Petrolia Energy Corp - Annual Report: 2022 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022

OR

Commission file number: 000-52690

PETROLIA ENERGY CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 832-723-1266

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $0.001 Par Value Per Share

(Title of class)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulations S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company, “and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C.7262 (b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐

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

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 30, 2022, was approximately $257,964.

As of May 12, 2023, the registrant had 176,988,322 outstanding shares of common stock.

Documents Incorporated by Reference: None

Table of Contents

PART I

Glossary of Oil and Gas Terms

DEVELOPED ACREAGE. The number of acres that are allocated or assignable to productive wells or wells capable of production.

DISPOSAL WELL. A well employed for the disposal of salt water produced with oil into an underground formation.

HELD BY PRODUCTION. A provision in an oil, gas and mineral lease that perpetuates an entity’s right to operate a property or concession as long as the property or concession produces a minimum paying quantity of oil or gas.

INJECTION WELL. A well employed for the injection into an underground formation of water, gas or other fluid to maintain underground pressures which would otherwise be reduced by the production of oil or gas.

LANDOWNER’S ROYALTY. A percentage share of production, or the value derived from production, which is granted to the lessor or landowner in the oil and gas lease, and which is free of the costs of drilling, completing, and operating an oil or gas well.

LEASE. Full or partial interests in an oil and gas lease, authorizing the owner thereof to drill for, reduce to possession and produce oil and gas upon payment of rentals, bonuses and/or royalties. Oil and gas leases are generally acquired from private landowners and federal and state governments. If a producing oil or gas well is drilled on the lease prior to the expiration of the lease, the lease will generally remain in effect until the oil or gas production from the well ends. The owner of the lease is required to pay the owner of the leased property a royalty which is usually between 12.5% and 25% of the gross amount received from the sale of the oil or gas produced from the well.

LEASE OPERATING EXPENSES. The expenses of producing oil or gas from a formation, consisting of the costs incurred to operate and maintain wells and related equipment and facilities, including labor costs, repair and maintenance, supplies, insurance, production, severance and other production excise taxes.

NET ACRES OR WELLS. A net well or acre is deemed to exist when the sum of fractional ownership working interests in gross wells or acres equals one. The number of net wells or acres is the sum of the fractional working interests owned in gross wells or acres expressed as whole numbers and fractions.

NET REVENUE INTEREST. A percentage share of production, or the value derived from production, from an oil or gas well and which is free of the costs of drilling, completing and operating the well.

OVERRIDING ROYALTY. A percentage share of production, or the value derived from production, which is free of all costs of drilling, completing and operating an oil or gas well, and is created by the lessee or working interest owner and paid by the lessee or working interest owner to the owner of the overriding royalty.

PRODUCING PROPERTY. A property (or interest therein) producing oil or gas in commercial quantities or that is shut-in but capable of producing oil or gas in commercial quantities. Interests in a property may include working interests, production payments, royalty interests and other non-working interests.

PROVED RESERVES. Those quantities of oil and gas, which, by analysis of geosciences and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible, from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations, prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation.

SHUT-IN WELL. A well which is capable of producing oil or gas, but which is temporarily not producing due to mechanical problems or a lack of market for the well’s oil or gas.

UNDEVELOPED ACREAGE. Lease acres on which wells have not been drilled or completed to a point that would permit the production of commercial quantities of oil and gas regardless of whether or not such acreage contains proved reserves. Undeveloped acreage should not be confused with undrilled acreage which is “Held by Production” under the terms of a lease.

WORKING INTEREST. A percentage of ownership in an oil and gas lease granting its owner the right to explore, drill and produce oil and gas from a tract of property. Working interest owners are obligated to pay a corresponding percentage of the cost of leasing, drilling, producing and operating a well. After royalties are paid, the working interest also entitles its owner to share in production revenues with other working interest owners, based on the percentage of the working interest owned.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Report contains statements which, to the extent that they do not recite historical fact, constitute forward-looking statements. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may include the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan” or other words or expressions of similar meaning. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations about future events. The forward-looking statements include statements that reflect management’s beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations and intentions with respect to our financial condition, results of operations, future performance and business, including statements relating to our business strategy and our current and future development plans.

The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual financial condition, results of operations and future performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied in this report include:

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Many factors discussed in this report, some of which are beyond our control, will be important in determining our future performance. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from those that might be anticipated from the forward-looking statements. In light of these and other uncertainties, you should not regard the inclusion of a forward-looking statement in this Report as a representation by us that our plans and objectives will be achieved, and you should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

You should read the matters described in “Risk Factors” and the other cautionary statements made in this Report as being applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they appear in this Report. We cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this Report will prove to be accurate and therefore prospective investors are encouraged not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Other than as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, even though our situation may change in the future.

Please see above the “Glossary of Oil and Gas Terms”, for a list of abbreviations and definitions used throughout this report.

Except where context otherwise requires and for purposes of the Annual Report on Form 10-K only:

Available Information

We are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, under which we file periodic reports, proxy and information statements and other information with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. Copies of the reports, proxy statements and other information may be examined on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov.

PEC’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports (including related exhibits and supplemental schedules) filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended) are made available, free of charge, through PEC’s website, as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports have been filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). PEC’s website address is www.petroliaenergy.com. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into and does not constitute a part of this report.

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

General

We were incorporated in Colorado in 2002. In 2015, the Company became active in the exploration and production of oil and gas properties. In 2016 the Company formally changed its name to Petrolia Energy Corporation and redomiciled from Colorado to Texas.

Petrolia Energy Corporation explores for, develops, and produces crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs) and natural gas in producing basins in the United States of America and Canada. PEC’s principal oil and gas assets are further described in “Plan of Operation” below.

As of December 31, 2022, PEC’s total estimated net proved reserves were 1,065 thousand barrels of oil equivalent (MBoe), of which approximately 1,060 thousand barrels (MBbl) were crude oil and condensate reserves and approximately 29 million cubic feet (MMcf), or 5 MBoe, were natural gas reserves.

As of December 31, 2022, approximately 32% of PEC’s net proved reserves, on a crude oil equivalent basis, were located in the United States of America, and approximately 68% were located in Canada. Crude oil equivalent volumes are determined using a ratio of 1.0 barrel of crude oil and condensate to 6.0 thousand cubic feet (Mcf) of natural gas.

PEC’s operations are crude oil and natural gas exploration and production related. For information regarding the risks associated with PEC’s oil and gas operations, See ITEM 1A, Risk Factors.

Plan of Operation

Since 2015, PEC has established a clearly defined strategy to acquire, enhance and redevelop high-quality oil and gas assets. The Company has been focusing on assets in the United States and Canada while actively pursuing our strategy to offer low-cost operational solutions in established oil and gas regions. We believe our mix of oil-in-place conventional plays, low-risk resource plays and the redevelopment of our late-stage plays is a solid foundation for growth. Maintaining the lowest possible operating cost structure, coupled with efficient and safe operations, is integral in the implementation of PEC’s strategy.

With respect to information on PEC’s working interest in wells or acreage, “net” oil and gas wells or acreage are determined by multiplying “gross” oil and gas wells or acreage by PEC’s working interest in the wells or acreage.

Slick Unit Dutcher Sand (“SUDS”) Field

The Slick Unit Dutcher Sand (SUDS) field is located in Creek County, Oklahoma. Petrolia owns a 100% working interest (WI) with an approximately 76.5% net revenue interest (NRI) in the 2,530 acre field. The SUDS West unit is approximately 1,670 acres and the SUDS East unit is approximately 860 acres.

As of December 31, 2022, SUDS total estimated net proved reserves were approximately 346 thousand barrels of oil equivalent (MBoe) and total estimated net probable reserves were approximately 153 thousand barrels of oil equivalent (MBoe).

On January 13, 2023, the Company received an Incident and Complaint Investigation Report issued by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) due to a mineral owner complaint. The OCC issued a plug or produce order for SUDS West unit and SUDS East unit. The Company has received two extensions of time and is working with the OCC to implement a production plan to bring both units into compliance.

The SUDS field is currently shut-in while the Company completes a review of the land and lease records currently being conducted by a petroleum landman. PEC has also initiated a detailed reservoir and historical waterflood sweeping pattern analysis. The Company is awaiting the outcome of an integrated review of the SUDS subsurface geology. PEC is finalizing a SUDS capital budget with the intent to commence further field development in the third quarter of 2023.

Twin Lakes San Andres Unit (“TLSAU”) Field

The Twin Lakes San Andres Unit (TLSAU) field is located in Chaves County, New Mexico. As of December 31, 2022, it was determined that PEC does not own any TLSAU leases, and therefore has no reserves.

It is estimated that PEC has 29 wells that need to be plugged and abandoned, plus surface remediated. The estimated cost of the TLSAU well plugging and abandonment, and surface remediation obligations are approximately $1.2 million.

As previously reported, the majority of the TLSAU leases were terminated through the Stipulated Declaratory Judgement dated July 27, 2020 in the litigation between Moon Company, Trustee of the O’Brien Mineral Trust (Plaintiff) vs. Petrolia Energy Corporation (Defendant). Additional lease acreage was lost through the Stephanie Garcia Richard, Commissioner of Public Lands of the State of New Mexico (Plaintiff) vs. Oxy USA WTP, LP; Petrolia Energy Corp.; and Blue Sky NM Inc. (Defendants) litigation (Case No. D-101-CV-2021-00462).

As previously reported, the Twin Lakes San Andres Unit was terminated by the State of New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands on August 28, 2019.

Askarii Resources, LLC

Effective February 1, 2016, the Company acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding interests of Askarii Resources LLC, a private Texas based oil and gas service company for the aggregate value of $50,000. The Company does not intend to further invest in the Askarii Resources, LLC acquisition.

Luseland, Hearts Hill and Cuthbert fields

On June 29, 2018, the Company acquired a 25% working interest in approximately 41,526 acres in the Luseland, Hearts Hill, and Cuthbert fields, located in Southwest Saskatchewan and Eastern Alberta, Canada. The working interest was acquired from Blue Sky Resources (a related party). Blue Sky Resources had previously acquired an 80% working interest from Georox Resources Inc., who had acquired the Canadian Properties from Cona Resources Ltd.

On September 17, 2018, the Company entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Blue Sky Resources to obtain the rights to acquire an additional 3% working interest, increasing our working interest to 28%. Total consideration paid from the Company to Blue Sky Resources for the additional 3% Working Interest was $150,000.

On February 16, 2022, Petrolia Canada Corporation (PCC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Petrolia Energy Corporation (PEC), entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (PSA) and Debt Settlement Agreement (DSA) with Prospera Energy, Inc. whereby PCC sold its 28% working interest in the Luseland, Hearts Hill and Cuthbert fields. The agreements were effective as of October 1, 2021.

Utikuma Lake field

On May 1, 2020, Petrolia Energy Corporation acquired a 50% working interest in approximately 28,000 acres located in the Utikuma Lake area in Alberta, Canada. The property is an oil-weighted asset currently producing a total of approximately 500 bpd of light oil. The working interest was acquired from Blue Sky Resources in an affiliated party transaction as Zel C. Khan, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, is related to the ownership of Blue Sky Resources.

