ORIGINCLEAR, INC. - Annual Report: 2009 (Form 10-K)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-K
x
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ANNUAL
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
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For
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
Or
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TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
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For
the transition period from ___________ to ___________
Commission
file number: 333-147980
ORIGINOIL,
INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in charter)
Nevada
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26-0287664
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(State
or other jurisdiction of
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(I.R.S.
Employer
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incorporation
or organization)
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Identification
No.)
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5645 West Adams Blvd, Los
Angeles, CA 90016
(Address
of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's
telephone Number: (323) 939-6645
Securities
registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: NONE
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
o Yes x No
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
o Yes x No
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. x Yes o No
Indicate
by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best
of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See
the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”,
“non-accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer
o
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Accelerated Filer o
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Non-accelerated Filer
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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Smaller Reporting Company
x
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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). o Yes x No
The
aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant was approximately $33,192,025 based upon the closing sales price of
the registrant’s common stock on June 30, 2009 of $0.31 per share. At March
30, 2010, 161,841,878 shares of the registrant’s common stock were
outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
NONE
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Page
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PART
I
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Item
1.
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Business
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1
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Item
1A
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Rick
Factors
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7
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Item
1B
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Unresolved
Staff Comments
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11
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Item
2.
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Properties
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11
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Item
3.
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Legal
Proceedings
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11
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Item
4.
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[Reserved]
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PART
II
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Item
5.
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Market
for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchase of Equity Securities
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11
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Item
6
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Selected
Financial Data
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12
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Item
7.
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Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operation
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12
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Item
8.
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Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data
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14
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Item
9.
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Changes
In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure
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14
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Item
9A(T).
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Controls
and Procedures
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14
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Item
9B.
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Other
Information
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PART
III
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Item
10.
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Directors,
Executive Officers, Promoters and Corporate Governance
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14
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Item
11.
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Executive
Compensation
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16
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Item
12.
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Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
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17
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and
Related Stockholder Matters
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17
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Item
13.
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Certain
Relationship and Related Transactions, and Director
Independence
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17
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Item
14.
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Principal
Accountant Fees and Services
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17
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Item
15.
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Exhibits
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17
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SIGNATURES
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18
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PART I
This Form
10-K contains forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of risks
and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which may include
statements about our:
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business
strategy;
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financial
strategy;
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intellectual
property;
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production;
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future
operating results; and
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·
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plans,
objectives, expectations and intentions contained in this report that are
not historical.
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All
statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this report,
regarding our strategy, intellectual property, future operations, financial
position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and
objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this
report, the words “could,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,”
“expect,” “project” and similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain
such identifying words. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date
of this report. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations
reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements we make in this
report are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these plans, intentions or
expectations will be achieved. These statements may be found under
“Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations,” “Business,” “Properties,” as well as in this report
generally. Actual events or results may differ materially from those
discussed in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors,
including, without limitation, the risks outlined under “Risk Factors” and
matters described in this report generally. In light of these risks and
uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements
contained in this filing will in fact occur.
ITEM
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS.
Organizational
History
The
Company was incorporated on June 1, 2007 under the laws of the State of
Nevada. We have only been engaged in our current and proposed
business operations since June 2007, and to date, we have been primarily
involved in research and development activities. Our principal
offices are located at 5645 West Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90016. Our
telephone number is (323) 939-6645. Our website address is www.originoil.com.
Our website and the information contained on our website are not
incorporated into this Memorandum.
Overview
of Business
The
Company’s business model is based on licensing this technology to customers such
as fuel refiners, chemical and oil companies. The Company is not in
the business of producing and marketing oil or fuel, based on algae, as an end
product.
We have
only been engaged in our current and proposed business operations since June
2007, and to date, we have been primarily involved in research and development
activities. We are a development stage company and presently, we do not have
revenues related to the manufacture of our products. Our auditors have prepared
our financial statements assuming that we will continue as a going concern. We
have not generated any revenue, and we have negative cash flows from operations,
which raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going
concern.
1
Algae
Oil Industry Overview and OriginOil’s System
Algae can
take many forms, such as seaweed (macro-algae) and kelp. But for oil, we use
micro-algae as found in outdoor ponds. Micro-algae is actually a highly
efficient biological factory capable of consuming carbon dioxide (CO2), and
converting it into a high-density natural oil through
photosynthesis.
Much of
the world's petroleum is actually made up of algae that decomposed over hundreds
of millions of years. But by drilling for, extracting, and burning that oil now,
we are releasing the carbon dioxide that was absorbed long ago. This "carbon
positive" effect is what causes global warming.
Algae
cultivated today absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere or other CO2 emitted
sources. Burning freshly produced algae oil releases only what it absorbed
in the first place, resulting in a balanced "carbon neutral" effect. This makes
algae oil an environment-friendly oil.
Oil
Generation from Algae
Algae
reproduce by cellular division. They divide and divide until they fill the space
available to them and have consumed all nutrients in it.
In the
right environment, fresh algae cells grow and divide exponentially, doubling
every few hours, while absorbing all available nutrients, CO2 and light energy.
An
Industrial Process for Algae
OriginOil's
industrial process, with its patent pending devices and methods, optimizes this
environment to help algae cells grow at their natural maximum rate - achieving a
doubling of the algae population in as little as a few hours. The process then
goes on to control the harvesting and oil extraction cycles in a high-speed,
round-the-clock, streamlined industrial production of algae oil.
Instead
of waiting hundreds of millions years for algae to become oil, OriginOil's
breakthrough technology and process can transform algae into oil in a matter of
days.
Operating
at the Quantum Level
OriginOil’s
patent-pending technology, Quantum Fracturing, is based on the science of mass
transfer and fluid fracturing and addresses some of the challenges of
industrializing algae oil production.
A quantum
is the smallest quantity of some physical property that a system can possess. We
use the term to illustrate how we fracture the nutrient delivery environment
into very small parts, down to a micron, or a millionth of a meter. Using
Quantum Fracturing, water, carbon dioxide and other nutrients are fractured at
very high pressure to create a slurry of micron-sized nutrition-bubbles, which
is then channeled to the algae culture awaiting it in a lower-pressure growth
vessel, the Helix BioReactor™.
This
process achieves total and instantaneous distribution of nutrients to the algae
culture without fluid disruption or aeration. The pressure differentials between
the two zones substantially increase contact and exchange between the micronized
nutrients and the algae culture.
Ultimate
Oil Production Efficiency
The
increased contact between culture and nutrients makes for very high absorption
of CO2 and nutrients in the growth phase and most
importantly, by increasing the CO2 absorption during this phase, the algae cell
will produce a much greater volume of hydrocarbons (oil).
2
Two
Stages of Algae Production
OriginOil’s
patent-pending algae oil production system employs Quantum Fracturing in two
major stages of algae production:
Growth
Stage:
CO2 and
nutrients are fractured into a micro-bubble slurry and injected directly into
the algae culture for complete contact and nutrient absorption.
Extraction
Stage:
Water and
special catalysts are fractured at high ultrasonic intensity, using very little
energy, to crack the algae membrane to facilitate extracting its oil
content.
Quantum
Fracturing technology greatly enhances the efficiency of algae production and
makes it cost-effective and viable.
The
Ultimate Algae Growth Environment
The heart
of the OriginOil system is the Helix BioReactor™, an advanced algae growth
system that can grow multiple layers of algae biomass around-the-clock with
daily harvests.
In a
natural pond, the sun only illuminates one layer of algae growth, down to about
half an inch below the surface. In contrast, the Helix BioReactor™ features a
rotating vertical shaft with very low energy lights arranged in a helix or
spiral pattern, which results in a theoretically unlimited number of growth
layers. Additionally, each lighting element is engineered to produce specific
light waves and frequencies for optimal algae growth.
The helix
structure also serves as the bioreactor’s nutrient delivery system, through
which the Quantum Fractured nutrients, including CO2, is evenly delivered to the
entire algae culture, monitored and tuned for optimum growth.
This
algae growth environment will allow the algae culture to replicate exponentially
— doubling the entire colony in as little as a few hours — making for very
efficient, low-cost, low-footprint industrial algae production.
Enabling
a Distributed Oil Model
To reach
the production levels necessary to realistically replace petroleum as an energy
source, an algae oil production system must be fully scalable.
The
OriginOil System is designed to be both modular and scalable. While it can
function as a stand-alone oil producing system, it can also be connected in a
stacked or parallel network to produce a large number of barrels per
day.
OriginOil’s
patent pending system design facilitates large scale algae production through
the horizontal and vertical “stacking” of many Helix BioReactors™ into an
integrated network of fully automated, portable, and remotely monitored growth
units.
Further,
by the use of such modular design, a large number of Helix BioReactors™ can be
connected to a small number of extraction units to achieve both economies of
scale and full industrialization of algae production.
Additionally,
OriginOil systems can be transported and placed anywhere in the world to operate
as fully integrated, round-the-clock oil-producing plants.
By
enabling distributed oil production, we can help decentralize the oil and energy
industry, empowering local energy production in villages, townships,
communities, states and countries. Someday we will no longer need to import
oil.
Speeding
Up the Process Further
Algae
growers already know that algae can expand rapidly if space is available. Once
fully matured — and the space is filled — the culture will then stabilize and
grow very little.
If the
space was expanded by a factor of ten, for example, then the algae population
would explode to occupy this new volume - in as little as a day.
This
rapid expansion is called the 'log phase,' or 'logarithmic phase,' of
growth where cells divide exponentially. Typically, growers incubate
an algae population in a smaller vessel and then release it into a larger tank
for production, one batch at a time.
3
OriginOil's
Helix BioReactor™ growth vessel adds the time-saving efficiency of combining the
incubation vessel and larger tanks into one system. Once the algae matures in
the Helix BioReactor™, a portion of the culture is transferred out for
extraction, and the remaining 'green' water is purified and returned to the
growth tank. It is then allowed to re-expand into the Helix BioReactor™,
creating a new batch, and the process is repeated.
With this
system there is no need to re-incubate each batch: the remaining algae culture
is already mature and is ready to re-enter the log phase after each harvest and
replenishment of growth environment.
The
Cascading Production design makes possible continuous daily harvesting of algae
without incubation, thereby enabling a vital property of industrialized algae
oil production.
Making
the Process Viable
To
overcome the final hurdle, and to make the entire algae-to-oil process viable,
OriginOil devised a method for energy efficient algae oil extraction and does
not use hazardous chemical solvents.
The
process of breaking down algae cells to release oil, known as lysing, has long
represented a challenge — and a final hurdle — for the algae-to-oil industry.
Algae cell walls are difficult to break down. Mechanical methods are
energy-intensive and often ineffective. Commonly used chemical solvents such as
benzene, ether or hexane are toxic and require special handling. Such practices
increase operating costs and make it harder to site algae production
systems.
In
OriginOil's extraction unit, the flowing algae biomass is first sent through a
shielded wave guide system where it receives low-wattage, frequency-tuned
microwave bursts, weakening the cell walls. Then, Quantum Fracturing is
then applied to these pre-cracked cells to complete the oil extraction. Quantum
Fracturing, when used for extraction, creates an ultrasonic effect where the
algae cell breaks down much in the same way that a high-frequency sound wave
breaks glass.
Overcoming
this final hurdle enables low-energy, environmentally-safe and viable,
industrialized algae oil production.
A
Modular Oil Producing System
The
OriginOil System is designed to be modular. It can function as a standalone oil
producing system, or can be connected in a parallel network to produce a large
number of barrels per day output. OriginOil Systems can be placed anywhere to
operate as round-the-clock oil-producing plants.
The
Company will commercialize its technology through an integrated system of global
partners, including:
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Original
Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)
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Country
and Regional Partners
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Device
and Component Manufacturers
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Service
and Maintenance Providers
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Customized
Application Developers
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A new oil
can be cleanly manufactured in an industrialized process using the OriginOil
System. By enabling distributed oil production we can help transform
the oil and energy industry from a centralized to a distributed model. The
ability to generate clean, carbon-neutral energy anywhere can empower
industrialization in villages, townships, communities, states and countries.
There will be no need to import oil.
Enabling
a Distributed Oil Model
The
OriginOil System is designed to be modular. It can function as a standalone oil
producing system, or can be connected in a parallel network to produce a large
number of barrels per day output. OriginOil Systems can be placed anywhere to
operate as round-the-clock oil-producing plants.
4
By
enabling distributed oil production we can help transform the oil and energy
industry from a centralized to a distributed model. The ability to generate
clean, carbon-neutral energy anywhere can empower industrialization in villages,
townships, communities, states and countries. There will be no need to import
oil.
A new oil
can be cleanly manufactured in an industrialized process using the OriginOil
System.
Petroleum
Alternatives Are Our Future
Driven by
rising oil prices, Kyoto protocol and global warming concerns, countries
worldwide are quickly embracing petroleum alternatives such as ethanol and
biodiesel, which can curb their dependence on imported oil with minimal
infrastructure change. The market for a new oil is proven and expanding
rapidly.
OriginOil’s
breakthrough technology, based on algae, is targeted at fundamentally changing
the world’s source of oil without disrupting the environment or food resources.
An endless supply of this new oil can be used in many of products like diesel,
gasoline, jet fuel, plastics and solvents without the global warming effects of
petroleum.
Only by
industrializing the manufacture of new oil can the current and future demands of
global industrialization be met.
Benefits
of Algae Oil Production
Cleaner
to Produce and Burn
Petroleum
contains sulfur and other toxins. It is a heavy pollutant. Drilling operations
are highly noxious; crude spills on sea and land are natural catastrophes; and
refineries produce heavy pollutants. By contrast, the algae production process
generates no toxins — it’s a lot like growing grass hydroponically. Oil created
using OriginOil technology generates no heavy metals or sulfur when burned, and
minimal output of greenhouse gases.
Can
Be Produced Close to Point of Demand
Petroleum
often travels tens of thousands of miles to reach its destination. This adds
cost and gives suppliers a stranglehold on consumers. Using OriginOil
technology, fuel can now be produced close to the site of usage and demand —
virtually eliminating the transport cost of petroleum. In the future, portable
OriginOil Systems may be transported to the point of demand and quickly start
producing oil for electricity generation or fuel.
Does
Not Compete with Food
The
ethanol boom is already having a disastrous effect on food prices. Fast-rising
prices of corn have caused havoc in global food supplies and the commodities
markets. Using algae as a feedstock avoids creating shortages in food supplies
or markets.
Works
with Existing Refineries
Unlike
other solutions which bypass the existing refining infrastructure, OriginOil’s
technology enables the production of fully compatible fuels. The petroleum
industry has already announced plans to support the refining of biofuels. Of
these, algae oil is most like petroleum in structure as it can be readily
“cracked” into the lighter components of crude oil such as jet fuel, diesel,
gasoline, solvents and plastics.
Works
With Existing Gas Stations and Vehicles
Most
solutions to the energy problem require massive new infrastructure: hybrids
require new cars with toxic batteries; hydrogen cars need a new fuel network;
and electric cars need their own recharging stations. By contrast, fuel
refined from OriginOil systems can be seamlessly integrated into the current
petroleum distribution system.
A
Complete Solution to Produce a New Oil
Companies
implementing algae oil production systems will need to know that they can
generate product consistently at a competitive price. OriginOil’s complete,
validated industrial process will ensure that these companies can confidently
plan and invest in renewable oil production for the long term.
5
Competitors
Our
achievement of business success will be based on the validity of our technology
which can only be determined after the completion of our prototype. At that
time, we can begin to assess competitive issues, including our position in the
industry and methods of competition.
Companies
in the new algae fuels industry tend to organize themselves as integrated
producers and to keep their intellectual property to themselves. We
believe that the algae industry will be far too great for any one company to
dominate, and companies will succeed that do not compete with their customers
and partners.
We have,
however, identified other companies producing algae for the purpose of creating
feedstocks for fuel The list of algae companies includes Synthetic Genomics,
PetroAlgae, Infinifuel, Valcent Products, Aquaflow Bionomic, Livefuels,
Solazyme, Enhanced Biofuels & Technologies (EBT), Veridium, PetroSun,
Sapphire Energy, GS AgriFuels (previously GreenShift), A2BE Carbon Capture,
Algoil, Aurora Biofuels, Cellana, Solix Biofuels, Martek, Texas Clean Fuels,
Algenol, AlgaeLink (NL), BioKing (NL) and Eco-Erg (PT).
. These
companies have also advertised technology which they claim will enable the
efficient production of algal oil and other algae culture derivatives. We
believe our technology may, in some cases, complement these companies’
offerings, however there is no guarantee that our company’s technology will
produce more efficiently or cost-effectively than these other
technologies.
The
market for the manufacture, marketing and the sale of alternative fuels is
highly competitive. Such competition could drive up the cost of retaining
qualified engineers, chemists and other key employees, as well as other
operating expenses. Moreover, if production capacity in the industry increases
faster than demand for alternative fuels, sales prices could be depressed.
Increases in the alternative energies as well as falling oil prices may
negatively affect demand and the competitive position of our
technology.
Competition
from other alternative fuels will likely increase if prices of energy on the
commodities markets, including oil and bio-diesel, rise, as they have in recent
years. Additionally, new companies are constantly entering the market, thus
increasing the competition. This could also have a negative impact on us or our
customers’ ability to obtain additional capital from investors. Larger foreign
owned and domestic companies which have been engaged in the alternative energy
business for substantially longer periods of time may have access to greater
financial and other resources. These companies may have greater success in the
recruitment and retention of qualified employees, as well as in conducting their
own fuel manufacturing and marketing operations, which may give them a
competitive advantage. In addition, actual or potential competitors may be
strengthened through the acquisition of additional assets and interests. If we
or our customers are unable to compete effectively or adequately respond to
competitive pressures, this may materially adversely affect our results of
operation and financial condition.
Government
and Environmental Regulation
We are
not aware of any existing or probable government regulations that would
negatively impact on our operations. As a licensor we are not subject
to government regulations of algae production. However, our operations are
subject to local, state and federal laws and regulations governing environmental
quality and pollution control. To date, our compliance with these regulations
has had no material effect on our operations, capital, earnings, or competitive
position, and the cost of such compliance has not been material. We are unable
to assess or predict at this time what effect additional regulations or
legislation could have on our activities.
We are
part of a new and emerging biofuels industry that may subject to economic and
other regulations that may have an adverse affect on the entire industry and
subsequently our business. For example, the cost of biofuels has historically
been higher than petroleum, therefore the lack of governmental subsidies for
biofuels may limit the demand and marketability of our technology.
Intellectual
Property
Since our
business is based on licensing of our technology and not manufacturing oil, it
is critical to the Company that it achieves one or more patents. We have filed
the following patent applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office:
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1.
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On
July 28, 2007, to protect the intellectual property rights for “Algae
Growth System for Oil Production”. The inventors listed on the patent
application are Nicholas Eckelberry and T. Riggs Eckelberry, the Company’s
founders. The Company is listed as the assignee. We have not received any
correspondence from the USPTO, with respect to this patent
application.
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6
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2.
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On
May 23, 2008, to protect the intellectual property rights for “Apparatus
And Method For Optimizing Photosynthetic Growth In a Photo Bioreactor”.
The inventors listed on the patent application are Steven Shigematsu and
Nicholas Eckelberry. The Company is listed as the assignee. We have not
received any correspondence from the USPTO, with respect to this patent
application.
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3.
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On
May 30, 2008, to protect the intellectual property rights for “Modular
Portable Photobioreactor System”. The inventors listed on the patent
application are Steven Shigematsu and Nicholas Eckelberry. The Company is
listed as the assignee. We have not received any correspondence from the
USPTO, with respect to this patent
application.
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4.
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On
January 6, 2009, to protect the intellectual property rights for
“Apparatus And Method For Optimizing Photosynthetic Growth In A
Photobioreactor”. The inventor listed on the patent application is
Nicholas Eckelberry. The Company is listed as the assignee. We have not
received any correspondence from the USPTO, with respect to this patent
application.
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5.
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On
April 17, 2009, to protect the intellectual property rights for “Device
and Method for Separation, Cell Lysing and Flocculation of Algae From
Water”. The inventor listed on the patent application is Nicholas
Eckelberry. The Company is listed as the assignee. We have not received
any correspondence from the USPTO, with respect to this patent
application.
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6.
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On
July 13, 2009, a provisional filing to protect the intellectual property
rights for “Algae Growth Lighting and Control System”. The inventors
listed on the patent application are Scott Fraser, Vikram Pattarkine,
Ralph Anderson and Nicholas Eckelberry. The Company is listed as the
assignee. We have not received any correspondence from the USPTO, with
respect to this patent application.
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7.
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On
July 26, 2009, a provisional filing to protect the intellectual property
rights for “Procedure For Extraction Of Lipids From Algae Without Cell
Sacrifice”. The inventors listed on the patent application are Paul Reep
and Scott Fraser. The Company is listed as the assignee. We have not
received any correspondence from the USPTO, with respect to this patent
application.
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8.
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On
September 30, 2009, a provisional filing to protect the intellectual
property rights for “Methods and Apparatus for Growing Algae on a Solid
Surface”. The inventors listed on the patent application are and Scott
Fraser and Vikram Pattarkine. The Company is listed as the assignee. We
have not received any correspondence from the USPTO, with respect to this
patent application.
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The
Company abandoned the pursuit of two provisional patent filings filed in 2008
relating to “In-Line Lysing And Extraction System For Microorganisms” and
“Renewable Carbon Sequestering Method Of Producing Pollution Free
Electricity”. Neither patent is required for the Company’s business
or products and the Company is focusing its efforts on the patent applications
listed above.
Employees
As of the
date of this Memorandum, we have seven full-time employees. The Company has not
experienced any work stoppages and the Company considers relations with its
employees to be good. In May 2009, we hired Scott Fraser as Vice
President of Operations. Mr. Fraser will work on accelerating our
commercialization program. On 1
September 2009, CTO Dr. Vikram Pattarkine requested a transition from full-time
to part-time employment and accepted a new title as Chief Scientist. On March 1,
2010, he transitioned from part-time employment to consultancy status with a new
title of Consulting Scientist. These changes were occasioned by Dr. Pattarkine’s
difficulty in relocating to the company headquarters in Los
Angeles.
ITEM
1A. RISK FACTORS
RISKS
RELATED TO ORIGINOIL’S BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
HAS
A LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY.
Our
Company was formed in June 2007 and is currently developing a new technology
that has not yet gained market acceptance. As such, it has a limited operating
history upon which you can base an evaluation of its business and prospects. As
a start-up company in the early stage of development, there are substantial
risks, uncertainties, expenses and difficulties that OriginOil is subject to. To
address these risks and uncertainties, OriginOil must do the
following:
·
|
Successfully
execute its business strategy;
|
|
|
||
·
|
Respond
to competitive developments; and
|
|
·
|
Attract,
integrate, retain and motivate qualified personnel.
|
|
·
|
There
can be no assurance that at this time we will operate profitably or that
we will have adequate working capital to meet our obligations as they
become due. Subscribers must consider the risks and difficulties
frequently encountered by early stage companies, particularly in rapidly
evolving markets.
|
7
We cannot
be certain that our business strategy will be successful or that we will
successfully address these risks. In the event that we do not successfully
address these risks, our business, prospects, financial condition, and results
of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
OUR
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS HAVE EXPRESSED SUBSTANTIAL DOUBT ABOUT OUR ABILITY TO
CONTINUE AS A GOING CONCERN, WHICH MAY HINDER OUR ABILITY TO OBTAIN FUTURE
FINANCING AND WHICH MAY FORCE US TO CEASE OPERATIONS.
In their
report dated March 31, 2010, our independent auditors stated that our financial
statements for the period ended December 31, 2009 were prepared
assuming that we would continue as a going concern. Our ability to continue as a
going concern is an issue raised as a result of recurring losses from operations
and cash flow deficiencies since our inception. We continue to experience net
losses. Our ability to continue as a going concern is subject to our ability to
generate a profit and/or obtain necessary funding from outside sources,
including obtaining additional funding from the sale of our securities,
increasing sales or obtaining loans and grants from various financial
institutions where possible.
OUR
REVENUES ARE DEPENDENT UPON ACCEPTANCE OF OUR PRODUCTS BY THE MARKET; THE
FAILURE OF WHICH WOULD CAUSE US TO CURTAIL OR CEASE OPERATIONS.
We
believe that virtually all of our revenues will come from the sale or license of
our products. As a result, we will continue to incur substantial operating
losses until such time as we are able to generate revenues from the sale or
license of our products. There can be no assurance that businesses and customers
will adopt our technology and products, or that businesses and prospective
customers will agree to pay for or license our products. In the event that we
are not able to significantly increase the number of customers that purchase or
license our products, or if we are unable to charge the necessary prices or
license fees, our financial condition and results of operations will be
materially and adversely affected.
ORIGINOIL
WILL NEED TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF ITS ORGANIZATION, AND MAY EXPERIENCE
DIFFICULTIES IN MANAGING GROWTH.
OriginOil
is a small company with a minimal number of employees. We expect to experience a
period of significant expansion in headcount, facilities, infrastructure and
overhead and anticipate that further expansion will be required to address
potential growth and market opportunities. Future growth will impose significant
added responsibilities on members of management, including the need to identify,
recruit, maintain and integrate managers. Our future financial performance and
our ability to compete effectively will depend, in part, on our ability to
manage any future growth effectively.
WE
MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY DEVELOP AND COMMERCIALIZE OUR TECHNOLOGIES WHICH
WOULD RESULT IN CONTINUED LOSSES AND MAY REQUIRE US TO CURTAIL OR CEASE
OPERATIONS.
We are
currently developing our technology and a commercial product. We have not
generated any revenues and we are unable to project when we will achieve
profitability, if at all. As is the case with any new technology, we expect the
development process to continue. We cannot assure that our engineering resources
will be able to develop the product fast enough to meet market requirements. We
can also not assure that our product will gain market acceptance and that we
will be able to successfully commercialize the technologies. The failure to
successfully develop and commercialize the technologies would result in
continued losses and may require us to curtail or cease operations.
OUR
ABILITY TO PRODUCE AND DISTRIBUTE COMMERCIALLY VIABLE BIO-FUEL IS UNPROVEN,
WHICH COULD HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON OUR ABILITY TO GENERATE OR SUSTAIN
REVENUES.
The
technologies we will use to transform algae into a new form of oil have never
been utilized on a commercial basis. The OriginOil System, through our Quantum
Fracturing technology, while intended to create a new bio-fuel feedstock for
many products such as diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, plastics and solvents, is in
fact a new bio-fuel that may never achieve technical or commercial viability.
All of the tests conducted to date by us with respect to the technology have
been performed in a limited scale environment and the same or similar results
may not be obtainable at competitive costs on a large-scale commercial basis. We
have never utilized technology under the conditions or in the volumes that will
be required for us to be profitable and cannot predict all of the difficulties
that may arise. The technology, when used, may require further research,
development, regulatory approvals, environmental permits, design and testing
prior to commercialization. Accordingly, our technology may not perform
successfully on a commercial basis and may never generate any revenues or be
profitable.
8
OUR
BUSINESS DEPENDS ON PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY THAT WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROTECT
AND MAY INFRINGE ON THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF OTHERS.
Our
success will depend, in part, on our technology’s commercial viability and on
the strength of our intellectual property rights. The technology is not patented
and the only intellectual property rights that exist at present, if any, are
trade secret rights. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect and others
could independently develop substantially equivalent technology, otherwise gain
access to trade secrets relating to the technology. Accordingly, we may not be
able to protect the rights to our trade secrets. In addition, our agreements
with our employees, consultants, advisors, customers and strategic partners
restricting the disclosure and use of trade secrets, inventions and confidential
information relating to the technology may not provide meaningful protection in
the event of unauthorized use or disclosure.
We
recently filed several U.S. patent applications. It could take several years for
the applications to be processed. However, patent protection may not be
obtainable for the technology whether in the U.S. or internationally.
Alternatively, any protection that is obtained may not be broad enough to be
effective and of value, or it may not withstand challenges as to validity and
enforceability.
Third
parties may assert that the technology, or the products we or our customers or
partners commercialize using the technology, infringes upon their proprietary
rights. We have yet to complete an infringement analysis and, even if such an
analysis were available at the current time, it is virtually impossible for us
to be certain that no infringement exists, particularly in our case where our
products have not yet been fully developed.
We may
need to acquire additional licenses from third parties in order to avoid
infringement. Any required license may not be available to us on acceptable
terms, or at all.
We could
incur substantial costs in defending ourselves in suits brought against us for
alleged infringement of another party’s intellectual property rights as well as
in enforcing our rights against others, and if we are found to infringe, the
manufacture, sale and use of our or our customers’ or partners’ products could
be enjoined. Any claims against us, with or without merit, would likely be
time-consuming, requiring our management team to dedicate substantial time to
addressing the issues presented. Furthermore, the parties bringing claims may
have greater resources than we do.
A
LACK OF GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES FOR THE BIOFUELS INDUSTRY MAY HINDER THE USEFULNESS
OF OUR COMPANY’S TECHNOLOGY.
The
Company is part of a new and emerging biofuels industry that is subject to
economic and other regulations that may have an adverse affect on the entire
industry and subsequently our business. For example, the cost of biofuels has
historically been higher than petroleum, therefore the lack of governmental
subsidies for biofuels may limit the demand and marketability of the Company’s
technology. There is no assurance that the biofuels industry, or any industry
the Company markets to, will have the need or the financial ability to use the
Company’s technology.
WE
DO NOT MAINTAIN THEFT OR CASUALTY INSURANCE, LIABILITY OR PROPERTY INSURANCE
COVERAGE AND THEREFORE WE COULD INCUR LOSSES AS A RESULT OF AN UNINSURED
LOSS.
We do not
maintain theft, casualty insurance, liability or property insurance coverage. We
cannot assure that we will not incur uninsured liabilities and losses as a
result of the conduct of our business. Any such uninsured or insured loss or
liability could have a material adverse affect on our results of
operations.
IF
WE LOSE KEY EMPLOYEES AND CONSULTANTS OR ARE UNABLE TO ATTRACT OR RETAIN
QUALIFIED PERSONNEL, OUR BUSINESS COULD SUFFER.
Our
success is highly dependent on our ability to attract and retain qualified
scientific, engineering and management personnel. We are highly dependent on our
management, including T. Riggs Eckelberry, who has been critical to the
development of our technology and business. The loss of the services of Mr.
Eckelberry could have a material adverse effect on our operations. We do not
have an employment agreement with Mr. Eckelberry. Accordingly, there can be no
assurance that he will remain associated with us. His efforts will be critical
to us as we continue to develop our technology and as we attempt to transition
from a development stage company to a company with commercialized products and
services. If we were to lose Mr. Eckelberry, or any other key employees or
consultants, we may experience difficulties in competing effectively, developing
our technology and implementing our business strategies.
