AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. - Quarter Report: 2016 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016

Commission file number 000-30234

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes    x        No    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes    ¨      No     x

The number of shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value, outstanding on May 16, 2016 was 8,423,936 shares.

ENERJEX RESOURCES, INC.

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 1 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

EnerJex Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited) 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited). 

EnerJex Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

EnerJex Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

EnerJex Resources, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

Note 1 – Basis of Presentation

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of EnerJex Resources, Inc. (“we”, “us”, “our”, “EnerJex” and “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation.  All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.  Certain amounts in the prior year statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentations.  The statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and footnotes thereto included in our Annual Report Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, EnerJex Kansas, Inc., Black Sable Energy, LLC, Working Interest, LLC and Black Raven Energy, Inc. for the three month period ended March 31, 2016 and for the year ended December 31, 2015. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

Note 2 – Going Concern

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern.

On October 3, 2011, the Company, entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Texas Capital Bank, and other financial institutions and banks (“TCB” or “Bank”) that may become a party to the Credit Agreement from time to time. The facilities provided under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement was to be used to refinance a prior outstanding revolving loan facility with TCB dated July 3, 2008, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. On August 15, 2014 the Company entered into an Eighth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Among other things the Eighth Amendment extended the maturity of the Agreement by three years to October 3, 2018. On August 12, 2015, the Company entered into a Tenth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Among other things the Tenth Amendment established the requirement of monthly borrowing base reductions commencing September 1, 2015 and continuing on the first of each month thereafter.

On April 1, 2016 the Company informed the Bank that it would cease making the mandatory monthly borrowing base reduction payments and did not make the required April 1, 2016 payment. The Company made its mandatory quarterly interest payment on April 6, 2016 and on April 7, 2016 entered into a Forbearance Agreement whereby the Bank agreed to not exercise remedies and rights afforded it under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement for thirty days. The thirty day period will be used by the Company to pursue strategic alternatives.

The Company accesses a number of data bases and utilizes several consultants to monthly prepare commodity price projections used in its cash forecasting models. The models indicate it will have sufficient cash to satisfy obligation as they become due through the end of the first quarter of 2017, if it ceases to make the principle reduction called for by the Tenth Amendment entered into by the Company on August 12, 2015. If actual commodity prices are less than forecasted the Company would not have enough cash to meet obligations as they become due. Should this occur the Company could suspend quarterly interest payments, restructure, amend or refinance existing debt through private options or seek a protected reorganization under chapter 11 of the U.S. federal bankruptcy code.

This factor raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Note 3 – Stock Options

A summary of stock options is as follows: 

Note 4 – Fair Value Measurements

We hold certain financial assets which are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis in accordance with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements" ("ASC Topic 820-10"). ASC Topic 820-10 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). ASC Topic 820-10 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. A fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC Topic 820-10 are described below:

Level 1. Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that an entity has the ability to access. 

Level 2. Valuations based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. We consider the derivative liability to be Level 2. We determine the fair value of the derivative liability utilizing various inputs, including NYMEX price quotations and contract terms.

Level 3. Valuations based on inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. We consider our marketable securities to be Level 3

Our derivative instruments consist of fixed price commodity swaps and deferred premium puts.

Note 5 – Asset Retirement Obligation

Our asset retirement obligations relate to the liabilities associated with the abandonment of oil and natural gas wells. The amounts recognized are based on numerous estimates and assumptions, including future retirement costs, inflation rates and credit adjusted risk-free interest rates. The following shows the changes in asset retirement obligations:

Note 6 – Derivative Instruments

We have entered into certain derivative or physical arrangements with respect to portions of our crude oil production to reduce our sensitivity to volatile commodity prices and/or to meet hedging requirements under our Credit Facility. We believe that these derivative arrangements, although not free of risk, allow us to achieve a more predictable cash flow and to reduce exposure to commodity price fluctuations. However, derivative arrangements limit the benefit of increases in the prices of crude oil. Moreover, our derivative arrangements apply only to a portion of our production.