Blue Sky Resources acquired a 100% working interest in the Canadian Property from Vermilion Energy Inc. via Vermilion’s subsidiary Vermilion Resources. The effective date of the acquisition was May 1, 2020. The total purchase price of the property was $2,000,000 CAD, with $1,000,000 CAD of that total due initially. The additional $1,000,000 CAD was contingent on the future price of WTI crude. At the time WTI price exceeded $50/bbl, the Company would pay an additional $750,000 CAD. In addition, at the time WTI price exceeded $57/bbl the Company would pay an additional $250,000 CAD (for a cumulative contingent total of $1,000,000 CAD). The price of WTI crude exceeded $50/bbl on January 6, 2021 and exceeded $57/bbl on February 8, 2021. The additional payments due were netted with the accounts receivable balance from previous Joint Interest Billing statements from BSR. The total USD value of the addition was $787,250 USD, using prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates. Included in the terms of the agreement, the Company also funded their portion of the Alberta Energy Regulator (“AER”) bond fund requirement $763,754 CAD ($563,904 USD), necessary for the wells to continue in production after the acquisition. Additional funds in the amount of $490,624 CAD ($362,245 USD) remain in the other current asset balance for future payments to BSR, related to the acquisition.

As of December 31, 2022, Utikuma total estimated net proved reserves were approximately 719 thousand barrels of oil equivalent (MBoe) and total estimated net probable reserves were approximately 177 thousand barrels of oil equivalent (MBoe).

On May 5, 2023, the Company was notified by Blue Sky Resources (BSR), the operator of our Utikuma asset that the Province of Alberta has declared a state of emergency due to wildfires in Alberta. We were informed that because of wildfires in the vicinity of our Utikuma oilfield assets, the field was shut in and all personnel were evacuated, and that the highway to the Slave Lake area has been closed. Early assessments of the situation indicate that our Utikuma facilities may have incurred major damage.

The following table shows our productive wells, developed acreage, and undeveloped acreage as of December 31, 2022, for the Oklahoma and Alberta properties:

Proved Reserves

Below is a table that provides historical average sales price per barrel and average production cost per barrel by geographical location and by year, for the last three (3) fiscal years.

Below are estimates of our cumulative net proved reserves of all fields, as of December 31, 2022, net to our interest. Our proved reserves are located in Oklahoma and Canada.

Estimates of volumes of proved reserves at December 31, 2022 are presented in barrels (Bbls) for oil and, for natural gas, in thousands of cubic feet (Mcf) at the official temperature and pressure bases of the areas in which the gas reserves are located.

Below are estimates of our present value of estimated future net revenues from our proved reserves based upon the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and gas reserves in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 932, Extractive Activities—Oil and Gas. The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows is determined by using estimated quantities of proved reserves and the periods in which they are expected to be developed and produced based on period-end economic conditions. The estimated future production is based upon benchmark prices that reflect the unweighted arithmetic average of the first day-of-the-month price for oil and gas during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2022. The resulting estimated future cash inflows are then reduced by estimated future costs to develop and produce reserves based on period-end cost levels. No deduction has been made for depletion, depreciation or for indirect costs, such as general corporate overhead. Present values were computed by discounting future net revenues by 10% per year.

MKM Engineering prepared the estimates of our proved reserves, future production, and income attributable to our leasehold interests in the United States and Canada as of December 31, 2022. Michele Mudrone was the technical person primarily responsible for overseeing the preparation of the reserve report. Ms. Mudrone has more than 27 years of practical experience in the estimation and evaluation of petroleum reserves. MKM Engineering is an independent petroleum engineering firm that provides petroleum consulting services to the oil and gas industry. The estimates of drilled reserves, future production, and income attributable to certain leasehold and royalty interests are based on technical analysis conducted by engineers employed at MKM Engineering.

It should be noted that as of December 31, 2022, all reserves were written off for the TLSAU assets, because it was determined that all TLSAU leases had been terminated or expired.

Mark Allen, our CEO, oversaw preparation of the reserve estimates by MKM Engineering. We do not have a reserve committee and we do not have any specific internal controls regarding the estimates of our reserves.

Our proved reserves include only those amounts which we reasonably expect to recover in the future from known oil and gas reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions, at current prices and costs, under existing regulatory practices and with existing technology. Accordingly, any changes in prices, operating and development costs, regulations, technology, or other factors could significantly increase or decrease estimates of proved reserves.

Proved reserves were estimated by performance methods, the volumetric method, analogy, or a combination of methods utilizing present economic conditions and limited to those proved reserves economically recoverable. The performance methods include decline curve analysis that utilize extrapolations of historical production and pressure data available through December 31, 2022, in those cases where such data was considered to be definitive.

Forecasts for future production rates are based on historical performance from wells currently on production in the region with an economic cut-off for production based upon the projected net revenue being equal to the projected operating expenses. No further reserves or valuation were given to any wells beyond their economic cut-off. Where no production decline trends have been established due to the limited historical production records from wells on the properties, surrounding wells historical production records were used and extrapolated to wells of the property. Where applicable, the actual calculated present decline rate of any well was used to determine future production volumes to be economically recovered. The calculated present rate of decline was then used to determine the present economic life of the production from the reservoir.

For wells currently on production, forecasts of future production rates were based on historical performance data. If no production decline trend has been established, future production rates were held constant, or adjusted for the effects of curtailment where appropriate, until a decline in ability to produce was anticipated. An estimated rate of decline was then applied to economic depletion of the reserves. If a decline trend has been established, this trend was used as the basis for estimating future production rates.

Proved developed non-producing and undeveloped reserves were estimated primarily by the performance and historical extrapolation methods. Test data and other related information were used to estimate the anticipated initial production rates from those wells or locations that are not currently producing. For reserves not yet on production, sales were estimated to commence at a date we determined to be reasonable.

In general, the volume of production from our oil and gas properties declines as reserves are depleted. Except to the extent we acquire additional properties containing proved reserves or conduct successful exploration and development activities, or both, our proved reserves will decline as reserves are produced. Accordingly, volumes generated from our future activities are highly dependent upon the level of success in acquiring or finding additional reserves and the costs incurred in doing so.

Government Regulation

Various state, province and federal agencies regulate the production and sale of oil and natural gas. All states and provinces in which we plan to operate impose restrictions on the drilling, production, transportation and sale of oil and natural gas.

Our sale of oil and natural gas liquids will not be regulated and will be at market prices. The price received from the sale of these products will be affected by the cost of transporting the products to market. Much of that transportation is through interstate common carrier pipelines.

Federal, state, and local agencies have promulgated extensive rules and regulations applicable to our oil and natural gas exploration, production, and related operations. Most states require permits for drilling operations, drilling bonds and the filing of reports concerning operations, and impose other requirements relating to the exploration of oil and natural gas. Many states also have statutes or regulations addressing conservation matters including provisions for the unitization or pooling of oil and natural gas properties, the establishment of maximum rates of production from oil and natural gas wells and the regulation of spacing, plugging and abandonment of such wells. The statutes and regulations of some states limit the rate at which oil and natural gas is produced from our properties. The federal and state regulatory burden on the oil and natural gas industry increases our cost of doing business and affects our profitability. Because these rules and regulations are amended or reinterpreted frequently, we are unable to predict the future cost or impact of complying with those laws.

Competition and Marketing

We will be faced with strong competition from many other companies and individuals engaged in the oil and gas business. Many are very large, well-established energy companies with substantial capabilities and established earnings records. We may be at a competitive disadvantage in acquiring oil and gas prospects since we must compete with these individuals and companies, many of which have greater financial resources and larger technical staffs. It is nearly impossible to estimate the number of competitors; however, it is known that there are many companies and individuals in the oil and gas business.

Exploration for and production of oil and gas are affected by the availability of pipe, casing and other tubular goods and certain other oil field equipment including drilling rigs and tools. We will depend upon independent drilling contractors to furnish rigs, equipment, and tools to drill our wells. Higher prices for oil and gas may result in competition among operators for drilling equipment, tubular goods and drilling crews which may affect our ability to expeditiously drill, complete, recomplete and work-over wells.

The market for oil and gas is dependent upon several factors beyond our control, which at times cannot be accurately predicted. These factors include the proximity of wells to natural gas pipelines, the extent of competitive domestic production and imports of oil and gas, the availability of other sources of energy, fluctuations in seasonal supply and demand, and governmental regulation. In addition, there is always the possibility that new legislation may be enacted that would impose price controls or additional taxes upon crude oil or natural gas, or both. Oversupplies of crude oil and natural gas can be expected to recur from time to time and may result in the producing wells being shut in.

Employees

As of December 31, 2022, the Company has zero full-time employees and zero part-time employees, and two contractors. As of May 12, 2023, the Company has zero full-time employees and zero part-time employees, and two contractors.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

In addition to risks and uncertainties in the ordinary course of business that are common to all businesses, important factors that are specific to us and our industry could materially impact our future performance and results of operations. We have provided below a list of known material risk factors that should be reviewed when considering buying or selling our securities. These are not all the risks we face, and other factors currently considered immaterial or unknown to us may impact our future operations.

Capital Requirements

We will need to raise funds from additional financing in the future to complete our business plan and may need to raise additional funding in the future to support our operations. We have no commitments for any financing and any financing commitments may result in dilution to our existing stockholders. We may have difficulty obtaining additional funding, and we may have to accept terms that would adversely affect our stockholders. For example, the terms of any future financing may impose restrictions on our right to declare dividends or on the way we conduct our business. Additionally, we may raise funding by issuing convertible notes, which if converted into shares of our common stock would dilute our then stockholders’ interests. If we are unable to raise additional funds, we may be forced to curtail or even abandon our business plan.

Commodity Prices

The price we receive for our oil directly affects our revenues, profitability, access to capital and future rate of growth. Oil is a commodity that is subject to wide price fluctuations in response to changes in supply and demand. Lower prices for our oil may not only decrease our revenues but may also reduce the amount of oil that we can produce economically. Historically, the markets for oil have been somewhat volatile and may continue to be volatile in the future. The prices we receive for our production and the volume of our production depend on numerous factors beyond our control. These factors include the following: changes in global supply and demand for oil, the actions of OPEC, the price and quantity of imports of foreign oil, acts of war, inflation rates, economic growth, terrorism or political instability in oil producing countries and economic conditions.

Accounting Rules

Accounting rules applicable to us require that we periodically review the carrying value of our oil properties for possible impairment. Based on specific market factors and circumstances at the time of prospective impairment reviews and the continuing evaluation of development plans, production data, economics, and other factors, we could be required to write down the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties. Such write-downs constitute a non-cash charge to earnings. Impairment of proved properties under our full cost oil accounting method is largely driven by the present values of future net revenues of proved reserves estimated using SEC mandated 12-month un-weighted first-day-of-the-month commodity prices. No assurance can be given that we will not experience ceiling test impairments in future periods, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the periods taken. As a result of lower oil prices, we may also reduce our estimates of the reserve volumes that may be economically recovered, which would reduce the total value of our proved reserves.

