CAMBER ENERGY, INC. - Quarter Report: 2023 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 

OR

For the transition period from _______ to _______.

Commission file number: 000-29219

15915 Katy Freeway, Suite 450

Houston, TX 77094

(Address of principal executive offices)

(281) 404 4387

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

______________________________________________

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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

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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

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 ☒

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS

As of November 14, 2023, the registrant had 107,531,250 shares of common stock outstanding.

CAMBER ENERGY, INC.

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

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

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

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023

For the nine months ended September 30, 2022

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

Note 1. Merger with Viking Energy Group, Inc.

On August 1, 2023, Camber Energy, Inc. (“Camber”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”)  completed the previously announced merger (“the Merger”) with Viking Energy Group, Inc. (“Viking”) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Agreement and Plan of Merger between Camber and Viking dated February 15, 2021, which was amended on April 18, 2023 (as amended, the “Merger Agreement”), with Viking surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Camber.

Upon the terms and conditions in the Merger Agreement, each share: (i) of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Viking (the “Viking Common Stock”) issued and outstanding, other than shares owned by Camber, was converted into the right to receive one share of common stock of Camber (the “Camber Common Stock”); (ii) of Series C Preferred Stock of Viking (the “Viking Series C Preferred Stock”) issued and outstanding was converted into the right to receive one share of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of Camber (the “New Camber Series A Preferred Stock”) and (iii) of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock of Viking (the “Viking Series E Preferred Stock,” and, together with the Viking Series C Preferred Stock, the “Viking Preferred Stock”) issued and outstanding was converted into the right to receive one share of Series H Preferred Stock of Camber (the “New Camber Series H Preferred Stock,” and, together with the New Camber Series A Preferred Stock, the “New Camber Preferred”).

Each share of New Camber Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into 890 shares of Camber Common Stock (subject to a beneficial ownership limitation preventing conversion into Camber Common Stock if the holder would be deemed to beneficially own more than 9.99% of Camber Common Stock), is treated equally with Camber Common Stock with respect to dividends and liquidation, and only has voting rights with respect to voting: (a) on a proposal to increase or reduce Camber’s share capital; (b) on a resolution to approve the terms of a buy-back agreement; (c) on a proposal to wind up Camber; (d) on a proposal for the disposal of all or substantially all of Camber’s property, business and undertaking; (f) during the winding-up of Camber; and/or (g) with respect to a proposed merger or consolidation in which Camber is a party or a subsidiary of Camber is a party.

Each share of New Camber Series H Preferred Stock has a face value of $10,000 per share, is convertible into a certain number of shares of Camber Common Stock, with the conversion ratio based upon achievement of certain milestones by Viking’s subsidiary, Viking Protection Systems, LLC (provided the holder has not elected to receive the applicable portion of the purchase price in cash pursuant to that certain Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 9, 2022, by and between Viking and Jedda Holdings, LLC), is subject to a beneficial ownership limitation of 4.99% of Camber Common Stock (but may be increased up to a maximum of 9.99% at the sole election of a holder by the provision of at least 61 days’ advance written notice) and has voting rights equal to one vote per share of Camber Series H Preferred Stock held on a non-cumulative basis.

Each outstanding option or warrant to purchase Viking Common Stock (a “Viking Option”), to the extent unvested, automatically became fully vested and was converted automatically into an option or warrant (an “Adjusted Option”) to purchase, on substantially the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such Viking Option, except that instead of being exercisable into Viking Common Stock, such Adjusted Option is exercisable into Camber Common Stock.

Each outstanding promissory note issued by Viking that is convertible into Viking Common Stock (a “Viking Convertible Note”) was converted into a promissory note convertible into Camber Common Stock (an “Adjusted Convertible Note”) having substantially the same terms and conditions as applied to the corresponding Viking Convertible Note (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any extended post-termination conversion period that applies following consummation of the Merger), except that instead of being convertible into Viking Common Stock, such Adjusted Convertible Note is convertible into Camber Common Stock.

In connection with the Merger, Camber issued approximately 49,290,152 shares of Camber Common Stock, which represented approximately 59.99% of the outstanding Camber Common Stock after giving effect to such issuance. In addition, Camber reserved for issuance approximately 88,647,137 additional shares of Camber Common Stock in connection with the potential (1) conversion of the New Camber Series A Preferred Stock, (2) conversion of the New Camber Series H Preferred Stock, (3) exercise of the Adjusted Options and (4) conversion of the Adjusted Convertible Notes.