We have an Inter-creditor Agreement in place between us, our counterparties, BP Corporation North America, Inc. ("BP") and Cargill Incorporated (“Cargill”) and our agent Texas Capital Bank, N.A., which allows Texas Capital Bank to also act as agent for the counterparties for the purpose of holding and enforcing any liens or security interests resulting from our derivative arrangements. Therefore, we are not required to post additional collateral, including cash.

The following derivative contracts were in place at March 31, 2016:

Monthly volume is the weighted average throughout the period.

The total fair value of derivative contracts is shown as a derivative receivable in both the current and non-current sections of the balance sheet. 

Note 7 – Long-Term Debt

Senior Secured Credit Facility

On October 3, 2011, the Company and DD Energy, Inc., EnerJex Kansas, Inc., Black Sable Energy, LLC and Working Interest, LLC ("Borrowers") entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Texas Capital Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”) and other financial institutions and banks that may become a party to the Credit Agreement from time to time. The facilities provided under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement were used to refinance Borrowers’ prior outstanding revolving loan facility with Bank, dated July 3, 2008, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. 

At our option, loans under the facility will bear stated interest based on the Base Rate plus Base Rate Margin, or Floating Rate plus Floating Rate Margin (as those terms are defined in the Credit Agreement). The Base Rate will be, for any day, a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% and (b) the Bank's prime rate. The Floating Rate shall mean, at Borrower's option, a per annum interest rate equal to (i) the Eurodollar Rate plus Eurodollar Margin, or (ii) the Base Rate plus Base Rate Margin (as those terms are defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement). Eurodollar borrowings may be for one, two, three, or nine months, as selected by the Borrowers. The margins for all loans are based on a pricing grid ranging from 0.00% to 0.75% for the Base Rate Margin and 2.25% to 3.00% for the Floating Rate Margin based on the Company's Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement). 

On December 15, 2011, we entered into a First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Second Amended and Restated Promissory Note in the amount of $50,000,000 with the Bank. The Amendment reflected the addition of Rantoul Partners as an additional Borrower and added as additional security for the loans the assets held by Rantoul Partners. 

On August 31, 2012, we entered into a Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with the Bank. The Second Amendment: (i) increased our borrowing base to $7,000,000, (ii) reduced the minimum interest rate to 3.75%, and (iii) added additional new leases as collateral for the loan. 

On November 2, 2012, we entered into a Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with the Bank. The Third Amendment (i) increased our borrowing base to $12,150,000, and (ii) clarified certain continuing covenants and provided a limited waiver of compliance with one of the covenants so clarified for the quarter ended December 31, 2011. 

On January 24, 2013, we entered into a Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, which was made effective as of December 31, 2012 with the Bank.  The Fourth Amendment reflects the following changes: (i) the Bank consented to the restructuring transactions related to the dissolution of Rantoul Partners, and (ii) the Bank terminated a Limited Guaranty, as defined in the Credit Agreement, executed by Rantoul Partners in favor of the Bank. 

On April 16, 2013, the Bank increased our borrowing base to $19.5 million. 

On September 30, 2013, we entered into a Fifth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.  The Fifth Amendment reflects the following changes:  (i) an expanded principal commitment amount of the Bank to $100,000,000, (ii) an increase in our Borrowing Base to $38,000,000, (iii) the addition of Black Raven Energy, Inc. to the Credit Agreement as a borrower party, (iv) the addition of certain collateral and security interests in favor of the Bank, and (v) the reduction of our current interest rate to 3.30%.   

On November 19, 2013, we entered into a Sixth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Sixth Amendment reflects the following changes: (i) the addition of Iberia Bank as a participant in our credit facility, and (ii) a technical correction to our covenant calculations.

On May 22, 2014, we entered into a Seventh Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Seventh Amendment reflects the Bank’s consent to our issuance of up to 850,000 shares of our 10% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock.

On August 15, 2014, we entered into an Eighth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Eighth Amendment reflects the following changes: (i) the borrowing base was increased from $38 million to $40 million, and (ii) the maturity of the facility was extended by three years to October 3, 2018.

On April 29, 2015, we entered into a Ninth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. In the Ninth Amendment, the Banks (i) re-determined the Borrowing Base based upon the recent Reserve Report dated January 1, 2015, (ii) imposed affirmative obligations on the Company to use a portion of proceeds received with regard to future sales of securities or certain assets to repay the loan, (iii) consented to non-compliance by the Company with certain terms of the Credit Agreement, (iv) waived certain provisions of the Credit Agreement, and (v) agreed to certain other amendments to the Credit Agreement.