Reserve Categories

Our undeveloped proved reserves and developed non-producing proved reserves require additional investment and/or activities to convert these into producing reserves. We cannot provide assurance these expenditures will be made and that activities will be entirely successful in converting these reserves. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that all our undeveloped and developed non-producing reserves will ultimately be produced during the time periods we have planned, at the costs we have budgeted, or at all, which could result in the write-off of previously recognized reserves.

Reserve Replacement

Our future success depends largely upon our ability to find, develop, or acquire additional oil and natural gas reserves that are economically recoverable. Unless we replace the reserves we produce through successful exploration, development or acquisition activities, our proved reserves and production will decline over time. Our exploration, development and acquisition activities require substantial capital expenditure. The capital markets we have historically accessed may be constrained. Limitations in the capital markets may affect our ability to grow and changes in our capitalization structure may significantly affect our financial risk profile. Furthermore, we cannot be certain that financing for future capital expenditures will be available if needed, and to the extent required, on acceptable terms.

Future cash flows are subject to several variables, such as the level of production from existing wells, the prices of oil and our success in developing and producing new reserves. Any reductions in our capital expenditures to stay within internally generated cash flow (which could be adversely affected by declining commodity prices) and cash on hand will make replacing produced reserves more difficult. If our cash flow from operations and cash on hand are not sufficient to fund our capital expenditure budget, we may be limited in our ability to access additional debt, equity, or other methods of financing on an economic or timely basis to replace our proved reserves.

Asset Retirement Obligations:

We are required to record a liability for the present value of our asset retirement obligation (“ARO”) to plug and abandon inactive non-producing wells, facilities, and equipment, and to restore the land at the end of oil production operations. As a result, we may make significant increases or decreases to our estimated ARO in future periods. Accordingly, our estimate of future ARO could differ dramatically from what we may ultimately incur.

Drilling and Well Completion Success

Our development activities may be unsuccessful for many reasons, including adverse weather conditions, cost overruns, equipment shortages, geological issues, and mechanical difficulties. Moreover, the successful drilling of an oil well does not assure us that we will realize a profit on our investment. A variety of factors, both geological and market-related, can cause a well to become uneconomical or only marginally economical. In addition to their costs, unsuccessful wells hinder our efforts to replace reserves.

Our oil exploration and production activities, including well stimulation and completion activities which include, among other things, hydraulic fracturing, involve a variety of operating risks, including fires, explosions, blow-outs and surface craters, uncontrollable flows of oil and formation water, etc. If we experience any of these problems, well bores, gathering systems and processing facilities could be affected, which could adversely affect our ability to conduct operations. We could also incur substantial losses because of injury or loss of life, damage to and destruction of property, natural resources and equipment, pollution, and other environmental damage.

Acquisition Success

Our business strategy includes growing by making acquisitions, which may include acquisitions of exploration and production companies, producing properties and undeveloped leasehold interests. Our acquisition of oil and natural gas properties requires assessments of many factors that are inherently inexact and may be inaccurate, including the acceptable prices for available properties, amounts of recoverable reserves, estimates of future oil prices, estimates of future exploratory, development and operating costs, estimates of the costs and timing of plugging, and abandonment and estimates of potential environmental and other liabilities.

If we make acquisitions in the future, funding permitting, which may not be available on favorable terms, we could have difficulty integrating the acquired company’s assets, personnel, and operations with our own. In addition, the key personnel of the acquired business may not be willing to work for us. We cannot predict the effect expansion may have on our core business. Regardless of whether we are successful in making an acquisition, the negotiations could disrupt our ongoing business, distract our management, and increase our expenses.

In addition to the risks described above, acquisitions are accompanied by a number of inherent risks, including, without limitation, the following: the difficulty of integrating acquired products, services or operations; the potential disruption of the ongoing businesses and distraction of our management and the management of acquired companies; difficulties in maintaining uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies; the potential impairment of relationships with employees and customers as a result of any integration of new management personnel; the potential inability or failure to achieve additional sales; the effect of any government regulations which relate to the business acquired; potential unknown liabilities associated with acquired businesses or product lines, or the defense of any litigation, whether or not successful, resulting from actions of the acquired company prior to our acquisition; and potential expenses under the labor, environmental and other laws of various jurisdictions.

Capital Deployment Risk

Exploring for and developing hydrocarbon reserves involves a high degree of operational and financial risk, which prevents us from definitively predicting the costs involved and time required to reach certain objectives. The budgeted costs of planning, drilling, completing, and operating wells are often exceeded, and such costs can increase significantly due to various complications that may arise during the drilling and operating processes. Before a well is spud, we may incur significant geological and geophysical costs, which are incurred whether a well eventually produces commercial quantities of hydrocarbons or is drilled at all. Exploration wells bear a much greater risk of loss than development wells. The analogies we draw from available data from other wells, more fully explored locations or producing fields may not be applicable to our drilling locations. If our actual drilling and development costs are significantly more than our estimated costs, we may not be able to continue our operations as proposed and could be forced to modify our drilling plans accordingly.

If we decide to drill a certain location, there is a risk that no commercially productive oil or natural gas reservoirs will be found or produced. We may drill or participate in new wells that are not productive. We may drill wells that are productive, but that do not produce sufficient net revenues to return a profit after drilling, operating and other costs. There is no way to predict in advance of drilling and testing whether any location will yield oil or natural gas in sufficient quantities to recover exploration, drilling or completion costs or to be economically viable. Even if sufficient amounts of oil or natural gas exist, we may damage the potentially productive hydrocarbon-bearing formation or experience mechanical difficulties while drilling or completing the well, resulting in a reduction in production and reserves from the well or abandonment of the well.

Whether a well is ultimately productive and profitable depends on a number of additional factors, including the following: general economic and industry conditions, including the prices received for oil and natural gas; shortages of, or delays in, obtaining equipment, and qualified personnel; potential drainage by operators on adjacent properties; loss of or damage to oilfield development and service tools; problems with title to the underlying properties; increases in severance taxes; adverse weather conditions that delay drilling activities or cause producing wells to be shut down; domestic and foreign governmental regulations; and proximity to and capacity of transportation facilities. If we do not drill productive and profitable wells in the future, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

We review our long-lived tangible and intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. We also test our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually on December 31 of each year, or when events or changes in the business environment indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit may exceed its fair value. If conditions in any of the businesses in which we compete were to deteriorate, we could determine that certain of our assets were impaired and we would then be required to write-off all or a portion of our costs for such assets. Any such significant write-offs would adversely affect our balance sheet and results of operations.

Economic Uncertainty

Global economic conditions continue to be volatile and uncertain due to, among other things, consumer confidence in future economic conditions, fears of recession and trade wars, the price of energy, fluctuating interest rates, the availability and cost of consumer credit, the availability and timing of government stimulus programs, levels of unemployment, increased inflation, and tax rates. These conditions remain unpredictable and create uncertainties about our ability to raise capital in the future. In the event required capital becomes unavailable in the future, or more costly, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

Inflation

Our industry and the broader US economy have experienced higher than expected inflationary pressures recently, related to continued supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and geopolitical instability. Should these conditions persist in our business, the results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. Recent years have seen significant increases in the costs of certain services and materials, including steel, rig rates and fuel, as a result of availability constraints, supply chain disruption, increased demand, labor shortages associated with a fully employed US labor force, high inflation, interest rates and other factors, with supply and demand fundamentals being further aggravated by disruptions in global energy supply caused by multiple geopolitical events, including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. While the Company is cautiously optimistic that such costs have plateaued and will hold at current levels as we have not seen significant cost increases thus far in 2023, supply chain constraints and inflationary pressures may continue to adversely impact our operating costs and may negatively impact our ability to procure materials and equipment in a timely and cost-effective manner, if at all, which could result in reduced margins and production delays and, as a result, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

Climate Change

Local, state, federal and international regulatory bodies have been increasingly focused on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and climate change issues in recent years.  The U.S. Congress has, from time to time, proposed legislation for imposing restrictions or requiring fees or carbon taxes for GHG emissions. Some governing agencies impose a methane emissions charge on certain oil and gas facilities, including onshore and offshore petroleum and natural gas production facilities, that exceed certain emissions thresholds.  The charges will be levied annually based on emissions reported under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) GHG reporting program.  The EPA is expected to publish regulations specific to the calculation of such annual charges. PEC does not currently expect such annual methane emissions charges to have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations, capital expenditures or operations. In addition to the EPA’s rule requiring annual reporting of GHG emissions from covered facilities, the EPA has adopted regulations for certain large sources regulating GHG emissions as pollutants under the federal Clean Air Act. 

Cash Management

Our cash flows from operations and access to capital are subject to a number of variables, including: our estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves; the amount of oil and natural gas we produce from existing wells; the prices at which we sell our production; the costs of developing and producing our oil and natural gas reserves; our ability to acquire, locate and produce new reserves; the ability and willingness of banks to lend to us; and our ability to access the equity and debt capital markets. In addition, future events, such as terrorist attacks, wars or combat peace-keeping missions, financial market disruptions, general economic recessions, inflation, oil and natural gas industry recessions, large company bankruptcies, accounting scandals and disruptions in the financial and capital markets have caused financial institutions, credit rating agencies and the public to more closely review the financial statements, capital structures and earnings of public companies, including energy companies. Such events have constrained the capital available to the energy industry in the past, and such events or similar events could adversely affect our access to funding for our operations in the future.

If our revenues decrease as a result of lower oil and natural gas prices, operating difficulties, declines in reserves or for any other reason, we may have limited ability to obtain the capital necessary to sustain our operations at current levels, further develop and exploit our current properties or invest in additional exploration opportunities.

Alternatively, a significant improvement in oil and natural gas prices or other factors could result in an increase in our capital expenditures, and we may be required to alter or increase our capitalization substantially through the issuance of debt or equity securities, the sale of production payments, the sale or farm out of interests in our assets, the borrowing of funds or otherwise to meet any increase in capital needs. If we are unable to raise additional capital from available sources at acceptable terms, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected. Further, future debt financings may require that a portion of our cash flows provided by operating activities be used for the payment of principal and interest on our debt, thereby reducing our ability to use cash flows to fund working capital, capital expenditures and acquisitions.

Debt financing may involve covenants that restrict our business activities. If we succeed in selling additional equity securities to raise funds, at such time the ownership percentage of our existing shareholders would be diluted, and new investors may demand rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing shareholders. If we choose to farm-out interests in our prospects, we may lose operating control over such prospects.

Terrorist Attack

We cannot assess the extent of either the threat or the potential impact of future terrorist attacks on the energy industry in general, and on us in particular, either in the short-term or in the long-term. Uncertainty surrounding such hostilities may affect our operations in unpredictable ways, including the possibility that infrastructure facilities, including pipelines, and gathering systems, production facilities, processing plants and refineries, could be targets of, or indirect casualties of, an act of terror, a cyber-attack or electronic security breach, or an act of war.

Production Growth

In addition, there is an inherent risk of incurring significant environmental costs and liabilities in the performance of our operations, some of which may be material, due to our handling of petroleum hydrocarbons and wastes, our emissions to air and water, the underground injection or other disposal of our wastes, the use of hydraulic fracturing fluids and historical industry operations and waste disposal practices.

