CAMBER ENERGY, INC. - Annual Report: 2017 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

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

For the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2017

or

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

Commission File Number: 1-32508

CAMBER ENERGY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

450 Gears Road, Suite 860, Houston, Texas 77067

(Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 713-528-1881

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

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☐  No ☒

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 ☐  No ☒

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 ☒   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 ☒   No ☐

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 the 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 ☐

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

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) 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 ☒

Common Stock aggregate market value held by non-affiliates as of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, September 30, 2016: $27,451,157.

There were 34,196,799 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of July 10, 2017.

Documents incorporated by reference: none.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements are generally located in the material set forth under the headings “Risk Factors”, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, “Business”, and “Properties” but may be found in other locations as well. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. You should not unduly rely on these statements. Factors, risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements which include, among others,

We identify forward-looking statements by use of terms such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “hope,” “plan,” “believe,” “predict,” “envision,” “intend,” “continue,” “potential,” “should,” “confident,” “could” and similar words and expressions, although some forward-looking statements may be expressed differently. You should be aware that our actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. You should consider carefully the statements under the “Risk Factors” section of this report and other sections of this report which describe factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, and the following factors:

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report or the date of any document incorporated by reference in this report. Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Where You Can Find Other Information

We file annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and are available for download, free of charge, soon after such reports are filed with or furnished to the SEC, on the “Investors,” “SEC Filings” page of our website at www.camber.energy. Information on our website is not part of this report, and we do not desire to incorporate by reference such information herein. You may also read and copy any documents we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can also obtain copies of the documents upon the payment of a duplicating fee to the SEC. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC like us. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of documents filed by us with the SEC are also available from us without charge, upon oral or written request to our Secretary, who can be contacted at the address and telephone number set forth on the cover page of this report.

General Information

The following discussion and analysis provides information which management believes is relevant for an assessment and understanding of the results of operations and financial condition of the Company. Expectations of future financial condition and results of operations are based upon current business plans and may change. The discussion should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto.

In this report, we may rely on and refer to information regarding our industry which comes from market research reports, analyst reports and other publicly available information. Although we believe that this information is reliable, we cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of this information, and we have not independently verified any of it.

Unless the context requires otherwise, references to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “Camber” and “Camber Energy, Inc.” refer specifically to Camber Energy, Inc., and our consolidated subsidiaries, CATI Operating, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, which is wholly-owned (“CATI”), CEI Operating LLC, a Texas limited liability company, which is wholly-owned, Camber Permian LLC, a Texas limited liability company, which is wholly-owned, and Camber Permian II LLC, a Texas limited liability company, which is wholly-owned..

In addition, unless the context otherwise requires and for the purposes of this report only:

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

General

Camber Energy, Inc., a Nevada corporation, is an independent oil and natural gas company based in Houston, Texas with a field office in Gonzales, Texas. We are engaged in the acquisition, development and sale of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids from various known productive geological formations, including from the Hunton formation in Lincoln, Logan and Payne Counties, in central Oklahoma; the Cline shale and upper Wolfberry shale in Glasscock County, Texas; and recently in connection with our entry into the Horizontal San Andres play on the Central Basin Platform of the Permian Basin in West Texas announced on January 3, 2017. Incorporated in Nevada in December 2003 under the name Panorama Investments Corp., the Company changed its name to Lucas Energy, Inc. effective June 9, 2006 and effective January 4, 2017, the Company changed its name to Camber Energy, Inc.

Our primary value drivers are our reserves which must be developed to unlock their full potential. We believe the market conditions driving us toward the need for a larger entity of greater size and financial mass are even more essential in the current environment. In order to develop the significant reserves at our disposal, we believe that we must become, or become part of, a larger organization with ample cash flow and greater access to capital. Measures such as return on equity, liquidity and stock multiples have led us to conclude that the market, in general, views small-cap and mid-cap exploration and production companies as having greater potential than microcaps. The larger companies tend to have access to more favorable debt financing, receive greater analyst coverage, trade with greater liquidity and consequently, often have higher share prices.

On December 30, 2015, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) as amended from time to time to acquire from twenty-three different entities and individuals (the “Sellers”), working interests in producing properties and undeveloped acreage (the “Acquisition”), which acquisition transaction was completed on August 25, 2016 and effective on April 1, 2016. The assets acquired include varied interests in two largely contiguous acreage blocks in the liquids-rich Mid-Continent region. In connection with the closing of the acquisition, we assumed approximately $30.6 million of commercial bank debt, issued 13,009,664 shares of common stock to certain of the Sellers, issued 552,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock to one of the Sellers and its affiliate, and paid $4,975,000 in cash to certain of the Sellers.

Pursuant to a Letter Agreement we entered into, at the closing of the Acquisition, with RAD2 Minerals, Ltd. (“RAD2”), one of the Sellers, which is owned and controlled by Richard N. Azar II, who was appointed as our Chairman on August 26, 2016, serving as Chairman until May 16, 2017, provided that Mr. Azar continues to serve as a member of the Board of Directors and who was appointed as interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company on June 2, 2017, RAD2 agreed to accept full financial liability for any and all deficiencies between the “Agreed Assets Value” set forth in the Asset Purchase Agreement of $80,697,710, and the mutually agreed upon value of the assets delivered by the Sellers at the closing of the Acquisition, up to an aggregate of $1,030,941 (as applicable, the “Deficiency”). The Company accepted additional oil and gas producing properties and two salt water disposal facilities from the Sellers with an approximate value of $1.0 million to resolve this Deficiency.

On April 6, 2016, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with an accredited institutional investor (the “Investor”), pursuant to which we sold and issued a redeemable convertible subordinated debenture, with a face amount of $530,000 (the “Debenture”), initially convertible into 163,077 shares of common stock (subject to certain conversion premiums) at a conversion price equal to $3.25 per share and a warrant to initially purchase 1,384,616 shares of common stock (subject to adjustment thereunder) at an exercise price equal to $3.25 per share (the “First Warrant”). The Investor purchased the debenture at a 5.0% original issue discount for the sum of $500,000 and has exercised the First Warrant in full as described below for the sum of $4.5 million.

Also on April 6, 2016, we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with the Investor, pursuant to which we agreed, subject to certain conditions, to issue up to 527 shares of Series C redeemable convertible preferred stock (the “Series C Preferred Stock”) at a 5% original issue discount, convertible into 1,618,462 shares of common stock (subject to certain conversion premiums) at a conversion price of $3.25 per share, and a warrant to initially purchase 1,111,112 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $4.50 per share (the “Second Warrant”). Under the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Second Warrant and 53 shares of Series C Preferred Stock were sold and issued for $500,000 on September 2, 2016, and the remaining 474 shares of Series C Preferred Stock were sold and issued for $4.5 million on November 17, 2016.

On October 7, 2016, the Investor exercised the First Warrant in full and was due 1,384,616 shares of common stock upon exercise thereof and an additional 2,542,735 shares of common stock in consideration for the conversion premium due thereon. A total of 810,000 shares were issued to the Investor on October 7, 2016, with the remaining shares being held in abeyance until such time as it would not result in the Investor exceeding its beneficial ownership limitation (4.99% of the Company’s outstanding common stock). The Company received gross proceeds of $4,500,000 from the exercise of the First Warrant and paid placement agent fees of $427,500 for services rendered in connection with the First Warrant. Pursuant to the terms of the First Warrant, the number of shares due in consideration for the conversion premium increases as the annual rate of return under the First Warrant increases, including by 10% upon the occurrence of certain triggering events (which had occurred by the October 7, 2016 date of exercise), to 17% per annum upon the exercise of the First Warrant. Additionally, as the conversion rate for the conversion premium is currently 85% of the lowest daily volume weighted average price during the measuring period, less $0.10 per share of common stock not to exceed 85% of the lowest sales prices on the last day of such period less $0.10 per share, the number of shares issuable in connection with the conversion premium increases as the trading price of our common stock decreases, and the trading price of our common stock has decreased since the date the First Warrant was exercised, triggering a further reduction in the conversion price of the conversion premium and an increase in the number of shares due to the Investor in connection with the conversion of the amount owed in connection with the conversion premium. Additionally, pursuant to the interpretation of the Investor, the measurement period for the calculation of the lowest daily volume weighted average price currently continues indefinitely.

As of July 10, 2017, a total of 9,675,154 shares of common stock had been issued to the Investor in connection with the exercise of the First Warrant of the approximately 37,496,859 shares which were alleged due (25,052,473 shares remain to be issued to the Investor, which shares are currently held in abeyance until such time as it would not result in the Investor exceeding its beneficial ownership limitation (4.99% of the Company’s outstanding common stock)) as of July 10, 2017 (subject to increases as the value of our common stock decreases).

On January 5, 2017, the Investor converted 21 shares of the Series C Preferred stock (equal to a face value of $210,000), and was due 64,146 shares of common stock and an additional 657,196 shares of common stock in dividend premium shares; on January 23, 2017, the Investor converted 21 shares of the Series C Preferred stock (equal to a face value of $210,000), and was due 64,146 shares of common stock and an additional 780,694 shares of common stock in dividend premium shares; on February 22, 2017, the Investor converted 21 shares of the Series C Preferred stock (equal to a face value of $210,000), and was due 64,146 shares of common stock and an additional 1,138,159 shares of common stock in dividend premium shares; on March 2, 2017, the Investor converted 15 shares of the Series C Preferred stock (equal to a face value of $150,000), and was due 46,154 shares of common stock and an additional 812,971 shares of common stock in dividend premium shares; on March 28, 2017, the Investor converted 13 shares of the Series C Preferred stock (equal to a face value of $130,000), and was due 40,000 shares of common stock and an additional 1,247,235 shares of common stock in dividend premium shares; and on April 11, 2017, the Investor converted 10 shares of the Series C Preferred stock (equal to a face value of $100,000), and was due 30,770 shares of common stock and an additional 1,243,772 shares of common stock in dividend premium shares.

As of July 10, 2017, the Investor was still due 63,723,398 shares of common stock upon the conversion of the remaining 394 shares of Series C Preferred stock. The Investor is also due approximately 8,571,930 shares of common stock upon the conversion of the Debenture.

Our management is focused on achieving greater stockholder value through a turbulent period. Specifically, our immediate efforts include: (i) restructuring our general and administrative costs, (ii) attempting to re-finance our current debt with some combination of new debt and equity, and (iii) considering the potential acquisition of oil and gas properties for equity; all in an effort to stabilize our company and provide an increased base of operating cash flow. Our future expectations, which assume we raise additional funding in the future through the sale of equity or debt, and we have sufficient cash flow to meet our debt obligations, continue to include an increase in production through development of our acreage, increased profitability margins by evaluating and optimizing our production, and executing our business plan with the goal of increasing property values, reserves, and expanding our asset base.

At March 31, 2017, we had leasehold interests (working interests) in approximately 82,046 gross acres, or 26,990 net acres. Our total net developed and undeveloped acreage as measured from the surface to the base of the Austin Chalk formation was approximately 7,333 net acres. Our total net developed and undeveloped acreage in the Central Oklahoma region is 16,122 net acres, and our total net developed and undeveloped acreage in West Texas is 3,535 net acres.

For the year ending March 31, 2017, we produced an average of approximately 616 net barrels of oil equivalent per day (Boepd) from 120 active well bores, of which 78 wells were operated by the Company. The ratio between the gross and net production varies due to varied working interests and net revenue interests in each well. We operate over 65% of our producing wells. Our production sales totaled 224,954 barrels of oil equivalent (Boe), net to our interest, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.

At March 31, 2017, our total estimated net proved reserves were 5.6 million Boe, of which 1.6 million barrels (Bbls) were crude oil reserves, and 4.2 billion cubic feet (Bcf) were natural gas reserves. Of these quantities, approximately 80% and 24%, respectively, are classified as proved undeveloped.

As of March 31, 2017, we employed ten full-time employees. We also utilized ten contractors on an “as-needed” basis to carry out various functions, including but not limited to field operations, land administration, corporate activity and information technology maintenance. No employee is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

We have an experienced management team with proven acquisition, operating and financing capabilities. Mr. Richard Azar, our Interim Chief Executive Officer, has over thirty years of extensive oil and gas and financial management experience. Since 1982, Mr. Azar’s companies have explored for, produced and operated over 1,000 wells in Central, South and West Texas and Central Oklahoma, including the development of the Hunton Dewatering Resource play in central Oklahoma.

In order to expand our operations in accordance with our business plan, we intend to hire additional employees and consultants with expertise in the areas of corporate development, petroleum engineering, geological and geophysical sciences and accounting, as well as hiring additional technical, operations and administrative staff. We are not currently able to estimate the number of employees that we will hire during the next twelve months since that number will depend upon the rate at which our operations expand and upon the extent to which we engage third parties to perform required services, and the availability of adequate funding.

Recent Events

In February 2017, we, together with our financing partner, Jaffe Energy, Inc. (“JEI”) via our subsidiary, Camber Permian II LLC (“CPII”), entered into a definitive Purchase and Sale Agreement (“PSA”) with private sellers to acquire oil and gas leases covering approximately 13,000 net acres in the Permian Basin for a drilling project known as the “Arrowhead Project.” Effective May 1, 2017, JEI rescinded its funding and formally withdrew from CPII. Contemporaneously, CPII assigned its rights and interests in the PSA and Arrowhead to an undisclosed, private oil and gas company (the “OG Co”). As consideration for assigning the PSA, CPII reserved (i) the right to a 30% interest acquired under the PSA in an existing well on Arrowhead, subject to work necessary to bring it on production, and (ii) an optional right to purchase 30% of the remaining properties comprising the Arrowhead project for $2.7 million at a future date after two wells are drilled thereon by OG Co, plus CPII’s proportionate share of the costs of all lease extensions and renewals that are acquired by OG Co. CPIIs right to exercise this option is subject to its ability to obtain funding necessary to close the transaction and to fund its share of participation in future Arrowhead drilling activities.

Industry Segments

Camber Energy’s operations are all crude oil and natural gas exploration and production related.

Operations and Oil and Gas Properties

We operate and invest in areas that are known to be productive, with a reasonably established production history, in order to decrease geological and exploratory risk. Our activities in the Gulf Coast areas of Texas are concentrated on two adjoining formations: the Austin Chalk and Eagle Ford, provided that we are not currently active in those areas as of the filing of this report and do not plan to be in the future. Camber’s acreage position is in the oil window of the Eagle Ford trend and we currently have approximately 7,300 net acres in the Gonzales, Karnes and Wilson County, Texas areas, all of which are held by production. With the closing of the Acquisition, the Company acquired over 13,000 net acres in producing fields located primarily in the Mid-Continent region of Oklahoma including Payne, Lincoln and Logan Counties, along with a small amount of interest in production located in Glasscock County, Texas. The Mid-Continent assets produce from a liquids-rich, gas reservoir known as the Hunton formation. These properties include interests in four different fields, of which one is operated by Camber and the other three are non-operated. The Glasscock County, Texas properties produce oil and gas primarily from the Wolfberry, Cline and Fusselman formations and are all non-operated. In addition, the Company recently acquired approximately 3,600 net acres and operations under a joint venture agreement to pursue the emerging Horizontal San Andres play in Gaines County, Texas, located in the Central Basin Platform area of the Permian Basin (as described in greater detail below). The Company intends to resume and continue its leasing activities at Jack Rabbit during the second-half of 2017, funding permitting, to position the Company for a drilling program beginning in 2018, funding permitting with a joint venture partner for drilling and/or a farmout. In addition, the Company negotiated an Option Agreement for acquiring a 28.5% non-operated working interest in 11,000 net acres, also in pursuit of the Horizontal San Andres Play in Yoakum and Cochran Counties, Texas, located in the Northwest Shelf area of the Permian Basin, known as the Arrowhead Project.

Marketing

We operate exclusively in the onshore United States oil and natural gas industry. Our crude oil and natural gas production sales are to gatherers and marketers with national reputations. Our sales are made on a month-to-month basis, and title transfer occurs when the oil is loaded onto the purchaser’s truck. Crude oil prices realized from production sales are indexed to published posted refinery prices, and to published crude indexes with adjustments on a contract basis.

We generally sell a significant portion of our oil and gas production to a relatively small number of customers. For the year ended March 31, 2017, our consolidated revenues were from the sale of oil, gas and natural gas liquids under marketing contracts with Shell Trading (US) Company, Superior Pipeline Company, Scissortail Energy, LLC, and DCP Midstream, LP. We are not dependent upon any one purchaser and have alternative purchasers available at competitive market prices if there is disruption in services or other events that cause us to search for other ways to sell our production.

During the year ended March 31, 2017, three customers accounted for approximately 42%, 24% and 12% of our total sales. During the year ended March 31, 2016, two customers accounted for approximately 19% and 10% of our total sales. We do not believe that the loss of any of these customers would have a material adverse effect on us because alternative customers are readily available.

We actively manage our crude oil inventory in field tanks and have engaged a marketing company to negotiate our crude and natural gas contracts.

Competition

We are in direct competition for properties with numerous oil and natural gas companies and partnerships exploring various areas of Texas, Oklahoma and elsewhere. Many competitors are large, well-known oil and natural gas and/or energy companies, although no single entity dominates the industry. Many of our competitors possess greater financial and personnel resources, enabling them to identify and acquire more economically desirable energy producing properties and drilling prospects than us. Additionally, there is competition from other fuel choices to supply the energy needs of consumers and industry.

Regulation

Our operations are subject to various types of regulation at the federal, state and local levels. These regulations include requiring permits for the drilling of wells; maintaining hazard prevention, health and safety plans; submitting notification and receiving permits related to the presence, use and release of certain materials incidental to oil and natural gas operations; and regulating the location of wells, the method of drilling and casing wells, the use, transportation, storage and disposal of fluids and materials used in connection with drilling and production activities, surface plugging and abandonment of wells and the transporting of production. Our operations are also subject to various conservation matters, including the number of wells which may be drilled in a unit and the unitization or pooling of oil and natural gas properties. In this regard, some states allow the forced pooling or integration of tracts to facilitate exploration, while other states rely on voluntary pooling of lands and leases, which may make it more difficult to develop oil and gas properties. In addition, state conservation laws establish maximum rates of production from oil and natural gas wells, generally limiting the venting or flaring of natural gas, and impose certain requirements regarding the ratable purchase of production. The effect of these regulations is to possibly limit the amounts of oil and natural gas we can produce from our wells and to limit the number of wells or the locations at which we can drill.

In the United States, legislation affecting the oil and natural gas industry has been pervasive and is under constant review for amendment or expansion. Pursuant to such legislation, numerous federal, state and local departments and agencies issue recommended new and extensive rules and regulations binding on the oil and natural gas industry and its individual members, some of which carry substantial penalties for failure to comply. These laws and regulations have a significant impact on oil and natural gas drilling, natural gas processing plants and production activities, increasing the cost of doing business and, consequently, affect profitability. Insomuch as new legislation affecting the oil and natural gas industry is common-place and existing laws and regulations are frequently amended or reinterpreted, we may be unable to predict the future cost or impact of complying with these laws and regulations. We consider the cost of environmental protection a necessary and manageable part of our business. We have historically been able to plan for and comply with new environmental initiatives without materially altering our operating strategies.

Insurance Matters

We maintain insurance coverage which we believe is reasonable per the standards of the oil and natural gas industry. It is common for companies in this industry to not insure fully against all risks associated with their operations either because such insurance is unavailable or because premium costs are considered prohibitive. A material loss not fully covered by insurance could have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. We maintain insurance at industry customary levels to limit our financial exposure in the event of a substantial environmental claim resulting from sudden, unanticipated and accidental discharges of certain prohibited substances into the environment. Such insurance might not cover the complete amount of such a claim and would not cover fines or penalties for a violation of an environmental law.

Other Matters

Environmental. Our exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas, including our operation of saltwater injection and disposal wells, are subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. Such laws and regulations can increase the costs of planning, designing, installing and operating oil, natural gas, and disposal wells. Our domestic activities are subject to a variety of environmental laws and regulations, including but not limited to, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA”), the Clean Water Act (“CWA”), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), the Clean Air Act (CAA), and the Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA”), as well as state regulations promulgated under comparable state statutes. We are also subject to regulations governing the handling, transportation, storage, and disposal of naturally occurring radioactive materials that are found in our oil and gas operations. Civil and criminal fines and penalties may be imposed for non-compliance with these environmental laws and regulations. Additionally, these laws and regulations require the acquisition of permits or other governmental authorizations before undertaking certain activities, limit or prohibit other activities because of protected areas or species, and impose substantial liabilities for cleanup of pollution.

Under the OPA, a release of oil into water or other areas designated by the statute could result in us being held responsible for the costs of remediating such a release, certain OPA specified damages, and natural resource damages. The extent of that liability could be extensive, as set forth in the statute, depending on the nature of the release. A release of oil in harmful quantities or other materials into water or other specified areas could also result in us being held responsible under the CWA for the costs of remediation, and civil and criminal fines and penalties.

CERCLA and comparable state statutes, also known as “Superfund” laws, can impose joint and several and retroactive liability, without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct, on certain classes of persons for the release of a “hazardous substance” into the environment. In practice, cleanup costs are usually allocated among various responsible parties. Potentially liable parties include site owners or operators, past owners or operators under certain conditions, and entities that arrange for the disposal or treatment of, or transport hazardous substances found at the site. Although CERCLA, as amended, currently exempts petroleum, including but not limited to, crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, from the definition of hazardous substance, our operations may involve the use or handling of other materials that may be classified as hazardous substances under CERCLA. Furthermore, the exemption may not be preserved in future amendments of the act, if any.

RCRA and comparable state and local requirements impose standards for the management, including treatment, storage, and disposal, of both hazardous and non-hazardous solid wastes. We generate hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste in connection with our routine operations. From time to time, proposals have been made that would reclassify certain oil and natural gas wastes, including wastes generated during drilling, production and pipeline operations, as “hazardous wastes” under RCRA, which would make such solid wastes subject to much more stringent handling, transportation, storage, disposal, and clean-up requirements. This development could have a significant impact on our operating costs. While state laws vary on this issue, state initiatives to further regulate oil and natural gas wastes could have a similar impact. Because oil and natural gas exploration and production, and possibly other activities, have been conducted at some of our properties by previous owners and operators, materials from these operations remain on some of the properties and in some instances, require remediation. In addition, in certain instances, we have agreed to indemnify sellers of producing properties from which we have acquired reserves against certain liabilities for environmental claims associated with such properties. While we do not believe that costs to be incurred by us for compliance and remediating previously or currently owned or operated properties will be material, there can be no guarantee that such costs will not result in material expenditures.

Additionally, in the course of our routine oil and natural gas operations, surface spills and leaks, including casing leaks, of oil or other materials occur, and we incur costs for waste handling and environmental compliance. Moreover, we are able to control directly the operations of only those wells for which we act as the operator. Management believes that we are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations.

In response to liabilities associated with these activities, accruals are established when reasonable estimates are possible. Such accruals would primarily include estimated costs associated with remediation. We have used discounting to present value in determining our accrued liabilities for environmental remediation or well closure, but no material claims for possible recovery from third party insurers or other parties related to environmental costs have been recognized in our financial statements. We adjust the accruals when new remediation responsibilities are discovered and probable costs become estimable, or when current remediation estimates must be adjusted to reflect new information.

We do not anticipate being required in the near future to expend amounts that are material in relation to our total capital expenditures program by reason of environmental laws and regulations, but inasmuch as such laws and regulations are frequently changed, we are unable to predict the ultimate cost of compliance. More stringent laws and regulations protecting the environment may be adopted in the future and we may incur material expenses in connection with environmental laws and regulations in the future.

Occupational Health and Safety. We are also subject to laws and regulations concerning occupational safety and health. Due to the continued changes in these laws and regulations, and the judicial construction of many of them, we are unable to predict with any reasonable degree of certainty our future costs of complying with these laws and regulations. We consider the cost of safety and health compliance a necessary and manageable part of our business. We have been able to plan for and comply with new initiatives without materially altering our operating strategies.

Hydraulic Fracturing. Vast quantities of natural gas, natural gas liquids and oil deposits exist in deep shale and other unconventional formations. It is customary in our industry to recover these resources through the use of hydraulic fracturing, combined with horizontal drilling. Hydraulic fracturing is the process of creating or expanding cracks, or fractures, in deep underground formations using water, sand and other additives pumped under high pressure into the formation. As with the rest of the industry, we use hydraulic fracturing as a means to increase the productivity of almost every well that we drill and complete. These formations are generally geologically separated and isolated from fresh ground water supplies by thousands of feet of impermeable rock layers. We follow applicable legal requirements for groundwater protection in our operations that are subject to supervision by state and federal regulators (including the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) on federal acreage). Furthermore, our well construction practices require the installation of multiple layers of protective steel casing surrounded by cement that are specifically designed and installed to protect freshwater aquifers by preventing the migration of fracturing fluids into aquifers.

Injection rates and pressures are required to be monitored in real time at the surface during our hydraulic fracturing operations. Pressure is required to be monitored on both the injection string and the immediate annulus to the injection string. Hydraulic fracturing operations are required to be shut down if an abrupt change occurs to the injection pressure or annular pressure. These aspects of hydraulic fracturing operations are designed to prevent a pathway for the fracturing fluid to contact any aquifers during the hydraulic fracturing operations.

Hydraulic fracture stimulation requires the use of water. We use fresh water or recycled produced water in our fracturing treatments in accordance with applicable water management plans and laws. Several proposals are before the U.S. Congress that, if implemented, would either prohibit or restrict the practice of hydraulic fracturing or subject the process to regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Several states are considering legislation to regulate hydraulic fracturing practices that could impose more stringent permitting, transparency, and well construction requirements on hydraulic-fracturing operations or otherwise seek to ban fracturing activities altogether. Hydraulic fracturing of wells and subsurface water disposal are also under public and governmental scrutiny due to potential environmental and physical impacts, including possible contamination of groundwater and drinking water and possible links to earthquakes. In addition, some municipalities have significantly limited or prohibited drilling activities and/or hydraulic fracturing, or are considering doing so.

Restrictions on hydraulic fracturing could make it prohibitive to conduct our operations, and also reduce the amount of oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas that we are ultimately able to produce in commercial quantities from our properties.

The Endangered Species Act. The Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) restricts activities that may affect areas that contain endangered or threatened species or their habitats. While some of our assets and lease acreage may be located in areas that are designated as habitats for endangered or threatened species, we believe that we are in substantial compliance with the ESA. However, the designation of previously unidentified endangered or threatened species in areas where we intend to conduct construction activity could materially limit or delay our plans.

Global Warming and Climate Change. Various state governments and regional organizations are considering enacting new legislation and promulgating new regulations governing or restricting the emission of greenhouse gases from stationary sources such as our equipment and operations. Legislative and regulatory proposals for restricting greenhouse gas emissions or otherwise addressing climate change could require us to incur additional operating costs and could adversely affect demand for the natural gas and oil that we sell. The potential increase in our operating costs could include new or increased costs to obtain permits, operate and maintain our equipment and facilities, install new emission controls on our equipment and facilities, acquire allowances to authorize our greenhouse gas emissions, pay taxes related to our greenhouse gas emissions and administer and manage a greenhouse gas emissions program.

Taxation. Our operations, as is the case in the petroleum industry generally, are significantly affected by federal tax laws. Federal, as well as state, tax laws have many provisions applicable to corporations which could affect our future tax liabilities.

Commitments and Contingencies. We are liable for future restoration and abandonment costs associated with our oil and gas properties. These costs include future site restoration, post closure and other environmental exit costs. The costs of future restoration and well abandonment have not been determined in detail. State regulations require operators to post bonds that assure that well sites will be properly plugged and abandoned. We currently operate only in Texas and Oklahoma, which require a security bond based on the number of wells we operate. Management views this as a necessary requirement for operations and does not believe that these costs will have a material adverse effect on our financial position as a result of this requirement.

Available Information

Our website address is http://www.camber.energy. The information on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into this report and should not be considered a part of this report. You can access our filings of Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports have been filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In addition, you can access our proxy statements, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter, Audit Committee Charter, and Compensation Committee Charter on our website http://www.camber.energy, at “Investors” – “SEC Filings” – “All SEC Filings” and “Governance” - “Policies”.

Our fiscal year ends on the last day of March of each year. We refer to the years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 as our 2017 and 2016 fiscal years, respectively.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

Our business and operations are subject to many risks. The risks described below may not be the only risks we face, as our business and operations may also be subject to risks that we do not yet know of, or that we currently believe are immaterial. If any of the events or circumstances described below actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be materially and adversely affected and the trading price of our common stock could decline. The following risk factors should be read in conjunction with the other information contained herein, including the financial statements and the related notes. Please read “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this filing, where we describe additional uncertainties associated with our business and the forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this filing.

Our securities should only be purchased by persons who can afford to lose their entire investment in us. You should carefully consider the following risk factors and other information in this filing before deciding to become a holder of our securities. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business and financial results could be negatively affected to a significant extent.

Risks Relating to Our Operations and Industry

We will require substantial additional funding, and our failure to raise additional capital necessary to support and expand our operations could reduce our ability to compete and could harm our business.

As of March 31, 2017, we had $0.7 million in cash. Our primary sources of cash for the year ended March 31, 2017 were from funds generated from the sale of preferred stock, exercise of warrants, the sale of natural gas (including NGL) and crude oil production and funds borrowed under funding agreements.

We do not currently have all of the financial resources to fully develop and execute on all of our other business opportunities, nor do we have all of the resources to satisfy our debt obligations including the Letter Loan Agreement with Louise H. Rogers (as amended and modified to date, the “Rogers Loan”) which is due on July 31, 2017. We intend to finance our development through our producing assets, equity or debt financings and by securing financial and strategic partners focused on development of these opportunities. We can make no assurances that our business operations will provide us with sufficient cash flows to continue our operations. We will need to raise additional capital through equity and debt financing for any new ventures that are developed, for debt services, to support our existing projects and possible expansions thereof and for our corporate general and administrative expenses. We may consider a full range of financing options in order to develop our business.

We cannot provide any assurance that any financing will be available to us in the future on acceptable terms or at all. Any such financing could be dilutive to our existing stockholders. If we cannot raise required funds on acceptable terms, we may not be able to, among other things, (i) maintain our general and administrative expenses at current levels; (ii) successfully develop our assets; (iii) fund certain obligations as they become due; (iv) respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated capital requirements; or (v) repay our indebtedness. If we fail to repay or refinance the Rogers Loan when due on July 31, 2017, then we may be forced to sell our assets owned by CATI, which are secured by the Rogers Loan, in order to satisfy the outstanding debt or take other remedial steps.

We require significant additional financing to continue as a going concern and pay outstanding liabilities and our lack of available funding raises questions regarding our ability to continue as a going concern.

Due to the nature of oil and gas interests, i.e., that rates of production generally decline over time as oil and gas reserves are depleted, if we are unable to drill additional wells and develop our proved undeveloped reserves (PUDs), either because we are unable to raise sufficient funding for such development activities, or otherwise, or in the event we are unable to acquire additional operating properties; we believe that our revenues will continue to decline over time. Furthermore, in the event we are unable to raise additional funding in the future we will not be able to participate in the drilling of planned additional wells, will not be able to complete other drilling and/or workover activities, and may not be able to make required payments on our outstanding liabilities, including amounts owed on the Rogers Loan. Therefore, in the event we do not raise additional funding in the future we will be forced to scale back our business plan, sell or liquidate assets to satisfy outstanding debts and/or take other steps which may include seeking bankruptcy protection.

These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern for the next twelve months following the issuance of these financial statements. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability of assets and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. The financial statements included herein also include a going concern footnote from our auditors.

Additionally, due to our need for immediate funding, we may be forced to raise capital through the sale of debt (subordinated to International Bank of Commerce (“IBC”)) or equity in the near term. In order to issue additional convertible debt securities, we must, subject to certain exceptions, obtain the consent of the investor in our April 2016 financing. If we are unable to obtain the consent of this investor in connection with future financings, we may be unable to raise additional capital on acceptable terms, or at all. If external financing sources are not available in a timely manner or at all, or are inadequate to fund our operations, it could materially harm our financial condition and results of operation. We may not have the time or resources available to seek stockholder approval (if required pursuant to applicable NYSE MKT rules and requirements) for such transactions which may result in the issuance of more than 20% of our outstanding common stock. As such, we may instead rely on an exemption from the NYSE MKT stockholder approval rules which allows an NYSE MKT listed company an exemption from such rules when a delay in securing stockholder approval would seriously jeopardize the financial viability of the company. Consequently, our stockholders may not be offered the ability to approve transactions we may undertake in the future, including those transactions which would ordinarily require stockholder approval under applicable NYSE MKT rules and regulations, and/or those transactions which would result in substantial dilution to existing stockholders.

In the event we are unable to raise funding in the future or complete a business combination or similar transaction in the near term, we will not be able to pay our liabilities. In the event we are unable to raise adequate funding in the future for our operations and to pay our outstanding debt obligations or in the event we fail to enter into a business combination or similar transaction, we would be forced to liquidate our assets (or our creditors may undertake a foreclosure of such assets in order to satisfy amounts we owe to such creditors) or may be forced to seek bankruptcy protection, which could result in the value of our outstanding securities declining in value or becoming worthless.

We have substantial indebtedness which could adversely affect our financial flexibility and our competitive position.  We have previously received notice of the breach of certain of the terms of our $40 million IBC Loan Agreement, and our future failure to comply with financial covenants in our debt agreements could result in such debt agreements again being declared in default.

We have a significant amount of outstanding indebtedness. As of March 31, 2017, we owed approximately $3 million in accounts payable and $44 million in notes payable, which included amounts owed under our $40 million Loan Agreement with IBC as described in greater detail below under “Part II” - “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” - “Note 6 – Notes Payable and Debenture” - “Loan Agreement with International Bank of Commerce (“IBC”)”.  

Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences and significant effects on our business. For example, it could:

We will need to raise additional funding in the future to repay or refinance the IBC Loan Agreement and our accounts payable, and as such may need to seek additional debt or equity financing. Such additional financing may not be available on favorable terms, if at all. If debt financing is available and obtained, our interest expense may increase and we may be subject to the risk of default, depending on the terms of such financing. If equity financing is available and obtained it may result in our shareholders experiencing significant dilution. If such financing is unavailable, we may be forced to curtail our operations, which may cause the value of our securities to decline in value and/or become worthless.

The Company is in breach of certain terms of the IBC Loan Agreement, including maintaining net worth at required levels, exceeded caps on certain administrative expenses, failure to reimburse IBC for certain loan related costs and expenses, and failure to comply with certain post-closing covenants relating to the assignment of oil and gas wells, mortgages and the completion of certain curative title requirements. The Company’s current management is negotiating a potential resolution to the breaches with IBC.

However, IBC can provide us notice of default at any time and require immediate repayment of the entire loan. If the IBC loan was accelerated, we could be forced to sell assets, IBC could foreclose on our assets, substantially all of which are pledged to secure the amounts due under the IBC Loan Agreement, curtail our business plans and/or seek bankruptcy protection, any of which may cause the value of our securities to decline in value or become worthless.

We are subject to production declines and loss of revenue due to shut-in wells.

The majority of our production revenues come from a small number of producing wells. In the event those wells are required to be shut-in (as they were for various periods in the past), our production and revenue could be adversely effected. Our wells are shut-in from time-to-time for maintenance, workovers, upgrades and other matters outside of our control, including repairs, adverse weather (including hurricanes, flooding and tropical storms), inability to dispose of produced water or other regulatory and market conditions. Any significant period where our wells, and especially our top producing wells, are shut-in, would have a material adverse effect on our results of production, revenues and net income or loss for the applicable period.

Many of our leases are in areas that have been partially depleted or drained by offset wells.

Many of our leases are in areas that have been partially depleted or drained by offset drilling. Interference from offset drilling may inhibit our ability to find or recover commercial quantities of oil and/or may result in an acceleration in the decline in production of our wells, which may in turn have an adverse effect on our recovered barrels of oil and consequently our results of operations.

Crude oil and natural gas prices are highly volatile in general and low prices will negatively affect our financial results.

Our revenues, operating results, profitability, cash flow, future rate of growth and ability to borrow funds or obtain additional capital, as well as the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties, are substantially dependent upon prevailing prices of crude oil and natural gas. Lower crude oil and natural gas prices also may reduce the amount of crude oil and natural gas that we can produce economically. Historically, the markets for crude oil and natural gas have been very volatile, and such markets are likely to continue to be volatile in the future. Prices for oil and natural gas fluctuate widely in response to a variety of factors beyond our control, such as:

Further, oil and natural gas prices do not necessarily fluctuate in direct relation to each other. Our revenue, profitability, and cash flow depend upon the prices of supply and demand for oil and natural gas, and a drop in prices can significantly affect our financial results and impede our growth. In particular, declines in commodity prices may:

We may have difficulty managing growth in our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to execute our business plan in a timely fashion.

Because of our small size, growth in accordance with our business plans, if achieved, will place a significant strain on our financial, technical, operational and management resources. If we expand our activities, development and production, and increase the number of projects we are evaluating or in which we participate, there will be additional demands on our financial, technical and management resources. The failure to continue to upgrade our technical, administrative, operating and financial control systems or the occurrence of unexpected expansion difficulties, including the inability to recruit and retain experienced managers, geoscientists, petroleum engineers and landmen could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to execute our business plan in a timely fashion.

We face intense competition.

We are in direct competition for properties with numerous oil and natural gas companies, drilling and income programs and partnerships exploring various areas of Texas and Oklahoma. Many competitors are large, well-known energy companies, although no single entity dominates the industry. Many of our competitors possess greater financial and personnel resources enabling them to identify and acquire more economically desirable energy producing properties and drilling prospects than us. Additionally, there is competition from other fuel choices to supply the energy needs of consumers and industry. Management believes that a viable marketplace exists for smaller producers of natural gas and crude oil.

Our competitors may use superior technology and data resources that we may be unable to afford or that would require a costly investment by us in order to compete with them more effectively.

Our industry is subject to rapid and significant advancements in technology, including the introduction of new products and services using new technologies and databases. As our competitors use or develop new technologies, we may be placed at a competitive disadvantage, and competitive pressures may force us to implement new technologies at a substantial cost. In addition, many of our competitors will 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 can. We cannot be certain that we will be able to implement technologies on a timely basis or at a cost that is acceptable to us. One or more of the technologies that we will use or that we may implement in the future may become obsolete, and we may be adversely affected.

One of our wholly-owned subsidiaries currently owes significant funds under an outstanding promissory note, the repayment of which is secured by a first priority security interest in a significant amount of our assets.

On August 13, 2013, we entered into the Rogers Loan, as described in greater detail under, “Part II” - “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” - “Note 6 – Notes Payable and Debenture” – “Rogers Loan and Promissory Note”. The maturity date of the Rogers Loan is currently July 31, 2017. We have also (i) transferred all of our oil and gas interests and equipment existing as of December 16, 2015 (the “CATI Properties”) to our wholly-owned Texas subsidiary, CATI; (ii) clarified that following the transfer, Louis H. Rogers (“Rogers”) has no right to foreclose upon us (at the Nevada corporate parent level) upon the occurrence of an event of default under the Rogers Loan, and that instead Rogers can only take action against CATI and the CATI Properties; and (iii) required Rogers to release all UCC and other security filings on us (provided that Rogers is allowed to file the same filings on CATI and its assets). Finally, we have entered into an Assignment, Novation, and Assumption Agreement (the “Assignment Agreement”). Pursuant to the Assignment Agreement, we assigned our obligations under the Rogers Loan and related loan documents, to CATI, as if CATI had originally been a party thereto, CATI agreed to assume such obligations and to take whatever actions requested by Rogers in order for Rogers to secure the amounts owed under the Rogers Note, and Rogers agreed to release us (at the parent company level) from any obligations under the Rogers Loan and related loan documents, other than under the amendment above. Notwithstanding the above, we do not have sufficient funds to repay the Rogers Loan. In the event of the default in the payment when due of the amounts owed under the Rogers Loan, as amended, Rogers may seek to secure her interest pursuant to the aforementioned security rights in CATI and the CATI Properties. If CATI is in default of the Rogers Loan, Rogers can take certain actions under the Rogers Loan, including demanding immediate repayment of all amounts outstanding or initiating foreclosure proceedings against CATI and the CATI Properties. As the Rogers Loan is secured by substantially all of the CATI Properties, Rogers (or where applicable, her agent) can foreclose on the CATI Properties. Because our ownership interest in CATI a foreclosure on the CATI Properties could cause the value of our securities to decline. Additionally, as a result of the above, CATI may be forced to seek bankruptcy protection.

The future occurrence or continuance of an event of default under the Rogers Loan, IBC loan or the acceleration of amounts owed thereunder could have a material adverse effect on us and our financial condition.

The Rogers Loan and the amounts owed to IBC include standard and customary events of default. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under the Rogers Loan, Rogers may declare the entire unpaid loan balance (as well as any interest, fees and expenses) immediately due and payable under the Rogers Loan. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under the IBC loan (provided that as described above, we are in breach of certain terms and conditions of the IBC loan and IBC can, at any time, provide us a notice of the occurrence of an event of default thereunder), IBC may declare the entire unpaid balance (as well as any interest, fees and expenses) immediately due and payable under the IBC loan. Funding to repay such amounts, if required, may not be available timely, on favorable terms, if at all, and if our creditors were to require immediate repayment of the amounts owed, it would likely have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and the value of our common stock.

Restrictions on drilling activities intended to protect certain species of wildlife may adversely affect our ability to conduct drilling activities in some of the areas where we operate.

Oil and natural gas operations in our operating areas can be adversely affected by seasonal or permanent restrictions on drilling activities designed to protect various wildlife. Seasonal restrictions may limit our ability to operate in protected areas and can intensify competition for drilling rigs, oilfield equipment, services, supplies and qualified personnel, which may lead to periodic shortages when drilling is allowed. These constraints and the resulting shortages or high costs could delay our operations and materially increase our operating and capital costs. Permanent restrictions imposed to protect endangered species could prohibit drilling in certain areas or require the implementation of expensive mitigation measures. Specifically, applicable laws protecting endangered species prohibit the harming of endangered or threatened species, provide for habitat protection, and impose stringent penalties for noncompliance. The designation of previously unprotected species as threatened or endangered in areas where we operate could cause us to incur increased costs arising from species protection measures or could result in limitations, delays, or prohibitions on our exploration and production activities that could have an adverse impact on our ability to develop and produce our reserves.

The derivatives legislation adopted by Congress, and implementation of that legislation by federal agencies, could have an adverse impact on our ability to hedge risks associated with our business.

On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, which, among other things, sets forth the new framework for regulating certain derivative products including the commodity hedges of the type that we may elect to use, but many aspects of this law are subject to further rulemaking and will take effect over several years. As a result, it is difficult to anticipate the overall impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on our ability or willingness to enter into and maintain such commodity hedges and the terms of such hedges. There is a possibility that the Dodd-Frank Act could have a substantial and adverse impact on our ability to enter into and maintain these commodity hedges. In particular, the Dodd-Frank Act could result in the implementation of position limits and additional regulatory requirements on derivative arrangements, which could include new margin, reporting and clearing requirements. In addition, this legislation could have a substantial impact on our counterparties and may increase the cost of our derivative arrangements in the future. If these types of commodity hedges become unavailable or uneconomic, our commodity price risk could increase, which would increase the volatility of revenues and may decrease the amount of credit available to us. Any limitations or changes in our use of derivative arrangements could also materially affect our future ability to conduct acquisitions.

If we do not hedge our exposure to reductions in oil and natural gas prices, we may be subject to significant reductions in prices. Alternatively, we may use oil and natural gas price hedging contracts, which involve credit risk and may limit future revenues from price increases and result in significant fluctuations in our profitability.

In the event that we choose not to hedge our exposure to reductions in oil and natural gas prices by purchasing futures and by using other hedging strategies, we may be subject to significant reduction in prices which could have a material negative impact on our profitability. Alternatively, we may elect to use hedging transactions with respect to a portion of our oil and natural gas production to achieve more predictable cash flow and to reduce our exposure to price fluctuations. While the use of hedging transactions limits the downside risk of price declines, their use also may limit future revenues from price increases. Hedging transactions also involve the risk that the counterparty may be unable to satisfy its obligations.

Our operations are substantially dependent on the availability of water. Restrictions on our ability to obtain water may have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Water is an essential component of deep shale oil and natural gas production during both the drilling and hydraulic fracturing, or fracking processes. Our operations in West Texas and future operations in other areas could be adversely impacted if we are unable to locate sufficient amounts of water, or dispose of or recycle water used in our exploration and production operations. Currently, the quantity of water required in certain completion operations, such as hydraulic fracturing, and changing regulations governing usage may lead to water constraints and supply concerns (particularly in some parts of the country). As a result, future availability of water from certain sources used in the past may be limited. Moreover, the imposition of new environmental initiatives and conditions could include restrictions on our ability to conduct certain operations such as hydraulic fracturing or disposal of waste, including, but not limited to, produced water, drilling fluids and other wastes associated with the exploration, development or production of oil and natural gas. The federal Clean Water Act, or CWA and analogous state laws impose restrictions and strict controls regarding the discharge of pollutants, including produced waters and other oil and natural gas waste, into navigable waters or other regulated federal and state waters. Permits or other approvals must be obtained to discharge pollutants to regulated waters and to conduct construction activities in such waters and wetlands. Uncertainty regarding regulatory jurisdiction over wetlands and other regulated waters has, and will continue to, complicate and increase the cost of obtaining such permits or other approvals. The CWA and analogous state laws provide for civil, criminal and administrative penalties for any unauthorized discharges of pollutants and unauthorized discharges of reportable quantities of oil and other hazardous substances. Many state discharge regulations, and the Federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General permits issued by the EPA, prohibit the discharge of produced water and sand, drilling fluids, drill cuttings and certain other substances related to the oil and natural gas industry into coastal waters. While generally exempt under federal programs, many state agencies have also adopted regulations requiring certain oil and natural gas exploration and production facilities to obtain permits for storm water discharges. There has been recent nationwide concern over earthquakes associated with Class II underground injection control wells, a predominant storage method for crude oil and gas wastewater. It is likely that new rules and regulations will be developed to address these concerns, possibly eliminating access to Class II wells in certain locations, and increasing the cost of disposal in others. Finally, the EPA study noted above has focused and will continue to focus on various stages of water use in hydraulic fracturing operations. It is possible that, following the conclusion of the EPA’s study, the agency will move to more strictly regulate the use of water in hydraulic fracturing operations. While we cannot predict the impact that these changes may have on our business at this time, they may be material to our business, financial condition, and operations. Compliance with environmental regulations and permit requirements governing the withdrawal, storage and use of surface water or groundwater necessary for hydraulic fracturing of wells or the disposal or recycling of water will increase our operating costs and may cause delays, interruptions or termination of our operations, the extent of which cannot be predicted. In addition, our inability to meet our water supply needs to conduct our completion operations may impact our business, and any such future laws and regulations could negatively affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We have significant amounts of outstanding debt and our operations may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to meet our debt service obligations, which could reduce our financial flexibility, increase interest expenses and adversely impact our operations.

We currently have $44.4 million in outstanding debt, net of debt discount. Our ability to make payments on such indebtedness will depend on our ability to generate cash from our assets. We may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations to enable us to repay this indebtedness and to fund other liquidity needs, including capital expenditure requirements. Such indebtedness could affect our operations in several ways, including the following:

A high level of indebtedness increases the risk that we may default on our debt obligations. We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to pay the principal or interest on our debt. If we cannot service or refinance our indebtedness, we may have to take actions such as selling significant assets, seeking additional equity financing (which will result in additional dilution to stockholders) or reducing or delaying capital expenditures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition. If we do not have sufficient funds and are otherwise unable to arrange financing, our assets may be foreclosed upon which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The shares of Series B Preferred Stock are convertible into shares of common stock and, when and if converted, will result in additional dilution to our current stockholders.

Each share of Series B Preferred Stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, into that number of fully-paid, nonassessable shares of common stock determined by dividing the Original Issue Price for the Series B Preferred Stock ($25.00, as may be adjusted for recapitalizations) by the Conversion Price ($3.50, as may be adjusted for recapitalizations)(i.e., on a 7.14-to-1 basis). Each share of Series B Preferred Stock will automatically convert into shares of common stock under certain conditions set forth in the Certificate of Designations of the Series B Preferred Stock. Assuming the conversion of all such shares, this would result in the issuance of approximately 2,917,914 shares of common stock.

Concentration of share ownership by our largest stockholders may prevent other stockholders from influencing significant corporate decisions.

Our officers and directors own approximately 25.5% of our outstanding voting shares. As a result, they have the ability to exert significant influence over matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election and removal of directors, and the outcome of corporate actions, including a change of control of the Company, a business combination involving the Company, the incurrence of indebtedness, the issuance of equity securities and the payment of dividends on our stock. This concentration of ownership could be disadvantageous to other stockholders with differing interests from such persons.

Any weakness in internal control over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures could result in a loss of investor confidence in our financial reports and lead to a stock price decline.

We are required to evaluate our internal control over financial reporting under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and report the results in our annual report on Form 10-K, including this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We are also required to maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures. If material weaknesses arise and they are not remedied, we will be unable to assert that our internal controls are effective. Any failure to have effective internal control over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures could cause investors to lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, limit our ability to raise financing or lead to regulatory sanctions, any of which could result in a material adverse effect on our business or decline in the market price of our common stock.

If we acquire crude oil and natural gas properties in the future, our failure to fully identify existing and potential problems, to accurately estimate reserves, production rates or costs, or to effectively integrate the acquired properties into our operations could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

From time to time, we seek to acquire crude oil and natural gas properties. Although we perform reviews of properties to be acquired in a manner that we believe is duly diligent and consistent with industry practices, reviews of records and properties may not necessarily reveal existing or potential problems, and may not permit us to become sufficiently familiar with the properties in order to fully assess their deficiencies and potential. Even when problems with a property are identified, we may assume environmental and other risks and liabilities in connection with acquired properties pursuant to the acquisition agreements. Moreover, there are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of crude oil and natural gas reserves (as discussed further below), actual future production rates and associated costs with respect to acquired properties. Actual reserves, production rates and costs may vary substantially from those assumed in our estimates. We may be unable to locate or make suitable acquisitions on acceptable terms and future acquisitions may not be effectively and profitably integrated. Acquisitions involve risks that could divert management resources and/or result in the possible loss of key employees and customers of the acquired operations. For the reasons above, among others, an acquisition may have a material and adverse effect on our business and results of operations, particularly during the periods in which the operations of the acquired properties are being integrated into our ongoing operations or if we are unable to effectively integrate the acquired properties into our ongoing operations.

If we make any acquisitions or enter into any business combinations in the future, they may disrupt or have a negative impact on our business.

If we make acquisitions or enter into any business combinations in the future, funding permitting, we could have difficulty integrating the acquired companies’ assets, personnel and operations with our own. Additionally, acquisitions, mergers or business combinations we may enter into in the future could result in a change of control of the Company, and a change in the Board of Directors or officers of the Company. In addition, the key personnel of the acquired business may not be willing to work for us. We cannot predict the effect expansion may have on our core business. Regardless of whether we are successful in making an acquisition or completing a business combination, the negotiations could disrupt our ongoing business, distract our management and employees and increase our expenses. In addition to the risks described above, acquisitions and business combinations are accompanied by a number of inherent risks, including, without limitation, the following:

Our business could be severely impaired if and to the extent that we are unable to succeed in addressing any of these risks or other problems encountered in connection with an acquisition or business combination, many of which cannot be presently identified. These risks and problems could disrupt our ongoing business, distract our management and employees, increase our expenses and adversely affect our results of operations.

Any acquisition or business combination transaction we enter into in the future could cause substantial dilution to existing stockholders, result in one party having majority or significant control over the Company or result in a change in business focus of the Company.

We depend significantly upon the continued involvement of our present management.

We depend to a significant degree upon the involvement of our management, specifically, our Interim Chief Executive Officer and director, Richard N. Azar II, who is in charge of our strategic planning and operations. Our performance and success are dependent to a large extent on the efforts and continued employment of Mr. Azar. We do not believe that Mr. Azar could be quickly replaced with personnel of equal experience and capabilities, and his successor(s) may not be as effective. If Mr. Azar or any of our other key personnel resign or become unable to continue in their present roles and if they are not adequately replaced, our business operations could be adversely affected.

We have an active Board of Directors that meets several times throughout the year and is intimately involved in our business and the determination of our operational strategies. Members of our Board of Directors work closely with management to identify potential prospects, acquisitions and areas for further development. If any of our directors resign or become unable to continue in their present role, it may be difficult to find replacements with the same knowledge and experience and as a result, our operations may be adversely affected.

Certain of our undeveloped leasehold assets are subject to leases that will expire over the next several years unless production is established on units containing the acreage.

Leases on natural gas and oil properties typically have a term of three to five years, after which they expire unless, prior to expiration, a well is drilled and production of hydrocarbons in paying quantities is established. If our leases expire and we are unable to renew the leases, we will lose our right to develop the related properties. Although we seek to actively manage our undeveloped properties, our drilling plans for these areas are subject to change based upon various factors, including drilling results, natural gas and oil prices, the availability and cost of capital, drilling and production costs, availability of drilling services and equipment, gathering system and pipeline transportation constraints and regulatory approvals.

Our business is subject to extensive regulation.

As many of our activities are subject to federal, state and local regulation, and as these rules are subject to constant change or amendment, our operations may be adversely affected by new or different government regulations, laws or court decisions applicable to our operations.

Government regulation and liability for environmental matters may adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Crude oil and natural gas operations are subject to extensive federal, state and local government regulations, which may be changed from time to time. Matters subject to regulation include discharge permits for drilling operations, drilling bonds, reports concerning operations, the spacing of wells, unitization and pooling of properties and taxation. From time to time, regulatory agencies have imposed price controls and limitations on production by restricting the rate of flow of crude oil and natural gas wells below actual production capacity in order to conserve supplies of crude oil and natural gas. There are federal, state and local laws and regulations primarily relating to protection of human health and the environment applicable to the development, production, handling, storage, transportation and disposal of crude oil and natural gas, byproducts thereof and other substances and materials produced or used in connection with crude oil and natural gas operations. In addition, we may inherit liability for environmental damages caused by previous owners of property we purchase or lease. As a result, we may incur substantial liabilities to third parties or governmental entities. The implementation of new, or the modification of existing, laws or regulations could have a material adverse effect on us.

Future increases in our tax obligations; either due to increases in taxes on energy products, energy service companies and exploration activities or reductions in currently available federal income tax deductions with respect to oil and natural gas exploration and development, may adversely affect our results of operations and increase our operating expenses.

Federal, state and local governments have jurisdiction in areas where we operate and impose taxes on the oil and natural gas products we sell. There are constant discussions by federal, state and local officials concerning a variety of energy tax proposals, some of which, if passed, would add or increase taxes on energy products, service companies and exploration activities. Additionally, the current administration has proposed legislation which would make significant changes to federal tax laws, including the elimination of certain key United States federal income tax incentives currently available to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies. These proposed changes include, but are not limited to: (1) the repeal of the percentage depletion allowance for oil and natural gas properties, (2) the elimination of current deductions for intangible drilling and development costs, (3) the elimination of the deduction for certain domestic production activities, and (4) an extension of the amortization period for certain geological and geophysical expenditures. It is unclear whether any such changes will be enacted into law or how soon any such changes could become effective in the event they were enacted into law. The passage of any legislation as a result of these proposals or any other changes in U.S. federal income tax laws could impact or increase the taxes that we are required to pay and consequently adversely affect our results of operations and/or increase our operating expenses.

The crude oil and natural gas reserves we report in our SEC filings are estimates and may prove to be inaccurate.

There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating crude oil and natural gas reserves and their estimated values. The reserves we report in our filings with the SEC now and in the future will only be estimates and such estimates may prove to be inaccurate because of these uncertainties. Reservoir engineering is a subjective and inexact process of estimating underground accumulations of crude oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact manner. Estimates of economically recoverable crude oil and natural gas reserves depend upon a number of variable factors, such as historical production from the area compared with production from other producing areas and assumptions concerning effects of regulations by governmental agencies, future crude oil and natural gas prices, future operating costs, severance and excise taxes, development costs and work-over and remedial costs. Some or all of these assumptions may in fact vary considerably from actual results. For these reasons, estimates of the economically recoverable quantities of crude oil and natural gas attributable to any particular group of properties, classifications of such reserves based on risk of recovery, and estimates of the future net cash flows expected therefrom prepared by different engineers or by the same engineers but at different times may vary substantially. Accordingly, reserve estimates may be subject to downward or upward adjustment. Actual production, revenue and expenditures with respect to our reserves will likely vary from estimates, and such variances may be material.

Additionally, “probable” and “possible reserve estimates” are considered unproved reserves and as such, the SEC views such estimates to be inherently unreliable, may be misunderstood or seen as misleading to investors that are not “experts” in the oil or natural gas industry. Unless you have such expertise, you should not place undue reliance on these estimates. Except as required by applicable law, we undertake no duty to update this information and do not intend to update this information.

The calculated present value of future net revenues from our proved reserves will not necessarily be the same as the current market value of our estimated oil and natural gas reserves.

You should not assume that the present value of future net cash flows as included in our public filings is the current market value of our estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves. We generally base the estimated discounted future net cash flows from proved reserves on current costs held constant over time without escalation and on commodity prices using an unweighted arithmetic average of first-day-of-the-month index prices, appropriately adjusted, for the 12-month period immediately preceding the date of the estimate. Actual future prices and costs may be materially higher or lower than the prices and costs used for these estimates and will be affected by factors such as:

In addition, the 10% discount factor that is required to be used to calculate discounted future net revenues for reporting purposes under GAAP is not necessarily the most appropriate discount factor based on the cost of capital in effect from time to time and risks associated with our business and the oil and natural gas industry in general.

Crude oil and natural gas development, re-completion of wells from one reservoir to another reservoir, restoring wells to production and exploration, drilling and completing new wells are speculative activities and involve numerous risks and substantial and uncertain costs.

Our growth will be materially dependent upon the success of our future development program. Even considering our business philosophy to avoid wildcat wells, drilling for crude oil and natural gas and reworking existing wells involves numerous risks, including the risk that no commercially productive crude oil or natural gas reservoirs will be encountered. The cost of exploration, drilling, completing and operating wells is substantial and uncertain, and drilling operations may be curtailed, delayed or cancelled as a result of a variety of factors beyond our control, including: unexpected drilling conditions; pressure or irregularities in formations; equipment failures or accidents; inability to obtain leases on economic terms, where applicable; adverse weather conditions and natural disasters; compliance with governmental requirements; and shortages or delays in the availability of drilling rigs or crews and the delivery of equipment. Furthermore, we cannot provide investors with any assurance that we will be able to obtain rights to additional producing properties in the future and/or that any properties we obtain rights to will contain commercially exploitable quantities of oil and/or gas.

Drilling or reworking is a highly speculative activity. Even when fully and correctly utilized, modern well completion techniques such as hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling do not guarantee that we will find crude oil and/or natural gas in our wells. Hydraulic fracturing involves pumping a fluid with or without particulates into a formation at high pressure, thereby creating fractures in the rock and leaving the particulates in the fractures to ensure that the fractures remain open, thereby potentially increasing the ability of the reservoir to produce oil or natural gas. Horizontal drilling involves drilling horizontally out from an existing vertical well bore, thereby potentially increasing the area and reach of the well bore that is in contact with the reservoir. Our future drilling activities may not be successful and, if unsuccessful, such failure would have an adverse effect on our future results of operations and financial condition. Our overall drilling success rate and/or our drilling success rate for activities within a particular geographic area may decline in the future. We may identify and develop prospects through a number of methods, some of which do not include lateral drilling or hydraulic fracturing, and some of which may be unproven. The drilling and results for these prospects may be particularly uncertain. Our drilling schedule may vary from our capital budget. The final determination with respect to the drilling of any scheduled or budgeted prospects will be dependent on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: the results of previous development efforts and the acquisition, review and analysis of data; the availability of sufficient capital resources to us and the other participants, if any, for the drilling of the prospects; the approval of the prospects by other participants, if any, after additional data has been compiled; economic and industry conditions at the time of drilling, including prevailing and anticipated prices for crude oil and natural gas and the availability of drilling rigs and crews; our financial resources and results; the availability of leases and permits on reasonable terms for the prospects; and the success of our drilling technology.

These projects may not be successfully developed and the wells discussed, if drilled, may not encounter reservoirs of commercially productive crude oil or natural gas. There are numerous uncertainties in estimating quantities of proved reserves, including many factors beyond our control. If we are unable to find commercially exploitable quantities of oil and natural gas in any properties we may acquire in the future, and/or we are unable to commercially extract such quantities we may find in any properties we may acquire in the future, the value of our securities may decline in value.

Recent commodity price declines have resulted in impairment of our oil and gas properties, and future natural gas and oil price declines may result in additional write-downs of the carrying amount of our assets, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

The value of our assets depends on prices of natural gas and oil. Declines in these prices as well as increases in development costs, changes in well performance, delays in asset development or deterioration of drilling results may result in our having to make material downward adjustments to our estimated proved reserves, and could result in an impairment charge and a corresponding write-down of the carrying amount of our oil and natural gas properties. For example, in March 2016, we recorded an impairment of approximately $21.4 million associated with oil and gas properties in certain non-core fields in south Texas. The impairment of these fields was due to a significant decline in commodity prices during the 2016 fiscal year. During the year ended March 31, 2017, the Company recorded impairments totaling $79.1 million, which represented $10.9 million related to proved properties, $18.7 million related to unproved properties, and $49.5 million in conjunction with the Acquisition, primarily due to continued low commodity prices during the fiscal year.

We evaluate our oil and gas properties for impairment using the full cost method whereby the carrying value of property and equipment is compared to the “estimated present value” of its proved reserves discounted at a 10-percent interest rate of future net revenues, based on current economic and operating conditions at the end of the period, plus the cost of properties not being amortized, plus the lower of cost or fair market value of unproved properties included in costs being amortized, less the income tax effects related to book and tax basis differences. In the event that commodity prices decline further, there could be a significant revision in the future.

Because of the inherent dangers involved in oil and gas exploration, there is a risk that we may incur liability or damages as we conduct our business operations, which could force us to expend a substantial amount of money in connection with litigation and/or a settlement.

The oil and natural gas business involves a variety of operating hazards and risks such as well blowouts, pipe failures, casing collapse, explosions, uncontrollable flows of oil, natural gas or well fluids, fires, spills, pollution, releases of toxic gas and other environmental hazards and risks. These hazards and risks could result in substantial losses to us from, among other things, injury or loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property, natural resources and equipment, pollution or other environmental damage, cleanup responsibilities, regulatory investigation and penalties and suspension of operations. In addition, we may be liable for environmental damages caused by previous owners of property purchased and leased by us in the future. As a result, substantial liabilities to third parties or governmental entities may be incurred, the payment of which could reduce or eliminate the funds available for the purchase of properties and/or property interests, exploration, development or acquisitions or result in the loss of our properties and/or force us to expend substantial monies in connection with litigation or settlements. As such, our current insurance or the insurance that we obtain in the future may not be adequate to cover any losses or liabilities. We cannot predict the availability of insurance or the availability of insurance at premium levels that justify our purchase. The occurrence of a significant event not fully insured or indemnified against could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operations. We may elect to self-insure if management believes that the cost of insurance, although available, is excessive relative to the risks presented. In addition, pollution and environmental risks generally are not fully insurable. The occurrence of an event not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations, which could lead to any investment in us declining in value or becoming worthless.

Unless we replace our oil and natural gas reserves, our reserves and production will decline, which would adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The rate of production from our oil and natural gas properties will decline as our reserves are depleted. Our future oil and natural gas reserves and production and, therefore, our income and cash flow, are highly dependent on our success in (a) efficiently developing and exploiting our current reserves on properties owned by us or by other persons or entities and (b) economically finding or acquiring additional oil and natural gas properties. In the future, we may have difficulty acquiring new properties. During periods of low oil and/or natural gas prices, it will become more difficult to raise the capital necessary to finance expansion activities. If we are unable to replace our production, our reserves will decrease, and our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.

The unavailability or high cost of drilling rigs, completion equipment and services, supplies and personnel, including hydraulic fracturing equipment and personnel, could adversely affect our ability to establish and execute exploration and development plans within budget and on a timely basis, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Shortages or the high cost of drilling rigs, completion equipment and services, supplies or personnel could delay or adversely affect our operations. When drilling activity in the United States increases, associated costs typically also increase, including those costs related to drilling rigs, equipment, supplies and personnel and the services and products of other vendors to the industry. These costs may increase, and necessary equipment and services may become unavailable to us at economical prices. Should this increase in costs occur, we may delay drilling activities, which may limit our ability to establish and replace reserves, or we may incur these higher costs, which may negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We incur certain costs to comply with government regulations, particularly regulations relating to environmental protection and safety, and could incur even greater costs in the future.

Our exploration, production and marketing operations are regulated extensively at the federal, state and local levels and are subject to interruption or termination by governmental and regulatory authorities based on environmental or other considerations. Moreover, we have incurred and will continue to incur costs in our efforts to comply with the requirements of environmental, safety and other regulations. Further, the regulatory environment in the oil and natural gas industry could change in ways that we cannot predict and that might substantially increase our costs of compliance and, in turn, materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Specifically, as an owner or lessee and operator of crude oil and natural gas properties, we are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign regulations relating to the discharge of materials into, and the protection of, the environment. These regulations may, among other things, impose liability on us for the cost of pollution cleanup resulting from operations, subject us to liability for pollution damages and require suspension or cessation of operations in affected areas. Moreover, we are subject to the United States (“U.S.”) EPA rule requiring annual reporting of greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions. Changes in, or additions to, these regulations could lead to increased operating and compliance costs and, in turn, materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We are aware of the increasing focus of local, state, national and international regulatory bodies on GHG emissions and climate change issues. In addition to the U.S. EPA’s rule requiring annual reporting of GHG emissions, we are also aware of legislation proposed by U.S. lawmakers to reduce GHG emissions.

Additionally, there have been various proposals to regulate hydraulic fracturing at the federal level, including possible regulations limiting the ability to dispose of produced waters. Currently, the regulation of hydraulic fracturing is primarily conducted at the state level through permitting and other compliance requirements. Any new federal regulations that may be imposed on hydraulic fracturing could result in additional permitting and disclosure requirements (such as the reporting and public disclosure of the chemical additives used in the fracturing process) and in additional operating restrictions. In addition to the possible federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing, some states and local governments have considered imposing various conditions and restrictions on drilling and completion operations, including requirements regarding casing and cementing of wells, testing of nearby water wells, restrictions on the access to and usage of water and restrictions on the type of chemical additives that may be used in hydraulic fracturing operations. Such federal and state permitting and disclosure requirements and operating restrictions and conditions could lead to operational delays and increased operating and compliance costs and, moreover, could delay or effectively prevent the development of crude oil and natural gas from formations which would not be economically viable without the use of hydraulic fracturing.

We will continue to monitor and assess any new policies, legislation, regulations and treaties in the areas where we operate to determine the impact on our operations and take appropriate actions, where necessary. We are unable to predict the timing, scope and effect of any currently proposed or future laws, regulations or treaties, but the direct and indirect costs of such laws, regulations and treaties (if enacted) could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Federal and state legislation and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could result in increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays.

Hydraulic fracturing is a common practice that is used to stimulate production of hydrocarbons from tight formations. The process involves the injection of water, sand and chemicals under pressure into rock formations to fracture the surrounding rock and stimulate production. There has been increasing public controversy regarding hydraulic fracturing with regard to the transportation and use of fracturing fluids, impacts on drinking water supplies, use of waters, and the potential for impacts to surface water, groundwater, air quality and the environment generally. A number of lawsuits and enforcement actions have been initiated implicating hydraulic fracturing practices. Additional legislation or regulation could make it more difficult to perform hydraulic fracturing, cause operational delays, increase our operating costs or make it easier for third parties opposing the hydraulic fracturing process to initiate legal proceedings. New legislation or regulations in the future could have the effect of prohibiting the use of hydraulic fracturing, which would prevent us from completing our wells as planned and would have a material adverse effect on production from our wells. If these legislative and regulatory initiatives cause a material delay or decrease in our drilling or hydraulic fracturing activities, our business and profitability could be materially impacted.

Possible regulation related to global warming and climate change could have an adverse effect on our operations and demand for oil and gas.

Studies over recent years have indicated that emissions of certain gases may be contributing to warming of the Earth’s atmosphere. In response to these studies, governments have begun adopting domestic and international climate change regulations that require reporting and reductions of the emission of greenhouse gases. Methane, a primary component of natural gas, and carbon dioxide, a by-product of the burning of oil, natural gas and refined petroleum products, are considered greenhouse gases. In the United States, at the state level, many states, either individually or through multi-state regional initiatives, have begun implementing legal measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, primarily through the planned development of emission inventories or regional greenhouse gas cap and trade programs or have begun considering adopting greenhouse gas regulatory programs. At the federal level, Congress has considered legislation that could establish a cap and trade system for restricting greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. The ultimate outcome of this federal legislative initiative remains uncertain. In addition to pending climate legislation, the EPA has issued greenhouse gas monitoring and reporting regulations. Beyond measuring and reporting, the EPA issued an “Endangerment Finding” under section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act, concluding that greenhouse gas pollution threatens the public health and welfare of current and future generations. The finding served as a first step to issuing regulations that require permits for and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions for certain facilities. Moreover, the EPA has begun regulating greenhouse gas emission from certain facilities pursuant to the Prevention of Significant Deterioration and Title V provisions of the Clean Air Act. In the courts, several decisions have been issued that may increase the risk of claims being filed by government entities and private parties against companies that have significant greenhouse gas emissions. Such cases may seek to challenge air emissions permits that greenhouse gas emitters apply for and seek to force emitters to reduce their emissions or seek damages for alleged climate change impacts to the environment, people, and property. Any existing or future laws or regulations that restrict or reduce emissions of greenhouse gases could require us to incur increased operating and compliance costs. In addition, such laws and regulations may adversely affect demand for the fossil fuels we produce, including by increasing the cost of combusting fossil fuels and by creating incentives for the use of alternative fuels and energy.

The lack of availability or high cost of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies, insurance, personnel and oilfield services could adversely affect our ability to execute our exploration and development plans on a timely basis and within our budget.

Our industry is cyclical and, from time to time, there is a shortage of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies or qualified personnel. During these periods, the costs and delivery times of rigs, equipment and supplies tend to increase, in some cases substantially. In addition, the demand for, and wage rates of, qualified drilling rig crews rise as the number of active rigs in service increases within a geographic area. If increasing levels of exploration and production result in response to strong prices of oil and natural gas, the demand for oilfield services will likely rise, and the costs of these services will likely increase, while the quality of these services may suffer. The future lack of availability or high cost of drilling rigs, as well as any future lack of availability or high costs of other equipment, supplies, insurance or qualified personnel, in the areas in which we operate could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Our officers and directors have limited liability, and we are required in certain instances to indemnify our officers and directors for breaches of their fiduciary duties.

We have adopted provisions in our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws which limit the liability of our officers and directors and provide for indemnification by us of our officers and directors to the full extent permitted by Nevada corporate law. Our articles generally provide that our officers and directors shall have no personal liability to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of their fiduciary duties as directors, except for breaches of their duties of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or knowing violation of law, acts involving unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions, or any transaction from which a director derives an improper personal benefit. Such provisions substantially limit our stockholders’ ability to hold officers and directors liable for breaches of fiduciary duty, and may require us to indemnify our officers and directors.

We currently have outstanding indebtedness and we may incur additional indebtedness which could reduce our financial flexibility, increase interest expense and adversely impact our operations and our unit costs.

We currently have outstanding indebtedness and in the future, we may incur significant amounts of additional indebtedness in order to make acquisitions or to develop our properties. Our level of indebtedness could affect our operations in several ways, including the following:

A high level of indebtedness increases the risk that we may default on our debt obligations. We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to pay the principal or interest on our debt, and future working capital, borrowings or equity financing may not be available to pay or refinance such debt. If we do not have sufficient funds and are otherwise unable to arrange financing, we may have to sell significant assets or have a portion of our assets foreclosed upon which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our properties are located in Texas and Oklahoma, making us vulnerable to risks associated with operating in one major geographic area.

All of our properties are located in Texas and Oklahoma. As a result, we may be disproportionately exposed to the impact of delays or interruptions of production from wells caused by transportation capacity constraints, curtailment of production, availability of equipment, facilities, personnel or services, significant governmental regulation, natural disasters, adverse weather conditions, or interruption of transportation of oil or natural gas produced from the wells in this area. In addition, the effect of fluctuations on supply and demand may become more pronounced within specific geographic oil and gas producing areas such as the ones we operate in, which may cause these conditions to occur with greater frequency or magnify the effect of these conditions. Due to the concentrated nature of our portfolio, a number of our properties could experience any of the same conditions at the same time, resulting in a relatively greater impact on our results of operations than they might have on other companies that have a more diversified portfolio of properties. Such delays or interruptions could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Servicing our debt requires a significant amount of cash, which we may not have available when payments are due.

Our ability to make scheduled payments of the principal of, to pay interest on or to refinance our indebtedness, will depend upon our future operating performance, which is subject to general economic and competitive conditions and to financial, business and other factors, many of which we cannot control. In the future, we may incur additional indebtedness in order to make future acquisitions or to develop our properties, including under our current liabilities. If we do not have sufficient funds on hand to pay our debt, we may be required to seek a waiver or amendment from our lenders, refinance our indebtedness, sell assets or sell additional securities. Our ability to refinance our indebtedness will depend on the capital markets and our financial condition at the time. We may not be able obtain such financing or complete such transactions on terms acceptable to us, or at all. In addition, we may not be able to consummate an asset sale to raise capital or sell assets at prices that we believe are fair, and proceeds that we do receive may not be adequate to meet any debt service obligations then due. Our failure to generate sufficient funds to pay our debts or to undertake any of these actions successfully could result in a default on our debt obligations, which would materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Future acquired properties may not be worth what we pay due to uncertainties in evaluating recoverable reserves and other expected benefits, as well as potential liabilities.

Successful property acquisitions require an assessment of a number of factors beyond our control. These factors include estimates of recoverable reserves, exploration potential, future natural gas and oil prices, operating costs, production taxes and potential environmental and other liabilities. These assessments are complex and inherently imprecise. Our review of the properties we acquire may not reveal all existing or potential problems. In addition, our review may not allow us to fully assess the potential deficiencies of the properties. We do not inspect every well, and even when we inspect a well we may not discover structural, subsurface, or environmental problems that may exist or arise. There may be threatened or contemplated claims against the assets or businesses we acquire related to environmental, title, regulatory, tax, contract, litigation or other matters of which we are unaware, which could materially and adversely affect our production, revenues and results of operations. We may not be entitled to contractual indemnification for pre-closing liabilities, including environmental liabilities, and our contractual indemnification may not be effective. At times, we acquire interests in properties on an “as is” basis with limited representations and warranties and limited remedies for breaches of such representations and warranties. In addition, significant acquisitions can change the nature of our operations and business if the acquired properties have substantially different operating and geological characteristics or are in different geographic locations than our existing properties.

We have limited control over activities in properties we do not operate, which could reduce our production and revenues, affect the timing and amounts of capital requirements and potentially result in a dilution of our respective ownership interest in the event we are unable to make any required capital contributions.

We do not operate all of the properties in which we have an interest. As a result, we may have a limited ability to exercise influence over normal operating procedures, expenditures or future development of underlying properties and their associated costs. For all of the properties that are operated by others, we are dependent on their decision-making with respect to day-to-day operations over which we have little control. The failure of an operator of wells in which we have an interest to adequately perform operations, or an operator’s breach of applicable agreements, could reduce production and revenues we receive from that well. The success and timing of our drilling and development activities on properties operated by others depend upon a number of factors outside of our control, including the timing and amount of capital expenditures, the available expertise and financial resources, the inclusion of other participants and the use of technology. Since we do not own the majority interest in many of the wells we do not operate, we may not be in a position to remove the operator in the event of poor performance.

Risks Relating To An Investment In Our Securities

We are currently not in compliance with NYSE MKT continued listing standards and if we are unable to maintain compliance with NYSE MKT continued listing standards, our common stock may be delisted from the NYSE MKT equities market, which would likely cause the liquidity and market price of our common stock to decline.

Our common stock currently is listed on the NYSE MKT. The NYSE MKT will consider suspending dealings in, or delisting, securities of an issuer that does not meet its continued listing standards. If we cannot meet the NYSE MKT continued listing requirements, the NYSE MKT may delist our common stock, which could have an adverse impact on us and the liquidity and market price of our stock.

We may be unable to comply with NYSE MKT continued listing standards. Our business has been and may continue to be affected by worldwide macroeconomic factors, which include uncertainties in the credit and capital markets. External factors that affect our stock price, such as liquidity requirements of our investors, as well as our performance, could impact our market capitalization, revenue and operating results, which, in turn, could affect our ability to comply with the NYSE MKT’s listing standards. The NYSE MKT has the ability to suspend trading in our common stock or remove our common stock from listing on the NYSE MKT if in the opinion of the exchange: (a) the financial condition and/or operating results of the Company appear to be unsatisfactory; or (b) it appears that the extent of public distribution or the aggregate market value of our common stock has become so reduced as to make further dealings on the exchange inadvisable; or (c) we have sold or otherwise disposed of our principal operating assets, or have ceased to be an operating company; or (d) we have failed to comply with our listing agreements with the exchange (which include that we receive additional listing approval from the exchange prior to us issuing any shares of common stock, something we have inadvertently failed to comply with in the past); or (e) any other event shall occur or any condition shall exist which makes further dealings on the exchange unwarranted.

On July 21, 2016, we were notified by the NYSE MKT (the “Exchange”) that we were not in compliance with certain of the Exchange’s continued listing standards as set forth in Part 10 of the NYSE MKT Company Guide (the “Company Guide”). Specifically, we were not in compliance with Sections 1003(a)(ii) and (iii) of the Company Guide in that we reported stockholders’ equity of $2.4 million as of March 31, 2016 and net losses in our five most recent fiscal years then ended, meaning that we did not have stockholders’ equity over (a) $4 million (required if an Exchange-listed company has had losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in three of its last four fiscal years, as we did) or (b) over $6 million (required if an Exchange listed company has had losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in its five most recent fiscal years, as we did).

In order to maintain our listing on the Exchange, the Exchange requested that we submit a plan of compliance (the “Plan”) by August 21, 2016, addressing how we intended to regain compliance with Sections 1003(a)(ii) and (iii) of the Company Guide by January 21, 2018, which plan was accepted by the Exchange. As such, at or before January 21, 2018, we must either be in compliance or must have made progress that is consistent with the accepted Plan during that period. Failure to meet the requirements to regain compliance could result in the initiation of delisting proceedings.

If we are unable to maintain compliance with the NYSE MKT criteria for continued listing, our common stock would be subject to delisting. A delisting of our common stock could negatively impact us by, among other things, reducing the liquidity and market price of our common stock and reducing the number of investors willing to hold or acquire our common stock, which could negatively impact our ability to raise equity financing. In addition, delisting from the NYSE MKT might negatively impact our reputation and, as a consequence, our business. Additionally, if we were delisted from the NYSE MKT and are not able to list our common stock on another national exchange we will no longer be eligible to use Form S-3 registration statements and will instead be required to file a Form S-1 registration statement for any primary or secondary offerings of our common stock, which would delay our ability to raise funds in the future, may limit the type of offerings of common stock we could undertake, and would increase the expenses of any offering, as, among other things, registration statements on Form S-1 are subject to SEC review and comments whereas take downs pursuant to a previously filed Form S-3 are not.

If we are delisted from the NYSE MKT, your ability to sell your shares of our common stock would also be limited by the penny stock restrictions, which could further limit the marketability of your shares.

If our common stock is delisted from the NYSE MKT, it would come within the definition of “penny stock” as defined in the Exchange Act and would be covered by Rule 15g-9 of the Exchange Act. That Rule imposes additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors. For transactions covered by Rule 15g-9, the broker-dealer must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction prior to the sale. Consequently, Rule 15g-9, if it were to become applicable, would affect the ability or willingness of broker-dealers to sell our securities, and accordingly would affect the ability of stockholders to sell their securities in the public market. These additional procedures could also limit our ability to raise additional capital in the future.

We do not intend to pay cash dividends to our stockholders.

We currently anticipate that we will retain all future earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business. We do not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any payment of cash dividends will depend upon our financial condition, capital requirements, earnings and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors. As a result, only appreciation of the price of our common stock, which may not occur, will provide a return to our stockholders.

We currently have an illiquid and volatile market for our common stock, and the market for our common stock is and may remain illiquid and volatile in the future.

We currently have a highly sporadic, illiquid and volatile market for our common stock, which market is anticipated to remain sporadic, illiquid and volatile in the future. Factors that could affect our stock price or result in fluctuations in the market price or trading volume of our common stock include:

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE MKT under the symbol “CEI.” Our stock price may be impacted by factors that are unrelated or disproportionate to our operating performance. The stock markets in general have experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. Additionally, general economic, political and market conditions, such as recessions, interest rates or international currency fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Due to the limited volume of our shares which trade, we believe that our stock prices (bid, ask and closing prices) may not be related to our actual value, and not reflect the actual value of our common stock. You should exercise caution before making an investment in us.

Additionally, as a result of the illiquidity of our common stock, investors may not be interested in owning our common stock because of the inability to acquire or sell a substantial block of our common stock at one time. Such illiquidity could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. In addition, a stockholder may not be able to borrow funds using our common stock as collateral because lenders may be unwilling to accept the pledge of securities having such a limited market. An active trading market for our common stock may not develop or, if one develops, may not be sustained.

A prolonged decline in the market price of our common stock could affect our ability to obtain additional financing which would adversely affect our operations.

Historically, we have relied on equity and debt financing as primary sources of financing. A prolonged decline in the market price of our common stock or a reduction in our accessibility to the global markets may result in our inability to secure additional financing which would have an adverse effect on our operations.

The warrants sold in our April 2014 offering have anti-dilution rights which could cause their exercise price to be reduced.

The warrants sold in our April 2014 offering include anti-dilution rights, which provide that if at any time the warrants are outstanding, we issue or are deemed to have issued (which includes shares issuable upon exercise of warrants and options and conversion of convertible securities) for consideration less than the then current exercise price of the warrants, the exercise price of such warrants is automatically reduced (a) to the lowest price per share of consideration provided or deemed to have been provided for such securities, not to be deemed less than $0.01 per share, during the one year period following the closing date of the offering (April 21, 2014), which date has passed without any required adjustments; and thereafter (b) to the product of (x) the exercise price then in effect, and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately prior to such issuance plus the number of shares of common stock which the aggregate consideration received by us would purchase at the exercise price in effect immediately prior to such issuance, and the denominator of which is the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately prior to such issuance plus the number of such additional shares of common stock issued. Notwithstanding the above, no adjustment of the exercise price is required in connection with any issuances or deemed issuance of shares of common stock (1) to our officers, directors, consultants or employees pursuant to stock option or stock purchase plans or agreements on terms approved by our Board of Directors, subject to adjustment for all subdivisions and combinations; and (2) in connection with the re-negotiation, modification, extension or re-pricing of debt of the Company outstanding on the closing date, subject to the prior written approval of the holders of the warrants. Additionally, in the event we acquire ownership of another entity or a significant amount of assets from another person or entity by way of an asset purchase agreement, merger (pursuant to which we are the surviving entity and our common stock is not converted or exchanged), business combination or share exchange pursuant to which shares of our common stock or convertible securities (including options or warrants) are issued or granted by us as partial or sole consideration to the counterparty or counterparties in such transaction or series of transactions (a “Company Combination”), then and in such event, the exercise price of the warrants is automatically reduced, to the average of the highest bid and lowest asked prices of our common stock averaged over the thirty (30) business days after the closing of the Company Combination if such exercise price as adjusted is less than the exercise price in effect on the date such Company Combination Price is determined.

Nevada law and our Articles of Incorporation authorize us to issue shares of stock which shares may cause substantial dilution to our existing stockholders.

We have authorized capital stock consisting of 200,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share. As of the date of this filing, we have 34,196,799 shares of common stock outstanding, 408,508 shares of Series B Preferred Stock outstanding and 394 shares of Series C Preferred Stock outstanding (each as described in greater detail below under “Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities” - “Description of Capital Stock” - “Preferred Stock”). As a result, our Board of Directors has the ability to issue a large number of additional shares of common stock without stockholder approval, subject to the requirements of the NYSE MKT (which generally require stockholder approval for any transactions which would result in the issuance of more than 20% of our then outstanding shares of common stock or voting rights representing over 20% of our then outstanding shares of stock), which if issued could cause substantial dilution to our then stockholders. Shares of additional preferred stock may also be issued by our Board of Directors without stockholder approval, with voting powers and such preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and powers as determined by our Board of Directors, which may be greater than the shares of common stock currently outstanding. As a result, shares of preferred stock may be issued by our Board of Directors which cause the holders to have majority voting power over our shares, provide the holders of the preferred stock the right to convert the shares of preferred stock they hold into shares of our common stock, which may cause substantial dilution to our then common stock stockholders and/or have other rights and preferences greater than those of our common stock stockholders. Investors should keep in mind that the Board of Directors has the authority to issue additional shares of common stock and preferred stock, which could cause substantial dilution to our existing stockholders. Additionally, the dilutive effect of any preferred stock which we may issue may be exacerbated given the fact that such preferred stock may have super voting rights and/or other rights or preferences which could provide the preferred stockholders with substantial voting control over us subsequent to the date of this prospectus and/or give those holders the power to prevent or cause a change in control. As a result, the issuance of shares of common stock and/or Preferred Stock may cause the value of our securities to decrease and/or become worthless.

Stockholders may be diluted significantly through our efforts to obtain financing and/or satisfy obligations through the issuance of additional shares of our common stock.

Wherever possible, our Board of Directors will attempt to use non-cash consideration to satisfy obligations. In many instances, we believe that the non-cash consideration will consist of shares of our common stock. Subject to certain consent rights of the investor in our April 2016 financing, our Board of Directors has authority, without action or vote of the stockholders, to issue all or part of the authorized but unissued shares of common stock (subject to NYSE MKT rules which limit among other things, the number of shares we can issue without stockholder approval to no more than 20% of our outstanding shares of common stock). These actions will result in dilution of the ownership interests of existing stockholders, and that dilution may be material.

If persons engage in short sales of our common stock, including sales of shares to be issued upon exercise of our outstanding warrants, convertible debentures and preferred stock, the price of our common stock may decline.

Selling short is a technique used by a stockholder to take advantage of an anticipated decline in the price of a security. In addition, holders of options, warrants and other convertible securities will sometimes sell short knowing they can, in effect, cover through the exercise or conversion of options, warrants and other convertible securities, thus locking in a profit. A significant number of short sales or a large volume of other sales within a relatively short period of time can create downward pressure on the market price of a security. Further sales of common stock issued upon exercise or conversion of options, warrants and other convertible securities could cause even greater declines in the price of our common stock due to the number of additional shares available in the market upon such exercise/conversion, which could encourage short sales that could further undermine the value of our common stock. You could, therefore, experience a decline in the value of your investment as a result of short sales of our common stock.

The market price for our common stock may be volatile, and our stockholders may not be able to sell our stock at a favorable price or at all.

Many factors could cause the market price of our common stock to rise and fall, including: actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly results of operations; changes in market valuations of companies in our industry; changes in expectations of future financial performance; fluctuations in stock market prices and volumes; issuances of dilutive common stock or other securities in the future; the addition or departure of key personnel; announcements by us or our competitors of acquisitions, investments or strategic alliances; and the increase or decline in the price of oil and natural gas.

Substantial sales of our common stock, or the perception that such sales might occur, could depress the market price of our common stock.

We cannot predict whether future issuances of our common stock or resales in the open market will decrease the market price of our common stock. The impact of any such issuances or resales of our common stock on our market price may be increased as a result of the fact that our common stock is thinly, or infrequently, traded. The exercise of any options that we have or that we may grant to directors, executive officers and other employees in the future, the issuance of common stock in connection with acquisitions and other issuances of our common stock (including shares previously registered in our registration statements and prospectus supplements, and/or in connection with future registration statements or prospectus supplements) could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. In addition, future issuances of our common stock may be dilutive to existing stockholders. Any sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales might occur, could lower the market price of our common stock.

We incur significant costs as a result of operating as a fully reporting publicly traded company and our management is required to devote substantial time to compliance initiatives.

We incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses in connection with our status as a fully reporting public company. Specifically, we are required to prepare and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Additionally, our officers, directors and significant stockholders are required to file Form 3, 4 and 5’s and Schedule 13D/Gs with the SEC disclosing their ownership of the Company and changes in such ownership. Furthermore, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) and rules subsequently implemented by the SEC have imposed various new requirements on public companies, including requiring changes in corporate governance practices. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective internal controls for financial reporting and disclosure of controls and procedures. The costs and expenses of compliance with SEC rules and our filing obligations with the SEC, or our identification of deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses, could materially adversely affect our results of operations or cause the market price of our stock to decline in value.

Securities analyst coverage or lack of coverage may have a negative impact on our common stock’s market price.

The trading market for our common stock will depend, in part, on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. We do not have any control over these analysts. If securities or industry analysts stop their coverage of us or additional securities and industry analysts fail to cover us in the future, the trading price for our common stock would be negatively impacted. If any analyst or analysts who cover us downgrade our common stock, changes their opinion of our shares or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price would likely decline. If any analyst or analysts cease coverage of us or fail to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our common stock could decrease and we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause our stock price and trading volume to decline.

Due to the fact that our common stock is listed on the NYSE MKT, we are subject to financial and other reporting and corporate governance requirements which increase our cost and expenses.

We are currently required to file annual and quarterly information and other reports with the SEC that are specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Additionally, due to the fact that our common stock is listed on the NYSE MKT, we are also subject to the requirements to maintain independent directors, comply with other corporate governance requirements and are required to pay annual listing and stock issuance fees. These obligations require a commitment of additional resources including, but not limited, to additional expenses, and may result in the diversion of our senior management’s time and attention from our day-to-day operations. These obligations increase our expenses and may make it more complicated or time consuming for us to undertake certain corporate actions due to the fact that we may require the approval of the NYSE MKT for such transactions and/or NYSE MKT rules may require us to obtain stockholder approval for such transactions.

You may experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings or other equity issuances.

We may in the future issue additional shares of our common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock.

Risks Related To Our Outstanding Convertible Securities

Due to the occurrence of a trigger event under, and other adjustment mechanisms related to, the First Warrant, the premium associated therewith increased to 17% per annum and upon the exercise thereof, the premium through maturity was due in full.

A trigger event under the First Warrant occurred on June 30, 2016. As a result thereof, and as a result of certain other adjustment mechanisms in the First Warrant, the premium on the First Warrant increased from 6% per annum to 17% per annum. Pursuant to the terms of the First Warrant, the premium through maturity (i.e., seven years) was due upon exercise of the First Warrant. The premium is payable by way of the conversion of the total premium payable in connection therewith $5,355,000 into shares of our common stock at a discount to the volume weighted average sales price of our common stock during a measurement period, which currently continues indefinitely. As such, as long as the value of our common stock continues to decline in value, the Investor will be due more shares of common stock forever, which issuances will significantly dilute existing shareholders and the sale of which securities will likely result in the continuous decline in the value of our common stock, thereby resulting in even more shares being due to the Investor. Since the date that the Investor exercised the First Warrant the Investor has been issued an aggregate of 9,675,154 shares of our common stock of the 36,112,243 shares which are due as of July 10, 2017.

The full amount of premiums, interest and dividends through the maturity date of each applicable security is due upon the repayment/redemption (where applicable), exercise or conversion, as applicable, of the Debenture and Series C Preferred Stock.

The Debenture and Series C Preferred Stock provide that all applicable interest (due under the terms of the Debenture), and dividends (due under the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock), which each initially accrued in the amount of 6% per annum and which increase or decrease subject to the terms of the applicable securities, based on among other things, the trading price of the Company’s common stock, up to a maximum of 34.95% per annum (which pursuant to the Investor, are the current applicable percentage interest rates), are due upon exercise or conversion, or repayment/redemption (where applicable) thereof, for the full seven year term of such securities.

The requirement that we pay all premiums, interest and dividends through maturity and the adjustable nature of such premium, interest and dividend rates, may force us to issue the Investor significant additional shares of common stock (similar to the currently disclosed required issuance to the Investor under the First Warrant), which may cause significant dilution to existing stockholders. The requirement that we pay all premiums, interest and dividends through maturity may make it too costly for us to repay or redeem, as applicable, the Investor’s securities, prior to exercise/conversion thereof, as applicable.

The number of shares of common stock issuable in consideration for premiums, interest and dividends through maturity on the First Warrant, Debenture and Series C Preferred Stock, continue to be adjustable after the exercise or conversion of such securities.

Pursuant to the terms of the First Warrant, Debenture and Series C Preferred Stock, the conversion rate of such securities in connection with the premiums, interest and dividends due on such securities through maturity (each 7 years, regardless of when converted or exercised), continues to be adjustable after the issuance of such securities. Specifically, such securities remain adjustable, based on a discount to the lowest daily volume weighted average price during a measuring period for a period of 60 days after the applicable number of shares stated in the initial exercise/conversion notice have actually been received into the Investor’s designated brokerage account in electronic form and fully cleared for trading (subject to certain extensions described in the applicable securities, which the Investor alleges have occurred to date, one of the effects of which is that the measuring period for the First Warrant continues indefinitely). Because the Investor is limited to holding not more than 4.99% of the Company’s common stock upon exercise/conversion of any security, the Investor will not receive all of the shares due upon any exercise/conversion, until it has sold shares and been issued additional shares and as such, the beginning date for the applicable 30 or 60 day period after issuance/conversion is impossible to determine and may be a significant additional number of days after the initial exercise/conversion by the Investor.

In the event of a decrease in the Company’s stock price during the applicable measuring periods, the conversion rate of the premiums, interest and dividends due on such applicable securities will adjust downward and the Investor will be due additional shares of common stock, which issuances may cause further significant dilution to existing shareholders and the sale of such shares may cause the value of the Company’s common stock to decline in value. Furthermore, it is likely that the sale by the Investor of the shares of common stock which the Investor receives in connection with any exercise/conversion, including, but not limited to the shares of common stock which the Investor received in connection with the exercise of the First Warrant, during the applicable measuring period, will cause the value of the Company’s common stock to decline in value and the conversion rate to decrease and will result in the Investor being due additional shares of common stock during the measuring period, which will trigger additional decreases in the value of the Company’s common stock upon further public sales by the Investor. If this were to occur, the Investor would be entitled to receive an increasing number of shares, upon exercise/conversion of the remaining securities, which could then be sold, triggering further price declines and exercises/conversions for even larger numbers of shares, which would cause additional dilution to our existing stockholders and would likely cause the value of our common stock to decline.

The issuance of common stock upon conversion of the Debenture and Series C Preferred Stock will cause immediate and substantial dilution.

The issuance of common stock upon conversion of the Debenture and Series C Preferred Stock will result in immediate and substantial dilution to the interests of other stockholders. Although the Investor may not receive shares of common stock exceeding 4.99% of our outstanding shares of common stock immediately after affecting such exercise/conversion, this restriction does not prevent the Investor from receiving shares up to the 4.99% limit, selling those shares, and then receiving the rest of the shares it is due, in one of more tranches, while still staying below the 4.99% limit. If the Investor chooses to do this, it will cause substantial dilution to the then holders of our common stock.

The Investor, subject to applicable contractual restrictions, and/or a third party, may sell short our common stock, which could have a depressive effect on the price of our common stock.

As described above, the conversion price for the value of premiums, interest and dividends due in connection with the First Warrant, Debenture and Series C Preferred Stock, is based on a discount to the trading price of the Company’s common stock. The Investor is not currently prohibited from selling the Company’s stock short. Additionally, nothing prohibits a third party from selling the Company’s common stock short based on their belief that due to the dilution caused by the conversions/exercises of the securities held by the Investor, that the trading price of the Company’s common stock will decline in value. The significant downward pressure on the price of our common stock as the Investor sells material amounts of our common stock could encourage investors to short sell our common stock. This could place further downward pressure on the price of our common stock and in turn result in the Investor receiving additional shares of common stock upon exercise/conversion of its securities, and adjustments thereof.

The Company is limited in its ability to undertake subsequent financings.

Until at least six months after the entire Debenture has been converted or redeemed, the Company has agreed to not enter into any equity or convertible financing pursuant to which securities issued at a discount or with a variable conversion price are issued, subject to certain exceptions. These restrictions may make it more costly for us to raise funding in the future or may limit our ability to raise funding, which could force us to curtail our business plan or prohibit us from taking advantage of attractive investment, acquisition or drilling activities. All of which could have a negative effect on the value of our common stock and our near-term or long-term prospects.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

Areas of Activities

We operate and invest in areas that are known to be productive, with a reasonably established production history, in order to decrease geological and exploratory risk. Our activities in the Gulf Coast areas of Texas are concentrated on two adjoining formations: the Austin Chalk and Eagle Ford, provided that we are not currently active in those areas as of the filing of this report and do not plan to be in the future. Camber’s acreage position is in the oil window of the Eagle Ford trend and we currently have approximately 7,300 net acres in the Gonzales, Karnes and Wilson County, Texas areas, all of which are held by production. With the closing of the Acquisition, the Company acquired over 13,000 net acres in producing fields located primarily in the Mid-Continent region of Oklahoma including Payne, Lincoln and Logan Counties, along with a small amount of interest in production located in Glasscock County, Texas. The Mid-Continent assets produce from a liquids-rich, gas reservoir known as the Hunton formation. These properties include interests in four different fields, of which one is operated by Camber and the other three are non-operated. The Glasscock County, Texas properties produce oil and gas primarily from the Wolfberry, Cline and Fusselman formations and are all non-operated. In addition, the Company recently acquired approximately 3,600 net acres and operations under a joint venture agreement to pursue the emerging Horizontal San Andres play in Gaines County, Texas, located in the Central Basin Platform area of the Permian Basin (as described in greater detail below). The Company intends to resume and continue its leasing activities at Jack Rabbit during the second-half of 2017, funding permitting, to position the Company for a drilling program beginning in 2018, funding permitting with a joint venture partner for drilling and/or a farmout. In addition, the Company negotiated an Option Agreement for acquiring a 28.5% non-operated working interest in 11,000 net acres, also in pursuit of the Horizontal San Andres Play in Yoakum and Cochran Counties, Texas, located in the Northwest Shelf area of the Permian Basin, known as the Arrowhead Project.

The following table summarizes our gross and net developed and undeveloped leasehold and mineral fee acreage at March 31, 2017. Acreage in which our interest is limited to royalty and overriding royalty interests is excluded:

Acreage

(1) Developed acreage is the number of acres that are allocated or assignable to producing wells or wells capable of production.

(2) Undeveloped acreage is lease acreage on which wells have not been drilled or completed to a point that would permit the production of commercial quantities of oil and natural gas regardless of whether such acreage includes proved reserves.

We believe we have satisfactory title, in all material respects, to substantially all of our producing properties in accordance with standards generally accepted in the oil and natural gas industry. Substantially all of our proved oil and natural gas properties are pledged as collateral for outstanding loans.

Total Net Undeveloped Acreage Expiration

In the event that production is not established or we take no action to extend or renew the terms of our leases, we have no net undeveloped acreage that will expire over the next three years as of March 31, 2016.

Production, Sales Price and Production Costs

The Company produced oil, natural gas and NGLs from 120 wells in four Texas counties and three Oklahoma counties in the Mid-Continent regions during the year ended March 31, 2017. The number of operated gross wells was 78 wells and the total number of gross wells was 192, with the active producers being 120, as of the date of this report.

The following tables represent our total production, average sales prices and average production costs for the years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:

(1) Assumes 6 Mcf of natural gas equivalents and 42 gallons of NGL to 1 barrel of oil, respectively.