For accounting purposes, the Merger is deemed a reverse acquisition. Consequently, Viking (the legal subsidiary) was treated as the acquiror of Camber (the legal parent). Accordingly, these consolidated financial statements reflect the financial position, operating results, and cash flow of Viking up to the date of the Merger, and the combined financial position, operating results and cash flow of Viking and Camber from August 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023. The prior year comparative financial information is that of Viking.

James A. Doris continues to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the combined company, and the combined company continues to have its headquarters in Houston, Texas.

Note 2. Company Overview and Operations 

Camber is a growth-oriented diversified energy company. Through Viking’s majority-owned subsidiaries we provide custom energy and power solutions to commercial and industrial clients in North America, and have a majority interest in: (i) an entity with intellectual property rights to a fully developed, patented, proprietary Medical and Bio-Hazard Waste Treatment system using Ozone Technology; and (ii) entities with the intellectual property rights to fully developed, patented and patent pending, proprietary Electric Transmission and Distribution Open Conductor Detection Systems. Also through Viking, we hold a license to a patented clean energy and carbon-capture system with exclusivity in Canada and for multiple locations in the United States. Viking’s other subsidiaries own interests in oil properties in the United States. The Company is also exploring other renewable energy-related opportunities and/or technologies, which are currently generating revenue, or have a reasonable prospect of generating revenue within a reasonable period of time.

Custom Energy and Power Solutions:

Simson-Maxwell Acquisition

On August 6, 2021, Viking, acquired approximately 60.5% of the issued and outstanding shares of Simson-Maxwell Ltd. (“Simson-Maxwell”), a Canadian federal corporation, for $7,958,159 in cash. Simson-Maxwell manufactures and supplies power generation products, services and custom energy solutions. Simson-Maxwell provides commercial and industrial clients with efficient, flexible, environmentally responsible and clean-tech energy systems involving a wide variety of products, including CHP (combined heat and power), tier 4 final diesel and natural gas industrial engines, solar, wind and storage. Simson-Maxwell also designs and assembles a complete line of electrical control equipment including switch gear, synchronization and paralleling gear, distribution, Bi-Fuel and complete power generation production controls. Operating for over 80 years, Simson-Maxwell’s seven branches assist with servicing a large number of existing maintenance arrangements and meeting the energy and power-solution demands of the Company’s other customers.

Clean Energy and Carbon-Capture System:

In August 2021, Viking entered into a license agreement with ESG Clean Energy, LLC (“ESG”), to utilize ESG’s patent rights and know-how related to stationary electric power generation and heat and carbon dioxide capture (the “ESG Clean Energy System”). The intellectual property licensed by Viking includes certain patents and/or patent applications, including: (i) U.S. Patent No.: 10,774,733, File date: October 24, 2018, Issue date: September 15, 2020, Titled: “Bottoming Cycle Power System” (ii) U.S. Patent No.: 17/661,382, Issue date: August 8, 2023, Titled: ‘Systems and Methods Associated With Bottoming Cycle Power Systems for Generating Power, Capturing Carbon Dioxide and Producing Products’ (iii) U.S. Patent No.: 11624307, Issue date: April 22, 2023, Titled: ‘Systems and Methods Associated With Bottoming Cycle Power Systems for Generating Power and Capturing Carbon Dioxide’ (iv) European (validated in the United Kingdom, France and Germany) Patent No.: EP3728891, Issue date: April 12, 2023, Titled: “Bottoming Cycle Power System” (v) U.S. Patent Application No.: 17/224,200, File date: April 7, 2021, Titled: “Bottoming Cycle Power System” (which was subsequently approved by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office in March, 2022 (No. 11,286,832); (vi) U.S. Patent Application No.: 17/358,197, File date: June 25, 2021, Titled: “Bottoming Cycle Power System” (vii) U.S. Patent Application No.: 17/448,943, File date: September 27, 2021, Titled: “Systems and Methods Associated With Bottoming Cycle Power Systems for Generating Power and Capturing Carbon Dioxide” and (viii) U.S. Patent Application No.: 17/448,938, File date: September 27, 2021, Titled: “Systems and Methods Associated With Bottoming Cycle Power Systems for Generating Power, Capturing Carbon Dioxide and Producing Products.

The ESG Clean Energy System is designed to, among other things, generate clean electricity from internal combustion engines and utilize waste heat to capture approximately 100% of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted from the engine without loss of efficiency, and in a manner to facilitate the production of certain commodities. Patent No. 11,286,832, for example, covers the invention of an “exhaust-gas-to-exhaust-gas heat exchanger” that efficiently cools – and then reheats – exhaust from a primary power generator so greater energy output can be achieved by a secondary power source with safe ventilation. Another key aspect of this patent is the development of a carbon dioxide capture system that utilizes the waste heat of the carbon dioxide pump to heat and regenerate the adsorber that enables carbon dioxide to be safely contained and packaged.

