EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORP - Quarter Report: 2018 September (Form 10-Q)

EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Empire Petroleum Corporation ("Empire" or the "Company") have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by United States generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company's financial position, the results of operations, and the cash flows for the interim period are included.  All adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature.  Operating results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018.

The Company has incurred significant losses in recent years.  The continuation of the Company as a going concern is dependent upon the ability of the Company to attain future profitable operations and/or additional debt or equity financing until profitable operations are achieved.  These financial statements have been prepared on the basis of United States generally accepted accounting principles applicable to a company with continuing operations, which assume that the Company will continue in operation for the foreseeable future and will be able to realize its assets and discharge its obligations in the normal course of operations.  Management believes the going concern assumption to be appropriate for these financial statements.  If the going concern assumption were not appropriate for these financial statements, then adjustments might be necessary to adjust the carrying value of assets and liabilities and reported expenses.

The Company continues to seek partners to help it explore and develop oil and gas interests.  The ultimate recoverability of the Company's investment in oil and gas interests is dependent upon the existence and discovery of economically recoverable oil and gas reserves, the ability of the Company to obtain necessary financing to further develop the interests, and the ability of the Company to attain and sustain future profitable production.

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had $58,348 of cash.  In order to sustain the Company's operations on a long-term basis, the Company continues to look for acquisitions and consider public or private financings.

Compensation of Officers and Employees

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had no employees.  No Board members received compensation from the Company in the first nine months of 2018 or 2017.    For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company paid Michael R. Morrisett, the Company's President, $32,500 for services rendered.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company paid Mr. Morrisett $101,400 and Thomas Pritchard, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, $101,962 for services rendered. In addition, the Company paid a company in which Mr. Pritchard has an ownership interest $24,200 during 2018 for due diligence services relating to the acquisition of oil and gas leases.

2.     SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Principles of consolidation. The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Empire Louisiana, LLC ("Empire Louisiana"). All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

 

Use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements. Preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Depletion of oil and natural gas properties is determined using estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in the estimation of quantities of proved reserves and in the projection of future rates of production and the timing of development expenditures. Similarly, evaluations for impairment of proved and unproved oil and natural gas properties are subject to numerous uncertainties including, among others, estimates of future recoverable reserves, commodity price outlooks and prevailing market rates of other sources of income and costs. Other significant estimates include, but are not limited to, asset retirement obligations, fair value of assets purchased in acquisitions, and taxes.

 

Interim financial statements. The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have not been audited by the Company's independent registered public accounting firm. In preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements, management has made certain estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements and disclosures of contingencies. Actual results may differ from those estimates. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of annual results.

 

Certain disclosures have been condensed in or omitted from these consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, these condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Revenue recognition.   The Company recognizes revenues from the sales of oil and natural gas to its customers and presents them disaggregated on the Company's consolidated statements of operations. The Company enters into contracts with customers to sell its oil and natural gas production. Revenue on these contracts is recognized in accordance with the five-step revenue recognition model prescribed in ASC 606. Specifically, revenue is recognized when the Company's performance obligations under these contracts are satisfied, which generally occurs with the transfer of control of the oil and natural gas to the purchaser. Control is generally considered transferred when the following criteria are met: (i) transfer of physical custody, (ii) transfer of title, (iii) transfer of risk of loss and (iv) relinquishment of any repurchase rights or other similar rights. Given the nature of the products sold, revenue is recognized at a point in time based on the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in accordance with the price specified in the contract. Consideration under the oil and natural gas marketing contracts is typically received from the purchaser one to two months after production. At September 30, 2018, the Company had receivables related to contracts with customers of approximately $ 21,237.

Fair Value Measurements The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") fair value measurement standards define fair value, establish a consistent framework for measuring fair value and establish a fair value hierarchy based on the observability of inputs used to measure fair value.

Convertible debt - The carrying value of the convertible debt and investment in Masterson West II approximate fair value as of September 30, 2108. Management's estimates are based on the assessment of qualitative factors that are considered Level 3 measurements in the fair value hierarchy as required by FASB ASC 820.

 

Oil and natural gas properties- The fair value of proved and unproved oil and natural gas properties was measured using valuation techniques that convert the future cash flows to a single discounted amount. Significant inputs to the valuation of proved and unproved oil and natural gas properties include estimates of: (i) recoverable reserves; (ii) production rates; (iii) future operating and development costs; (iv) future commodity prices; and (v) a market-based weighted average costs of capital. The Company utilized a combination of the New York Mercantile Exchange ("NYMEX") strip pricing and consensus pricing to value the reserves, then applied various discount rates depending on the classification of reserves and other risk characteristics. Management utilized the assistance of a third-party valuation expert to estimate the value of the oil and natural gas properties acquired.

 

The fair value of asset retirement obligations is included in proved oil and natural gas properties with a corresponding liability in the table above. The fair value was determined based on a discounted cash flow model, which included assumptions of the estimated current abandonment costs, discount rate, inflation rate and timing associated with the incurrence of these costs.

 

The inputs used to value oil and natural gas properties and asset retirement obligations require significant judgment and estimates made by management and represent Level 3 inputs.

 

Financial instruments and other- The fair values determined for accounts receivable, accounts payable – trade, accrued drilling costs and other current liabilities were equivalent to the carrying value due to their short-term nature.

 

New accounting pronouncements issued but not yet adopted. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" ("ASU 2016-02"), which supersedes current lease guidance. The new lease standard requires all leases with a term greater than one year to be recognized on the balance sheet while maintaining substantially similar classifications for financing and operating leases. Lease expense recognition on the consolidated statements of operations will be effectively unchanged. This guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not plan to early adopt the standard. The Company plans to make policy elections to not capitalize short-term leases for all asset classes and to not separate non-lease components from lease components for all asset classes except for vehicles. The Company also plans to not elect the package of practical expedients that allows for certain considerations under the original "Leases (Topic 840)" accounting standard ("Topic 840") to be carried forward upon adoption of ASU 2016-02.

 

The Company enters into lease agreements to support its operations. These agreements are for leases on assets such as office space, well equipment and drilling rigs. The Company has substantially completed the process of reviewing and determining the contracts to which this new guidance applies. The Company is currently enhancing its accounting system in order to track and calculate additional information necessary for adoption of this standard. Upon adoption, the Company will be required to recognize right-of-use assets and associated lease liabilities that are not currently recognized under applicable guidance. The Company does not believe this adoption will have a material impact on its consolidated balance sheets based on the leases in place as of the filing of this Quarterly Report.

 

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-09, "Codification Improvements," which makes amendments to multiple codification topics to clarify, correct errors in, or make minor improvements to the accounting standards codification. The effective date of the standard is dependent on the facts and circumstances of each amendment. Some amendments do not require transition guidance and will be effective upon the issuance of this standard. Many of the amendments in ASU 2018-09 will be effective in annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company will be required to adopt this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company is currently assessing the effect that this ASU will have on the financial position, results of operations, and disclosures.

 

On August 17, 2018, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") issued a final rule that amends certain of its disclosure requirements that have become redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated or superseded, in light of other disclosure requirements, U.S. GAAP or changes in the information environment.  The amendments are intended to facilitate the disclosure of information to investors and simplify compliance without significantly altering the total mix of information provided to investors.  The final rule amends numerous SEC rules, items and forms covering a diverse group of topics, including, but not limited to, changes in stockholders' equity.  The final rule extends to interim periods the annual disclosure requirement in SEC Regulation S-X, Rule 3-04, of presenting changes in stockholders' equity.  The registrants will be required to analyze changes in stockholders' equity in the form of a reconciliation for the current quarter and year-to-date interim periods and comparative periods in the prior year.  The final rule is effective for all filings submitted on or after November 5, 2018.  The Company is currently analyzing the final rule and will comply with the new disclosure requirements for all filings after the effective date.    

As of  September 30, 2018, the Company did not own any equipment other than equipment located on its oil and gas properties (See Notes 5 & 6).

 

 

 

On December 22, 2016, the Company entered into a subscription and contribution agreement with Masterson West, LLC ("Masterson West") (the "Contribution Agreement") relating to the newly formed Masterson West II, LLC, a Texas limited liability company ("Masterson West II").   Pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, among other things, (a) at the initial closing, the Company agreed to contribute 2,000,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "Common Stock"), to Masterson West II, along with an additional 38,000,000 shares of Common Stock and (b) at the final closing, Masterson West has an obligation to contribute certain oil and gas properties (the "Contributed Properties") to Masterson West II in exchange for the Company contributing cash of not less than $9,000,000 and up to $18,000,000 to Masterson West II.  There is no assurance that the Company will be able to secure the funds necessary for the final closing.  Under the terms of the Agreement, the final closing was scheduled to occur no later than April 1, 2017.  After April 1, 2017 either party has the right to terminate the Agreement.  If the final closing occurs, the Company will own 50% of Masterson West II if it delivers $18,000,000 of cash at the final closing and 25% of Masterson West II if it delivers $9,000,000 of cash at the final closing.

 

Also on December 22, 2016, the Company entered into a limited liability agreement of Masterson West II with Masterson West (the "LLC Agreement").  Pursuant to the Contribution Agreement and the LLC Agreement, Masterson West was immediately entitled to a distribution of the 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock, but is only entitled to a distribution of all or a portion of the 38,000,000 shares of Common Stock if and when the final closing occurs.

 

In connection with the contribution of the Contributed Properties by Masterson West, at the final closing, Masterson West II will assume a credit facility affiliated with the Contributed Properties that has approximately $20,000,000 outstanding as of the date hereof.  Masterson West and the Company intends to use the cash consideration paid by the Company at the final closing to pay down such credit facility and/or as working capital to continue to develop the Contributed Properties.  If the proceeds are used to pay down part or all of such credit facility, the credit facility will be used to continue to develop the Contributed Properties.

 

On February 18, 2017, Gary C. Adams, the majority owner of Masterson West unexpectedly passed away. As a result of this development, the final closing did not occur on April 1, 2017, the final close date  per the Contribution Agreement. Though the transaction did not close before the stated final closing date, the Agreement remains in effect until one or both parties serve a notice of termination. As of the date of this filing, neither party has elected to terminate the Contribution Agreement. The Company is continuing its discussions with representatives of Masterson West regarding a potential transaction.

 

 

5.     ACQUISITION OF CARDINAL ASSETS

 

On August 28, 2018, the Company purchased oil producing properties from Cardinal Exploration and Production Company ("Cardinal") for a purchase price of $323,000.  The effective date of the transaction is June 1, 2018.  After certain adjustments related to the effective date, the total proceeds paid to Cardinal were $293,966.  Such proceeds were paid from sales of unregistered securities of the Company.

The oil and gas properties purchased from Cardinal include four active operated wells in Louisiana, including one saltwater disposal well, currently producing approximately 35 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) per day, and Empire's working interests in the wells are 100%.

 

The following table sets forth the Company's preliminary purchase price allocation:

 

The fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were based on the following key inputs:

 

Oil and natural gas properties

 

The fair value of proved oil and natural gas properties was measured using valuation techniques that convert the future cash flows to a single discounted amount. Significant inputs to the valuation of proved oil and natural gas properties include estimates of: (i) recoverable reserves; (ii) production rates; (iii) future operating and development costs; (iv) future commodity prices; and (v) a market-based weighted average costs of capital. The Company utilized a combination of the New York Mercantile Exchange ("NYMEX") strip pricing and consensus pricing to value the reserves, then applied various discount rates depending on the classification of reserves and other risk characteristics. Management utilized the assistance of a third-party valuation expert to estimate the value of the oil and natural gas properties acquired.

 

The fair value of asset retirement obligations totaled $83,782 and is included in proved oil and natural gas properties with a corresponding liability in the table above. The fair value was determined based on a discounted cash flow model, which included assumptions of the estimated current abandonment costs, discount rate, inflation rate and timing associated with the incurrence of these costs.

 

The inputs used to value oil and natural gas properties and asset retirement obligations require significant judgment and estimates made by management and represent Level 3 inputs.

 

Financial instruments and other

 

The fair values determined for accounts receivable and accounts payable – trade were equivalent to the carrying value due to their short-term nature.

 

Accounts payable - trade includes approximately $22,526 of liabilities primarily related to well activity prior to close.

 

 

6.     ACQUISITION OF EXODUS ASSETS

On September 20, 2018, the Company purchased oil and natural gas properties from Exodus Energy, Inc. ("Exodus")  for a purchase price of $864,901.  The effective date of the transaction is August 1, 2018.  Such proceeds were paid from loan proceeds and sales of unregistered securities.

The oil and gas properties include 1,500 gross developed and undeveloped acres and eight wells currently producing approximately 135 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) per day. The Company's working interests in the wells range from 50% to 90%.

 

The following table sets forth the Company's preliminary purchase price allocation:

 

 

The fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were based on the following key inputs:

 

Oil and natural gas properties

 

The fair value of proved oil and natural gas properties was measured using valuation techniques that convert the future cash flows to a single discounted amount. Significant inputs to the valuation of proved oil and natural gas properties include estimates of: (i) recoverable reserves; (ii) production rates; (iii) future operating and development costs; (iv) future commodity prices; and (v) a market-based weighted average costs of capital. The Company utilized a combination of the New York Mercantile Exchange ("NYMEX") strip pricing and consensus pricing to value the reserves, then applied various discount rates depending on the classification of reserves and other risk characteristics. Management utilized the assistance of a third-party valuation expert to estimate the value of the oil and natural gas properties acquired.

 

The fair value of asset retirement obligations totaled $99,421and is included in proved oil and natural gas properties with a corresponding liability in the table above. The fair value was determined based on a discounted cash flow model, which included assumptions of the estimated current abandonment costs, discount rate, inflation rate and timing associated with the incurrence of these costs.

 

The inputs used to value oil and natural gas properties and asset retirement obligations require significant judgment and estimates made by management and represent Level 3 inputs.

 

Financial instruments and other

 

The fair values determined for accounts receivable and accounts payable – trade were equivalent to the carrying value due to their short-term nature.

 

Accounts payable-trade includes approximately $73,193 of liabilities primarily related to well activity prior to close.

 

7.     NOTES PAYABLE

 

In July and August, 2018 the Company entered into two unsecured note agreements totaling $25,000 with Mr. Anthony Kamin, who is also a member of  the Company's Board of Directors. The notes are payable on demand and accrue interest at 8% interest. Both notes are outstanding at September 30, 2018.

 

On September 20, 2018 the Company entered into a Senior Revolver Loan Agreement ("the Agreement") with CrossFirst Bank ("CrossFirst"). The initial revolver commitment amount is $1,350,000 and the maximum amount that can be advanced under the Agreement is $5,000,000 and includes interest at Wall Street Journal Prime plus 150 basis points (6.75% as of September 30, 2018). The Agreement matures on September 20, 2020. Collateral for the loan is a lien on all of the assets of the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Empire Louisiana, and a first priority mortgage lien, pledge of and security interest in not less than 80% of Empire Louisiana's producing oil, gas and other leasehold and mineral interests in Louisiana. The Agreement requires Empire Louisiana, beginning December 31, 2018 to maintain certain covenants including an EBITDAX to interest expense of at least 3:1 and funded debt to EBITDAX of 4:1 on a trailing twelve month basis. As of September 30, 2018 the Company has $867,520 outstanding under the Agreement.

 

8.     EQUITY

Diluted Earnings per Share ("EPS") gives effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. The computation of Diluted EPS does not assume conversion, exercise or contingent exercise of securities that would have an anti-dilutive effect on losses.  As a result, if there is a loss from continuing operations, Diluted EPS is computed in the same manner as Basic EPS.  At September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company had 4,167 and 1,154,167 respectively, options outstanding that were not included in the calculation of earnings per share for the periods then ended.  Such financial instruments may become dilutive and would then need to be included in future calculations of Diluted EPS.  At September 30, 2018 and 2017, the outstanding options were considered anti-dilutive since the strike prices were above the market price and since the Company has incurred losses year to date.

 

In January 2017, the Company entered into securities purchase agreements (each, a "Securities Purchase Agreement" and, collectively, the "Securities Purchase Agreements") with two accredited investors, pursuant to which it issued senior unsecured convertible promissory notes due December 31, 2018 (each, a "Convertible Note" and, collectively, the "Convertible Notes") in the aggregate amount of $62,500 in cash.  Each Convertible Note accrues interest at 6%, is due December 31, 2018 and is convertible at the option of the holder at $0.15 per share.  Each investor was also issued a warrant certificate (each, a "Warrant Certificate" and, collectively, the "Warrant Certificates"), pursuant to which such investor could acquire one share of Common Stock at $0.25 per share for each $0.25 invested in the applicable Convertible Note until December 31, 2018.  The full amount of interest under each Convertible Note is accrued and paid upon the maturity date or earlier conversion.

 

The value allocated to the Warrant Certificates was the fair value determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation with the following assumptions:  no dividend yield, expected annual volatility of 110%, risk free interest rate of 1.23% and an expected useful life of two years. The fair value of the Warrant Certificates was allocated $16,975 to Paid in Capital.  The Notes' conversion features were valued at their intrinsic value in excess of the debt's allocated value of $16,975 and resulted in additional Paid in Capital. The Debt Issue Costs represent a direct deduction of the face amount the Convertible Notes and is amortized as interest expense over the life of the Notes.

 

 

On July 25, 2017 the Company issued 93,333 shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase 56,000 shares of its common stock for $.25 per share which expires on December 31, 2018 to an investment banking service firm in return for past and future services. The Common Stock was valued at $4,200 which represents the market price of 4.5 cents per share on the date of issuance. The value allocated to the warrants was the fair value determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation with the following assumptions:  no dividend yield, expected annual volatility of 145%, risk free interest rate of 1.23% and an expected useful life of 17 months. The fair value of the warrants of $694 was allocated to Paid in Capital.

 

In September and October 2017, the Company entered into securities purchase agreements (each, a "Securities Purchase Agreement" and, collectively, the "Securities Purchase Agreements") with two accredited investors, pursuant to which it issued senior unsecured convertible promissory notes due December 31, 2019 (each, a "Convertible Note" and, collectively, the "Convertible Notes") in the aggregate amount of $65,000 in cash.  Each Convertible Note accrues interest at 6%, is due December 31, 2019 and is convertible at the option of the holder at $0.15 per share.  Each investor was also issued a warrant certificate (each, a "Warrant Certificate" and, collectively, the "Warrant Certificates"), pursuant to which such investor could acquire one share of Common Stock at $0.25 per share for each $0.25 invested in the applicable Convertible Note until December 31, 2019.  The full amount of interest under each Convertible Note is accrued and paid upon the maturity date or earlier conversion.  The value allocated to the September Warrant Certificates was the fair value determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation with the following assumptions:  no dividend yield, expected annual volatility of 154%, risk free interest rate of 1.35% and an expected useful life of 28 months. The value allocated to the October Warrant Certificates was the fair value determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation with the following assumptions:  no dividend yield, expected annual volatility of 180%, risk free interest rate of 1.51% and an expected useful life of 27 months The fair value of the Warrant Certificates of $13,918 was allocated to Paid in Capital.  The Notes' conversion features were valued at their intrinsic value in excess of the debt's allocated value of $13,918 and resulted in additional Paid in Capital. The Debt Issue Costs represent a direct deduction of the face amount the Convertible Notes and is amortized as interest expense over the life of the Notes.

 

During November 2017 the Company issued warrants to purchase 4,000,000 shares of its common stock for $.25 per share and $.15 per share which expires on December 31, 2021 to several Board members and management. The value allocated to the warrants was the fair value determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation with the following assumptions:  no dividend yield, expected annual volatility of 179%, risk free interest rate of 1.98% and an expected useful life of 49 months. The fair value of the warrants of $472,700 was recorded as compensation expense and allocated to Paid in Capital.

During December 2017 the Company issued 1,225,000 shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase 1,225,000 shares of its common stock for $.15 per share which expires on December 31, 2019 to several accredited investors. The value allocated to the warrants was the fair value determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation with the following assumptions:  no dividend yield, expected annual volatility of 179%, risk free interest rate of 1.78% and an expected useful life of 25 months. The fair value of the warrants of $121,275 was allocated to Paid in Capital.

During January 2018 the Company issued to several accredited investors 1,100,000 shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase 1,100,000 shares of its common stock for $.15 per share which expires on December 31, 2019. The value allocated to the warrants was the fair value determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation with the following assumptions:  no dividend yield, expected annual volatility of 185%, risk free interest rate of 2.05% and an expected useful life of 24 months. The fair value of the warrants of $108,900 was allocated to Paid in Capital.

During March 2018 the Company issued to an accredited investor 100,000 shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of its common stock for $.15 per share which expires on December 31, 2019. The value allocated to the warrants was the fair value determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation with the following assumptions:  no dividend yield, expected annual volatility of 179%, risk free interest rate of 2.22% and an expected useful life of 22 months. The fair value of the warrants of $9,900 was allocated to Paid in Capital.

During June 2018 the Company issued warrants to purchase 645,000 shares of its common stock for $.25 per share which expire on December 31, 2019 to several professionals for business assistance provided. The value allocated to the warrants was the fair value determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation with the following assumptions:  no dividend yield, expected annual volatility of 174%, risk free interest rate of 2.38% and an expected useful life of 19 months. The fair value of the warrants of $117,068 was recorded as compensation expense and allocated to Paid in Capital.

 

During June 2018 the Company issued to an accredited investor 100,000 shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of its common stock for $.15 per share which expires on December 31, 2019. The value allocated to the warrants was the fair value determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation with the following assumptions:  no dividend yield, expected annual volatility of 197%, risk free interest rate of 2.43% and an expected useful life of 18 months. The fair value of the warrants of $9,900 was allocated to Paid in Capital.

During August and September 2018 the Company issued to a group of accredited investors 1,016,667 shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase 1,016,667 shares of its common stock for $.25 per share which expires on December 31, 2019. The value allocated to the warrants was the fair value determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation with the following assumptions:  no dividend yield, expected annual volatility of 210%, risk free interest rate of 2.49% and an expected useful life of 15 months. The fair value of the warrants of $150,833 was allocated to Paid in Capital.

During August and September 2018 the Company issued to an accredited investor 5,000,000 shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase 5,000,000 shares of its common stock for $.15 per share which expires on December 31, 2020. The value allocated to the warrants was the fair value determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation with the following assumptions:  no dividend yield, expected annual volatility of 189%, risk free interest rate of 2.71% and an expected useful life of 27 months. The fair value of the warrants of $495,000 was allocated to Paid in Capital. Proceeds from the issuance were utilized for a portion of the Cardinal and Exodus acquisitions (See Notes 5 and 6).

 

The following table reflects the composition of convertible notes as of September 30, 2018:

 

 

9.     SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On October 25, 2018 the Company, through it's subsidiary Empire Louisiana LLC, entered into an assignment, bill of sale and conveyance with Riviera Upstream, LLC, formerly known as Linn Energy Holdings, LLC to purchase non-operating working interest in four producing wells and two salt water disposal wells in which Empire Louisiana already owns a working interest for a purchase price of $205,000.

 

 

10.   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

 

Capitalized costs

 

 

 

Costs incurred for oil and natural gas producing activities

 

 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

GENERAL TO ALL PERIODS

The Company's primary business is the exploration and development of oil and gas interests.  The Company has incurred significant losses from operations, and there is no assurance that it will achieve profitability or obtain the funds necessary to finance its operations.  For all periods presented, the Company's effective tax rate is 0%.  The Company has generated net operating losses since inception, which would normally reflect a tax benefit in the statement of operations and a deferred asset on the balance sheet.  However, because of the current uncertainty as to the Company's ability to achieve profitability, a valuation reserve has been established that offsets the amount of any tax benefit available for each period presented in the statements of operations.

THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 COMPARED TO THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017.

Oil and gas sales increased by $24,277 to $24,277 from $-0- for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from the same period in 2017 due to the Company's acquisition of producing properties in 2018.

Production and operating expenses increased by $27,382 to $27,382 from $-0- for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from the same period in 2017 due to the Company's acquisition of producing properties in 2018.

Severance taxes increased by $3,040 to $3,040 from $-0- for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from the same period in 2017 due to the Company's acquisition of producing properties in 2018.

General and administrative expenses increased by $154,147 to $205,397 for the three months ended September 30, 2018, from $51,250 for the same period in 2017.  The increase is primarily due to professional fees and other costs related to due diligence and asset purchases.

Interest expense increased by $4,633 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 to $22,032 from $17,399 for the same period in 2017. The increase is due to the issuance of additional convertible notes in the second half of 2017 and 2018.

For the reasons discussed above, net loss increased by $164,925 from $(68,649) for the three months ended September 30, 2017, to $(233,574) for the three months ended September 30, 2018.

 

NINE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 COMPARED TO NINE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017.

Oil and gas sales increased by $24,277 to $24,277 from $-0- for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from the same period in 2017 due to the Company's acquisition of producing properties in 2018.

Production and operating expenses increased by $27,382 to $27,382 from $-0- for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from the same period in 2017 due to the Company's acquisition of producing properties in 2018.

Severance taxes increased by $3,040 to $3,040 from $-0- for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from the same period in 2017 due to the Company's acquisition of producing properties in 2018.

General and administrative expenses increased by $478,216 to $642,476 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, from $164,260 for the same period in 2017.  The increase is primarily due to warrants granted, professional fees and other costs related to asset purchases.

Interest expense increased by $9,192 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 to $61,505 from $52,313 for the same period in 2017. The increase is due to the issuance of additional convertible notes in the second half of 2017 and 2018.

For the reasons discussed above, net loss increased by $493,553 from $(216,573) for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, to $(710,126) for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

GENERAL

As of September 30, 2018 the Company had $58,348 of cash. In order to sustain the Company's operations on a long-term basis, the Company continues to look for acquisitions and consider public or private financings.

OUTLOOK

See Note 4 to the financial statements for information regarding the Contribution Agreement the Company entered into with Masterson West.  On February 18, 2017, Gary C. Adams, the majority owner of Masterson West unexpectedly passed away. As a result of this development, the final closing did not occur on April 1, 2017, the final close date  per the Contribution Agreement. Though the transaction did not close before the stated final closing date, the Agreement remains in effect until one or both parties serve a notice of termination. As of the date of this filing, neither party has elected to terminate the Contribution Agreement. The Company is continuing its discussions with representatives of Masterson West regarding the continuation of the Contribution Agreement. The Company anticipates that the Contribution Agreement and/or the LLC Agreement will either be amended, replaced or terminated in 2018.

See Notes 5 and 6 to the financial statements for information for information regarding the two Purchase Agreements the Company entered into in July 2018 to purchase existing oil and gas properties and mineral interests. The Company is also actively pursuing the acquisition of other operated and non-operated oil and gas properties.  It is anticipated that such acquisitions will be financed through equity or debt transactions.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including this section, includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws.  All statements, other than statements of  historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including future sources of financing and other possible business developments, are forward-looking statements.  Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties and could be affected by a number of different factors, including the Company's failure to secure short and long-term financing necessary to sustain and grow its operations, increased competition, changes in the markets in which the Company participates and the technology utilized by the Company and new legislation regarding environmental matters.  These risks and other risks that could affect the Company's business are more fully described in reports it files with the SEC, including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.  Actual results may vary materially from the forward-looking statements.

The Company undertakes no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q.

MATERIAL RISKS

 

The Company has incurred significant losses from operations and there is no assurance that it will achieve profitability or obtain the funds necessary to finance continued operations.  For other material risks, see the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, which was filed on April 2, 2018.

 

Item 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not applicable.

 

Item 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation under the supervision of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and President (and principal financial officer) of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a - 15(e) and 15d - 15(e).  Based on this evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and President (and principal financial officer) have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report are effective.

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

None.

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

Not applicable.

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5.

Other Information

None.

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

 

 

NO.              DESCRIPTION