-G Bengara’s undivided interest in the total rights and obligations under the Bengara II PSC be offered to itself or an entity owned by Indonesian nationals. The 10% interest shall be offered at a dollar amount equal to 10% of C-G Bengara’s cumulative costs incurred in the contract area.

 

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Current and Planned Activities in the Bengara Block

 

In accordance with the terms of our agreement dated September 29, 2006 which sold 70% of our interest in C-G Bengara to CNPC, CNPC:

 

1.                                       Purchased 14,000 and 21,000 shares of C-G Bengara from us and Continental, respectively, at a cost of $1 per share. As a result of the transaction, we and Continental own 6,000 and 9,000 C-G Bengara shares, respectively, retaining a 12% and 18% interest in C-G Bengara, respectively.

 

2.                                       Paid the sum of $18.7 million (the “Earning Obligation”) into a special joint venture account at a Hong Kong international bank. The funds are under joint signature control of CNPC, ourselves and Continental, and are being expended exclusively to pay for 2006 and 2008 exploration and/or appraisal drilling in the Bengara II PSC area.

 

3.                                       Agreed to provide development loans to pay 100%, and thereby “carry” our share and Continental’s share of all C-G Bengara’s exploitation, drilling, and development expenditures attributable to the Bengara II PSC, after the Earning Obligation funds are expended and a Plan of Development has been approved by BP Migas, until an additional amount of U.S. $41.3 million over and above the Earning Obligation funds has been expended.

 

4.                                       Agreed to pay a cash bonus totaling $5,000,000, in the proportions of $2,000,000 to us and $3,000,000 to Continental, respectively, contingent upon and within fourteen business days of the receipt by C-G Bengara of the written approval from governmental authorities approving the development of the first commercial oil or gas discovery within the Bengara II PSC contract area.

 

During 2007, C-G Bengara drilled a total of four wells on the Bengara II PSC: the Seberaba-1, the Seberaba-3, the Seberaba-4, and the Punga-1. The technical information provided by drilling and testing results to date confirm the presence of an oil accumulation. However the data is not yet adequate to conclusively demonstrate the extent of the oil accumulation or that it has sufficient size of oil reserves to economically justify a full commercial development. Further technical information is required prior to commencing development.  C-G Bengara has prepared a preliminary plan of development for the Seberaba discovery based upon drilling and testing results from the Seberaba-1 and 3 wells. In addition to these well test results, C-G Bengara feels additional technical information is needed prior to finalizing the formal plan of development and submitting it for approval to Indonesian oil and gas authorities. Approval of the formal plan of development will automatically invoke the final 20-year production period of the Bengara-II PSC through December 4, 2027.

 

In December of 2008, C-G Bengara received approval of the Indonesian government for an extension of time under the Bengara-II PSC to appraise, assess, and justify the economic feasibility of commercial development of the apparent oil discovery made on the Seberaba prospects during exploratory drilling in 2007 as noted above.  The approval is granted for an additional year to the Bengara-II PSC contract anniversary on 4th December 2009 and may be extended for subsequent years subject to further approval based on an annual review of progress and results of appraisal work.

 

CG Xploration

 

In November 2005, we and Continental formed CG Xploration to pursue new venture oil and gas exploration and production projects and obtain new exploration concessions in Indonesia. CG Xploration Inc. is incorporated in Delaware and is owned 50% by us and 50% by Continental. CG Xploration Inc. will actively pursue and may acquire new venture opportunities on behalf of ourselves and Continental. To date, CG Xploration has made no acquisitions.

 

Australia

 

On June 20, 2007, the Company agreed to sell and transfer all of its remaining property interests in Australia to an unrelated party for cash consideration and a Petroleum Sales Royalty Payment equal to 25% of the future annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization from the property interests. Specifically, the agreement provides that the Company will be paid consideration for the sale and transfer of its property interests as follows:

 

1.      Initial cash consideration of $175,000 was received on November 19, 2007;

 

2.      a second cash payment of $175,000 upon a successful flow test of petroleum from a well located on the property interests. A successful flow test is defined for purposes of this agreement to be a test of at least 7 million standard cubic feet of natural gas for a continuous and uninterrupted 24 hour period (or an equivalent oil/condensate rate based on a conversion ratio of 6000 cubic feet of gas to a barrel of oil or condensate); and,

 

3.      a Petroleum Sales Royalty Payment equal to 25% of the future annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization from the property interests up to a total amount of $2,200,000.

 

Natural Gas Reserves

 

Our estimated total net proved reserves of natural gas and oil as of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, and the present values of estimated future net revenues attributable to those reserves as of those dates, are presented in the following tables.

 

“Proved developed oil and gas reserves” means reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods. Additional oil and gas expected to be obtained through the application of fluid injection or other improved recovery techniques for supplementing the natural forces and mechanisms of primary recovery should be included as “proved developed reserves” only after testing by a pilot project or after the operation of an installed program has confirmed through production response that increased recovery will be achieved.

 

“Proved developed nonproducing reserves” means reserves expected to be recovered from zones behind casing in existing wells.

 

“Proved oil and gas reserves” means estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions, i.e., prices and costs as of the date the estimate is made. Prices include consideration of changes in existing prices provided only by contractual arrangements, but not on escalations based upon future conditions.

 

(i)                                     Reservoirs are considered proved if economic producibility is supported by either actual production or conclusive formation test. The area of a reservoir considered proved includes (A) that portion delineated by drilling and defined by gas-oil and/or oil-water contacts, if any; and (B) the immediately adjoining portions not

 

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Table of Contents

 

yet drilled, but which can be reasonably judged as economically productive on the basis of available geological and engineering data. In the absence of information on fluid contacts, the lowest known structural occurrence of hydrocarbons controls the lower proved limit of the reservoir.

 

(ii)                                 Reserves which can be produced economically through application of improved recovery techniques (such as fluid injection) are included in the “proved” classification when successful testing by a pilot project, or the operation of an installed program in the reservoir, provides support for the engineering analysis on which the project or program was based.

 

(iii)                               Estimates of proved reserves do not include the following:

 

(A)          oil that may become available from known reservoirs but is classified separately as “indicated additional reserves”;

 

(B)           crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids, the recovery of which is subject to reasonable doubt because of uncertainty as to geology, reservoir characteristics, or economic factors;

 

(C)           crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids, that may occur in undrilled prospects; and

 

(D)          crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids that may be recovered from oil shales, coal, gilsonite and other such sources.

 

“Proved undeveloped reserves” means reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion. Reserves on undrilled acreage shall be limited to those drilling units offsetting productive units that are reasonably certain of production when drilled. Proved reserves for other undrilled units can be claimed only where it can be demonstrated with certainty that there is continuity of production from the existing productive formation. Under no circumstances should estimate for proved undeveloped reserves be attributable to any acreage for which an application of fluid injection or other improved recovery technique is contemplated, unless such techniques have been proved effective by actual tests in the area and in the same reservoir.

 

The 2008, 2007 and 2006 estimates were prepared by MHA Petroleum Consultants, independent reservoir engineers, and are part of their reserve reports on our natural gas and oil properties. MHA Petroleum Consultants’ estimates were based on a review of geologic, economic, ownership and engineering data that we provided. In estimating the reserve quantities that are economically recoverable, MHA Petroleum Consultants used end-of-period natural gas and oil prices. In accordance with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, no price or cost escalation or reduction was considered. All of our proved reserves are attributable to our Madisonville Project in Madison County, Texas.

 

 

 

AS OF DECEMBER 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(MMcf)

 

(MMcf)

 

(MMcf)

 

Proved developed

 

17,300

 

10,495

 

12,335

 

Proved developed non-producing

 

3,170

 

12,644

 

12,365

 

Proved undeveloped

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

20,470

 

23,139

 

24,600

 

 

In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, estimates of our proved reserves and future net revenues are made using sales prices estimated to be in effect as of the date of such reserve estimates and are held constant throughout the life of the properties, except to the extent a contract specifically provides for escalation. Estimated quantities of proved reserves and future net revenues are affected by natural gas and oil prices, which have fluctuated significantly in recent years. We filed reports with the Alberta Securities Commission in March 2008 that included total proved reserves inclusive of royalties and net profits interests as of December 31, 2007 totaling 43,517 MMcf. The total net proved reserves, excluding royalties and net profits interests, as of December 31, 2007 was 23,139 MMcf. The difference between the two numbers represents proved reserves attributable to royalties and net profits interests.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows

 

For purposes of the following disclosures, estimates were made of quantities of proved reserves and the periods during which they are expected to be produced. Future cash flows were computed by applying year-end prices to estimated annual future production from proved gas reserves. The average year-end prices for gas were as indicated below. Future development drilling and production costs were computed by applying year-end costs to be incurred in producing and further developing the proved reserves. Future income tax expenses were computed by applying, generally, year-end statutory tax rates (adjusted for permanent differences, tax credits and allowances) to the estimated net future pre-tax cash flows. The discount was computed by application of a 10% discount factor. The calculations assume the continuation of existing economic, operating and contractual conditions. However, such arbitrary assumptions have not proven to be the case in the past. Other assumptions of equal validity could give rise to substantially different results.

 

 

 

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Future cash inflows

 

$

107,063

 

$

135,264

 

$

101,867

 

Future production costs

 

(34,414

)

(45,649

)

(37,783

)

Future development costs

 

(5,075

)

(1,075

)

(1,075

)

Future income taxes

 

(7,977

)

(13,762

)

(8,128

)

Future net cash flows

 

59,597

 

74,778

 

54,882

 

10% annual discount

 

(12,282

)

(14,570

)

(8,341

)

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows

 

$

47,315

 

$

60,208

 

$

46,541

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Pricing Assumptions

 

SEC regulations require that the gas and oil prices used in the MHA Petroleum Consultants reserve reports included herewith are the period-end prices for natural gas at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. These prices are projected without inflation for the life of the wells included in the reserve reports. The pricing assumptions are listed below and represent the weighted average price for natural gas at December 31st delivered at the Houston Ship Channel before any reductions for transportation and processing fees.

 

 

 

YEAR-END PRICE

 

 

 

2008 REPORT

 

2007 REPORT

 

2006 REPORT

 

Gas ($/MMBtu)

 

Gas ($/MMBtu)

 

Gas ($/MMBtu)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

5.25

 

$

6.81

 

$

5.40

 

 

Drilling Activities

 

The following indicates the number of natural gas and oil wells drilled during the periods indicated.

 

 

 

Productive

 

Dry

 

Total Wells

 

 

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Year ended December 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exploratory

 

0

 

0

 

3

 

1.15

 

3

 

1.15

 

Development

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exploratory

 

0

 

0

 

2

 

1

 

2

 

1

 

Development

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exploratory

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

Development

 

2

 

2

 

0

 

0

 

2

 

2

 

 

Acreage and Productive Wells

 

The following table sets forth our ownership interest in undeveloped acreage, developed acreage and productive wells in the areas indicated where we own a working interest as of December 31, 2008. Gross represents the total number of acres or wells in which we own a working interest. Net represents our proportionate working interest resulting from our ownership in gross acres or wells. Productive wells are wells in which we have a working interest and that are capable of producing natural gas or oil. Wells that are completed in more than one producing horizon are counted as one well.

 

 

 

Undeveloped Acreage

 

Developed Acreage

 

Producing Wells

 

Non-Producing Wells

 

 

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indonesia

 

239,692

 

28,763

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canada

 

10,080

 

3,997

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Texas

 

4,294

 

2,930

 

2,027

 

2,027

 

4

 

3.15

 

1

 

1

 

California

 

1,280

 

1,280

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alaska

 

122,174

 

122,174

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

377,520

 

159,144

 

2,027

 

2,027

 

4

 

3.15

 

1

 

1

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following table sets forth as of December 31, 2008, the expiration periods of the gross and net undeveloped acreage:

 

 

 

Undeveloped Acreage

 

 

 

United States

 

Indonesia

 

Canada

 

 

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Net

 

Twelve months ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2009

 

1,335

 

1,335

 

239,692

 

28,763

 

1,920

 

1,080

 

December 31, 2010

 

1,354

 

1,354

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

 

1,280

 

1,280

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2012

 

122,174

 

122,174

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2013 and thereafter

 

1,605

 

241

 

 

 

8,160

 

2,917

 

 

 

127,748

 

126,384

 

239,692

 

28,763

 

10,080

 

3,997

 

 

Volumes, Prices and Production Costs