On May 1, 2015, the Borrowers and the Banks entered into a Letter Agreement to clarify that up to $1,000,000 in proceeds from any potential future securities offering will be unencumbered by the Banks’ Liens as described in the Credit Agreement through November 1, 2015, and that, until November 1, 2015, such proceeds shall not be subject to certain provisions in the Credit Agreement prohibiting the Company from declaring and paying dividends that may be due and payable to holders of securities issued in such potential offerings or issued prior to the Letter Agreement.

On August 12, 2015, we entered into a Tenth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Tenth Amendment reflects the following changes: (i) allow the Company to sell certain oil assets in Kansas, (ii) allow for approximately $1,300,000 of the proceeds from the sale to be reinvested in Company owned oil and gas projects and (iii) apply not less than $1,500,000 from the proceed of the sale to outstanding loan balances.

On November 13, 2015, the Company entered into a Eleventh Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Eleventh Amendment reflects the following changes: (i) waived certain provisions of the Credit Agreement, (ii) suspend certain hedging requirements, and (iii) to make certain other amendments to the Credit Agreement.

Our current borrowing base is $18,200,000, of which we had borrowed $18,200,000 as of March 31, 2016. At March 31, 2016 and at December 31, 2015 the interest rate on amounts borrowed under our credit facility was approximately 5.2% and 4.3% respectively. This facility expires on October 3, 2018. 

Note 8 – Commitments & Contingencies

As of March 31, 2016 the Company had an outstanding irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of $50,000 issued in favor of the Texas Railroad Commission. The letter of credit is required by the Texas Railroad Commission for all companies operating in the state of Texas with production greater than limits they prescribe.

Rent expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was approximately $38,000 and $43,000 respectively. Future non-cancellable minimum lease payments are approximately $109,000 for the remainder of 2016, $145,000 for 2017, $90,000 for 2018 and $77,000 for 2019. 

Note 9 – Impairment of Oil and Gas Properties

Pursuant to full cost accounting rules, the Company must perform a ceiling test each quarter on its proved oil and natural gas assets within each separate cost center. All of the Company’s costs are included in one cost center as all of the Company’s operations are located in the United States. The Company’s ceiling test was calculated using trailing twelve-month, unweighted-average first-day-of-the-month prices for oil and natural gas as of March 31, 2016, which were based on a West Texas Intermediate oil price of $45.16 per Bbl and a Henry Hub natural gas price of $2.40 per Mcf (adjusted for basis and quality differentials), respectively. This test resulted in a pre-tax write-down of $4,506,933. In 2015 the Company recorded pre –tax write-downs of approximately $48.9 million. Additional material write-downs of the Company’s oil and gas properties could occur in subsequent quarters in the event that oil and natural gas prices remain at current depressed levels, or if the Company experiences significant downward adjustments to its estimated proved reserves.

Note 10 – Subsequent Events

On April 1, 2016 the Company informed the Bank that it would cease making the mandatory monthly borrowing base reduction payments and did not make the required April 1, 2016 payment. The Company made its mandatory quarterly interest payment on April 6, 2016 and on April 7, 2016 entered into a Forbearance Agreement whereby the Bank agreed to not exercise remedies and rights afforded it under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement for thirty days. The thirty day period will be used by the Company to pursue strategic alternatives.

On April 28, 2016 the Bank informed the Company that it would extend the above Forbearance Agreement period to May 31, 2016 upon effecting a principal reduction of $125,000. In addition, the Company will receive an automatic extension to June 15, 2016 upon meeting certain terms and conditions specified by the Bank.

The Company accesses a number of data bases and utilizes several consultants to monthly prepare commodity price projections used in its cash forecasting models. The models indicate it will have sufficient cash to satisfy obligation as they become due through the end of the first quarter of 2017, if it ceases to make the principle reduction called for by the Tenth Amendment entered into by the Company on August 12, 2015. If actual commodity prices are less than forecasted the Company would not have enough cash to meet obligations as they become due. Should this occur the Company could suspend quarterly interest payments, restructure, amend or refinance existing debt through private options or seek a protected reorganization under chapter 11 of the U.S. federal bankruptcy code.

