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DEEP WELL OIL & GAS INC - Annual Report: 2010 (Form 10-K)



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-K
 
(Mark One)
   
þ
 
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010
 
   
or
 
o
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
For the transition period from ______  to  ______
     
   
Commission File Number 0-24012

DEEP WELL OIL & GAS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada
 
13-3087510
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
Suite 700, 10150 – 100 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
 
T5J 0P6
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (780) 409-8144

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
None
 
None

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share
(Title of class)

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Sections 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  þ No o

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 preceeding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
 
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer o
 
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company þ

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

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was sold on March 31, 2010 was approximately $4.8 million.

As of November 26, 2010, the Issuer had approximately 136,059,971 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share outstanding.
 
 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
     
   
Page Number
     
GLOSSARY AND ABBREVIATIONS
4
     
CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES
6
     
PART I
     
ITEM 1.
BUSINESS
6
 
Business Development
 
 
Principal Product
 
 
Market and Distribution of Product
 
 
Competitive Business Conditions
 
 
Customers
 
 
Royalty Agreements
 
 
Government Approval and Crown Royalties
 
 
Research and Development
 
 
Environmental Laws and Regulations
 
 
Employees
 
     
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
12
     
ITEM 1B
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
15
     
ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES
15
 
Office Leases
 
 
Oil & Gas Properties
 
 
Acreage
 
 
Reserves, Production and Delivery Commitments
 
 
Drilling Activity
 
 
Present Activities
 
 
Past Activities
 
     
ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
18
     
ITEM 4.
(REMOVED AND RESERVED)
19
     
PART II
     
ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
20
 
Market Price Information for Common Stock
 
 
Holders of Record
 
 
Dividends
 
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
 
Performance Graph
 
 
Sales of Unregistered Securities
 
     
ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
22
     
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
23
 
 
2

 

ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
27
     
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
28
     
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
28
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
     
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
48
     
ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
48
     
ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION
48
     
PART III
     
ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
49
     
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
52
     
ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
55
     
ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
56
     
ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
57
     
PART IV
     
ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
58
     
SIGNATURES
60

 
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GLOSSARY AND ABBREVIATIONS

The following are defined terms and abbreviations used herein:

API – a scale developed by the American Petroleum Institute for measuring the density or gravity (heaviness) of oil; the higher the number, the lighter the oil.

Barrel – the common unit for measuring petroleum, including heavy oil. One barrel contains approximately 159 L.

Battery – equipment to process or store crude oil from one or more wells.

Bbl or Bbls – means barrel or barrels.

Bitumen – a heavy, viscous form of crude oil that generally has an API gravity of less than 10 degrees.

Cdn – means Canadian dollars.

Celsius – a temperature scale that registers the freezing point of water as 0 degrees and the boiling point as 100 degrees under normal atmospheric pressure. Room temperature is between 20 degrees and 25 degrees Celsius.

Cold Flow – a production technique where the oil is simply pumped out of the sands not using a Thermal Recovery Technique.

Conventional Crude Oil – crude oil that flows naturally or that can be pumped without being heated or diluted.

Core – a cylindrical rock sample taken from a formation for geological analysis.

Crude Oil – oil that has not undergone any refining. Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons with small quantities of other chemicals such as sulphur, nitrogen and oxygen. Crude oil varies radically in its properties, namely specific gravity and viscosity.

Cyclic Steam Stimulation (“CSS”) – a thermal in situ recovery method, which consists of a three-stage process involving high-pressure steam injected into the formation for several weeks. The heat softens the oil while the water vapor helps to dilute and separate the oil from the sand grains. The pressure also creates channels and cracks through which the oil can flow more easily to the well. When a portion of the reservoir is thoroughly saturated, the steam is turned off and the reservoir “soaks” for several weeks. This is followed by the production phase, when the oil flows, or is pumped, up the same wells to the surface. When production rates decline, another cycle of steam injection begins. This process is sometimes called “huff-and-puff” recovery.

Darcy (Darcies) – a measure of rock permeability (the degree to which natural gas and crude oil can move through the rocks).

Density – the heaviness of crude oil, indicating the proportion of large, carbon-rich molecules, generally measured in kilograms per cubic metre (kg/m3) or degrees on the American Petroleum Institute (API) gravity scale.

Development Well – a well drilled within a proven area of a natural gas or oil reservoir to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.

Diluents  – light petroleum liquids used to dilute bitumen and heavy oil so they can flow through pipelines.

Drill Stem Test (“DST”) – a method of formation testing. The basic drill stem test tool consists of a packer or packers, valves or ports that may be opened and closed from the surface, and two or more pressure-recording devices. The tool is lowered on the drill string to the zone to be tested. The packer or packers are set to isolate the zone from the drilling fluid column.

Drill String – the column, or string, of drill pipe with attached tool joints that transmits fluid and rotational power from the kelly to the drill collars and the bit. Often, the term is loosely applied to include both drill pipe and drill collars.

Enhanced Oil Recovery – any method that increases oil production by using techniques or materials that are not part of normal pressure maintenance or water flooding operations. For example, natural gas can be injected into a reservoir to “enhance” or increase oil production.

Exploratory Well – a well drilled to find and produce natural gas or oil in an unproven area, to find a new reservoir in a field previously found to be productive of natural gas or oil in another reservoir, or to extend a known reservoir.

Farmout – an arrangement whereby the owner (the “Farmor”) of a lease assigns some portion (or all) of the lease(s) to another company (the “Farmee”) for drilling in return for the Farmee paying for the drilling on at least some portion of the lease(s) under the Farmout.

Gross Acre/Hectare – a gross acre is an acre in which a working interest is owned. 1 acre = 0.404685 hectares.

Heavy Oil – oil having an API gravity less than 22.3 degrees.

 
4

 

Horizontal Well – the drilling of a well that deviates from the vertical and travels horizontally through a producing layer.

In situ – In the oil sands context (In situ means “in place” in Latin), In situ methods such as SAGD or CSS through horizontal or vertical wells are required if the oil sands deposits are too deep to mine from the surface.

Lease – a legal document giving an operator the right to drill for or produce oil or gas; also, the land on which a lease has been obtained.

License of Occupation (“LOC”) – a surface crown agreement issued by the Alberta Department of Sustainable Resources Development granting the mineral producer the right to occupy public lands for an approved purpose, usually issued primarily for access roads or to construct access roads, but may also be issued for other purposes.

Light Crude Oil – liquid petroleum which has a low density and flows freely at room temperature. Also called conventional oil, it has an API gravity of at least 22 degrees and a viscosity less than 100 centipoise (cP).

Mineral Surface Lease (MSL) – a surface crown agreement issued by the Alberta Department of Sustainable Resources Development granting the mineral producer the right to construct a well site on publicly owned land.

Net Acre/Hectare – a net acre is the result that is obtained when fractional ownership working interest is multiplied by gross acres.

Oil Sands – naturally occurring mixtures of bitumen, water, sand and clay that are found mainly in three areas of Alberta - Athabasca, Peace River and Cold Lake. A typical sample of oil sand might contain about 12% bitumen by weight.

Pay Zone (Net Oil Pay) – the producing part of a formation.

Permeability – the capacity of a reservoir rock to transmit fluids; how easily fluids can pass through a rock. The unit of measurement is the darcy or millidarcy.

Porosity – the capacity of a reservoir to store fluids, the volume of the pore space within a reservoir, measured as a percentage.

Primary Recovery – the production of oil and gas from reservoirs using the natural energy available in the reservoirs and pumping techniques.

Saturation – the relative amount of water, oil, and gas in the pores of a rock, usually as a percentage of volume.

SEC – means United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Section – in reference to a parcel of land, meaning an area of land comprising approximately 640 acres.

Solution Gas – natural gas that is found with crude oil in underground reservoirs. When the oil comes to the surface, the gas expands and comes out of the solution.

Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (“SAGD”) – pairs of horizontal wells (an upper well and a lower well) are drilled into an oil sands formation and steam is injected continuously into the upper well. As the steam heats the oil sands formation, the bitumen softens and drains into the lower well, from which it is brought to the surface.

Thermal Recovery – a type of improved recovery in which heat is introduced into a reservoir to lower the viscosity of heavy oils and to facilitate their flow into producing wells. The pay zone may be heated by injecting steam (steam drive) or by injecting air and burning a portion of the oil in place (in situ combustion).

Upgrading – the process that converts bitumen and heavy oil into a product with a density and viscosity similar to conventional light crude oil.

Viscosity – a measure of a fluids resistance to flow. To simplify, the oil’s viscosity represents the measure for which the oil wants to stay put when pushed (sheared) by moving mechanical components. It varies greatly with temperature. The more viscous the oil the greater the resistance and the less easy it is for it to flow. Centipoise (cp) is the common unit for expressing absolute viscosity. Viscosity matters to producers because the oil’s viscosity at reservoir temperature determines how easily oil flows to the well for extraction.

 
5

 

CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES

Our functional currency is the US dollar, therefore our accounts are reported in United States dollars. However, our Canadian subsidiaries maintain their accounts and records in Canadian dollars (“Cdn”). As a result, all dollar amounts herein are stated in United States dollars except where otherwise indicated.

The following table sets forth the rates of exchange for the Canadian dollar, expressed in US dollars, in effect at the end of the following periods and the average rates of exchange during such periods, based on the noon rates of exchange for such periods as reported by the Bank of Canada.

Year ending September 30,
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                         
Rate at end of year
  $ 1.0298     $ 1.0722     $ 1.0599     $ 0.9963  
Average rate for the year
  $ 1.0407     $ 1.1804     $ 1.0092     $ 1.1132  

Unless the context indicates another meaning, the terms the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Deep Well Oil & Gas, Inc. and its subsidiaries. For definitions of some terms used throughout this report, see “Glossary and Abbreviations”.

PART I

ITEM 1.
BUSINESS

We are an emerging independent junior oil and gas exploration and development company headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Our immediate corporate focus is to develop the existing oil sands land base that we presently own in the Peace River oil sands area in North Central Alberta. Our principal office is located at Suite 700, 10150 – 100 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 0P6, our telephone number is (780) 409-8144 and our fax number is (780) 409-8146. Deep Well Oil & Gas, Inc. is a Nevada corporation and our common stock trades on the OTCQB marketplace under the symbol DWOG. We maintain a web site at www.deepwelloil.com. The contents of our website are not part of this form 10-K.

Business Development

Deep Well Oil & Gas, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “Deep Well”) was originally incorporated on July 18, 1988 under the laws of the state of Nevada as Worldwide Stock Transfer, Inc. On October 25, 1990, Worldwide Stock Transfer, Inc. changed its name to Illustrious Mergers, Inc. On June 18, 1991, a company known as Allied Devices Corporation was merged with and into Illustrious Mergers, Inc. and its name was at that time changed to Allied Devices Corporation. On August 19, 1996, a company called Absolute Precision, Inc. was merged with and into Allied Devices Corporation and it retained its name as Allied Devices Corporation.

On February 19, 2003, Allied Devices Corporation filed a Petition for Relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court in and for the Eastern District of New York titled In re: Allied Devices Corporation, et al., Chapter 11, Case No. 03-80962-511 (hereinafter referred to as the “Bankruptcy Action”).

On September 10, 2003, after notice to all creditors and a formal hearing, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Melanie L. Cyganowski issued an “Order Confirming Liquidating Plan of Reorganization” in the Bankruptcy Action (hereinafter referred to as “Bankruptcy Order”). In conjunction with that Bankruptcy Order, Allied Devices Corporation’s (hereinafter referred to as the “Predecessor Company”) liabilities, among other things, were paid off and extinguished. The Bankruptcy Order, among other things, implemented a change of control and a group of new investors took control of the Predecessor Company and changed its name to Deep Well Oil and Gas, Inc.

Upon emergence from Chapter 11 proceedings, Deep Well adopted fresh-start reporting in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position 90-7, Financial Reporting By Entities in Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code (SOP 90-7). For financial reporting purposes, Deep Well adopted the provisions of fresh-start reporting effective September 10, 2003. All periods presented prior to September 10, 2003, have been designated Predecessor Company.

On April 26, 2004, Northern Alberta Oil Ltd. (formerly known as Mikwec Energy Canada, Ltd., hereinafter referred to as “Northern” and later acquired by Deep Well) signed a Joint Operating Agreement with Pan Orient Energy Corp. (formerly known as Maxen Petroleum Inc. hereinafter referred to as “Pan Orient”) to provide for the manner of conducting operations on 3 Peace River oil sands development leases for a total of 32 sections covering 20,243 gross acres (8,192 gross hectares). The 32 sections were acquired jointly on April 23, 2004, with Northern having an 80% working interest and Pan Orient having a 20% working interest in the joint lands.

 
6

 

On August 18, 2004, Deep Well and Pan Orient jointly participated in a public offering of Crown Oil Sands Rights held by the Alberta Department of Energy, in which the joint parties successfully bid on 3 Peace River oil sands development leases for a total of 31 sections covering 19,610 gross acres (7,936 gross hectares). Deep Well acquired an undivided 80% working interest and Pan Orient acquired an undivided 20% working interest in the joint property.

On December 9, 2004, Deep Well signed a Joint Operating Agreement with 1132559 Alberta Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “1132559”) under which 1132559 acknowledged the terms under which their 10% working interest acquired from Pan Orient in the joint lands covering 3 Peace River oil sands development leases for a total of 31 sections, which Pan Orient acquired on April 23, 2004, would be governed.

On February 25, 2005, Deep Well and Northern signed a farmout agreement (hereinafter referred to as the “Farmout Agreement”) with Surge Global Energy, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “Surge US”) and Signet Energy Inc. (formerly known as Surge Global Energy Canada Ltd., and hereinafter referred to as “Signet”) (collectively, “Surge”). Signet subsequently merged with 1350826 Alberta Ltd. a wholly owned subsidiary of Andora Energy Corporation, and subsequently 1350826 Alberta Ltd. amalgamated with Andora Energy Corporation (hereinafter referred to as “Andora”, a company approximately 53% owned by Pan Orient). This agreement allowed Surge to earn up to a 40% working interest in the farmout lands (50% of our share). Among other things the agreement called for Surge to drill 10 wells, pay $2,000,000 (less expenses related to a financing) as a prospect fee payable as ninety percent (90%) to Northern and ten percent (10%) to Deep Well, and grant us, in the same proportions, 33.33% of the shares of Surge US outstanding on the day the agreement was signed.

On March 3, 2005, Deep Well, Northern and Surge mutually agreed by an amending agreement to extend the payment date of the prospect fee under Article 13 of the Farmout Agreement dated February 25, 2005, whereby Surge was granted an extension for payment of the prospect fee to the closing date of March 18, 2005.

On March 10, 2005, Deep Well, Northern and Surge mutually agreed by an amending agreement that Surge US is only a party to the Farmout Agreement for the purposes of Article 14 of the Farmout Agreement dated February 25, 2005.

On March 10, 2005, Deep Well, Northern and Surge mutually agreed by an amending agreement to establish a procedure whereby Signet is to be appointed as the operator under the existing Joint Operating Agreements in respect of all Farmout Lands in which Signet earns an interest pursuant to Article 7 of the Farmout Agreement dated February 25, 2005.

On June 7, 2005, Deep Well acquired 100% of the common shares of Northern in exchange for 18,208,875 shares of Deep Well’s common stock. Under the terms of the agreement, Deep Well acquired one hundred percent (100%) of Northern’s issued and outstanding common stock and obtained exclusive options to acquire one hundred percent (100%) of Northern’s preferred stock. The agreement provided that one hundred percent (100%) of Northern’s common and preferred shareholders would exchange their Northern shares for newly issued shares of Deep Well’s restricted common stock. Deep Well, through its acquisition of Northern, acquired a net 80% working interest in 3 Peace River oil sands development leases, 1 oil sands permit and 1 petroleum and natural gas license for a total of 38.5 sections covering 24,355 gross acres (9,856 gross hectares). Through this acquisition our Company has more than doubled its acreage position in the Peace River oil sands to 43,965 gross acres (17,792 gross hectares). Of the total acreage, 6.5 sections are classified as the oil sands permit and petroleum and natural gas license, and were encumbered by an injunction related to a court proceeding involving Classic Energy Inc., (hereinafter referred to as “Classic”), the company Northern acquired this acreage from. This permit and license have now been released and as of November 15, 2005, were transferred to Northern.

On July 14, 2005, our Company and Surge mutually agreed to amend the Farmout Agreement dated February 25, 2005 in order to extend the date to spud the first well until September 25, 2005.

On September 15, 2005, Deep Well Oil & Gas (Alberta) Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Deep Well Alberta”), a 100% wholly owned subsidiary company of Deep Well, was incorporated in the province of Alberta, Canada. Deep Well Alberta was incorporated in order to hold Deep Well’s Canadian oil sands leases it acquired on August 18, 2004, other than the oil sands leases already held by Northern. At the time, Deep Well owned 100% of the common shares of Northern but not the preferred shares of Northern.

On September 21, 2005, Signet was granted a permit by the Energy Resources Conservation Board (hereinafter referred to as the “ERCB”) for a test well, and on September 28, 2005, Signet began drilling our first well 1-36-091-13W5 (hereinafter referred to as “1-36”) at Sawn Lake, Alberta Canada. Signet did not spud the first well by the 25th of September 2005 and we noted them in default of the Farmout Agreement.

In October 2005, the ERCB granted our farmout partner and operator, Signet, an amendment to the original test well permit at Sawn Lake, Alberta Canada, to proceed with the drilling of our first well of our Sawn Lake Project.

 
7

 

 
On November 15, 2005, as part of the settlement of the litigation as described in this report, we agreed to amend the Farmout Agreement signed on February 25, 2005 between our Company and Surge that had previously been terminated by Deep Well (as previously disclosed on Form 8-K on September 29, 2005). The amendments to the agreement provided that: 1.) all conditions of the Farmout Agreement will be deemed to have been satisfied on September 25, 2005; 2.) the earning period (the period during which Signet has to drill 10 wells) under the agreement will be extended until February 25, 2008; 3.) Signet will have until September 25, 2006 to drill an option well (the second well); 4.) an additional 6.5 sections of land will be added to the land subject to the agreement; 5.) Signet will pay Deep Well $1,000,000 on November 15, 2005 in satisfaction of the prospect fee outstanding instead of after drilling the second well as stated in the Farmout Agreement; and 6.) no shares of Surge US will be issued to Deep Well or Northern, instead we will receive 7,550,000 common shares of Signet, a private subsidiary company of Surge US.

On July 17, 2006, Signet had received the required licenses by the Government of Alberta to drill the next 3 horizontal wells in the Bluesky Formation of the Sawn Lake Heavy oil sands project. The next 3 wells drilled were within less than one mile (1.6 km) of the first test well that was already drilled. These surface locations were 4-32-091-12W5 (hereinafter referred to as “4-32”), 7-30-091-12W5 (hereinafter referred to as “7-30”) and 13-29-091-12W5 (hereinafter referred to as “13-29”). Seismic and reservoir mapping were undertaken to be used to support and progress work on near and long-term plans of development for the Sawn Lake heavy oil project. For further information on drilling and results see “Present Activities” under Item 2 “Oil and Gas Properties” herein described in this report.

In October 2006, the 4-32 and 7-30 wells along with the 1-36 well were suspended. Signet had undertaken a mapping of the reservoir to assist in its delineation for any future development of the Sawn Lake property. The first three wells were drilled in the most heavily documented portion of the Sawn Lake lands. Although, as indicated by Signet, the preliminary results from the last 2 wells indicated a lack of cold flow production from well 4-32 and 7-30, the compartmentalized nature of the reservoir and varying characteristics of these compartments may show different results with further evaluation. Our Company felt that the level of testing on these wells to determine their complete potential was deficient.

On September 11, 2007, we exercised our dissenting rights at Signet’s special meeting of shareholder's held in Calgary, Alberta with respect to the amalgamation between Signet and Andora. Our Company reserved its right to file a Notice of Motion with the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta, Canada as a step towards enforcing our rights to dissent. On November 19, 2008, we entered into an arrangement whereby Deep Well’s subsidiaries, Deep Well Alberta and Northern, exchanged their 755,000 and 6,795,000 common shares of Signet respectively into 224,156 and 2,017,402 common shares of Andora respectively.

On November 26, 2007, we entered into mediation with Signet and resolved our differences and certain collateral matters. The settlement included but is not limited to:

 
·
the Farmout Agreement dated February 25, 2005, being effectively terminated concurrently with the execution of the settlement agreement; and
 
·
Signet being regarded as having earned the two sections on which the option wells were drilled and 4 additional sections as set out in the Settlement; and
 
·
Signet being required to reconvey registered title to 57.5 unearned sections of the Farmout Lands, as defined in the Farmout Agreement, back to us; and
 
·
our Company having the right to retest, at no cost to Signet, the option wells previously drilled.

On March 18, 2008, the 6.5 section oil sands permit, which was originally scheduled to expire on April 9, 2008, was extended for one year pursuant to an application submitted by Northern to the Alberta Department of Energy .

On September 10, 2008, the ERCB granted us well licenses to drill 6 wells on our Sawn Lake oil sands properties.

On December 1, 2008, in conjunction with our 2008/2009 winter drilling program, we acquired 2 vertical wells and existing road infrastructure from Paramount Resources Ltd. (“Paramount”) through a transfer of title. These existing roads total 12km of access on our Sawn Lake property and 1 of the wells was subsequently transferred to our oil sands lease.

On December 4, 2008, we successfully spudded the first well of six wells to be drilled in our 2008/2009 Sawn Lake winter drilling program in the Peace River oil sands area of Alberta. By early February of 2009, we successfully drilled all planned 6 wells of our Sawn Lake oil sands project.

On February 1, 2009, Northern acquired another existing access road on our Sawn Lake properties from Penn West Petroleum Ltd., adding 8.7 km of roads to its Sawn Lake infrastructure.

On April 30, 2009, the Alberta Department of Energy approved our application to convert 5 sections of our 5-year oil sands permit to a 15-year primary lease.

 
8

 

In September of 2009, we submitted an application (hereinafter referred to as the “CSS Application”) to the ERCB for a commercial bitumen recovery scheme to evaluate the 12-14-092-13W5 well for potential development using Cyclic Steam Stimulation (“CSS”), and later we added the 6-22-092-13W5 well to the application.

On October 14, 2010, our CSS Application was approved by the ERCB to conduct one CSS production test on one of the wells to evaluate the oil sands resource using this secondary recovery technology. The Company has appointed Asher Engineering Ltd. to manage the CSS project and construction, including procurement of all required equipment. The CSS process involves steam injection into a well for a period of up to 30 days, potentially a ”soaking” period, followed by production of heavy oil for up to 50 days or more. This CSS production test is not only for the production of heavy oil from the Blue Sky zone of the Sawn Lake project but it will also aid in quantifying proven reserves of oil.

On November 9, 2010 we secured two private placement financings for $2,050,000. The Company intends to use the majority of the net proceeds from the private placements to conduct engineering, construction and other operations for its recently approved CSS production test.

Currently, Deep Well and its subsidiaries, Northern and Deep Well Alberta, have an 80% working interest in 56 contiguous sections of oil sands development leases, and a 40% working interest in an additional 12 contiguous sections of oil sands development leases in the Peace River oil sands area of Alberta, Canada. Our oil sands leases cover 43,015 gross acres (17,408 gross hectares). The focus of our Company’s operations is to define the heavy oil reservoir to establish reserves and to determine the best technology under which oil can be produced from the Sawn Lake project in order to initiate production and generate a cash flow.

Principal Product

At this time, our primary interest is the exploration for and production of oil in the Peace River oil sands area located in North Central Alberta, Canada. We are engaged in the identification, acquisition, exploration and development of oil & gas prospects. Our immediate focus is the oil sands leases we hold in the Peace River oil sands area. Our main objective is to develop our existing oil sands land holdings as well as identify and develop other commercially viable oil & gas properties. Exploration and development for commercially viable production of any oil and gas company includes a high degree of risk which careful evaluation, experience and factual knowledge may not eliminate. Currently we have no production from our properties.

Market and Distribution of Product

We anticipate our principal target market to be refiners, remarketers and other companies, some of which have pipeline facilities near our properties. In the event pipeline facilities are not conveniently available, we intend to truck our oil to alternative storage, refining or pipeline facilities. In such a case, if our production was enough to justify our own pipeline facilities we would consider building them.

We intend to sell our oil and gas production under both short-term (less than one year) and long-term (one year or more) agreements at prices negotiated with third parties. Under both short-term and long-term contracts, typically either the entire contract (in the case of short-term contracts) or the price provisions of the contract (in the case of long-term contracts) are renegotiated inintervals ranging in frequency from daily to annual. At this time we have no production and therefore no short-term or long-term contracts. We will adopt specific sales and marketing plans once production is achieved.

Market pricing for bitumen is seasonal, with lower prices in and around the calendar year-end being the norm due to lower demand for asphalt and other bitumen-derived products. By necessity, bitumen is regularly blended with diluent in order to facilitate its transportation via pipeline to North American markets. As such, the effective field price for bitumen is also directly impacted by the input cost of the diluent required, the demand and price of which is also seasonal in nature (higher in winter as colder temperatures necessitate more diluent for transportation). Consequently, bitumen pricing is notoriously weak in and around December 31 and not reflective of the annual average realized price or the economics of the “business” overall. We have been advised that, to price bitumen, marketers apply formulas that take as a reference point the prices published for crude oil of particular qualities such as “Edmonton light”, “Lloydminster blend”, or the more internationally known “West Texas Intermediate” (hereinafter referred to as “WTI”). We also understand that the price of bitumen fluctuates widely during the course of a year, with the lowest prices typically occurring at the end of the calendar year because of decreased seasonal demand for asphalt and other bitumen-derived products coupled with higher prices for diluents added to facilitate pipeline transportation of bitumen.
 
 
9

 

The price of oil and natural gas sold is determined by negotiation between buyers and sellers. An order from the National Energy Board (hereinafter referred to as “NEB”) is required for oil exports from Canada. Any oil export to be made pursuant to an export contract of longer than one year in the case of light crude, and two years in the case of heavy crude, requires an exporter to obtain an export license from the NEB. The issue of such a license requires the approval of the Government of Canada. Natural gas exported from Canada is also subject to similar regulation by the NEB. Natural gas exports for a term of less than two years, or for a term of two to twenty years in quantities of not more than 20,000 mcf per day, must be made pursuant to an NEB order. Any natural gas exports to be made pursuant to a contract of larger duration (to a maximum of 25 years) or in larger quantities require an exporter to obtain a license from the NEB, which requires the approval of the Government of Canada. Exporters are free to negotiate prices and other terms with purchasers provided that the export contracts meet certain criteria prescribed by the NEB. The government of Alberta also regulates the volume of natural gas, which may be removed from the province for consumption elsewhere based on such factors as reserve availability, transportation arrangements and market considerations.

Competitive Business Conditions

We operate in a highly competitive environment, competing with major integrated and independent energy companies for desirable oil and natural gas properties as well as for the equipment, labour and materials required to develop and operate those properties. Many of our competitors have longer operating histories and substantially greater financial and other resources greater than ours. Many of these companies not only explore for and produce crude oil and natural gas, but also carry on refining operations and market petroleum and other products on a worldwide basis. Our larger competitors, by reason of their size and relative financial strength, can more easily access capital markets than we can and may enjoy a competitive advantage, whereas we may incur higher costs or be unable to acquire and develop desirable properties at costs we consider reasonable because of this competition. Larger competitors may be able to absorb the burden of any changes in laws and regulation in the jurisdictions in which we do business and handle longer periods of reduced prices of gas and oil more easily than we can. Our competitors may be able to pay more for productive oil and natural gas properties and may be able to define, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than we can. Our ability to acquire additional properties in the future will depend upon our ability to conduct efficient operations, evaluate and select suitable properties, implement advanced technologies and consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment.

Competitive conditions may be substantially affected by various forms of energy legislation and/or regulation considered from time to time by the government of Canada and other countries as well as factors that we cannot control, including international political conditions, overall levels of supply and demand for oil and gas, and the markets for synthetic fuels and alternative energy sources.

Customers

As we remain in the exploration stage, we have not yet generated any revenues from production, nor do we have any customers at this time. We anticipate our principal target customers to be refiners, remarketers and other companies.

Royalty Agreements

Through the acquisition of Northern, our Company became a party to the following royalty agreement:

On December 12, 2003, Nearshore Petroleum Corporation (hereinafter referred to as “Nearshore”) entered into a Royalty Agreement with Mikwec Energy Canada, Ltd. (now known as Northern) that potentially encumbers 6 oil sands development leases covering 23,406 gross acres (9,472 gross hectares) located within our Sawn Lake properties (hereinafter the “Royalty Agreement”). Nearshore claimed a 6.5% gross overriding royalty from Northern on the leased substances on the land interests which Northern holds in the above 6 oil sands leases. Nearshore was a private corporation incorporated in Alberta, Canada, and was owned and controlled by Mr. Steven P. Gawne and his wife, Mrs. Rebekah J. Gawne, who each owned 50% of Nearshore. Mr. Steven P. Gawne was formerly the President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Deep Well from February 6, 2004 to June 29, 2005. Part or all of this Royalty Agreement has been purportedly transferred by Nearshore to other parties.

On February 28, 2005, Deep Well, Northern and Surge agreed that the Company would be responsible for the portion of the claimed 6.5% royalty payable by Surge, if any, on lands earned under the February 25, 2005 Farmout Agreement. This liability could arise by virtue of a royalty agreement between Northern and Nearshore dated December 12, 2003. This obligation of our Company was further modified on November 26, 2007, where it was agreed that the Company would not be liable or obligated to pay any of this claimed portion of the royalty due, if any, on the portion of the royalty acquired by Andora.

Government Approval and Crown Royalties

Exploration and Production. Our operations are subject to Canadian federal and provincial governmental regulations. Such regulations include: requiring licenses for the drilling of wells, regulating the location of wells and the method and ability to produce wells, surface usage and the restoration of land upon which wells have been drilled, the plugging and abandoning of wells and the transportation of production from wells. Our operations are also subject to various conservation regulations, including the regulation of the size of spacing units, the number of wells which may be drilled in a unit, the unitization or pooling of oil and gas properties, the rate of production allowable from oil and gas wells, and the ability to produce oil and gas.

 
10

 

The North American Free Trade Agreement. The North American Free Trade Agreement (hereinafter referred to as “NAFTA”) grants Canada the freedom to determine whether exports to the United States or Mexico will be allowed. In making this determination, Canada must ensure that any export restrictions do not (i) reduce the proportion of energy exported relative to the supply of the energy resource; (ii) impose an export price higher than the domestic price; or (iii) disrupt normal channels of supply. All parties to NAFTA are also prohibited from imposing minimum export or import price requirements.

Investment Canada Act. The Investment Canada Act requires notification and/or review by the Government of Canada in certain cases, including but not limited to, the acquisition of control of a Canadian Business by a non-Canadian. In certain circumstances, the acquisition of a working interest in a property which contains recoverable reserves will be treated as the acquisition of an interest in a “business” and may be subject to either notification or review, depending on the size of the interest being acquired and the asset size of the business.

Crown Royalties and Incentives. Each province and the federal government of Canada have legislation and regulations governing land tenure, royalties, production rates and taxes, environmental protection and other matters under their respective jurisdictions. The royalty regime is a significant factor in the profitability of oil and natural gas production. Royalties payable on production from lands other than Crown lands are determined by negotiations between the parties. Crown royalties are determined by government regulation and are generally calculated as a percentage of the value of the gross production with the royalty rate dependent in part upon prescribed reference prices, well productivity, geographical location, field discovery date and the type and quality of the petroleum product produced. From time to time, the governments of Canada and Alberta have established incentive programs such as royalty rate reductions, royalty holidays, tax credits, and more recently drilling royalty credits and a new well incentive program, which provides a maximum five percent royalty rate for all new wells that begin producing conventional oil and natural gas between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2011. These incentives are for the purpose of encouraging oil and natural gas exploration or enhanced recovery projects. These incentives generally increase cash flow.

Effective January 1, 2009, oil sands royalties in Alberta are calculated using a sliding scale for royalty rates ranging from 1% to 9% pre-payout and 25% to 40% post-payout depending on the world oil price. Project “payout” refers to the point in which we earn sufficient revenues to recover all of the allowed costs for the project plus a return allowance. The base royalty starts at 1% and increases for every dollar the world oil price, as reflected by the West Texas Intermediate (hereinafter referred to as “WTI”), is priced above $55 per barrel, to a maximum of 9% when oil is priced at $120 per barrel or greater. The net royalty starts at 25% and increases for every dollar oil is priced above $55 per barrel to 40% when oil is priced at $120 or higher.

Research and Development

We had no material research and development costs for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

Environmental Laws and Regulations

The oil and natural gas industry is subject to environmental laws and regulations pursuant to Canadian local, provincial and federal legislation. Environmental legislation provides for restrictions and prohibitions on releases or emissions of various substances produced or utilized in association with certain oil and gas industry operations. In addition, legislation requires that well and facility sites be monitored, abandoned and reclaimed to the satisfaction of provincial authorities. A breach of such legislation may result in the imposition of fines and penalties. Under these laws and regulations, we could be liable for personal injury, clean-up costs and other environmental and property damages as well as administrative, civil and criminal penalties. Accordingly, we could be liable or could be required to cease production on properties if environmental damage occurs. Although we maintain insurance coverage, the costs of complying with environmental laws and regulations in the future may harm our business. Furthermore, future changes in environmental laws and regulations could occur that result in stricter standards and enforcement, larger fines and liability, and increased capital expenditures and operating costs, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. We maintain commercial property and general liability insurance coverage on the properties we operate. We also maintain operators extra expense insurance which provides coverage for well control incidents specifically relating to regaining control of a well, seepage, pollution, clean-up and containment. No coverage is maintained with respect to any fine or penalty required to be paid due to a violation of the regulations set out by the federal and provincial regulatory authorities. We are committed to meeting our responsibilities to protect the environment and anticipate making increased expenditures of both a capital and expense nature as a result of the increasingly stringent laws relating to the protection of the environment.

Alberta’s new climate change regulation, effective July 1, 2007, requires Alberta facilities that emit more than 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases a year to reduce emissions intensity by 12 per cent. Companies have four choices to meet their reductions: 1.) they can make operating improvements to their operations that will result in greenhouse gas emission reductions; 2.) purchase Alberta based offset credits; 3.) contribute to the Climate Change and Emissions Management Fund; and 4.) purchase or use emission performance credits, also called EPCs, these credits are generated by facilities that have gone beyond the 12% mandatory intensity reduction. EPCs can be banked for future use or sold to other facilities that need to meet the reduction target.

 
11

 

On June 18, 2009, the Canadian government passed the new Environmental Enforcement Act (“EEA”). The EEA was created to strengthen and amend nine existing Statutes that relate to the environment and to enact provisions respecting the enforcement of certain Statutes that relate to the environment. The EEA amends various enforcement, offence, penalty and sentencing provisions to deter offenders from committing offences under the EEA by setting minimum and maximum fines for serious offences. The EEA also gives enforcement officers new powers to investigate cases and grants courts new sentencing authorities that ensure penalties reflect the seriousness of the pollution and wildlife offences. The EEA also expands the authority to deal with environmental offenders by: 1.) specifying aggravating factors such as causing damage to wildlife or wildlife habitat, or causing damage that is extensive, persistent or irreparable; 2.) providing fine ranges that are higher for corporate offenders than for individuals; 3.) doubling fine ranges for repeat offenders; 4.) authorizing the suspension and cancellation of licenses, permits or other authorizations upon conviction; 5.) requiring corporate offenders to report convictions to shareholders; and 6.) mandating the reporting of corporate offences on a public registry.

Employees

Our Company currently has two prime subcontractors and three full-time employees. For further information on our subcontractors see “Compensation Arrangements for Executive Officers” under Item 11 “Executive Compensation”. We expect to hire from time to time more employees, independent consultants, and contractors during the stages of implementing our plans.

ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS

An investment in our common stock is speculative and involves a high degree of risk and uncertainty. You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with the other information contained in our reports filed with the SEC, including the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of our Company before deciding to invest in our common stock. The risks described below are not the only ones facing our Company. Additional risks not presently known to us, or that we presently consider immaterial may also adversely affect our Company. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations and the value of our common stock could be materially and adversely affected.

Any Development of Our Resources Will Be Subject To Crown Royalties. The royalty regime of Alberta is a significant factor in the profitability of oil and natural gas production in Alberta, Canada. Crown royalties are determined by government regulation and are generally calculated as a percentage of the value of the gross production with the royalty rate dependent in part upon prescribed reference prices, well productivity, geographical location, field discovery date and the type and quality of the petroleum product produced. From time to time, the governments of Canada and Alberta have established incentive programs such as royalty rate reductions, royalty holidays, tax credits, and more recently drilling royalty credits and a new well incentive program, which provides a maximum five percent royalty rate for all new wells that begin producing conventional oil and natural gas between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2011. These incentives are for the purpose of encouraging oil and natural gas exploration or enhanced recovery projects. These incentives generally increase cash flow. Penalties and interest may be charged to us if we fail to remit royalties on our production to the Crown as prescribed in the regulation.

We Are An Exploration Stage Company Implementing A New Business Plan. We are an exploration stage Company with only a limited operating history upon which to base an evaluation of our current business and future prospects, and we have just begun to implement our business plan. Since our inception, we have suffered recurring losses from operations and have been dependent on new investment to sustain our operations. During the years ended September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008 we reported net losses of $1,331,552, $2,167,343 and $2,796,055 respectively.

The Successful Implementation Of Our Business Plan Is Subject To Risks Inherent In The Heavy Oil Business. Our heavy oil operations are subject to the economic risks typically associated with exploration, development and production activities, including the necessity of significant expenditures to locate and acquire properties and to drill exploratory wells. In addition, the cost and timing of drilling, completing and operating wells is often uncertain. In conducting exploration and development activities, the presence of unanticipated pressure or irregularities in formations, miscalculations or accidents may cause our exploration, development and production activities to be unsuccessful. This could result in a total loss of our investment in a particular property. If exploration efforts are unsuccessful in establishing proven reserves and exploration activities cease, the amounts accumulated as unproven costs will be charged against earnings as impairments. Our exploitation and development of oil and gas reserves depends upon access to the areas where our operations are to be conducted. We conduct a portion of our operations in regions where we are only able to do so on a seasonal basis. Unless the surface is sufficiently frozen, we are unable to access our properties, drill or otherwise conduct our operations as planned. In addition, if the surface thaws earlier than expected, we must cease our operations for the season earlier than planned. Our operations are affected by road bans imposed from time to time during the break-up and thaw period in the Spring. Road bans are also imposed due to spring-break up, heavy rain, mud, rock slides and periods of high water, which can restrict access to our well sites and potential production facility sites. Our inability to access our properties or to conduct our operations as planned will result in a shutdown or slow down of our operations, which will adversely affect our business.

 
12

 

We Rely On Independent Experts And Technical Or Operational Service Providers Over Whom We May Have Limited Control. The success of our business is dependent upon the efforts of various third parties that we do not control. We rely upon various companies to assist us in identifying desirable oil prospects to acquire and to provide us with technical assistance and services. We also rely upon the services of geologists, geophysicists, chemists, engineers and other scientists to explore and analyze oil prospects to determine a method in which the oil prospects may be developed in a cost-effective manner. In addition, we rely upon the owners and operators of oil drilling equipment to drill and develop our prospects to production. Although we have developed relationships with a number of third-party service providers, we cannot assure that we will be able to continue to rely on such persons. If any of these relationships with third-party service providers are terminated or are unavailable on commercially acceptable terms, we may not be able to execute our business plan. Our limited control over the activities and business practices of these third parties, any inability on our part to maintain satisfactory commercial relationships with them or their failure to provide quality services could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our Interests Are Held In The Form Of Leases That We May Be Unable To Retain. Our Swan Lake property is held under leases and working interests in leases. These leases we are a party to are for a fixed term of 15 years, but contain a provision that allows us to extend the term of the lease so long as we meet the minimum level of evaluation as set out by the Government of Alberta tenure guidelines. If we or the holder of a lease fails to meet the specific requirements of the lease regarding delay or non-payment of rental payments or we or the holder of the lease fail to meet the minimum level of evaluation some or all of our leases may terminate or expire. There can be no assurance that any of the obligations required to maintain each lease will be met. The termination or expiration of our leases or the working interests relating to leases may reduce our opportunity to exploit a given prospect for oil production and thus have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We Expect Our Operating Expenses To Increase Substantially In The Future And We May Need To Raise Additional Funds. We have a history of net losses and expect that our operating expenses will increase substantially over the next 12 months as we continue to implement our business plan. In addition, we may experience a material decrease in liquidity due to unforeseen capital calls or other events and uncertainties. As a result, we may need to raise additional funds, and such funds may not be available on favourable terms, if at all. If we cannot raise funds on acceptable terms, we may not be able to execute our business plan, take advantage of future opportunities or respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated requirements. This may seriously harm our business, results of operations and financial condition..

Our Ability To Produce Sufficient Quantities Of Oil From Our Properties May Be Adversely Affected By A Number Of Factors Outside Of Our Control. The business of exploring for and producing oil and gas involves a substantial risk of investment loss. Drilling oil wells involves the risk that the wells may be unproductive or that, although productive, the wells may not produce oil in economic quantities. Other hazards such as unusual or unexpected geological formations, pressures, fires, blowouts, loss of circulation of drilling fluids or other conditions may substantially delay or prevent completion of any well. Adverse weather conditions can also hinder drilling operations. A productive well may become uneconomic due to pressure depletion, water encroachment, mechanical difficulties, etc., which impair or prevent the production of oil and/or gas from the well. There can be no assurance that oil will be produced from the properties in which we have interests. Marketability of any oil that we acquire or discover may be influenced by numerous factors beyond our control. The marketability of our production will depend on the proximity of our reserves to and the capacity of, third party facilities and services, including oil and natural gas gathering systems, pipelines, trucking or terminal facilities, and processing facilities. The unavailability or insufficient capacity of these facilities and services could force us to shut-in producing wells, delay the commencement of production, or discontinue development plans for some of our properties, which would adversely affect our financial condition and performance. There may be periods of time when pipeline capacity is inadequate to meet our oil transportation needs. During periods when pipeline capacity is inadequate, we may be forced to reduce production or incur additional expense as existing production is compressed to fit into existing pipelines. Other risk factors include availability of drilling and related equipment, market fluctuations of prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, allowable production and environmental protection. We cannot predict how these factors may affect our business.

We Do Not Control All Of Our Operations. We do not operate all of our properties and we therefore have limited influence over the testing, drilling and production operations of those properties. Andora currently operates 12 of our 68 oil sections in which we have a working interest. Currently, our Company has an 80% working interest in 56 contiguous sections of oil sands development leases, and a 40% working interest in an additional 12 contiguous sections of oil sands development leases in the Peace River oil sands area of Alberta, Canada. Our oil sands leases cover 43,015 gross acres (17,408 gross hectares). Our lack of control of the 12 sections Andora currently operates could result in the following:

 
·
Andora might initiate exploration or development on a faster or slower pace than we prefer;

 
·
Andora might propose to drill more wells or build more facilities on a project than we have funds for or that we deem appropriate, which could mean that we are unable to participate in the project or share in the revenues generated by the project;

 
·
If Andora refuses to initiate a project on these 12 sections, we might be unable to pursue the project.

 
13

 

Any of these events could materially reduce the value of those properties affected.

We Are Party To Some Lawsuits And Will Be Adversely Affected If We Are Found To Be Liable In Connection With Any Legal Proceedings. We are party to some lawsuits described in this Form 10-K under the heading “Legal Proceedings”. We intend to vigorously defend ourselves against the claims made in the lawsuits, but we cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings, the commencement or outcome of any future proceedings against us, or whether any such proceeding would lead to monetary damages that would have a material adverse effect on our financial position.

Aboriginal Peoples May Make Claims Regarding The Lands On Which Our Operations Are Conducted. Aboriginal peoples have claimed aboriginal title and rights to a substantial portion of western Canada. Since aboriginal peoples have filed a claim claiming aboriginal title or rights to the lands on which some of our properties are located, and if such a claim is successful, it could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

The ERCB governs our operations in Alberta, Canada and they have implemented a new directive (Directive 056) that the Alberta Government issued its First Nations Consultation Policy on Land Management and Resource Development on May 16, 2005. The ERCB expects that all industry applicants must adhere to this policy and the consultation guidelines. These requirements and expectations apply to the licensing of all new energy developments and all modifications to existing energy developments, as covered in Directive 056. In the policy, the Alberta Government has developed consultation guidelines to address specific questions about how consultation for land management and resource development should occur in relation to specific activities. Prior to filing an application, the applicant must address all questions, objections, and concerns regarding the proposed development project and attempt to resolve them. This includes concerns and objections raised by members of the public, industry, government representatives, First Nations, Métis, and other interested parties. This process can cause significant delays in obtaining a drilling permit for exploration and/or a production well license for both oil and gas.

Our Operations Are Subject To A Wide Range of Environmental Legislation and Regulation From All Levels Of Government Of Which We Have No Control. Environmental legislation imposes, among other things, restrictions, liabilities and obligations in connection with the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous substances and waste and in connection with spills, releases and emissions of various substances to the environment. As well, environmental regulations are imposed on the qualities and compositions of the products sold and imported. Environmental legislation also requires that wells, facility sites and other properties associated with our operations be operated, maintained, abandoned and reclaimed to the satisfaction of applicable regulatory authorities. In addition, certain types of operations, including exploration and development projects and significant changes to certain existing projects, may require the submission and approval of environmental impact assessments. Compliance with environmental legislation can require significant expenditures, and failure to comply with environmental legislation may result in the imposition of fines and penalties and liability for clean up costs and damages. We cannot assure that the costs of complying with environmental legislation in the future will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. We anticipate that changes in environmental legislation may require, among other things, reductions in emissions to the air from its operations and result in increased capital expenditures. Future changes in environmental legislation could occur and result in stricter standards and enforcement, larger fines and liability, and increased capital expenditures and operating costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition..

Market Fluctuations In The Prices Of Oil Could Adversely Affect Our Business. Prices for oil tend to fluctuate significantly in response to factors beyond our control. These factors include, but are not limited to, the continued threat of war in the Middle East and actions of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its maintenance of production constraints, the U.S. economic environment, weather conditions, the availability of alternate fuel sources, transportation interruption, the impact of drilling levels on crude oil and natural gas supply, and the environmental and access issues that could limit future drilling activities for the industry.

Changes in commodity prices may significantly affect our capital resources, liquidity and expected operating results. Price changes directly affect revenues and can indirectly impact expected production by changing the amount of funds available to reinvest in exploration and development activities. Reductions in oil and gas prices not only reduce revenues and profits, but could also reduce the quantities of reserves that are commercially recoverable. Significant declines in prices could result in non-cash charges to earnings due to impairment.

Changes in commodity prices may also significantly affect our ability to estimate the value of producing properties for acquisition and divestiture and often cause disruption in the market for oil producing properties, as buyers and sellers have difficulty agreeing on the value of the properties. Price volatility also makes it difficult to budget for and project the return on acquisitions and development and exploitation of projects. We expect that commodity prices will continue to fluctuate significantly in the future.
 
 
14

 

Our Stock Price Could Decline. Our common stock is traded on the OTCQB marketplace. There can be no assurance that an active public market will continue for the common stock or that the market price for the common stock will not decline below its current price. Such price may be influenced by many factors, including but not limited to, investor perception of us and our industry and general economic and market conditions. The trading price of the common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to announcements of our business developments or our competitors, quarterly variations in operating results, and other events or factors. In addition, stock markets have experienced extreme price volatility in recent years. This volatility has had a substantial effect on the market prices of companies, at times for reasons unrelated to their operating performance. Such broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the price of our common stock. Our stock price may decline as a result of future sales of our shares or the perception that such sales may occur.

We Could Be Subject to SEC Penalties If We Do Not File All Of Our SEC Reports. Although we are presently up to date in our filings, in the past we have not filed all of our annual and quarterly reports required to be filed by us with the SEC, in a timely manner. It is possible that the SEC could take enforcement action against us, including potentially the de-registration of our securities, if we fail to file our annual and quarterly reports in a timely manner as required by the SEC. If the SEC were to take any such actions, it could adversely affect the liquidity of trading in our common stock and the amount of information about our Company that is publicly available.

Broker-Dealers Are Not Permitted To Solicit Trades In Our Common Stock. Our common stock is considered to be a “penny stock” because it meets one or more of the definitions of “penny stock” in the Exchange Act Rule 3a51-1. The principal result or effect of being designated a “penny stock” is that securities broker-dealers cannot recommend the stock and may only trade in it on an unsolicited basis.

Risks Related to Broker-Dealer Requirements Involving Penny Stocks / Risks Affecting Trading and Liquidity. Section 15(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 15g-2 promulgated thereunder by the SEC require broker-dealers dealing in penny stocks to provide potential investors with a document disclosing the risks of penny stocks and to obtain a manually signed and dated written receipt of the document before effecting any transaction in a penny stock for the investor’s account. These rules may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market, if and when one develops.

Potential investors in our common stock are urged to obtain and read such disclosure carefully before purchasing any shares that are deemed to be “penny stock.” Moreover, SEC Rule 15g-9 requires broker-dealers in penny stocks to approve the account of any investor for transactions in such stocks before selling any penny stock to that investor. This procedure requires the broker-dealer to (i) obtain from the investor information concerning his or her financial situation, investment experience and investment objectives; (ii) reasonably determine, based on that information, that transactions in penny stocks are suitable for the investor and that the investor has sufficient knowledge and experience as to be reasonably capable of evaluating the risks of penny stock transactions; (iii) provide the investor with a written statement setting forth the basis on which the broker-dealer made the determination in (ii) above; and (iv) receive a signed and dated copy of such statement from the investor, confirming that it accurately reflects the investor’s financial situation, investment experience and investment objectives. Pursuant to the Penny Stock Reform Act of 1990, broker-dealers are further obligated to provide customers with monthly account statements. Compliance with the foregoing requirements may make it more difficult for investors in our stock to resell their shares to third parties or to alternatively dispose of them in the market or otherwise.

ITEM 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES

Office Leases

We lease and maintain office space in Edmonton, Alberta for corporate and administrative operations; the lease expires on December 31, 2013. We also lease and maintain office space in Calgary, Alberta; this lease expires on November 30, 2012.

Oil and Gas Properties

Acreage

Currently we own an 80% working interest in 56 contiguous sections of oil sands development leases and a 40% working interest in 12 sections of oil sands leases in the Peace River oil sands area in North Central Alberta. The oil sands leases cover 43,015 gross acres (17,408 gross hectares). Of the 68 contiguous sections of oil sands leases, Andora is the operator of 12 sections in which we have a 40% working interest, and we are the operator on 56 sections where we have an 80% working interest.

 
15

 

In conjunction with our 2008/2009 winter drilling program, and effective December 1, 2008, we acquired 12 km of existing road infrastructure from Paramount Resources Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Paramount”) through a transfer of title.  Along with this transfer of title we acquired 2 vertical wells, 1 of which is located on our Sawn Lake oil sands lease and the other located approximately 2.5 miles north of our Sawn Lake oil sands lease.

Effective February 1, 2009, we also acquired from Penn West Petroleum Ltd. an LOC that totalled 8.7 km of an existing road on our Sawn Lake property.

On April 30, 2009, the Alberta Department of Energy approved our application to convert 5 sections of our oil sands permit to a 15-year primary lease. By drilling on these lands where the permits were set to expire, we have preserved title to 5 sections and now have a primary lease, which is valid for an additional 15 years.

The following table summarizes our gross and net developed and undeveloped oil and natural gas rights under lease as of September 30, 2010.

OIL SANDS RIGHTS as of September 30, 2010
 
   
Gross
Hectares
   
Net
Hectares
   
Gross
Acres
   
Net
Acres
 
Oil Sands Developed Acreage
                       
Sawn Lake – Peace River oil sands area, Alberta, Canada
 
None
   
None
   
None
   
None
 
Total
 
None
   
None
   
None
   
None
 
                         
Oil Sands Undeveloped Acreage
                       
Sawn Lake – Peace River oil sands area, Alberta, Canada
                       
56 sections (1)
    14,336       11,469       35,425       28,340  
12 sections (2)
    3,072       1,229       7,591       3,036  
Total
    17,408       12,698       43,015       31,376  
                                 
TOTAL HECTARES/ACRES
    17,408       12,698       43,015       31,376  
                                 
(1) 80% working interest.
 
(2) 40% working interest.
 
 
A developed acre is considered to mean those acres spaced or assignable to productive wells; a gross acre is an acre in which a working interest is owned, and a net acre is the result that is obtained when fractional ownership working interest is multiplied by gross acres. The number of net acres is the sum of the fractional working interests owned in gross acres expressed as whole numbers and fractions thereof.

Undeveloped acreage is considered to be those lease acres on which wells have not been drilled or completed to a point that would permit the production of commercial quantities of oil or natural gas, regardless of whether or not that acreage contains proven reserves, but does not include undrilled acreage held by production under the terms of a lease. As is customary in the oil and gas industry, we can generally retain our interest in undeveloped acreage by drilling activity that establishes commercial production sufficient to maintain the leases, or by paying delay rentals during the remaining primary term of such a lease. The oil and natural gas leases in which we have an interest are for varying primary terms, and if production continues from our developed lease acreage beyond the primary term, we are entitled to hold the lease for as long as oil or natural gas is produced.

Reserves, Production and Delivery Commitments

We did not engage in any sustained production activities during the years ending September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008 nor did we have any proven or probable reserves at the end of such periods and thus were not required to provide any of the production data required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 69. We do not have any obligations under existing delivery commitment contracts or agreements calling for the provision of fixed and determinable quantities of oil and gas over the next three years, and have therefore not filed any information or reports with any federal authority or agency containing estimates of total, proven developed or undeveloped net oil or gas reserves.

 
16

 
 
Drilling Activity

The following tables summarize the results of our drilling activities in the Sawn Lake area of Alberta during the years ended September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

Exploratory Wells
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
year ended September 30
 
Gross
   
Net
   
Gross
   
Net
   
Gross
   
Net
 
Gas
                                   
Oil
                                   
Oil/Gas
                                   
Evaluating
                                   
Drilling at end of year
                                   
Suspended
                                   
Abandoned
                                   
Total Exploratory Wells
                                   

Development Wells
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
year ended September 30
 
Gross
   
Net
   
Gross
   
Net
   
Gross
   
Net
 
Gas
                                   
Oil
                                     
Oil/Gas
                                   
Evaluating
                                       
Drilling at end of year
                                   
Suspended
                7       4.8 **            
Abandoned
                1       0.8 **            
Total Development Wells
                8       5.6              
                                                 
*40% working interest
**80% working interest
 

Present Activities

In September 2009, we submitted an application to the ERCB for a commercial bitumen recovery scheme to evaluate the 12-14-092-13W5 well for potential development using CSS and later we added the 6-22-092-13W5 well to the application.

On October 14, 2010, our CSS Application was approved by the ERCB to conduct one CSS production test on one of the wells to evaluate the oil sands resource using this secondary recovery technology. The Company has appointed Asher Engineering Ltd. to manage the CSS project and construction, including procurement of all required equipment. The CSS process involves steam injection into a well for a period of up to 30 days, potentially a ”soaking” period, followed by production of heavy oil for up to 50 days or more. This CSS production test is not only for the production of heavy oil from the Blue Sky zone of the Sawn Lake project but it will also aid in quantifying proven reserves of oil.

Past Activities

A total of three horizontal wells were successfully drilled and cased by Signet (now known as Andora Energy Corporation), our former farmout partner, on the Sawn Lake Property during 2005 and 2006, and a fourth location was prepared for drilling. These wells are pending further evaluation and the development of an exploitation plan with our joint interest Andora Energy Corporation.

We successfully completed our 2008/2009 winter drilling program and met our objectives by drilling 6 wells, 3 of which were drilled on our oil sands permit in order to provide technical data to support the required Department of Energy regulation to convert our 5-year oil sands permit into a 15-year primary lease. In addition, three wells were drilled further to the North of the above-mentioned 3 wells. These three northern wells, drilled by us, continued the delineation of the main reservoir trend and confirmed that the main reservoir continues north. We are evaluating the many options for production now available to us to decide the best course of action. Drilling on these 80% owned lands has opened new avenues for testing and further development of the Sawn Lake project. The focus of our Company’s operations is to define the heavy oil reservoir to establish reserves and to determine the best technology under which oil can be produced from the Sawn Lake project in order to initiate production and generate a cash flow.

 
17

 

On December 1, 2008, we acquired from Paramount 2 wells they previously drilled. Of the 2 wells, one was drilled to a vertical depth of 737 meters on our existing oil sands lease and was cased for bluesky heavy oil production. The casing of this well was perforated at intervals from 681.5m to 684.5m and 684.5m to 685.0m. This well’s status is drilled and cased for future bitumen production.

On December 4, 2008, as operator, we successfully spudded the first well of six wells to be drilled in our 2008/2009 winter drilling program. This well is located at 12-14-092-13W5 in North Central Alberta and was drilled to a vertical depth of 680 meters. The well was logged, cased, and completed for bluesky heavy oil production, with perforated intervals from 644.5m to 649.5m. We submitted an application with the Energy Resources Conservation Board for a commercial bitumen recovery scheme to evaluate the 12-14-092-13W5 well for potential development using Cyclic Steam Stimulation. This well is suspended pending the results of testing.

On December 15, 2008, as operator, we successfully spudded the second well of our six well 2008/2009 winter drilling program. This well is located at 9-16-092-13W5 in North Central Alberta and was drilled to a vertical depth of 680 meters. The well was logged, cased, and completed for bluesky heavy oil production, with perforated intervals from 638.5m to 643.5m. This well is suspended pending the results of testing.

On January 8, 2009, as operator, we successfully spudded the third well of our six well 2008/2009 winter drilling program. This well is located at 10-33-091-13W5 in North Central Alberta and was drilled to a vertical depth of 708 meters. This well determined the south western edge of the Bluesky reservoir of our Sawn Lake Project.

On January 16, 2009, as operator, we successfully spudded the fourth well of our six well 2008/2009 winter drilling program. This well is located at 7-5-092-13W5 in North Central Alberta and was drilled to a vertical depth of 718 meters. The well was logged and cased for bluesky heavy oil production, and is pending further evaluation and the development of an exploitation.

On January 25, 2009, as operator, we successfully spudded the fifth well of our six well 2008/2009 winter drilling program. This well is located at 8-4-092-13W5 in North Central Alberta and was drilled to a vertical depth of 725 meters. The well was logged and cased for bluesky heavy oil production, and is pending further evaluation and the development of an exploitation plan.

On February 2, 2009, as operator, we successfully spudded the sixth well of our six well 2008/2009 winter drilling program. This well is located at 6-22-092-13W5 in North Central Alberta and was drilled to a vertical depth of 660 meters. The well was logged and cased for bluesky heavy oil production. We also added the 6-22-092-13W5 well to the CSS Application.

ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

I.G.M. Resources Corp. vs. Deep Well Oil & Gas, Inc., et al

On March 10, 2005, I.G.M. Resources Corp. (hereinafter referred to as “IGM”) filed against Classic Energy Inc., 979708 Alberta Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “979708”), Deep Well Oil & Gas, Inc., Nearshore Petroleum Corporation, Steven P. Gawne, Rebekah Gawne, Gawne Family Trust, 1089144 Alberta Ltd., John F. Brown, Diane Lynn McClaflin, Cassandra Doreen Brown, Elissa Alexandra Brown, Brown Family Trust, Priority Exploration Ltd., Northern Alberta Oil Ltd. and Gordon Skulmoski (the “Defendants”) a Statement of Claim in the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta Judicial District of Calgary. This suit is part of a series of lawsuits or actions undertaken by IGM against some of the other above-named Defendants.

IGM was a minority shareholder of 979708. 979708 was purportedly in the business of discovering, assembling and acquiring oil & gas prospects. In 2002 and 2003, 979708 acquired oil and gas prospects in the Sawn Lake area of Alberta. On or about the 14th of July 2003, all or substantially all the assets of 979708 were sold to Classic Energy Inc. IGM claims the value of the assets sold was far in excess of the value paid for those assets. On April 23, 2004, Northern purchased some of Classic Energy Inc.’s assets, some of which are under dispute by IGM. On June 7, 2005, Deep Well acquired all of the common shares of Northern thereby giving Deep Well an indirect beneficial interest in the assets IGM is claiming an interest in.

IGM seeks an order setting aside the transaction and returning the assets to 979708, compensation in the amount of $15,000,000 Cdn, and a declaration of trust declaring that Northern and Deep Well hold all of the assets acquired from 979708 and any property acquired by use of such assets or confidential information of 979708, in trust for IGM.

This lawsuit has been stayed pending the outcome of the other litigation by IGM against some of the above defendants other than Deep Well and Northern. The Company believes the claims are without merit and will vigorously defend against them. As of September 30, 2010, no contingent liability has been recorded, as a successful outcome for the Plaintiff is unlikely.

 
18

 

Hardie & Kelly vs. Brown, et al

On June 2, 2006, Hardie and Kelly (the “Plaintiff”), Trustee of the Estate of John Forbes Brown, filed against John Forbes Brown, a bankrupt, Diane Lynn McClaflin, 1089144 Alberta Ltd., and Deep Well (the “Defendants”) an Amended Statement of Claim filed in the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta Judicial District of Calgary. John Forbes Brown was a former officer and then sub-contractor of Deep Well before and at the time he was assigned into bankruptcy on July 12, 2004. The Plaintiff claims, in addition to other issues unrelated to Deep Well, that John Forbes Brown received 4,812,500 Deep Well shares as a result of his employment in Deep Well and that John Forbes Brown improperly assigned these shares to the numbered company as a ruse entered into on the eve of insolvency by John Forbes Brown in order to facilitate the hiding of assets from his creditors and the trustee of his bankruptcy. The Plaintiff further claims that on August 23, 2004, John Forbes Brown advised the Plaintiff that he in fact owned the above shares and did not disclose this ownership in his filed bankruptcy statement of affairs.

The Plaintiff further claims that John Forbes Brown would lodge the said shares with his lawyer until such time as these shares could be transferred to the Plaintiff. The Plaintiff further claims that unbeknownst to them John Forbes Brown surreptitiously removed the shares from his lawyer’s office and delivered them to Deep Well so that Deep Well could cancel them. The Plaintiff claims that Deep Well conspired with John Forbes Brown to defraud the creditors of John Forbes Brown by taking receipt and canceling the said shares. The Plaintiff claims that consideration paid by Deep Well for the said shares was invested in the home owned by John Forbes Brown and his wife. The Plaintiff seeks: 1.) An accounting of the proceeds and benefits derived by the dealings of the shares; 2.) The home owned by John Forbes Brown and his wife, to be held in trust on behalf of the Plaintiff, and an accounting of proceeds related to this trust; 3.) Damages from the Defendants because of their actions; 4.) A judgment for $15,612,645 Cdn; 5.) An order to sell John Forbes Brown’s home; and 6.) Interest and costs.

We plan to vigorously defend ourselves against the Plaintiff’s claims. As at September 30, 2010, no contingent liability has been recorded, as a successful outcome for the Plaintiff is unlikely.

Northern Alberta Oil Ltd. vs. 1132559 Alberta Ltd.

On June 27, 2008, our subsidiary, Northern Alberta Oil Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Northern”), filed a Statement of Claim in the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta Judicial District of Edmonton against 1132559 Alberta Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “113”). Northern claims that 113 has not paid their share of the incurred operating costs for the Sawn Lake project. Northern further claims that they paid the operating expenses required on behalf of 113 and invoiced 113 for the amounts and that 113 refused or neglected to reimburse their proportionate share of the operating costs. Northern seeks: 1.) Payment in full in the amount of $74,470.71 in Canadian funds for the amounts invoiced to 113; 2.) Interest pursuant to section 106 of the PASC (“Petroleum Accountants Society of Canada”) 1996 Accounting Procedure; and 3.) Costs of the action.

On August 30, 2010, our subsidiary, Northern, filed an additional Statement of Claim in the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta Judicial District of Edmonton against 113. Northern claims that 113 has neglected and refused to pay the cash calls pursuant to two AFEs (“Authority for Expenditure”) that were approved and signed by 113. Northern seeks: 1.) Payment in full in the amount of $70,584.50 in Canadian funds being the balance owing, exclusive of interest, for 113’s proportionate share of the cash calls. 2.) Interest pursuant to section 505(b)(i) of the 1990 CAPL Operating Agreement; and 3.) Costs of the action.

ITEM 4.
(REMOVED AND RESERVED)


 
19

 

PART II

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

Market Price Information for Common Stock

Deep Well’s stock is currently quoted on the OTCQB marketplace under the trading symbol DWOG. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices for Deep Well common stock as reported on the OTCQB marketplace for the periods indicated below since April 4, 2010, all other prior sales prices are quoted on the pink sheets. These quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, markdown or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions:

   
High
   
Low
 
             
Fiscal September 30, 2006
           
First Quarter
  $ 1.31     $ 0.37  
Second Quarter
  $ 2.98     $ 1.15  
Third Quarter
  $ 2.85     $ 1.45  
Fourth Quarter
  $ 1.76     $ 0.57  
                 
Fiscal September 30, 2007
               
First Quarter
  $ 0.66     $ 0.33  
Second Quarter
  $ 0.56     $ 0.23  
Third Quarter
  $ 1.05     $ 0.35  
Fourth Quarter
  $ 0.84     $ 0.45  
                 
Fiscal September 30, 2008
               
First Quarter
  $ 0.58     $ 0.45  
Second Quarter
  $ 0.63     $ 0.31  
Third Quarter
  $ 0.73     $ 0.42  
Fourth Quarter
  $ 0.58     $ 0.20  
                 
Fiscal September 30, 2009
               
First Quarter
  $ 0.39     $ 0.13  
Second Quarter
  $ 0.29     $ 0.14  
Third Quarter
  $ 0.19     $ 0.14  
Fourth Quarter
  $ 0.20     $ 0.13  
                 
Fiscal September 30, 2010
               
First Quarter
  $ 0.18     $ 0.11  
Second Quarter
  $ 0.17     $ 0.08  
Third Quarter
  $ 0.12     $ 0.03  
Fourth Quarter
  $ 0.07     $ 0.03  

Holders of Record

As of November 26, 2010, we had approximately 172 holders of record of our shares of common stock. Our Company estimates that investment dealers and other nominees are the record holders for approximately 2,553 beneficial holders.

Dividends

We have not paid cash dividends since inception. We intend to retain all of our earnings, if any, for use in our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon a number of factors, including future earnings, the success of our business activities, capital requirements, the general financial condition and our future prospects, general business conditions and such other factors as the Board of Directors may deem relevant.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plan

The following table provides information as of September 30, 2010 with respect to shares of Deep Well’s common stock that may be issued under our existing equity compensation plans.

 
20

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity Compensation Plan Category
 
(a)
 
Number of Securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
   
(b)
 
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
   
(c)
Number of Securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
 
                   
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
    3,378,500     $ 0.69       7,298,926 *
                         
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
 
None
   
None
   
None
 
                         
Total
    3,378,500     $ 0.69       7,298,926 *

* Based on 106,774,258 issued and outstanding shares as at September 30, 2010. The maximum number of common shares that may be reserved for issuance under the Stock Option Plan may not exceed 10% of our Company’s issued and outstanding common shares.

Stock Option Plan

On November 28, 2005, our Board of Directors adopted the Deep Well Oil & Gas, Inc. stock option plan (the “Stock Option Plan”). The Stock Option Plan, which is administered by the Board, permits options to acquire shares of Deep Well’s common stock to be granted to our directors, senior officers and employees, as well as certain consultants and other persons providing services to our Company. This Stock Option Plan was adopted to provide an incentive to the retention of our directors, officers and employees as well as consultants that we may wish to retain in the future. The maximum number of common shares that may be reserved for issuance under the Stock Option Plan may not exceed 10% of our issued and outstanding common shares, subject to adjustment as contemplated by the Stock Option Plan. On November 28, 2005, the Board granted 375,000 options to acquire common shares vested over three years to each director of Deep Well and granted 187,500 options to acquire common shares to a director of a subsidiary of Deep Well. The exercise price of such options is $0.71 per share. In each case, the vesting of such director options will occur only if the holder of the options continues to provide services to us during the immediate annual period preceding the relevant vesting date. The options will terminate at the close of business five years from the date of grant. In addition, on November 28, 2005, the Board granted 390,000 options to acquire common shares vested over three years to certain corporations providing consulting services to us. Each of such consultant firms is wholly owned by directors of our Company. The exercise price of such options is $0.71 per share. In each case, the vesting of such consultant options will occur only if the holder of the options continues to provide services to us on the relevant vesting date. These options were set to terminate at the close of business five years from the date of grant, and are therefore expired. The Plan was approved by a majority of shareholders at the February 24, 2010 general meeting of stockholders. The Stock Option Plan is administered by the Board and permits options to acquire shares of the Deep Well’s common shares to be granted to directors, senior officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, as well as certain consultants and other persons providing services to the Company or its subsidiaries.

On September 28, 2007, our Board of Directors granted options under the stock option plan to a certain employee to acquire 36,000 common shares of our Company at the exercise price of $0.47 per common share, of which 8,000 shall be vested immediately and 28,000 shall be vested at a rate of 2,000 common shares per month commencing September 30, 2007, so long as the employee continues to provide employment services on such vesting dates.

On October 1, 2007, we entered into a Consulting Agreement, effective September 20, 2007, with R.N. Dell Energy Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Contractor”). On September 28, 2007, under the terms of the Consulting Agreement, our Board of Directors granted options to the Contractor to acquire 240,000 common shares of our Company at the exercise price of $0.47 per common share (being the closing price as of the day before the effective date) which shall be vested at a rate of 20,000 common shares per month commencing October 31, 2007, so long as the Contractor continues to provide consulting services on such vesting dates.

Performance Graph

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

 
21

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

On August 14, 2008, pursuant to a subscription agreement, our Company completed a private placement to one investor, the first tranche being 10,638,297 units at a price of $0.47 per unit, for total gross proceeds of $5,000,000. Each unit is comprised of one common share, one common share purchase warrant (“Whole Warrant”) and 0.188000015 of one common share purchase warrant (“Additional Fractional Warrant”). Each Whole Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at a price of $0.71 per common share for a period of three years from the date of closing. Each Additional Fractional Warrant entitles the holder to purchase 0.188000015 of one common share at a price of $0.95 for a period of three years from the date of closing. The Whole Warrants and the Additional Fractional Warrants expire on August 14, 2011. The units were issued pursuant to Regulation S under the 1933 Act.

On October 31, 2008, we completed the second tranche of the private placement partially completed on August 14, 2008. In connection with the second trance, we sold to one subscriber 12,500,000 units at a price of $0.40 per unit, for total gross proceeds of $5,000,000. Each unit is comprised of one (1) common share, one (1) common share purchase warrant and 0.16 of one common share purchase warrant (“Additional Fractional Warrant”). Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one (1) common share at a price of $0.60 per common share for a period of three years from the date of closing. Each Additional Fractional Warrant entitles the holder to purchase 0.16 of one common share at a price of $0.80 for a period of three years from the date of closing. The warrants and the Additional Fractional Warrants expire on October 31, 2011. The units were issued pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933.

On November 9, 2010, pursuant to two subscription agreements, our Company completed two private placements to two investors (the “Subscribers”) of an aggregate of 29,285,713 units (“Units”) at a price of $0.07 per Unit, for total gross proceeds of $2,050,000. Each Unit is comprised of one (1) common share and one (1) common share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one (1) common share at a price of $0.105 for a period of three years from the date of closing, provided that if the closing price of the common shares of the Company on the principal market on which our shares trade is equal to or exceeds $1.00 for thirty consecutive trading days, the warrant term shall automatically accelerate to the date which is thirty calendar days following the date that written notice has been given to the warrantholder. No commission or finder’s fees were payable in connection with these private placements. The Units were issued pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Company intends to use the majority of the net proceeds from the private placements to conduct engineering, construction and other operations for its recently approved CSS production test.

ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and therefore are not required to provide the information required under this item.
 
 
22

 

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

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes. For the purpose of this discussion, unless the context indicates another meaning, the terms: “Deep Well,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our,” refer to Deep Well Oil & Gas, Inc. and its subsidiaries. This discussion includes forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors including risks discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Forward-Looking Statements” below and elsewhere in this report, and under the heading “Risk Factors” and “Environmental Laws and Regulations” disclosed in this report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010.

Our consolidated financial statements and information are reported in U.S. dollars and are prepared based upon United States generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”).

General Overview

Deep Well Oil and Gas, Inc. (“Deep Well”), along with its subsidiaries, is an emerging independent junior oil and gas exploration and development company headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Our Company’s immediate corporate focus is to develop the existing land base that we presently control in the Peace River oil sands area in Alberta, Canada. Our principal office is located at Suite 700, 10150 - 100 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5J 0P6, our telephone number is (780) 409-8144, and our fax number is (780) 409-8146. Deep Well Oil & Gas, Inc. is a Nevada corporation and trades on the OTCQB marketplace under the symbol DWOG. We maintain a web site at www.deepwelloil.com.

On April 21, 2010, we announced our quotation on the OTCQB marketplace. This graduation from the “Pink Sheets – Current Information” tier recognizes the progress that we have made in meeting our reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The OTCQB is a new market that requires companies to be up to date in their filing requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Results of Operations for the Year Ended September 30, 2010

Deep Well is an exploration stage company and as such does not have commercial production on any of its properties and, accordingly, it currently does not generate cash from operations. Since the inception of our current business plan, our operations have consisted primarily of various exploration and start-up activities relating to our properties, which included acquiring lease holdings by acquisitions and public offerings, seeking investors, locating joint venture partners, acquiring and analyzing seismic data, engaging various firms to comply with leasehold conditions, environmental regulations as well as project management, and developing our long term business strategies. For the year ended September 30, 2010, and for the comparable period, we generated no revenues from operations.

               
September 10, 2003
 
   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
   
to
 
   
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2010
 
                   
Revenue
  $     $     $  
Expenses
                       
General and Administrative
  $ 1,119,130     $ 2,068,176     $ 10,515,638  
Amortization and Accretion
    217,605       146,261       379,906  
Share Based Compensation
          5,802       923,142  
                         
Net Loss from Operations
    (1,336,735 )     (2,220,239 )     (11,818,686 )
                         
Other Income and Expenses
                       
Rental and Other Income
    160       18,073       18,233  
Interest Income
    5,023       34,826       206,072  
Interest Expense
          (3 )     (208,580 )
Forgiveness of Loan Payable
                287,406  
Settlement of Debt
                24,866  
Loss on Disposal of Asset
                (510 )
                         
Net Loss and Comprehensive Loss
  $ (1,331,552 )   $ (2,167,343 )   $ (11,491,199 )
 
 
23

 

Our net loss and comprehensive loss for the year ended September 30, 2010 was $1,331,552 compared to a net loss and comprehensive loss of $2,167,343 for the year ended September 30, 2009. This difference was due primarily to a decrease of $949,046 in general and administrative costs relating to a decrease in operating expenses.

For the year ended September 30, 2010, interest income decreased by $29,803, compared to the year ended September 30, 2009, due primarily to not receiving interest from term deposits the Company had in the prior year.

Operations

Deep Well, through its subsidiaries Northern Alberta Oil Ltd. (“Northern”) and Deep Well Oil & Gas (Alberta) Ltd., currently has an 80% working interest in 56 contiguous sections of oil sands leases and a 40% working interest in an additional 12 contiguous sections of oil sands leases in the Peace River oil sands area of Alberta, Canada. Our oil sands leases cover 43,015 gross acres (17,408 gross hectares) of land.

Previously, we successfully completed a drilling program and drilled 6 wells. In addition, we have an interest in 3 horizontal wells, which were previously drilled by our former farmout partner, and an interest in two wells the Company acquired. Since then we have been evaluating the options for production available to us to determine the best course of action. Drilling on 80% owned lands has opened new avenues for testing and further development of the Sawn Lake project. The focus of our drilling program was to define the heavy oil reservoir to establish reserves and to determine the best technology under which oil can be produced from the Sawn Lake project in order to initiate production and generate cash flow.

In September 2009, we submitted an application to the Energy Resources Conservation Board (“ERCB”) for a commercial bitumen recovery scheme to evaluate the 12-14-092-13W5 well for potential development using Cyclic Steam Stimulation (“CSS”) and later added the 6-22-092-13W5 well to the application. On October 14, 2010 this application was approved by the ERCB to conduct one CSS production test one of the wells to evaluate the oil sands resource using this secondary recovery technology. The Company has appointed Asher Engineering Ltd. to manage the CSS project and construction, including procurement of all required equipment. The CSS process involves steam injection into a well for a period of up to 30 days, potentially a ”soaking” period, followed by production of heavy oil for up to 50 days or more. This CSS production test is not only for the production of heavy oil from the Blue Sky zone of the Sawn Lake project but it will also aid in quantifying the Company’s oil reserves.

In July 2010, Chapman Petroleum Engineering Ltd. performed an independent technical evaluation of the heavy oil properties on some of our Sawn Lake properties. The report confirmed the suitability for thermal recovery methods. In addition, Chapman Petroleum Engineering Ltd. identified a new hydrocarbon bearing zone up-hole from the Bluesky zone presently being concentrated on by the Company. This secondary heavy oil zone is in the Peace River formation. It is a clastic unit of Lower Cretaceous age found at a shallower depth than the Bluesky. It is approximately 35 meters thick and is a massive, very fine to medium grain sandstone conformably deposited on the Harmon shale. The Company will continue the development of the Bluesky reservoir and at the same time will evaluate this newly discovered reservoir by coring future wells.

On November 9, 2010 we secured two private placement financings for $2,050,000. The Company intends to use the majority of the net proceeds from the private placements to conduct engineering, construction and other operations for its recently approved CSS production test.

The Company has also appointed Pioneer Land and Environmental to proceed immediately with the environmental studies mandated by Alberta Regulations before the Company can embark on a five to seven well production pilot project as an interim step toward full scale commercial production. The Company’s geological studies lead it to conclude that its working interest can support full commercial production. The Company is fully committed to best practices in environmental stewardship to assure sustainable development of its in-situ heavy oil holdings.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2010, our Company’s total assets were $13,923,747 compared to $15,083,173 as of September 30, 2009, and our total liabilities as of September 30, 2010, were $564,410 compared with $392,284 as of September 30, 2009. The decrease in our total assets was due primarily to a decrease in cash and accounts receivable, including an $188,138.54 Cdn allowance for the money owed to the Company by one of its joint venture co-owners. The Company is continuing to pursue its remedies to collect these monies. The increase in our total liabilities was primarily due to an increase in our asset retirement obligations and accounts payable. Our working capital (current liabilities subtracted from current assets) is as follows.

   
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
 
Current Assets
  $ 386,018     $ 2,032,025  
Current Liabilities
    177,476       34,049  
Working Capital
  $ 208,542     $ 1,997,976  

 
24

 

 
As of September 30, 2010, our Company had working capital of $208,542 compared to our working capital of $1,997,976 as of September 30, 2009. Our working capital decrease was due primarily to engineering expenses incurred for operations and general corporate expenditures. Currently we have no long-term debt.

Our cash and cash equivalents for the year ending September 30, 2010 were $103,550 compared to $945,835 for the comparable year ending September 30, 2009. Since March 10, 2005, we have financed our business operations through a loan, fees derived from the farmout of some of our lands, private offerings of our common stock, and the exercise of certain warrants, realizing gross proceeds of approximately $21.6 million. In these offerings, we sold units comprised of common stock and warrants to purchase additional common stock, and as a result of these offerings, we currently have an aggregate of 57,462,810 warrants outstanding with exercise prices ranging from $0.105 to $1.20. These warrants’ expiration dates range from August 14, 2011 to November 9, 2013. If all of these warrants are exercised we may realize aggregate proceeds of approximately $22.9 million. However, the warrant holders have complete discretion as to when or if the warrants are exercised before they expire and we cannot guarantee that the warrant holders will exercise any of the warrants.

For our long-term operations we anticipate that, among other alternatives, we may raise funds during the next twenty-four months through sales of our common stock. We also note that if we issue more shares of our common stock, our stockholders may experience dilution in the percentage of their ownership of common stock. We may not be able to raise sufficient funding from stock sales for long-term operations and if so, we may be forced to delay our business plans until adequate funding is obtained. We believe debt financing will not be an alternative for funding our operations, as we are an exploration stage Company, and due to the risky nature of our business.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Cautionary Statements for Purposes of the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act

This annual report on Form 10-K, including all referenced exhibits, contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States federal securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical facts included or incorporated by reference in this report, including, without limitation, statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy, projected costs and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words "may," "believe," "intend," "will," "anticipate," "expect," "estimate," "project," "future," "plan," "strategy" or "continue," and other expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events and trends and that do not relate to historical matters, identify forward-looking statements. For these statements, Deep Well claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements in this annual report on Form 10-K include, among others, statements with respect to:

·
our current business strategy;
·
our future financial position and projected costs;
·
our projected sources and uses of cash;
·
our plan for future development and operations;
·
our drilling and testing plans;
·
our proposed enhanced oil recovery test well project;
·
the sufficiency of our working capital in order to execute our business plan;
·
resource estimates;
·
the timing and sources of our future funding.

Reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which may cause the actual results to differ materially from the anticipated future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forward in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

·
changes in general business or economic conditions;
·
changes in legislation or regulation that affect our business;
·
our ability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals and permits;
·
our ability to receive approvals from the ERCB for additional tests to further evaluate or produce the wells on our lands;
·
opposition to our regulatory requests by various third parties;
·
actions of aboriginals, environmental activists and other industrial disturbances;
·
the costs of environmental reclamation of our lands;
·
availability of labor or materials or increases in their costs;

 
25

 

 
·
the availability of sufficient capital to finance our business plans on terms satisfactory to us;
·
adverse weather conditions and natural disasters;
·
risks associated with increased insurance costs or unavailability of adequate coverage;
·
volatility of oil and natural gas prices;
·
competition;
·
changes in labor, equipment and capital costs;
·
future acquisitions or strategic partnerships;
·
the risks and costs inherent in litigation;
·
imprecision in estimates of reserves, resources and recoverable quantities of oil and natural gas;
·
product supply and demand;
·
fluctuations in currency and interest rates; and
·
the additional risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, referred to elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K and in our other SEC filings.

The preceding bullets outline some of the risks and uncertainties that may affect our forward-looking statements. For a full description of risks and uncertainties, see the sections elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K entitled “Risk Factors” and “Environmental Laws and Regulations”. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made and, except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. However, any further disclosures made on related subjects in subsequent reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and any other SEC filing should be consulted.

 
26

 

 
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act and therefore are not required to provide the information required under this item.
 
 
27

 

ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

MADSEN & ASSOCIATES, CPA’S INC.
684 East Vine St. Suite 3
Certified Public Accountants and Business Consultants
Murray, Utah 84107
 
Telephone 801-268-2632
 
Fax 801-262-3978

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of Deep Well Oil & Gas, Inc. and Subsidiaries (an Exploration Stage Company)

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Deep Well Oil & Gas, Inc. and Subsidiaries (an Exploration Stage Company) We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Deep Well Oil & Gas, Inc. and Subsidiaries (an Exploration Stage Company) (the Company) as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2010, and for the period from September 10, 2003 (date of inception) to September 30, 2010. The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated 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 audit 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 provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Deep Well Oil & Gas, Inc. and Subsidiaries (an Exploration Stage Company) as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2010, and for the period from September 10, 2003 (date of inception) to September 30, 2010 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Madsen & Associates CPA’s, Inc.
Murray, UT
December 23, 2010

 
28

 

DEEP WELL OIL & GAS, INC. (AND SUBSIDIARIES)
(Exploration Stage Company)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009

   
September 30,
2010
   
September 30,
2009
 
             
ASSETS
           
Current Assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 103,550     $ 945,835  
Accounts receivable
    195,751       990,239  
Prepaid expenses
    86,717       95,951  
                 
Total Current Assets
    386,018       2,032,025  
                 
Long Term Investments (Note 5)
    247,473       77,036  
Oil and gas properties (Note 3)
    12,726,396       12,221,352  
Property & equipment net of depreciation (Note 4)
    563,860       752,760  
                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 13,923,747     $ 15,083,173  
                 
LIABILITIES
               
Current Liabilities
               
Accounts payable
  $ 42,147     $ 34,049  
Accounts payable – related parties (Note 6)
    86,774        
Deposits on stock subscription (Note 7)
    48,555          
                 
Total Current Liabilities
    177,476       34,049  
                 
Asset retirement obligations (Note 8)
    386,934       358,235  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES
    564,410       392,284  
                 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Common stock: (Note 9)
               
Authorized: 300,000,000 shares at $0.001 par value
               
Issued and outstanding: 106,774,258 shares
               
(September 2009 – 106,774,258 shares) (Note 9)
    106,773       106,773  
Additional paid in capital
    24,743,763       24,743,763  
Deficit accumulated during exploration stage
    (11,491,199 )     (10,159,647 )
                 
Total Shareholders’ Equity
    13,359,337       14,690,889  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 13,923,747     $ 15,083,173  

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 
29

 

DEEP WELL OIL & GAS, INC. (AND SUBSIDIARIES)
(Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
For the Years Ended September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and the Period from September 10, 2003
(Inception of Exploration Stage) to September 30, 2010
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
September 10,
2003 to
September 30,
2010
 
                         
Revenue
  $     $     $     $  
                                 
Expenses
                               
General and Administrative
    1,119,130       2,068,176       2,769,379       10,515,638  
Depreciation and accretion
    217,605       146,261       13,706       379,906  
Share based compensation
          5,802       111,815       923,142  
                                 
Net loss from operations
    (1,336,735 )     (2,220,239 )     (2,894,900 )     (11,818,686 )
                                 
Other income and expenses
                               
Rental and other income
    160       18,073             18,233  
Interest income
    5,023       34,826       100,070       206,072  
Interest expense
          (3 )     (715 )     (208,580 )
Forgiveness of loan payable
                      287,406  
Settlement of debt
                      24,866  
Loss on disposal of asset
                (510 )     (510 )
                                 
Net loss and comprehensive loss
  $ (1,331,552 )   $ (2,167,343 )   $ (2,796,055 )   $ (11,491,199 )
                                 
Net loss per common share
                               
Basic and Diluted
  $ (0.01 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.03 )        
                                 
Weighted Average Outstanding Shares (in thousands)
                               
Basic and Diluted
    106,774       105,713       85,002          
 
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 
30

 

DEEP WELL OIL & GAS, INC. (AND SUBSIDIARIES)
(Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the Period from September 10, 2003 (Inception of Exploration Stage) to September 30, 2010

               
Capital
             
               
Additional
   
Stock
             
   
Common Shares
   
Paid in
   
Subscriptions
   
Accumulated
       
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Received
   
Deficit
   
Total
 
                                     
Balance at September 10, 2003
    991,918     $ 992     $ (992 )   $     $     $  
                                                 
Issuance of common stock pursuant to bankruptcy agreement September 10, 2003
    36,019,556       36,019       13,981                   50,000  
                                                 
Net operating loss for the period September 10 to September 30, 2003
                            (50,000 )     (50,000 )
                                                 
Balance at September 30, 2003
    37,011,474       37,011       12,989             (50,000 )      
                                                 
Return and cancellation of common shares
    (5,775,000 )     (5,775 )     5,775                    
                                                 
Net operating loss for the year ended September 30, 2004
                            (525,754 )     (525,754 )
                                                 
Balance at September 30, 2004
    31,236,474       31,236       18,764             (575,754 )     (525,754 )
                                                 
Issuance of common stock
                                               
Private placement March 10, 2005
                                               
- Shares
    1,875,000       1,875       527,940                   529,815  
- Warrants (787,500)
                205,185                   205,185  
Share exchange June 7, 2005
                                               
- Shares
    18,208,875       18,209       2,476,497                   2,494,706  
- Conversion rights of preferred shares of subsidiary
                      1,777,639             1,777,639  
Private placement August 12, 2005
                                               
- Shares
    710,946       711       151,638                   152,349  
- Warrants (710,946)
                132,030                   132,030  
                                                 
Common stock subscription received
                      250,000             250,000  
                                                 
Net operating loss for the year ended September 30, 2005
                            (1,262,549 )     (1,262,549 )
                                                 
Balance at September 30, 2005
    52,031,295       52,031       3,512,054       2,027,639       (1,838,303 )     3,753,421  

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 
31

 

DEEP WELL OIL & GAS, INC. (AND SUBSIDIARIES)
(Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Continued)
For the Period from September 10, 2003 (Inception of Exploration Stage) to September 30, 2010

               
Capital
             
               
Additional
   
Stock
             
   
Common Shares
   
Paid in
   
Subscriptions
   
Accumulated
       
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Received
   
Deficit
   
Total
 
                                     
Balance carried forward at September 30, 2005
    52,031,295       52,031       3,512,054       2,027,639       (1,838,303 )     3,753,421  
                                                 
Issuance of common stock
                                               
Private placement October 11, 2005
                                               
- Shares
    3,150,000       3,150       667,266       (250,000 )           420,416  
- Warrants (3,150,000)
                553,584                   553,584  
Private placement January 13, 2006
                                               
- Shares
    73,000       73       55,345                   55,418  
- Warrants (73,000)
                46,402                   46,402  
Exercise option agreement
                                               
February 23, 2006
                                               
- Shares
    4,707,750       4,708       640,277       (644,985 )            
Exercise option agreement
                                               
June 13, 2006
                                               
- Shares
    2,867,250       2,867       389,960       (392,827 )            
Warrants exercised
                                               
July 28, 2006
    100,000       100       59,900                   60,000  
Warrants exercised
                                               
September 11, 2006
    50,000       50       29,950                   30,000  
Options granted for services
                558,882                   558,882  
                                                 
Net operating loss for the year ended September 30, 2006
                            (1,922,282 )     (1,922,282 )
                                                 
Balance at September 30, 2006
    62,979,295       62,979       6,513,620       739,827       (3,760,585 )     3,555,841  
                                                 
Settlement Agreement January 22, 2007
                                               
- Shares
    1,600,000       1,600       433,950                   435,550  
Exercise option agreement April 4, 2007
                                               
- Shares
    5,400,000       5,400       734,427       (739,827 )            
Private placement May 25, 2007
                                               
- Shares
    5,000,000       5,000       1,086,348                   1,091,348  
- Warrants (5,000,000)
                758,652                   758,652  
Private placement June 22, 2007
                                               
- Shares
    8,333,333       8,333       2,731,300                   2,739,633  
- Warrants (8,333,333)
                1,676,492                   1,676,492  
- Special warrants (1,000,000)
                283,875                   283,875  
Private placement July 11, 2007
                                               
- Shares
    323,333       323       106,559                   106,882  
- Warrants (323,333)
                66,397                   66,397  
- Special warrants (38,800)
                11,021                   11,021  
                                                 
Subtotal carried forward
    83,635,961       83,635       14,402,641             (3,760,585 )     10,725,691  

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 
32

 

DEEP WELL OIL & GAS, INC. (AND SUBSIDIARIES)
(Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Continued)
For the Period from September 10, 2003 (Inception of Exploration Stage) to September 30, 2010

                     
Capital
             
               
Additional
   
Stock
             
   
Common Shares
   
Paid in
   
Subscriptions
   
Accumulated
       
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Received
   
Deficit
   
Total
 
Subtotal carried forward from previous page
    83,635,961       83,635       14,402,641             (3,760,585 )     10,725,691  
                                                 
Warrant exchange September 4, 2007
                                               
- Share value transferred from warrants
                11,467                   11,467  
- Warrants cancelled (500,000)
                (130,276 )                 (130,276 )
- Warrants issued (625,000)
                118,809                   118,809  
Warrant exchange September 10, 2007
                                               
- Share value transferred from warrants
                7,237                   7,237  
- Warrants cancelled (287,500)
                (74,909 )                 (74,909 )
- Warrants issued (359,375)
                67,672                   67,672  
Options granted for services
                246,643                   246,643  
Net operating loss for the                                    
year ended September 30, 2007
                            (1,435,664 )     (1,435,664 )
                                                 
Balance at September 30, 2007
    83,635,961       83,635       14,649,284             (5,196,249 )     9,536,670  
                                                 
August 12, 2008
                                               
- Warrants expired (560,946) (Note 8)
                                   
Private Placement August 14, 2008
                                               
- Shares
    10,638,297       10,638       3,099,429                   3,110,067  
- Warrants (10,638,297) (Note 8)
                1,619,827                   1,619,827  
- Special warrants (2,000,000) (Note 8)
                270,106                   270,106  
Options granted for services
                111,815                   111,815  
                                                 
Net operating loss for the year ended September 30, 2008
                            (2,796,055 )     (2,796,055 )
                                                 
Balance at September 30, 2008
    94,274,258       94,273       19,750,461             (7,992,304 )     11,852,430  
                                                 
October 11, 2008
                                               
- Warrants expired (3,150,000) (Note 8)
                                   
Private Placement October 31, 2008
                                               
- Shares
    12,500,000       12,500       3,247,870                   3,260,370  
- Warrants (12,500,000) (Note 8)
                1,559,307                   1,559,307  
- Special warrants (2,000,000) (Note 8)
                180,323                   180,323  
January 13, 2009
                                               
- Warrants expired (73,000) (Note 8)
                                   
Options granted for services
                5,802                   5,802  
                                                 
Net operating loss for the year ended September 30, 2009
                            (2,167,343 )     (2,167,343 )
                                                 
Balance at September 30, 2009
    106,774,258       106,773       24,743,763             (10,159,647 )     14,690,889  

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 
33

 

DEEP WELL OIL & GAS, INC. (AND SUBSIDIARIES)
(Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Continued)
For the Period from September 10, 2003 (Inception of Exploration Stage) to September 30, 2010

                     
Capital
             
               
Additional
   
Stock
             
   
Common Shares
   
Paid in
   
Subscriptions
   
Accumulated
       
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Received
   
Deficit
   
Total
 
                                     
Balance carried forward at September 30, 2009
    106,774,258       106,773       24,743,763             (10,159,647 )     14,690,889  
                                                 
March 9, 2010
                                               
- Warrants expired (984,375) (Note 8)
                                   
May 25, 2010
                                               
- Warrants expired (5,000,000) (Note 8)
                                   
June 22, 2010
                                               
- Warrants expired (8,333,333) (Note 8)
                                   
July 11, 2010
                                               
- Warrants expired (323,333) (Note 8)
                                   
                                                 
Net operating loss for the year ended September 30, 2010
                            (1,331,552 )     (1,331,552 )
                                                 
Balance at September 30, 2010
    106,774,258     $ 106,773     $ 24,743,763     $     $ (11,491,199 )   $ 13,359,337  

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 
34

 

DEEP WELL OIL & GAS, INC. (AND SUBSIDIARIES)
(Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Years Ended September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and the Period from September 10, 2003
(Inception of Exploration Stage) to September 30, 2010

   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
September
10, 2003 to
September
30, 2010
 
                         
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN):
                       
                         
Operating Activities
                       
Net loss
  $ (1,331,552 )   $ (2,167,343 )   $ (2,796,055 )   $ (11,491,199 )
Items not affecting cash:
                               
Stock based compensation
          5,802       111,815       923,142  
Bad debts
    182,110                   352,194  
Depreciation and accretion
    217,606       146,261       13,706       379,907  
Forgiveness of loan payable
                      (287,406 )
Settlement of lawsuit
                      435,550  
Commissions withheld from loans proceeds
                      121,000  
Loss on disposal of asset
                510       510  
Net changes in non-cash working capital (Note 11)
    716,484       (1,402,731 )     296,959       (509,170 )
                                 
      (215,352 )     (3,418,011 )     (2,373,065 )     (10,075,472 )
Investing Activities
                               
Purchase of property and equipment
    (6,362 )     (835,128 )     (53,237 )     (900,355 )
Investment in oil and gas properties
    (498,689 )     (5,936,882 )     (1,593,718 )     (8,140,681 )
Long Term Investments
    (170,437 )     (77,036 )           (247,473 )
Cash from acquisition of subsidiary
                      11,141  
Return of costs from farmout agreement
                      961,426  
                                 
      (675,488 )     (6,849,046 )     (1,646,955 )     (8,315,942 )
                                 
Financing Activities
                               
Loan payable
                      275,852  
Loan advance – related parties
                      (811,746 )
Note payable repayment
                (11,250 )     (111,306 )
Debenture repayment
                      (1,004,890 )
Deposits on stock subscription
    48,555                   48,555  
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
          5,000,000       5,000,000       19,219,499  
Proceeds from debenture net of commissions
                      879,000  
                                 
      48,555       5,000,000       4,988,750       18,494,964  
                                 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (842,285 )     (5,267,057 )     968,730       103,550  
                                 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
    945,835       6,212,892       5,244,162        
                                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
  $ 103,550     $ 945,835     $ 6,212,892     $ 103,550  
                                 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
                               
Interest expense
  $     $ 3     $ 715          

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements
 
 
35

 

DEEP WELL OIL & GAS, INC. (AND SUBSIDIARIES)
(Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2010 and 2009
  


 
1.
NATURE OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Nature of Business

Allied Devices Corporation (“Allied”) and its former subsidiaries were engaged in the manufacture and distribution of standard and custom precision mechanical assemblies and components throughout the United States.

On February 19, 2003, Allied filed a petition for bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court under Chapter 11 in the Eastern District of New York titled “Allied Devices Corporation, Case No. 03-80962-511”. The company emerged from bankruptcy pursuant to a Bankruptcy Court Order entered on September 10, 2003, with no remaining assets or liabilities and the company name was changed from “Allied Devices Corporation” to “Deep Well Oil & Gas, Inc.” (“Deep Well”).

Upon emergence from Chapter 11 proceedings, Deep Well adopted fresh-start reporting in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position 90-7, Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code (SOP 90-7). In connection with the adoption of fresh-start reporting, a new entity was deemed created for financial reporting purposes. For financial reporting purposes, Deep Well adopted the provisions of fresh-start reporting effective September 10, 2003. In adopting the requirements of fresh-start reporting as of September 10, 2003, the company was required to value its assets and liabilities at fair value and eliminate any accumulated deficit as of September 10, 2003. Deep Well emerged from Chapter 11 proceedings with no assets and liabilities pursuant to the Bankruptcy Order. Because the current business, heavy oil and gas exploration has no relevance to the predecessor company, there is no basis for financial comparisons between Deep Well’s current operations and the predecessor company.

This report has been prepared showing the name “Deep Well Oil & Gas, Inc. (and Subsidiaries)” (“the Company”) and the post split common stock, with $0.001 par value, from inception. The accumulated deficit has been restated to zero and dated September 10, 2003, with the statement of operations to begin on that date.

Basis of Presentation

These consolidated financial statements are expressed in U.S. dollars and are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Consolidation

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of two wholly owned subsidiaries:  (1) Northern Alberta Oil Ltd. ("Northern") from the date of acquisition, being June 7, 2005, incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), Canada; and (2) Deep Well Oil & Gas (Alberta) Ltd., incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), Canada on September 15, 2005. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of issuance to be cash equivalents.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is computed using the declining balance method over the estimated useful life of the asset. Only half of the depreciation rate is taken in the year of acquisition. The following is a summary of the depreciation rates used in computing depreciation expense:

Software
    - 100 %
Computer equipment
    - 55 %
Portable work camp
    - 30 %
Vehicles
    - 30 %
Road Mats
    - 30 %
Office furniture and equipment
    - 20 %
Oilfield Equipment
    - 20 %
Tanks
    - 10 %
 
 
36

 

 
Expenditures for major repairs and renewals that extend the useful life of the asset are capitalized. Minor repair expenditures are charged to expense as incurred. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the greater of five years or the remaining life of the lease agreement.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews for the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition is less than its carrying amount. Impairment is measured as the amount by which the assets’ carrying value exceeds its fair value.

Asset Retirement Obligations

The Company accounts for asset retirement obligations by recording the estimated future cost of the Company’s plugging and abandonment obligations. The asset retirement obligation is recorded when there is a legal obligation associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset and the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Upon initial recognition of an asset retirement obligation, the Company increases the carrying amount of the long-lived asset by the same amount as the liability. Over time, the liabilities are accreted for the change in their present value through charges to oil and gas production and well operations costs. The initial capitalized costs are depleted over the useful lives of the related assets through charges to depreciation, depletion, and amortization. If the fair value of the estimated asset retirement obligation changes, an adjustment is recorded to both the asset retirement obligation and the asset retirement cost. Revisions in estimated liabilities can result from revisions of estimated inflation rates, escalating retirement costs, and changes in the estimated timing of settling asset retirement obligations. As at September 30, 2010, asset retirement obligations amount to $386,934. The Company has posted bonds, where required, with the Government of Alberta based on the amount the government estimates the costs of abandonment and reclamation to be.

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency of the Canadian subsidiaries is the United States dollar. However, the Canadian subsidiaries transact in Canadian dollars. Consequently, monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured into United States dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date and non-monetary items are remeasured at the rate of exchange in effect when the assets are acquired or obligations incurred. Revenues and expenses are remeasured at the average exchange rate prevailing during the period. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in results of operations.

Accounting Methods

The Company recognizes income and expenses based on the accrual method of accounting.

Dividend Policy

The Company has not yet adopted a policy regarding payment of dividends.

Financial, Concentration and Credit Risk

The Company does not have any concentration or related financial credit risk as most of the Company’s funds are maintained in a financial institution which has its deposits fully guaranteed by the Government of Alberta and the accounts receivable are considered to be fully collectible.

Income Taxes

The Company utilizes the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between financial reporting and the tax bases of the assets and liabilities, and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. An allowance against deferred tax assets is recorded when it is more likely than not that such tax benefits will not be realized.

 
37

 

Due to the uncertainty regarding the Company’s profitability, a valuation allowance has been recorded against the future tax benefits of its losses and no net benefit has been recorded in the consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

The Company is in the business of exploring for, developing, producing, and selling crude oil and natural gas. Crude oil revenue is recognized when the product is taken from the storage tanks on the lease and delivered to the purchaser. Natural gas revenues are recognized when the product is delivered into a third party pipeline downstream of the lease. Occasionally the Company may sell specific leases, and the gain or loss associated with these transactions will be shown separately from the profit or loss from the operations or sales of oil and gas products.

Advertising and Market Development

The Company expenses advertising and market development costs as incurred.

Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Basic net income (loss) per share amounts are computed based on the weighted average number of shares actually outstanding. Diluted net income (loss) per share amounts are computed using the weighted average number of common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding as if shares had been issued on the exercise of the common share rights, unless the exercise becomes anti-dilutive and then only the basic per share amounts are shown in the report.

Financial Instruments

Fair Values

The fair values of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accounts payable – related parties approximate their carrying values due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments.

Environmental Requirements

At the report date, environmental requirements related to the oil and gas properties acquired are unknown and therefore an estimate of any future cost cannot be made.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock options granted to directors, officers, employees and non-employees using the fair value method of accounting. The fair value of stock options for directors, officers and employees are calculated at the date of grant and is expensed over the vesting period of the options on a straight-line basis. For non-employees, the fair value of the options is measured on the earlier of the date at which the counterparty performance is complete or the date at which the performance commitment is reached. The Company uses the Black-Scholes model to calculate the fair value of stock options issued, which requires certain assumptions to be made at the time the options are awarded, including the expected life of the option, the expected number of granted options that will vest and the expected future volatility of the stock. The Company reflects estimates of award forfeitures at the time of grant and revises in subsequent periods, if necessary, when forfeiture rates are expected to change.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In June 2009, the FASB approved the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), which after its effective date of July 1, 2009 is the single source of authoritative, nongovernmental U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The Codification reorganizes all previous U.S. GAAP pronouncements into roughly 90 accounting topics and displays all topics using consistent structure. All existing standards that were used to create the Codification are now superseded, replacing the previous references to specific Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) with numbers used in the Codification’s structural organization. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. The Company has updated the disclosures accordingly.

Recent changes to SEC Regulation S-K and S-X pertaining to Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting include changes to the price used to compute reserves, the definition of reserves, the use of technology and the optional disclosure of probable and possible reserves. The new regulations are effective for years ending after December 15, 2009. The adoption of the new regulations did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 
38

 

In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-03, “Extractive Activities—Oil and Gas—Oil and Gas Reserve Estimation and Disclosures.” This ASU amends the “Extractive Industries—Oil and Gas” Topic of the Codification to align the oil and gas reserve estimation and disclosure requirements in this Topic with the SEC’s Release No. 33-8995, “Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting Requirements (Final Rule),” discussed below. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods ending on or after December 31, 2009, and the adoption of these provisions for the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

On December 31, 2008, the SEC issued the final rule, “Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting” (“Final Rule”). The Final Rule adopts revisions to the SEC’s oil and gas reporting disclosure requirements and is effective for annual reports on Forms 10-K for fiscal years ending on or after December 31, 2009. Early adoption of the Final Rule is prohibited. The revisions are intended to provide investors with a more meaningful and comprehensive understanding of oil and gas reserves to help investors evaluate their investments in oil and gas companies. The amendments are also designed to modernize the oil and gas disclosure requirements to align them with current practices and changes in technology. Revised requirements in the SEC’s Final Rule include, but are not limited to:

 
·
Oil and gas reserves must be reported using the average price over the prior 12 month period, rather than year-end prices;

 
·
Companies will be allowed to report, on an optional basis, probable and possible reserves;

 
·
Non-traditional reserves, such as oil and gas extracted from coal and shales, will be included in the definition of “oil and gas producing activities”

 
·
Companies will be permitted to use new technologies to determine proved reserves, as long as those technologies have been demonstrated empirically to lead to reliable conclusions with respect to reserve volumes;

 
·
Companies will be required to disclose, in narrative form, additional details on their proved undeveloped reserves (“PUDs”), including the total quantity of PUDs at year end, any material changes to PUDs that occurred during the year, investments and progress made to convert PUDs to developed oil and gas reserves and an explanation of the reasons why material concentrations of PUDs in individual fields or countries have remained undeveloped for five years or more after disclosure as PUDs; and

 
·
Companies will be required to report the qualifications and measures taken to assure the independence and objectivity of any business entity or employee primarily responsible for preparing or auditing the reserve estimates.

The adoption of the final rule has not had a material effect on the financial statements.

On February 24, 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2010-09, effective immediately, which amended ASC Topic 855, Subsequent Events (formerly SFAS No. 165). The amendment was made to address concerns about conflicts with SEC guidance and other practice issues. Among the provisions of the amendment, the FASB defined a new type of entity, termed an "SEC filer," which is an entity required to file with or furnish its financial statements to the SEC. Entities other than registrants whose financial statements are included in SEC filings (e.g., businesses or real estate operations acquired or to be acquired, equity method investees, and entities whose securities collateralize registered securities) are not SEC filers. While an SEC filer is still required by U.S. GAAP to evaluate subsequent events through the date its financial statements are issued, it is no longer required to disclose in the financial statements that it has done so or the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. The adoption of ASU 2010-09 has not had a material effect on the results of operations or financial position.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) - Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements.” This ASU requires some new disclosures and clarifies some existing disclosure requirements about fair value measurement as set forth in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820 (formerly SFAS No. 157). ASU 2010-06 amends ASC 820 (formerly SFAS No. 157) to now require: (1) a reporting entity should disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers; and (2) in the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs, a reporting entity should present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements. In addition, ASU 2010-06 clarifies the requirements of existing disclosures. ASU 2010-06 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted. The Company will comply with the additional disclosures required by this guidance upon its adoption in October 2010.

 
39

 
 
Estimates and Assumptions

Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Those estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of the assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. Actual results could vary from the estimates that were used in preparing these consolidated financial statements.

Significant estimates by management include valuations of oil and gas properties, valuation of accounts receivable, useful lives of long-lived assets, asset retirement obligations, valuation of share-based compensation, and the realizability of future income taxes.

3.
OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES

The Company has acquired interests in certain oil sands properties located in North Central Alberta, Canada. The terms include certain commitments related to oil sands properties that require the payments of rents as long as the leases are non-producing. As of September 30, 2010, Northern’s net payments due in Canadian dollars under this commitment are as follows:

2011
  $ 45,158  
2012
  $ 45,158  
2013
  $ 45,158  
2014
  $ 45,158  
2015
  $ 45,158  
2016
  $ 45,158  
Subsequent
  $ 134,042  

The Government of Alberta owns this land and the Company has acquired the rights to perform oil and gas activities on these lands. If the Company meets the conditions of the 15-year leases the Company will then be permitted to drill on and produce oil from the land into perpetuity. These conditions give the Company until the expiration of the leases to meet the following requirements on its primary oil sands leases:

 
a)
drill 68 wells throughout the 68 sections; or

 
b)
drill 44 wells within the 68 sections and having acquired and processed 2 miles of seismic on each other undrilled section.

The Company plans to meet the second of these conditions. As at September 30, 2010, the Company has an interest in ten wells, which can be counted toward this obligation.

The Company has identified 2 other wells drilled on these leases, which may be included in the satisfaction of this requirement. The Company has also acquired and processed 25 miles of seismic on the leases.

The Company follows the successful efforts method of accounting for costs of oil and gas properties. Under this method, only those explorations and development costs that relate directly to specific oil and gas reserves are capitalized; costs that do not relate directly to specific reserves are charged to expense. Producing, non-producing and unproven properties are assessed annually, or more frequently as economic events indicate, for potential impairment.

This consists of comparing the carrying value of the asset with the asset's expected future undiscounted cash flows without interest costs. Estimates of expected future cash flows represent management's best estimate based on reasonable and supportable assumptions. Proven oil and gas properties are reviewed for impairment on a field-by-field basis. No impairment losses were recognized for the period ended September 30, 2010 (September 30, 2009 - $nil).

Capitalized costs of proven oil and gas properties are depleted using the unit-of-production method when the property is placed in production.

Substantially all of the Company's oil and gas activities are conducted jointly with others. The accounts reflect only the Company's proportionate interest in such activities.

 
40

 

On November 26, 2007, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with Signet Energy Inc. and Andora Energy Corporation (at the time “Signet” was a 100% owned subsidiary company of Andora Energy Corporation) and resolved their differences and certain collateral matters. The settlement includes but is not limited to:

 
a)
The Farmout Agreement dated February 25, 2005, and the Amended Farmout Agreement being effectively terminated concurrently with the execution of the settlement;
 
b)
Signet being regarded as having earned a 40% working interest in a total of twelve sections;
 
c)
Signet transferring registered title to 57.5 unearned sections of the farmout lands, as defined in the Farmout Agreement, back to the Company;
 
d)
Signet having acknowledged that the Company is not responsible for any royalty assumed by the Company on behalf of Signet in the Farmout Agreement; and
 
e)
A joint discontinuance of the remaining minor litigation issues amongst all the parties.

As of November 19, 2008, the Company converted its Signet shares into 2,241,558 shares of Andora, which represents an equity interest in Andora of approximately 4.05%. Since these shares represent a beneficial ownership in additional Sawn Lake oil sands properties and were acquired as a result of a Farmout Agreement related to those properties, their value is included under oil and gas properties.

On April 30, 2009, 1.5 sections of previously owned leases reverted back to the provincial government.

4.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

   
September 30, 2010
 
         
Accumulated
   
Net Book
 
   
Cost
   
Depreciation
   
Value
 
                   
Computer Equipment
  $ 31,460     $ 25,607     $ 5,853  
Office furniture and equipment
    33,476       14,580       18,896  
Software
    5,826       5,826        
Leasehold improvements
    4,935       1,612       3,323  
Portable work camp
    170,580       69,085       101,495  
Vehicles
    38,077       15,421       22,656  
Oilfield equipment
    154,713       42,175       112,538  
Road Mats
    364,614       147,669       216,945  
Tanks
    96,085       13,931       82,154  
    $ 899,766     $ 335,906     $ 563,860  

   
September 30, 2009
 
         
Accumulated
   
Net Book
 
   
Cost
   
Depreciation
   
Value
 
                   
Computer Equipment
  $ 31,460     $ 18,552     $ 12,908  
Office furniture and equipment
    33,476       9,856       23,620  
Software
    5,826       5,826        
Leasehold improvements
    4,935       781       4,154  
Portable work camp
    170,580       25,587       144,993  
Vehicles
    38,077       5,712       32,365  
Oilfield equipment
    148,352       14,835       133,517  
Road Mats
    364,614       54,692       309,922  
Tanks
    96,085       4,804       91,281  
    $ 893,405     $ 140,645     $ 752,760  

There was $217,605 of depreciation and accretion expenses for the year ended September 30, 2010 (September 30, 2009 - $146,261).

5.
LONG TERM INVESTMENTS

Long term investments consist of cash held in trust by the Energy Resources Conservation Board which bears a interest at a rate of prime minus 0.375% and has no stated date of maturity.

 
41

 
 
6.
SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

Accounts payable – related parties was $86,774 for the year ended September 30, 2010 (September 30, 2009 - $nil) resulted from fees payable to corporations owned by directors. This amount is unsecured, non-interest bearing, and has no fixed terms of repayment.

As of September 30, 2010, officers, directors, their families, and their controlled entities have acquired 38.71% of the Company’s outstanding common capital stock. This percentage does not include unexercised warrants or stock options.

The Company made payments totalling $246,347 to two related parties for professional fees and consulting services during the year ended September 30, 2010.

7.
DEPOSITS ON STOCK SUBSCRIPTION

The Company received $48,555 in deposits for stock, for which the Company received subsequent subscription agreements.

8.
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

The total future asset retirement obligation is estimated by management based on the Company’s net working interests in all wells and facilities, estimated costs to reclaim and abandon wells and facilities and the estimated timing of the costs to be incurred in future periods. At September 30, 2010, the Company estimates the undiscounted cash flows related to asset retirement obligation to total approximately $531,055. The fair value of the liability at September 30, 2010 is estimated to be $386,934 using a risk free rate of 3.74% and an inflation rate of 2%. The actual costs to settle the obligation are expected to occur in approximately 35 years.

Changes to the asset retirement obligation were as follows:

   
September 30,
2010
   
September 30,
2009
 
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 358,235     $  
Liabilities incurred
          345,320  
Effect of foreign exchange
    14,749        
Accretion Expense
    13,950       12,915  
Balance, end of year
  $ 386,934     $ 358,235  

9.
SHARE CAPITAL

On October 11, 2008, 3,150,000 warrants previously granted on October 11, 2005 expired.

On October 31, 2008, the Company completed a private placement of 12,500,000 units at a price of $0.40 per unit for $5,000,000.  Each unit consists of one common share, one common share purchase warrant and a fractional warrant for an aggregate of 2,000,000 common shares.  Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of $0.60 per common share for a period of three years from the date of closing. Each of the 2,000,000 fractional warrants entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of $0.80 per common share for a period of three years from the date of closing.  The warrants and fractional warrants expire on October 31, 2011.

On January 13, 2009, 73,000 warrants previously granted on January 13, 2006 expired.

On March 9, 2010, 984,375 warrants previously granted on March 10, 2005 expired.

On May 25, 2010, 5,000,000 warrants previously granted on May 25, 2007 expired.

On June 22, 2010, 8,333,333 warrants previously granted on June 22, 2007 expired.

On July 11, 2010, 323,333 warrants previously granted on July 11, 2007 expired.

There were 28,177,097 warrants outstanding as of September 30, 2010 (September 30, 2009 – 42,818,138), which were valued at $3,924,459 (September 30, 2009 - $6,612,481) as of September 30, 2010.

 
42

 

 
10.
STOCK OPTIONS

On November 28, 2005, the Board of Directors (the “Board’) of Deep Well adopted the Deep Well Oil & Gas, Inc. Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan was approved by the majority of shareholders at the February 24, 2010 general meeting of shareholders. The Plan is administered by the Board, permits options to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Shares”) to be granted to directors, senior officers, and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, as well as certain consultants and other persons providing services to the Company or its subsidiaries.

The maximum number of shares, which may be reserved for issuance under the Plan, may not exceed 10% of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Shares, subject to adjustment as contemplated by the Plan. The aggregate number of Common Shares with respect to which options may be vested to any one person (together with their associates) in any one year, together with all other incentive plans of the Company, may not exceed 500,000 Common Shares, and in total may not exceed 2% of the total number of Common Shares outstanding.

For the period ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded no share based compensation expense (September 30, 2009 - $5,802) as no new stock options have been issued and the fair value of the outstanding stock options has been previously expensed. No options were exercised during the period ended September 30, 2010, therefore, the intrinsic value of the options exercised during the period ended September 30, 2010 is $nil. As of September 30, 2010, there was no remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to the non-vested portion of these unit option awards. Compensation expense is based upon straight-line amortization of the grant-date fair value over the vesting period of the underlying unit option.

   
Shares Underlying
Options Outstanding
   
Shares Underlying
Options Exercisable
 
Range of Exercise Prices
 
Shares
Underlying
Options
Outstanding
   
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   
Shares
Underlying
Options
Exercisable
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
                               
$0.47 at September 30, 2010
    276,000       1.97     $ 0.47       276,000     $ 0.47  
$0.71 at September 30, 2010
    3,102,500       0.27       0.71       3,102,500       0.71  
                                         
      3,378,500       0.41     $ 0.69       3,378,500     $ 0.69  

The aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable options as of September 30, 2010, was $nil (September 30, 2009 – $nil).

The following is a summary of stock option activity as at September 30, 2010:

   
Number of
Shares
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   
Weighted
Average Fair
Market
Value
 
                   
Balance, September 30, 2008, 2009 and 2010
    3,378,500     $ 0.69     $ 0.27  
                         
Exercisable, September 30, 2010
    3,378,500     $ 0.69     $ 0.27  
 
 
43

 

The following table summarizes the activity of the Company’s non-vested stock options since September 30, 2008:

   
Non-Vested Options
 
   
Number of
Shares
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
             
Non-Vested at September 30, 2008
    102,000     $ 0.70  
                 
Vested
    (102,000 )     0.70  
                 
Non-vested at September 30, 2009 and 2010
        $  

Measurement Uncertainty

The Black-Scholes option-pricing model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. Stock options and the warrants attached to the units issued by the Company are non-transferable. Option pricing models require the input of subjective assumptions including expected share price volatility. The fair value estimate can vary materially as a result of changes in the assumptions.

11.
CHANGES IN NON-CASH WORKING CAPITAL

   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
Accounts receivable
  $ 612,378     $ (584,413 )   $ (325,744 )
Prepaid expenses
    9,234       110,879       (33,387 )
Accounts payable
    94,872       (929,197 )     656,090  
                         
    $ 716,484     $ (1,402,731 )   $ 296,959  

12.
INCOME TAXES

As of September 30, 2010, the Company has approximately $3,875,711 (2009 – $3,706,111) of net operating losses expiring through 2029 that may be used to offset future taxable income but are subject to various limitations imposed by rules and regulations of the Internal Revenue Service. The net operating losses are limited each year to offset future taxable income, if any, due to the change of ownership in the Company's outstanding shares of common stock. In addition, at September 30, 2010, the Company had an unused Canadian net operating loss carry-forward of approximately $8,844,649 (2009 – $7,013,826), expiring through 2029. These operating loss carry-forwards may result in future income tax benefits of approximately $3,921,447. However, because realization is uncertain at this time, a valuation reserve in the same amount has been established. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.

 
44

 

The components of the net deferred tax asset, the statutory tax rate, the effective rate and the elected amount of the valuation allowance are as follows:

   
Year Ended
September
30, 2010
   
Year Ended
September
30, 2009
 
             
Statutory and effective tax rate
           
Domestic
           
Statutory U.S. federal rate
    35.00 %     35.00 %
Foreign
    29.00 %     29.00 %
                 
Income taxes recovered at the statutory and effective tax rate
               
Domestic
               
Statutory U.S. federal rate
  $ 59,360     $ 289,500  
Foreign
    336,966       388,658  
                 
Timing differences:
               
Non-deductible expenses
    (62,102 )     (115,775 )
Financing fees
    497       801  
Other deductible charges
    2,474       2,067  
Benefit of tax losses not recognized in the year
    (337,195 )     (565,251 )
                 
Income tax recovery (expense) recognized in the year
  $     $  
 
The approximate tax effects of each type of temporary difference that gives rise to deferred tax assets are as follows:

   
September 30,
2010
   
September 30,
2009
 
             
Deferred income tax assets (liabilities)
           
Net operating loss carry-forwards
  $ 3,921,448     $ 3,331,148  
Oil and gas properties
    160,227       79,732  
Finance fee deductible in future years
    64       498  
Equipment
    104,249       36,665  
Valuation allowance
    (4,185,988 )     (3,448,043 )
                 
Net deferred income tax assets
  $     $  

13.
COMMITMENTS

Compensation to Directors

Since the acquisition of Northern Alberta Oil Ltd., the Company and Northern have entered into the following contracts with the following companies for the services of their officers:

 
1)
Portwest Investments Ltd., a company owned 100% by Dr. Horst A. Schmid, for providing services to the Company as Chief Executive Officer and President for $12,500 Cdn per month.

 
2)
Concorde Consulting, a company owned 100% by Mr. Curtis J. Sparrow, for providing services as Chief Financial Officer to the Company for $15,000 Cdn per month.

 
45

 

Rental Agreement

On November 20, 2007 and December 1, 2008, the Company entered into two office lease agreements commencing December 1, 2007 and January 1, 2009 and expiring on November 30, 2012 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The annual payments are as follows:

2011
  $ 71,546  
2012
  $ 73,380  
2013
  $ 47,647  
2014
  $ 10,625  

14.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On November 9, 2010, the Company completed two private placements for an aggregate of 29,285,713 units at a price of $0.07 per unit for an aggregate of $2,050,000 (including the Deposit received prior to September 30, 2010 of $48,555). Each unit consists of one common share and one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of $0.105 per common share for a period of three years from the date of closing, provided that if the closing price of the Common Shares of the Company on the principal market on which the shares trade is equal to or exceeds US$1.00 for 30 consecutive trading days, the warrant term shall automatically accelerate to the date which is 30 calendar days following the date that written notice has been given to the warrantholders. The warrants expire on November 9, 2013.

15.
LEGAL ACTIONS

I.G.M Resources Corp. vs. Deep Well Oil & Gas, Inc., et al

On March 10, 2005, I.G.M. Resources Corp. ("the Plaintiff") filed against Classic Energy Inc., 979708 Alberta Ltd., Deep Well Oil & Gas, Inc., Nearshore Petroleum Corporation, Mr. Steven P. Gawne, Rebekah Gawne, Gawne Family Trust, 1089144 Alberta Ltd., John F. Brown, Diane Lynn McClaflin, Cassandra Doreen Brown, Elissa Alexandra Brown, Brown Family Trust, Priority Exploration Ltd., Northern Alberta Oil Ltd. and Gordon Skulmoski (“the Defendant”) a Statement of Claim in the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta Judicial District of Calgary.  This suit is a part of a series of lawsuits or actions undertaken by the Plaintiff against some of the other above defendants.

The Plaintiff was and still is a minority shareholder of 979708 Alberta Ltd. ("979708"). 979708 was in the business of discovering, assembling and acquiring oil and gas prospects. In 2002 and 2003, 979708 acquired oil and gas prospects in the Sawn Lake area of Alberta. On or about the 14th of July, 2003, all or substantially all the assets of 979708 were sold to Classic Energy Inc. The Plaintiff claims the value of the assets sold was far in excess of the value paid for those assets. On April 23, 2004 Northern Alberta Oil Ltd., purchased Classic Energy Inc.'s assets some of which are under dispute by the Plaintiff. On June 7, 2005 Deep Well acquired all of the common shares of Northern thereby giving Deep Well an indirect beneficial interest in the assets in which the Plaintiff is claiming an interest.

The Plaintiff seeks an order setting aside the transaction and returning the assets to 979708, compensation in the amount of $15,000,000 Cdn, a declaration of trust declaring that Northern and Deep Well hold all of the assets acquired from 979708 and any property acquired by use of such assets, or confidential information of 979708, in trust for the Plaintiff.

This lawsuit has been stayed pending the out come of the other litigation by the Plaintiff against some of the above defendants other than Deep Well and Northern. The Company believes the claims are without merit and will vigorously defend against them. As at September 30, 2010, no contingent liability has been recorded, as the Company believes that a successful outcome for the Plaintiff is unlikely.

Hardie & Kelly vs. Brown et al

On June 2, 2006, Hardie and Kelly (“the Plaintiff”), Trustee of the Estate of John Forbes Brown filed against John Forbes Brown, a bankrupt, Diane Lynn McClaflin, 1089144 Alberta Ltd., and Deep Well (“the Defendants”) an Amended Statement of Claim in the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta Judicial District of Calgary.  John Forbes Brown was a former officer and then sub-contractor of Deep Well before and during the time he was assigned into bankruptcy on July 12, 2004. The Plaintiff claims, in addition to other issues unrelated to Deep Well, that John Forbes Brown received 4,812,500 Deep Well shares as a result of his employment at Deep Well and that John Forbes Brown improperly assigned these shares to the numbered company as a ruse entered into on the eve of insolvency by John Forbes Brown in order to facilitate the hiding of assets from his creditors and the trustee of his bankruptcy. The Plaintiff further claims that on August 23, 2004 John Forbes Brown advised the Plaintiff that he in fact owned the above shares and did not disclose this ownership in his filed bankruptcy statement of affairs.

 
46

 

The Plaintiff further claims that John Forbes Brown would lodge the said shares with his lawyer until such time as these shares could be transferred to the Plaintiff. The Plaintiff further claims that, unbeknownst to them, John Forbes Brown surreptitiously removed the shares from his lawyer's office and delivered them to Deep Well so that Deep Well could cancel them.  The Plaintiff claims that Deep Well conspired with John Forbes Brown to defraud the creditors of John Forbes Brown by taking receipt and cancelling the said shares. The Plaintiff claims that consideration paid by Deep Well for the said shares was invested in the home owned by John Forbes Brown and his wife. The Plaintiff seeks; (1) an accounting of the proceeds and benefits derived by the dealings of the shares; (2) the home owned by John Forbes Brown and his wife, to be held in trust on behalf of the Plaintiff and an accounting of proceeds related to this trust; (3) damages from the Defendants because of their actions; (4) a judgement for $15,612,645 Cdn; (5) an order to sell John Forbes Brown's home; and (6) interest and costs.

Deep Well plans to vigorously defend itself against the Plaintiff’s claims. As at September 30, 2010, no contingent liability has been recorded, as the Company believes that a successful outcome for the Plaintiff is unlikely.
 
 
47

 

ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, there were no changes in, or disagreements with, our independent accountant on accounting and financial disclosure matters.

ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of our fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, an evaluation of the effectiveness of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act of 1934) was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer. Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that as of the end of that fiscal year, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

It should be noted that while our principal executive officer and principal financial officer believe that our disclosure controls and procedures provide a reasonable level of assurance that they are effective, they do not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived or operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that would have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION

Deep Well reported all information that was required to be disclosed on Form 8-K during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.
 
 
48

 

PART III

ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Directors and Executive Officers

The directors and executive officers of Deep Well are as follows:

As at September 30, 2010
Name
 
Age
 
Position/Office
         
Dr. Horst A. Schmid
 
77
 
Director and Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. David Roff
 
39
 
Director
Mr. Curtis James Sparrow
 
53
 
Director and Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
Mr. Malik Youyou
 
57
 
Director

Biographies of Directors and Executive Officers

Brief biographies of the directors and executive officers of Deep Well are set forth below. All directors hold office until the next annual stockholders’ meeting or until their death, resignation, retirement, removal, disqualification or until their successors have been elected and qualified. Vacancies in the existing Board may be filled by majority vote of the remaining directors. Officers of our Company serve at the will of the Board of Directors. As of September 30, 2010 there are no written employment contracts outstanding, but there are consulting contracts as disclosed herein.

Dr. Horst A. Schmid has served as director and Chairman of the Board since February 6, 2004 to present. Since June 29, 2005 to present he has been the Chief Executive Officer and President of Deep Well. From September 1996 to present, Dr. Schmid has been director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Portwest Investment Ltd., a private firm, located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Prior to that, Dr. Schmid spent 15 years as Cabinet Minister for the Government of Alberta and 10 years as Commissioner General for Trade and Tourism. During that time he was involved in numerous successful overseas negotiations for the Alberta Oil & Gas Industry, achieving major contracts for Alberta Equipment/Production/Service Companies. He is the recipient of many Canadian and International Awards for his accomplishments. Dr. Schmid received an Honorary Law Degree from the University of Alberta.

Mr. Curtis James Sparrow served as director of Deep Well from February 6, 2004 until June 29, 2005. On July 1, 2005, Mr. Sparrow accepted a reappointment back to the Board of Directors. From February 9, 2004 to present Mr. Sparrow has been the Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer of Deep Well. Since before May 1994, Mr. Sparrow has been a self-employed management consultant. Mr. Sparrow has been involved in the oil and gas industry in various capacities for over 30 years. He held directorships and senior officer positions with junior exploration and development companies before becoming a self-employed consultant. He has since participated in the marketing side of the oil and gas industry, and was part of an acquisition team formed to assess and develop a bid for a multi-billion dollar integrated oil company. His experience also includes corporate and project management, international businesses and mining. Mr. Sparrow received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering and Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Alberta. Mr. Sparrow is also a registered Professional Engineer.

Mr. David Roff is currently serving as a director of Deep Well since his reappointment on April 3, 2006. He was the former President and Sole Director of Deep Well from September 10, 2003 until February 6, 2004. Mr. Roff is the co-president of Brave Consulting, a private consulting and investment corporation and has held this position since 2001. Brave Consulting was engaged by Deep Well in July 2005 and provided services to our Company until March 2009. Mr. Roff has extensive experience working with small cap public companies for more than ten years. Prior to that, Mr. Roff was a management consultant for Coopers & Lybrand Consulting where he advised large financial institutions, investment fund complexes and other organizations on technology and internal control strategies. Mr. Roff is an officer and director of Arkson Nutraceuticals and Hudson’s Grill International. Mr. Roff is a Chartered Accountant with a B.A. degree from the University of Western Ontario.

Mr. Malik Youyou has been a director of Deep Well from August 20, 2008 to present. Mr. Youyou is an experienced international entrepreneur, investor and director of several companies.

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships among the directors and executive officers.

 
49

 

Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

No bankruptcy petition has been filed by or against any business of which any director was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time.

No current director has been convicted in a criminal proceeding and is not subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offences).

No current director has been subject to any order, judgments, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities.

No current director has been subject of any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any Federal or State authority barring, suspending or otherwise limiting for more than 60 days the right of such person to engage in any activity described in paragraph (f)(3)(i) of this section, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity.

No current director has been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Commission to have violated a Federal or State securities law that has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated.

No current director has been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated any Federal commodities law that has not been subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated.

Section 16 (a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our Company’s officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of our Company’s equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to furnish to our Company copies of such reports. Based solely on the review of copies of the forms received by our Company during the September 30, 2010 fiscal year, as required under Section 16(a)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Mr. Malik Youyou, a director and a 10% or more beneficial owner of our Company, filed one Form 4 late.

Code of Ethics

As of September 30, 2010, our Company had not yet adopted a formal code of ethics governing its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions and directors. We have not adopted a code of ethics because we have limited operations. Our Board of Directors will address this issue in the future to determine the adoption of a code of ethics. In the meantime, our management intends to promote honest and ethical conduct, full and fair disclosure in our reports to the SEC, and compliance with applicable governmental laws and regulations.

Corporate Governance

Director Independence

We have not adopted standards for director independence, but in making a determination on director independence under the standards for independence set forth by the NASDAQ Marketplace rules, we determined that as of September 30, 2010, our Board of Directors consisted of one independent and three non-independent directors. The directors of our Company are as follows:

As at September 30, 2010
       
Name
 
Year When First
Appointed as Director
   
         
Dr. Horst A. Schmid
 
2004
 
Non-independent director
Mr. David Roff
 
2006
 
Non-independent director
Mr. Curtis James Sparrow
 
2004
 
Non-independent director
Mr. Malik Youyou
 
2008
 
Independent director

Board Meetings, Committees and Annual Meeting Attendance

In the September 30, 2010 fiscal year our Board of Directors had four meetings. Each director of our Company attended 100% of all meetings held by the Board of Directors except one director who attended 50% of all meetings held by the Board of Directors. 100% of all directors attended the general meeting of stockholders held on Febuary 24, 2010. We did not have a general meeting of stockholders during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2009 or September 30, 2008.

 
50

 

Our Company currently does not have any Board committees. Our entire Board is currently acting as Board committee but is reviewing this situation to potentially adopt various committees.

Nominating Committee

Our Company currently does not have a standing nominating committee or a nominating committee charter or policy due to the relatively small size of our Company. Our Board believes that our entire Board of Directors can adequately perform the functions of the committee, including considering potential director nominees, therefore fulfilling the role of a nominating committee.

Audit Committee

We are currently reviewing our audit committee to ensure its director independence and its charter, therefore we do not have an active independent audit committee at this time. Our management along with our independent third party chartered accounting firm, Collins Barrow, performed all work relating to the preparation of the audit of our financial statements for the September 30, 2010 fiscal year.

We do not have an audit committee financial expert on our Board of Directors. We believe that the cost related to retaining an audit committee financial expert at this time is prohibitive and that because of our limited operations, the services of an independent audit committee financial expert are not warranted at this time.

Compensation Committee

Our Company currently does not have a standing compensation committee, charter or a committee performing similar functions due to the relatively small size of our Company.

Shareholder Communications

We recognize the investment in our Company that stockholders of our common stock have made and accordingly, we are committed to the open exchange of ideas, concerns and suggestions with our stockholders. Stockholders desiring to communicate with the Board of Directors of the Company can do so by mailing a letter to the attention of the Chairman of the Board of Directors addressed to our Company’s corporate office at Suite 700, 10150 – 100 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 0P6. We held our general meeting of stockholders on February 24, 2010 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010. We did not have a general meeting of stockholders during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2009 or September 30, 2008.

 
51

 

ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

The following table provides information about the compensation paid to, earned or received during the last two fiscal years ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, by the executive officers listed below (the “Named Executive Officers”).

Executive Compensation Summary
 
Name and Principal Position
 
Fiscal
Year
Sept. 30
 
Fee
($Cdn)
   
Bonus $
   
Stock
Awards $
   
Option
Awards $
   
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compen-
sation $
   
Non-
qualified
Deferred
Compen-
sation
Earnings $
   
All Other
Compen-
sation $
   
Total ($US)
 
                                                     
Dr. Horst A. Schmid (1)
 
2010
  $ 150,000
(2)
  $     $     $  
(3) 
  $     $     $ 4,000  (4)   $ 149,665  
President and
 
2009
    150,000
(2)
                                  3,000
(4)
    142,905  
Chief Executive Officer
                                                                   
                                                                     
Mr. Curtis James Sparrow (5)
 
2010
  $ 180,000
(6)
  $     $     $  
(7)
  $     $     $ 2,000
(8)
  $ 176,798  
Chief Financial Officer
 
2009
    180,000
(6)
                                  1,500
(8)
    169,386  
                                                                     
Mr. David Roff (9)
 
2010
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $ 2,000
(12)
  $ 2,000  
Consultant
 
2009
    144,000
(10)
                5,713
(11)
                1,500
(12)
    141,522  
                                                                     
Mr. Edward Howard (13)
 
2010
  $     $     $     $
 (15)
  $     $     $     $  
Geologist
 
2009
    194,700
(14)
                                        181,597  

(1) Dr. Horst A. Schmid has served our Company as director and Chairman of the Board since February 6, 2004 to present. From June 29, 2005 to present he has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of our Company.

(2) Portwest Investments Ltd., a company owned 100% by Dr. Horst A. Schmid, provided services as Chief Executive Officer and President to our Company and invoiced us Cdn $150,000 for the 2010 fiscal year and Cdn $150,000 for the 2009 fiscal year. For the 2010 fiscal year Portwest Investments Ltd. accrued Cdn $37,500 of the above fees for Dr. Schmid’s services provided to our Company.

(3) On November 28, 2010, all stock options granted to Dr. Horst A. Schmid and Portwest Investments Ltd. expired unexercised.

(4) Dr. Horst A. Schmid was paid $4,000 for the fiscal year 2010 and $3,000 for the fiscal year 2009, for director’s fees for his services on the Board of Directors as Chairman of the Board of our Company.

(5) Mr. Curtis James Sparrow served as Director of our Company from February 6, 2004 until June 29, 2005. On July 1, 2005, Mr. Sparrow accepted a reappointment back to the Board of Directors. From February 9, 2004 to present Mr. Sparrow has been the Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer of our Company.

(6) Concorde Consulting, a company owned 100% by Mr. Curtis James Sparrow, provided services as Chief Financial Officer to our Company and invoiced us Cdn $180,000 for the 2010 fiscal year and Cdn $180,000 for the 2009 fiscal year. For the 2010 fiscal year Concorde Consulting accrued Cdn $45,000 of the above fees for Mr. Sparrow’s services provided to our Company.

(7) On November 28, 2010, all stock options granted to Mr. Curtis James Sparrow and Concorde Consulting expired unexercised..

(8) Mr. Curtis James Sparrow was paid $2,000 for the fiscal year 2010 and $1,500 for the fiscal year 2009, for director’s fees for his services on the Board of Directors as director of our Company.

(9) Mr. David Roff was the former President and sole director of our Company from September 10, 2003 until February 6, 2004. Mr. Roff was reappointed as a director of our Company on April 3, 2006. Brave Consulting Corporation, a company 50% owned by Mr. David Roff, 50% owned by a non-related third party, has been a consultant to our Company since July 15, 2005 to April 1, 2009.

(10) Brave Consulting Corporation, a company owned 50% by Mr. David Roff,50% owned by a non-related party, was paid Cdn $0 for the 2010 fiscal year and Cdn $144,000 for the 2009 fiscal year, for providing consulting services to our Company for the 2010, 2009 and 2008 fiscal years, respectively.

(11) On October 25, 2006, our Company granted Mr. David Roff options to purchase 375,000 shares of our common stock, on becoming a director of our Company, at an exercise price of $0.71 per share, of which 75,000 vested immediately and another 100,000 vested on April 6, 2007, another 100,000 vested on April 6, 2009 and another 100,000 vested on April 6, 2009. Based on the Black-Scholes valuation method Mr. Roff’s estimated amortized value vested in 2010 and 2009 and 2008 was $0 and $5,713, respectively. Mr. Roff has not exercised any of his stock options and these options are expected to expire on October 25, 2011.

(12) Mr. David Roff was paid $2,000 for the fiscal year 2010 and $1,500 for the fiscal year 2009, for director’s fees for his services on the Board of Directors as director of our Company.

 
52

 

(13) On October 1, 2007, we entered into a Consulting Agreement, effective September 20, 2007, with R.N. Dell Energy Ltd. whose primary consultant is Mr. Edward A. Howard, to assist us in the further exploitation and development of our Sawn Lake project. Under the terms of the Consulting Agreement, R.N. Dell Energy Ltd. was to be paid $17,700 Cdn per month.

(14) R.N. Dell Energy, a company 100% owned by Mr. Edward Howard, was paid Cdn $0 and Cdn $194,700 for providing consulting services to our Company for the 2010 and 2009 fiscal years, respectively.

(15) On September 20, 2007, the Company granted R.N. Dell Energy Ltd., a corporation providing consulting services to the Company or its subsidiary, options to purchase 240,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.47 per share, vesting at a rate of 20,000 per month commencing October 31, 2007. This stock option will be exercisable for five years from the date of its issuance and is expected to expire on September 20, 2012. Based on the Black-Scholes valuation method R.N. Dell Energy Ltd.’s estimated amortized value vested in 2008 was $56,120. R.N. Dell Energy Ltd. has not exercised any of its stock options.

The Board regularly reviews all compensation paid to officers of our Company.

Compensation Arrangements for Executive Officers

Our Company has entered into the following contracts with the following companies for services of certain officers and/or directors of our Company:

 
1.
Portwest Investments Ltd., a company owned 100% by Dr. Horst A. Schmid for providing services as Chief Executive Officer and President for Cdn $12,500 per month.

 
2.
Concorde Consulting, a company owned 100% by Mr. Curtis James Sparrow for providing services as Chief Financial Officer for Cdn $15,000 per month.

On November 28, 2005, the Board of Directors of our Company granted 390,000 options to acquire common shares to the above corporations providing consulting services to our Company and on November 28, 2010 these options expired unexercised.

Outstanding Equity Awards Granted to Executive Officers at September 30, 2010
 
   
Options Awards(1)  (If approved by the shareholders)
 
Stock Awards
 
Name
 
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
   
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
   
Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options (#)
   
Option
Exercise
Price ($)
 
Option
Expiration
Date
 
Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested (#)
   
Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested ($)
   
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested (#)
   
Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested ($)
 
Portwest Investments Ltd. (1)
    390,000                 $ 0.71  
11/28/2010
                       
Concorde Consulting (2)
    390,000                 $ 0.71  
11/28/2010
                       

(1) Portwest Investments Ltd., a company owned 100% by Dr. Horst A. Schmid, was granted options to purchase 390,000 shares of common stock for providing consulting services as President and Chief Executive Officer of our Company, and as of July 1, 2008, all of Portwest Investment Ltd’s options to purchase common stock of our Company are fully vested. See the Executive Compensation table for more disclosure. On November 28, 2010, all stock options granted to Dr. Horst A. Schmid and Portwest Investments Ltd. expired unexercised.

(2) Concorde Consulting, a company owned 100% by Mr. Curtis James Sparrow, was granted options to purchase 390,000 shares of common stock for providing consulting services as Chief Financial Officer of our Company, and as of July 1, 2008, all of Concorde Consulting’s options to purchase common stock of our Company are fully vested. See the Executive Compensation table for more disclosure. On November 28, 2010, all stock options granted to Mr. Curtis James Sparrow and Concorde Consulting expired unexercised.

Compensation of Directors

On November 28, 2005, our Company adopted a cash compensation plan where each director is paid the amount of $500 for each meeting of the Board of Directors or committee meeting that they attend, or resolution participated in, plus, we reimburse each director for actual expenses incurred in connection with Board meeting attendance. The Chairman of the Board is paid $1,000 for each Board event as described above plus reimbursement for actual expenses incurred in connection with Board meeting attendance.

 
53

 

On November 28, 2005, the Board of Directors of Deep Well adopted the Deep Well Oil & Gas, Inc. Stock Option Plan. The Stock Option Plan was approved by the majority of shareholders at the February 24, 2010 general meeting of shareholders. The Stock Option Plan is administered by the Board and permits options to acquire shares of Deep Well’s common stock to be granted to directors of our Company. The vesting of such director options will occur only if the holder of the options continues to provide services to us during the immediate annual period preceding the relevant vesting date. The options will terminate at the close of business five years from the date of grant. On November 28, 2010, stock options granted directly and indirectly to Dr. Horst A. Schmid and Mr. Curtis James Sparrow expired unexercised. Mr. David Roff, a director of our Company, has stock options that are expected to expire on October 25, 2011. As of the date of this report Mr. David Roff has not exercised any of his stock options.

For the period ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded no share based compensation expense (September 30, 2009 - $5,802) as no new stock options have been issued and the fair value of the outstanding stock options has been previously expensed. No options were exercised during the period ended September 30, 2010, therefore the intrinsic value of the options exercised during the period ended September 30, 2010 is $nil. As of September 30, 2010, there was no remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to the non-vested portion of these unit option awards. Compensation expense is based upon straight-line amortization of the grant-date fair value over the vesting period of the underlying unit option.

Director Compensation at September 30, 2010
 
Name
 
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash ($)
   
Stock Awards
($)
   
Option Awards 
(If approved by the
shareholders)
($)(1)
   
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
   
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings ($)
   
All Other
Compensation
($)
   
Total ($)
 
Dr. Horst A. Schmid
 
Disclosed in the Executive Compensation Summary under Item 11.
 
Mr. David Roff
 
Disclosed in the Executive Compensation Summary under Item 11.
 
Mr. Curtis James Sparrow
 
Disclosed in the Executive Compensation Summary under Item 11.
 
Mr. Malik Youyou(2)
  $ 1,000
(3)
                                $ 1,000  
   
(1)  These estimated valuations include the value of the options back until when each director first became a director.

(2) Mr. Malik Youyou has served our Company as Director since August 20, 2008.

(3) Mr. Malik Youyou accrued  $1,000 for director’s fees for his services on the Board of Directors as director of our Company for the 2010 fiscal year.

 
54

 

 
ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Equity Compensation Plan Information

As of September 30, 2010, with respect to shares of Deep Well common stock that may be issued under our existing equity compensation plan, see Item 5 “Equity Compensation Plan Information” of this report on Form 10-K.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table sets forth the number and percentage of the beneficial ownership of shares of our Company’s outstanding common stock as of September 30, 2010 by each person or group known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5%, and all of our directors and executive officers individually and as a group.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
As of September 30, 2010
 
 
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
 
 
 
Title of Class
 
Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned
(1) (2)
   
Percentage of Class
Beneficially Owned
 
Nature of Ownership
                   
Malik Youyou
Director
Sadovnicheskeya nab 69
Moscow 115035, Russia
 
Common
    67,443,550       49.99 % (3)
Direct and Indirect
                       
Dr. Horst A. Schmid
Director and Chairman of the Board
Suite 700, 10150 - 100 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 0P6 Canada
 
Common
    2,715,000       2.52 % (4)
Direct and Indirect
                       
Mr. Curtis James Sparrow
Director, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer
Suite 700, 10150 - 100 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 0P6 Canada
 
Common
    765,000       *
(5)
Direct and Indirect
                       
Mr. David Roff
Director
27 Chicora Avenue
Toronto, Ontario  M5R 1W7 Canada
 
Common
    454,886       *
(6)
Direct
                       
All Officers and Directors as a Group
 
Common
    71,378,436       52.17 %
Indirect
                       
* Less than 1%

(1) Under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, a person or entity beneficially owns stock of a company if such person or entity directly or indirectly has, or shares the power to, vote or direct the voting, or the power to dispose or direct the disposition of such stock, whether through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise. A person or entity is also deemed to be the beneficial owner of stock if such person or entity has the right to acquire either of such powers at any time within 60 days through the exercise of any option, warrant, right or conversion privilege or pursuant to the power to revoke a trust, a discretionary account or similar arrangement or pursuant to the automatic termination of a trust, discretionary account or similar arrangement.

(2) Based on 106,774,258 of our common shares issued and outstanding on September 30, 2010. For calculating the percentage of beneficial ownership separately for each person, his or her options, warrants or both that can be acquired within 60 days are included in both the numerator and the denominator. For the directors as a group, their collective options and warrants that can be acquired within 60 days are included in both the numerator and the denominator when calculating their group percentage ownership.

(3) Mr. Malik Youyou has served our Company as director from August 20, 2008 to present. As of September 30, 2010, Mr. Malik Youyou beneficially owns 67,443,550 shares of our common stock, 33,146,472 of which are held directly, 6,158,781 of which are held by Westline Enterprises Limited, a corporation 100% owned by Mr. Youyou, and 28,138,297 of which are issuable pursuant to presently exercisable warrants held by Mr. Youyou.  Assuming the issuance of 28,138,297 shares of our common stock, pursuant to the exercise of Mr. Youyou’s presently exercisable warrants, Mr. Youyou would beneficially own 49.99% of our Company’s outstanding common stock. As September 30, 2010, Mr. Youyou has not exercised any warrants and without the exercise of Mr. Youyou’s warrants, Mr. Youyou has a 36.81% ownership of our issued and outstanding common stock.

 
55

 

 
(4) Dr. Horst A. Schmid has served our Company as director and Chairman of the Board from February 6, 2004 to present. Dr. Schmid has also served our Company as President and Chief Executive Officer from June 29, 2005 to present. Dr. Schmid’s beneficial ownership consists of Portwest Investment Ltd., owning 1,950,000 shares of our common stock. Portwest Investment Ltd. is a private corporation registered in Alberta, Canada, which is 100% owned and controlled by Dr. Schmid. On November 28, 2005, Dr. Schmid was granted options to purchase 375,000 options of common stock on becoming a director of our Company, and as of February 6, 2007 all 375,000 shares to purchase common stock of our Company are fully vested. Dr. Schmid also has an indirect beneficial ownership, which consists of 390,000 stock options granted to Portwest Investment Ltd., and as of July 1, 2008, all 390,000 options to purchase common stock of our Company are fully vested. As of the date of this report, Dr. Schmid has not exercised any of his beneficially owned stock options. These options were set to terminate at the close of business five years from the date of grant, and are therefore expired.

(5) Mr. Sparrow has served our Company as director and Chief Financial Officer since February 9, 2004 to present. On November 28, 2005, Mr. Sparrow was granted options to purchase 375,000 shares of common stock on becoming a director of our Company, and as of February 6, 2007 all 375,000 options to purchase common stock of our Company are fully vested. Mr. Sparrow also has an indirect beneficial ownership, which consists of 390,000 stock options granted to Concorde Consulting, a company owned 100% by Mr. Sparrow, and as of July 1, 2008 all 390,000 options to purchase common stock of our Company are fully vested. As of the date of this report, Mr. Sparrow has not exercised any of his beneficially owned stock options. These options were set to terminate at the close of business five years from the date of grant, and are therefore expired.

(6) Mr. David Roff has served our Company as director from April 3, 2006 to present. Mr. Roff’s beneficial ownership consists of 79,886 shares of our common stock. On October 25, 2006, Mr. Roff was granted options to purchase 375,000 shares of common stock of our Company and as of April 6, 2009 all 375,000 shares to purchase common stock of our Company are fully vested. As of the date of this report, Mr. Roff has not exercised any of his beneficially owned stock options and these options are expected to expire on October 25, 2011.

Changes in Control

Except as described below, Deep Well is not aware of any arrangement that may result in a change in control of Deep Well or its subsidiary companies.

As of November 9, 2010, and based solely on Mr. Malik Youyou’s filed Form 4 and Amended Schedule 13D filed November 23, 2010, Mr. Youyou, a director of our Company, beneficially owns 124,586,406 shares of common stock and warrants for common stock of our Company of which 61,717,900 shares were directly acquired by Mr. Youyou through open market transactions and pursuant to four subscription agreements dated June 22, 2007, August 14, 2008, October 31, 2008 and November 9, 2010 for a total aggregate price of $17,000,000 for all four private placement transactions. Pursuant to these four private placements, Mr. Youyou also received warrants to acquire 56,709,725 shares of our common stock. In addition, Mr. Youyou indirectly owns 6,158,781 shares of our common stock through Westline Enterprises Limited, a company of which Mr. Youyou is the sole shareholder. As of November 23, 2010, Mr. Youyou has 49.9 % of the issued and outstanding common stock of our Company. If Mr. Youyou were to exercise all of his warrants to acquire an additional 56,709,725 shares of our common stock, and if nobody else exercised their warrants, Mr. Youyou would beneficially own 64.6 % of our issued and outstanding common stock. As of November 23, 2010, Mr. Youyou has not exercised any of his warrants. Mr. Malik Youyou became a director of our Company on August 20, 2008.

ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Based solely on Mr. Malik Youyou’s filed Form 4 and Amended Schedule 13D filed on November 23, 2010, Mr. Youyou, a director of our Company since August 20, 2008, beneficially owns 124,586,406 shares of common stock and warrants for common stock of our Company of which 61,717,900 shares were directly acquired by Mr. Youyou through open market transactions and pursuant to four subscription agreements dated June 22, 2007, August 14, 2008, October 31, 2008 and November 9, 2010 for a total aggregate price of $17,000,000 for all four private placement transactions. Pursuant to these four private placements Mr. Youyou has warrants to acquire 56,709,725 shares of our common stock. In addition, Mr. Youyou indirectly owns 6,158,781 shares of our common stock through Westline Enterprises Limited, a company of which Mr. Youyou is the sole shareholder. As of November 23, 2010, Mr. Youyou has acquired 49.9% of our issued and outstanding common stock. If Mr. Youyou were to exercise all of his warrants to acquire an additional 56,709,725 shares of Deep Well’s common stock, and if nobody else exercised their warrants, Mr. Youyou would beneficially own 64.6% of our issued and outstanding common stock. As of November 23, 2010, Mr. Youyou has not exercised any of his warrants.

 
56

 

 
ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

In the fiscal years ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, we paid, Collins Barrow, an independent third party, PCAOB registered, chartered accounting firm fees of Cdn $29,100 and Cdn $26,300, respectively, relating to the preparation of the annual consolidated financial statements which were audited by Madsen & Associates, CPA’s Inc.

The following table is a summary of the fees billed to us by Madsen & Associates, CPA’s Inc. for professional services for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009:

Fee Category
 
Fiscal
2010
Fees
   
Fiscal
2009
Fees
 
             
Audit Fees
  $ 13,300     $ 10,950  
Audit Related Fees
    5,775       5,550  
Tax Fees
 
Nil
   
Nil
 
All Other Fees
 
Nil
   
Nil
 
Total Fees
  $ 19,075     $ 16,500  

Audit Fees

Our board of directors appointed Madsen & Associates, CPA’s Inc. as independent auditors to audit our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ending September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009. The aggregate fees billed by Madsen & Associates, CPA’s Inc. for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements for the years ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009 was $13,300 and $10,950, respectively.

Audit Related Fees

For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, audit related fees billed by Madsen & Associates, CPA’s Inc. were for the review of the quarterly financial statements.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The audit and audit related services and permitted non-audit services were pre-approved by the Board.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted rules that require that before Madsen & Associates, CPA’s Inc. is engaged by our Company to render any audit or permitted non-audit service, the engagement be:

 
·
approved by our Board of Directors acting as our audit committee, as specified under section 3(a)(58)(B) of the Exchange Act; or
 
·
entered into pursuant to pre-approval policies and procedures established by the audit committee, provided the policies and procedures are detailed as to the particular service, the audit committee is informed of each service, and such policies and procedures do not include delegation of the audit committee’s responsibilities to management.

Our Board of Directors pre-approves all services provided by Madsen & Associates, CPA’s Inc. and has considered the nature and amount of the fees billed by Madsen & Associates, CPA’s Inc., and believes that the provision of the services for activities unrelated to the audit is compatible with maintaining Madsen & Associates, CPA’s Inc.

 
57

 

 
PART IV

ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

Financial Statements filed with this report on Form 10-K

The following listed financial statements and report of independent registered public accounting firm are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (see “Item 8 - Consolidated Financial Statements” of this report on Form 10-K):

 
1.
Consolidated Balance Sheets for September 30, 2010 and 2009.
 
2.
Consolidated Statements of Operations For the Years Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and 2008 and the Period From September 10, 2003 (Inception of Exploration Stage) to September 30, 2010.
 
3.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity For the Period From September 10, 2003 (Inception of Exploration Stage) to September 30, 2010.
 
4.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the Years Ended September 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and the Period From September 10, 2003 (Inception of Exploration Stage) to September 30, 2010.
 
5.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
6.
Madsen & Associates, CPA’s Inc.’s Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

Financial Statement Schedules filed with this report on Form 10-K

None.

Exhibits

The following exhibits have been or are being filed herewith and are numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K:

Exhibit No.
 
Description
2.1
 
Liquidating Plan of Reorganization of Allied Devices Corporation, now known as Deep Well Oil & Gas, Inc., (incorporated by reference to exhibit 2.1 to our Form 10-K/A filed on January 28, 2004).
2.2
 
Order and Plan of Reorganization of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in and for the Eastern District of New York, In re: Allied Devices Corporation, Chapter 11, Case No. 03-80962-511, dated September 10, 2003, (incorporated by reference to exhibit 2.2 to our Form 10-K/A filed on January 28, 2004).
3.1
 
Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation filed with and accepted by the Secretary of State of Nevada on October 22, 2003, changing the name to “Deep Well Oil and Gas, Inc.” and otherwise implementing the Plan, (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 to our Form 10-K/A filed on January 28, 2004).
3.2
 
Amended Articles of Incorporation filed with the State of Nevada on February 27, 2004, reflecting our two (2) shares for one (1) share forward stock split, (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 to our Form 8-K filed on March 5, 2004).
3.3
 
Amended Articles of Incorporation filed with the State of Nevada on May 5, 2004,  reflecting our three (3) shares for one (1) share forward stock split, (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.2 to our Form 8-K filed on May 7, 2004).
3.4
 
Registrant’s By-laws, filed with Form 10-KSB on February 23, 2007, (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.4 to our Form 10-KSB filed on February 23, 2007).
3.5
 
Registrant’s Amended and Restated By-laws, filed with Form 8-K on September 3, 2009, (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 to our Form 8-K filed on September 3, 2009).
4.1
 
Form of Warrant issued pursuant to the Subscription Agreement dated August 14, 2008 by and among our Company with one investor related to the Private Placement offering, (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.2 to our Form 8-K filed on August 15, 2008).
4.2
 
Form of Fractional Warrant issued pursuant to the Subscription Agreement dated August 14, 2008 by and among our Company with one investor related to the Private Placement offering, (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.3 to our Form 8-K filed on August 15, 2008).
4.3
 
Form of Fractional Warrant issued pursuant to the Subscription Agreement dated October 31, 2008 by and among our Company with one investor related to the Private Placement offering, (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.2 to our Form 8-K filed on November 7, 2008).
4.4
 
Form of Fractional Warrant issued pursuant to the Subscription Agreement dated October 31, 2008 by and among our Company with one investor related to the Private Placement offering, (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.3 to our Form 8-K filed on November 7, 2008).
 
 
58

 

 
   4.5
 
Form of Warrant issued pursuant to two Subscription Agreements dated November 9, 2010 by and among our Company with two investors related to two Private Placement offerings, (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.2 to our Form 8-K filed on November 15, 2010).
10.1*
 
Consulting agreement by and between Northern and Portwest Investments Ltd., dated July 1, 2005, (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.16 to our Form 10-KSB filed on February 23, 2007).
10.2*
 
Consulting agreement by and between Northern and Concorde Consulting, dated July 1, 2005, (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.17 to our Form 10-KSB filed on February 23, 2007).
10.3
 
Deep Well Oil & Gas, Inc. Stock Option Plan (“The Plan”), effective November 28, 2005, (Form 8-K filed on March 3, 2006).
10.4*
 
Sample Stock Option Agreements with all Directors, (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.25 to our Form 10-KSB filed on February 23, 2007).
10.5*
 
Sample Stock Option Agreements with all Contractors, (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.26 to our Form 10-KSB filed on February 23, 2007).
10.6
 
Sample Indemnity Agreement with all Directors, (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.27 to our Form 10-KSB filed on February 23, 2007).
10.7
 
Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement issued to R.N. Dell Energy Ltd. effective September 20, 2007, (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.9 to our Form 10-QSB filed on October 30, 2007).
10.8
 
Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement issued to Employee, effective September 20, 2007,(incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.10 to our Form 10-QSB filed on October 30, 2007).
10.9
 
Form of Subscription Agreement dated August 14, 2008 by and among our Company with one investor, (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 to our Form 8-K filed on August 15, 2008).
10.10
 
Form of Subscription Agreement dated October 31, 2008 by and among our Company with one investor, (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.4 to our Form 8-K filed on August 15, 2008).
10.11
 
Form of Subscription Agreement dated November 9, 2010 by and among our Company with two investors, (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 to our Form 8-K filed on November 15, 2010).
21.1
 
Subsidiaries of Registrant, filed herewith.
31.1
 
Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), filed herewith.
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), filed herewith.
32.1
 
Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, filed herewith.
32.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, filed herewith.

* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 
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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
DEEP WELL OIL & GAS, INC.
     
 
By
/s/ Horst A. Schmid
   
Dr. Horst A. Schmid
   
Chairman of the Board
     
 
Date
December 23, 2010

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 
By
/s/ Horst A. Schmid
   
Dr. Horst A. Schmid
   
Chief Executive Officer and President
   
(Principal Executive Officer)
     
 
Date
December 23, 2010
     
 
By
/s/ Curtis James Sparrow
   
Mr. Curtis James Sparrow
   
Chief Financial Officer
   
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
     
 
Date
December 23, 2010
 
 
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