9
COMPETITION
FROM OTHER COMPANIES IN OUR MARKET AND FROM PRODUCERS OF OTHER ALTERNATIVE FUELS
MAY AFFECT THE MARKET FOR OUR TECHNOLOGY.
If prices
of energy on the commodities markets, including oil and bio-diesel, rise, as
they have in recent years, competition from other alternative fuels will likely
increase. Additionally, new companies are constantly entering the market, thus
increasing the competition. This could also have a negative impact on us or our
customers’ ability to obtain additional capital from investors. Larger foreign
owned and domestic companies which have been engaged in the alternative energy
business for substantially longer periods of time may have access to greater
financial and other resources. These companies may have greater success in the
recruitment and retention of qualified employees, as well as in conducting their
own fuel manufacturing and marketing operations, which may give them a
competitive advantage. In addition, actual or potential competitors may be
strengthened through the acquisition of additional assets and interests. If we
or our customers are unable to compete effectively or adequately respond to
competitive pressures, this may materially adversely affect our results of
operation and financial condition.
RISKS
RELATED TO ORIGINOIL’S COMMON STOCK AND ITS MARKET VALUE
THERE
IS CURRENTLY A LIMITED PUBLIC MARKET FOR OUR STOCK.
There can
be no assurance that an active market for our Common Stock will develop. If an
active public market for our Common Stock does not develop, shareholders may not
be able to re-sell the shares of our Common Stock that they own and affect the
value of the Shares.
THE
PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK MAY BE VOLATILE.
If an
active public market for our Common Stock does develop, the trading price of our
Common Stock may fluctuate substantially as a result of the following
factors:
·
|
price
and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market from time to
time;
|
|
·
|
significant
volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of
companies in our industry; and
|
|
·
|
general
economic conditions and trends.
|
OUR
STOCK WILL LIKELY BE SUBJECT TO THE PENNY STOCK RULES, WHICH IMPOSE SIGNIFICANT
RESTRICTIONS ON BROKER-DEALERS AND MAY AFFECT THE RESALE OF OUR
STOCK.
·
|
A
penny stock is generally a stock that:
|
|
·
|
is
not listed on a national securities exchange or NASDAQ,
|
|
·
|
is
listed in the "pink sheets" or on the NASD OTC Bulletin
Board,
|
|
·
|
has
a price per share of less than $5.00 and
|
|
·
|
is
issued by a company with net tangible assets less than $5
million.
|
The penny
stock trading rules impose additional duties and responsibilities upon
broker-dealers and salespersons effecting purchase and sale transactions in
Common Stock and other equity securities, including:
·
|
determination
of the purchaser's investment suitability,
|
|
·
|
delivery
of certain information and disclosures to the purchaser,
and
|
|
·
|
receipt
of a specific purchase agreement before effecting the purchase
transaction.
|
Many
broker-dealers will not effect transactions in penny stocks, except on an
unsolicited basis, in order to avoid compliance with the penny stock trading
rules. In the event our Common Stock becomes subject to the penny stock trading
rules:
·
|
such
rules may materially limit or restrict the ability to resell our Common
Stock, and
|
|
·
|
the
liquidity typically associated with other publicly traded equity
securities may not exist.
|
Because
of the significant restrictions on trading penny stocks, a public market may
never emerge for our securities. If this happens, you may never be able to
publicly sell your shares.
THE
AVAILABILITY OF A LARGE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED BUT UNISSUED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
MAY, UPON THEIR ISSUANCE, LEAD TO DILUTION OF EXISTING
STOCKHOLDERS.
At March
30, 2010, 161,841,878 shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding.
We are authorized to issue 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock These shares may
be issued by our Board of Directors without further stockholder approval. The
issuance of large numbers of shares, possibly at below market prices, is likely
to result in substantial dilution to the interests of other stockholders. In
addition, issuances of large numbers of shares may adversely affect the market
price of our Common Stock.
10
WE
MAY NEED ADDITIONAL CAPITAL THAT COULD DILUTE THE OWNERSHIP INTEREST OF
INVESTORS.
We
require substantial working capital to fund our business. If we raise additional
funds through the issuance of equity, equity-related or convertible debt
securities, these securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior
to those of the rights of holders of our Common Stock and they may experience
additional dilution. We cannot predict whether additional financing will be
available to us on favorable terms when required, or at all. Since our
inception, we have experienced negative cash flow from operations and expect to
experience significant negative cash flow from operations in the future. The
issuance of additional Common Stock by our management may have the effect of
further diluting the proportionate equity interest and voting power of holders
of our Common Stock.
ITEM
1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
N/A
ITEM
2. PROPERTIES.
Our
principal offices are located at 5645 West Adams Blvd., Los Angeles California
90016. We rent space on a renewable two-year sublease with a monthly
rent of $9,000. Our headquarters has office, construction and
laboratory space which makes it adequate for the Company to conduct its ongoing
business operations.
ITEM
3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
From time
to time we may be a defendant and plaintiff in various legal proceedings arising
in the normal course of our business. We are currently not a party to any
material pending legal proceedings or government actions, including any
bankruptcy, receivership, or similar proceedings. In addition, management is not
aware of any known litigation or liabilities involving the operators of our
properties that could affect our operations. Should any liabilities incurred in
the future, they will be accrued based on management’s best estimate of the
potential loss. As such, there is no adverse effect on our financial position,
results of operations or cash flow at this time. Furthermore, Management of the
Company does not believe that there are any proceedings to which any director,
officer, or affiliate of the Company, any owner of record of the beneficially or
more than five percent of the Common Stock of the Company, or any associate of
any such director, officer, affiliate of the Company, or security holder is a
party adverse to the Company or has a material interest adverse to the
Company.
ITEM
4. [Reserved].
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S
COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY
SECURITIES.
MARKET
INFORMATION
Our
Common Stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board, a service provided by the
Nasdaq Stock Market Inc., under the symbol “OOIL”. A summary of our
Common Stock’s market price by fiscal quarter from the initial quotation on
April 25, 2008 through December 31, 2009 is as follows:
Year
|
Fiscal
Quarter Period
|
High
|
Low
|
|||||||
2008
|
April
25, 2008 to June 30, 2008
|
0.50 | 0. 18 | |||||||
July
1, 2008 to September 30, 2008
|
0.51 | 0. 30 | ||||||||
October
1, 2008 to December 31, 2008
|
0.45 | 0. 25 | ||||||||
2009
|
January
1, 2009 to March 31, 2009
|
0.45 | 0. 32 | |||||||
April
1, 2009 to June 30, 2009
|
0.48 | 0. 27 | ||||||||
July
1, 2009 to September 30, 2009
|
0.40 | 0. 22 | ||||||||
October
1, 2009 to December 31, 2009
|
0.39 | 0. 25 |
The
market price of our common stock, like that of other technology companies, is
highly volatile and is subject to fluctuations in response to variations in
operating results, announcements of technological innovations or new products,
or other events or factors. Our stock price may also be affected by broader
market trends unrelated to our performance.
11
Holders
At March
30, 2010, 161,841,878 there were shares of common stock outstanding and
approximately 300 stockholders of record.
Transfer
Agent and Registrar
Our
transfer agent is Computershare, 350 Indiana Street, Suite 800, Golden, CO
80401; telephone (303) 262-0600.
Dividend
Policy
We have
never paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock and do not anticipate paying
any cash dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future. We intend to
retain future earnings to fund ongoing operations and future capital
requirements of our business. Any future determination to pay cash dividends
will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will be dependent upon
our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and such
other factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant.
RECENT
SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
None
ITEM
6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
N/A
ITEM
7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATION. [TO BE COMPLETED]
Critical
Accounting Policies
The
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") defines "critical accounting
policies" as those that require application of management's most difficult,
subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates
about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in
subsequent periods. Not all of the accounting policies require management to
make difficult, subjective or complex judgments or estimates. However, the
following policies could be deemed to be critical within the SEC
definition.
Revenue
Recognition
The
Company will recognize revenue when services are performed, and at the time of
shipment of products, provided that evidence of an arrangement exists, title and
risk of loss have passed to the customer, fees are fixed or determinable, and
collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured. To date, the Company
has had no revenues and is in the development stage.
Use
of Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts reported in the accompanying financial statements.
Significant estimates made in preparing these financial statements include the
estimate of useful lives of property and equipment, the deferred tax valuation
allowance, and the fair value of stock options. Actual results could differ from
those estimates.
Fair
Value of Financial Instruments
Fair
value of financial Instruments requires disclosure of the fair value
information, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, where it is
practicable to estimate that value. As of December 31, 2009, the amounts
reported for cash, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and
approximate the fair value because of their short maturities.
12
Results
of Operations
Revenues
Currently
the Company is in its development stage and has no revenues for the year ended
December 31, 2009.
Operating
Expenses
Selling and Marketing
Expenses
Selling
& Marketing Expenses ("S&M") increased by $223,030 to
$521,064 for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to $298,034 for the
prior year. The increase in S&M expenses was the result of an increase in
marketing exposure utilizing radio and television venues.
General and Administrative
Expenses
General
and administrative (“G&A”) expenses increased by $431,086 to $1,395,288
for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to $964,202 for the prior
year. The increase in G&A expenses consist primarily of $89,351 in insurance
expense due to benefits for employees; $77,493 increase in professional fees due
to public filings; $52,261 increase in payroll expense due to hiring of office
employees; $55,398 increase in rent due to occupying the facility for a longer
period of time; $48,253 increase in outside services due to utilizing
subcontractors on a part time basis; and $47,408 increase in travel due to
promoting the Company.
Research and Development
Cost
Research
and development (“R&D”) cost increased by $473,712 to $732,483 for the year
ended December 31, 2009, compared to $258,771 for the prior year. The increase
in R&D costs was the result of testing and research of product
development.
Net
Loss
Net loss
increased by $3,408,793 to $(4,915,071) for the year ended December 31, 2009,
compared to $(1,506,278) for the prior year. The increase in Net loss was due
primarily to the expensing stock compensation a non-cash expense, and the
overall increase in operating expenses. Currently the Company is in its’
development stage and has no revenues.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
As of
December 31, 2009, we had $333,328 of working capital as compared to $526,503 on
December 31, 2008. This decrease of $193,175 in working capital was due
primarily to ongoing costs of developing the company and preparing its
technologies for market.