We have reviewed all material events through the date of this report in accordance with ASC 855-10.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this report, including statements regarding future events, our future financial performance, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. We have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including "anticipates," "believes," "can," "continue," "could," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "may," "plans," "potential," "predicts," or "should" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although we do not make forward-looking statements unless we believe we have a reasonable basis for doing so, we cannot guarantee their accuracy. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the risks outlined under "Risk Factors" or elsewhere in this report, which may cause our or our industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all risk factors, nor can we address the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. The factors impacting these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement, each of which applies only as of the date of this report. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this report to conform our statements to actual results or changed expectations. For a detailed description of these and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, please see "Risk Factors" in this document and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

All references in this report to "we," "us," "our," "company" and "EnerJex" refer to EnerJex Resources, Inc. and our wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, EnerJex Kansas, Inc., Black Sable Energy, LLC, Working Interest, LLC, and Black Raven Energy, Inc. unless the context requires otherwise. We report our financial information on the basis of a December 31 ^st fiscal year end.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and other reports and other information with the SEC.  You can read these SEC filings and reports over the Internet at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or on our website at www.enerjex.com .  You can also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of 10:00 am and 3:00 pm.  Please call the SEC at (800) SEC-0330 for further information on the operations of the public reference facilities. We will provide a copy of our annual report to security holders, including audited financial statements, at no charge upon receipt to of a written request to us at EnerJex Resources, Inc., 4040 Broadway, Suite 508, San Antonio, Texas 78209. 

INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

The market data and certain other statistical information used throughout this report are based on independent industry publications, government publications, reports by market research firms or other published independent sources. In addition, some data are based on our good faith estimates.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes to our financial statements included elsewhere in this report. In addition to historical financial information, the following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results and timing of selected events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those discussed under ITEM 1A. Risk Factors and elsewhere in this report.

Overview

Our principal strategy is to acquire, develop, explore and produce domestic onshore oil properties. Our business activities are currently focused in Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska and Texas.

We continue to investigate multiple opportunities to both unlock value and accelerate growth in an accretive manner on behalf of shareholders, including but not limited to mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and non-dilutive financings. There can be no assurance of the results or timing associated with this process.

We have substantially curtailed capital spending in the current commodity price environment. Once the commodity market improves, we intend to focus our capital budget on the development of our Colorado and Kansas properties where we have identified hundreds of drilling locations and reactivation or recompletion opportunities that we believe will generate high rates of return with low risk profiles.

Recent Developments

The following is a brief description of our most significant corporate developments that have occurred since the end of 2015:

On April 1, 2016 the Company informed the Bank that it would cease making the mandatory monthly borrowing base reduction payments and did not make the required April 1, 2016 payment. The Company made its mandatory quarterly interest payments on April 6, 2016, and May 2, 2016. On April 7, 2016 the Company entered into a Forbearance Agreement whereby the Bank agreed to not exercise remedies and rights afforded it under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement for thirty days. The thirty day period will be used by the Company to pursue strategic alternatives.

On April 28, 2016 the Bank informed the Company that it would extend the above Forbearance Agreement period to May 31, 2016 upon effecting a principal reduction of $125,000. In addition, the Company will receive an automatic extension to June 15, 2016 upon meeting certain terms and conditions specified by the Bank.

The Company accesses a number of data bases and utilizes several consultants to monthly prepare commodity price projections used in its cash forecasting models. The models indicate it will have sufficient cash to satisfy obligation as they become due through the end of the first quarter of 2017, if it ceases to make the mandatory principal reduction. If actual commodity prices are less than forecasted the Company would not have enough cash to meet obligations as they become due. Should this occur the Company could suspend quarterly interest payments, restructure, amend or refinance existing debt through private options or seek a protected reorganization under chapter 11 of the U.S. federal bankruptcy code.

Net Production, Average Sales Price and Average Production and Lifting Costs

The table below sets forth our net oil production (net of all royalties, overriding royalties and production due to others), the average sales prices, average production costs and direct lifting costs per unit of production for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 compared.