As of March 31, 2017, production from the Pilgrim and Twin Cities fields are the only field that comprises 15% or more of our total proved reserves as of that date. The production volumes for the years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 are represented in the table below:

Well Summary

The following table presents our ownership in productive crude oil and natural gas wells at March 31, 2017. This summary includes wells in which we have a working interest:

Drilling Activity

We drilled wells or participated in the drilling of wells as indicated in the table below:

At March 31, 2017, we had no gross or net wells that were in the process of being drilled nor did we have any delivery commitments.

Oil and Natural Gas Reserves

Reserve Information. For estimates of Camber’s net proved producing reserves of crude oil and natural gas, as well as discussion of Camber’s proved and probable undeveloped reserves, see “Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” – “Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited)”. At March 31, 2017, Camber’s total estimated proved reserves were 5.6 million Boe of which 1.6 million Bbls were crude oil reserves, and 4.0 Bcf were natural gas reserves.

Internal Controls. Mark Bunch, is the technical person primarily responsible for our internal reserves estimation process (which are based upon the best available production, engineering and geologic data) and provides oversight of the annual audit of our year end reserves by our independent third party engineers. Mr. Bunch has served as Senior Vice President - Engineering & Operations, a contractor position, since September 2016, where he is in charge of engineering and operations at the Company. From September 2012 to April 2016, Mr. Bunch served as a manager with Davis Petroleum Corp. From January 2007 to September 2012, Mr. Bunch served as Chief Operating Officer and Partner with Mecom Oil, LLC. From 1999 to 2007, Mr. Bunch served as Vice President, Huddleston & Co., Inc. & Peter Paul Petroleum. From 1993 to 1999, Mr. Bunch served as Engineering Manager with Petrocorp, Inc. From 1981 to 1992, Mr. Bunch served as Reservoir and Production Engineer, Arco Oil & Gas Co. He has a Bachelor’s of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1981. Mr. Bunch has over 35 years of experience with a variety of large and small oil and gas companies and is a licensed professional engineer.

The preparation of our reserve estimates is in accordance with our prescribed procedures that include verification of input data into a reserve forecasting and economic software, as well as management review. Our reserve analysis includes but is not limited to the following:

Qualifications of Third Party Engineers. The technical person primarily responsible for the audit of our reserves estimates at Ralph E. Davis Associates, LLC is Curt Taylor, who meets the requirements regarding qualifications, independence, objectivity, and confidentiality set forth in the Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Ralph E. Davis Associates, LLC is an independent firm and does not own an interest in our properties and is not employed on a contingent fee basis. Reserve estimates are imprecise and subjective, and may change at any time as additional information becomes available. Furthermore, estimates of oil and gas reserves are projections based on engineering data. There are uncertainties inherent in the interpretation of this data as well as the projection of future rates of production. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. A copy of the report issued by Ralph E. Davis Associates, LLC is filed with this report as Exhibit 99.1.

For more information regarding our oil and gas reserves, please refer to “Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” – “Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited)”.

Office Lease

Prior to July 27, 2015, our corporate headquarters were located in approximately 5,100 square feet of office space at 3555 Timmons Lane, Suite 1550, Houston, Texas 77027. We leased that space pursuant to a lease that was to expire on August 31, 2015 and that had a base monthly rent of approximately $6,200.

On July 27, 2015, we moved our corporate headquarters from 3555 Timmons Lane, Suite 1550, Houston, Texas 77027 to 450 Gears Road, Suite 780, Houston, Texas 77067 in connection with the expiration of our prior office space lease and received proceeds from our security deposit of $6,628. We entered into a sublease on approximately 3,300 square feet of office space that expired on January 31, 2016 and had a base monthly rent of approximately $5,000 of which we had paid four months in advance as well as a $5,000 security deposit. For the proceeding months, we paid month-to-month rent until we were able to move into our new office suite from Suite 780 to Suite 860 located at our current physical address.

On April 1, 2016, we entered into a lease agreement pursuant to which we agreed to lease 4,439 square feet of office space at 450 Gears Road, Houston, Harris County, Texas 77067 (Suite 860, versus Suite 780 as was leased previously). The lease had a 65-month term (through August 2021), and commenced on April 1, 2016. The monthly rental cost under the lease was -$0- for the month of April 2016, and $7,676 for the months of May 2016 through April 2017, plus as applicable, our pro rata share of operating expenses and taxes which exceed the total operating expenses and taxes of the property for the first year of the lease. On March 31, 2017, we amended our lease at 450 Gears Road to expand to a total of 6,839 square feet, commencing on May 1, 2017. The amendment extended the lease period to November 2021. The monthly rental cost under the amended lease is $11,826 for the months of May 2017 through July 2017, $-0- for the month of August 2017, $12,111 for the months of September 2017 through August 2018, $-0- for the month of September 2018, $12,396 for the months of October 2018 through September 2019, $-0- for the month of October 2019, $12,681 for the months of November 2019 through October 2020, $-0- for the month of November 2020 and $12,966 for the months of December 2020 through November 2021. We have the option to terminate the lease on the last day of the 39^th month of the lease term, if we provide six months prior notice to the landlord and pay a termination fee as defined by the agreement. We also have the right at the end of the lease term to extend the lease for an additional five year term. We currently plan to terminate our Houston, Texas lease and move our principal office to San Antonio, Texas, provided that no settlement or other understanding has been worked out with our landlord as of the date of this filing.

In February 2014, we purchased a field office located in Gonzales, Texas, for approximately $50,000 which is used to provide local operational support for our properties in the Eagle Ford and Austin Chalk areas. The land upon which the field office resides was leased by the Company over a three-year term beginning in January 2014 through December 2016. The lease expired in December 2016.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we may become party to litigation or other legal proceedings that we consider to be a part of the ordinary course of our business. We are not currently involved in any legal proceedings that we believe could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations. We may become involved in material legal proceedings in the future.

On May 9, 2017, we filed a Petition and Request for Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction and Permanent Injunction (the “Petition”), against Discover Growth Fund (otherwise defined as the Investor herein)(“Discover”) and Fifth Third Securities, Inc., in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas Houston Division (Civil Action 4:17-cv-1436). The Petition alleged causes of actions against Discover in connection with the Debenture, First Warrant and Series C Preferred Stock (the “Convertible Securities”) and alleged causes of action against Discover and Fifth Third in connection with conversions and sales of our common stock under the Convertible Securities. The Petition also sought declaratory relief in connection with certain terms and provisions of the Convertible Securities, sought exemplary damages and injunctive relief as well as a temporary restraining order to prevent Discover from further converting/exercising the Convertible Securities until the parties could reach a further understanding regarding the terms thereof. On May 11, 2017, the court rejected our motion for hearing in connection with a temporary restraining order. On May 16, 2017, Discover filed certain counterclaims against us and a request for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction. Discover also filed a motion to dismiss our Petition on the same date. After discussion among the parties, the lawsuit was subsequently dismissed by the parties on May 22, 2017. Notwithstanding the dismissal of the lawsuit, we have continued to have discussions with Discover regarding the potential buy-out from Discover of the Convertible Securities, provided no definitive terms have been agreed to as of the date of this filing and the parties may never come to an agreement regarding the terms of buy-out or settlement.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

Market Information

Our common stock is quoted on the NYSE MKT under the symbol CEI. Set forth in the table below are the quarterly high and low sales prices of our common stock on the NYSE MKT for the past two fiscal years. Prices represent inter-dealer quotations without adjustments for markups, markdowns, and commissions, and may not represent actual transactions.

*Takes into account our 1:25 reverse stock split which took place on July 15, 2015.

Holders

As of July 10, 2017, there were approximately 155 record holders of our common stock, not including holders who hold their shares in street name.

Description of Capital Stock

The total number of shares of all classes of stock that we have authority to issue is 210,000,000, consisting of 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.001 per share. As of July 10, 2017, we had (i) 34,196,799 shares of common stock outstanding, (ii) 2,000 designated shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, none of which are outstanding, (iii) 600,000 designated shares of Series B Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, 408,508 of which are outstanding, and (iv) 5,000 designated shares of Series C Preferred Stock, 394 of which are outstanding.

Common Stock

Holders of our common stock: (i) are entitled to share ratably in all of our assets available for distribution upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs; (ii) do not have preemptive, subscription or conversion rights, nor are there any redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable thereto; and (iii) are entitled to one vote per share on all matters on which stockholders may vote at all stockholder meetings. Each stockholder is entitled to receive the dividends as may be declared by our directors out of funds legally available for dividends. Our directors are not obligated to declare a dividend. Any future dividends will be subject to the discretion of our directors and will depend upon, among other things, future earnings, the operating and financial condition of our Company, our capital requirements, general business conditions and other pertinent factors.

The presence of the persons entitled to vote 33% of the outstanding voting shares on a matter before the stockholders shall constitute the quorum necessary for the consideration of the matter at a stockholders’ meeting.

The vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast on the matter at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute an act of the stockholders, except for the election of directors, who shall be appointed by a plurality of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The common stock does not have cumulative voting rights, which means that the holders of a majority of the common stock voting for election of directors can elect 100% of our directors if they choose to do so.

Preferred Stock

Subject to the terms contained in any designation of a series of preferred stock, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized, at any time and from time to time, to fix, by resolution or resolutions, the following provisions for shares of any class or classes of preferred stock:

The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each class or series of preferred stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding.

Series A Convertible Preferred Stock

The Series A Preferred Stock has no voting rights, no liquidation rights and no redemption rights, but has conversion rights providing the holder thereof the right to convert each outstanding share of Series A Preferred Stock into 40 shares of common stock. The Series A Preferred Stock contains a provision that limits the shares of common stock that the holder can own at any time upon conversion to an aggregate of 4.99% of our then issued and outstanding shares of common stock.

Series B Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock

The Series B Preferred Stock has dividend rights that accrue at an annual rate of 6% until such Series B Preferred is no longer outstanding either due to conversion, redemption or otherwise. The Series B Preferred Stock also has liquidation rights equal to the original issue price of such shares and are payable upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, either voluntary or involuntary. Each outstanding share of Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to one vote on all stockholder matters to come before our stockholders and are not entitled to series voting except as required by law.

Each share of Series B Preferred Stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, into that number of fully-paid, nonassessable shares of common stock determined by dividing the Original Issue Price for the Series B Preferred ($25.00, as may be adjusted for recapitalizations) by the Conversion Price ($3.50, as may be adjusted for recapitalizations). Each share of Series B Preferred Stock automatically converts into shares of common stock under certain conditions set forth in the certificate of designations for the Series B Preferred Stock.

Subject to the terms of any credit or debt agreements in place which prevent us from redeeming the Series B Preferred Stock for cash, we have the option, exercisable from time to time after the Original Issue Date, to redeem all or any portion of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock which have not been previously converted into common stock, by paying each applicable holder, an amount equal to (a) the Original Issue Price multiplied by the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by each applicable holder, subject to such redemption; plus (b) the accrued dividends on such shares.

The consent of a majority in interest of the Series B Preferred Stock must also be obtained prior to certain corporate actions.

Series C Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock

Holders of the Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to cumulative dividends in the amount of 6.0% per annum, payable upon redemption, conversion, or maturity, and when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors in its discretion. The Series C Preferred Stock ranks senior to the common stock and pari passu with respect to our Series B Preferred Stock. The Series C Preferred Stock has no right to vote on any matters, questions or proceedings of the Company including, without limitation, the election of directors except: (a) during a period where a dividend (or part of a dividend) is in arrears; (b) on a proposal to reduce the Company’s share capital; (c) on a resolution to approve the terms of a buy-back agreement; (d) on a proposal to wind up the Company; (e) on a proposal for the disposal of all or substantially all the Company’s property, business and undertaking; and (f) during the winding-up of the Company.

The Series C Preferred Stock may be converted into shares of common stock at any time at the option of the holder, or at our option if certain equity conditions (as defined in the certificate of designation for the Series C Preferred Stock), are met. Upon conversion, we will pay the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock being converted an amount, in cash or stock at our sole discretion, equal to the dividends that such shares would have otherwise earned if they had been held through the maturity date, and issue to the holders such number of shares of Common stock equal to $10,000 per share of Series C Preferred Stock (the “Face Value”) multiplied by the number of such shares of Series C Preferred Stock divided by the applicable Conversion Price (as defined in the certificate of designation for the Series C Preferred Stock).

The conversion premium under the Series C Preferred Stock is payable and the dividend rate under the Series C Preferred Stock is adjustable. Specifically, the conversion rate of such premiums and dividends equals 95% of the average of the lowest 5 individual daily volume weighted average prices during the Measuring Period, not to exceed 100% of the lowest sales prices on the last day of the Measuring Period, less $0.05 per share of common stock, unless a triggering event has occurred, in which case the conversion rate equals 85% of the lowest daily volume weighted average price during the Measuring Period, less $0.10 per share of common stock not to exceed 85% of the lowest sales prices on the last day of such the Measuring Period, less $0.10 per share. The “Measuring Period” is the period beginning, if no trigger event has occurred, 30 trading days, and if a trigger event has occurred, 60 trading days, before the applicable notice has been provided regarding the exercise or conversion of the applicable security, and ending, if no trigger event has occurred, 30 trading days, and if a trigger event has occurred, 60 trading days, after the applicable number of shares stated in the initial exercise/conversion notice have actually been received into the Investor’s designated brokerage account in electronic form and fully cleared for trading (subject to certain extensions described in the applicable securities, which have been triggered to date). Because a trigger event has occurred under the Series C Preferred Stock and because certain requirements related to the termination of the Measuring Period are not met, and likely will never be met, the Measuring Period will likely continue indefinitely.

The Series C Preferred Stock has a maturity date that is seven years after the date of issuance and, if the Series C Preferred Stock has not been wholly converted into shares of common stock prior to such date, we may redeem the Series C Preferred Stock on such date by repaying to the investor in cash 100% of the Face Value plus an amount equal to any accrued but unpaid dividends thereon. 100% of the Face Value, plus an amount equal to any accrued but unpaid dividends thereon, automatically becomes payable in the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up by us.

We may not issue any other preferred stock (other than the Series B Preferred Stock) that is pari passu or senior to the Series C Preferred Stock with respect to any rights for a period of one year after the earlier of such date (i) a registration statement is effective and available for the resale of all shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock, or (ii) Rule 144 under the Securities Act is available for the immediate unrestricted resale of all shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock.

Dividend Policy

We have not declared or paid cash dividends, or made distributions in the past. We do not anticipate that we will pay cash dividends or make distributions in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain and reinvest future earnings to finance operations. We may however declare and pay dividends in shares of our common stock in the future.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

On October 7, 2016, the Investor exercised the First Warrant in full and was due 1,384,616 shares of common stock upon exercise thereof and an additional 2,542,735 shares of common stock in consideration for the conversion premium due thereon. A total of 810,000 shares were issued to the Investor on October 7, 2016, with the remaining shares being held in abeyance until such time as it would not result in the Investor exceeding its beneficial ownership limitation (4.99% of the Company’s outstanding common stock). The Company received gross proceeds of $4,500,000 from the exercise of the First Warrant and paid placement agent fees of $427,500 for services rendered in connection with the First Warrant. Pursuant to the terms of the First Warrant, the number of shares due in consideration for the conversion premium increases as the annual rate of return under the First Warrant increases, including by 10% upon the occurrence of certain triggering events (which had occurred by the October 7, 2016 date of exercise), to 17% per annum upon the exercise of the First Warrant. Additionally, as the conversion rate for the conversion premium is currently 85% of the lowest daily volume weighted average price during the measuring period, less $0.10 per share of common stock not to exceed 85% of the lowest sales prices on the last day of such period less $0.10 per share, the number of shares issuable in connection with the conversion premium increases as the trading price of our common stock decreases, and the trading price of our common stock has decreased since the date the First Warrant was exercised, triggering a further reduction in the conversion price of the conversion premium and an increase in the number of shares due to the Investor in connection with the conversion of the amount owed in connection with the conversion premium. Additionally, the measurement period for the calculation of the lowest daily volume weighted average price currently continues indefinitely.

As of July 10, 2017, a total of 9,675,154 shares of common stock had been issued to the Investor in connection with the exercise of the First Warrant of the approximately 37,496,859 shares which were alleged due (25,052,473 shares remain to be issued to the Investor, which shares are currently held in abeyance until such time as it would not result in the Investor exceeding its beneficial ownership limitation (4.99% of the Company’s outstanding common stock)) as of July 10, 2017 (subject to increases as the value of our common stock decreases). The 9,765,154 shares of common stock issued in connection with the exercise of the First Warrant include (a) 810,000 shares of common stock issued in connection with a conversion notice dated on or around October 11, 2016; (b) 870,000 shares of common stock issued in connection with a conversion notice dated on or around October 20, 2016; (c) 920,000 shares of common stock issued in connection with a conversion notice dated on or around October 28, 2016; (d) 480,000 shares of common stock issued in connection with a conversion notice dated on or around November 15, 2016; (e) 990,000 shares of common stock issued in connection with a conversion notice dated on or around November 17, 2016; (f) 930,000 shares of common stock issued in connection with a conversion notice dated on or around December 1, 2016; (g) 1,453,154 shares of common stock issued in connection with a conversion notice dated on or around April 26, 2017; (h) 1,572,000 shares of common stock issued in connection with a conversion notice dated on or around May 4, 2017; and (i) 1,650,000 shares of common stock issued in connection with a conversion notice dated on or around June 30, 2017.

On January 5, 2017, the Investor converted 21 shares of the Series C Preferred stock (equal to a face value of $210,000), and was due 64,146 shares of common stock and an additional 657,196 shares of common stock in dividend premium shares; on January 23, 2017, the Investor converted 21 shares of the Series C Preferred stock (equal to a face value of $210,000), and was due 64,146 shares of common stock and an additional 780,694 shares of common stock in dividend premium shares; on February 22, 2017, the Investor converted 21 shares of the Series C Preferred stock (equal to a face value of $210,000), and was due 64,146 shares of common stock and an additional 1,138,159 shares of common stock in dividend premium shares; on March 2, 2017, the Investor converted 15 shares of the Series C Preferred stock (equal to a face value of $150,000), and was due 46,154 shares of common stock and an additional 812,971 shares of common stock in dividend premium shares; on March 28, 2017, the Investor converted 13 shares of the Series C Preferred stock (equal to a face value of $130,000), and was due 40,000 shares of common stock and an additional 1,247,235 shares of common stock in dividend premium shares; and on April 11, 2017, the Investor converted 10 shares of the Series C Preferred stock (equal to a face value of $100,000), and was due 30,770 shares of common stock and an additional 1,243,772 shares of common stock in dividend premium shares.

As of July 10, 2017, the Investor was still due 63,723,398 shares of common stock upon the conversion of the remaining 394 shares of Series C Preferred stock. The Investor is also due approximately 8,571,930 shares of common stock upon the conversion of the Debenture. In the event that the Series C Preferred Stock was fully converted into shares of common stock, as of July 10, 2017, the Investor would be due 63,723,398 shares of common stock and in the event the Debenture was fully converted into shares of common stock as of July 10, 2017, the Investor would be due 8,571,930 shares of common stock.

The sales and issuances of the securities described above have been determined to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Sections 3(a)(9) and 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder and Regulation S promulgated thereunder, as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering. The warrant holder/preferred stock holder has represented that it is an accredited investor, as that term is defined in Regulation D, it is not a U.S. Person, and that it is acquiring the securities for its own account.

On January 9, 2017, the Company paid the required quarterly dividend on the Series B Preferred Stock by way of the issuance of 82,674 shares of our common stock to the preferred shareholders at a fair market value of $102,516, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock ($1.24 per share) on December 30, 2016. As the issuance of the common stock in satisfaction of the dividends did not involve a “sale” of securities under Section 2(a)(3) of the Securities Act, we believe that no registration of such securities, or exemption from registration for such securities, was required under the Securities Act. Notwithstanding the above, to the extent such shares are deemed “sold or offered”, we claim an exemption from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities Act, since the transaction did not involve a public offering, the recipients were “accredited investors”, and acquired the securities for investment only and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution thereof. The securities are subject to transfer restrictions, and the certificates evidencing the securities contain an appropriate legend stating that such securities have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold absent registration or pursuant to an exemption therefrom. The securities were not registered under the Securities Act and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws. The beneficial owners of the Series B Preferred Stock are Richard N. Azar, II, our Interim Chief Executive Officer and director, and Alan Dreeben, our director.

Effective January 31, 2017, we borrowed $1,000,000 from Alan Dreeben, who is one of our directors, pursuant to a short-term promissory note. The short-term promissory note has a principal balance of $1,050,000 (the $1,000,000 principal amount borrowed plus a $50,000 original issue discount), accrues interest at 6% per annum and has a maturity date of January 31, 2018 and contains standard and customary events of default. As additional consideration for Mr. Dreeben agreeing to make the loan, we agreed to issue Mr. Dreeben 40,000 restricted shares of common stock valued at $30,000 based on the closing price of the Company’s stock on the grant date. The note is secured by a deed of trust on certain of our properties. We claim an exemption from registration for the issuance described above pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities Act, since the foregoing issuance will not involve a public offering and the recipient is an “accredited investor”, the recipient will acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution thereof. The securities were offered without any general solicitation by us or our representatives. No underwriters or agents were involved in the foregoing and we paid no underwriting discounts or commissions. The securities sold are subject to transfer restrictions, and the certificates evidencing the securities will contain an appropriate legend stating that such securities have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold absent registration or pursuant to an exemption therefrom. The securities will not be registered under the Securities Act and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws.

On March 9, 2017, we borrowed $250,000 from a non-related individual pursuant to a short-term promissory note. The short-term promissory note has a principal balance of $263,158 (the $250,000 principal amount borrowed plus a $13,158 original issue discount), accrues interest at 6% per annum and has a maturity date of March 9, 2018 and contains standard and customary events of default. As additional consideration for agreeing to make the loan, we agreed to issue the lender 10,000 restricted shares of common stock valued at $5,900 based on the closing price of the Company’s stock on the grant date. The note is secured by a deed of trust on certain of our properties. We claim an exemption from registration for the issuance described above pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities Act, since the foregoing issuance will not involve a public offering and the recipient is an “accredited investor”, the recipient will acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution thereof. The securities were offered without any general solicitation by us or our representatives. No underwriters or agents were involved in the foregoing and we paid no underwriting discounts or commissions. The securities sold are subject to transfer restrictions, and the certificates evidencing the securities will contain an appropriate legend stating that such securities have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold absent registration or pursuant to an exemption therefrom. The securities will not be registered under the Securities Act and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws.

On April 4, 2017, the Company paid the required quarterly dividend on the Series B Preferred Stock by way of the issuance of 59,146 shares of our common stock to the preferred shareholders at a fair market value of $34,896, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock ($0.59 per share) on March 31, 2017. As the issuance of the common stock in satisfaction of the dividends did not involve a “sale” of securities under Section 2(a)(3) of the Securities Act, we believe that no registration of such securities, or exemption from registration for such securities, was required under the Securities Act. Notwithstanding the above, to the extent such shares are deemed “sold or offered”, we claim an exemption from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities Act, since the transaction did not involve a public offering, the recipients were “accredited investors”, and acquired the securities for investment only and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution thereof. The securities are subject to transfer restrictions, and the certificates evidencing the securities contain an appropriate legend stating that such securities have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold absent registration or pursuant to an exemption therefrom. The securities were not registered under the Securities Act and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws. The beneficial owners of the Series B Preferred Stock are Richard N. Azar, II, our Interim Chief Executive Officer and director, and Alan Dreeben, our director.

In connection with the departure of Mr. Anthony C. Schnur as Chief Executive Officer and director of the Company effective June 2, 2017, we entered into a Severance Agreement and Release with Mr. Schnur (the “Release”), whereby among other things, we agreed to issue him 120,000 shares of unregistered common stock (to be issued in installments of 10,000 per month). We claim an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for the sale and issuance of the shares pursuant to (a) Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act; and/or (b) Rule 506 of the Securities Act, and the regulations promulgated thereunder. With respect to the transaction described above, no general solicitation was made either by us or by any person acting on our behalf. The transaction was privately negotiated, and did not involve any kind of public solicitation. No underwriters or agents were involved in the foregoing sale and we paid no underwriting discounts or commissions. The securities issued are subject to transfer restrictions, and the certificate(s) evidencing the securities contain and will contain an appropriate legend stating that such securities have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold absent registration or pursuant to an exemption therefrom.

On June 19, 2017, a holder of the Company’s Series B Convertible Preferred Stock converted 143,492 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock into 1,024,943 shares of common stock of the Company. We claim an exemption from registration provided by Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, as the security was exchanged by us with our existing security holder in a transaction where no commission or other remuneration was paid or given directly or indirectly for soliciting such exchange.

As of June 30, 2017, the 408,508 outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock had accrued $153,191 in quarterly dividends. The Company plans to pay that dividend by way of the issuance of 593,762 shares of our common stock to the preferred shareholders at a fair market value of $0.258, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on June 30, 2017, which shares have not been issued to date and are not included in the number of issued and outstanding shares disclosed throughout this report (or the ownership of the Series B Preferred Stock holders). As the issuance of the common stock in satisfaction of the dividends will not involve a “sale” of securities under Section 2(a)(3) of the Securities Act, we believe that no registration of such securities, or exemption from registration for such securities, will be required under the Securities Act. Notwithstanding the above, to the extent such shares are deemed “sold or offered”, we plan to claim an exemption from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities Act, since the transaction will not involve a public offering, the recipients are “accredited investors”, and will acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution thereof. The securities will be subject to transfer restrictions, and the certificates evidencing the securities will contain an appropriate legend stating that such securities have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold absent registration or pursuant to an exemption therefrom. The securities will not be registered under the Securities Act and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws. The beneficial owners of the Series B Preferred Stock are Richard N. Azar, II, our Interim Chief Executive Officer and director, and Alan Dreeben, our director.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

Not required under Regulation S-K for “smaller reporting companies.”

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

General

The following is a discussion by management of its view of the Company’s business, financial condition, and corporate performance for the past year. The purpose of this information is to give management’s recap of the past year, and to give an understanding of management’s current outlook for the near future. This section is meant to be read in conjunction with “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Our fiscal year ends on the last day of March of the calendar year. We refer to the years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 as our 2017 and 2016 fiscal years, respectively.

Asset Purchase Agreement

As described in greater detail above under “Part I” – “Item 1. Business” – “General”, on December 30, 2015, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire, from twenty-three different entities and individuals, working interests in producing properties and undeveloped acreage, which acquisition transaction was completed on August 25, 2016. The assets acquired include varied interests in two largely contiguous acreage blocks in the liquids-rich Mid-Continent region. In connection with the closing of the acquisition, we assumed approximately $30.6 million of commercial bank debt, issued 13,009,664 shares of common stock to certain of the Sellers, issued 552,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock to one of the Sellers and its affiliate, and paid $4,975,000 in cash to certain of the Sellers. The effective date of the Acquisition was April 1, 2016.

Pursuant to a Letter Agreement we entered into, at the closing of the Acquisition, with RAD2, one of the Sellers, which is owned and controlled by Richard N. Azar II, who was appointed as our Chairman on August 26, 2016, serving as Chairman until May 16, 2017, provided that Mr. Azar continues to serve as a member of the Board of Directors and who was appointed as interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company on June 2, 2017, RAD2 agreed to accept full financial liability for any and all deficiencies between the “Agreed Assets Value” set forth in the Asset Purchase Agreement of $80,697,710, and the mutually agreed upon value of the assets delivered by the Sellers at the closing of the Acquisition, up to an aggregate of $1,030,941 (as applicable, the “Deficiency”). The Company accepted additional oil and gas producing properties and two salt water disposal facilities from the Sellers with an approximate value of $1.0 million to resolve this Deficiency.

Effective January 5, 2017, the Company changed its name to Camber Energy, Inc. to more accurately reflect the Company’s strategic shift from its Austin Chalk and Eagleford roots to an expanding addition of shallow oil and gas reserves with longer-lived, lower-risk production profiles.

The Asset Purchase Agreement between the Sellers and the Company relating to the Acquisition included the requirement that, following the closing, the parties undertake an accounting/true-up of expenses attributable to the assets acquired by the Company and revenue generated from such assets. A dispute has arisen between the Sellers and the Company as to the time period which the Company was to be responsible for the payment of expenses and was to receive the revenue from such assets prior to the closing of the transaction. Specifically, the Company believes that the agreements provide for it to be responsible for all expenses associated with the assets, and to receive all revenue generated from the assets, from April 1, 2016, the effective date of the Asset Purchase Agreement, through the closing date, August 25, 2016. The Sellers on the other hand, which include entities owned by Richard N. Azar, II, the Company’s interim Chief Executive Officer, have argued that the Company was only responsible for expenses, and was only due to receive revenue from the assets, beginning on the closing date, August 25, 2016. The difference in the amounts claimed due to the Company from the parties currently varies from a high of $1,121,718, which the Company alleges it is due, to a low of $342,298, which the Sellers allege that the Company is due. The parties continue to discuss the issues raised and to work towards a mutually acceptable settlement; however, due to the continuing dispute, for the purposes of the attached financial statements, the Company has recorded a receivable of $1,121,718 with an allowance of $779,420 for a net balance of $342,298.

We intend to grow the Company in three ways: the development of our acquired assets and/or develop what we own; expansion of the existing footprint or what would be considered bolt-on acquisitions; and additional material acquisitions.

Following the closing of our anticipated acquisition of the Assets, we intend to drill the acquired acreage, funding permitting. As previously disclosed, 50 Hunton locations have been identified on the acreage to be acquired, and we have further refined those locations to what we believe are six initial wells to be drilled assuming the acquisition is completed and funding is available.

Beyond those known locations, we believe there exists opportunities to develop other sands present in the acreage. From the top to the bottom of this play, there are 19 different sands that have been produced in various areas of central Oklahoma. They include shallow Pennsylvanian formations, such as the Bartlesville, the Redfork and the Skinner, and the Mississippi Lime formation is present in addition to the Woodford shale. The Prue Sand, another potentially productive sand, is of particular interest. We plan to study the Prue as a high-priority target for its economic viability.

Another aspect of our growth plan is to acquire opportunities within or near the Assets. We are looking to expand our footprint by acquiring acreage that is nearby or offset to the operations we currently participate in, especially where those opportunities also represent existing production.

Following the entry into the Purchase Agreement, we have continued to review opportunities, primarily asset or corporate acquisitions, but also include strategic partnerships, and/or merger opportunities. While these types of transactions tend to be large and take time to generate, they also represent material increases in the size and scope of the Company.

Securities and Stock Purchase Agreements

On April 2016, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement pursuant to which we issued a redeemable convertible subordinated debenture, with a face amount of $530,000, convertible into 163,077 shares of common stock at a conversion price equal to $3.25 per share and a warrant to purchase 1,384,616 shares of common stock at an exercise price equal to $3.25 per share (the “First Warrant”). The debenture had a 5.0% original issue discount and we received $500,000 in connection with the sale of such debenture. The holder has exercised the First Warrant for the sum of $4.5 million.

Also on April 2016, we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement pursuant to which we agreed, subject to certain conditions, to issue 527 shares of Series C redeemable convertible preferred stock (with a face value of $5.26 million) at a 5% original issue discount, convertible into 1,618,462 shares of common stock at a conversion price of $3.25 per share, and a warrant to purchase 1,111,112 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $4.50 per share (the “Second Warrant”). Under the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Second Warrant and 53 shares of Series C Preferred Stock were sold and issued for $500,000 on September 2, 2016, and the remaining 474 shares of Series C Preferred Stock were sold and issued for $4.5 million on November 17, 2016. The Second Warrant expired unexercised pursuant to its terms.

Operations

Camber’s objective for our current producing wells is to operate as efficiently as possible, look for technological advancements to increase the life of the wells, evaluate the economic viability of these wells and consider adding or re-drilling our low producing assets. During fiscal 2017, we completed numerous workovers in the Austin Chalk and initiated workovers in the Coyle (Hunton) Field. Costs associated with producing oil, natural gas and NGLs are substantial. Some of these costs vary with commodity prices, some trend with the type and volume of production, and others are a function of the number of wells we own and operate. Production expenses are the costs incurred in the operation of productive properties and workover costs. Expenses for utilities, direct labor, water transportation, injection and disposal, materials and supplies comprise the most significant portion of our production expenses. Certain items, such as direct labor and materials and supplies, generally remain relatively fixed across broad production volume ranges, but can fluctuate depending on the activities performed during a given period. We monitor our operations to ensure that we are incurring production expenses at an acceptable level. For example, we monitor our production expenses per Boe to determine if any wells or properties should be shut in, recompleted or sold. This unit rate also allows us to monitor these costs to identify trends and to benchmark against other producers. Although we strive to reduce our production expenses, these expenses can increase or decrease on a per unit basis as a result of various factors as we operate our properties or make acquisitions and dispositions of properties.

For the year ended March 31, 2017, the Company produced oil, natural gas and NGLs at an average of approximately 616 net barrels of oil equivalent per day (Boepd) from wells in four Texas counties and three Oklahoma counties in the Mid-Continent region. The Company operates 78 gross wells as of the date of this filing. The total number of gross wells is 192, with the active producers being 120. The ratio between the gross and net production differs due to varied working interests and net revenue interests in each well. As we develop our properties, we may see the opportunity to increase our natural gas and natural gas liquids production.

Reserves

Our estimated net proved crude oil, NGL, and natural gas reserves at March 31, 2017 and 2016 were approximately 5.6 million Boe and 4.3 million Boe, respectively. This reserve level was based on the quantities of oil, natural gas and NGLs, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from a given date forward from known reservoirs under existing economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations prior to the time at which contracts providing the rights to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation. Reserves and economic evaluation of all of our properties are prepared on a well-by-well basis. The accuracy of the reserve estimates is a function of the quality and quantity of available data; interpretation of that data; accuracy of various mandated economic assumptions; and judgement of the independent reserve engineer.

Using the average monthly crude oil price of $45.54 per Bbl and natural gas price of $2.99 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) for the twelve months ended March 31, 2017, our estimated discounted future net cash flow (PV-10) before tax expenses for our proved reserves was approximately $25.4 million, of which approximately $7.2 million are proved undeveloped reserves. Total reserve value at March 31, 2017 represents an increase of approximately $11.4 million or 81% from a year earlier using the same SEC pricing and reserves methodology. Increases or decreases in our revenue, profitability and future production growth are highly dependent on the commodity values we receive. Oil, natural gas and NGL prices are market driven and have been historically volatile, and we expect that future prices will continue to fluctuate due to supply and demand factors, seasonality, and geopolitical and economic factors, and such volatility can have a significant impact on our estimates of proved reserves and the related PV-10 value. 

The reserves as of March 31, 2017 were determined in accordance with standard industry practices and SEC regulations by the licensed independent petroleum engineering firm of Ralph E. Davis Associates, LLC. Oil, natural gas and NGL reserve estimates require significant judgments in the evaluation of all available geological, geophysical, engineering and economic data. The data for a given field may change substantially over time as a result of numerous factors including, but not limited to, additional development activity, production history, projected future production, economic assumptions relating to commodity prices, operating expenses, severance and other taxes, capital expenditures and remediation costs and these estimates are inherently uncertain. If estimates of proved reserves decline, our depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) rate will increase, resulting in a decrease in net income. A decline in estimates of proved reserves could also cause us to perform an impairment analysis to determine if the carrying amount of oil and natural gas properties exceeds fair value and could result in an impairment charge, which would reduce earnings. Although these hydrocarbon quantities have been determined in accordance with industry standards, they are prepared using the subjective judgments of the independent engineers, and may actually be more or less.

Oil and Gas Revenue

During the year ended March 31, 2017, our net crude oil sales volumes increased to 36,331 Bbls or 100 Bopd from 22,190 Bbls, or 61 Bopd, a 64% increase over the previous fiscal year. The production increase is primarily related to the Company entering into an Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire, from twenty-three different entities and individuals, working interest in producing properties and undeveloped acreage, which was completed on August 25, 2016. The assets acquired include varied interests in two largely contiguous acreage blocks in the liquids-rich Mid-Continent region. We have made significant strides in improving production from our acquired fields where our barrel of oil equivalent per day rates have risen from 850 Boe/d in September 2016, our first month of operating the acquired property, to a March 2017 rate of 955 Boe/d, of which production from these fields is predominately natural gas and NGL production.

Major Expenditures

The table below sets out the major components of our operating and corporate expenditures for the years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:

Market Conditions and Commodity Prices

Our financial results depend on many factors, particularly the price of natural gas and related natural gas liquids, and crude oil and our ability to market our production on economically attractive terms. Commodity prices are affected by many factors outside of our control, including changes in market supply and demand, which are impacted by weather conditions, inventory storage levels, basis differentials and other factors. As a result, we cannot accurately predict future commodity prices and, therefore, we cannot determine with any degree of certainty what effect increases or decreases in these prices will have on our production volumes or revenues. In addition to production volumes and commodity prices, finding and developing sufficient amounts of natural gas and crude oil reserves at economical costs are critical to our long-term success. We expect prices to remain volatile for the remainder of the year. For information about the impact of realized commodity prices on our natural gas and crude oil and condensate revenues, refer to “Results of Operations” below.

Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of the results of operations for each of the two fiscal years in the period ended March 31, 2017 should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of Camber Energy, Inc. and notes thereto (see “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”). As used below, the abbreviations “Bbls” stands for barrels, “Mcf” for thousand cubic feet and “Boe” for barrels of oil equivalent (determined under the relative energy content method by using a ratio of 6.0 Mmbtu (1 million British Thermal Units) to 1.0 Bbl of oil).

We reported a net loss for the year ended March 31, 2017 of $89.1 million, or ($6.36) per share. For the year ended March 31, 2016, we reported a net loss of $25.4 million, or ($17.58) per share. The increase in net loss was primarily due to higher operating expenses and higher other expenses and the recognition of a substantial impairment of oil and gas properties, offset by higher operating revenues, as discussed in greater detail below.

Net Operating Revenues

The following table sets forth the revenue and production data for the years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

Total crude oil and natural gas revenues for the year ended March 31, 2017 increased $4.3 million, or 448%, to $5.3 million compared to $1.0 million for the same period a year ago due primarily to a favorable production volume variance as a result of the Acquisition and our joint drilling program with Lonestar Resources entered into in August 2016.

Operating and Other Expenses

The following table sets forth operating and other expenses for the years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:

Lease Operating Expenses. Lease operating expenses can be divided into the following categories: costs to operate and maintain Camber’s crude oil and natural gas wells, the cost of workovers and lease and well administrative expenses. Operating and maintenance expenses include, among other things, pumping services, salt water disposal, equipment repair and maintenance, compression expense, lease upkeep and fuel and power. Workovers are operations to restore or maintain production from existing wells. Each of these categories of costs individually fluctuates from time to time as Camber attempts to maintain and increase production while maintaining efficient, safe and environmentally responsible operations. The costs of services charged to Camber by vendors, fluctuate over time.

In total, the overall lease operating expenses increased $2.5 million or 340% for the current period as compared to the prior year’s period. The increase is primarily due to the Acquisition, and the increased expenses associated therewith.

Depreciation, Depletion, Amortization and Accretion (“DD&A”). DD&A, related to proved oil and gas properties is calculated using the unit-of-production method. Under full cost accounting, the amortization base is comprised of the total capitalized costs and total future investment costs associated with all proved reserves.

DD&A increased for the current year as compared to the prior year period by $1.8 million or 207% primarily related to the increase in total depreciable assets caused by the Acquisition.

Impairment of Oil and Gas Properties. During the year ended March 31, 2017, the Company recorded impairments totaling $79.1 million, which represented $10.9 million related to proved properties, $18.7 million related to unproved properties, and $49.5 million in conjunction with the Acquisition, primarily due to continued low commodity prices during the fiscal year. During the year ended March 31, 2016, the Company recorded an impairment of $21.4 million associated with oil and gas properties primarily due to a significant decline in commodity prices during the current fiscal year.

General and Administrative Expenses (“G&A”) (excluding share-based compensation). G&A expenses for the current period increased by $1.6 million or 68% primarily related to professional fees from our financing transactions, employee retention bonuses and the usage of additional field and office contractors as a result of the Acquisition.

Share-Based Compensation. Share-based compensation, which is included in General and Administrative expenses in the Statements of Operations decreased approximately 28% for the year ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the prior year primarily due to a decrease in the awarding of employee stock based options and compensation. Share-based compensation is utilized for the purpose of conserving cash resources for use in field development activities and operations.

Interest Expense. Interest expense for the year ended March 31, 2017 increased by $2.5 million when compared to the prior year primarily due to interest payments on the IBC Loan (which was incurred during the current period) and the amortization of various loan discounts for outstanding and recently retired payables.

Other Expense, Net. Other expense for the year ended March 31, 2017 increased by $1.8 million when compared to the prior period primarily due to settlement costs related to the Acquisition of $1.0 million and an allowance for bad debt on a related party receivable of $0.7 million.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability of assets and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

Our primary sources of cash for the year ended March 31, 2017 were from funds generated from the sale of preferred stock, exercise of warrants, the sale of natural gas and crude oil production and funds borrowed under funding agreements. The primary uses of cash were funds used in operations and funds used for the Acquisition.

Working Capital

At March 31, 2017, the Company’s total current liabilities of $48.2 million exceeded its total current assets of $3.9 million, resulting in a working capital deficit of $44.3 million, while at March 31, 2016, the Company’s total current liabilities of $11.1 million exceeded its total current assets of $0.5 million, resulting in a working capital deficit of $10.6 million. The $33.7 million increase in the working capital deficit is primarily related to the borrowing of $40 million (evidenced by the IBC Loan Agreement, discussed below), which was used to repay and finance approximately $30.6 million of indebtedness owed by certain of the Sellers as part of the closing of the Acquisition.

Financing

On April 6, 2016, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with an accredited institutional investor (the “Investor”), pursuant to which we sold and issued a redeemable convertible subordinated debenture, with a face amount of $530,000, initially convertible into 163,077 shares of common stock (subject to certain conversion premiums) at a conversion price equal to $3.25 per share and a warrant to initially purchase 1,384,616 shares of common stock (subject to adjustment thereunder) at an exercise price equal to $3.25 per share (the “First Warrant”). The Investor purchased the debenture at a 5.0% original issue discount for the sum of $500,000 and has exercised the First Warrant in full as described below for the sum of $4.5 million.

Also on April 6, 2016, we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with the Investor, pursuant to which we agreed, subject to certain conditions, to issue up to 527 shares of Series C redeemable convertible preferred stock (the “Series C Preferred Stock”) at a 5% original issue discount, convertible into 1,618,462 shares of common stock (subject to certain conversion premiums) at a conversion price of $3.25 per share, and a warrant to initially purchase 1,111,112 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $4.50 per share (the “Second Warrant”). Under the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Second Warrant and 53 shares of Series C Preferred Stock were sold and issued for $500,000 on September 2, 2016, and the remaining 474 shares of Series C Preferred Stock were sold and issued for $4.5 million on November 17, 2016.

On October 7, 2016, the Investor exercised the First Warrant in full and was due 1,384,616 shares of common stock upon exercise thereof and an additional 2,542,735 shares of common stock in consideration for the conversion premium due thereon. A total of 810,000 shares were issued to the Investor on October 7, 2016, with the remaining shares being held in abeyance until such time as it would not result in the Investor exceeding its beneficial ownership limitation (4.99% of the Company’s outstanding common stock). The Company received gross proceeds of $4,500,000 from the exercise of the First Warrant and paid placement agent fees of $427,500 for services rendered in connection with the First Warrant. Pursuant to the terms of the First Warrant, the number of shares due in consideration for the conversion premium increases as the annual rate of return under the First Warrant increases, including by 10% upon the occurrence of certain triggering events (which had occurred by the October 7, 2016 date of exercise), to 17% per annum upon the exercise of the First Warrant. Additionally, as the conversion rate for the conversion premium is currently 85% of the lowest daily volume weighted average price during the measuring period, less $0.10 per share of common stock not to exceed 85% of the lowest sales prices on the last day of such period less $0.10 per share, the number of shares issuable in connection with the conversion premium increases as the trading price of our common stock decreases, and the trading price of our common stock has decreased since the date the First Warrant was exercised, triggering a further reduction in the conversion price of the conversion premium and an increase in the number of shares due to the Investor in connection with the conversion of the amount owed in connection with the conversion premium. Additionally, pursuant to the interpretation of the Investor, the measurement period for the calculation of the lowest daily volume weighted average price currently continues indefinitely.

As of July 10, 2017, a total of 9,675,154 shares of common stock had been issued to the Investor in connection with the exercise of the First Warrant of the approximately 37,496,859 shares which were alleged due (25,052,473 shares remain to be issued to the Investor, which shares are currently held in abeyance until such time as it would not result in the Investor exceeding its beneficial ownership limitation (4.99% of the Company’s outstanding common stock)) as of July 10, 2017 (subject to increases as the value of our common stock decreases).

On January 5, 2017, the Investor converted 21 shares of the Series C Preferred stock (equal to a face value of $210,000), and was due 64,146 shares of common stock and an additional 657,196 shares of common stock in dividend premium shares; on January 23, 2017, the Investor converted 21 shares of the Series C Preferred stock (equal to a face value of $210,000), and was due 64,146 shares of common stock and an additional 780,694 shares of common stock in dividend premium shares; on February 22, 2017, the Investor converted 21 shares of the Series C Preferred stock (equal to a face value of $210,000), and was due 64,146 shares of common stock and an additional 1,138,159 shares of common stock in dividend premium shares; on March 2, 2017, the Investor converted 15 shares of the Series C Preferred stock (equal to a face value of $150,000), and was due 46,154 shares of common stock and an additional 812,971 shares of common stock in dividend premium shares; on March 28, 2017, the Investor converted 13 shares of the Series C Preferred stock (equal to a face value of $130,000), and was due 40,000 shares of common stock and an additional 1,247,235 shares of common stock in dividend premium shares; and on April 11, 2017, the Investor converted 10 shares of the Series C Preferred stock (equal to a face value of $100,000), and was due 30,770 shares of common stock and an additional 1,243,772 shares of common stock in dividend premium shares.

As of July 10, 2017, the Investor was still due 63,723,398 shares of common stock upon the conversion of the remaining 394 shares of Series C Preferred stock. The Investor is also due approximately 8,571,930 shares of common stock upon the conversion of the Debenture. In the event that the Series C Preferred Stock was fully converted into shares of common stock, as of July 10, 2017, the Investor would be due 63,723,398 shares of common stock and in the event the Debenture was fully converted into shares of common stock as of July 10, 2017, the Investor would be due 8,571,930 shares of common stock.

Effective August 25, 2016, we, as borrower, and Richard N. Azar II (“Azar”), Donnie B. Seay, Richard E. Menchaca, RAD2, DBS Investments, Ltd. (“DBS”, controlled by Mr. Seay) and Saxum Energy, LLC (“Saxum”, which is controlled by Mr. Menchaca), as guarantors (collectively, the “Guarantors”, all of which were directly or indirectly Sellers in connection with the Acquisition), and International Bank of Commerce, as Lender (“Lender”), entered into a Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”).

Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, the Lender loaned us $40 million (“Loan”), evidenced by a Real Estate Lien Note in the amount of $40 million (the “Note”). We are required to make monthly payments under the Note equal to the greater of (i) $425,000; and (ii) fifty percent (50%) of our monthly net income. The Note accrues annual interest at 2% above the prime rate then in effect, subject to a minimum interest rate of 5.5% per annum. The Note is due and payable on August 25, 2019. Payments under the Note are subject to change as the interest rate changes in order to sufficiently amortize the Note in 120 monthly installments. We have the right, from time to time and without penalty to prepay the Note in whole or in part, subject to the terms thereof.

The proceeds of the Loan were used to repay and refinance approximately $30.6 million of indebtedness owed by certain of the Sellers, to the Lender (including an aggregate of $18.3 million owed by RAD2 and another entity controlled by Mr. Azar, $9.8 million owed by DBS, and $2.1 million owed by Mr. Menchaca), as well as to pay the $4.975 million due to the Sellers at Closing. Another $3.36 million was used to fund a sinking fund required by the Lender, as discussed below, to pay principal on the Note.

The amount owed under the Note is secured by a Security Interest in substantially all of our assets and properties, pursuant to three Security Agreements. Also, each of the Guarantors guaranteed the repayment of a portion of the Loan Agreement pursuant to a Limited Guaranty Agreement (each a “Guaranty Agreement”). Additionally, in connection with the parties’ entry into the Loan Agreement and to further secure amounts due thereunder, certain of the Guarantors pledged shares of common stock which they received at the Closing to the Lender, with RAD2 pledging 3,120,606 shares of common stock; DBS pledging 935,934 shares of common stock; and Saxum pledging 673,392 shares of common stock.

The Loan Agreement includes usual and customary positive and negative covenants, including requiring that (a) we maintain an account balance with Lender of at least $3,360,000 at all times; (b) we comply in all respects with all material agreements, indentures, mortgages, deeds of trust and documents binding on us or affecting our assets, properties or business; (c) that on or before the 15th day following the end of each calendar quarter, and the 120th day following the end of each calendar year, we deliver certain financial statements to the Lender; (d) we provide Lender a reserve report on June 30th and December 30th of each year in connection with our oil and gas properties, and that we further pay the Lender $10,000 per year as an engineering fee; (e) our projected net cash flow, less taxes, operating costs and general and administrative expenses, and other expenses, be sufficient to fully amortize the principal balance due under the Note on a monthly basis, within the economic half-life of the mortgaged properties securing the repayment of the Note (the “Cash Flow Test”); (f) the balance of the Loan not exceed the lesser of (i) 65% of the present worth of our future net income (“PWFNI”) discounted at 20%, or (ii) fifty percent (50%) of the PWFNI discounted at 9% (the “Loan to Value Determination Base”); (g) any additional assets we acquire in the future are promptly pledged to Lender to secure the Loan; (h) Lender consent to any future debt we incur in excess of $100,000 per year; (i) that we not reorganize, merge, or affiliate with any other entity without the prior consent of Lender, and that we not change the present positions of our management, without the prior written consent of Lender; (i) we not sell, contract to sell, convey, assign, transfer, mortgage, pledge, hypothecate, encumber, or in any way alienate any interest in the collateral which secures the repayment of the Note, without the prior written consent and approval of Lender; (j) our maximum general and administrative expenses, including without limitation, employee compensation, but excluding non-cash expenses, including but not limited to stock and warrants issued as compensation, cannot exceed $233,333 per month or $2,800,000 per annual fiscal year (with such amounts to be updated by the Lender on August 25th of each year that the Loan is outstanding), without the prior written consent of Lender, provided that cash bonuses paid to our directors, officers, and employees are allowed, so long as not more than $500,000 in aggregate bonus payments and not more than $100,000 in bonus payments to any one recipient, are paid during any fiscal year; (k) we are not permitted to change the employment, position, or scope of duties of any member of our senior management staff, except changes resulting from death or disability; and (l) we maintain a tangible net worth as shown in the financial statements delivered to Lender of at least $30 million.

The Loan to Value Determination Base is tested on June 30th and December 30th of each year; with the first Loan to Value Determination Base to be tested on December 30, 2016; however, it may also be tested from time to time in Lender’s sole discretion. Testing of the Cash Flow Test is to be completed semi-annually on June 30th and December 30th of each year; with the first Cash Flow Test administered on June 30, 2017, however, it may also be tested from time to time in Lender’s sole discretion. If at any time we do not meet the requirements of the Cash Flow Test or the Loan to Value Determination Base, we are required to either (i) pledge additional collateral to the Lender, or (ii) pay down the outstanding principal balance of the Note, to bring the Loan into compliance with the Cash Flow Test and/or Loan to Value Determination Base, as applicable, within 15 days after notice thereof from Lender.

As further consideration for agreeing to the terms of the Loan, we agreed to issue the Lender 390,290 shares of common stock.

The Loan Agreement and Note include standard and customary events of default for similarly sized facilities, including, but not limited to, in the event we fail to pay any amounts owed to Lender when due; we (or any Guarantor) breach any covenant, obligation, agreement, or other provision in any agreement entered into with Lender; the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of all or any substantial part (i.e., 10% or more in any fiscal year) of our or any Guarantor’s assets, subject to certain exceptions; or in the event any person, entity, or group (other than any Guarantor) acquires beneficial ownership of 50% or more of our securities or more than 50% of the members of our Board of Directors change without the consent of Lender. Our failure to comply with any covenant or requirement under the Loan Agreement and related documents constitutes an event of default under the Note, provided that we have (a) 10 days to cure any payment due under the Loan Agreement, after written notice of the deficiency thereof is provided by the Lender to us, provided further that the Lender is not required to provide us notice more than two times in any calendar year, and if two notices have been provided, no further notice is required under the terms of the Loan Agreement; and (b) 30 days to cure any other default under the Loan Agreement or Note, after written notice of such default has been provided to us by the Lender. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, Lender may, at its option, declare the Loan immediately due and payable without notice of any kind.

The Loan Agreement also provides that with respect to the properties located in Glasscock County, Texas, which we obtained ownership of at the Closing (collectively, the “West Texas Properties”), we have the right to sell the West Texas Properties after (i) the Lender approves the purchase and sale agreement in its sole discretion, (ii) the Lender receives as a prepayment of the Loan, 50% of the sales proceeds of the West Texas Properties, but in no event less than $2,000,000, and (iii) the balance of the sales proceeds of the West Texas Properties are deposited in the bank account that we are required to maintain with the Lender, to be used to pay certain principal payments of the Note as approved by Lender in its sole discretion.

We agreed to pay the Lender a loan finance charge of $400,000 in connection with our entry into the Loan Agreement, with half due on the date we entered into the Loan Agreement and half due on or before the 180th day following the date of the Loan Agreement.

In addition to the transactions noted above, Camber is currently discussing potential financing transactions in order to fulfill our current capital requirements as well as our planned asset acquisition, which we believe, if finalized and completed, will ensure the future viability of the Company. However, due to our current capital structure and the nature of oil and gas interests, i.e., that rates of production generally decline over time as oil and gas reserves are depleted, if we are unable to obtain the necessary financing to finalize the asset purchase or drill additional wells and develop our PUDs; coupled with the continued substantial drop in commodity prices over the last twelve months, we believe that our revenues will continue to decline over time. Therefore, we may be forced to scale back our business plan, sell assets to satisfy outstanding debts or take other remedial steps which may include seeking bankruptcy protection.

These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern for the next twelve months following the issuance of these financial statements. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability of assets and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

The material terms of the Company’s indebtedness and additional fund raising activities are described below under “Part II” - “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” - “Note 6 – Notes Payable and Debenture” and “Note 2 – Liquidity and Going Concern Considerations”, respectively, and the Debenture, First Warrant and Series C Preferred Stock are described in greater detail under “Part II” - “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” – “Note 10 – Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)”.

Cash Flows

Net cash used in operating activities was $6.4 million for the year ended March 31, 2017 as compared to $2.1 million for the same period a year ago. The increase in net cash used in operating activities of approximately $4.3 million was due primarily to a $2.5 million increase in lease operating expenses and a $1.8 million increase in general and administrative expenses.

Net cash used in investing activities was $8.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2017 as compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $0.2 million for the same period a year ago. The increase in net cash used in investing activities of $9.1 million was primarily due to the cash paid in connection with the Acquisition and development costs which was completed during the year ended March 31, 2017.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $15.8 million for the year ended March 31, 2017 and $1.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2016. The $13.9 million increase in net cash provided by financing activities was mainly due to $41.6 million raised as a result of our IBC Loan Agreement, offset by principal repayments on long-term debt of $34.0 million.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Camber does not participate in financial transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships. As of March 31, 2017, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Camber prepares its financial statements and the accompanying notes in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Camber identifies certain accounting policies as critical based on, among other things, their impact on the portrayal of Camber’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, and the degree of difficulty, subjectivity and complexity in their deployment. Critical accounting policies cover accounting matters that are inherently uncertain because the future resolution of such matters is unknown. Management routinely discusses the development, selection and disclosure of each of the critical accounting policies. Following is a discussion of Camber’s most critical accounting policies:

Proved Oil and Natural Gas Reserves

Camber’s independent petroleum consultants estimate proved oil and gas reserves, which directly impact financial accounting estimates, including depreciation, depletion and amortization. Proved reserves represent estimated quantities of crude oil and condensate, natural gas liquids and natural gas that geological and engineering data demonstrate, with reasonable certainty, to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under economic and operating conditions existing at the time the estimates were made. The process of estimating quantities of proved oil and gas reserves is very complex, requiring significant subjective decisions in the evaluation of all available geological, engineering and economic data for each reservoir. The data for a given reservoir may also change substantially over time as a result of numerous factors including, but not limited to, additional development activity, evolving production history and continual reassessment of the viability of production under varying economic conditions. Consequently, material revisions (upward or downward) to existing reserve estimates may occur from time to time. For related discussion, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors”.

Full Cost Accounting Method

Camber uses the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas producing activities. Costs to acquire mineral interests in oil and gas properties, to drill and equip exploratory wells used to find proved reserves, and to drill and equip development wells including directly related overhead costs and related asset retirement costs are capitalized.

Under this method, all costs, including internal costs directly related to acquisition, exploration and development activities are capitalized as oil and gas property costs on a country-by-country basis. Properties not subject to amortization consist of exploration and development costs, which are evaluated on a property-by-property basis. Amortization of these unproved property costs begins when the properties become proved or their values become impaired. Camber assesses overall values of unproved properties, if any, on at least an annual basis or when there has been an indication that impairment in value may have occurred. Impairment of unproved properties is assessed based on management’s intention with regard to future development of individually significant properties and the ability of Camber to obtain funds to finance their programs. If the results of an assessment indicate that the properties are impaired, the amount of the impairment is added to the capitalized costs to be amortized. Costs of oil and gas properties are amortized using the units of production method. Sales of oil and natural gas properties are accounted for as adjustments to the net full cost pool with no gain or loss recognized, unless the adjustment would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves. 

Full Cost Ceiling Test Limitation

In applying the full cost method, Camber performs an impairment test (ceiling test) at each reporting date, whereby the carrying value of property and equipment is compared to the “estimated present value,” of its proved reserves discounted at a 10% interest rate of future net revenues, based on current economic and operating conditions at the end of the period, plus the cost of properties not being amortized, plus the lower of cost or fair market value of unproved properties included in costs being amortized, less the income tax effects related to book and tax basis differences of the properties. If capitalized costs exceed this limit, the excess is charged as an impairment expense.

Share-Based Compensation

In accounting for share-based compensation, judgments and estimates are made regarding, among other things, the appropriate valuation methodology to follow in valuing stock compensation awards and the related inputs required by those valuation methodologies. Assumptions regarding expected volatility of Camber’s common stock, the level of risk-free interest rates, expected dividend yields on Camber’s stock, the expected term of the awards and other valuation inputs are subject to change. Any such changes could result in different valuations and thus impact the amount of share-based compensation expense recognized in the Statements of Operations.

Revenue Recognition

Camber recognizes oil and natural gas revenue under the sales method of accounting for its interests in producing wells as crude oil and natural gas is produced and sold from those wells. Costs associated with production are expensed in the period incurred. Crude oil produced but remaining as inventory in field tanks is not recorded in Camber’s financial statements.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Pursuant to Item 305(e) of Regulation S-K (§ 229.305(e)), the Company is not required to provide the information required by this Item as it is a “smaller reporting company,” as defined by Rule 229.10(f)(1).

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

Our financial statements as of March 31, 2017 and 2016 and for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 have been audited by GBH CPAs, PC, independent registered public accounting firms, and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles pursuant to Regulation S-X.

INDEX TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors

Camber Energy, Inc. 

Houston, Texas

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Camber Energy, Inc. as of March 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for the years then ended. Camber Energy, Inc.’s management is responsible for these financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Camber Energy, Inc. as of March 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has incurred significant losses from operations and had a working capital deficit at March 31, 2017. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters also are described in Note 2. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

/s/ GBH CPAs, PC

GBH CPAs, PC

www.gbhcpas.com 

Houston, Texas

July 14, 2017

CAMBER ENERGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

CAMBER ENERGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CAMBER ENERGY, INC.

Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (DEFICIT)