Net cash
used in operating activities was $2,678,694 for the year ended December 31,
2009, as compared to $1,478,641 used during the prior year. The increase in net
cash used in operating activities of $1,200,053 was the result of an increase in
net loss of $(3,408,793) due to an increase in overall operating expenses, which
included a non-cash expense for stock compensation of $2,211,306 for the current
year compared to $0 for the prior year, and an increase in non-cash expense for
depreciation of $55,772 for the current year compared to $13,126 for the prior
year. The Company is in the development stage and has generated no
revenues.
Net cash
used in investing activities was $(24,511) for the year ended December 31, 2009,
as compared to $(163,174) for the prior year. The decrease in investing
activities of $138,663 was due primarily to a reduction in purchases of
equipment and patent expenditures.
Net cash
flows provided from financing activities was $2,479,329 for the year ended
December 31, 2009, as compared to $954,200 for the prior year. There was an
increase in cash provided from financing activities due to an increase in funds
received from equity financing.
We
require substantial working capital to fund our business. We cannot predict
whether additional financing will be available to us on favorable terms when
required, or at all. Since our inception, we have experienced negative cash flow
from operations and expect to experience significant negative cash flow from
operations in the future.
We plan
on raising additional capital through the sale of additional common
stock. Our common stock is quoted on the Over the Counter Bulletin
Board under the symbol “OOIL”.
13
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
We do not
have any off balance sheet arrangements that are reasonably likely to have a
current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues, and results of
operations, liquidity or capital expenditures.
Related
Party Transactions
The
Company is currently not party to any related party transactions.
ITEM
8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
All
financial information required by this Item is attached hereto at the end of
this report beginning on page F-1 and is hereby incorporated by reference.
ITEM
9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE.
None
ITEM
9A(T). CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Management’s
Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our
management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal
control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule
13a - 15(f). Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable
assurance to our management and the Board of Directors regarding the preparation
and fair presentation of published financial statements. 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. Our management
assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as
of December 31, 2009. Based on our assessment we believe that, as of December
31, 2009, our internal control over financial reporting is effective based on
those criteria. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set
forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
("COSO") in Internal Control - Integrated Framework - Guidance for Smaller
Public Companies (the COSO criteria). Based on our assessment we believe that,
as of December 31, 2009, our internal control over financial reporting is
effective based on those criteria.
This
report does not include an attestation report by HJ Associates &
Consultants, LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, regarding
internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was
not subject to attestation by the Company’s independent registered public
accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the SEC that permits the Company
to only provide management’s report in this Form 10-K.
Changes
in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There
were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred
during the year ended December 31, 2009 that have materially affected, or are
reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.
ITEM
9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
None.
PART III
ITEM
10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND KEY EMPLOYEES
The
following table sets forth the names and ages of the members of our Board of
Directors and our executive officers and the positions held by each. There are
no family relationships among any of our Directors and Executive
Officers.
14
The
following table sets forth certain information with respect to our directors and
executive officers.
Name
|
Age
|
Position
|
||
T.
Riggs Eckelberry
|
58
|
Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Secretary,
Treasurer, President and acting Chief Financial
Officer.
|
||
Ivan
Ivankovich
|
42
|
Director
|
||
Adam
Meislik
|
39
|
Director
|
T.
Riggs Eckelberry - Chief Executive Officer and President
T. Riggs
Eckelberry, co-inventor of the Company’s technology, brings his veteran
technology management skills to the alternative energy sector. In 2007, he
developed and launched OriginOil. As President and COO of CyberDefender
Corporation from 2005 to 2006, he was instrumental in building the company and
its innovative product line, helping to achieve initial funding and a public
company filing at the end of 2006. Previously, as founder and President of
TechTransform, a technology consulting firm, he specialized in high tech
launches and turnarounds, helping to turn around YellowPages.com in 2004,
resulting in its sale for $100 million to SBC/BellSouth, and in 2003 helping to
make Panda Software a key player in the US market as the General Manager of its
US unit. During the high tech boom of the 1990s, he was responsible for the
global brand success of the software product, CleanSweep; as Chief Operating
Officer of MicroHouse Technologies, he drove record sales and a modernization of
the company’s technology, helping to achieve a successful sale of the company to
Earthweb; and as VP Marketing of venture-backed TriVida, he was a key member of
the team that commercialized the company’s technology and achieved the sale of
this technology company to BeFree, Inc. (now part of ValueClick:
VCLK).
Ivan
Ivankovich - Director
Ivan
Ivankovich has over 20 years of financial and operational expertise. Since 2006
to present, he has served as consultant and advisor to several technology
companies. From 2005 to 2006, he served as the managing director of VisionPoint
Capital, a boutique investment bank, advising clients in the middle market. From
2003 to 2005, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of YellowPages.com, an
on-line directory of national and local merchants. Prior to YellowPages.com,
from 2001 to 2003, he served as Vice President of Portfolio Operations at
Platinum Equity, a global acquisition firm where he managed and operated certain
of its portfolio companies. Over the years, he also served as a senior financial
executive for venture-backed companies such as, HealthAllies and TriVida
Corporation, which was acquired by Befree Inc. (now part of ValueClick: VCLK).
He started his career with Ernst & Young in their audit practice in Los
Angeles. A Certified Public Accountant and a member of the California Society of
CPAs, he earned his B.A. in Business Economics with an emphasis in accounting
from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Adam
Meislik - Director
Mr.
Meislik has served as a director since March 25,
2009. Mr. Meislik is the founder of Onionomics LLC and has
served as its Managing Director since its inception in March 2008.
Onionomics LLC is a consulting firm that specializes in providing companies and
stakeholders with crucial management and leadership expertise by evaluating
advantage, assessing competitive environments and identifying industry trends
and how they relate to capital formation and liquidity. Mr. Meislik is a
Principal at XRoads Solutions Group. Prior to founding Onionomics
LLC, he was a Managing Director of Investment Banking at Salem Partners
LLC. From 1996 to 2005, Mr. Meislik worked for CIBC World Markets where he
led its West Coast software investment banking practice.
Committees
of the Board of Directors
Our Board
of Directors does not have any committees.
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of
our executive officers serves as a member of the Board of Directors or
compensation committee of any other entity that has one or more of its
executive officers serving as a member of our Board of Directors.
15
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION.
The
following table sets forth the cash compensation (including cash bonuses) paid
or accrued by us to our Chief Executive Officer from inception (June 1, 2007) to
December 31, 2009:
Principal
Position
|
Year
|
Salary
|
Bonus
|
Option
Awards
|
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
|
Change in
Pension Value
and Non-
Qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings ($)
|
All other
Compensation
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
T.
Riggs Eckelberry Chief Executive Officer
|
2007
|
$ | 80,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | $ | 80,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
2008
|
$ | 260,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | $ | 260,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2009
|
$ | 260,000 | $ | 110,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | $ | 370,000 |
Employment
Agreements
Employee
Benefit Plans
Beginning
June 1, 2008, the Company implemented a company health plan for its
employees.
Stock
Option Plan
On July
1, 2009, the Company instituted the OriginOil 2009 Incentive Stock Plan (the
“Plan”), after approval by the Board of Directors and a majority of the
Company’s shareholders. The purpose of the Plan is to retain
executives and selected employees and consultants and reward them for making
contributions to the success of the Company. These objectives are
accomplished by making long-term incentive awards under the Plan thereby
providing participants with a proprietary interest in the growth and performance
of the Company.
Under the
Plan, 15,000,000 Shares of the Company’s common stock were reserved for
use. The Plan shall be administered by the Company’s Board of
Directors. As of February 28, 2010, the Company has granted to
employees 4,150,000 options to purchase the Company’s common stock at an
exercise price of $0.32. The options vest over four
years. As of February 28, 2010, 326,876 options were vested
options.
Warrants
As
of December 31, 2009, warrants exercisable for an aggregate of up to
12,000,000 Shares
of our common stock were outstanding. Of these warrants 10,100,000 are
exercisable at an exercise price of $0.31 per Share and will expire on July 1,
2014. Warrants exercisable for an aggregate of up to 1,050,000 Shares
are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.34 per Share and will expire on
August 12, 2014. Warrants exercisable for an aggregate of up to
850,000 Shares
are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.30 per Share and will expire on
November 23, 2014. Each of the warrants contains a customary net issuance
feature, which allows the warrant holder to pay the exercise price of the
warrant by forfeiting a portion of the exercised warrant shares with a value
equal to the aggregate exercise price.
Election
and Compensation of Directors
The
Directors of the Company are elected by the vote of a majority in interest of
the holders of the voting stock of the Company and hold office until the
expiration of the term for which he or she was elected and until a successor has
been elected and qualified.
A
majority of the authorized number of directors constitutes a quorum of the Board
for the transaction of business. The directors must be present at the
meeting to constitute a quorum. However, any action required or
permitted to be taken by the Board may be taken without a meeting if all members
of the Board individually or collectively consent in writing to the
action.
The
Company’s directors currently do not receive monetary compensation for their
service on the Board of Directors. Directors may receive compensation
for their services in the future and reimbursement for their expenses as shall
be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board. In 2009, Ivan
Ivankovick and Adan Meislik our two independent directors, were granted
warrants, exercisable at $0.31, that expire on July 1, 2014. Ivan
Ivankovich received 1,000,000 warrants, valued at $179,417, using the Black
Scholes method. Adam Meislik received 2,000,000 warrants, valued at
$358,833 using the Black Scholes method.
16
ITEM
12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The
following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of our Common Stock as of December 31, 2009, by (i) each
director, (ii) each executive officer, (iii) all directors and
executive officers as a group, and (iv) each person who beneficially owns
more than five percent of our Common Stock. Beneficial ownership is determined
in accordance with the rules of the SEC. The percentage ownership of each
beneficial owner is based on 159,321,232 outstanding shares of Common Stock.
Except as indicated, each person listed below has sole voting and investment
power with respect to the shares set forth opposite such person’s
name.
Name and Title of Beneficial Owner
|
Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned (1)
|
Percentage of Shares
|
||||||
T. Riggs Eckelberry,
Chief
Executive Officer, and Director
|
40,000,000
|
25.1
|
%
|
|||||
Ivan
Ivankovich, Director (2)
|
3,000,000
|
1.9
|
%
|
|||||
Adam
Meislik, Director (3)
|
2,000,000
|
1.2
|
%
|
|||||
Directors
and executive officers as a group (3 persons)
|
45,000,000
|
27.7
|
%
|
(1)
|
Unless
otherwise indicated and subject to applicable community property laws, to
our knowledge each stockholder named in the table possesses sole voting
and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock, except
for those owned jointly with that person’s spouse.
|
(2)
|
Includes
2,000,000 Shares of Common Stock and a warrant to purchase 1,000,000
Shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $0.31 per
Share.
|
(3)
|
Includes
a warrant to purchase 2,000,000 Shares of the Company’s common stock at a
price of $0.31 per Share.
|
ITEM
13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE
The
Company is currently not party to any related party transactions.
ITEM
14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
Audit
Fees
The
aggregate fees billed by our principal accountant for the audit of our annual
financial statements, review of financial statements included in the quarterly
reports and other fees that are normally provided by the accountant in
connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the fiscal
years ended December
31, 2009 were $34,100.
Tax
Fees
The
aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by our principal
accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning for the fiscal years
ended December 31, 2009 were $0. These fees related to the preparation of
federal income and state franchise tax returns.
All
Other Fees
There
were no other fees billed for products or services provided by our principal
accountant for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009.
ITEM
15. EXHIBITS.
SEC Ref. No.
|
|||
3.1
|
Articles
of Incorporation
|
||
3.3
|
By-laws
|
||
10.1
|
Form
of Subscription Agreement, dated July 11, 2007
|
||
10.2
|
Form
of Subscription Agreement, dated August 2007
|
||
10.3
|
Form
of Subscription Agreement, dated November 2007
|
||
31
|
Certification
of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Sec. 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002
|
||
32
|
Certification
of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. SECTION
1350
|
17
SIGNATURES
In
accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Los Angeles, State of California, on [*],
2010.
ORIGINOIL,
INC.
|
|||
By:
|
/s/
T Riggs Eckelberry
|
||
T
Riggs Eckelberry
Chief
Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
and
Acting Chief Financial Officer
(Principal
Accounting and Financial Officer)
|
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement
or amendment has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities
and on the dates indicated.
Date: [*],
2010
|
By:
|
/s/ T
Riggs Eckelberry
|
|
T
Riggs Eckelberry
|
|||
Director
|
Date: [*],
2010
|
By:
|
/s/ Adam
Meislik
|
|
Adam
Meislik
|
|||
Director
|
Date: [*],
2010
|
By:
|
/s/ Ivan
Ivankovich
|
|
Ivan
Ivankovich
|
|||
Director
|
18
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the
Board of Directors of
OriginOil,
Inc.
(A
Development Stage Company)
Los
Angeles, California
We have
audited the balance sheets of OriginOil, Inc. (A Development Stage Company) as
of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related statement of operations,
stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2009 and
2008 and from inception on June 1, 2007 through December 31,
2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements based on our audits
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require
that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether
the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were
not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe
that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our
opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of OriginOil, Inc. (A
Development Stage Company) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of
its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2009 and
2008 and from inception on June 1, 2007 through December 31, 2009, in conformity
with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The
accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company
will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the
financial statements, the Company does not generate significant revenue, and has
negative cash flows from operations. This raises substantial doubt
about the Company's ability to continue as a going
concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also
described in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any
adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
We were
not engaged to examine management’s assessment of the effectiveness of
OriginOil, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2009, included in the accompanying Form 10-K and, accordingly, we do
not express an opinion thereon.
HJ
Associates & Consultants, LLP
Salt Lake
City, Utah
March 31,
2010
F-1
ORIGINOIL,
INC.
(A
Development Stage Company)
BALANCE
SHEETS
December
31,
2009
|
December
31,
2008
|
|||||||
ASSETS
|
||||||||
CURRENT
ASSETS
|
||||||||
Cash
& cash equivalents
|
$ | 356,179 | $ | 580,055 | ||||
Prepaid
expenses
|
32,867 | 16,929 | ||||||
Total
Current Assets
|
389,046 | 596,984 | ||||||
PROPERTY
& EQUIPMENT
|
||||||||
Machinery
& equipment
|
1,372 | 1,372 | ||||||
Furniture
& fixtures
|
27,056 | 27,056 | ||||||
Computer
equipment
|
22,268 | 17,564 | ||||||
Leasehold
improvements
|
94,914 | 94,914 | ||||||
145,610 | 140,906 | |||||||
Less
accumulated depreciation
|
(68,898 | ) | (13,126 | ) | ||||
Net
Property & Equipment
|
76,712 | 127,780 | ||||||
OTHER
ASSETS
|
||||||||
Patent
|
45,636 | 25,829 | ||||||
Trademark
|
4,467 | 4,467 | ||||||
Security
deposit
|
9,650 | 9,650 | ||||||
Total
Other Assets
|
59,753 | 39,946 | ||||||
TOTAL
ASSETS
|
$ | 525,511 | $ | 764,710 | ||||
LIABILITIES
AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
||||||||
CURRENT
LIABILITIES
|
||||||||
Accounts
payable
|
$ | 1,391 | $ | 17,871 | ||||
Accrued
expenses
|
52,985 | 21,883 | ||||||
Credit
card payable
|
470 | 2,307 | ||||||
Other
payables
|
872 | 28,420 | ||||||
TOTAL
LIABILITIES
|
55,718 | 70,481 | ||||||
SHAREHOLDERS'
EQUITY
|
||||||||
Preferred
stock, $0.0001 par value;
|
||||||||
50,000
authorized preferred shares
|
- | - | ||||||
Common
stock, $0.0001 par value;
|
||||||||
500,000,000
authorized common shares
|
||||||||
159,321,232
and 144,180,050 shares issued and outstanding
|
15,933 | 14,418 | ||||||
Additional
paid in capital
|
7,160,260 | 1,827,980 | ||||||
Common
stock subscription payable
|
161,040 | 804,200 | ||||||
Deficit
accumulated during the development stage
|
(6,867,440 | ) | (1,952,369 | ) | ||||
TOTAL
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
469,793 | 694,229 | ||||||
TOTAL
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
$ | 525,511 | $ | 764,710 |
F-2
ORIGINOIL,
INC.
(A
Development Stage Company)
STATEMENTS
OF OPERATIONS
From
Inception
|
||||||||||||
June
1, 2007
|
||||||||||||
Year
Ended
|
through
|
|||||||||||
December
31, 2009
|
December
31, 2008
|
December
31, 2009
|
||||||||||
REVENUE
|
$ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||
Selling
& marketing expense
|
521,064 | 298,034 | 839,572 | |||||||||
Administrative
expense
|
1,395,288 | 964,202 | 2,784,911 | |||||||||
Research
& development
|
732,483 | 258,771 | 1,002,685 | |||||||||
Stock
compensation expense
|
2,211,306 | - | 2,211,306 | |||||||||
Depreciation
& amortization expense
|
55,772 | 13,126 | 68,898 | |||||||||
TOTAL
OPERATING EXPENSES
|
4,915,913 | 1,534,133 | 6,907,372 | |||||||||
LOSS
FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE OTHER INCOME/(EXPENSE)
|
(4,915,913 | ) | (1,534,133 | ) | (6,907,372 | ) | ||||||
OTHER
INCOME/(EXPENSE)
|
||||||||||||
Interest
income
|
29 | 3,942 | 13,669 | |||||||||
Dividend
income
|
899 | 23,913 | 26,617 | |||||||||
Capital
gains
|
- | - | 107 | |||||||||
Penalties
|
(86 | ) | - | (86 | ) | |||||||
Interest
expense
|
- | - | (375 | ) | ||||||||
- | ||||||||||||
TOTAL
OTHER INCOME
|
842 | 27,855 | 39,932 | |||||||||
NET
LOSS
|
$ | (4,915,071 | ) | $ | (1,506,278 | ) | $ | (6,867,440 | ) | |||
BASIC
AND DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE
|
$ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.01 | ) | ||||||
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE
COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
|
||||||||||||
BASIC
AND DILUTED
|
150,941,578 | 143,614,982 |
F-3
ORIGINOIL,
INC.
(A
Development Stage Company)
STATEMENTS
OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Deficit
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Additional
|
Common
|
during
the
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Common
stock
|
Paid-in
|
Stock
|
Development
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Shares
|
Amount
|
Capital
|
Payable
|
Stage
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Balance
at June 30, 2007
|
- | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 22,563 | $ | - | $ | 22,563 | |||||||||||||
Commons
stock subscription
|
- | - | - | (22,563 | ) | - | (22,563 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of founders shares in September 2007 for cash
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
(90,250,000
common shares issued at $0.0025 per share )
|
90,250,000 | 9,025 | 13,538 | - | 22,563 | |||||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of common shares in September 2007 for cash
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
(11,000,000
common shares issued at $0.00025 per share )
|
11,000,000 | 1,100 | 1,650 | - | - | 2,750 | ||||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of common shares in September 2007 for cash
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
(28,000,000
common shares issued at $0.015 per share )
|
28,000,000 | 2,800 | 417,200 | - | - | 420,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
Shares
to be issued
|
- | - | - | 638,000 | - | 638,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest
forgiven on loan payable
|
- | - | 375 | - | - | 375 | ||||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of common shares in October 2007 for cash
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
(6,380,000
common shares issued at $0.10 per share )
|
6,380,000 | 638 | 637,362 | (638,000 | ) | - | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of common shares in October 2007 for services
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
(50,000
common shares issued at $0.10 per share )
|
50,000 | 5 | 4,995 | - | - | 5,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of common shares in October 2007 for cash
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
(3,123,000
common shares issued at $0.10 per share )
|
3,123,000 | 312 | 311,988 | - | - | 312,300 | ||||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of common shares in November 2007 for cash
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
(3,570,000
common shares issued at $0.10 per share )
|
3,570,000 | 357 | 356,643 | - | - | 357,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of common shares in December 2007 for marketing
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1,057,050
common shares issued at $0.10 per share )
|
1,057,050 | 106 | 105,599 | - | - | 105,705 | ||||||||||||||||||
Stock
issuance cost
|
- | - | (171,295 | ) | - | - | (171,295 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Net
Loss for the year ended December 31, 2007
|
(446,091 | ) | (446,091 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance
at December 31, 2007
|
143,430,050 | 14,343 | 1,678,055 | - | (446,091 | ) | 1,246,307 | |||||||||||||||||
Common
stock payable
|
- | - | - | 954,200 | - | 954,200 | ||||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of common shares in October 2008 for cash
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
(750,000
common shares issued at $0.20 per share )
|
750,000 | 75 | 149,925 | (150,000 | ) | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
Net
Loss for the year ended December 31, 2008
|
- | - | - | - | (1,506,278 | ) | (1,506,278 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Balance
at December 31, 2008
|
144,180,050 | 14,418 | 1,827,980 | 804,200 | (1,952,369 | ) | 694,229 |
F-4
ORIGINOIL,
INC.
(A
Development Stage Company)
STATEMENTS
OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)
Deficit
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Additional
|
Common
|
during
the
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Common
stock
|
Paid-in
|
Stock
|
Development
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Shares
|
Amount
|
Capital
|
Payable
|
Stage
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Balance
at December 31, 2008
|
144,180,050 | 14,418 | 1,827,980 | 804,200 | (1,952,369 | ) | 694,229 | |||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of common stock for cash in April 2009
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
(4,521,000
shares issued at $0.20 per share)
|
4,521,000 | 452 | 903,748 | (804,200 | ) | - | 100,000 | |||||||||||||||||
Common
stock subscription payable
|
- | - | - | 1,151,375 | - | 1,151,375 | ||||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of common stock subscription payable July 2009(5,756,875 shares
issued at $0.20 per share)
|
5,756,875 | 576 | 1,150,799 | (1,151,375 | ) | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of common stock for cash in July 2009 (203,636 shares issued at
$0.22 per share)
|
203,636 | 20 | 44,780 | - | - | 44,800 | ||||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of common stock for cash in August 2009 (296,364 shares issued at
$0.22 per share)
|
296,364 | 30 | 65,170 | - | - | 65,200 | ||||||||||||||||||
Common
stock subscription payable
|
- | - | - | 804,700 | - | 804,700 | ||||||||||||||||||
Stock
compensation expense
|
- | - | 2,211,306 | - | - | 2,211,306 | ||||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of common stock subscription payable in October 2009 (3,657,727
shares issued at $0.22 per share)
|
3,657,727 | 366 | 804,334 | (804,700 | ) | - | - | |||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of common stock for cash in October 2009 (705,580 shares issued at
$0.22 per share)
|
705,580 | 71 | 155,157 | - | - | 155,228 | ||||||||||||||||||
Common
stock subscription payable
|
- | - | - | 161,040 | - | 161,040 | ||||||||||||||||||
Stock
issuance cost
|
- | - | (3,014 | ) | - | - | (3,014 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Net
Loss for the year ended December 31, 2009
|
- | - | - | - | (4,915,071 | ) | (4,915,071 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Balance
at December 31, 2009
|
159,321,232 | $ | 15,933 | $ | 7,160,260 | $ | 161,040 | $ | (6,867,440 | ) | $ | 469,793 |
F-5
ORIGINOIL,
INC.
(A
Development Stage Company)
STATEMENTS
OF CASH FLOWS
From
Inception
|
||||||||||||
June
1, 2007
|
||||||||||||
Year
Ended
|
through
|
|||||||||||
December
31, 2009
|
December
31, 2008
|
December
31, 2009
|
||||||||||
CASH
FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||||||
Net
loss
|
$ | (4,915,071 | ) | $ | (1,506,278 | ) | $ | (6,867,440 | ) | |||
Adjustment
to reconcile net loss to net cash
|
||||||||||||
used
in operating activities
|
||||||||||||
Depreciation
& amortization
|
55,772 | 13,126 | 68,898 | |||||||||
Contributed
capital by investor
|
- | - | 375 | |||||||||
Common
stock issued for services
|
- | - | 5,000 | |||||||||
Stock
compensation expense
|
2,211,306 | - | 2,211,306 | |||||||||
Changes
in Assets and Liabilities
|
||||||||||||
(Increase)
Decrease in:
|
||||||||||||
Prepaid
expenses
|
(15,938 | ) | (16,929 | ) | (32,867 | ) | ||||||
Other
assets
|
- | (9,000 | ) | (9,650 | ) | |||||||
Increase
(Decrease) in:
|
||||||||||||
Accounts
payable
|
(16,480 | ) | 17,871 | 1,391 | ||||||||
Accrued
expenses
|
31,102 | 7,121 | 52,985 | |||||||||
Credit
card payable
|
(1,837 | ) | 2,148 | 470 | ||||||||
Other
payable
|
(27,548 | ) | 13,300 | 872 | ||||||||
NET
CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
(2,678,694 | ) | (1,478,641 | ) | (4,568,660 | ) | ||||||
CASH
FLOWS USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||||||
Improvements
to building
|
- | - | - | |||||||||
Patent
and trademark expenditures
|
(19,807 | ) | (22,268 | ) | (45,636 | ) | ||||||
Purchase
of fixed assets
|
(4,704 | ) | (140,906 | ) | (145,610 | ) | ||||||
NET
CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
(24,511 | ) | (163,174 | ) | (191,246 | ) | ||||||
CASH
FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||||||
Proceeds
from common stock subscription payable
|
161,040 | - | 965,240 | |||||||||
Proceeds
for issuance of common stock, net
|
2,318,289 | 954,200 | 4,150,845 | |||||||||
NET
CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
2,479,329 | 954,200 | 5,116,085 | |||||||||
NET
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH
|
(223,876 | ) | (687,615 | ) | 356,179 | |||||||
CASH
& CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
|
580,055 | 1,267,670 | - | |||||||||
CASH
& CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
|
$ | 356,179 | $ | 580,055 | $ | 356,179 | ||||||
SUPPLEMENTAL
DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
|
||||||||||||
Interest
paid
|
$ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||
Taxes
paid
|
$ | 800 | $ | 800 | $ | - | ||||||
SUPPLEMENTAL
SCHEDULE OF NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS
|
||||||||||||
$ | - | $ | - | $ | 105,705 | |||||||
Stock
issued for marketing services
|
F-6
ORIGINOIL,
INC.
(A
Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2009 and 2008
1. ORGANIZATION
AND LINE OF BUSINESS
Organization
OriginOil,
Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated in the state of Nevada on June 1,
2007. The Company, based in Los Angeles, California, began operations
on June 1, 2007 to develop and market a renewable oil technology.
Line of
Business
The
Company is currently in the stage of developing a breakthrough technology that
will transform algae, the most promising source of renewable oil, into a true
competitor to petroleum. The technology was invented by the two founders,
Nicholas Eckelberry and T. Riggs Eckelberry. By the terms of their Employee
Confidentiality and Inventions Agreements, their inventions are the company’s
property. The technology will produce "new oil" from algae, through a
cost-effective, high-speed manufacturing process. This endless supply of new oil
can be used for many products such as diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, plastics and
solvents without the global warming effects of petroleum.
Going
Concern
The
accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis of
accounting, which contemplates continuity of operations, realization of assets
and liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. The
accompanying financial statements do not reflect any adjustments that might
result if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern. The
Company does not generate significant revenue, and has negative cash flows from
operations, which raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to
continue as a going concern. The ability of the Company to continue
as a going concern and appropriateness of using the going concern basis is
dependent upon, among other things, additional cash infusion. The
Company has obtained funds from its shareholders since it’s’ inception through
the year ended December 31, 2009. Management believes this funding will
continue, and has also obtained funding from new investors in the amount of
$2,479,329. Management believes the existing shareholders and the
prospective new investors will provide the additional cash needed to meet the
Company’s obligations as they become due, and will allow the development of its
core of business.
2. SUMMARY
OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
This
summary of significant accounting policies of OriginOil, Inc. is presented to
assist in understanding the Company’s financial statements. The financial
statements and notes are representations of the Company’s management, which is
responsible for their integrity and objectivity. These accounting policies
conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America and have been consistently applied in the preparation of the financial
statements.
Development Stage Activities
and Operations
The
Company has been in its initial stages of formation and for the year ended
December 31, 2009, had no revenues. A development stage activity as one in which
all efforts are devoted substantially to establishing a new business and even if
planned principal operations have commenced, revenues are
insignificant.
Revenue
Recognition
The
Company will recognize revenue when services are performed, and at the time of
shipment of products, provided that evidence of an arrangement exists, title and
risk of loss have passed to the customer, fees are fixed or determinable, and
collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured. To date, the Company
has had no revenues and is in the development stage.
F-7
ORIGINOIL,
INC.
(A
Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2009 and 2008
2. SUMMARY
OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Cash and Cash
Equivalent
The
Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of
three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Use of
Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts reported in the accompanying financial
statements. Significant estimates made in preparing these financial
statements include the estimate of useful lives of property and equipment, the
deferred tax valuation allowance, and the fair value of stock options. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
Property and
Equipment
Property
and equipment are stated at cost, and are depreciated using straight line over
its estimated useful lives:
Leasehold
improvements
|
2
years
|
Computer
equipment
|
5
Years
|
Furniture
& fixtures
|
7
Years
|
Machinery
& equipment
|
10
Years
|
Fair Value of Financial
Instruments
Fair
Value of Financial Instruments, requires disclosure of the fair value
information, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, where it is
practicable to estimate that value. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the
amounts reported for cash, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, and accrued
expenses, approximate the fair value because of their short
maturities.
Investments
Certificate
of Deposits with banking institutions are short-term investments with initial
maturities of more than 90 days. The carrying amount of these investments is a
reasonable estimate of fair value due to their short-term nature.
Loss per Share
Calculations
Loss per
Share dictates the calculation of basic earnings per share and diluted earnings
per share. Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing income available to
common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares available.
Diluted earnings per share is computed similar to basic earnings per share
except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional
common shares that would have been outstanding if the potential common shares
had been issued and if the additional common shares were dilutive. No shares for
employee options or warrants were used in the calculation of the loss per share
as they were all anti-dilutive. The Company’s diluted loss per share is the same
as the basic loss per share for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, as
the inclusion of any potential shares would have had an anti-dilutive effect due
to the Company generating a loss.
Income
Taxes
The
Company uses the liability method of accounting for income
taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the
future tax consequences attributable to financial statements carrying amounts of
existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating
loss and tax credit carry-forwards. The measurement of deferred tax
assets and liabilities is based on provisions of applicable tax
law. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced, if necessary,
by a valuation allowance based on the amount of tax benefits that, based on
available evidence, is not expected to be realized.
F-8
ORIGINOIL,
INC.
(A
Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2009 and 2008
2. SUMMARY
OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Research and
Development
Research
and development costs are expensed as incurred. Total research and
development costs were $732,483 and $258,771 for the years ended December 31,
2009 and 2008, respectively.
Advertising
Costs
The
Company expenses the cost of advertising and promotional materials when
incurred. Total advertising costs were $175,647 and $172,646 for the
years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
Stock-Based
Compensation
|
Share
based payments applies to transactions in which an entity exchanges its
equity instruments for goods or services, and also applies to liabilities
an entity may incur for goods or services that are to follow a fair value
of those equity instruments. We will be required to follow a fair value
approach using an option-pricing model, such as the Black Scholes option
valuation model, at the date of a stock option grant. The deferred
compensation calculated under the fair value method would then be
amortized over the respective vesting period of the stock option. The
adoption of share based compensation has no material impact on our results
of operations.
|
|
Recently Issued
Accounting Pronouncements
|
Management
reviewed accounting pronouncements issued during the three months ended December
31, 2009, and no pronouncements were adopted during the period.
3.
|
CAPITAL
STOCK
|
|
During
the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company issued through a private
placement 10,277,875 shares of common stock at a price of $0.20 per share,
and 4,863,307 shares of common stock at a price of $0.22 per share. Also,
the Company received $161,040 cash for common stock subscriptions through
a private placement. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company
issued 750,000 shares of common stock issued through a private placement
at a price of $0.20 for cash of $150,000; the Company received $804,200
cash for common stock subscriptions through a private
placement.
|
4. STOCK
OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
The
Company adopted a Stock Option Plan for the purposes of granting stock options
to its employees and others providing services to the Company, which reserves
and sets aside for the granting of Options for Fifteen Million (15,000,000)
shares of Common Stock. Options granted under the Plan may be either
Incentive Options or Nonqualified Options and shall be administered by the
Company's Board of Directors ("Board"). Each Option shall be
exercisable to the nearest whole share, in installments or otherwise, as the
respective Option agreements may provide. Notwithstanding any other provision of
the Plan or of any Option agreement, each Option shall expire on the date
specified in the Option agreement, which date shall not be later than the tenth
(10th)
anniversary from the effective date of this option. During the year
ended December 31, 2009, the Company granted 4,150,000 stock options. The stock
options vest as follows: 1/48 every 30 days thereafter until the remaining stock
options have vested. The stock options are exercisable for a period of five
years from the date of grant at an exercise price between $0.28 and $0.32 per
share.
F-9
ORIGINOIL,
INC.
(A
Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2009 and 2008
4. STOCK
OPTIONS AND WARRANTS (Continued)
2009
|
||||
Risk
free interest rate
|
2.29 | % | ||
Stock
volatility factor
|
1 | % | ||
Weighted
average expected option life
|
5
years
|
|||
Expected
dividend yield
|
None
|
A summary
of the Company’s stock option activity and related information
follows:
2009
|
||||||||
Weighted
|
||||||||
Number
|
average
|
|||||||
of
|
exercise
|
|||||||
Options
|
price
|
|||||||
Outstanding,
beginning of period
|
- | $ | - | |||||
Granted
|
4,150,000 | 0.31 | ||||||
Exercised
|
- | - | ||||||
Expired
|
- | - | ||||||
Outstanding,
end of period
|
4,150,000 | $ | 0.31 | |||||
Exercisable
at the end of period
|
326,875 | $ | 0.31 | |||||
Weighted
average fair value of
|
||||||||
options
granted during the period
|
$ | 0.31 |
Stock-based
compensation expense recognized during the period is based on the value of the
portion of stock-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest.
Stock-based compensation expense recognized in the financial statements of
operations during the year ended December 31, 2009, included compensation
expense for the stock-based payment awards granted prior to, but not yet vested,
as of December 31, 2009 based on the grant date fair value estimated, and
compensation expense for the stock-based payment awards granted subsequent to
December 31, 2009, based on the grant date fair value estimated. We account for
forfeitures as they occur. The stock-based compensation expense recognized in
the statement of operations during the year ended December 31, 2009 is
$57,806.
Warrants
During
the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company issued 12,000,000 warrants with a
fair value of $2,153,500 determined using the Black Scholes pricing
model.
2009
|
||||
Risk
free interest rate
|
2.41% - 2.5 | % | ||
Stock
volatility factor
|
1 | % | ||
Weighted
average expected option life
|
5
years
|
|||
Expected
dividend yield
|
None
|
F-10
ORIGINOIL,
INC.
(A
Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2009 and 2008
4. STOCK
OPTIONS AND WARRANTS (Continued)
Warrants
(Continued)
During
the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company issued warrants for services. A
summary of the Company’s warrant activity and related information
follows:
Year
End
|
||||||||
December
31, 2009
|
||||||||
Weighted
|
||||||||
average
|
||||||||
exercise
|
||||||||
Options
|
price
|
|||||||
Outstanding
-beginning of year
|
- | $ | - | |||||
Granted
|
12,000,000 | 0.31 | ||||||
Exercised
|
- | - | ||||||
Forfeited
|
- | - | ||||||
Outstanding
- end of year
|
12,000,000 | $ | 0.31 |
5.
|
INTANGIBLE
ASSETS
|
|
Intangible
assets that have finite useful lives continue to be amortized over their
useful lives, and are reviewed for impairment when warranted by economic
condition.
|
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Patents
|
$ | 45,636 | $ | 25,829 | ||||
Trademarks
|
4,467 | 4,467 | ||||||
$ | 50,103 | $ | 30,296 |
|
As
of December 31, 2009, the patents are in the process of being approved,
and will be amortized over their useful lives once
approved.
|
6.
|
INCOME
TAXES
|
|
The
Company files income tax returns in the U.S. Federal jurisdiction, and the
state of California. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject
to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by
tax authorities for years before
2007.
|
|
Deferred
income taxes have been provided by temporary differences between the
carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and the amounts used for tax purposes. To the extent allowed by
GAAP, we provide valuation allowances against the deferred tax assets for
amounts when the realization is uncertain. Included in the balance at
December 31, 2009 and 2008, are no tax positions for which the ultimate
deductibility is highly certain, but for which there is uncertainty about
the timing of such deductibility. Because of the impact of
deferred tax accounting, other than interest and penalties, the
disallowance of the shorter deductibility period would not affect the
annual effective tax rate but would accelerate the payment of cash to the
taxing authority to an earlier
period.
|
|
The
Company's policy is to recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized
tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expenses.
During the periods ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company did not
recognize interest and penalties.
|
F-11
ORIGINOIL,
INC.
(A
Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2009 and 2008
7.
|
DEFERRED
TAX BENEFIT
|
|
At
December 31, 2009, the Company had net operating loss carry-forwards of
approximately $4,690,300 which expire at dates that have not been
determined. No tax benefit has been reported in the December 31, 2009
financial statements since the potential tax benefit is offset by a
valuation allowance of the same
amount.
|
|
The
income tax provision differs from the amount of income tax determined by
applying the U.S. federal income tax rate to pretax income from continuing
operations for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 due to the
following:
|
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Book
income
|
$ | (1,966,029 | ) | $ | (602,190 | ) | ||
State
tax expense
|
(320 | ) | (320 | ) | ||||
Depreciation
|
7,044 | (23,870 | ) | |||||
M
& E
|
3,966 | 2,590 | ||||||
R&D
|
(12,884 | ) | (7,410 | ) | ||||
Non
deductible stock compensation
|
884,557 | - | ||||||
Other
|
- | - | ||||||
Valuation
Allowance
|
1,083,666 | 631,200 | ||||||
Income
tax expense
|
$ | - | $ | - |
|
Deferred
taxes are provided on a liability method whereby deferred tax assets are
recognized for deductible differences and operating loss and tax credit
carry-forwards and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable
temporary differences. Temporary differences are the difference between
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases.
Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the
opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all
of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates
on the date of enactment.
|
|
Deferred
taxes are provided on a liability method whereby deferred tax assets are
recognized for deductible differences and operating loss and tax credit
carry-forwards and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable
temporary differences. Temporary differences are the difference between
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax
bases.
|
|
Deferred
tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of
management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the
deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates
on the date of enactment.
|
F-12
ORIGINOIL,
INC.
(A
Development Stage Company)
NOTES TO
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2009 and 2008
7. DEFERRED
TAX BENEFIT (continued)
Net
deferred tax liabilities consist of the following components as of December 31,
2009 and 2008.
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Deferred
tax assets:
|
||||||||
NOL
carryover
|
$ | 1,876,125 | $ | 799,720 | ||||
R
& D credit
|
20,788 | 19,375 | ||||||
Deferred
tax liabilites:
|
||||||||
Depreciation
|
(16,827 | ) | (23,870 | ) | ||||
Less
Valuation Allowance
|
(1,880,086 | ) | (795,225 | ) | ||||
Net
deferred tax asset
|
$ | - | $ | - |
|
Due
to the change in ownership provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, net
operating loss carry-forwards for Federal income tax reporting purposes
are subject to annual limitations. Should a change in ownership occur, net
operating loss carry-forwards may be limited as to use in future
years.
|
The
Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") has issued Financial
Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income
Taxes - An
Interpretation of FASB Statement No.109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the
accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise's
financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes.
FIN 48 requires a company to determine whether it is more likely than not
that a tax position will be sustained upon examination based upon the technical
merits of the position. If the more-like1y-than-not threshold is met, a company
must measure the tax position to determine the amount to recognize in the
financial statements. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company
performed a review of its material tax positions in accordance with recognition
and measurement standards established by FIN 48.
At the
adoption date of June 1, 2007, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefit which
would affect the effective tax rate if recognized.
The
Company includes interest and penalties arising from the underpayment of income
taxes in the consolidated statements of operations in the provision for income
taxes. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had no accrued interest or penalties
related to uncertain tax positions.
The
Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in the
state of California. With few exceptions, the Company is still subject to U.S.
federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities
for years before 2007.
8.
|
CONCENTRATIONS
OF RISK
|
|
Cash in Excess of
Federally Insured Amount
|
The
Company currently maintains a cash balance at a single financial institution in
excess of the federally insured maximum of $250,000.
9.
|
SUBSEQUENT
EVENTS
|
|
Management
has evaluated subsequent events after the balance sheet date of December
31, 2009.
|
As of
March 29, 2010, the Company received $554,542 cash for common stock
subscriptions through a private placement.
F-13