Income:

Oil Revenues

Oil revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2016 were $533,973 compared to revenues of $1,380,646 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. Of the revenue decrease of $846,673 approximately $322,000 was due to lower crude oil prices. Crude oil prices dropped $9.73 or 23% to an average price of $31.99 per barrel for the first three months of 2016 compared to $41.72 per barrel for the same period in 2015. Additionally, revenues decreased approximately $525,000 due to lower production volumes. Production decreased approximately 50% in the first three months of 2016 from 33,095 barrels produced in the first quarter of 2015 to 16,692 barrels produced for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The production decrease was due primarily to the curtailment of both growth and maintenance capital expenditures, and the sale of the Company’s Cherokee project in Eastern Kansas.

Natural Gas Revenues

Natural gas revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $22,026 compared to revenues of $117,195 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. Of the revenue decrease of $95,169 approximately $15,000 was due to lower natural gas prices. Natural gas prices dropped $.23 or 13% from an average price of $1.82 per mcf for the first three months of 2015 to an average price of $1.59 per mcf for the same period of 2016. Additionally, revenues decreased approximately $80,000 due to lower production volumes. Production decreased in the first three months of 2016 from 64,301 mcf to 13,854 mcf for the comparable period of 2015. The production decrease was due primarily to the curtailment of both growth and maintenance capital expenditures.

Expenses:

Direct Operating Costs

Direct operating costs include direct labor and equipment costs related to pumping, gauging, pulling, well repairs, compression, transportation costs, and general maintenance requirements in our oil and gas fields. These costs also include certain contract labor costs, and other non-capitalized expenses. Direct operating costs for the three months ended March 31, 2016 decreased $573,439, or 45.2% to $693,862 from $1,267,301 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. Direct operating costs per boe increased $7.59 or approximately 26.2% in 2016 compared to 2015 at $36.52 per boe and $28.93 per boe respectively.

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

Depreciation, depletion and amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $164,188 compared to $745,608 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The decrease in depletion expense of approximately $635,000 or approximately 78% was due to lower per boe depletion rates in 2016 compared to 2015, as well as lower overall production in 2016. The lower depletion rate resulted from the write-down of oil and gas properties mandated by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Full Cost Ceiling Test rules (see footnote 9 to the financial statements for a full explanation of the Ceiling Test). Depletion expense per boe decreased $8.59 or approximately 56% in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the first quarter of 2015 and as also discussed above production decreased approximately 57% quarter over quarter due primarily to lower spending on lease operating expenditures and lower investments in maintenance capital.

Impairment of Oil and Gas Properties

Under the full cost method of accounting, capitalized oil and gas property costs less accumulated depletion and net of deferred income taxes may not exceed an amount equal to the sum of the present value, discounted at 10%, of estimated future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves and the cost of unproved properties not subject to amortization (without regard to estimates of fair value), or estimated fair value, if lower, of unproved properties that are not subject to amortization. Should capitalized costs exceed this ceiling, an impairment expense is recognized.

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, we recognized an impairment expense on our evaluated oil and gas properties of $4,506,933. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, we recognized an impairment expense on our evaluated oil and gas properties of $16,401,376.

Professional Fees

Professional fees for the three months ended March 31, 2016 were $77,809 compared to $253,729 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The decrease in professional fees of approximately $176,000 was due primarily to reduced spending in 2016 on investor relations services, third party reserve engineering fees and legal expenditures incurred with outside attorneys. 

Salaries

Salaries for the three months ended March 31, 2016 were $457,167 compared to $521,287 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The decrease in salaries of $64,120 is due primarily to reduced number of employees.

Administrative Expenses

Administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2016 were $183,706 compared to $230,740 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The decrease of approximately $47,000 in 2016 was due primarily lower SEC costs, meals travel & entertainment, rents and office supplies. These decrease were partially offset by higher insurance costs and lower G&A expense reimbursements from a working interest partner.

Interest Expense

Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $329,763 compared to $309,496 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 an increase of approximately $20,000. Interest expense increased as a result of higher interest rates but was partially offset by decreased outstanding borrowings in 2016 compared to 2015.

Gain (Loss) on Derivatives

We incurred an unrealized loss of $1,085,604 in the marking to market of our derivative contracts in the first three months of 2016 compared to an unrealized loss of $217,522 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The loss in 2016 was due primarily to increases in spot prices in the first quarter of 2016 compared to smaller increases in the spot prices of the first quarter of 2015.

Other Income

Other income increased $156,587 in 2016 from $1,094,657 in 2015 to $1,251,244 in 2016. The increase was due to the realization of gains associated with our derivative contracts.

Net Income (Loss)

The net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $5,691,789 compared to a net loss of $17,354,561 for the three months ended March 31, 2015.  The decrease in the net loss was due primarily to the reduction in the impairment of oil and gas properties of $11,894,443 as well as diminished revenues related to the decrease in realized commodity prices and decreased production.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is a measure of a company's ability to meet potential cash requirements. We have historically met our capital requirements through debt financing, revenues from operations, asset sales, and the issuance of equity securities. Due to the decline in oil prices, the resulting decline in our reserves as reflected in our reserve report which caused a corresponding reduction in our borrowing base, and the recent issuances of equity securities from our "shelf" registration, it will be more difficult in 2016 to use our historical means of meeting our capital requirements to provide us with adequate liquidity to fund our operations and capital program.

The following table summarizes total current assets, total current liabilities and working capital.

Senior Secured Credit Facility

On October 3, 2011, the Company and DD Energy, Inc., EnerJex Kansas, Inc., Black Sable Energy, LLC and Working Interest, LLC ("Borrowers") entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Texas Capital Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”) and other financial institutions and banks that may become a party to the Credit Agreement from time to time. The facilities provided under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement were used to refinance Borrowers prior outstanding revolving loan facility with Bank, dated July 3, 2008, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. 

At our option, loans under the facility will bear stated interest based on the Base Rate plus Base Rate Margin, or Floating Rate plus Floating Rate Margin (as those terms are defined in the Credit Agreement). The Base Rate will be, for any day, a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% and (b) the Bank's prime rate. The Floating Rate shall mean, at Borrower's option, a per annum interest rate equal to (i) the Eurodollar Rate plus Eurodollar Margin, or (ii) the Base Rate plus Base Rate Margin (as those terms are defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement). Eurodollar borrowings may be for one, two, three, or nine months, as selected by the Borrowers. The margins for all loans are based on a pricing grid ranging from 0.00% to 0.75% for the Base Rate Margin and 2.25% to 3.00% for the Floating Rate Margin based on the Company's Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement).

On December 15, 2011, we entered into a First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Second Amended and Restated Promissory Note in the amount of $50,000,000 with the Bank, which closed on December 15, 2011. The Amendment reflected the addition of Rantoul Partners as an additional Borrower and added as additional security for the loans the assets held by Rantoul Partners. 

On August 31, 2012, we entered into a Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with the Bank. The Second Amendment: (i) increased our borrowing base to $7,000,000, (ii) reduced the minimum interest rate to 3.75%, and (iii) added additional new leases as collateral for the loan.

On November 2, 2012, we entered into a Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with the Bank. The Third Amendment (i) increased our borrowing base to $12,150,000, and (ii) clarified certain continuing covenants and provided a limited waiver of compliance with one of the covenants so clarified for the quarter ended December 31, 2011.

On January 24, 2013, we entered into a Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, which was made effective as of December 31, 2012 with the Bank.  The Fourth Amendment reflects the following changes: (i) the Bank consented to the restructuring transactions related to the dissolution of Rantoul Partners, and (ii) the Bank terminated a Limited Guaranty, as defined in the Credit Agreement, executed by Rantoul Partners in favor of the Bank.

On April 16, 2013, the Bank increased our borrowing base to $19.5 million.

On September 30, 2013, we entered into a Fifth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.  The Fifth Amendment reflects the following changes: (i) an expanded principal commitment amount of the Bank to $100,000,000, (ii) an increase in our Borrowing Base to $38,000,000, (iii) the addition of Black Raven Energy, Inc. to the Credit Agreement as a borrower party, (iv) the addition of certain collateral and security interests in favor of the Bank, and (v) the reduction of our current interest rate to 3.30%.  

On November 19, 2013, we entered into a Sixth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Sixth Amendment reflects the following changes: (i) the addition of Iberia Bank as a participant into our credit facility, and (ii) made a technical correction to our covenant calculations.

On May 22, 2014, we entered into a Seventh Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Seventh Amendment reflects the Bank’s consent to our issuance of up to 850,000 shares of our 10% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock.

On August 15, 2014, we entered into an Eighth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Eighth Amendment reflects the following changes: (i) the borrowing base was increased from $38 million to $40 million, and (ii) the maturity of the facility was extended by three years to October 3, 2018.

On April 29, 2015, we entered into a Ninth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. In the Ninth Amendment, the Banks (i) re-determined the Borrowing Base based upon the recent Reserve Report dated January 1, 2015, (ii) imposed affirmative obligations on the Company to use a portion of proceeds received with regard to future sales of securities or certain assets to repay the loan, (iii) consented to non-compliance by the Company with certain terms of the Credit Agreement, (iv) waived certain provisions of the Credit Agreement, and (v) agreed to certain other amendments to the Credit Agreement.

On May 1, 2015, the Borrowers and the Banks entered into a Letter Agreement to clarify that up to $1,000,000 in proceeds from any potential future securities offering will be unencumbered by the Banks’ Liens as described in the Credit Agreement through November 1, 2015, and that, until November 1, 2015, such proceeds shall not be subject to certain provisions in the Credit Agreement prohibiting the Company from declaring and paying dividends that may be due and payable to holders of securities issued in such potential offerings or issued prior to the Letter Agreement.

On August 12, 2015, we entered into a Tenth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Tenth Amendment reflects the following changes: (i) allow the Company to sell certain oil assets in Kansas, (ii) allow for approximately $1,300,000 of the proceeds from the sale to be reinvested in Company owned oil and gas projects and (iii) apply not less than $1,500,000 from the proceed of the sale to outstanding loan balances.

On November 13, 2015, the Company entered into a Eleventh Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Eleventh Amendment reflects the following changes: (i) waived certain provisions of the Credit Agreement, (ii) suspend certain hedging requirements, and (iii) to make certain other amendments to the Credit Agreement.

Our current borrowing base is $18,200,000, of which we had borrowed $18,200,000 as of March 31, 2016. At March 31, 2016 and at December 31, 2015 the interest rate on amounts borrowed under our credit facility was approximately 5.2% and 4.3% respectively. This facility expires on October 3, 2018. 

Satisfaction of our cash obligations for the next 12 months

We intend to meet our near term cash obligations through the monetization of derivative contracts, assets sales and cash flow generated from operations. Due to the declines in oil prices, the resulting decline in our reserves caused a corresponding reduction to our borrowing base, and recent issuances of equity securities from our “shelf” registration, it will be more difficult in 2016 to use our historical means to meet our cash obligations in the next twelve months.

Summary of product research and development

We do not anticipate performing any significant product research and development under our plan of operation.

Expected purchase or sale of any significant equipment

We anticipate that we will purchase the necessary production and field service equipment required to produce oil during our normal course of operations over the next twelve months.

Significant changes in the number of employees

At December 31, 2015 and at March 31, 2016 we had 16 full-time employees, including field personnel. As production and drilling activities increase or decrease, we may have to continue to adjust our technical, operational and administrative personnel as appropriate. We are using and will continue to use independent consultants and contractors to perform various professional services, particularly in the area of land services, reservoir engineering, geology drilling, water hauling, pipeline construction, well design, well-site monitoring and surveillance, permitting and environmental assessment. We believe that this use of third-party service providers may enhance our ability to contain operating and general expenses, and capital costs.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our critical accounting estimates include the value of our oil and gas properties, asset retirement obligations, and share-based payments.

Oil and Gas Properties

We follow the full-cost method of accounting under which all costs associated with property acquisition, exploration and development activities are capitalized. We also capitalize internal costs that can be directly identified with our acquisition, exploration and development activities and do not include costs related to production, general corporate overhead or similar activities. 

Proved properties are amortized using the units of production (UOP) method. Currently we only have operations in the Unites States of America. The UOP calculation multiplies the percentage of estimated proved reserves produced each quarter by the cost of these reserves. The amortization base in the UOP calculation includes the sum of proved property, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A), estimated future development costs (future costs to access and develop proved reserves) and asset retirement costs, less related salvage value. 

The cost of unproved properties are excluded from the amortization calculation until it is determined whether or not proved reserves can be assigned to such properties or until development projects are placed into service. Geological and geophysical costs not associated with specific properties are recorded as proved property immediately. Unproved properties are reviewed for impairment quarterly. 

Under the full cost method of accounting, the net book value of oil and gas properties, less deferred income taxes, may not exceed a calculated “ceiling.” The ceiling limitation is (a) the present value of future net revenues computed by applying current prices of oil & gas reserves (with consideration of price changes only to the extent provided by contractual arrangements) to estimated future production of proved oil & gas reserves as of the date of the latest balance sheet presented, less estimated future expenditures (based on current costs) to be incurred in developing and producing the proved reserves computed using a discount factor of 10 percent and assuming continuation of existing economic conditions plus (b) the cost of properties not being amortized plus (c) the lower of cost or estimated fair value of unproven properties included in the costs being amortized less (d) income tax effects related to differences between book and tax basis of properties. Future cash outflows associated with settling accrued retirement obligations are excluded from the calculation. Estimated future cash flows are calculated using end-of-period costs and an unweighted arithmetic average of commodity prices in effect on the first day of each of the previous 12 months held flat for the life of the production, except where prices are defined by contractual arrangements.

Any excess of the net book value of proved oil and gas properties, less related deferred income taxes, over the ceiling is charged to expense and reflected as additional DD&A in the statement of operations. The ceiling calculation is performed quarterly. For the quarter ended March 31, 2016, we incurred a $4,506,933 impairment charge and for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 our impairment charge was $16,401,376. For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no impairments resulting from the quarterly ceiling tests. 

Proceeds from the sale or disposition of oil and gas properties are accounted for as a reduction to capitalized costs unless a significant portion (greater than 25%) of our reserve quantities are sold, in which case a gain or loss is recognized in income.

Asset Retirement Obligations

The asset retirement obligation relates to the plugging and abandonment costs when our wells are no longer useful. We determine the value of the liability by obtaining quotes for this service and estimate the increase we will face in the future. We then discount the future value based on an intrinsic interest rate that is appropriate for us. If costs rise more than what we have expected there could be additional charges in the future however we monitor the costs of the abandoned wells and we will adjust this liability if necessary.

Share-Based Payments

The value we assign to the options and warrants that we issue is based on the fair market value as calculated by the Black-Scholes pricing model. To perform a calculation of the value of our options and warrants, we determine an estimate of the volatility of our stock. We need to estimate volatility because there has not been enough trading of our stock to determine an appropriate measure of volatility. We believe our estimate of volatility is reasonable, and we review the assumptions used to determine this whenever we issue new equity instruments. If we have a material error in our estimate of the volatility of our stock, our expenses could be understated or overstated.

Effects of Inflation and Pricing

The oil industry is very cyclical and the demand for goods and services of oil field companies, suppliers and others associated with the industry puts extreme pressure on the economic stability and pricing structure within the industry. Material changes in prices impact revenue stream, estimates of future reserves, borrowing base calculations of bank loans and value of properties in purchase and sale transactions. Material changes in prices can impact the value of oil companies and their ability to raise capital, borrow money and retain personnel. We anticipate business costs and the demand for services related to production and exploration will fluctuate while the commodity prices for oil remains volatile.

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

We are a smaller reporting Company as defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are not required to provide the information required under this item.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Our chief executive officer, Robert G. Watson, Jr., and our chief financial officer, Douglas M. Wright, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this Report pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13-a-15(b). Based on the evaluation, Mr. Watson and Mr. Wright concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

We may become involved in various routine legal proceedings incidental to our business. However, to our knowledge as of the date of this transition report, there are no material pending legal proceedings to which we are a party or to which any of our property is subject, except the legal proceedings discussed below.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

In addition to the risk factors below and the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 11, 2016, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also materially affect our business, financial condition or future results.

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS.

* Filed herewith.

SIGNATURES

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.