GULFSLOPE ENERGY, INC. - Quarter Report: 2015 March (Form 10-Q)
U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-Q
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[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the quarter ended March 31, 2015
Commission File No. 000-51638
GULFSLOPE ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name of the issuer as specified in its charter)
Delaware
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16-1689008
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(State or Other Jurisdiction of
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(I.R.S. Employer I.D. No.)
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incorporation or organization)
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2500 CityWest Blvd., Suite 800
Houston, Texas 77042
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(281) 918-4100
(Issuer’s Telephone Number)
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 (the “Exchange Act”) 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 [X] 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 [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer [ ]
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Accelerated filer [ X ]
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Non-accelerated filer [ ]
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Smaller reporting company [ ]
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [ X ]
The number of shares outstanding of our common stock, as of May 11, 2015, was 661,019,557.
1
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Report”) contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements”, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this Report including, without limitation, statements in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in this Report, regarding our financial condition, estimated working capital, business strategy, the plans and objectives of our management for future operations and those statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “believe”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “estimates”, “projects”, “target”, “goal”, “plans”, “objective”, “should”, or similar expressions or variations on such expressions are forward-looking statements. We can give no assurances that the assumptions upon which the forward-looking statements are based will prove to be correct. Because forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, economic conditions generally and in the markets in which we may participate, competition within our chosen industry, technological advances and failure by us to successfully develop business relationships. A more detailed discussion of possible risks is included in “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 14, 2014.
Except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws, we disclaim any obligations or undertaking to publicly release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained in this Report to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
2
PART I - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Item 1. Financial Statements.
March 31, 2015
C O N T E N T S
Condensed Balance Sheets
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4
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Condensed Statements of Operations
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5
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Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
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6
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Notes to Condensed Financial Statements
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7
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3
GulfSlope Energy, Inc.
Condensed Balance Sheets
As of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2015
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September 30, 2014
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|||||||
Assets
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||||||||
Current Assets
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||||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents
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$
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1,132,337
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$
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4,410,302
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||||
Restricted Cash
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1,500,301
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1,500,077
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||||||
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
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160,998
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33,602
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||||||
Total Current Assets
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2,793,636
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5,943,981
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||||||
Property and Equipment, Net of Depreciation
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96,603
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107,971
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||||||
Oil and Natural Gas Properties, Full Cost Method of Accounting
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||||||||
Unproved Properties
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4,341,227
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2,055,978
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||||||
Other Non-Current Assets
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85,720
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150,000
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||||||
Total Non-Current Assets
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4,523,550
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2,313,949
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||||||
Total Assets
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$
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7,317,186
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$
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8,257,930
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||||
Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit
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||||||||
Current Liabilities
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||||||||
Accounts Payable
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$
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103,084
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$
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45,210
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||||
Related Party Payable
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212,451
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266,737
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||||||
Accrued Expenses and Other Payables
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2,553,065
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2,503,064
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||||||
Accrued Interest Payable
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204,106
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40,812
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||||||
Notes Payable
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124,166
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4,427
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||||||
Stock Payable
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85,286
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-
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||||||
Loan from Related-Party
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6,460,000
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6,460,000
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||||||
Total Current Liabilities
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9,742,158
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9,320,250
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||||||
Total Liabilities
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9,742,158
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9,320,250
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||||||
Stockholders' Deficit
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||||||||
Preferred Stock; par value ($0.001);
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-
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-
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||||||
Authorized 50,000,000 shares
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||||||||
none issued or outstanding
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||||||||
Common Stock; par value ($0.001);
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661,019
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660,672
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||||||
Authorized 975,000,000 shares; 661,019,557 and
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||||||||
660,672,345 issued and outstanding, respectively
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||||||||
Additional Paid-in-Capital
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23,410,475
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22,936,685
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||||||
Accumulated Deficit
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(26,496,466)
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(24,659,677)
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||||||
Total Stockholders' Deficit
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(2,424,972)
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(1,062,320)
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||||||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit
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$
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7,317,186
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$
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8,257,930
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The accompanying notes are an integral part to these condensed financial statements.
4
GulfSlope Energy, Inc.
Condensed Statements of Operations
For the Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
(Unaudited)
For the three months ended
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For the three months ended
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For the six months ended
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For the six months ended
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|||||||||||||
March 31, 2015
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March 31, 2014
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March 31, 2015
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March 31, 2014
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|||||||||||||
Revenues
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$
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-
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$
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-
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$
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-
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$
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-
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||||||||
Revenues from Related Parties
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-
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-
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-
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-
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||||||||||||
Total Revenue
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-
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-
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-
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-
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||||||||||||
Cost of Sales
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-
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-
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-
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-
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||||||||||||
Cost of Sales to Related Parties
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-
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-
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-
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-
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||||||||||||
Total Cost of Sales
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-
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-
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-
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-
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||||||||||||
Gross Profit
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-
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-
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-
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-
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||||||||||||
Impairment of Oil and Natural Gas Properties
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93,052
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1,049,555
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93,052
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2,726,103
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||||||||||||
General & Administrative Expenses
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813,769
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825,551
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1,577,855
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1,229,804
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||||||||||||
Net Loss from Operations
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(906,821)
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(1,875,106)
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(1,670,907)
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(3,955,907)
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||||||||||||
Other Income/(Expenses):
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||||||||||||||||
Interest Income
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852
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1,188
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965
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2,488
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||||||||||||
Interest Expense
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(82,628)
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(67,315)
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(166,846)
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(136,671)
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||||||||||||
Net Loss Before Income Taxes
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(988,597)
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(1,941,233)
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(1,836,788)
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(4,090,090)
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||||||||||||
Provision for Income Taxes
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-
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-
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-
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-
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||||||||||||
Net Loss
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$
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(988,597)
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$
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(1,941,233)
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$
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(1,836,788)
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$
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(4,090,090)
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||||||||
Loss Per Share - Basic and Diluted
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$
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(0.00)
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$
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(0.00)
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$
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(0.00)
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$
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(0.01)
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||||||||
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding – Basic and Diluted
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660,942,399
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624,223,873
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660,805,888
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616,541,324
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The accompanying notes are an integral part to these condensed financial statements.