The Company intends to sell, lease and/or sub-license the ESG Clean Energy System to third parties using, among other things, Simson-Maxwell’s existing distribution channels. The Company may also utilize the ESG Clean Energy System for its own account, whether in connection with its petroleum operations, Simson-Maxwell’s power generation operations, or otherwise.

Medical Waste Disposal System Using Ozone Technology:

In January 2022, Viking acquired a 51% interest in Viking Ozone Technology, LLC (“Viking Ozone”), which owns the intellectual property rights to a patented (i.e., US Utility Patent No. 11,565,289), proprietary medical and biohazard waste treatment system using ozone technology. Simson-Maxwell has been designated the exclusive worldwide manufacturer and vendor of this system. The technology is designed to be a sustainable alternative to incineration, chemical, autoclave and heat treatment of bio-hazardous waste, and for the treated waste to be classified as renewable fuel for waste-to-energy (“WTE”) facilities in many locations around the world.

Open Conductor Detection Technologies:

In February 2022, Viking acquired a 51% interest in two entities, Viking Sentinel Technology, LLC (“Viking Sentinel”) and Viking Protection Systems, LLC (“Viking Protection”), that own the intellectual property rights to patented (i.e. U.S. utility patent 11,769,998 titled " Electric Transmission Line Ground Fault Prevention Systems Using Dual, High Sensitivity Monitoring Devices’) and patent pending (i.e., US Applications 16/974,086, and 17/693,504), proprietary electric transmission and distribution open conductor detection systems. The systems are designed to detect a break in a transmission line, distribution line, or coupling failure, and to immediately terminate the power to the line before it reaches the ground. The technology is intended to increase public safety and reduce the risk of causing an incendiary event, and to be an integral component within grid hardening and stability initiatives by electric utilities to improve the resiliency and reliability of existing infrastructure.

Oil and Gas Properties

Existing Assets:

Through Mid-Con Petroleum, LLC and Mid-Con Drilling, LLC (collectively, the “Mid-Con Entities”), wholly owned subsidiaries of Viking, the Company owns working interests in oil fields in Kansas, which include a combination of producing wells, non-producing wells and water injection wells.

Divestitures in 2022:

On July 8, 2022, four of the wholly owned subsidiaries of Petrodome Energy, LLC (“Petrodome”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into Purchase and Sale Agreements to sell all of their interests in the oil and gas assets owned by those Petrodome subsidiaries, including in the aggregate, interests in 8 producing wells, 8 shut-in wells, 2 saltwater disposal wells and 1 inactive well, to third parties for $3,590,000 in cash. The proceeds from the sale were used to fully repay Petrodome’s indebtedness to CrossFirst Bank under the June 13, 2018 revolving line of credit loan.

This transaction resulted in the disposition of most of the Company’s total oil and gas reserves (see Note 6). The Company recorded a loss on the transaction in the amount of $8,961,705, as follows:

Additionally, in July 2022, the Company received an unanticipated refund of a $1,200,000 performance bond as a result of Petrodome ceasing to operate certain assets in the State of Louisiana. The gain from this refund was included in the “loss from the sale of oil and gas properties and fixed assets’ in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Note 3. Going Concern

The Company’s consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company generated a net loss of $(25,272,428) for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to a net loss of $(14,695,711) for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, was comprised of, among other things, certain non-cash items, including: (i) goodwill impairment of $14,486,745; (ii) change in fair value of derivative liability of $5,803,791; (iii) loss on extinguishment of debt of $605,507; (iii) amortization of debt discount of $873,776; (iv) depreciation, depletion and amortization of $698,061; and (v) accretion of asset retirement obligation of $67,599.

As of September 30, 2023, the Company had a stockholders’ equity of $29,189,192, long-term debt of $38,849,855 and a working capital deficiency of $9,451,778. The largest components of current liabilities creating this working capital deficiency is drawings by Simson-Maxwell against its bank credit facility of $4,324,791, accrued interest on notes payable to Discover of $4,594,469 and a derivative liability of $3,319,210.

These conditions raise substantial doubt regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to utilize the resources in place to generate future profitable operations, to develop additional acquisition opportunities, and to obtain the necessary financing to meet its obligations and repay its liabilities arising from business operations when they come due. Management believes the Company may be able to continue to develop new opportunities and may be able to obtain additional funds through debt and / or equity financings to facilitate its business strategy; however, there is no assurance of additional funding being available. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to the recorded assets or liabilities that might be necessary should the Company have to curtail operations or be unable to continue in existence.

Note 4. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

a) Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and the interim reporting rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in Camber’s latest Annual Report filed with the SEC on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments (unless otherwise indicated), necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods presented have been reflected herein. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. 

b) Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements presented herein reflect the consolidated financial results of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries, Viking Energy Group, Inc. (“Viking”), Camber Permian LLC, CE Operating LLC and CE Operating LLC, the wholly owned subsidiaries of Viking (Mid-Con Petroleum, LLC, Mid-Con Drilling, LLC, Mid-Con Development, LLC, and Petrodome Energy, LLC.), and Simson-Maxwell (a majority owned subsidiary of Viking).

In January 2022, Viking acquired a 51% ownership interest in Viking Ozone, and in February 2022, Viking acquired a 51% ownership interest in both Viking Sentinel and Viking Protection. These entities were formed to facilitate the monetization of acquired intellectual properties (see Note 7). These entities are variable interest entities in which the Company owns a controlling financial interest; consequently, these entities are also consolidated.

All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

c) Foreign Currency

Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Results of operations and cash flows of businesses conducted in foreign currency are translated using the average exchange rates throughout the period. The effect of exchange rate fluctuations on translation of assets and liabilities is included as a component of stockholders’ equity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions have been insignificant.

d) Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and timing of revenues and expenses, the reported amounts and classification of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Significant areas requiring the use of management estimates relate to the determination of the fair value of the Company’s various series of preferred stock, impairment of long-lived assets, goodwill, fair value of commodity derivatives, stock-based compensation, asset retirement obligations, and the determination of expected tax rates for future income tax recoveries.

The estimates of proved, probable and possible oil and gas reserves are used as significant inputs in determining the depletion of oil and gas properties and the impairment of proved and unproved oil and gas properties. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in the estimation of quantities of proved, probable and possible reserves and in the projection of future rates of production and the timing of development expenditures. Similarly, evaluations for impairment of proved and unproved oil and gas properties are subject to numerous uncertainties including, among others, estimates of future recoverable reserves and commodity price outlooks. Actual results could differ from the estimates and assumptions utilized.

e) Financial Instruments

Accounting Standards Codification, “ASC” Topic 820-10, “Fair Value Measurement” requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments held by the Company. ASC Topic 820-10, defines fair value, and establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of fair value measurement that enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurement. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for deposits, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, accounts payable, derivative liabilities, amount due to director, and convertible notes each qualify as financial instruments and are a reasonable estimate of their fair values because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rate of interest. The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows:

As of September 30, 2023, the significant inputs to the Company’s derivative liability relative to the Company’s Series C Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series C Preferred Stock”) were Level 3 inputs.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 are classified below based on the three fair value hierarchy described above:

f) Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in banks and highly liquid investment securities that have original maturities of three months or less. Accounts at banks in the United States are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000, while accounts at banks in Canada are insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (“CDIC”) up to CAD $100,000. The Company’s cash balances may at times exceed the FDIC or CDIC insured limits.

g) Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable for the Company’s oil and gas operations consist of purchaser receivables and joint interest billing receivables. The Company evaluates these accounts receivable for collectability and, when necessary, records allowances for expected unrecoverable amounts. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company determined that the collectability of certain accounts receivable balances associated with the disposals of Ichor Energy, LLC, and Elysium Energy, LLC were not collectable and a reserve of $1,800,000 was recorded. These amounts were written off during the year ended December 31, 2022. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company has not recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts related to oil and gas.

The Company extends credit to its power generation customers in the normal course of business. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations and generally does not require collateral. Payment terms are generally 30 days. The Company carries its trade accounts receivable at invoice amount less an allowance for doubtful accounts. On a periodic basis, the Company evaluates its accounts receivable and establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon management’s estimates that include a review of the history of past write-offs and collections and an analysis of current credit conditions. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had a reserve for doubtful accounts on power generation accounts receivable of $19,330 and $19,393, respectively. The Company does not accrue interest on past due accounts receivable.

h) Inventory

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, and consist of parts, equipment and work in process. Work-in-process and finished goods included the cost of materials, direct labor and overhead. At the closing of each reporting period, the Company evaluates its inventory in order to adjust the inventory balance for obsolete and slow-moving items.

Inventory consisted of the following at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022: