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EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORP - Quarter Report: 2019 March (Form 10-Q)


 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_________________
 
FORM 10-Q
_________________
 
     QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended: March 31, 2019
 
or
 
     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from: _____________ to _____________
 
 
_________________
 
 
 
EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
_________________
 
DELAWARE
001-16653
73-1238709
(State or Other Jurisdiction
(Commission
(I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation or Organization)
File Number)
Identification No.)
 
 
1203 East 33rd Street, Suite 250 Tulsa, OK 74105
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
 
 
(539) 444-8002
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
 
 (Former name or former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
 
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
 
Title of each class
 
Trading Symbol(s)
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
 
None
 
EMPR
 
None
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes ☒     No  ☐
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     Yes       No  ☐
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer ☐
 
Accelerated filer ☐
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer ☐
 
Smaller reporting company ☒
 
   
   
Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).     Yes       No  ☒
 
 

 
 
 
APPLICABLE ONLY TO REGISTRANTS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY
PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.   Yes ☐         No ☐
 
 
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS
 
The number of shares of the registrant's common stock, $0.001 par value, outstanding as of March 31, 2019 was 18,792,277.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

- 2 -
 
EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
 

 
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Page No.
     
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
     
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2019  (Unaudited) and December 31, 2018
4
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations – For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 (Unaudited)
5
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) (Unaudited)
6
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 (Unaudited)
7
     
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
8 - 14
     
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
15 - 17
     
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
17
     
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
17
     
     
     
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
18
     
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
18
     
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
18
     
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
18
     
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
18
     
Item 5.
Other Information
18
     
Item 6.
Exhibits
18
     
 
Signatures
19
     
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- 3 -

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 
Item 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2019
   
December 31, 2018
 
ASSETS
 
(UNAUDITED)
       
             
Current assets:
           
Cash
 
$
29,933
   
$
84,631
 
Accounts receivable
   
240,447
     
124,577
 
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments
   
24,967
     
113,081
 
Inventory
   
472,023
     
 
Prepaids
   
39,119
     
45,214
 
Total current assets
   
806,489
     
367,503
 
 
Oil and natural gas properties, successful efforts
   
9,895,508
     
1,645,297
 
Less: accumulated depreciation and depletion
   
(33,613
)
   
(15,527
)
     
9,861,895
     
1,629,770
 
Total assets
 
$
10,668,384
   
$
1,997,273
 
 
               
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
               
                 
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
 
$
580,838
   
$
320,749
 
Accrued expenses
   
617,385
     
141,033
 
Current portion of long-term notes payable
   
6,486,217
     
279,204
 
Total current liabilities
   
7,684,440
     
740,986
 
                 
Long-term notes payable
   
0
     
1,175,820
 
Asset retirement obligations
   
3,504,629
     
230,650
 
Total liabilities
   
11,189,069
     
2,147,456
 
                 
Stockholders' deficit:
               
Common stock - $.001 par value 150,000,000 shares
               
authorized, 18,792,277 and 17,345,609 shares
               
issued and outstanding, respectively
   
18,792
     
17,345
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
17,176,371
     
16,960,818
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(17,715,848
)
   
(17,128,346
)
Total stockholders' deficit
   
(520,685
)
   
(150,183
)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit
 
$
10,668,384
   
$
1,997,273
 
 
               
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements
 
- 4 -

EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
             
   
2019
   
2018
 
Revenue:
           
Oil and gas sales
 
$
343,965
   
$
 
Unrealized loss on derivatives
   
(88,114
)
   
 
Total revenue
   
255,851
     
 
 
               
Costs and expenses:
               
Operating
   
152,487
     
 
Taxes – production
   
19,649
     
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
   
18,086
     
 
Accretion of asset retirement obligation
   
6,599
     
 
General and administrative
   
612,589
     
226,677
 
 
   
809,410
     
226,677
 
Operating loss
   
(553,559
)
   
(226,677
)
 
               
Other income and (expense):
               
Interest expense
   
(33,943
)
   
(19,628
)
Net loss
 
$
(587,502
)
 
$
(246,305
)
 
               
Net loss per common share,
               
basic and diluted
 
$
(0.03
)
 
$
(0.02
)
Weighted average number of common
               
shares outstanding basic and diluted
   
17,805,534
     
10,890,740
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements
 
- 5 -

 
EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT (EQUITY)
For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
               
Additional
             
   
Common Stock
   
Paid-In
   
Accumulated
       
   
Shares
   
Par Value
   
Capital
   
Deficit
   
Total
 
                               
Balances, December 31, 2018
   
17,345,609
   
$
17,345
   
$
16,960,818
   
$
(17,128,346
)
 
$
(150,183
)
                                         
Net loss
   
     
     
     
(587,502
)
   
(587,502
)
                                         
Shares, options, warrants and conversion features issued
   
1,446,668
     
1,447
     
215,553
     
     
217,000
 
                                         
Balances, March 31, 2019
   
18,792,277
   
$
18,792
   
$
17,176,371
   
$
(17,715,848
)
 
$
(520,685
)
                                         
 
 
 
         
Common Stock
   
Stock
   
Additional
             
   
Common Stock
   
Subscribed, not
    Subscription    
Paid in
   
Accumulated
       
   
Shares
   
Par Value
   
yet issued
    Receivable    
Capital
   
Deficit
   
Total
 
Balances December 31, 2017
   
8,803,942
   
$
8,803
   
$
3,225
   
$
(5,000
)
 
$
16,232,381
   
$
(16,111,215
)
 
$
128,194
 
                                                         
Net loss
                                           
(246,305
)
   
(246,305
)
 
                                                       
Shares, options, warrants and conversion features issued
   
1,190,000
     
1,190
     
10
     
5,000
     
118,800
     
0
     
125,000
 
                                                         
Balances March 31, 2018
   
9,993,942
   
$
9,993
   
$
3,235
   
$
0
   
$
16,351,181
   
$
(16,357,520
)
 
$
6,889
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements
 
- 6 -

EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)

 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
 
2019
   
2018
 
             
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net loss
 
$
(587,502
)
 
$
(246,305
)
                 
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net
               
cash used in operating activities:
               
Amortization of warrant value and conversion
               
feature on convertible notes
   
1,449
     
15,728
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
   
18,086
     
 
Accretion of asset retirement obligation
   
6,599
     
 
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
   
(115,870
)
   
 
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments
   
88,114
     
 
Inventory
   
(33,703
)
   
 
Prepaids
   
6,095
     
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
503,172
     
87,035
 
Net cash used in operating activities
   
(113,560
)
   
(143,542
)
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Acquisition of oil and gas properties
   
(5,187,882
)
   
 
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from debt issued
   
5,079,744
     
 
Proceeds from stock issuance
   
167,000
     
125,000
 
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
5,246,744
     
125,000
 
                 
Net change in cash
   
(54,698
)
   
(18,542
)
                 
Cash - Beginning of period
   
84,631
     
77,780
 
                 
Cash - End of period
 
$
29,933
   
$
59,238
 
                 
Supplemental cash flow information:
               
Cash paid for interest
 
$
19,710
   
$
 
                 
Non-cash investing and financing activities:                
Non-cash additions to asset retirement obligations   $ 3,267,380     $
 
                 
                 
Common stock issued for outstanding demand notes payable
 
$
50,000
   
$
 
                 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements
 
- 7 -

EMPIRE PETROLEUM CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2019
(UNAUDITED)

 
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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, 2019.

The information contained in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2018 which are contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on April 1, 2019.

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 continuation of the Company is dependent upon the ability of the Company to raise capital and attain future profitable operations.  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 future profitable production.

As of March 31, 2019, the Company had $29,933 of cash, working capital was $(6,877,951) and the Company was not in compliance with its debt covenants. The Company has proved reserves of approximately 3,500 Mbbls of oil and 900 MMcf of natural gas, all of which have been acquired within the last twelve months. The Company plans to continue to look for oil and natural gas investments and will use a combination of debt and equity financing to fund the acquisitions. The Company expects to also incur costs related to evaluating and acquiring oil and natural gas acquisitions for the foreseeable future. It is expected that management will attempt to raise additional capital for future investment and working capital opportunities.

Compensation of Officers and Employees

As of March 31, 2019, the Company had three employees.  No independent Board members received compensation from the Company in the first three months of 2019 or 2018.    For the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company paid Mr. Morrisett and Mr. Pritchard $80,533 each for services rendered.  For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company paid Mr. Morrisett and Mr. Pritchard $35,000 each for services rendered.
 
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 subsidiaries, Empire Louisiana, LLC ("Empire Louisiana") and Empire North Dakota, LLC ("Empire North Dakota").  All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
 
 
- 8 -

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, 2018.
 
Inventory Inventory consists of oil and natural gas in tanks which has not been delivered and is valued at the contract price to the seller.
 
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 March 31, 2109, the Company had receivables related to contracts with customers of approximately $240,000.

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 approximate fair value as of March 31, 2019. 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.

- 9 -

3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

In 2018, the Company, through its subsidiary, Empire Louisiana, LLC, purchased oil and natural gas properties in St. Landry and Beauregard parishes in Louisiana. In March 2019, the Company, through its subsidiary, Empire North Dakota, LLC, purchased oil and natural gas properties in Montana and North Dakota.
 
The aggregate capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties as of March 31, 2019, are as follows:
 
Proved producing wells
 
$
3,302,921
 
Proved undeveloped
   
2,131,560
 
Lease and well equipment
   
964,926
 
Asset retirement obligation
   
3,496,101
 
Gross capitalized costs
   
9,895,508
 


4. ACQUISITION OF ENERGYQUEST II ASSETS

On March 28, 2019, the Company purchased oil producing properties from EnergyQuest II, LLC ("EnergyQuest") for a purchase price of $5,418,653.  The effective date of the transaction is January 1, 2019.  After certain adjustments related to the effective date, the total proceeds paid to EnergyQuest were $5,187,882.  Such proceeds were paid from borrowing on notes payable and sales of unregistered securities of the Company.

The oil and gas properties purchased from EnergyQuest include 184 wells in Montana and North Dakota currently producing approximately 375 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) per day, and Empire will operate 139 wells. Engineering reports for the properties estimate proved developed reserves  2,874Mbbls of oil and 13.8 MMcf of natural gas.
 
The following table sets forth the Company's preliminary purchase price allocation:
       
Fair Value of Assets Acquired
     
Accounts receivable
 
$
1,256,094
 
Inventory of oil in tanks
   
438,320
 
Oil properties
   
8,071,365
 
         
Total Assets Acquired
 
$
9,765,779
 
         
Fair Value of Liabilities Assumed
       
Accounts payable
 
$
1,310,517
 
Asset retirement obligations
   
3,267,380
 
         
Total liabilities assumed
 
$
4,577,897
 
         
Total consideration paid   $ 5,187,882  

 
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 $3,267,380 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.
 
- 10 -

Financial instruments and other
 
The fair values determined for accounts receivable and accounts payable were equivalent to the carrying value due to their short-term nature.
 
Accounts payable includes approximately $1,300,000 of liabilities primarily related to well activity prior to close.
 
5.   DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to commodity price fluctuations.  Commodity derivative instruments are used to reduce the effect of volatility of price changes on the oil and gas the Company produces and sells.  The Company's derivative financial instruments consist of oil and natural gas swaps.

The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.

The Company does not designate its derivative instruments to qualify for hedge accounting. Accordingly, the Company reflects changes in the fair value of its derivative instruments in its consolidated statements of operations as they occur. Unrealized gains and losses related to the swap contracts are recognized and recorded as an asset or liability on the Company's balance sheet.

The following table summarizes the net realized and unrealized amounts reported in earnings related to the commodity derivative instruments for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:
 
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2019
   
2018
 
Gain (loss) on derivatives:
             
Oil derivatives
   
(67,596
)
   
 
Natural gas derivatives
   
(763
)
   
 
Total
   
(68,359
)
   
 

The following represents the Company's net cash receipts from (payments on) derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:
 
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2019
   
2018
 
Net cash receipts from (payments on) derivatives:
             
Oil derivatives
   
19,349
     
 
Natural gas derivatives
   
406
     
 
Total
   
19,755
     
 

The following table sets forth the Company's outstanding derivative contracts at March 31, 2019.  All of the Company's derivatives are expected to settle by October 31, 2019:

 
 
Second quarter
   
Third quarter
   
Fourth quarter
 
Oil Swaps:
                 
Volume (Bbl)
   
1,767
     
1,767
     
589
 
Price per Bbl
 
$
65.85
   
$
65.85
   
$
65.85
 
                         
Natural Gas Swaps:
                       
Volume (Mcf)
   
11.37
     
11.37
     
 
Price per Mcf
 
$
2.875
   
$
2.875
     
 
Total
                       
 

 

- 11 -

6. 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.  In February 2019, the Company and Mr. Kamin entered into an unsecured note agreement in the amount of $25,000.  The note was due May 1, 2019, and accrued interest at 8%.  In March 2019, Mr. Kamin used the $50,000 note balances to exercise some of his outstanding warrants to purchase common stock (see Note 7).
 
In February 2019, the Company entered into five unsecured promissory note agreements with accredited investors, including the agreement with Mr. Kamin discussed above, totaling $90,000.  The notes are due May 1, 2019, and accrue interest at 8%.  One of the notes, in the amount of $15,000 was issued to Michael R. Morrisett, the Company's President.

On March 27, 2019, the Company entered into a First Amendment to the Senior Revolver Loan Agreement (the "Agreement") with Crossfirst Bank.  Under the terms of the Agreement, the commitment amount was increased to $9,000,000 and the maturity date was extended until March 27, 2021.  The Company borrowed $4,880,383 of new funds and paid $76,900 in loan origination fees which were added to the balance of the loan. The unamortized loan origination fees have been netted against the outstanding loan balance in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Agreement requires the Company 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 12-month basis. The Company was not in compliance with certain financial covenants at March 31, 2019. As a part of the First Amendment to the Agreement in conjunction with the Energy Quest II, LLC acquisition, the covenants were modified on a retrospective basis. Because the First Amendment to the Agreement was signed on March 27, 2019,  the Company has not sought a waiver from Crossfirst Bank; consequently the entire balance of the loan has been classified as a current liability on the balance sheet.

On December 31, 2018, the Company and investors for all of the Senior Unsecured Convertible Promissory Notes entered into amended agreements whereby the maturity dates for the notes maturing December 31, 2018 were extended to December 31, 2019, the conversion feature of the notes was modified from $0.15 per share of common stock to $0.10 per share. Additionally, the Warrant Certificates to purchase shares of common stock of the Company, which were issued as a part of the original agreements, were repriced from $0.25 per share to $0.15 per share. The value allocated to the Warrant Certificates modification was the fair value determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation with the following assumptions: no dividend yield, expected annual volatility of 167%, risk free interest rate of 2.63% and an expected useful life of 12 months.  The change in fair value of the Warrant Certificates as a result of the modifications of $139,985 was allocated to Paid in Capital and included as an expense in 2018.  The Notes conversion features were equivalent to their intrinsic value at the date of modification. The remaining Debt Issue Costs as of March 31, 2019, from the original notes which mature at December 31, 2019, of $4,347 will be amortized as interest expense over the remaining life of the Notes.
 
The following table reflects the composition of convertible notes as of March 31:
 
   
2019
   
2018
 
 
 
Current
   
Long Term
   
Total
   
Total
 
Convertible Notes Outstanding
 
$
260,000
   
$
   
$
260,000
   
$
260,000
 
Debt Issue Costs – Warrants and Conversion Feature
   
(4,347
)
   
     
(4,347
)
   
(59,650
)
 
                               
Convertible Notes Outstanding, Net
 
$
255,653
   
$
   
$
255,653
   
$
200,350
 

On April 10, 2019, one of the investors for the Senior Unsecured Promissory Notes exercised the conversion feature and converted their $37,500 note for 375,000 shares of the Company's common stock (see Note 8).

7. 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 March 31, 2019 and 2018, 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 March 31, 2019 and 2018, 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.

- 12 -

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 $0.15 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 $0.15 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 $0.25 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 $0.15 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.

In March 2019, 1,446,668 outstanding $0.15 warrants were converted to shares of common stock of the Company. Proceeds received from the conversion was $217,000 including $50,000 of notes payable conversion by Mr. Kamin (see Note 6).

On April 3, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the Empire Petroleum Corporation 2019 Stock Option Plan (the "Stock Option Plan"). The total number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to stock options under the Stock Option Plan is 10,000,000.  Further, on April 3, 2019 the Company granted Mr. Pritchard and Mr. Morrissett each, options to purchase 2,500,000 shares of common stock of the Company at an exercise price of $0.33 per share. The options vest in three installments with 1,250,000 vesting immediately and 625,000 vesting each in April 2020 and April, 2021. All of the options expire in April, 2029. (see Note 8).

8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On April 3, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the Empire Petroleum Corporation 2019 Stock Option Plan (the "Stock Option Plan"). The total number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to stock options under the Stock Option Plan is 10,000,000. Further, on April 3, 2019 the Company granted Mr. Pritchard and Mr. Morrissett each, options to purchase 2,500,000 shares of common stock of the Company at an exercise price of $0.33 per share. The options vest in three installments with 1,250,000 vesting immediately and 625,000 vesting each in April 2020 and April, 2021. All of the options expire in April, 2029. (see Note 7).

On April 3, 2019 the Board of Directors of the Company amended certain warrant certificates which had been issued to Mr. Kamin covering 3,000,000 warrants to purchase common stock of the Company. The original warrants expired on December 31, 2021 and had exercise prices of $0.15 and $0.25 for 500,000 and 2,500,000 shares, respectively. The warrants were extended to expire on April 2, 2029.

On April 10, 2019, $37,500 of outstanding convertible notes payable were converted to common stock of the Company at a conversion price of $0.10 per share.
 
 

- 13 -

9. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
 
Capitalized costs
 
   
 
March 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2019
   
2018
 
 
           
Oil and natural gas properties:
           
Proved
 
$
3,302,921
   
$
 
Unproved
   
2,131,560
     
 
Lease and well equipment
   
964,926
     
 
Asset retirement obligation
   
3,496,101
     
 
Less: accumulated depletion
   
(33,613
)
   
 
Net capitalized costs for oil and natural gas properties
 
$
9,861,895
   
$
 
 
               
 
Costs incurred for oil and natural gas producing activities
 
For the three months ended March 31:
   
2019
   
2018
 
             
Property acquisition costs:
           
Proved
 
$
2,719,320
   
$
 
Unproved
   
1,583,679
     
 
Lease and well equipment
   
679,833
     
 
Asset retirement obligation
   
3,267,380
     
 
Total costs incurred for oil and natural gas properties
 
$
8,250,212
   
$
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- 14 -

Item 2.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
GENERAL TO ALL PERIODS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

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.

The following table sets forth a summary of our production and operating data for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The Company had no production prior to August 2018. Because of normal production declines, increased or decreased drilling activities, fluctuations in commodity prices and the effects of acquisitions or divestitures, the historical information presented below should not be interpreted as being indicative of future results.

   
Three months ended March 31, 2019
 
Production and operating data:
     
Net production volumes:
     
Oil (Bbl) (a)
   
5,038
 
Natural gas (Mcf) (b)
   
1,796
 
Total (Boe) (c)
   
6,835
 
         
Average price per unit:
       
Oil (Bbl)  (a)
 
$
59.92
 
Natural gas (Mcf) (b)
 
$
2.83
 
Total (Boe) (c)
 
$
48.63
 
         
(a)   Bbl - One stock tank barrel, of 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume, used herein in reference to oil, condensate or natural gas liquids.
 
(b)   Mcf – One thousand cubic feet of natural gas
 
(c)   Boe - One barrel of oil equivalent, a standard convention used to express oil and natural gas volumes on a comparable oil equivalent basis. Natural gas equivalents are determined under the relative energy content method by using the ratio of 6.0 Mcf of natural gas to 1.0 Bbl of oil or condensate.
 
         
Operating costs and expenses per Boe:
       
Oil and natural gas production
 
$
22.31
 
Production and ad valorem taxes
 
$
2.87
 
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion
 
$
3.61
 
General and administrative
 
$
89.63
 

 
THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2019 COMPARED TO THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2018.

For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, revenues were $ 343,965 and $0 respectively.  The Company purchased certain producing properties during the third quarter of  2018 and first quarter of 2019.
 
Operating expenses, production taxes, depreciation and depletion and amortization and accretion increased to $196,821 cumulatively for the three months ended March 31, 2109 from $0 for the same period in 2018.  The increase was due to the acquisition of producing oil and natural gas properties in 2018 and 2019.
 
 

- 15 -

Unrealized loss on derivatives increased to $88,114 for the 12 months ended March 31, 2019, from $0 in the same period due to decrease in oil prices since the agreements were entered into.

General and administrative expenses increased by $385,912 (170%) to $612,589 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, from $226,677 for the same period in 2018. The increase was primarily due to wages and insurance associated with administration of oil and natural gas properties and travel and professional fees related to the acquisition of oil and natural gas properties and capital raises in 2019.

Interest expense was $33,943 and $19,628 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.  The increase in interest expense of $14,315 (73%) resulted primarily from the debt issued to acquire oil and natural gas properties in 2018.

For the reasons discussed above, net loss increased by $341,197 (139%) from $(246,305) for the three months ended March 31, 2018, to $(587,502) for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") periodically issues new accounting standards in a continuing effort to improve standards of financial accounting and reporting.  The following is a summary of recent accounting pronouncements that are relevant to the Company:
 
In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-18, "Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808): Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606," ("ASU 2018-18") which, among other things, clarifies that (i) certain transactions between collaborative arrangement participants should be accounted for as revenue under Topic 606 when the collaborative arrangement participant is a customer in the context of a unit of account, (ii) adds unit-of-account guidance in Topic 808 to align with the guidance in Topic 606, and (iii) requires that in a transaction with a collaborative arrangement participant that is not directly related to sales to third parties, presenting the transaction together with revenue recognized under Topic 606 is precluded if the collaborative arrangement participant is not a customer. ASU 2018-18 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years and early adoption is permitted. The amendments in this update should be applied retrospectively to the date of initial application of Topic 606. An entity should recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying the amendments as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings of the later of the earliest annual period presented and the annual period that includes the date of the entity's initial application of Topic 606. Management has reviewed the new standard in conjunction with its current practices and believes that it will not have a material impact on the financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13: "Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) – Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments."  This ASU requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for most financial assets held at the reporting date based on an expected loss model which includes historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts.  Entities will now use forward-looking information to better form their credit loss estimates.  This ASU also requires enhanced disclosures to help financial statement users better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an entity's portfolio.  ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal periods.  Entities may adopt earlier as of the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  We are currently in the process of evaluating this new standard update; the Company's accounts receivable are from oil and natural gas sales and are generally received soon after the sale.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

GENERAL

As of March 31, 2019, the Company had $29,933 of cash.  The Company expects to incur costs related to future oil and natural gas acquisitions for the foreseeable future. It is expected that management will attempt to raise additional capital for future investment and working capital opportunities.

- 16 -

OUTLOOK

See Note 5 to the financial statements for information for information regarding the Purchase Agreement the Company entered into in 2019 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, 2018.  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, 2018, which was filed on April 1, 2019.
 

Item 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not applicable.
 

Item 4.
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 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 President (and principal financial officer) has concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report are effective.

 
 
 
 
- 17 -

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

31.1
Certification of Thomas Pritchard, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rules 13a - 14 (a) and 15(d) - 14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Item 601(1) (31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (submitted herewith).
 
31.2
Certification of Michael R. Morrisett, President and principal financial officer, pursuant to Rules 13a - 14 (a) and 15(d) - 14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Item 601(1) (31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (submitted herewith).
 
32.1
Certification of Thomas Pritchard, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (submitted herewith).
 
32.2
Certification of Michael R. Morrisett, President and principal financial officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (submitted herewith).
 
101
Financial Statements for XBRL format (submitted herewith).




 
- 18 -

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.

 
Empire Petroleum Corporation
 

Date:   May 15, 2019
By:
/s/ Michael R. Morrisett
   
Michael R. Morrisett
   
President
   
(principal financial officer)
     
     
Date:   May 15, 2019
By:
/s/ Thomas Pritchard
   
Thomas Pritchard
   
Chief Executive Officer

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
- 19 -

EXHIBIT INDEX

               


NO. DESCRIPTION
   
   
   
   
   
101
Financial Statements for XBRL format (submitted herewith).

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- 20 -