5
GulfSlope Energy, Inc.
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
(Unaudited)
For the six months ended
March 31, 2015
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For the six months ended
March 31, 2014
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|||||||
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
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||||||||
Net Loss
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$
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(1,836,788)
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$
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(4,090,090)
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||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
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||||||||
From Operating Activities:
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||||||||
Impairment of Oil and Natural Gas Properties
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93,052
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2,726,103
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||||||
Depreciation
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25,846
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14,130
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||||||
Stock Issued for Services
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205,293
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252,524
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||||||
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities
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||||||||
(Increase)/Decrease in Prepaid Expenses
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96,965
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42,900
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||||||
Increase/(Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Stock Payable
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142,983
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100,240
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||||||
Increase/(Decrease) in Related Party Payable
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(54,285)
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(93,871)
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||||||
Increase/(Decrease) in Accrued Interest
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163,294
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133,714
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||||||
Increase/(Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities
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50,000
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22,500
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||||||
Net Cash From Operating Activities
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(1,113,640)
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(891,850
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||||||
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
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||||||||
Lease Collateral and Deposits
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64,280
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(1,718,729)
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||||||
Proceeds From Sale of Working Interests
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-
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6,500,000
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||||||
Exploration Costs
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(2,109,281)
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(2,554,652)
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||||||
Purchase of Equipment
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(14,478)
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(25,759)
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||||||
Net Cash From Investing Activities
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(2,059,479)
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2,200,860
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||||||
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
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||||||||
Restricted Cash
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(224)
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(373)
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||||||
Proceeds from Stock Issuance
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-
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5,154,372
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||||||
Payments on Note Payable
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(104,622)
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(51,509)
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||||||
Payments on Related Party Loans
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-
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(20,000)
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||||||
Net Cash From Financing Activities
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(104,846)
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5,082,490
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||||||
Net Increase/(Decrease) in cash
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(3,277,965)
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6,391,500
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||||||
Beginning Cash Balance
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4,410,302
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310,199
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||||||
Ending Cash Balance
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$
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1,132,337
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$
|
6,701,699
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||||
Supplemental Schedule of Cash Flow Activities
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||||||||
Cash Paid for Income Taxes
|
$
|
-
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$
|
-
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||||
Cash Paid for Interest
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$
|
3,553
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$
|
1,959
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||||
Non-Cash Financing and Investing Activities
|
||||||||
Stock Issued on Conversion of Related Party Note
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
180,000
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||||
Prepaid Asset Financed by Note Payable
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$
|
224,361
|
$
|
114,748
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||||
Settlement of Accrued Expenses or Accounts Payable through Stock Issuance
|
$
|
43,400
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$
|
112,500
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The accompanying notes are an integral part to these condensed financial statements.
6
GulfSlope Energy, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements
March 31, 2015
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS
GulfSlope Energy, Inc. (the “Company,” “GulfSlope,” “our” and words of similar import), a Delaware corporation, is an independent crude oil and natural gas exploration company whose interests are concentrated in the United States Gulf of Mexico federal waters offshore Louisiana in less than 1000 feet of water depth. The Company has leased 21 federal Outer Continental Shelf blocks (referred to as “leases” in this Report) and licensed 2.2 million acres of three-dimensional (3-D) seismic data in its area of concentration.
Since March 2013, we have been singularly focused on identifying high-potential oil and gas prospects. We have licensed 3-D seismic data covering approximately 2.2 million acres and have evaluated this data using advanced interpretation technologies. As a result of these analyses, we have identified and acquired leases on 17 prospects that we believe may contain economically recoverable hydrocarbon deposits, and we plan to continue to conduct more refined analyses of our prospects as well as target additional lease and property acquisitions. We have focused our activities in the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. We have given preference to areas where oil and gas production infrastructure already exists, which we believe will allow for any discoveries to be developed faster and less expensively with the goal to reduce economic risk while increasing returns.
NOTE 2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The condensed financial statements included herein are unaudited. However, these condensed financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for an entire year. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Company’s condensed financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Certain information, accounting policies, and footnote disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted in this Form 10-Q pursuant to certain rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2014, which were included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 and filed with the SEC on December 15, 2014.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
GulfSlope considers highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk and original maturities to the Company of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist primarily of interest-bearing bank accounts and money market funds. The Company’s cash positions represent assets held in checking and money market accounts. These assets are generally available on a daily or weekly basis and are highly liquid in nature.
Liquidity/Going Concern
We have incurred accumulated losses for the period from inception to March 31, 2015 of $26,496,466. Further losses are anticipated in developing our business. As a result, our auditors have expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. As of March 31, 2015, we had $1,132,337 of unrestricted cash on hand excluding $1,500,301 of restricted cash in an escrow account earmarked for a future payment associated with the acquisition of seismic data. The Company estimates that it will need to raise a minimum of $10 million to fund operations through March 31, 2016, and likely significantly more capital to meet its obligations during the subsequent 12 months. The Company plans to finance the Company through the issuance of equity, debt financing, and/or the sale of working interests in our prospects. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
7
Full Cost Method
The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas exploration and development activities. Under the full cost method of accounting, all costs associated with the exploration for and development of oil and gas reserves are capitalized on a country-by-country basis into a single cost center (“full cost pool”). Such costs include land acquisition costs, geological and geophysical (“G&G”) expenses, carrying charges on non-producing properties, costs of drilling both productive and non-productive wells and overhead charges directly related to acquisition, exploration and development activities. All of the Company’s oil and gas properties are located within the United States, its sole cost center.
The costs of unproved properties and related capitalized costs are withheld from the depletion base until such time as they are either developed or abandoned. When proved reserves are assigned or the property is considered to be impaired, the cost of the property or the amount of the impairment is added to costs subject to depletion and full cost ceiling calculations. Capitalized costs that are directly associated with unproved properties acquired by the Company during the current quarter are included in the full cost pool. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had no proved reserves.
Companies that use the full cost method of accounting for oil and natural gas exploration and development activities are required to perform a ceiling test calculation each quarter. The full cost ceiling test is an impairment test prescribed by SEC Regulation S-X Rule 4-10. The ceiling test is performed quarterly, on a country-by-country basis, utilizing the average of prices in effect on the first day of the month for the preceding twelve-month period. The ceiling limits such pooled costs to the aggregate of the present value of future net revenues attributable to proved crude oil and natural gas reserves discounted at 10% plus the lower of cost or market value of unproved properties less any associated tax effects. If such capitalized costs exceed the ceiling, the Company will record a write-down to the extent of such excess as a non-cash charge to earnings. Any such write-down will reduce earnings in the period of occurrence and results in a lower depreciation, depletion and amortization rate in future periods. A write-down may not be reversed in future periods even though higher oil and natural gas prices may subsequently increase the ceiling.
Proceeds from property sales will generally be credited to the full cost pool, with no gain or loss recognized, unless such a sale would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and the proved reserves attributable to these costs. A significant alteration would typically involve a sale of 25% or more of the proved reserves related to a single full cost pool.
Basic and Dilutive Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income (loss) (the numerator) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period (denominator). Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares outstanding (if dilutive) during each period. Potential common shares include stock options, warrants, and restricted stock. The number of potential common shares outstanding relating to stock options, warrants, and restricted stock is computed using the treasury stock method.
As the Company has incurred losses for the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the potentially dilutive shares are anti-dilutive and are thus not added into the loss per share calculations. As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, there were 53,842,250 and 49,569,097 potentially dilutive shares, respectively.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (“ASU No. 2014-09”), which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.
In June 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-10 (“ASU No. 2014-10”), which eliminated the definition of a Development Stage Entity and the related reporting requirements. ASU No. 2014-10 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014, with early adoption allowed. In addition, the amendments eliminate the requirements for development stage entities to (1) present inception-to-date information on the statements of income, cash flows, and shareholder's equity, (2) label the financial statements as those of a development stage entity, (3) disclose a description of the development stage activities in which the entity is engaged, and (4) disclose in the first year in which the entity is no longer a development stage entity that in prior years it had been in the development stage. The Company chose to adopt ASU No. 2014-10 early, effective in its financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2014.
8
In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2014-15 (“ASU No. 2014-15”), Presentation of Financial Statements Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40) which requires management to assess an entity's ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards. Specifically, ASU 2014-15 provides a definition of the term substantial doubt and requires an assessment for a period of one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). It also requires certain disclosures when substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of management's plans and requires an express statement and other disclosures when substantial doubt is not alleviated. ASU No. 2014-15 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, and early application is permitted. We are currently evaluating the accounting implication and do not believe the adoption of ASU 2014-15 will have material impact on our consolidated financial statements, although there may be additional disclosures upon adoption.
The Company has evaluated all other recent accounting pronouncements and believes that none of them will have a significant effect on the Company’s financial statements.
NOTE 3 – EXPLORATION COSTS
On March 20, 2013, the Company entered into an assignment and assumption agreement (the “Assignment Agreement”) with third parties pursuant to which the Company was assigned the exclusive right to license certain seismic data. On March 22, 2013, the Company executed a master license agreement with this seismic company. In consideration for the assignment and other transactions contemplated by the Assignment Agreement, the Company agreed to issue to the assignor parties an aggregate of 243,516,666 shares of the Company’s common stock. The common stock was valued at $2,435,167 and the shares were subsequently issued in April 2013. In March 2013, the Company licensed certain seismic data from a geophysical company. The seismic data license fee totaled $6,135,500. Also in March 2013, the Company licensed certain seismic data from a second seismic company pursuant to another ordinary business course agreement. The seismic data purchase totaled $4,012,260. These expenses were included in accrued expenses as of March 31, 2013 and also capitalized as oil and gas exploration costs. The Company properly capitalized these geological and geophysical (“G&G”) costs and included them in the depletion base because the Company did not yet own the specific unevaluated properties to which these costs were related. Therefore, these G&G costs were subject to the ceiling limitation test, resulting in immediate impairment in accordance with the full cost method for the year ended September 30, 2014.
During April through September of 2013, the Company incurred $1,674,376 of costs associated with technological infrastructure and third party hosting services, $773,271 in consulting fees and salaries and benefits associated with full time geoscientists, and $90,000 in costs to participate in a geophysical research program with a public institution. The Company properly capitalized these G&G costs and included them in the depletion base. Because the Company did not yet own the specific unevaluated properties these costs related to, these costs were subject to the ceiling limitation test, resulting in the immediate impairment of $15,120,574 for accounting purposes for the year ended September 30, 2013.
From October 2013 through March 2014, the Company incurred $1,426,786 in consulting fees, salaries and benefits associated with consultants and full-time geoscientists, $1,219,317 associated with technological infrastructure and third party hosting services and seismic data, and $80,000 for an independent reserve study. The Company properly capitalized these G&G costs and included them in the depletion base as the Company did not yet own the specific unevaluated properties to which these costs were related. Therefore, these G&G costs were subject to the ceiling limitation test, resulting in the immediate impairment of $2,726,103 for accounting purposes for the year ended September 30, 2014.
NOTE 4 – OIL AND NATURAL GAS PROPERTIES
During March 2014, the Company bid on 23 blocks in the Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 231 conducted by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (“BOEM”). Of those 23 bids, the Company was the high bidder on 22 of 23 blocks. During May and June of 2014, the Company was awarded 21 of the 22 blocks and paid the remaining 80% lease bonus amount and the first year lease rentals on all of the awarded blocks. The total amount paid was $8,126,972, which includes the lease bonus amount and the first year rentals.
In March 2014, the Company entered into a farm-out letter agreement with Texas South Energy, Inc. (“Texas South”) relating to five prospects located within the blocks the Company bid on at the Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 231. Under the terms of the farm-out letter agreement, Texas South may acquire up to a 20% working interest in these five prospects for up to $10 million. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had received $8.2 million of the proceeds from the agreement. In accordance with full cost requirements, the Company recorded the proceeds from the transaction as an adjustment to capitalized costs with no gain recognition.
During the period April 1 to September 30, 2014, the Company incurred $1,365,239 in consulting fees and salaries and benefits associated with full-time geoscientists, and $763,767 associated with technological infrastructure, third party hosting services and seismic data. The Company properly capitalized these G&G costs because the Company acquired specific unevaluated properties during the period to which these costs were related. The capitalized exploration costs of $2,129,006 and the $8,126,972 paid for the awarded leases and first year rentals, are netted with the $8,200,000 received for the farm-out agreement resulting in the amount of our unproved oil and gas properties of $2,055,978 reflected on our balance sheet at September 30, 2014.
9
During the period October 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015, the Company incurred $1,662,724 in consulting fees and salaries and benefits associated with full-time geoscientists, and $715,579 associated with technological infrastructure, third party hosting services and seismic data. The Company properly capitalized these G&G costs because the Company acquired specific unevaluated properties during the period that these costs relate to. At March 31, 2015, a portion of these costs, $93,052, specifically related to properties that were not yet acquired were subject to the ceiling limitation test and immediately impaired. These remaining capitalized amounts when added to our unproved oil and gas properties result in $4,341,227 reflected on our balance sheet at March 31, 2015.
In March 2015, the Company competitively bid on four blocks in the Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 235 conducted by BOEM. The Company was the high bidder on three blocks and paid $85,720, which represents 20% of the total lease bonus amount. The Company anticipates being awarded these leases during May or June 2015.
NOTE 5 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During April through September 2013, the Company entered into convertible promissory notes whereby it borrowed a total of $6,500,000 from John Seitz, its current chief executive officer. The notes are due on demand, bear interest at the rate of 5% per annum, and are convertible into shares of common stock at a conversion price equal to $0.12 per share of common stock (the then offering price of shares of common stock to unaffiliated investors). In May 2013, Mr. Seitz converted $1,200,000 of the aforementioned debt into 10,000,000 shares of common stock, which shares were issued in July 2013. Additionally, in June of 2014, the Company entered into a promissory note whereby it borrowed a total of $1,160,000 from Mr. Seitz. The note is due on demand, is not convertible and bears interest at a rate of 5% per annum. There was a total of $204,106 of unpaid interest associated with these loans included in accrued liabilities within our balance sheet as of March 31, 2015.
During September 2013, the Company entered into convertible promissory notes whereby it borrowed a total of $200,000 from Dr. Bain, its current president and chief operating officer, and his affiliate ConRon Consulting, Inc. The notes are due on demand, bear interest at the rate of 5% per annum, and are convertible into shares of common stock at a conversion price equal to $0.12 per share of common stock (the then offering price of shares of common stock to unaffiliated investors). In October 2013, Dr. Bain converted principal and accrued interest in the amount of $180,408 into 1,503,403 shares of common stock (a conversion rate of $.12 per share). In November 2013, the Company repaid in full the $20,000 remaining principal balance (plus accrued interest) of the convertible promissory note.
In October 2013, the Company issued 937,500 shares of common stock to Brady Rodgers, the Company’s Vice President, Corporate Development and Engineering, to settle $112,500 of fees due to Mr. Rodgers for services rendered.
In October 2013, the Company issued to Mr. Rodgers, a ten-year option to purchase 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.12 per share. A fair value of $161,143 was computed using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, of which $9,879 and $25,437 has been expensed during the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, and $31,052 and $56,684 for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014. The options vested 50% in October 2014 and will vest 50% in October 2015.
Domenica Seitz, CPA, a family member of the CEO, has provided accounting consulting services to the Company. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, the amount of services rendered was nominal and was donated. During the twelve month period ended September 30, 2014, the level of services provided increased and was valued at $59,510 based on market-competitive salaries, time devoted and professional rates. The Company has accrued this amount, as well as $29,760 for the six months ended March 31, 2015 and these amounts are reflected in the condensed financial statements. The Company has also engaged a third party professional services firm to assist with accounting and internal controls.
James M. Askew is the sole officer, director and greater than 10% shareholder of Texas South, the entity with which the Company entered into the March 2014 farm-out letter agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell certain working interests in potential prospects.
Mr. Seitz has not received a salary since May 31, 2013, the date he commenced serving as our chief executive officer and accordingly, no amount has been accrued on our financial statements. Prior to serving as an executive officer, Mr. Seitz served as a Company consultant and the Company accrued and subsequently paid $120,000 of consulting compensation to Mr. Seitz. As Mr. Seitz beneficially owns 245,147,806 shares of the Company’s common stock (including shares issuable upon conversion of the principal amount of convertible notes held by Mr. Seitz), the Company recognizes that his level of stock ownership significantly aligns his interests with shareholders’ interests. From time to time, the compensation committee may consider compensation arrangements for Mr. Seitz given his continuing contributions and leadership.
10
In connection with the Company’s 2013 private placement of common stock at a purchase price of $0.12 per share, Mr. John Malanga, the Company’s Vice President and CFO, purchased 166,667 shares, Mr. Rodgers purchased 256,106 shares of common stock, Mr. Paul Morris, a director, purchased 1,666,667 shares of common stock, and Mr. Richard Langdon, a director, purchased 416,667 shares of common stock.
In Connection with the Company's 2014 private placement of common stock at a purchase price of $0.24 per share, Mr. Bain, our President and COO, purchased 750,000 shares of common stock, Mr. Charles Hughes, Vice President, Land purchased 100,000 shares of common stock, and Mr. Morris, a director, purchased 416,667 shares of common stock.
NOTE 6 – COMMON STOCK/PAID IN CAPITAL
During April through October of 2013 the Company sold 68,496,107 shares of common stock for proceeds of $8,219,533 or $0.12 per share. The Company issued 10,000,000 shares of common stock to Mr. Seitz to settle $1,200,000 in convertible debt (see Note 5, above) and 1,503,403 shares of common stock to Dr. Bain for the conversion of $180,408 of convertible debt and accrued interest (see Note 5 above). The Company also issued 937,500 shares of common stock to Mr. Rodgers to settle $112,500 of fees due to Mr. Rodgers for services rendered.
In October 2013, the Company issued 1,620,000 shares of common stock, with a fair value of $194,400, to three employees pursuant to employment arrangements. The Company also made gross-up payments to cover the three employees’ personal income tax obligations in connection with these grants.
In October 2013, the Company issued a ten-year option to purchase 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.12 per share to Mr. Rodgers. The options vested 50% in October 2014 and will vest 50% in October 2015.
In March 2014, the Company awarded 500,000 shares of restricted stock to an employee, of which one-half vested in April 2015 and the remaining half vests in April 2016.
In March 2014, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of restricted stock to two non-employee directors. The restricted stock is subject to vesting pursuant to which one-half vested in March 2015 and the remaining one-half will vest in March 2016.
In May 2014, the Company awarded 550,000 shares of restricted stock to an employee, one-half of which vests in May 2015 and the remaining half vests in May 2016.
At our annual meeting in May of 2014, our shareholders approved increasing the number of authorized shares of common stock from 750,000,000 to 975,000,000. The number of authorized shares of preferred stock was not changed and remains at 50,000,000.
The Company shareholders approved the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan on May of 29, 2014. Restricted stock awards made after this date, to executives and employees, were made pursuant to the plan.
During July 2014, the Company sold 33,448,335 shares of common stock in a private placement at a price of $0.24 per share for $8,027,600 cash.
In July 2014, Mr. Malanga was awarded 2,500,000 inducement shares of restricted stock, with a fair value of $600,000, one-half of which vests in July 2015 and the remaining half vests in July 2016.
In August 2014, a new employee was awarded 200,000 inducement shares of restricted stock, one-half of which vests in August 2015 and the remaining half vests in August 2016.
In August 2014, the Company closed an equity financing in which 1,500,000 shares of common stock were sold at a price of $0.24 per share for gross proceeds of $360,000.
In September 2014, the Company awarded 3,030,000 shares of restricted stock to six employees under the Company’s 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, one-half of which vests in September 2015 and the remaining half vests in September 2016.
Shares of the restricted stock awards will be issued to the recipients according to the vesting terms.
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NOTE 7– STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award, and is recognized over the required vesting period. The Company recognized $212,529 and $430,737 in stock-based compensation expense during the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, and $31,052 and $56,684 during the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, respectively. A portion of these costs were capitalized to unproved properties and the remainder were recorded as general and administrative expenses.
As of March 31, 2015, there was $22,832 of unrecognized stock-based compensation cost related to the stock option grant that is expected to be expensed over a weighted-average period of one year. There was no intrinsic value for options outstanding as of March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2015 there was $1,072,850 of unrecognized stock-based compensation cost related to restricted stock grants that is expected to be expensed over a period of 18 months.
The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity during the three months ended March 31, 2015:
Number of Options
|
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
|
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)
|
|
Outstanding at September 30, 2014
|
2,000,000
|
-
|
|
Granted
|
-
|
-
|
|
Exercised
|
-
|
-
|
|
Cancelled
|
-
|
-
|
|
Outstanding at March 31, 2015
|
2,000,000
|
$0.12
|
4.33
|
Vested and expected to vest
|
2,000,000
|
$0.12
|
4.33
|
Exercisable at March 31, 2015
|
1,000,000
|
-
|
-
|
NOTE 8– COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
In March 2013, the Company licensed certain seismic data pursuant to two agreements. With respect to the first agreement, as of March 31, 2015, the Company has paid $4,635,500 in cash, and has provided an additional $1,500,000 deposit into an escrow account, which was released to the vendor on April 1, 2015. This amount has been recorded as restricted cash as of March 31, 2015. With respect to the second agreement, as of March 31, 2015, the Company has paid $3,009,195 in cash and is obligated to pay an additional $1,003,065 in September 2015.
In July 2013, the Company entered into a two-year office lease agreement. The agreement calls for monthly payments of approximately $20,200 for the first twelve months and $20,500 for the second twelve months. In addition, the Company paid a $18,760 security deposit in July 2013.
In March 2014, the Company entered into a farm out letter agreement with Texas South Energy relating to five prospects located within 23 blocks we bid on at the Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 231. Of the blocks containing the five prospects, the Company was the high bidder on blocks for four of the prospects. Under the terms of the farm-out letter agreement, Texas South will acquire up to a 20% working interest in these prospects for up to $10 million, of which $8.2 million has been paid as of March 31, 2015. The Company will be the operator of record and has the right to negotiate all future joint operating agreements.
In October 2014, the Company purchased an insurance policy and financed the premium by executing a note payable in the amount of $224,361. The balance of the note payable at March 31, 2015 is $123,523.
At March 31, 2015, the Company owes shares of common stock to three vendors for services rendered in the ordinary course of business. This liability has been recorded on the balance sheet as stock payable.
NOTE 9 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The $1,500,000 in restricted cash was released in April 2015 pursuant to an existing agreement with a seismic data company.
As of May 8, 2015, we have received $500,000 in proceeds from a private placement of securities.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Forward-looking Statements
The following discussion highlights the principal factors that have affected our financial condition and results of operations as well as our liquidity and capital resources for the periods described and should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed financial statements and the notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and with the consolidated financial statements, notes and management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014. This discussion contains forward-looking statements. Please see “Forward-Looking Statements” above.
12
Plan of Operations
Historical Operations
GulfSlope Energy initiated oil and gas operations on March 20, 2013, when we entered into an assignment and assumption agreement pursuant to which we were assigned the exclusive right to license certain seismic data from a geophysical company. We executed a master license agreement with this geophysical company on March 22, 2013, and shortly thereafter, we entered into an ordinary course license agreement with an additional geophysical company. The seismic data licensed from these two geophysical companies covers approximately 2.2 million acres (440 blocks) located in the federal waters of offshore Gulf of Mexico. We expect to enter into additional ordinary course license agreements with seismic companies to acquire and reprocess additional seismic data.
The Company currently has 14 full time employees and has invested significant technical person hours (approximately 14,000 hours) in the proprietary interpretation and the associated high-end reprocessing of this seismic data. The result of this proprietary interpretation has been the identification of multiple prospects that we believe may have substantial potential hydrocarbon deposits. Based on this analysis, we competitively bid on 23 blocks at the Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 231 conducted by the BOEM in March, 2014. Of those 23 bids, we were the high bidder on 22 blocks and during May and June of 2014, the Company was ultimately awarded 21 of the 22 blocks for total consideration of $8,126,972, which includes the first year rentals. We have identified 17 prospects that are covered by our leases and throughout this Report we refer to these acquired leases as our “portfolio.”
In March 2014, the Company entered into a farm out letter agreement with Texas South relating to five prospects located within 23 blocks we bid on at the Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 231. Under the terms of the farm-out letter agreement, Texas South will acquire up to a 20% working interest in these five prospects for up to $10 million, of which $8.2 million has been paid to date. In accordance with full cost requirements, the Company recorded the proceeds from the transaction as a reduction in capitalized costs with no gain recognition (see Note 4 – Oil and Natural Gas Properties).
In March 2015, the Company competitively bid on four blocks in the Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 235 conducted by BOEM. The Company was the high bidder on three blocks and is waiting to be awarded the leases.
Through March 31, 2015, we have spent approximately $22.4 million on the acquisition, reprocessing, and interpretation of seismic data associated with our seismic license agreements and these costs were capitalized as oil and gas exploration costs which are subject to periodic ceiling limitation tests for impairment. Approximately $17.9 million of these seismic-related expenses were incurred prior to the leasing of our offshore blocks and as a result, these capitalized costs were impaired for accounting purposes (see Note 3 – Exploration Costs). Approximately $4.4 million of our seismic-related expenditures were incurred subsequent to the leasing of our offshore blocks and these expenses have been capitalized and are reflected as Unproved Properties on our Condensed Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2015.
We have historically operated our business with working capital deficits and these deficits have historically been funded by equity investments and loans from management. As of March 31, 2015, we had $1,132,337 of unrestricted cash on hand. We believe that under the current spending plan this capital should fund operations through June 2015. The Company estimates that it will need to raise a minimum of $10 million to meet its obligations and planned expenditures through March 31, 2016. This does not include any capital expenditures related to exploration drilling costs. The Company plans to finance its obligations and planned expenditures through the issuance of equity, debt financing, and/or the sale of working interests in our prospects.
Current Operations
As a result of the acquisition of our lease blocks and the identification of our 17 prospects, we intend to cause multiple exploration wells to be drilled in our portfolio. Drilling is expected to commence in late 2015 or early 2016 and we anticipate drilling select prospects in our portfolio as the operator of record. As the operator, we are currently focused on pre-drilling operations to include obtaining the necessary regulatory permits, identifying and securing drilling rigs, and the hiring of additional operations-related personnel.
We anticipate lowering our capital exposure to exploration drilling activities by seeking to enter into one or more partnerships whereby partners will pay some or all of our portion of exploration drilling costs. In return, we plan to deliver our seismic interpretation justifying the exploration drilling and the ownership of the leases. The company began discussions with a number of selected potential partners in the fourth quarter of 2014. The projected full cycle Finding and Development costs for our prospects in the Gulf of Mexico are relatively low and therefore we believe our prospects currently compete very well relative to other global production projects. In addition to continuing to identify new exploration opportunities utilizing our extensive 3D seismic and regional geologic datasets, we continue to evaluate other opportunities such as acquisition of producing properties, farm-ins and partnerships for future lease sale participation.
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We are also in the process of refining and high grading our geophysical and geological data on our prospects. In addition to the approximately 1,000,000 acres of our seismic data already re-processed to advanced depth-imaging standards, approximately 100,000 acres of the Company’s seismic data are currently being re-processed to further enhance and expand the Company’s prospect portfolio. Significant additional work, involving more than 11,000 technical person hours, has been performed on several prospects with the objective of seeking partners for the drilling of the initial exploration wells.
As of April 2015, the Company has held substantive discussions with nine operators in the Gulf of Mexico and two non-operating companies regarding potential drilling participation in a selected set of GulfSlope prospects. To date, only one of these companies has declined to participate. The profound and rapid decline in oil prices that began in the fourth quarter of 2014, has affected virtually all E & P company capital budgets and it is the belief of GulfSlope’s management that this has delayed the partnering process for the Company. Much like previous downturns, a period of stability in oil pricing should have a positive impact on the capital spending planning process for all E&P companies. It is difficult to predict when this might happen. Accordingly, the Company is taking steps to deal with this delay by slowing planned spending on seismic and delaying plans for expanding its scope of activities.
The Company is currently evaluating multiple alternatives for raising additional capital to fund the Company’s exploration and/or acquisition strategies. These alternatives include but are not limited to the issuance of debt and/or equity securities either on a public or private basis, the sale of working interests in selected prospects, or joint ventures with strategic or financial partners.
Significant Accounting Policies
The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas exploration and development activities. Under the full cost method of accounting, all costs associated with the exploration for and development of oil and gas reserves are capitalized on a country-by-country basis into a single cost center (“full cost pool”). Such costs include land acquisition costs, G&G expenses, carrying charges on non-producing properties, costs of drilling both productive and non-productive wells and overhead charges directly related to acquisition, exploration and development activities and not subject to depletion or immediate impairment.
The costs of unproved properties and related capitalized costs (such as G&G costs) are withheld from the depletion base until such time as they are either developed or abandoned. When proved reserves are assigned or the property is considered to be impaired, the cost of the property or the amount of the impairment is added to costs subject to depletion and full cost ceiling calculations. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had no proved reserves, but has acquired unproved properties. As a result, the geological and geophysical costs incurred during the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 were properly excluded from the amortization base.
Companies that use the full cost method of accounting for oil and natural gas exploration and development activities are required to perform a ceiling test calculation each quarter. The full cost ceiling test is an impairment test prescribed by SEC Regulation S-X Rule 4-10. The ceiling test is performed quarterly, on a country-by-country basis, utilizing the average of prices in effect on the first day of the month for the preceding twelve-month period. The ceiling limits such pooled costs to the aggregate of the present value of future net revenues attributable to proved crude oil and natural gas reserves discounted at 10% plus the lower of cost or market value of unproved properties less any associated tax effects. If such capitalized costs exceed the ceiling, the Company will record a write-down to the extent of such excess as a non-cash charge to earnings. Any such write-down will reduce earnings in the period of occurrence and results in a lower depreciation, depletion and amortization rate in future periods. A write-down may not be reversed in future periods even though higher oil and natural gas prices may subsequently increase the ceiling.
Proceeds from property sales will generally be credited to the full cost pool, with no gain or loss recognized, unless such a sale would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and the proved reserves attributable to these costs. A significant alteration would typically involve a sale of 25% or more of the proved reserves related to a single full cost pool.
Property and equipment are carried at cost. We assess the carrying value of our property and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
A more complete discussion of our critical accounting policies is included in our annual report on Form 10-K as of September 30, 2014, which was filed with the SEC on December 15, 2014.
In accordance with one of our seismic data licensing agreements, certain funds have been placed in an escrow account for the purpose of making a future installment payment and are restricted from use in our operations. Those funds have been classified as restricted cash and the restricted cash at March 31, 2015 was approximately $1.5 million. In April 2015, this $1.5 million of restricted cash was paid to the seismic company pursuant to the revised seismic data licensing agreement.
14
Factors Affecting Comparability of Future Results
Success in Acquiring Oil and Gas Leases or Prospects. As a result of our 3-D seismic imaging and reprocessing, we have identified and acquired the leasing or drilling rights to a number of undrilled prospects, which we believe may potentially contain economically recoverable reserves. We have successfully executed the initial phase of our lease acquisition strategy.
We have No Proved Reserves. While we have acquired 91% of the oil and gas properties that we pursued in 2014, we have no proved reserves. We have identified prospects based on available seismic and geological information that indicate the potential presence of oil or gas, and we own the drilling and production rights for these prospects. Some of our current prospects may require additional seismic data reprocessing and interpretation. Even when properly used and interpreted, seismic data and visualization techniques are only tools used to assist geoscientists in identifying structures and hydrocarbon indicators and do not enable the interpreter to have certainty as to whether hydrocarbons are, in fact, present in those structures. We do not know if any prospect will contain oil or gas in sufficient quantities or quality to recover drilling and completion costs or to be economically viable.
Success in the Discovery and Development of Reserves. Because we have no operating history in the production of oil and gas, our future results of operations and financial condition will be directly affected by our ability to discover and develop reserves through our drilling activities.
Oil and Gas Revenue. We have not yet commenced oil and gas production. If and when we do commence production, we expect to generate revenue from such production. No oil and gas revenue is reflected in our historical financial statements.
General and Administrative Expenses. We expect that our general and administrative expenses will increase in future periods when we commence drilling operations.
Demand and Price. The demand for oil and gas is susceptible to volatility related to, among other factors, the level of global economic activity and may also fluctuate depending on the performance of specific industries. We expect that a decrease in economic activity, in the United States and elsewhere, would adversely affect demand for any oil and gas we may produce. Since we have not generated revenues, these key factors will only affect us if and when we produce and sell hydrocarbons.
For a more complete discussion of the factors affecting comparability of our future results, see the risk factors included in Item 1A our annual report on Form 10-K as of September 30, 2014, which was filed with the SEC on December 15, 2014.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
We recorded no revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. General and administrative expenses were approximately $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The general and administrative expenses include salaries and stock compensation costs, legal and accounting costs, marketing and financial consulting expense, and interest and insurance expense. We incurred $0.09 million in impairment of capitalized exploration costs for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to approximately $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Because we acquired oil and gas properties in the quarter ended June 30, 2014, most of our capitalized exploration costs were no longer subject to impairment; the $0.09 million impairment amount relates to properties for which we were the high bidder in March 2015 but the properties have not yet been awarded.
Six Months Ended March 31, 2015 Compared to Six Months Ended March 31, 2014
We recorded no revenue during the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. We incurred $0.09 million of impairment of capitalized exploration costs for the six months ended March 31, 2015, compared to approximately $2.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2014, because we acquired oil and gas properties in the quarter ended June 30, 2014 most of our capitalized exploration costs were no longer subject to impairment, the $0.09 million impairment amount relates to properties for which we were the high bidder in March 2015 but the properties have not yet been awarded. General and administrative expenses were approximately $1.6 million for the six months ended March 31, 2015, compared to approximately $1.2 million for the six months ended March 31, 2014, primarily due to an increase in salaries, stock compensation expense and marketing and financial consulting expenses.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of March 31, 2015, we had $1,132,377 of cash on hand, excluding $1,500,301 of restricted cash in an escrow account earmarked for a future payment associated with seismic data. Under our current business plan, we will require a minimum of approximately $10 million to fund operations through March 31, 2016. Future equity financings may be dilutive to our stockholders, and the terms of future equity financings may include preferences or rights superior to our common stock. Debt financings may involve a pledge of assets and will rank senior to our common stock. We have historically financed our operations through best-efforts private equity financings. We do not have any credit or equity facilities available with financial institutions, stockholders or third party investors, and will continue to rely on best-efforts financings. There is no assurance that we can raise adequate funds during the next 12 months, or raise additional capital thereafter. Failure to raise additional capital, on favorable terms or at all, will have a material adverse effect on our operations, and will likely cause us to curtail or cease operations.
15
We have incurred losses from inception to March 31, 2015 of $26,496,466. Further losses are anticipated in developing our business. As of March 31, 2015, we had $1,132,377 of cash on hand, excluding $1,500,301 of restricted cash in an escrow account earmarked for a future payment associated with seismic data. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
For the six months ended March 31, 2015 the Company used approximately $1.1 million of net cash in operating activities, compared with $0.9 million of net cash used in operating activities for the six months ended March 31, 2014. For the six months ended March 31, 2015 we used approximately $2.1 million of cash in investing activities, primarily due to exploration costs compared with receiving approximately $2.2 million of cash from investing activities for the six months ended March 31, 2014, primarily due to farm-out proceeds, exploration costs and BOEM related deposits incurred for the six months ended March 31, 2014. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, we used approximately $0.1 million in financing activities, primarily due to payments on notes payable, compared with the six months ended March 31, 2014 during which we had approximately $5.1 million of net cash from financing activities, primarily due to proceeds from the sale of common stock.
In accordance with one of our seismic data licensing agreements, certain funds have been placed in an escrow account for the purpose of making a future installment payment and are restricted from use in our operations. These funds have been classified as restricted cash, which had a balance at March 31, 2015 of approximately $1.5 million. These funds were paid out in April 2015, in accordance with the data licensing agreement.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
None.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Due to the historical volatility of commodity prices, if and when we commence production, our financial condition, results of operations and capital resources will be highly dependent upon the prevailing market prices of oil and natural gas. These commodity prices are likely to continue to be subject to wide fluctuations and market uncertainties due to a variety of factors that are beyond our control. In the future, we may enter into various derivative instruments to manage our exposure to volatility of commodity market prices. We may use options (including floors and collars) and fixed price swaps to mitigate the impact of downward swings in commodity prices to our cash flow. All contracts will be settled with cash and would not require the delivery of physical volumes to satisfy settlement. While in times of higher commodity prices this strategy may result in our having lower net cash inflows than we would otherwise have if we had not utilized these instruments, management believes the risk reduction benefits of such a strategy would outweigh the potential costs.
At March 31, 2015, we had approximately $6.6 million of debt outstanding. All debt outstanding is fixed-rate debt with a weighted average interest rate of approximately 5%. Although near term changes in interest rates may affect the fair value of our fixed-rate debt, they do not expose us to the risk of earnings or cash flow loss.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive and principal financial officers, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
16
Under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive and principal financial officers, our management evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive and principal financial officers concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms.
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls
The Company's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company's internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of the Company's financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the fiscal quarter covered by this Report, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
17
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, the Company may become involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business. No legal proceedings, government actions, administrative actions, investigations or claims are currently pending against us or involve the Company.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2014.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Between January and March 2015, the Company entered into separate agreements with four vendors to issue shares of its common stock as consideration for services rendered in the ordinary course of business. On January 20, 2015, 250,000 shares were issued to one of the vendors. As of March 31, 2015, an additional 654,562 shares had yet to be issued to three of these vendors. The shares will be issued pursuant to an exemption from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
18
Item 6. Exhibits
The following exhibits are attached hereto or are incorporated by reference:
Exhibit No.
|
Description
|
3.1
|
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of GulfSlope Energy, Inc. incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K filed May 30, 2014.
|
3.2
|
Amended and Restated Bylaws of GulfSlope Energy, Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014.
|
4.1
|
Common Stock Specimen, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2012.
|
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
101.INS(2)
|
XBRL Instance Document.
|
101.SCH (2)
|
XBRL Instance Document.
|
101.CAL (2)
|
XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document.
|
101.DEF (2)
|
XBRL Definition Linkbase Document.
|
101.LAB (2)
|
XBRL Label Linkbase Document.
|
101.PRE(2)
|
XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document.
|
(1)
|
Filed herewith.
|
(2)
|
Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.
|
19
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Issuer has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
GULFSLOPE ENERGY, INC.
(Issuer)
Date:
|
05/11/2015
|
By:
|
/s/John N. Seitz
|
|
John N. Seitz, Chief Executive Officer,
and Chairman
|
20
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Issuer has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
GULFSLOPE ENERGY, INC.
(Issuer)
Date:
|
05/11/2015
|
By:
|
/s/ John H. Malanga
|
|
John H. Malanga, Chief Financial Officer,
and Chief Accounting Officer
|
21