The rate of production from our oil and natural gas properties will decline as our reserves are depleted. Our future oil and natural gas reserves and production and, therefore, our income and cash flow, are highly dependent on our success in (a) efficiently developing and exploiting our current reserves on properties owned by us or by other persons or entities and (b) economically finding or acquiring additional oil and natural gas producing properties. In the future, we may have difficulty acquiring new properties. During periods of low oil and/or natural gas prices, it will become more difficult to raise the capital necessary to finance expansion activities. If we are unable to replace our production, our reserves will decrease, and our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.

Technology and Innovation

Our industry is subject to rapid and significant advancements in technology, including the introduction of new products and services using new technologies and databases. As our competitors use or develop new technologies, we may be placed at a competitive disadvantage, and competitive pressures may force us to implement new technologies at a substantial cost. In addition, many of our competitors will have greater financial, technical and personnel resources that allow them to enjoy technological advantages and may in the future allow them to implement new technologies before we can. We cannot be certain that we will be able to implement technologies on a timely basis or at a cost that is acceptable to us. One or more of the technologies that we will use or that we may implement in the future may become obsolete, and we may be adversely affected.

Consumer Confidence

Our results of operations may be materially affected by the conditions of the global economies and the credit, commodities, and stock markets. Among other things, we may be adversely impacted if consumers of oil and gas are not able to access sufficient capital to continue to operate their businesses or to operate them at prior levels. A decline in consumer confidence or changing patterns in the availability and use of disposable income by consumers can negatively affect the demand for oil and gas and as a result our results of operations.

Alternative Energy

Because our operations depend on the demand for oil, any improvement in or new discoveries of alternative energy technologies (such as wind, solar, geothermal, fuel cells and biofuels) that increase the use of alternative forms of energy and reduce the demand for oil, gas and oil and gas related products could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Non-operated Assets

Some of the properties in which we have an interest are operated by other companies and involve third-party working interest owners. As a result, we have limited ability to influence or control the operation or future development of such properties, including compliance with environmental, safety and other regulations, or the amount of capital expenditures that we will be required to fund with respect to such properties. Additionally, a third-party operator could also decide to shut-in or curtail production from wells or plug and abandon marginal wells. These limitations and our dependence on the operator and third-party working interest owners for these projects could cause us to incur unexpected future costs, lower production and materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Unfavorable Currency Exchange

The reporting currency for our financial statements is the U.S. dollar. However, certain of our subsidiaries are located in countries other than the U.S. and have functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of these foreign subsidiaries are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. To prepare our consolidated financial statements, we must translate those assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses into U.S. dollars at then-applicable exchange rates. Consequently, increases and decreases in the value of the U.S. dollar versus other currencies will affect the amount of these items in our consolidated financial statements.

Reserve Valuation

The process of estimating oil reserves is complex. It requires interpretations of available technical data and many assumptions, including assumptions relating to economic factors. Any significant inaccuracies in these interpretations or assumptions could materially affect the estimated quantities and the calculation of the present value of our reserves. To prepare our year-end reserve estimates, our independent petroleum consultant projected our production rates and timing of development expenditures. Our independent petroleum consultant also analyzed available geological, geophysical, production and engineering data. The extent, quality and reliability of this data can vary and may not be under our control. The process also requires economic assumptions about matters such as oil and natural gas prices, operating expenses, capital expenditures, taxes, and availability of funds. Therefore, estimates of oil and natural gas reserves are inherently imprecise.

You should not assume that the present value of future net revenues from our proved oil and natural gas reserves is the current market value of our estimated oil and natural gas reserves. In accordance with SEC requirements, we base the estimated discounted future net cash flows from our proved reserves on the 12-month un-weighted first-day-of-the-month average price for each product and costs in effect on the date of the estimate. Actual future prices and costs may differ materially from those used in the present value estimate.

Future Regulations

Our operations and facilities are subject to extensive federal, state, province and local laws and regulations relating to the exploration, development, production and transportation of oil and natural gas and operational safety. Future laws or regulations, any adverse change in the interpretation of existing laws and regulations or our failure to comply with such legal requirements may harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Employee Retention

To a large extent, we depend on the services of our senior management. The loss of the services of any of our senior management could have a negative impact on our operations. We do not maintain or plan to obtain for the benefit of the Company any insurance against the loss of any of these individuals.

Equity Dilution

Our board of directors may use non-cash consideration to satisfy obligations. In many instances, we believe that the non-cash consideration will consist of shares of our common stock, preferred stock or warrants to purchase shares of our common stock. Our board of directors has authority, without action or vote of the shareholders to issue all or part of the authorized but unissued shares of common stock, preferred stock or warrants to purchase such shares of common stock. In addition, we may attempt to raise capital by selling shares of our common stock, possibly at a discount to market in the future. These actions will result in dilution of the ownership interests of existing shareholders and may further dilute common stock book value, and that dilution may be material. Such issuances may also serve to enhance existing management’s ability to maintain control, because the shares may be issued to parties or entities committed to supporting existing management.

Illiquid and Volatile Equity Environment

On September 27, 2022, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) pulled the Company’s stock symbol due to inactivity in the Company’s security for a year. As such, there is no public market for our common stock. The Company is taking steps to become current in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and upon becoming current in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, it plans to engage a market maker to file a Form 15c2-11 with FINRA and obtain a stock symbol. There can be no assurance that FINRA will approve the Form 15c2-11 or that the Company’s common stock will be publicly quoted again. In the event our common stock is publicly traded in the future, variables that could affect our future stock price or result in fluctuations in the market price or trading volume of our common stock include:

If and when our stock trades again, of which there is no assurance, our future stock price may be impacted by factors that are unrelated or disproportionate to our operating performance. The stock markets in general have experienced volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the future trading price of our common stock. Additionally, general economic, political and market conditions, such as recessions, interest rates or international currency fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Due to the historical limited volume of our shares which trade, we believe that our future stock prices (bid, ask and closing prices) may not be related to our actual value, and not reflect the actual value of our common stock. Shareholders and potential investors in our common stock should exercise extreme caution before making any future investment in our Company.

Additionally, as a result of the historical illiquidity of our common stock, investors may not be interested in owning our common stock because of the inability to acquire or sell a substantial block of our common stock at one time. Such illiquidity could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. In addition, a shareholder may not be able to borrow funds using our common stock as collateral because lenders may be unwilling to accept the pledge of securities having such a limited market. We cannot assure you that a future trading market for our common stock will develop or, if one develops, be sustained. Extreme caution should be taken when considering the future purchase of Petrolia’s common stock.

Administrative Proceedings; Lack of Public Market for Common Stock

File No. 3-20724 was filed by the SEC seeking to revoke the registration of each class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act. The Company has filed a response to the SEC’s motion, but there is no assurance that the Company will be successful, and that the registration of the Company’s securities will not be revoked. There can be no assurance that FINRA will approve the Form 15c2-11 or that the Company’s common stock will be publicly quoted again. In the event our common stock is not publicly quoted in the future, shareholders will be forced to hold their shares indefinitely, and our securities may have no value.

On September 27, 2022, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) pulled the Company’s stock symbol due to inactivity in the Company’s security for a year. The Company is taking steps to become current in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and upon becoming current in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, it plans to engage a market maker to file a Form 15c2-11 with FINRA and obtain a stock symbol.

Unanticipated problems at, or downtime effecting, our facilities and those operated by third parties on which we rely, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

The occurrence of significant unforeseen conditions or events in connection with the operation or maintenance of our facilities, such as the need to refurbish such facilities, complete capital projects at such facilities, shortages of workers or materials, adverse weather, including, but not limited to lightning strikes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes, equipment failures, fires, explosions, oil or other leaks, damage to or destruction of property and equipment associated therewith, environmental releases and/or damage, government regulation changes affecting the use of such facilities, terrorist attacks, mechanical or physical failures of equipment, acts of God, or other conditions or events, could prevent us from operating our facilities, or prevent such third parties from operating their facilities, or could force us or such third parties to shut such facilities down for repairs, maintenance, refurbishment or upgrades for a significant period of time.

For example, on May 5, 2023, the Company was notified by BSR, the operator of our Utikuma asset that the Province of Alberta has declared a state of emergency due to wildfires in Alberta. We were informed that because of wildfires in the vicinity of our oilfield assets, the field was shut in and all personnel were evacuated, and that the highway to the Slave Lake area has been closed. Early assessments of the situation indicate that our Utikuma facilities may have incurred major damage.

While the Company believes that it maintains adequate insurance coverage in connection with its facilities, insurance may not cover all damages/losses, and/or such coverages may not apply to specific damages/losses.

In the event any of our facilities or those of third parties on which we rely are offline for an extended period of time (including, but to limited to our Utikuma facilities), it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and consequently the price of our securities. Furthermore, any material damage/loss at any facility not covered by insurance may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and consequently the price of our securities.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable to the Company as a “smaller reporting”/”non-accelerated filer”.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

Our principal office is located at 710 N. Post Oak Rd., Suite 400, Houston, Texas 77024.

On December 31, 2020, we entered into an executive office sharing agreement which allows the Company to use approximately 800 square feet of work space, on an as needed basis. The space costs $100 per month and is contracted on a month-to-month basis. The contract is still in effect.

The Company’s oil and gas properties are described under “Item 1. Business”, above, and below under “Note 4. “Evaluated Properties” in the consolidated audited financial statements attached hereto.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

On December 30, 2021, the Company reached a settlement with Argonaut Insurance Company (Argo), regarding a final judgement of $52,749 that had been issued on March 6, 2018. The Company paid Argo a lump sum of $15,000 in full satisfaction of the original judgement.

On January 28, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed an Order Instituting Administrative Proceedings and Notice of Hearing Pursuant to Section 12(j) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to suspend for a period not exceeding twelve months or revoke the registration of each class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act of the Company. The Division of Enforcement at the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Division”) filed a Motion for Summary Disposition in this matter and the Company filed a Response to the Motion for Summary Disposition in April 2022. On May 5, 2022, the Division filed its Response in Support of its Motion for Summary Disposition. On April 18, 2023, the Company was ordered to submit a brief by May 16, 2023, regarding the Company’s remedial efforts since these proceedings were instituted. Among other things, the Company is asked to address “the extent of the issuer’s efforts to remedy its past violations and ensure future compliance” and “the credibility of its assurances, if any, against further violations.” In addition, the Company is asked to explain why it failed to comply with its proposed schedule and its representation that it would “immediately acquiesce” to revocation of its registration if it failed to do so. The Company plans to submit such brief by May 16, 2023.

The Company and Petrolia Canada Corporation (“Petrolia Canada”), an affiliate of Petrolia, filed a lawsuit in the 133^rd Judicial District Court, Harris County Texas (Cause No. 2022-15278), against Jovian Petroleum Corporation, Zel Khan (“Khan”) and Quinten Beasley (“Beasley”) (collectively, the “Defendants”).

In the petition against the Defendants, Petrolia and Petrolia Canada alleged causes of action for fraud and breach of contract against all the named Defendants and breach of fiduciary duty claims against Defendants Zel Khan and Quinten Beasley. Defendant Zel Khan was a former CEO and Director of Petrolia, and Defendant Quinten Beasley was a former Senior Vice President and Director of Petrolia Canada.

Petrolia and Petrolia Canada demanded a jury trial and are seeking monetary relief of more than $1 million against the Defendants.

In April and May 2022, each of the Defendants filed an Original Answer, generally denying all of the allegations of Petrolia and Petrolia Canada.

Subsequently, in September 2022, Defendants filed an amended answer and counterclaims. Pursuant to the amended answer, Defendants generally denied the allegations of Petrolia and Petrolia Canada and are seeking indemnification under the Company’s governing documents and statutory provisions.

Beasley is seeking repayment of the outstanding balance of $5,000 plus accrued interest ($4,710) allegedly owed to him by the Company in connection with a promissory note entered into with the Company on July 14, 2016.

In September 2022, Joel Oppenheim (“Oppenheim”) and Critical Update, Inc., owned by Beasley (“Critical Update” and collectively with Oppenheim, the “Intervenors”), filed a Petition in Intervention. Oppenheim alleges that he advanced at least $797,000 to the Company from 2015 to 2019 (including $416,900 alleged owed under a loan agreement) and that he also provided various certificates of deposit to the Company in the aggregate amount of $258,251. Oppenheim is seeking return of amounts advanced with interest, a declaratory judgment establishing the amount of Company stock and warrants owed to him, and attorney’s fees. Separately, Critical Update is seeking $120,000 CAD alleged owed to it in consideration for services rendered to Petrolia Canada, plus interest and attorney’s fees.

On October 11, 2022, Petrolia and Petrolia Canada filed a general denial of all the Defendants’ counterclaims.

Subsequently, on December 6, 2022, Oppenheim filed a motion for severance asking the court to sever his breach of loan agreement claim from the other claims in this lawsuit and adjudicate the claim as Cause No. 2022-15278-B. The same day, Oppenheim also filed a motion for partial summary judgment on his breach of loan agreement claim. On December 22, 2022, Oppenheim filed a separate lawsuit and application for temporary injunction (Cause No. 2022-83054) in the 157^th Judicial District Court, Harris County Texas against the Company and Petrolia Canada and their individual board members. That action is a shareholder derivative lawsuit filed against the Company alleging, among other things, breach of duty of loyalty and breach of duty of obedience, as well as seeking to compel a shareholder meeting and seeking expedited discovery. On December 30, 2022, Jovian Petroleum Corporation filed a petition in intervention to join this newly filed lawsuit.

In January 2023, Petrolia and Petrolia Canada filed a motion to strike the intervention of Oppenheim and on February 3, 2023, Oppenheim filed a response to that motion arguing that such intervention is proper. Such motions are still pending with the court.

On February 9, 2023, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Suzanne Klein, and Laura S. Ward (the “First Additional Intervenors”), each a shareholder of the Company, filed a separate Petition in Intervention to join in Oppenheim’s derivative suit against the Company.

On March 2, 2023, Dr. Marvin Chasen and Billie Mae Chasen (the “Second Additional Intervenors”, and together with the First Additional Intervenor), filed a separate Petition in Intervention to join in Oppenheim’s derivative suit against the Company.

The Additional Intervenors are seeking an order compelling an annual shareholder meeting of the Company; a temporary injunction requiring the Defendants to hold an annual and special meeting of the shareholders of the Company within 30 days to elect directors of the Company and conduct such other proper business as may come before it; a temporary injunction enjoining the Defendant Directors from voting their Series B Preferred Shares; an order combining the hearing on the temporary injunction with a trial on the merits; expedited discovery; and upon final trial, the Additional Intervenors are requesting: (i) rescission of the Series B Preferred Stock; (ii) forfeiture of all compensation paid to the Defendant Directors by the Company after the Series B Preferred Stock issuance; (iii) actual damages in an amount to be proven at trial; (iv) exemplary damages sufficient to deter the directors of other Texas corporations from disenfranchising a corporation’s shareholders, as alleged by the Additional Intervenors; (v) attorneys’ fees and expenses; and (vi) such other and further relief to which Additional Intervenors are entitled.

The outcome of the above litigation is currently unknown; however, the Company disputes the Defendants’ counterclaims and the allegations of the Intervenors and intends to defend the matter vigorously, while also continuing to seek all damages which it is due.

On March 16, 2022, Petrolia Canada Corporation received a Notice of Intention to Retain Collateral Pursuant to Section 62 of the Personal Property Security Act (Alberta) from the counsel of Blue Sky Resources Ltd. related to a Loan Agreement and General Security Agreement between Petrolia Canada Corporation and Emmett Lescroart. Petrolia Canada Corporation was notified that Blue Sky Resources Ltd., as assignee of the Emmet Lescroart loan, intends to retain the Utikuma loan collateral pursuant to the General Security Agreement with Petrolia Canada Corporation. On March 30, 2022, Petrolia Canada Corporation’s counsel responded to Blue Sky Resources, Ltd. with a Notice of Objection.

On January 31, 2023, Petrolia Canada Corporation filed a Statement of Claim in the Calgary Court of King’s Bench of Alberta naming Blue Sky Resources, Ltd. as a defendant in a lawsuit. On March 24, 2023, Blue Sky Resources, Ltd. filed a Statement of Defense and Counterclaim in the Calgary Court of King’s Bench of Alberta. The Court File Number is 2301-01310.

On April 20, 2023, Petrolia Canada Corporation filed a Statement of Defense to Counterclaim, Reply to Defense, and Amended Statement of Claim, adding Zel Khan and Quinten Beasley as defendants in the Court File Number 2301-01310 matter filed in the Calgary Court of King’s Bench of Alberta.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II

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

Market Information

On September 27, 2022, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) pulled the Company’s stock symbol due to inactivity in the Company’s security for a year. The Company is taking steps to become current in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and upon becoming current in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, it plans to engage a market maker to file a Form 15c2-11 with FINRA and obtain a stock symbol. There can be no assurance that FINRA will approve the Form 15c2-11 or that the Company’s common stock will be publicly quoted again.

When allowed to be traded, our common stock has historically been quoted under the symbol “BBLS” on the OTC Pink Sheet market operated by OTC Markets Group.

Historically, only a limited market exists for our securities. There is no assurance that a regular trading market will develop, or if developed, that it will be sustained. Therefore, a shareholder may be unable to resell his securities in our company. Extreme caution should be taken when evaluating the future purchase of Petrolia Energy common stock.

The following tables set forth the historical range of high and low sales prices for our common stock for the periods indicated as reported by the OTC Pink Sheet market operated by the OTC Markets Group. The market quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commissions and may not necessarily represent actual transactions. Our stock was last traded in 2021, so there are no prices to report for the current year.

Penny Stock

On September 27, 2022, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) pulled the Company’s stock symbol due to inactivity in the Company’s security for a year. The Company is taking steps to become current in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and upon becoming current in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, it plans to engage a market maker to file a Form 15c2-11 with FINRA and obtain a stock symbol.

The SEC has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. Penny stocks are generally equity securities with a market price of less than $5.00, other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or quoted on the NASDAQ system, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system.

The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document prepared by the SEC, that: (a) contains a description of the nature and level of risk in the market for penny stocks in both public offerings and secondary trading; (b) contains a description of the broker’s or dealer’s duties to the customer and of the rights and remedies available to the customer with respect to a violation of such duties or other requirements of the securities laws; (c) contains a brief, clear, narrative description of a dealer market, including bid and ask prices for penny stocks and the significance of the spread between the bid and ask price; (d) contains a toll-free telephone number for inquiries on disciplinary actions; (e) defines significant terms in the disclosure document or in the conduct of trading in penny stocks; and (f) contains such other information and is in such form, including language, type size and format, as the SEC shall require by rule or regulation.

The broker-dealer also must provide, prior to effecting any transaction in a penny stock, the customer with (a) bid and offer quotations for the penny stock; (b) the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction; (c) the number of shares to which such bid and ask prices apply, or other comparable information relating to the depth and liquidity of the market for such stock; and (d) a monthly account statement showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account.

In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written acknowledgment of the receipt of a risk disclosure statement, a written agreement as to transactions involving penny stocks, and a signed and dated copy of a written suitability statement.

These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the trading activity for our common stock. Therefore, stockholders may have difficulty selling our securities.

Petrolia Energy Corporation is currently not being actively traded because of SEC Rule 15c2-11 and because FINRA pulled the Company’s stock symbol due to inactivity in the Company’s security for a year.

Holders of Our Common Stock

As of December 31, 2022, we had 176,988,322 outstanding shares of common stock and approximately 279 shareholders of record.

Preferred Stock

Our Certificate of Formation authorizes our Board of Directors to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The provisions in the Certificate of Formation, relating to the preferred stock, allow our directors to issue preferred stock with multiple votes per share and dividend rights which would have priority over any dividends paid with respect to the holders of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock with these rights may make the removal of management difficult even if the removal would be considered beneficial to shareholders generally and will have the effect of limiting shareholder participation in certain transactions such as mergers or tender offers if these transactions are not favored by our management.

As of December 31, 2022, there are 199,100 shares of Series A Preferred outstanding with 21 preferred shareholders of record.

On October 25, 2021, the Company issued one share each of its newly designated shares of Series B Preferred Stock to Board of Directors members James Burns, Leo Womack, and Ivar Siem, in consideration for services rendered to the Company as members of the Board of Directors. These shares vote in aggregate sixty percent of the total vote on all shareholder matters. These shares were valued at $50,799 per share by an independent specialist. As of December 31, 2022, there are 3 Series B preferred shares outstanding with 3 preferred shareholders of record.

In October and November of 2021 and January of 2022, the Company entered into various subscription agreements to sell an aggregate amount of 11,000 shares of its newly designated Series C Convertible Preferred Stock at $10 per share. As of December 31, 2022, there are 11,000 Series C preferred shares outstanding with 3 preferred shareholders of record.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

In October and November of 2021, and January 2022, the Company entered into various subscription agreements with certain accredited investors, pursuant to which the Subscribers agreed, subject to certain conditions in the Subscription Agreements, to purchase an aggregate amount of 11,000 shares of the Company’s newly designated shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.10 per share at $10.00 per share. 8,500 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock were sold in 2021. 2,500 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock were sold in 2022.

We claim an exemption from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) and/or Rule 506(b) of Regulation D of the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder in connection with the sales, grants and issuances described above since the foregoing issuances and grants did not involve a public offering, the recipients were (a) “accredited investors”, and/or (b) had access to similar documentation and information as would be required in a Registration Statement under the Securities Act. With respect to the transactions described above, no general solicitation was made either by us or by any person acting on our behalf. The transactions were privately negotiated and did not involve any kind of public solicitation. No underwriters or agents were involved in the foregoing issuances, and we paid no underwriting discounts or commissions. The securities sold are subject to transfer restrictions, and the certificates evidencing the securities contain an appropriate legend stating that such securities have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold absent registration or pursuant to an exemption therefrom.

ITEM 6. (RESERVED)

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

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report. The following discussion contains “forward-looking statements” that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. We caution you that assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions or beliefs about future events may, and often do, vary from actual results and the differences can be material. See “Risk Factors” and “Forward Looking Statements.”

Petrolia Energy Corporation explores for, develops, and produces crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs) and natural gas in producing basins in the United States of America and Canada. PEC’s principal oil and gas assets are further described in “Plan of Operation”. Maintaining the lowest possible operating cost structure, coupled with efficient and safe operations is integral in the implementation of the Company’s strategy.

Results of Operations

Revenues

Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $6,847,800, an increase of $952,572 from the prior year. The increase was primarily due to increased oil prices. In 2022, our Canadian asset (Utikuma) produced 80,332 BOE, which sold at an average price of $86.16 per barrel. 2021 production for Utikuma and CONA was 97,084 BOE, sold at an average price of $58.63 per barrel.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022 were $7,899,275, an increase of $592,250 from the prior year. Lease operating expense contributed $1,443,753 to the increase, due to more activity in our Utikuma field from repairs and maintenance. General and administrative expenses were reduced by $410,507 because our staff was smaller. This was partially offset by increased legal expenses. After the sale of the CONA asset in 2021, depletion expense was reduced by $164,961, because of the smaller base for depletion. Asset retirement accretion was also reduced by $143,270, due to the sale of the CONA asset in October 2021.

Other Income/Expenses

Other income/expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022 was other net expense of $434,605, compared to other net income of $3,340,701 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The primary cause for the change was the gain on the disposition of the Cona asset in 2021, in the amount of $3,919,323. The change in fair market value of derivative liabilities was reduced by $138,690, as these liabilities had reached the end of their amortization period. Interest expense was reduced by $149,082 as the principal on some loans was reduced by payments made during the year.

Net Income

The net loss for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $1,486,080, compared to net income of $1,928,904 for the year ended December 31, 2021, a change of $3,414,984 from the prior year for the reasons described above, primarily the disposition of the Cona asset, offset by our increased operating expenses.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2022, we had total current assets of $1,431,266 and total assets of $8,774,113. Our total current liabilities as of December 31, 2022 were $9,242,317 and our total liabilities were $11,561,366. We had negative working capital of $7,811,051 as of December 31, 2022.

Our material asset balances are made up of oil and gas properties and related equipment. Our most significant liabilities include asset retirement obligations of $2,301,335, combined accrued liabilities and related party accrued liabilities of $2,687,575, notes payable of $398,837 and related party notes payable of $3,460,815.

Operating activities provided $1,798,257 in cash for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was due to our election to take our product in kind from the Utikuma asset early in 2022, rather than net it with the costs incurred by the operator of that asset. Net cash provided by investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $1,500, from the sale of some unused equipment on our Oklahoma property.

Cash used by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2022 was $388,313 and consisted of $25,000 of proceeds from the sale of Series C Preferred Stock, which was offset by $413,313 of repayments of notes payable.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company operated at a positive cash flow from operations of approximately $150,000 per month. However, our auditors have raised a going concern in their audit report as contained herein. Management also plans to minimize general and administrative expenses and optimize cashflow from the Company’s assets.

The Company has suffered recurring losses from operations. These conditions raise doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. We plan to generate profits by reducing general and administrative expenses, managing litigation costs, and optimizing our cashflow. However, we may need to raise additional funds to workover wells through the sale of our securities, through loans from third parties or from third parties willing to pay our share of drilling and completing the wells. We do not have any commitments or arrangements from any person to provide us with any additional capital.

If additional financing is not available when needed, we may need to cease operations. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in raising the capital needed to recomplete oil or gas wells nor that any such additional financing will be available to us on acceptable terms or at all.

Management believes that actions presently being taken to obtain additional funding, if needed, provide the opportunity for the Company to continue as a going concern. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern; no adjustments to the financial statements have been made to account for this uncertainty.

Trends Affecting Future Operations

The factors that will most significantly affect our results of operations will be (i) the sale prices of crude oil and natural gas, (ii) the amount of production sold from oil or gas wells in which we have an interest, and (iii) lease operating expenses. Our revenues will also be significantly impacted by our ability to maintain or increase oil or gas production through exploration and development activities, and the availability of funding to complete such activities.

It is expected that our principal source of cash flow will be from the production and sale of crude oil and natural gas reserves which are depleting assets. Cash flow from the sale of oil and gas production depends upon the quantity of production and the price obtained for the production. An increase in prices will permit us to finance our operations to a greater extent with internally generated funds, may allow us to obtain equity financing more easily or on better terms, and lessens the difficulty of obtaining financing. However, price increases may heighten the competition for oil and gas prospects and may increase the costs of exploration and development.

A decline in oil and gas prices (i) will reduce the cash flow internally generated by the Company which in turn will reduce the funds available for exploring for and replacing oil and gas reserves, (ii) will increase the difficulty of obtaining equity and debt financing and worsen the terms on which such financing may be obtained, (iii) will reduce the number of oil and gas prospects which have reasonable economic terms, (iv) may cause us to permit leases to expire based upon the value of potential oil and gas reserves in relation to the costs of exploration, (v) may result in marginally productive oil and gas wells being abandoned as non-commercial, and (vi) may increase the difficulty of obtaining financing. However, price declines reduce the competition for oil and gas properties and correspondingly reduce the prices paid for leases and prospects.

Critical Accounting Policies

In December 2001, the SEC requested that all registrants list their most “critical accounting polices” in the Management Discussion and Analysis. The SEC indicated that a “critical accounting policy” is one which is both important to the portrayal of a company’s financial condition and results, and requires 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.

Going concern – The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has incurred cumulative net losses of $63,013,127 since its inception and may require capital for its contemplated operational and marketing activities to take place. The Company’s ability to raise additional capital through the future sales of common stock is unknown. The obtainment of additional financing, the successful development of the Company’s contemplated plan of operations, and its transition, ultimately, to the attainment of profitable operations are necessary for the Company to continue operations. The ability to successfully resolve these factors raise doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements of the Company do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of these aforementioned uncertainties.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

We do not expect the adoption of recently issued accounting pronouncements to have a significant impact on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flow.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Pursuant to Item 305(e) of Regulation S-K (§ 229.305(e)), the Company is not required to provide the information required by this Item as it is a “smaller reporting company,” as defined by Rule 229.10(f)(1).

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

The consolidated audited financial statements and supplementary data required by this Item are presented beginning on page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which follows “Signatures” below.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s chief executive officer and interim chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 10-K. Based on that evaluation, our management concluded that, as of December 31, 2022, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, and for the assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. As defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of our Principal Executive and Financial Officer and implemented by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, or the COSO Framework of 2013. Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design of our internal control over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of those controls. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was ineffective as of December 31, 2022.

A material weakness is defined as “a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.”

The ineffectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting was due to an insufficient degree of segregation of duties amongst our accounting and financial reporting personnel, the lack of a formalized and complete set of policy and procedure documentation evidencing our system of internal controls over financial reporting, and the possibility that Company employees were also contracted to perform the accounting of affiliated parties. These factors led to certain adjustments which have been reflected in our audited financial statements. Certain of these weaknesses may not be uncommon in a company of our size due to personnel and financial limitations.

Management is committed to remediating the identified material weakness in a timely manner, with appropriate oversight from our Audit Committee. We intend to work to remediate the material weaknesses identified above, which is expected to include (i) the addition of accounting and financial personnel with experience in the implementation of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and SEC reporting requirements, (ii) the engagement of accounting consultants on a limited-time basis to provide expertise on specific areas of the accounting literature, (iii) the modification to our accounting processes and enhancement to our financial controls, (iv) the elimination of employees or contractors also being employed by affiliated parties and/or (v) the hiring of an independent consulting or accounting firm to review and document our internal control system to ensure compliance with COSO. However, our current financial position will make it difficult for us to undertake the planned remediation steps outlined above.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Except as noted above, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2022 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.

Not applicable.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

The following information sets forth the names, ages, and positions of our directors and executive officers as of December 31, 2022.

Set forth below is a brief description of the background and business experience of each of our current executive officers and directors:

Mark Allen is an executive in the oil and gas industry with over 30 years of experience in the global energy markets, previously as Global Vice President, Oil and Gas Consulting for Wipro Limited, a leading global consulting and information technology services firm. Prior to Wipro Limited, Mr. Allen was Vice President, Exploration and Production Services for SAIC, a Fortune 500 company. Mr. Allen has also held leadership roles at Shell Oil Company. For the past 10 years Mr. Allen has been the President of Contango Energy, a family held energy company. Mr. Allen holds a BS in Accounting from Brigham Young University and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas. In September 2021, Mr. Allen was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

Heather Monk is a Certified Public Accountant with over 20 years of experience. After starting out in public accounting, she spent 13 years at Enterprise Products Partners. In March of 2017, she left Enterprise Products Partners to start her own accounting firm, specializing in taxes and business planning for small to mid-sized businesses. Ms. Monk holds a BBA in Accounting and an MBA from The University of Houston. She joined Petrolia in October of 2021 and was appointed the Interim Chief Financial Officer in June 2022.

Leo Womack has over 40 years of experience in advising and serving as Director of small micro-capitalization public and private companies. Mr. Womack has been the President of Gulf Equities Realty Advisors, Inc., a diversified real estate portfolio management company, since 1986. For more than five (5) years, from March 1986 to the present, Mr. Womack has been and continues to be employed as the President of Gulf Equities Realty Advisors Inc. He has been the Chairman of Fairway Medical Technologies, Inc., a medical device company and a portfolio company of the Baylor College of Medicine Venture Fund since 1996. From 1969 to 1978, he was the managing partner of a local and later national CPA firm. He has served on the Board and as Chairman of the Houston Angel Network and on National Committees of the Angel Capital Association. Prior to its acquisition by ITT Corporation in 2010, he served as a board member and the audit committee chair for OI Corporation (NASDAQ:OICO). Mr. Womack continues to serve on the Boards of Directors of five early-stage companies that he or his Family Trust have invested in. Mr. Womack earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 1965. Mr. Womack is also a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

James Edward Burns is an executive who brings more than 25 years of experience to Petrolia Energy’s Board. He currently serves on a number of public and private company boards including Bon Natural Life Ltd, (NASDAQ: BON), TMT Acquisition Corp (NASDAQ: TMTC), Playmaker IQ, Dry States Water Solutions and Hearthstone Capital Inc. He served as President of BLU LNG, a domestic LNG provider until 2016. Prior to his role at BLU LNG, Mr. Burns was President of Fortress Energy Partners a division of Fortress Investment Group and worked in various executive roles globally at Royal Dutch Shell and Texaco. He holds a BS in Business Administration from California State University and an Executive MBA from the University of Houston.

Ivar Siem is the Chairman of American Resources Inc. (“American”). Mr. Siem previously also served as the Chairman and CEO of American and its predecessor from September 2000 to August 1, 2017. Mr. Siem has broad experience from both the upstream and the service segments of the oil and gas industry. He has been the founder of several companies and involved in multiple roll-ups and restructuring processes throughout his career. These include Fred Olsen, Inc., Dolphin International, Inc., Blue Dolphin Energy, Seateam Technology ASA, DI Industries/Grey Wolf Drilling, American Resources Offshore, Inc., and Equimavenca SA. He has served on a number of public and private company boards including Frupor SA, Avenir ASA, Wellcem AS, and Siem Industries, Inc. Since July 2018, Mr. Siem has served as a member of the Board of Directors of PEDEVCO Corp. (NYSE American:PED), a company with securities registered under the Exchange Act.

Term of Office

Our directors are appointed to hold office until the next annual general meeting of our shareholders or until removed from office in accordance with our bylaws. Our officers are appointed by our board of directors and hold office until removed by the board.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Company promotes accountability for adherence to honest and ethical conduct; endeavors to provide full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Company files with the SEC and in other public communications made by the Company; and strives to be compliant with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations.

Board Leadership Structure

The roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company are currently held separately. Mr. Burns serves as Chairman and Mr. Allen serves as Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors does not have a policy as to whether the Chairman should be an independent director, an affiliated director, or a member of management.

Our Board believes that the Company’s current leadership structure is appropriate because it effectively allocates authority, responsibility, and oversight between management and the members of our Board. It does this by giving primary responsibility for the operational leadership and strategic direction of the Company to its Chief Executive Officer, while enabling our Chairman to facilitate our Board’s oversight of management, promote communication between management and our Board, and support our Board’s consideration of key governance matters. The Board believes that its programs for overseeing risk, as described below, would be effective under a variety of leadership frameworks and therefore do not materially affect its choice of structure.

Risk Oversight

Effective risk oversight is an important priority of the Board of Directors. Because risks are considered in virtually every business decision, the Board of Directors discusses risk throughout the year generally or in connection with specific proposed actions. The Board of Directors’ approach to risk oversight includes understanding the critical risks in the Company’s business and strategy, evaluating the Company’s risk management processes, allocating responsibilities for risk oversight, and fostering an appropriate culture of integrity and compliance with legal responsibilities. The directors exercise direct oversight of strategic risks to the Company.

Family Relationships

None of our directors are related by blood, marriage, or adoption to any other director, executive officer, or other key employees.

Arrangements Between Officers and Directors

To our knowledge, there is no arrangement or understanding between any of our officers and any other person, including directors, pursuant to which the officer was selected to serve as an officer.

Other Directorships

No directors of the Company are also directors of issuers with a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act (or which otherwise are required to file periodic reports under the Exchange Act), except as discussed in their bios above.

Director Qualifications

The Board believes that each of our directors is highly qualified to serve as a member of the Board. Each of the directors has contributed to the mix of skills, core competencies and qualifications of the Board. When evaluating candidates for election to the Board, the Board seeks candidates with certain qualities that it believes are important, including integrity, an objective perspective, good judgment, and leadership skills. Our directors are highly educated and have diverse backgrounds and talents and extensive track records of success in what we believe are highly relevant positions.

Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

To the best of our knowledge, none of our executive officers or directors has been involved in any of the following events during the past ten years:

Board of Directors Meetings

The Company had four (4) official meetings of the Board of Directors during the fiscal year 2022 and four (4) during the previous fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. All directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings of Committees of the Board of Directors, for committees on which they served. The Company has not adopted a policy requiring its directors to attend its annual meeting.

Hedging, Clawbacks and Insider Trading Policies

The Company does not currently hedge any oil and gas products.

Insider trading includes the trading of our stock and options (put and call), based on material, non-public information about the Company. The Company prohibits any insider trading shares based on insider information and could be exposed to potential civil and/or criminal penalties. It also prohibits the sharing of that information with other non-insider individuals. This policy applies to the purchase/sale of common stock and preferred stock. The Company prohibits the trading of options at any time, irrespective of stock trading restrictions. This policy applies to all directors, officers, employees, and consultants of the Company, as well as their family members. This policy imposes special additional temporary trading restrictions applicable to directors and officers of the Company.

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

Board Committee Membership

(1) Chairman of Board of Directors.

C - Chairman of Committee.

M - Member.

The charter for each committee of the Board identified below is available on our website at www.petroliaenergy.com. Copies of the committee charters are also available for free upon written request to our Corporate Secretary. Additionally, the committee charters are filed as exhibits to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 24, 2018 (the “Form 8-K”).

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee, which is comprised exclusively of independent directors, has been established by the Board to oversee our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of our financial statements.

The Board has selected the members of the Audit Committee based on the Board’s determination that the members are financially literate (as required by NASDAQ rules) and qualified to monitor the performance of management and the independent auditors and to monitor our disclosures so that our disclosures fairly present our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The Board has also determined that Mr. Womack, is an “audit committee financial expert” (as defined in the SEC rules) because he has the following attributes: (i) an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and financial statements; (ii) the ability to assess the general application of such principles in connection with accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves; (iii) experience analyzing and evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by our financial statements; (iv) an understanding of internal control over financial reporting; and (v) an understanding of audit committee functions. Mr. Womack has acquired these attributes by means of having held various positions that provided relevant experience, as described in his biographical above.

The Audit Committee has the sole authority, at its discretion and at our expense, to retain, compensate, evaluate and terminate our independent auditors and to review, as it deems appropriate, the scope of our annual audits, our accounting policies and reporting practices, our system of internal controls, our compliance with policies regarding business conduct and other matters. In addition, the Audit Committee has the authority, at its discretion and at our expense, to retain special legal, accounting, or other advisors to advise the Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee was formed on May 21, 2018.

The Audit Committee Charter is filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2018.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee is responsible for the administration of our stock compensation plans, approval, review and evaluation of the compensation arrangements for our executive officers and directors and oversees and advises the Board on the adoption of policies that govern the Company’s compensation and benefit programs. In addition, the Compensation Committee has the authority, at its discretion and at our expense, to retain special legal, accounting or other advisors to advise the Compensation Committee.

The Compensation Committee was formed on May 21, 2018.

The Compensation Committee Charter is filed as Exhibit 99.4 to the Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2018.

James Burns is the Chairman of the Compensation Committee.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which is comprised exclusively of independent directors, is responsible for identifying prospective qualified candidates to fill vacancies on the Board, recommending director nominees (including chairpersons) for each of our committees, developing and recommending appropriate corporate governance guidelines and overseeing the self-evaluation of the Board.

In considering individual director nominees and Board committee appointments, our Nominating and Governance Committee seeks to achieve a balance of knowledge, experience and capability on the Board and Board committees and to identify individuals who can effectively assist the Company in achieving our short-term and long-term goals, protecting our stockholders’ interests and creating and enhancing value for our stockholders. In so doing, the Nominating and Governance Committee considers a person’s diversity attributes (e.g., professional experiences, skills, background, race and gender) as a whole and does not necessarily attribute any greater weight to one attribute. Moreover, diversity in professional experience, skills and background, and diversity in race and gender, are just a few of the attributes that the Nominating and Governance Committee takes into account. In evaluating prospective candidates, the Nominating and Governance Committee also considers whether the individual has personal and professional integrity, good business judgment and relevant experience and skills, and whether such individual is willing and able to commit the time necessary for Board and Board committee service.

While there are no specific minimum requirements that the Nominating and Governance Committee believes must be met by a prospective director nominee, the Nominating and Governance Committee does believe that director nominees should possess personal and professional integrity, have good business judgment, have relevant experience and skills, and be willing and able to commit the necessary time for Board and Board committee service. Furthermore, the Nominating and Governance Committee evaluates each individual in the context of the Board as a whole, with the objective of recommending individuals that can best perpetuate the success of our business and represent stockholder interests through the exercise of sound business judgment using their diversity of experience in various areas. We believe our current directors possess diverse professional experiences, skills and backgrounds, in addition to (among other characteristics) high standards of personal and professional ethics, proven records of success in their respective fields and valuable knowledge of our business and our industry.

The Nominating and Governance Committee uses a variety of methods for identifying and evaluating director nominees. The Nominating and Governance Committee also regularly assesses the appropriate size of the Board and whether any vacancies on the Board are expected due to retirement or other circumstances. In addition, the Nominating and Governance Committee considers, from time to time, various potential candidates for directorships. Candidates may come to the attention of the Nominating and Governance Committee through current Board members, professional search firms, stockholders or other persons. These candidates may be evaluated at regular or special meetings of the Nominating and Governance Committee and may be considered at any point during the year.

The Committee evaluates director nominees at regular or special Committee meetings pursuant to the criteria described above and reviews qualified director nominees with the Board. The Committee selects nominees that best suit the Board’s current needs and recommends one or more of such individuals for election to the Board.

The Nominating and Governance Committee was formed on May 21, 2018.

The Nominating and Governance Committee Charter is filed as Exhibit 99.5 to the Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2018.

Stockholder Communications with the Board

Our Company has defined policy and procedural requirements for stockholders to submit recommendations or nominations for directors as set forth in the Company’s Bylaws and described below. Our Company does not currently have any specific or minimum criteria for the election of nominees to the Board of Directors and we do not have any specific process or procedure for evaluating such nominees. The Nominating and Governance Committee will assess all candidates, whether submitted by management or stockholders, and make recommendations for election or appointment.

The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider candidates recommended by stockholders, provided the names of such persons, accompanied by relevant biographical information, are properly submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Company in accordance with the manner described below. The Secretary will send properly submitted stockholder recommendations to the Nominating and Governance Committee. Individuals recommended by stockholders in accordance with these procedures will receive the same consideration received by individuals identified to the Nominating and Governance Committee through other means. The Nominating and Governance Committee also may, in its discretion, consider candidates otherwise recommended by stockholders without accompanying biographical information, if submitted in writing to the Secretary.

Our stockholders and other interested parties may communicate with members of the Board of Directors by submitting such communications in writing to our Corporate Secretary, 710 N. Post Oak Rd., Suite 400, Houston, Texas 77024, who, upon receipt of any communication other than one that is clearly marked “Confidential,” will note the date the communication was received, open the communication, make a copy of it for our files and promptly forward the communication to the director(s) to whom it is addressed. Upon receipt of any communication that is clearly marked “Confidential,” our Corporate Secretary will not open the communication, but will note the date the communication was received and promptly forward the communication to the director(s) to whom it is addressed. If the correspondence is not addressed to any particular Board member or members, the communication will be forwarded to a Board member to bring to the attention of the Board.

Code of Conduct

We have adopted a Code of Ethical Business Conduct (“Code of Conduct “) that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees.

Any stockholder who so requests may obtain a free copy of our Code of Conduct by submitting a written request to our Corporate Secretary. Additionally, the Code of Conduct was filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, filed with the SEC on November 23, 2015, as Exhibit 14.1.

We intend to disclose any amendments to our Code of Conduct and any waivers with respect to our Code of Conduct granted to our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer, or any of our other employees performing similar functions on our website at www.petroliaenergy.com within four business days after the amendment or waiver. In such case, the disclosure regarding the amendment or waiver will remain available on our website for at least 12 months after the initial disclosure. There have been no waivers granted with respect to our Code of Conduct to any such officers or employees.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and other equity securities of the Company. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

Pursuant to SEC rules, we are not required to disclose in this filing any failure to timely file a Section 16(a) report that has been disclosed by us in a prior annual report or proxy statement.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of (i) all individuals serving as our principal executive officer (PEO) or acting in a similar capacity during the last completed fiscal year, regardless of compensation level; (ii) our two most highly compensated executive officers other than the PEO who were serving as executive officers at the end of the last completed fiscal year and who were paid more than $100,000 of total compensation; and (iii) up to two additional individuals for whom disclosure would have been provided pursuant to paragraph (ii) but for the fact that the individual was not serving as an executive officer at the end of the last completed fiscal year (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”).

The following table summarizes all compensation paid or accrued to our former or current executive officers during the years ended December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021:

Does not include perquisites and other personal benefits unless the aggregate amount of such compensation is more than $10,000. None of our executive officers received any change in pension value and nonqualified deferred compensation earnings during the periods presented.

We do not provide our officers or employees with pension, stock appreciation rights, long-term incentive, profit sharing, retirement, or other plans, although we may adopt one or more of such plans in the future.

We do not maintain any life or disability insurance on any of our officers.

Employment Agreements

Mark Allen (CEO)

On September 1, 2020, the Board of Directors approved a Consulting Agreement between the Company and Mark Allen to appoint him as the new President of the Company. Mr. Allen’s contract term is 6 months, with a cash payment of $90,000 in equal monthly installments of $15,000, including an option to extend. In addition, Mr. Allen is due to receive incentive compensation of 2,000,000 shares of common stock (1,000,000 at signing and the remaining at the end of the contract period). He also is to receive 1,000,000 warrants at $0.08 per share that expire in 36 months and vest over a two-year period.

On September 1, 2021, the Board of Directors approved a Consulting Agreement between the Company and Mark Allen to appoint him as the CEO of the Company at a continued rate of $15,000 per month. This agreement is still in force.

Director Compensation

The table below summarizes all compensation of our directors for the year ended December 31, 2022.

The notes below summarize all compensation of our directors for the year ended December 31, 2022.

The fair value of stock issued for services computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 on the date of grant.

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 and preferred stock by (i) each person who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than five percent (5%) of our outstanding voting stock; (ii) each of our directors and director nominees; (iii) each of our executive officers and significant employees; and (iv) all of our current executive officers, significant employees and directors as a group, as of May 12, 2023 (the “Date of Determination”).

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting and/or investing power with respect to securities. These rules generally provide that shares of common stock subject to options, warrants or other convertible securities that are currently exercisable or convertible, or exercisable or convertible within 60 days of the Date of Determination, are deemed to be outstanding and to be beneficially owned by the person or group holding such options, warrants or other convertible securities for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such person or group, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person or group.

We believe that, except as otherwise noted and subject to applicable community property laws, each person named in the following table has sole investment and voting power with respect to the shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by such person. Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each of the officers or directors listed in the table below is 710 N. Post Oak Rd., Suite 400, Houston, Texas 77024.

Under Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act, a beneficial owner of a security includes any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise has or shares: (i) voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of shares, and/or (ii) investment power, which includes the power to dispose or direct the disposition of shares. Also under this rule, certain shares may be deemed to be beneficially owned by more than one person (if, for example, persons share the power to vote or the power to dispose of the shares). In addition, shares are deemed to be beneficially owned by a person if the person has the right to acquire shares (for example, upon exercise of an option or warrant) within 60 days of the date as of which the information is provided. In computing the percentage ownership of any person, the number of shares is deemed to include the number of shares beneficially owned by such person by reason of such acquisition rights. As a result, the percentage of outstanding shares of any person as shown in the above table does not necessarily reflect the person’s actual voting power at any particular date.

Changes in Control

The Company is not aware of any arrangements which may at a subsequent date result in a change of control of the Company.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table sets forth information, as of December 31, 2022, with respect to our compensation plans under which common stock is authorized for issuance.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

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

Except as discussed below or otherwise disclosed above under “Item 11. Executive Compensation,”, Note 7 – Related Party Notes Payable, Note 10 - Equity and Note 11 - Related Party Transactions, of the consolidated audited financial statements included herein, all of which information is incorporated by reference into this Item 13, there have been no transactions since the beginning of the Company’s last fiscal year, and there is not currently any proposed transaction, in which the Company was or is to be a participant, where the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of the Company’s total assets at year end, for the last two completed fiscal years, and in which any officer, director, or any stockholder owning greater than five percent (5%) of our outstanding voting shares, nor any member of the above referenced individual’s immediate family, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

On October 25, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the filing of a Certificate of Designations of Petrolia Energy Corporation Establishing the Designations, Preferences, Limitations, and Relative Rights of its Series B Preferred Stock with the Secretary of State of Texas, which designation was filed with, and became effective with, the Secretary of State of Texas on October 25, 2021. The Series B Designation designated three shares of Series B Preferred Stock. The Company issued one share of its newly designated shares of Series B Preferred Stock to each of the three members of its then Board of Directors, (1) James E. Burns, (2) Leo Womack and (3) Ivar Siem, in consideration for services rendered to the Company as members of the Board of Directors. Such shares of Series B Preferred Stock vote in aggregate sixty percent (60%) of the total vote on all shareholder matters, voting separately as a class.

In October and November of 2021, and January 2022, the Company entered into various subscription agreements with certain accredited investors, pursuant to which the Subscribers agreed, subject to certain conditions in the Subscription Agreements, to purchase an aggregate amount of 11,000 shares of the Company’s newly designated shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.10 per share at $10.00 per share. Investors in the offering include the Company’s director, Leo Womack, who purchased $50,000 in shares of Series C Preferred Stock (5,000 shares) in 2021, and $25,000 in shares of Series C Preferred Stock (2,500 shares) in 2022.

Review, Approval and Ratification of Related Party Transactions

On August 22, 2018, the Company adopted a formal related party transaction policy (the “Policy”) for the review, approval, or ratification of transactions, such as those described above, with our directors, nominees for director, executive officers and significant shareholders or certain entities or persons related to them.

Under the terms of the Policy, the Audit Committee shall review the material facts of all related party transactions and may approve or disapprove of the entry into the related party transaction. Where advance Audit Committee review of a related party transaction is not feasible or has otherwise not been obtained, then the related party transaction shall be reviewed subsequently by the Audit Committee (and such transaction may be ratified subsequently by the Audit Committee). The Audit Committee may also disapprove of a previously entered into related party transaction and may require that management of the Company take all reasonable efforts to terminate, unwind, cancel or annul the related party transaction. The Audit Committee shall be authorized to review in advance and provide standing pre-approval in advance of certain related party transactions or categories of related party transactions which include employment of executive officers, director compensation and others. The Audit Committee or the Board of Directors may recommend the creation of a special Audit Committee to review any related party transaction.

Each officer and/or director who is a related party with respect to a particular related party transaction shall disclose all material information to the Audit Committee concerning such related party transaction and his or her interest in such transaction. Any member of the Audit Committee who has a potential interest in any related party transaction shall recuse himself or herself and abstain from voting on the approval or ratification of the related party transaction but may participate in all or a portion of the Audit Committee’s discussions of the related party transaction, if requested by the Audit Committee.

In connection with its review of a related party transaction, the Audit Committee shall take into account, among other factors it deems appropriate, including the following factors, among others, to the extent relevant to the related party transaction:

● Whether the terms of the related party transaction are fair to the Company and would apply on the same basis if the transaction did not involve a related party, i.e., whether the terms of the transaction would be the same if the transaction was undertaken on an arms-length basis;

● Whether there are any compelling business reasons for the Company to enter into the related party transaction and the nature of alternative transactions, if any;

● Whether the related party transaction would impair the independence of an otherwise independent director or nominee for director;

● Whether the Company was notified about the related party transaction before its commencement and if not, why pre-approval was not sought and whether subsequent ratification would be detrimental to the Company; and

● Whether the related party transaction would present an improper conflict of interest for any related party, taking into account the size of the transaction, the overall financial position of the related party, the direct or indirect nature of the related party’s interest in the transaction and the ongoing nature of any proposed relationship and any other factors the Audit Committee deems relevant.

If a related party transaction will be ongoing, the Audit Committee may establish guidelines for the Company’s management to follow in its ongoing dealings with the related party. Thereafter, the Audit Committee shall periodically review and assess ongoing relationships with the related party. Any material amendment, renewal or extension of a transaction, arrangement or relationship previously reviewed under the Policy shall also be subject to subsequent review under the Policy.

In addition to guidelines for ongoing related party transactions, the Audit Committee may, as it deems appropriate and reasonable, establish from time-to-time guidelines regarding the review of other related party transactions including those that (i) involve de minimus amounts, (ii) do not require public disclosure, or (iii) involve transactions that have primarily a charitable purpose.

Director Independence

Our common stock was quoted for trading on the OTC Pink Sheet market operated by OTC Markets Group and we are not required to have independent members of our Board of Directors pursuant to OTC Pink Sheet market rules. Notwithstanding that we currently consider Leo Womack and Ivar Siem as independent directors.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.

Our independent public accounting firm is M&K CPAS, PLLC, Houston, Texas, PCAOB Auditor ID #2738.

M&K CPAS, PLLC (“M&K”) served as our independent registered public accounting firm for the years ended December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021. The following table shows the aggregate fees billed to us for these years by M&K.

Audit fees represent amounts billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements and the reviews of the financial statements included in our Form 10-Q reports.

Audit related fees represent fees billed for services related to review of our regulatory filings, including registration statements, periodic reports and audit related consulting.

Tax fess represent professional services for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

Other fess are any other services provided.

It is the policy of our Board of Directors that all services be provided by our independent registered public accounting firm, including audit services, and permitted audit-related and non-audit services, must be pre-approved by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors pre-approved all services, audit and non-audit related, provided to us by M&K for 2021 and 2022.

To assure continuing auditor independence, the Board of Directors periodically considers the independent auditor’s qualifications, performance and independence and whether there should be a regular rotation of our independent external audit firm.

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1) Audited Financial Statements for Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021

(2) Financial Statement Schedules

All financial statement schedules have been omitted, since the required information is not applicable or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule, or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this Form 10-K.

(3) Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K

* Filed herewith.

** Furnished herewith.

# Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY.

None.

SIGNATURES

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

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of l934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

Petrolia Energy Corporation

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Petrolia Energy Corporation (the Company) as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, changes in stockholders’ equity/(deficit), and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Going Concern

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the company has an accumulated deficit at December 31, 2022 and 2021 and has a working capital deficit at December 31, 2022, which raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans regarding these matters are also described in Note 3. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB .

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and the significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Going Concern

As discussed in Note 3, the Company has an accumulated deficit at December 31, 2022 and 2021 and has a working capital deficit at December 31, 2022, which raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans regarding these matters are also described in Note 3. Auditing management’s estimates of a going concern can be a significant judgment given the fact that the Company uses management estimates on future revenues and expenses, which are difficult to substantiate. To evaluate the appropriateness of the going concern, we examined and evaluated the consolidated financial information along with management’s plans to mitigate the going concern. In addition, we evaluated the Company’s disclosure in relation to this matter included in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.

s/ M&K CPAS, PLLC

M&K CPAS, PLLC

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2019

Houston, TX

May 12, 2023

PETROLIA ENERGY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited consolidated financial statements.

PETROLIA ENERGY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these audited consolidated financial statements.

PETROLIA ENERGY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS