T-REX OIL, INC. - Annual Report: 2007 (Form 10-K)
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-K
R |
|
ANNUAL
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF
1934
|
For
the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2007
or
£ |
|
TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF
1934
|
For
the
transition period from __________ to __________
Commission
file number: 000-51425
RANCHER
ENERGY CORP.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada
|
98-0422451
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of
incorporation
or organization)
|
(I.R.S.
Employer
Identification
Number)
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999-18th
Street, Suite 1740
Denver,
Colorado 80202
|
(Address
of principal executive offices, including zip
code)
|
(303)
629-1125
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(Telephone
number, including area code)
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Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None.
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Title
of each class
|
|
Common
Stock, par value $0.00001 per share
|
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined
in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes £
No
R
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
R
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to
be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for
the past 90 days. Yes R
No
£
Indicate
by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and
will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive
proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this
Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. £
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated
filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check
one):
Large
accelerated filer £
|
Accelerated
filer R
|
Non-accelerated
filer £
|
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes £
No
R
The
aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by
non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity
was
last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of
the
last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal
quarter ended September 30, 2006 was $83,142,808.
The
number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of
June 28, 2007 was 105,528,852.
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions
of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
PAGE
NO.
PART
I
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1
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Item
1.
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Business.
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2
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Item
1A.
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Risk
Factors.
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8
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Item
1B.
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Unresolved
Staff Comments.
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15
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Item
2.
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Properties.
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16
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Item
3.
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Legal
Proceedings.
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19
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Item
4.
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Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
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19
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PART
II
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20
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Item
5.
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Market
for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities.
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20
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Item
6.
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Selected
Financial Data.
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25
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Item
7.
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Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.
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26
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Item
7A.
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Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
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42
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Item
8.
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Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data.
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43
|
Item
9.
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Changes
in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure.
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43
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Item
9A.
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Controls
and Procedures.
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43
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Item
9B.
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Other
Information.
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52
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PART
III
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53
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Item
10.
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Directors,
Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
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53
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Item
11.
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Executive
Compensation.
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53
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Item
12.
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Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters.
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53
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Item
13.
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Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director
Independence.
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53
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Item
14.
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Principal
Accountant Fees and Services.
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53
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PART
IV
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54
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Item
15.
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Exhibits,
Financial Statement Schedules.
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54
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For
abbreviations on definitions of certain terms used in the oil & gas industry
and in this Annual Report, please refer to the section entitled “Glossary of
Abbreviations and Terms” in Item 1 Business.
As
used
in this document, references to “Rancher Energy”, “our company”, “the Company”,
“we”, “us”, and “our” refer to Rancher Energy Corp. and its wholly-owned
subsidiary. In this Annual Report, the “Cole Creek South Field” also is referred
to as the “South Cole Creek Field”.
PART
I
CAUTIONARY
STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The
statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are not historical
are “forward-looking statements”, as that term is defined in Section 27A of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
Exchange Act), that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.
These
forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:
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•
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business
strategy;
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•
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CO2
availability, deliverability, and tertiary production
targets;
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•
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inventories,
projects, and programs;
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•
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other
anticipated capital expenditures and
budgets;
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•
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future
cash flows and borrowings;
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•
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the
availability and terms of
financing;
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|
•
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oil
reserves;
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•
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reservoir
response to CO2
injection;
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•
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ability
to obtain permits and governmental approvals;
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•
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technology;
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•
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financial
strategy;
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•
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realized
oil prices;
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•
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production;
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•
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lease
operating expenses, general and administrative costs, and finding
and
development costs;
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•
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availability
and costs of drilling rigs and field services;
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•
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future
operating results; and
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•
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plans,
objectives, expectations, and intentions.
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These
statements may be found under “Risk Factors”, “Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, “Business”,
“Properties” and other sections of this Annual Report. Forward-looking
statements are typically identified by use of terms such as “may”, “could”,
“should”, “expect”, “plan”, “project”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “believe”,
“estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “pursue”, “target” or “continue”, the
negative of such terms or other comparable terminology, although some
forward-looking statements may be expressed differently.
The
forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report are largely based
on
our expectations, which reflect estimates and assumptions made by our
management. These estimates and assumptions reflect our best judgment based
on
currently known market conditions and other factors. Although we believe such
estimates and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and
involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are beyond our control. In
addition, management’s assumptions about future events may prove to be
inaccurate. Management cautions all readers that the forward-looking statements
contained in this Annual Report are not guarantees of future performance, and
we
cannot assure any reader that such statements will be realized or the
forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. Actual results may differ
materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements
due to the factors listed in the “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in this
Annual Report. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of
this
Annual Report. We do not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. These
cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to
us
or persons acting on our behalf.
1
ITEM
1. BUSINESS.
The
Company
We
are an
independent energy company engaged in the development, production, and marketing
of oil & gas in North America. Our business strategy is to use modern
tertiary recovery techniques on older, historically productive fields with
proven in-place oil & gas. Higher oil & gas prices, and advances in
technology such as 3-D seismic acquisition and evaluation and carbon dioxide
(CO2)
injection, should enable us to capitalize on attractive sources of potentially
recoverable oil & gas.
We
operate three fields in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming, which is located in
the
Rocky Mountain region of the United States. The fields, acquired in
December 2006 and January 2007, are the South Glenrock B Field, the
Big Muddy Field, and the Cole Creek South Field. All three fields currently
produce some oil and are CO2
tertiary
recovery candidates. We plan to substantially increase production in our fields
by using CO
2
injection
and other enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques. To
fund
the acquisition of the three fields and our operating expenses, from June 2006
through January 2007, we sold $89,300,000 of our securities in two private
placements. In December 2006, we also entered into an agreement with the
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation to supply us with CO2
needed
to
conduct CO2
tertiary
recovery operations in our three fields. We are in the process of planning
for a
pipeline to transport the CO2
to our
fields and for infrastructure improvements to implement EOR
techniques.
Led
by an
experienced management team, our long term goal is to enhance stockholder value
by identifying and further developing productive oil & gas assets across
North America, particularly in the Rocky Mountains. Our headquarters office
is
located in Denver, Colorado and our field office is located in Glenrock,
Wyoming. We have 25 employees.
Incorporation
and Organization
We
were
incorporated on February 4, 2004, as Metalex Resources, Inc., in the State
of Nevada. Prior to April 2006, we were engaged in the exploration of a
gold prospect in British Columbia, Canada. Metalex found no commercially
exploitable deposits or reserves of gold. During April 2006, our
stockholders voted to change our name to Rancher Energy Corp. Since
April 2006, we have employed a new Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating
Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, Engineering, and
have been actively pursuing oil & gas prospects in the Rocky Mountain
region.
Business
Strategy
As
part
of our corporate strategy, we believe in the following fundamental
principles:
· |
Pursue
attractive reserve and leasehold acquisitions that provide the opportunity
for the use of EOR techniques, which offer significant upside potential
while not exposing us to risks associated with drilling new field
wildcat
wells in frontier basins;
|
· |
Pursue
selective complementary acquisitions of long-lived producing properties
which include a high degree of operating control, and oil & gas
entities that offer opportunities to profitably develop oil & gas
reserves;
|
2
· |
Drive
growth through technology and drilling by supplementing long-term
reserve
and production growth through the use of modern reservoir
characterization, engineering, and production technology; and
|
· |
Maximize
operational control by operating a significant portion of our assets
and
continuing to serve as operator of future properties when possible,
giving
us increased control over costs, timing, and all development, production,
and exploration activities.
|
Our
Recent Acquisitions
On
January 4, 2007, we acquired the Big Muddy Field, which is located in the
Powder River Basin east of Casper, Wyoming. The total purchase price was
$25,000,000, and closing costs were $672,638.
On
December 22, 2006, we purchased certain oil & gas properties for
$46,750,000, before adjustments for the period from the effective date to the
closing date, plus costs of $323,657 and warrants to purchase 250,000 shares
of
our common stock. The oil & gas properties consisted of (i) a 100% working
interest (79.3% net revenue interest) in the Cole Creek South Field, which
is
located in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin; and (ii) a 93.6% working interest
(74.5% net revenue interest) in the South Glenrock B Field, which also is
located in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin.
Our
Development Program
We
have
completed field studies and economic analyses of the Dakota, Lower Muddy, and
Upper Muddy horizons in the South Glenrock B Field and the Wall Creek horizon
of
the Big Muddy Field, and have entered into a CO2
supply
agreement. We are also seeking arrangements for other CO2
supplies.
We are planning to proceed with the tertiary development of the South Glenrock
B
Field, subject to obtaining additional financing. Our planned order of
development will be the South Glenrock B Field, the Big Muddy Field, and then
the Cole Creek South Field.
Oil
& Gas Operations
Our
three
fields are oil producing, as further described in Item 2, and are all candidates
for EOR operations including CO2
tertiary
recovery.
CO2
Tertiary
Recovery
Our
business strategy is to employ modern EOR technology to recover hydrocarbons
that remain behind in mature reservoirs. The closing of our private placement
of
equity financing, the acquisition of the South Glenrock B Field, the Big Muddy
Field, and the Cole Creek South Field located in the Powder River Basin, and
entry into the CO2
supply
contract with Anadarko were important steps in executing our business strategy.
Important next steps are to secure debt financing in a sufficient amount for
our
development program, complete the required environmental and regulatory
permitting, build a spur pipeline to transport CO2
from an
existing CO2
trunk
pipeline to the Glenrock area, build out the field infrastructure appropriate
for CO2
flood
operations, shoot 3-D seismic, and complete the necessary drilling and well
work.
CO2
injection is one of the most prevalent tertiary recovery mechanisms for
producing light oil. The CO2,
at
sufficient pressure, acts as a solvent for the oil causing the oil to be
physically washed from the reservoir rock and produced. The CO2
is then
separated from the oil, compressed, and re-injected into the reservoir. This
recycling process allows the reuse of the purchased CO2
several
times during the life of the tertiary operation. In a typical oil field, much
of
the original oil in place (OOIP) is left behind after primary production and
waterflood operations. In many cases this is in the range of 50% to 75% of
the
OOIP. This oil, in mature reservoirs with extensive data and historic
production, is the target of miscible EOR technology.
3
We
intend
to conduct a 3-D seismic survey on the South Glenrock B and Big Muddy Fields
in
conjunction with the CO2
development program. The seismic information will be used to further define
reservoir configuration and trapping, thus filling in gaps in the available
information for our fields.
Anadarko
CO2
Supply Agreement
As
part
of our CO2
tertiary
recovery strategy, on December 15, 2006, we entered into a Product Sale and
Purchase Contract (Purchase Contract) with Anadarko for the purchase of
CO2
(meeting
certain quality specifications). We intend to use the CO2
for our
EOR projects.
The
primary term of the Purchase Contract commences upon the later of
January 1, 2008, or the date of the first CO2
delivery,
and terminates upon the earlier of the day on which we have taken and paid
for
the Total Contract Quantity, as defined, or 10 years from the commencement
date.
We have the right to terminate the Purchase Contract at any time with notice
to
Anadarko, subject to a termination payment as specified in the Purchase
Contract.
During
the primary term, the “Daily Contract Quantity” is 40 MMcf per day for a total
of 146 Bcf. CO2
deliveries are subject to a 25 MMcf per day take-or-pay provision. Anadarko
has
the right to satisfy its own needs before sales to us, which reduces our take
or
pay obligation. In the event the CO2
does not
meet certain quality specifications, we have the right to refuse delivery of
such CO2.
For
CO2
deliveries, we have agreed to pay $1.50 per thousand cubic feet, to be adjusted
by a factor that is indexed to the average posted price of Wyoming Sweet oil.
From oil that is produced by CO2
injection, we have also agreed to convey to Anadarko an overriding royalty
interest that increases over time, not to exceed 5%.
In
addition to the CO2
supply
arrangement with Anadarko, we plan to pursue the acquisition of additional
daily
volumes of CO2.
Additional CO2
supplies
would be used to increase CO2
injection rates, with the expectation that increased oil production rates would
result.
CO2
Pipeline Construction
Under
the
Purchase Contract with Anadarko, we have the responsibility for providing
pipeline transportation of purchased CO2
from a
connection point on the Anadarko trunkline to our project area. We are
evaluating alternatives to construct and operate the pipeline. We have engaged
an engineering firm to study potential routes and configurations. Depending
on
the final route selection, the pipeline may range from 50 to 132 miles in
length, and cost estimates range from $50 to $110 million.
We
are
exploring two options to finance construction of the pipeline. One option is
to
have a third party build, own, and operate the CO2
pipeline. This operator would be reimbursed for operating expenses and capital
investment by way of a transportation tariff on the CO2
delivered, with the tariff varying as a function of throughput. The second
option is for us to construct, own, and operate the pipeline. We would require
additional capital for this option. We are currently planning to borrow funds
to
implement development of our fields, and we may include the funds necessary
for
construction of the CO2
pipeline
in a debt financing.
4
Anadarko
currently is receiving CO2
for its
Salt Creek Field in Wyoming from the ExxonMobil Corporation through a 125-mile,
16 inch pipeline constructed in 2004. ExxonMobil collects CO2
from its
natural gas fields at LaBarge, Wyoming, and processes the gas at its Shute
Creek
gas sweetening plant. ExxonMobil then transports the CO2
to the
origin of the pipeline for delivery to Anadarko’s Salt Creek Field.
Financing
Plans
We
are
planning to obtain funding for the surface facility construction, 3-D seismic,
well drilling and conversion, other development costs, the cost of purchasing
and transporting CO2,
and
potentially the CO2
pipeline. We expect this financing will be primarily fixed term debt with a
high
interest rate secured by our properties. We also expect to arrange for a senior
revolving debt facility supported by our proved oil reserves. Our goal is to
close both debt financings in the third calendar quarter of 2007. Completion
of
these debt offerings will be subject to market conditions and Company-specific
factors.
Federal
and State Regulations
Numerous
federal and state laws and regulations govern the oil & gas industry. These
laws and regulations are often changed in response to changes in the political
or economic environment. Compliance with this evolving regulatory burden is
often difficult and costly, and substantial penalties may be incurred for
noncompliance. The following section describes some specific laws and
regulations that may affect us. We cannot predict the impact of these or future
legislative or regulatory initiatives.
Based
on
current laws and regulations, management believes that we are and will be in
substantial compliance with all laws and regulations applicable to our current
and proposed operations and that continued compliance with existing requirements
will not have a material adverse impact on us. The future annual capital costs
of complying with the regulations applicable to our operations is uncertain
and
will be governed by several factors, including future changes to regulatory
requirements. However, management does not currently anticipate that future
compliance will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial
position or results of operations.
Regulation
of Oil Exploration and Production
Our
operations are subject to various types of regulation at the federal, state,
and
local levels. Such regulation includes requiring permits for drilling wells,
maintaining bonding requirements in order to drill or operate wells and
regulating the location of wells, the method of drilling and casing wells,
the
surface use and restoration of properties upon which wells are drilled, the
plugging and abandoning of wells, and the disposal of fluids used in connection
with operations. Our operations are also subject to various conservation laws
and regulations. These include the regulation of the size of drilling and
spacing units or proration units and the density of wells that may be drilled
in
those units and the unitization or pooling of oil & gas properties. In
addition, state conservation laws establish maximum rates of production from
oil
& gas wells and generally prohibit the venting or flaring of gas. The effect
of these regulations may limit the amount of oil & gas we can produce from
our wells and may limit the number of wells or the locations at which we can
drill. The regulatory burden on the oil & gas industry increases our costs
of doing business and, consequently, affects our profitability.
Federal
Regulation of Sales Prices and Transportation
The
transportation and certain sales of oil in interstate commerce are heavily
regulated by agencies of the U.S. federal government and are affected by the
availability, terms, and cost of transportation. In particular, the price and
terms of access to pipeline transportation are subject to extensive U.S. federal
and state regulation. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is
continually proposing and implementing new rules and regulations affecting
the
oil industry. The stated purpose of many of these regulatory changes is to
promote competition among the various sectors of the oil & gas industry. The
ultimate impact of the complex rules and regulations issued by FERC cannot
be
predicted. Some of FERC’s proposals may, however, adversely affect the
availability and reliability of interruptible transportation service on
interstate pipelines. While our sales of crude oil are not currently subject
to
FERC regulation, our ability to transport and sell such products is dependent
on
certain pipelines whose rates, terms, and conditions of service are subject
to
FERC regulation. Additional proposals and proceedings that might affect the
oil
& gas industry are considered from time to time by Congress, FERC, state
regulatory bodies, and the courts. We cannot predict when or if any such
proposals might become effective and their effect, if any, on our operations.
Historically, the oil & gas industry has been heavily regulated; therefore,
there is no assurance that the less stringent regulatory approach recently
pursued by FERC, Congress and the states will continue indefinitely into the
future.
5
Federal
or State Leases
Our
operations on federal or state oil & gas leases are subject to numerous
restrictions, including nondiscrimination statutes. Such operations must be
conducted pursuant to certain on-site security regulations and other permits
and
authorizations issued by the Bureau of Land Management, Minerals Management
Service (MMS), and other agencies.
Regulation
of Proposed CO2
Pipeline
Numerous
federal and state regulations govern pipeline construction and operations.
The
primary pipeline construction permits may include environmental assessments
for
federal lands, right of way permits for fee and state lands, and oversight
of
ongoing pipeline operations by the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
Environmental
Regulations
Public
interest in the protection of the environment has increased dramatically in
recent years. Our oil production and CO2
injection operations and our processing, handling, and disposal of hazardous
materials such as hydrocarbons and naturally occurring radioactive materials
(NORM) are subject to stringent regulation. We could incur significant costs,
including cleanup costs resulting from a release of hazardous material,
third-party claims for property damage and personal injuries, fines and
sanctions, as a result of any violations or liabilities under environmental
or
other laws. Changes in or more stringent enforcement of environmental laws
could
also result in additional operating costs and capital expenditures.
Various
federal, state, and local laws regulating the discharge of materials into the
environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment,
directly impact oil & gas exploration, development, and production
operations, and consequently may impact our operations and costs. These
regulations include, among others (i) regulations by the EPA and various state
agencies regarding approved methods of disposal for certain hazardous and
nonhazardous wastes; (ii) the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act, Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act,
and analogous state laws that regulate the removal or remediation of previously
disposed wastes (including wastes disposed of or released by prior owners or
operators), property contamination (including groundwater contamination), and
remedial plugging operations to prevent future contamination; (iii) the Clean
Air Act and comparable state and local requirements, which may result in the
gradual imposition of certain pollution control requirements with respect to
air
emissions from the our operations; (iv) the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which
contains numerous requirements relating to the prevention of and response to
oil
spills into waters of the United States; (v) the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act, which is the principal federal statute governing the treatment,
storage, and disposal of hazardous wastes; and (vi) state regulations and
statutes governing the handling, treatment, storage, and disposal of naturally
occurring radioactive material.
6
Management
believes that we are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental
laws and regulations and intend to remain in compliance in the future. To date,
we have not expended any material amounts to comply with such regulations,
and
management does not currently anticipate that future compliance will have a
material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of
operations, or cash flows.
Available
Information
We
make
our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports
on Form 8-K, and amendments to reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section
13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act available free of charge under the Investors
Relations page on our website, www.rancherenergy.com,
as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are electronically filed
with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information on our website or any other website
is not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report. Our SEC filings are
also
available through the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov,
and may
be read and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Information regarding the operation of the Public
Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330.
Glossary
of Abbreviations and Terms
Anadarko.
|
The
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation.
|
Bcf.
|
One
billion cubic feet of natural gas at standard atmospheric
conditions.
|
CO2.
|
Carbon
Dioxide.
|
EOR.
|
Enhanced
oil recovery.
|
Field.
|
An
area consisting of either a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs,
all
grouped on or related to the same individual geological structural
feature
and/or stratigraphic condition.
|
MMcf.
|
One
million cubic feet of natural gas.
|
Metalex.
|
Metalex
Resources, Inc.
|
Miscible.
|
Capable
of being mixed in all proportions. Water and oil are not miscible.
Alcohol
and water are miscible. CO2 and oil can be miscible under the
proper conditions.
|
Proved
reserves.
|
The
estimated quantities of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids
which
geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty
to
be commercially recoverable in future years from known reservoirs
under
existing economic and operating conditions.
|
Purchase
Contract.
|
The
Anadarko Product Sale and Purchase
Contract.
|
7
Tertiary
recovery.
|
The
third process used for oil recovery. Usually primary recovery is
the
result of depletion drive, secondary recovery is from a waterflood,
and
tertiary recovery is an enhanced oil recovery process such as
CO2 flooding.
|
Working
interest.
|
An
interest in an oil & gas lease that gives the owner of the interest
the right to drill and produce oil & gas on the leased acreage and
requires the owner to pay a share of the costs of drilling and production
operations. The share of production to which a working interest owner
is
entitled will always be smaller than the share of costs that the
working
interest owner is required to bear, with the balance of the production
accruing to the owners of
royalties.
|
ITEM
1A. RISK
FACTORS.
You
should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as the other
information included or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report, before
making an investment in our common stock. The risks described below are not
the
only ones we face in our business. Additional risks and uncertainties not
presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also
impair our business operations. If any of the following risks occur, our
business, financial condition, or operating results could be materially harmed.
In such an event, our common stock could decline in price and you may lose
all
or part of your investment.
Risks
Related to our Industry, Business, and Strategy
We
may not be able to develop the three Powder River Basin properties as we
anticipate.
Our
plans
to develop the properties are dependent on the construction of a CO2
pipeline
and a sufficient supply of CO2.
We must
arrange for the construction of a CO2
pipeline
on acceptable terms and build related infrastructure. The achievement of these
objectives is subject to numerous uncertainties, including the raising of
sufficient funding for the construction of key infrastructure and
working capital, and our reliance on a third party to provide us the requisite
CO2,
the
supply of which is beyond our control. We may not be able to achieve these
objectives on the schedule we anticipate or at all.
Our
production is dependent upon sufficient amounts of CO2
and will decline if our access to sufficient amounts of
CO2
is limited.
Our
long-term growth strategy is focused on our CO2
tertiary
recovery operations. The crude oil production from our tertiary recovery
projects depends on having access to sufficient amounts of CO2.
Our
ability to produce this oil would be hindered if our supply of CO2
were
limited due to problems with the supply, delivery, and quality of the supplied
CO2,
problems with our facilities, including compression equipment, or catastrophic
pipeline failure. Our agreement with our current sole supplier of CO2
provides
that before it delivers CO2
to us,
it may satisfy its own CO2
needs.
If we are not successful in obtaining the required amount of CO2
to
achieve crude oil production or the crude oil production in the future were
to
decline as a result of a decrease in delivered CO2
supply,
it could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results
of operations and cash flows.
8
If
we are unable to obtain additional debt financing our business plans will not
be
achievable.
Our
current cash position will not be sufficient to fund construction of the
CO2
pipeline, or the development of our three properties. We will require
substantial additional funding. Our plan is to obtain debt financing. The terms
of any debt financing may restrict our future business activities and
expenditures. We do not know if additional financing will be available at all
when needed or on acceptable terms. Insufficient funds will prevent us from
implementing our tertiary recovery business strategy.
Our
development and tertiary recovery operations require substantial capital and
we
may be unable to obtain needed capital or financing on satisfactory terms,
which
could lead to a loss of properties and a decline in our oil reserves.
The
oil
industry is capital intensive. We make and expect to continue to make
substantial capital expenditures in our business and operations for the
development, production, and acquisition of oil & gas reserves. To date, we
have financed capital expenditures primarily with sales of our equity
securities. We intend to finance our capital expenditures in the near term
with
debt financing. Our access to capital is subject to a number of variables,
including:
· |
our
proved reserves;
|
· |
the
amount of oil we are able to produce from existing
wells;
|
· |
the
prices at which the oil is sold;
and
|
· |
our
ability to acquire, locate, and produce new
reserves.
|
We
may,
from time to time, need to seek additional financing following our anticipated
debt financing, either in the form of increased bank borrowings, sales of debt
or equity securities or other forms of financing, and there can be no assurance
as to the availability or terms of any additional financing. Additionally,
we
may not be able to obtain debt or equity financing on terms favorable to us,
or
at all. A failure to obtain additional financing to meet our capital
requirements could result in a curtailment of our operations relating to our
tertiary recovery operations and development of our fields, which in turn could
lead to a possible loss of properties, through foreclosure, if we are unable
to
meet the terms of our anticipated debt financing and/or forfeiture of the
properties pursuant to the terms of their respective leases, and a decline
in
our oil reserves.
We
have a limited operating history in the oil business, and we cannot predict
our
future operations with any certainty.
We
were
organized in 2004 to explore a gold prospect and in 2006 changed our business
focus to oil & gas development using CO2
injection technology. Our future financial results depend primarily on (i)
our
ability to finance and complete development of the required infrastructure
associated with our three properties in the Powder River Basin, including having
a pipeline built to deliver CO2
to our
fields and the construction of surface facilities on our fields; (ii) the
success of our CO2
injection program; and (iii) the market price for oil. We cannot predict that
our future operations will be profitable. In addition, our operating results
may
vary significantly during any financial period.
Oil
prices are volatile and a decline in oil prices can significantly affect our
financial results and impede our growth.
Our
revenues, profitability, and liquidity are substantially dependent upon prices
for oil, which can be extremely volatile, and even relatively modest drops
in
prices can significantly affect our financial results and impede our growth.
Prices for oil may fluctuate widely in response to relatively minor changes
in
the supply of and demand for oil, market uncertainty, and a wide variety of
additional factors that are beyond our control, such as the domestic and foreign
supply of oil; the price of foreign imports; the ability of members of the
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to agree to and maintain oil
price
and production controls; technological advances affecting energy consumption;
domestic and foreign governmental regulations; and the variations between
product prices at sales points and applicable index prices.
9
We
have incurred losses from operations in the past and expect to do so in the
future.
We
have
never been profitable. We incurred net losses of $8,702,255 and $124,453 for
the
fiscal years ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006, respectively. We
do not expect to be profitable during the fiscal year ending March 31,
2008. Our acquisition and development of prospects will require substantial
additional capital expenditures in the future. The uncertainty and factors
described throughout this section may impede our ability to economically
acquire, develop, and exploit oil reserves. As a result, we may not be able
to
achieve or sustain profitability or positive cash flows from operating
activities in the future.
We
could be adversely impacted by changes in the oil
market.
The
marketability of our oil production will depend in part upon the availability,
proximity, and capacity of pipelines, and surface and processing facilities.
Federal and state regulation of oil production and transportation, general
economic conditions, changes in supply and changes in demand all could adversely
affect our ability to produce and market oil. If market factors were to change
dramatically, the financial impact could be substantial because we would incur
expenses without receiving revenues from the sale of production. The
availability of markets is beyond our control.
We
may be unable to develop additional reserves.
Our
ability to develop future revenues will depend on whether we can successfully
implement our planned CO2
injection program. We have no experience using CO2
technology, the properties we plan to acquire have not been injected with
CO2
in the
past, and recovery factors cannot be estimated with precision. Our planned
projects may not result in significant proved reserves or in the production
levels we anticipate.
We
are dependent on our management team and the loss of any of these individuals
would harm our business.
Our
success is dependent, in large part, on the continued services of John Works,
our President & Chief Executive Officer, John Dobitz, our Senior Vice
President, Engineering, Andrew Casazza, our Chief Operating Officer, and Daniel
P. Foley, our Chief Financial Officer. There is no guarantee that any of the
members of our management team will remain employed by us. While we have
employment agreements with them, their continued service cannot be assured.
The
loss of our senior executives could harm our business.
Oil
operations are inherently risky.
The
nature of the oil business involves a variety of risks, including the risks
of
operating hazards such as fires, explosions, cratering, blow-outs, encountering
formations with abnormal pressure, pipeline ruptures and spills, and releases
of
toxic gas and other environmental hazards and pollution. The occurrence of
any
of these risks could result in losses. The occurrence of any one of these
significant events, if it is not fully insured against, could have a material
adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.
10
We
are subject to extensive government regulations.
Our
business is affected by numerous federal, state, and local laws and regulations,
including energy, environmental, conservation, tax and other laws and
regulations relating to the oil industry. These include, but are not limited
to:
· |
the
prevention of waste;
|
· |
the
discharge of materials into the
environment;
|
· |
the
conservation of oil;
|
· |
pollution;
|
· |
permits
for drilling operations;
|
· |
underground
gas injection permits;
|
· |
drilling
bonds; and
|
· |
reports
concerning operations, the spacing of wells, and the unitization
and
pooling of properties.
|
Failure
to comply with any laws and regulations may result in the assessment of
administrative, civil, and criminal penalties, the imposition of injunctive
relief or both. Moreover, changes in any of these laws and regulations could
have a material adverse effect on our business. In view of the many
uncertainties with respect to current and future laws and regulations, including
their applicability to us, we cannot predict the overall effect of such laws
and
regulations on our future operations.
Government
regulation and environmental risks could increase our
costs.
Many
jurisdictions have at various times imposed limitations on the production of
oil
by restricting the rate of flow for oil wells below their actual capacity to
produce. Our operations will be subject to stringent laws and regulations
relating to environmental issues. These laws and regulations may require the
acquisition of a permit before drilling commences, restrict the types,
quantities, and concentration of materials that can be released into the
environment in connection with drilling and production activities, limit or
prohibit drilling activities in protected areas, and impose substantial
liabilities for pollution resulting from our operations. Changes in
environmental laws and regulations occur frequently, and changes could result
in
substantially increased costs. Because current regulations covering our
operations are subject to change at any time, we may incur significant costs
for
compliance in the future.
The
properties we have acquired are located in the Powder River Basin in the Rocky
Mountains, making us vulnerable to risks associated with operating in one major
geographic area.
Our
activities are focused on the Powder River Basin in the Rocky Mountain region
of
the United States, which means our properties are geographically concentrated
in
that area. As a result, we may in the future be disproportionately exposed
to
the impact of delays or interruptions of production from these wells caused
by
significant governmental regulation, transportation capacity constraints,
curtailment of production, or interruption of transportation of oil produced
from the wells in this basin.
11
Seasonal
weather conditions adversely affect our ability to conduct drilling activities
and tertiary recovery operations in some of the areas where we operate.
Oil
&
gas operations in the Rocky Mountains are adversely affected by seasonal weather
conditions. In certain areas, drilling and other oil & gas activities can
only be conducted during the spring and summer months. This limits our ability
to operate in those areas and can intensify competition during those months
for
drilling rigs, oil field equipment, services, supplies, and qualified personnel,
which may lead to periodic shortages. Resulting shortages or high costs could
delay our operations and materially increase our operating and capital
costs.
Competition
in the oil & gas industry is intense, which may adversely affect our ability
to succeed.
The
oil
& gas industry is intensely competitive, and we compete with companies that
are significantly larger and have greater resources. Many of these companies
not
only explore for and produce oil, but also carry on refining operations and
market petroleum and other products on a regional, national, or worldwide basis.
These companies may be able to pay more for oil properties and prospects or
define, evaluate, bid for, and purchase a greater number of properties and
prospects than our financial or human resources permit. Our larger competitors
may be able to absorb the burden of present and future federal, state, local,
and other laws and regulations more easily than we can, which would adversely
affect our competitive position. Our ability to acquire additional properties
and to increase reserves in the future will be dependent upon our ability to
evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a
highly competitive environment.
Oil
prices may be impacted adversely by new taxes.
The
federal, state, and local governments in which we operate impose taxes on the
oil products we plan to sell. In the past, there has been a significant amount
of discussion by legislators and presidential administrations concerning a
variety of energy tax proposals. In addition, many states have raised state
taxes on energy sources and additional increases may occur. We cannot predict
whether any of these measures would have an adverse impact on oil
prices.
Shortages
of equipment, supplies, and personnel, and delays in construction of the
CO2 pipeline,
construction of surface facilities, and delivery of CO2 could
delay or otherwise adversely affect our cost of operations or our ability to
operate according to our business plans.
We
may
experience shortages of field equipment and qualified personnel and delays
in
the construction of the CO2
pipeline, construction of surface facilities, and delivery of CO2,
which
may cause delays in our ability to conduct tertiary recovery operations, and
drill, complete, test, and connect wells to processing facilities. Additionally,
these costs have sharply increased in various areas. The demand for and wage
rates of qualified crews generally rise in response to the increased number
of
active rigs in service and could increase sharply in the event of a shortage.
Shortages of field equipment or qualified personnel and delays in the
construction of the CO2
pipeline, construction of surface facilities, and delivery of CO2
could
delay, restrict, or curtail our exploration and development operations, which
may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results
of operations.
Shortages
of transportation services and processing facilities may result in our receiving
a discount in the price we receive for oil sales or may adversely affect our
ability to sell our oil.
We
may
experience limited access to transportation lines, trucks or rail cars in order
to transport our oil to processing facilities. We may also experience limited
processing capacity at our facilities. If either or both of these situations
arise, we may not be able to sell our oil at prevailing market prices or we
may
be completely unable to sell our oil, which may materially adversely affect
our
business, financial condition, and results of operations.
12
Estimating
our reserves, production and future net cash flow is difficult to do with any
certainty.
Estimating
quantities of proved oil & gas reserves is a complex process. It requires
interpretations of available technical data and various assumptions, including
assumptions relating to economic factors, such as future commodity prices,
production costs, severance and excise taxes, capital expenditures and workover
and remedial costs, and the assumed effect of governmental regulation. There
are
numerous uncertainties about when a property may have proved reserves as
compared to potential or probable reserves, particularly relating to our
tertiary recovery operations. Actual results most likely will vary from our
estimates. Also, the use of a 10% discount factor for reporting purposes, as
prescribed by the SEC, may not necessarily represent the most appropriate
discount factor, given actual interest rates and risks to which our business
or
the oil & gas industry in general is subject. Any significant inaccuracies
in these interpretations or assumptions or changes of conditions could result
in
a reduction of the quantities and net present value of our reserves.
Quantities
of proved reserves are estimated based on economic conditions, including oil
& gas prices in existence at the date of assessment. Our reserves and future
cash flows may be subject to revisions based upon changes in economic
conditions, including oil & gas prices, as well as due to production
results, results of future development, operating and development costs, and
other factors. Downward revisions of our reserves could have an adverse affect
on our financial condition, operating results, and cash flows.
Risks
Related to our Common Stock
The
trading market for our common stock is relatively new, so investors may have
difficulty selling significant number of shares of our stock, and our stock
price may decline.
Our
common stock is not traded on a national securities exchange. It has been traded
on the OTC Bulletin Board since early 2006. The average daily trading volume
of
our common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board was approximately 219,000 shares
per
day over the three month period ended May 31, 2007. If there were only
limited trading in our stock, the price of our common stock could be negatively
affected and it could be difficult for investors to sell a significant number
of
shares in the public market.
Our
capital raising activities are expected to involve the issuance of securities
exercisable for or convertible into common stock, which would dilute the
ownership of our existing stockholders and could result in a decline in the
trading price of our common stock. We will need to obtain substantial additional
financing, which may include sales of our securities, including common stock,
warrants, and convertible debt securities, in order to fund our planned property
acquisitions and development program. The issuance of such securities will
result in the dilution of existing investors. Furthermore, we may enter into
financing transactions at prices that represent a substantial discount to the
market prices of our common stock. These transactions may have a negative impact
on the trading price of our common stock.
Sales
of a substantial number of shares in the future may result in significant
downward pressure on the price of our common stock and could affect the ability
of our stockholders to realize the current trading price of our common stock.
If
our
stockholders and new investors sell significant amounts of our stock, our stock
price could drop. Even a perception by the market that the stockholders will
sell in large amounts could place significant downward pressure on our stock
price. In addition, the sale of these shares could impair our ability to raise
capital through the sale of additional stock.
13
Our
stock price and trading volume may be volatile, which could result in losses
for
our stockholders.
The
equity trading markets may experience periods of volatility, which could result
in highly variable and unpredictable pricing of equity securities. The market
of
our common stock could change in ways that may or may not be related to our
business, our industry, or our operating performance and financial condition.
In
addition, the trading volume in our common stock may fluctuate and cause
significant price variations to occur. Some of the factors that could negatively
affect our share price or result in fluctuations in the price or trading volume
of our common stock include:
· |
Actual
or anticipated quarterly variations in our operating
results;
|
· |
Changes
in expectations as to our future financial performance or changes
in
financial estimates, if any;
|
· |
Announcements
relating to our business or the business of our
competitors;
|
· |
Conditions
generally affecting the oil & gas
industry;
|
· |
The
success of our operating strategy;
and
|
· |
The
operating and stock performance of other comparable
companies.
|
Many
of
these factors are beyond our control, and we cannot predict their potential
effects on the price of our common stock. If the market price of our common
stock declines significantly, you may be unable to resell your shares of common
stock at or above the price you acquired those shares. We cannot assure you
that
the market price of our common stock will not fluctuate or decline
significantly.
There
are risks associated with forward-looking statements made by us and actual
results may differ.
Some
of
the information in this Annual Report contains forward-looking statements that
involve substantial risks and uncertainties. These statements can be identified
by the use of forward-looking words such as “may”, “will”, “expect”,
“anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, and “continue”, or similar words.
Statements that contain these words should be read carefully because
they:
· |
discuss
our future expectations;
|
· |
contain
projections of our future results of operations or of our financial
condition; and
|
· |
state
other “forward-looking”
information.
|
We
believe it is important to communicate our expectations. However, there may
be
events in the future that we are not able to accurately predict and/or over
which we have no control. The risk factors listed in this section, other risk
factors about which we may not be aware, as well as any cautionary language
in
this Annual Report, provide examples of risks, uncertainties, and events that
may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we
describe in our forward-looking statements. The occurrence of the events
described in these risk factors could have an adverse effect on our business,
results of operations, and financial condition.
NASD
sales practice requirements limit a stockholders' ability to buy and sell our
stock.
The
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD) has adopted rules that
require that in recommending an investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must
have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that
customer. Prior to recommending speculative low priced securities to their
non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to
obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status, investment
objectives, and other information. Under interpretations of these rules, the
NASD believes that there is a high probability that speculative low priced
securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. The NASD
requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their
customers buy our common stock, which has the effect of reducing the level
of
trading activity and liquidity of our common stock. Further, many brokers charge
higher transactional fees for penny stock transactions. As a result, fewer
broker-dealers are willing to make a market in our common stock, reducing a
stockholders' ability to resell shares of our common stock.
14
We
do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. As a result, holders
of our common stock must rely on stock appreciation for any return on their
investment.
We
do not
anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.
Any payment of cash dividends will also depend on our financial condition,
results of operations, capital requirements, and other factors and will be
at
the discretion of our Board of Directors. We also expect that if we obtain
debt
financing, there will be contractual restrictions on, or prohibitions against,
the payment of dividends. Accordingly, holders of our common stock will have
to
rely on capital appreciation, if any, to earn a return on their investment
in
our common stock.
If
we are required to continue to make penalty payments with respect to
registration and other obligations incurred as part of our recent private
placement financing, such payments could have an adverse effect on our financial
condition and liquidity and operating plans.
In
connection with our December 2006 and January 2007 equity private placement
we
entered into various agreements that obligate us to make payments to the
investors if we fail to meet filing and other deadlines relating to the
registration for resale of the shares of common stock and shares of common
stock
underlying the warrants sold in the private placement and other matters. The
potential payments are detailed in Note 6 - Sale of Common Stock and
Warrants to the Notes to Financial Statements of our audited financial
statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 in Part IV,
Item 15, of this Annual Report. We have recently made two penalty payments
in shares due to a failure to obtain effectiveness of the registration statement
and more penalty payments may need to be made in the future. The issuances
of
shares to the investors in the equity private placement will result in a
dilution of the percentage ownership of the common stock held by our other
stockholders. If we are required to make substantial payments, our liquidity
and
capital resources could be adversely affected as well as our operating
plans.
ITEM
1B. UNRESOLVED
STAFF COMMENTS.
On
March
19, 2007, we received a comment letter from the Staff of the SEC’s Division of
Corporation Finance. The comments from the Staff were issued with respect
to its
review of (i) our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-141086)
filed
with the SEC on March 6, 2007 in conjunction with our December 2006 and January
2007 equity private placement, (ii) our 10-Q for the quarter ended December
31,
2006, and (iii) our 8-K/A filed with the SEC on March 6, 2007 that included
financial statements regarding our acquisitions of the Cole Creek South,
South
Glenrock B, and Big Muddy Fields. The Staff’s letter included comments relating
to (i) the financial statements presented regarding the acquisitions of the
properties, (ii) certain provisions, including penalty or liquidated damages
provisions, set forth in the registration statement applicable to our December
2006 and January 2007 equity private placement transaction documents, (iii)
liability recognition for warrants, and (iv) the methodology for valuing
stock
options granted to our chief executive officer. Our receipt of the Staff’s
comment letter has been followed by a series of discussions and exchanges
of
correspondence concerning the unresolved comments including clarification
of the
type of financial statements required to be presented and filed with the
SEC
concerning the properties we acquired in December 2006. Based on those
discussions, we have included revised financial statements concerning the
Cole
Creek South and South Glenrock B Fields in this Annual Report and in an
amendment to our 8-K Report. We are preparing a response to the other comments
of the SEC which we expect to submit soon after the filing of this Annual
Report.
15
ITEM
2. PROPERTIES.
Field
Summaries
We
currently operate three fields in the Powder River Basin: the South Glenrock
B
Field, the Big Muddy Field, and the Cole Creek South Field. The concentration
of
value in a relatively small number of fields should allow us to benefit
substantially from any operating cost reductions or production enhancements
we
achieve and allows us to effectively manage the properties from our field office
located in Glenrock, Wyoming.
We
plan
to make approximately $75 million of capital expenditures in the fiscal year
ending March 31, 2008 on our three fields, building facilities, shooting
3-D seismic, drilling wells, expanding production, and preparing the area for
CO2
delivery, which we expect will add both additional oil reserves and production
for future operations. If we elect to own and operate the CO2
pipeline, we will spend additional capital in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 for
that purpose.
South
Glenrock B Field
The
South
Glenrock B Field is in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin and is located in Converse
County, about 20 miles east of Casper in the east-central region of the state.
The field was discovered in 1950 by Conoco, Inc.
The
South
Glenrock B Field produces primarily from the Lower and Upper Muddy formations
as
well as the Dakota formation. All the formations are Cretaceous fluvial deltaic
sands with extensive high reservoir quality channels. The structure dips from
west to east with approximately 2,000 feet of relief.
The
South
Glenrock B Field is an active waterflood that currently produces approximately
200 BOPD of sweet 35 degree API crude oil. There are 20 active producing wells.
This waterflood unit was developed with a fairly regular 40 acre well spacing
and drilled with modern rotary equipment. The South Glenrock B Field is slated
to be the first of our fields for CO2
development because the waterflood has maintained the reservoir pressure high
enough for CO2
operations, and the relative condition of the facilities, regular well spacing,
and reservoir size make the field a good candidate for CO2
operations. We plan to start CO2
injection in the South Glenrock B Field in calendar year 2008.
Big
Muddy Field
The
Big
Muddy Field is in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin and located in Converse County,
17 miles east of Casper in the east-central region of the state. The field
was
discovered in 1916 and has produced approximately 52 million barrels of oil
from
several producing zones including the First Frontier, Stray, Shannon, Dakota,
Lakota, Muddy and Niobrara formations. The Big Muddy Field was waterflooded
starting in 1957.
The
Big
Muddy Field is currently producing about 20 BOPD of 36 degree API sweet crude
oil, via a stripper operation, from five producing wells. The field was
developed with an irregular well spacing and drilled mostly with cable tools.
There are no facilities of any significance at the field.
The
current reservoir pressure is very low and not sufficient for effective
CO2
flooding. Pending financing, our near-term plans for the Big Muddy Field are
to
build facilities and reactivate or drill new injection wells in order to inject
disposal water produced as a result of CO2
operations in the South Glenrock B Field. The injection of this water should
have the effect of raising the Big Muddy reservoir pressure for the planned
CO2
flood.
We also hope to drill or reactivate additional production wells in order to
produce more oil from this reactivated waterflood. The Big Muddy Field requires
unitization prior to a waterflood or a CO2
flood.
The State of Wyoming requires us to form two separate units, one for the Wall
Creek formation and one for the Dakota formation, due to the different sizes
of
the productive horizons. It is expected that the unitization will be completed
in calendar year 2008. We plan to start CO2
injection in the Big Muddy Field in calendar year 2009.
16
Cole
Creek South Field
The
Cole
Creek South Field is in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin and is located in Converse
and Natrona counties, about 15 miles northeast of Casper in the east-central
region of the state. The Cole Creek South Field was discovered in 1948 by the
Phillips Petroleum Company.
Production
at Cole Creek South was originally discovered on structure in the Lakota
sandstone. After drilling a number of wells along the crest of the structure
that had high water cuts, the Lakota zone was not developed in favor of the
Dakota sandstone. Injection into the Dakota formation began in
December 1968 and reached peak production in April 1972.
Production
comes from two units at Cole Creek South. One unit is the Dakota Sand Unit
which
is under active waterflood. The other unit is the Cole Creek South Unit which
is
a primary production unit. Cole Creek South Field produces, in total,
approximately 90 BOPD of 34 degree API sweet crude oil from 12 producing wells.
Production is from the Dakota Sand Unit waterflood and from the Shannon, First
Frontier, Second Frontier, Muddy, and Lakota formations.
The
Cole
Creek South Field is presently at reservoir pressure sufficient for miscible
CO2
flooding
and the wells are in good working condition. Due to the small size, in
comparison to the South Glenrock B Field and the Big Muddy Field, the Cole
Creek
South Field is planned to be the last of these three fields to undergo
CO2
flooding. We plan to start CO2
injection in the Cole Creek South Field in either calendar year 2009 or
2010.
Oil
& Gas Acreage and Productive Wells
Our
three
properties in the Powder River Basin consist of the following
acreage.
Developed
Acres
|
Undeveloped
Acres
|
Total
Acres
|
|||||||||||||||||
Field
|
Gross
|
Net
|
Gross
|
Net
|
Gross
|
Net
|
|||||||||||||
Big
Muddy Field
|
1,640
|
972
|
8,920
|
8,908
|
10,560
|
9,880
|
|||||||||||||
South
Glenrock B Field
|
10,873
|
10,177
|
-
|
-
|
10,873
|
10,177
|
|||||||||||||
Cole
Creek South Field
|
3,782
|
3,782
|
-
|
-
|
3,782
|
3,782
|
|||||||||||||
Total
|
16,295
|
14,931
|
8,920
|
8,908
|
25,215
|
23,839
|
We
have
producing wells located in our three Powder River Basin properties as identified
below.
Field
|
Number
of
Gross
Oil Wells
|
Number
of
Net
Oil Wells
|
|||||
Big
Muddy Field
|
5
|
5.00
|
|||||
South
Glenrock B Field
|
20
|
18.74
|
|||||
Cole
Creek South Field
|
12
|
12.00
|
|||||
Total
Wells
|
37
|
35.74
|
17
Production
The
following table summarizes average volumes and realized prices of oil produced
from our properties and our production costs per barrel of oil. We acquired
three oil fields in December 2006 and January 2007. We had no
production in the years ending March 31, 2006 and March 31, 2005. We
have not had any commodity price hedges in place.
For
the Year
Ended
March 31, 2007
|
||||
Net
oil production (barrels)
|
23,838
|
|||
Average
realized oil sales price per barrel
|
$
|
48.74
|
||
Production
costs per barrel:
|
||||
Production
taxes
|
$
|
5.72
|
||
Lease
operating expenses
|
$
|
29.39
|
Title
to Properties
As
customary in the oil & gas industry, during acquisitions, substantive title
reviews and curative work are performed on all properties. Generally, only
a
perfunctory title examination is conducted at the time properties believed
to be
suitable for drilling operations are first acquired. Prior to commencement
of
drilling operations, a thorough drill site title examination is normally
conducted, and curative work is performed with respect to significant defects.
We believe that we have good title to our oil & gas properties, some of
which are subject to minor encumbrances, easements, and
restrictions.
Environmental
Assessments
We
are
cognizant of our environmental responsibilities to the communities in which
we
operate and to our shareholders. In addition, prior to the closing of our
acquisitions, we obtained a Phase I environmental review of our properties
from
industry-recognized environmental consulting firms. These environmental reviews
were commissioned and received prior to our acquisition of our three Wyoming
fields, which revealed no material environmental problems.
Geographic
Segments
All
of
our operations are in the continental United States.
Significant
Oil & Gas Purchasers and Product Marketing
Due
to
the close proximity of our fields to one another, oil production from our three
properties is sold to one purchaser under a month-to-month contract at the
current area market price. The oil is currently transported by truck to pipeline
connections in the area. The loss of that purchaser is not expected to have
a
material adverse effect upon our oil sales. We currently produce a nominal
amount of natural gas, which is used in field operations and not sold to third
parties.
Our
ability to market oil depends on many factors beyond our control, including
the
extent of domestic production and imports of oil, the proximity of our oil
production to pipelines, the available capacity in such pipelines, refinery
capacity, the demand for oil, the effects of weather, and the effects of state
and federal regulation. Our production is from fields close to major pipelines
and established infrastructure. As a result, we have not experienced any
difficulty to date in finding a market for all of our production as it becomes
available or in transporting our production to those markets; however, there
is
no assurance that we will always be able to market all of our production or
obtain favorable prices.
18
Oil
Marketing
The
oil
production from our properties is relatively high quality, ranging in gravity
from 34 to 36 degrees, and is low in sulfur. We sell our oil to a crude
aggregator on a month-to-month term. The oil is transported by truck, with
loads
picked up daily. The prices we currently receive are based on posted prices
for
Wyoming Sweet crude oil, adjusted for gravity, plus approximately $3.50 to
$4.25
per barrel.
In
recent
months, Wyoming Sweet crude oil posted prices have declined in comparison to
other oil price indexes, such as West Texas Intermediate crude oil spot prices.
This has been due to disruptions in refinery throughput in the Rocky Mountain
region, and increased imports of sour Canadian crude into the
region.
Our
long-term strategy is to find a dependable future transportation option to
transport our high-quality oil to market at the highest price possible and
to
protect ourselves from downward pricing volatility. Options being explored
include building a new crude oil pipeline to connect to a pipeline being
considered by others for construction that is anticipated to run from Northern
Colorado to Cushing, Oklahoma to transport Wyoming Sweet crude oil.
Competition
and Markets
We
face
competition from other oil companies in all aspects of our business, including
acquisition of producing properties and oil & gas leases, marketing of oil
& gas, and obtaining goods, services, and labor. Many of our competitors
have substantially larger financial and other resources. Factors that affect
our
ability to acquire producing properties include available funds, available
information about prospective properties, and our standards established for
minimum projected return on investment. Competition is also presented by
alternative fuel sources, including ethanol and other fossil fuels. Because
of
our use of EOR techniques and management’s experience and expertise in the oil
& gas industry, we believe that we are effective in competing in the market.
The
demand for qualified and experienced field personnel to operate CO2
EOR
techniques, drill wells, and conduct field operations, geologists,
geophysicists, engineers, and other professionals in the oil industry can
fluctuate significantly, often in correlation with oil prices, causing periodic
shortages. There have also been shortages of drilling rigs and other equipment,
as demand for rigs and equipment has increased along with the number of wells
being drilled. These factors also cause significant increases in costs for
equipment, services, and personnel. Higher oil prices generally stimulate
increased demand and result in increased prices for drilling rigs, crews and
associated supplies, equipment, and services. We cannot be certain when we
will
experience these issues and these types of shortages or price increases could
significantly decrease our profit margin, cash flow, and operating results,
or
restrict our ability to drill those wells and conduct those operations that
we
currently have planned and budgeted.
ITEM
3. LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS.
None.
ITEM
4. SUBMISSION
OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
On
March 30, 2007, we held a Special Meeting of Stockholders at which
70,980,492 shares were represented in person or by proxy. At this meeting,
the
stockholders were asked to consider and vote upon the proposals indicated below.
The Special Meeting of Stockholders did not involve the election of directors.
Each matter voted upon at the meeting, and the number of votes cast for, against
or withheld, as well as the abstentions and broker non-votes as to each such
matter, is indicated below:
19
(1)
|
Proposal
to amend our Articles of Incorporation to increase the authorized
common
stock from 100,000,000 shares to 275,000,000
shares.
|
Number
of Shares:
|
|||
70,971,992
(For)
|
8,500
(Against)
|
0
(Abstain)
|
0
(Not Voting)
|
(2)
|
Proposal
to amend and restate our Articles of Incorporation in their entirety
to,
among other things, opt out of the application of business combination
restrictions imposed under Nevada
law.
|
Number
of Shares:
|
|||
57,289,541
(For)
|
0
(Against)
|
0
(Abstain)
|
13,690,951
(Not Voting)
|
(3)
|
Proposal
to consider and vote upon a proposal recommended by the Board of
Directors
to approve our 2006 Stock Incentive
Plan.
|
Number
of Shares:
|
|||
51,929,608
(For)
|
6,600
(Against)
|
5,353,333
(Abstain)
|
13,689,051
(Not Voting)
|
PART
II
ITEM
5. MARKET
FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Our
Common Stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “RNCH” since
January 10, 2006. For the periods indicated, the following table sets forth
the high and low bid prices per share of our common stock as reported by the
OTC
Bulletin Board. These prices represent inter-dealer quotations without retail
markup, markdown, or commission and may not necessarily represent actual
transactions.
Fiscal
Year 2007
|
High
Bid
|
Low
Bid
|
|||||
First
Quarter
|
$
|
1.55
|
$
|
1.30
|
|||
Second
Quarter
|
$
|
1.82
|
$
|
1.03
|
|||
Third
Quarter
|
$
|
3.38
|
$
|
1.71
|
|||
Fourth
Quarter
|
$
|
3.46
|
$
|
1.16
|
|||
Fiscal
Year 2006
|
|||||||
First
Quarter
|
None
|
None
|
|||||
Second
Quarter
|
None
|
None
|
|||||
Third
Quarter
|
None
|
None
|
|||||
Fourth
Quarter
|
$
|
1.65
|
$
|
0.02
|
20
Stock
Performance Graph
The
first
day of public trading of our common stock was January 10, 2006. The graph
below matches the cumulative total return since January 10, 2006 (or
December 31, 2005 for the indexes) of holders of our common stock with the
cumulative total returns of the NASDAQ Composite Index and the Dow Jones
Wilshire MicroCap Exploration and Production Index. The graph assumes that
the
value of the investment in our common stock and in each of the indexes
(including reinvestment of dividends) was $100 on January 10, 2006 (or
December 31, 2005 for the indexes) and tracks it through March 31,
2007. The reported closing stock price for our common stock on January 10,
2006 was $0.012143, adjusting for a stock dividend which occurred after that
date in January 2006, noted under “Dividends” below.
Stock
Performance Graph Data
|
||||||||||
1/10/06
|
3/31/06
|
3/31/07
|
||||||||
Rancher
Energy Corp.
|
100.0
|
11,858.7
|
10,952.8
|
|||||||
NASDAQ
Composite
|
100.0
|
106.8
|
112.3
|
|||||||
Dow
Jones Wilshire MicroCap
Exploration
& Production
|
100.0
|
108.3
|
86.7
|
21
Holders
As
of
June 28, 2007, there were approximately 243 record owners of our Common
Stock. This does not include any beneficial owners for whom shares may be held
in “nominee” or “street name”.
Dividends
We
have
not paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock since inception, and we do
not
anticipate declaring or paying any dividends at any time in the foreseeable
future. In January 2006, we conducted a 14-for-1 forward stock
split.
Recent
Sales of Unregistered Securities
On
May 15, 2006, in conjunction with his employment, we granted John Works,
our President, Chief Executive Officer, and a member of our Board of Directors,
an option to purchase 4,000,000 shares of our common stock at a price of
$0.00001 per share. These options vest over time through May 31, 2009. In
the event Mr. Works’ employment agreement is terminated, Mr. Works will be
entitled to purchase all shares that have vested, and all unvested shares will
be forfeited. On May 15, 2006, Mr. Works exercised a portion of his option
to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.00001
per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $10.00. On April 19, 2007,
Mr. Works exercised a portion of his option to purchase 750,000 shares of common
stock at an exercise price of $0.00001 per share, for an aggregate purchase
price of $7.50. On May 31, 2007, Mr. Works exercised a portion of his
option to purchase 250,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of
$0.00001 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $2.50. Mr. Works is
an
accredited investor. The foregoing transaction was made pursuant to
Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
On
June 9, 2006, we entered into a loan agreement with an institutional lender
to borrow a principal amount of $500,000. The loan agreement provided that
the
lender had the option to convert all or a portion of the loan amount into units,
each unit consisting of one share of our common stock and a warrant to purchase
share one share of our common stock, either (i) at a price per share equal
to
the closing price of our shares on NASDAQ on the day preceding notice from
the
lender of its intent to convert all or a portion of the loan into shares of
our
common stock, or (ii) in the event we offer shares or units to the general
public, at the price such shares or units are being offered to the general
public. The lender subsequently elected to convert the entire loan amount and
accrued interest into common stock at a price of $0.50 per unit. Accordingly,
on
July 19, 2006, we issued 1,006,905 shares of our common stock to the
lender. In addition, as part of the conversion, we issued the lender warrants
to
purchase up to 1,006,905 shares of our common stock for a period of two years
at
an exercise price of $0.75 per share for the first year and $1.00 per share
for
the second year. The foregoing transactions were made pursuant to
Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
From
June 2006 through October 2006, we sold 18,133,500 Units for $0.50 per
Unit, totaling gross proceeds of $9,066,750. Each Unit sold in this offering
consisted of one share of our common stock and a warrant to purchase one
additional share of our common stock exercisable for a period of two years.
For
8,850,000 Units, we paid no underwriting commissions. For 9,283,500 Units,
we
paid a cash commission of $232,088, equal to 5% of the proceeds from the Units,
and a stock-based commission of 464,175 shares of common stock, equal to 5%
of
the number of Units sold. The sum of the unregistered shares sold and the
commission shares aggregated 18,597,675. All of the foregoing Units were sold
outside the United States in offshore transactions to non-U.S. persons pursuant
to the exemption from registration provided by Regulation S adopted under the
Securities Act. Each of these investors was a sophisticated investor who
provided customary investment representations and warranties as to suitability
and against resales and distributions of the Units. The certificates issued
bear
a standard restrictive legend generally used in Regulation S
transactions.
22
On
October 2, 2006, pursuant to our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2006 Stock
Incentive Plan), we granted options to purchase up to a total of 825,000 shares
of common stock to one officer and one employee at an exercise price of $1.75,
which was determined to be fair market value based upon our closing market
price
on October 2, 2006. Options in both of these grants vest over a three year
period. On October 16, 2006, under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, we
granted options to purchase up to a total of 1,500,000 shares of common stock
to
an officer at an exercise price of $2.10, which was determined to be fair market
value based upon our closing market price on October 16, 2006. The options
vest annually over a three-year period from the date of grant. The options
in
the foregoing grants will be exercisable for a term of five years, subject
to
early termination of the individual’s employment with us. The foregoing
transactions were made pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities
Act.
On
December 21, 2006, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement, as
amended, with institutional and individual accredited investors to effect a
$79,500,000 private placement of shares of our common stock and other securities
in multiple closings. As part of this private placement, we raised an aggregate
of $79,405,418 and issued (i) 45,940,510 shares of common stock, (ii) promissory
notes that were convertible into 6,996,342 shares of common stock, and (iii)
warrants to purchase 52,936,832 shares of common stock. The warrants issued
to
investors in the private placement are exercisable during the five year period
beginning on the date we amended and restated our Articles of Incorporation
to
increase our authorized shares of common stock, which was March 30, 2007.
The notes issued in the private placement automatically converted into shares
of
common stock on March 30, 2007. In conjunction with the private placement,
we also used services of placement agents and have issued warrants to purchase
3,633,313 shares of common stock to these agents or their designees. The
warrants issued to the placement agents or their designees are exercisable
during the two year period (warrants to purchase 2,187,580 shares of common
stock) or the five year period (warrants to purchase 1,445,733 shares of common
stock) beginning on the date we amended and restated our Articles of
Incorporation to increase our authorized shares of common stock, which was
March 30, 2007. All of the warrants issued in conjunction with the private
placement have an exercise price of $1.50 per share. The securities issued
in
the private placement bear a standard restrictive legend generally used in
accredited investor transactions. The foregoing transactions were made pursuant
to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
In
partial consideration for the extension of the closing date of our acquisition
of the Cole Creek South Field and the South Glenrock B Field, we issued in
December 2006 to the seller of the oil & gas properties a warrant to
purchase up to 250,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $1.50
per share. The seller may exercise the warrant at any time beginning
June 22, 2007 and ending December 22, 2011. The foregoing transaction
was made pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
On
January 12, 2007, in conjunction with his entry into an employment
agreement and pursuant to our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, we granted to an
officer an option to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of our common stock at
an
exercise price of $3.19 per share. The option will vest annually over a
three-year period from the date of grant, and will be exercisable for a term
of
five years, subject to early termination of the officer’s employment with us.
The foregoing transaction was made pursuant to Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act.
23
On
February 16, 2007, in connection with Mark Worthey’s election to our Board
of Directors, Mr. Worthey was granted an option to purchase 10,000 shares of
our
common stock pursuant to our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. The exercise price
is
$1.63 per share, the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant.
The options vest 50% on the first anniversary date of the grant and 50% on
the
second anniversary date of the grant, and have a five-year term. The foregoing
transaction was made pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities
Act.
On
April 10, 2007, pursuant to our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, we granted
options to purchase up to a total of 248,000 shares of common stock to 18
employees at an exercise price of $1.18 per share, the fair market value of
our
stock based on the closing market price on the date of grant, and to one
consultant at an exercise price of $1.64 pursuant to an agreement between us
and
the consultant. The employee stock option grants vest over a three-year period,
with 33-1/3% of the original number of shares respectively on the first, second,
and third anniversaries of the grant date, and have a five-year term, subject
to
early termination of the individual’s employment with us. The consultant’s stock
option grant vests 50% of the original number of shares on August 31, 2007
and 50% of the original shares on February 28, 2008 and will be exercisable
for a five-year term, pursuant to an agreement between us and the consultant
entered into on March 1, 2007. The foregoing transactions were made
pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
On
April 20, 2007, our Board of Directors appointed William A. Anderson,
Joseph P. McCoy, Patrick M. Murray, and Myron M. Sheinfeld as members of the
Board to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders or their successors
are duly elected and qualified. We had no special arrangements, related party
transactions or understandings with the foregoing appointed directors in
connection with their appointment to the Board, except for compensation
arrangements. On April 20, 2007, each newly appointed director was granted
an option to purchase 10,000 shares of our common stock pursuant to our 2006
Stock Incentive Plan. The exercise price of the initial grant was $1.02 per
share, the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The
option vests 20% (2,000 shares) on each one year anniversary of the date of
the
initial grant and will be exercisable for a ten-year term. Each newly appointed
director will be entitled to receive annual grants of options to purchase 10,000
shares that will be priced at the future grant dates. Each newly appointed
director also received a stock grant of 100,000 shares of our common stock
that
vests 20% (20,000 shares) on the date of grant with vesting 20% per year
thereafter. The foregoing transactions were made pursuant to Section 4(2)
of the Securities Act.
On
May 18, 2007, we issued 933,458 shares of our common stock and on
June 19, 2007, we issued 946,819 shares of our common stock to the
investors who participated in our December 2006 and January 2007 equity private
placement. Under the terms of the registration rights agreement, we are
obligated to pay the holders of the registrable securities issued in that
private placement liquidated damages if the registration statement filed in
conjunction with the private placement has not been declared effective by the
SEC within 150 days of the closing of the private placement and every 30 days
thereafter until the registration statement is declared effective. The closing
occurred on December 21, 2006. The amount due on each applicable date is 1%
of the aggregate purchase price or $794,000. Pursuant to the terms of the
registration rights agreement, the number of shares issued on May 18, 2007
was
based on the payment amount of $794,000 divided by $0.85 per share, which equals
90% of the volume weighted average price of our common stock for the 10 days
immediately preceding May 18, 2007. The foregoing transactions were made
pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. Pursuant to the terms of the
registration rights agreement, the number of shares issued on June 19, 2007
was based on the payment amount of $794,000 divided by approximately $0.84
per
share, which equals 90% of the volume weighted average price of our common
stock
for the 10 trading days immediately preceding June 19, 2007, the payment
due date.
24
On
May 31, 2007, we granted 100,000 shares of our common stock to Mark
Worthey, a director, that vests 20% (20,000 shares) on the date of grant with
vesting 20% per year thereafter. The foregoing transaction was made to align
his
stock ownership interests with our other directors and pursuant to
Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
Pursuant
to the terms of a consulting agreement that we previously entered into with
an
executive search consulting firm, on June 27, 2007 we granted 107,143 shares
of
our common stock in the aggregate, pursuant to our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan,
to
the principals of the consulting firm as partial consideration for the services
provided to us by the consulting firm. The foregoing transaction was made
pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
ITEM
6. SELECTED
FINANCIAL DATA.
In
addition to the GAAP presentation of Rancher Energy Corp’s historical results
for the years ended March 31, 2007. 2006, 2005, and 2004 we have
provided the following combined results for Rancher Energy Corp, its Predecessor
and its Pre-Predecessor because we believe such financial information may
be
useful in gaining an understanding of the impact of the acquisitions on Rancher
Energy, Corp’s underlying historical performance and future financial results.
The combined information is not presented on a GAAP basis and is not necessarily
comparable between periods.
The
following selected financial data reflects the following:
·
|
Rancher
Energy Corp. revenues, loss from continuing operations, and loss
from
continuing operations per share for the years ended March 31, 2007,
2006, 2005, and 2004;
|
·
|
Rancher
Energy Corp. total assets as of March 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, and
2004;
|
·
|
Predecessor
(the Cole Creek South Field and the South Glenrock B Field) revenues,
lease operating expenses and production taxes for the period
from
January 1, 2006 through December 21, 2006 (the date of
acquisition of the Predecessor by Rancher Energy Corp.), the
year ended
December 31, 2005, and for the period from September 1, 2004
(the date that the Predecessor was acquired from the Pre-Predecessor)
through December 31, 2004;
|
·
|
Our
Pre-Predecessor’s revenues and direct operating expenses for the period
from January 1, 2004 through August 31,
2004;
|
·
|
Predecessor
total assets as of December 21, 2006 and December 31,
2005;
|
·
|
Adjustments
to eliminate the Predecessor’s results for the three months ended March
31, 2006 from the Predecessor results for the year ended December
31,
2006, so that the combined results will reflect the results for
Rancher
Energy Corp’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2007;
and
|
·
|
Combined
revenue, lease operating expenses and production
taxes.
|
25
Rancher
Energy
Corp.
|
Predecessor
|
Adjustments
|
Combined
|
||||||||||
(1)(2)
|
|||||||||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||||||||
2007:
|
|||||||||||||
Revenues
|
$
|
1,161,819
|
$
|
4,488,315
|
$
|
(1,148,825
|
)
|
$
|
4,501,309
|
||||
Production
taxes
|
136,305
|
493,956
|
(120,313
|
)
|
509,948
|
||||||||
Lease
operating expenses
|
700,623
|
2,944,287
|
(574,756
|
)
|
3,070,154
|
||||||||
Income
(loss) from continuing operations
|
(8,702,255
|
)
|
(577,740
|
)
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|||||||
Loss
from continuing operations per share
|
(0.16
|
)
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
||||||||
Weighted
average shares outstanding
|
53,782,291
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|||||||||
Total
assets
|
81,478,031
|
14,597,618
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|||||||||
2006:
|
|||||||||||||
Revenues
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
3,713,973
|
$
|
N/A
|
$
|
3,713,973
|
|||||
Production taxes |
N/A
|
428,905
|
N/A
|
428,905
|
|||||||||
Lease
operating expenses
|
N/A
|
1,537,992
|
N/A
|
1,537,992
|
|||||||||
Income
(loss) from continuing operations
|
(124,453
|
)
|
26,886
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
||||||||
Loss
from continuing operations per share
|
(0.00
|
)
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
||||||||
Weighted
average shares outstanding
|
32,819,623
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|||||||||
Total
assets
|
46,557
|
13,058,437
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|||||||||
2005:
|
|||||||||||||
Revenues
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
1,997,663
|
$
|
N/A
|
$
|
1,997,663
|
|||||
Production taxes |
N/A
|
219,955
|
N/A
|
219,955
|
|||||||||
Lease
operating expenses
|
N/A
|
944,149
|
N/A
|
944,149
|
|||||||||
Income
(loss) from continuing operations
|
(27,154
|
)
|
474,770
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
||||||||
Loss
from continuing operations per share
|
(0.00
|
)
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
||||||||
Weighted
average shares outstanding
|
70,000,000
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|||||||||
Total
assets
|
4,749
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|||||||||
2004:
|
|||||||||||||
Revenues
|
$
|
-
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
||||||||
Income
(loss) from continuing operations
|
(375,000
|
)
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
||||||||
Loss
from continuing operations per share
|
(0.01
|
)
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
||||||||
Weighted
average shares outstanding
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
||||||||||
Total
assets
|
-
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
_____________________
|
|||||||||||||
N/A
- Not Applicable.
|
We
do not
have long-term obligations or redeemable preferred stock, and we have not
declared any cash dividends.
(1)
We
completed our acquisition of the Cole Creek South and the South Glenrock B
fields on December 22, 2006.
(2) We
completed our acquisition of the Big Muddy Field on January 4,
2007.
ITEM
7. MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS.
Organization
We
are an
independent energy company which explores for and develops, produces, and
markets oil & gas in North America. Prior to April 2006, Rancher Energy
Corp., formerly known as Metalex Resources, Inc. (Metalex), was engaged in
the
exploration of a gold prospect in British Columbia, Canada. Metalex found no
commercially exploitable deposits or reserves of gold. During April 2006,
stockholders voted to change the name to Rancher Energy Corp. Since
April 2006, we have employed a new Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating
Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Senior Vice President, Engineering, and
are actively pursuing oil & gas prospects in the Rocky Mountain
region.
26
Oil
& Gas Property Acquisitions
The
following is a summary of the property acquisitions we have recently
completed:
Cole
Creek South Field and South Glenrock B Field Acquisitions
On
December 22, 2006, we purchased certain oil & gas properties for
$46,750,000, before adjustments for the period from the effective date to the
closing date, plus closing costs of $323,657. The oil & gas properties
consisted of (i) a 100% working interest (79.3% net revenue interest) in the
Cole Creek South Field, which is located in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin; and
(ii) a 93.6% working interest (74.5% net revenue interest) in the South Glenrock
B Field, which also is located in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin. In partial
consideration for an extension of the closing date, we issued the seller of
the
oil & gas properties warrants to acquire 250,000 shares of our common stock
for $1.50 per share for a period of five years. The estimated fair value of
the
warrants to purchase common stock of $616,140 was estimated as of the grant
date
using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, and is included in the acquisition
cost.
The
total
adjusted purchase price was allocated as follows:
Acquisition
costs:
|
|
|||
Cash
consideration
|
$
|
46,750,000
|
||
Direct
acquisition costs
|
323,657
|
|||
Estimated
fair value of warrants to purchase common stock
|
616,140
|
|||
Total
|
$
|
47,689,797
|
||
|
||||
Allocation
of acquisition costs:
|
||||
Oil
& gas properties:
|
||||
Unproved
|
$
|
31,569,778
|
||
Proved
|
16,682,101
|
|||
Other
assets - long-term accounts receivable
|
53,341
|
|||
Other
assets - inventory
|
227,220
|
|||
Asset
retirement obligation
|
(842,643
|
)
|
||
Total
|
$
|
47,689,797
|
The
Cole
Creek South Field is located in Converse County, Wyoming approximately six
miles
northwest of the town of Glenrock. The field was discovered in 1948 by the
Phillips Petroleum Company. Current gross production from the Cole Creek South
Field is approximately 90 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) of primarily 34 degree
API sweet crude oil.
The
South
Glenrock B Field is also located in Converse County, Wyoming. The field was
discovered in 1950 by Conoco, Inc. Bisected by Interstate 25, the field produces
from the Dakota and Muddy sandstone reservoirs that are draped over a structural
nose with 2,000 feet of relief. Production is maintained by secondary recovery
efforts that were initiated in 1961. Current gross production from the South
Glenrock B Field is approximately 200 BOPD of primarily 35 degree API sweet
crude oil.
Big
Muddy Field Acquisition
On
January 4, 2007, we acquired the Big Muddy Field, which is located in the
Powder River Basin east of Casper, Wyoming. The total purchase price was
$25,000,000, and closing costs were $672,638. While the Big Muddy Field was
discovered in 1916, future profitable operations are dependent on the
application of tertiary recovery techniques requiring significant amounts of
CO2.
27
The
total
adjusted purchase price was allocated as follows:
Acquisition
costs:
|
|
|||
Cash
consideration
|
$
|
25,000,000
|
||
Direct
acquisition costs
|
672,638
|
|||
Total
|
$
|
25,672,638
|
||
|
||||
Allocation
of acquisition costs:
|
||||
Oil
& gas properties:
|
||||
Unproved
|
$
|
24,151,745
|
||
Proved
|
1,870,086
|
|||
Asset
retirement obligation
|
(349,193
|
)
|
||
Total
|
$
|
25,672,638
|
Water
flooding was initiated in the Wall Creek formation in 1957 and later expanded
to
the Dakota and Lakota formations. Over 800 completions have occurred in the
field. At the current time, only a few wells are active. The current production
is approximately 20 BOPD of primarily 36 degree API sweet crude
oil.
Outlook
for the Coming Year
The
following summarizes our goals and objectives for the next twelve
months:
·
|
Borrow
funds to implement our development plans;
|
|
·
|
Initiate
development activities in our fields; and
|
|
·
|
Pursue
additional asset and project opportunities that are expected to be
accretive to stockholder value.
|
Since
late 2006 we have added operating staff and have engaged consultants to conduct
field studies of tertiary development of the three Powder River Basin fields.
To
date, work has focused on field and engineering studies to prepare for
development operations. We have also engaged an engineering firm to evaluate
routes and undertake the required front end engineering and design for the
required CO2
pipeline, as well as another engineering firm to evaluate and design surface
facilities appropriate for CO2
injection.
Our
plans
for EOR development of our oil fields are dependent on our obtaining substantial
additional funding. As discussed further under “Liquidity and Capital Resources”
below, we successfully raised equity financing in December 2006 and
January 2007 to enable us to acquire the fields. The raising of
that funding is dependent on many factors, some of which are outside our
control and is not assured. One major factor is the level of and projected
trends in oil prices, which we cannot protect against by using hedging at this
time.
We
plan
to begin CO2
development operations in the South Glenrock B Field, and preliminary
development in the Big Muddy Field. We also plan to make capital expenditures
relating to existing production in the three fields. The sum of our planned
general and administrative costs, operating costs, CO2
purchase
costs, and field development capital expenditures for the fiscal years ending
March 31, 2008 and 2009 are estimated to be approximately $90 to $95
million and $70 to $75 million, respectively. Of the fiscal year 2008 costs,
about $75 million is projected for the South Glenrock B Field and Big Muddy
Field projects, with about two-thirds of this cost for 3-D seismic, and well
drilling and conversion for CO2
injection, and the remainder for compressors and facilities. Since the
acquisition of the three fields, other than the agreement with Anadarko for
supply of CO2,
we have
made no major capital expenditures nor any firm commitments for future capital
expenditures to date.
28
The
capital expenditures discussed above do not include costs of construction of
the
CO2
pipeline. The route and configuration of this pipeline are being evaluated,
and
decisions on those factors have not been finalized. In addition, we are
evaluating whether we will own and operate the line, or whether a third party
will do so. That decision is also dependent on financing availability and
certain other strategic factors.
Commitments
As
part
of our CO2
tertiary
recovery strategy, on December 15, 2006, we entered into a Product Sale and
Purchase Contract with Anadarko for the purchase of CO2
(meeting
certain quality specifications) from Anadarko. We intend to use the
CO2
for our
EOR projects.
The
primary term of the Purchase Contract commences upon the later of
January 1, 2008, or the date of the first CO2
delivery,
and terminates upon the earlier of the day on which we have taken and paid
for
the Total Contract Quantity, as defined, or 10 years from the commencement
date.
We have the right to terminate the Purchase Contract at any time with notice
to
Anadarko, subject to a termination payment as specified in the Purchase
Contract.
During
the primary term the “Daily Contract Quantity” is 40 MMcf per day for a total of
146 Bcf. CO2
deliveries are subject to a 25 MMcf per day take-or-pay provision. Anadarko
has
the right to satisfy its own needs before sales to us, which reduces our
take-or-pay obligation. In the event the CO2
does not
meet certain quality specifications, we have the right to refuse delivery of
such CO2.
For
CO2
deliveries, we have agreed to pay $1.50 per thousand cubic feet, to be adjusted
by a factor that is indexed to the price of Wyoming Sweet oil. From oil that
is
produced by CO2
injection, we also agreed to convey to Anadarko an overriding royalty interest
that increases over time, not to exceed 5%.
Results
of Operations, Including Combined Results
In
addition to the GAAP presentation of Rancher Energy Corp’s historical results
for the years ended March 31, 2007. 2006 and 2005, we have provided the
following combined results for Rancher Energy Corp, its Predecessor and its
Pre-Predecessor because we believe such financial information may be useful
in
gaining an understanding of the impact of the acquisitions on Rancher Energy,
Corp’s underlying historical performance and future financial results. The
combined information is not presented on a GAAP basis and is not necessarily
comparable between periods.
The
following data includes:
·
|
Our
results of operations for the years ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and
2005;
|
·
|
Our
Predecessor’s (the Cole Creek South Field and the South Glenrock B Field)
results of operations for the period from January 1, 2006 through
December 21, 2006 (the date of acquisition of the Predecessor by
Rancher Energy Corp.), the year ended December 31, 2005, and for the
period from September 1, 2004 (the date that the Predecessor was
acquired from the Pre-Predecessor) through December 31,
2004;
|
29
·
|
Our
Pre-Predecessor’s revenues and direct operating expenses for the period
from January 1, 2004 through August 31, 2004
;
|
·
|
Adjustments
to eliminate the Predecessor’s results for the three months ended March
31, 2006 from the Predecessor results for the year ended December
31,
2006, so that the combined results will reflect the results for
Rancher
Energy Corp’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 ;
and
|
·
|
Combined
results of operations.
|
Year
Ended March 31, 2007 (Unaudited)
|
|||||||||||||
Rancher
Energy
Corp.
|
Predecessor
|
Adjustments
|
Combined
|
||||||||||
Revenue:
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Oil
production (in barrels)
|
23,838
|
73,076
|
(18,631
|
)
|
78,283
|
||||||||
Oil
price (per barrel)
|
48.74
|
61.42
|
61.66
|
57.50
|
|||||||||
Oil
& gas sales
|
$
|
1,161,819
|
$
|
4,488,315
|
$
|
(1,148,825
|
)
|
$
|
4,501,309
|
||||
Operating
expenses:
|
|||||||||||||
Production
taxes
|
136,305
|
493,956
|
(120,313
|
)
|
509,948
|
||||||||
Lease
operating expenses
|
700,623
|
2,944,287
|
(574,756
|
)
|
3,070,154
|
||||||||
Depreciation,
depletion, and amortization
|
375,701
|
952,784
|
(267,050
|
)
|
1,061,435
|
||||||||
Impairment
of unproved properties
|
734,383
|
-
|
-
|
734,383
|
|||||||||
Accretion
expense
|
29,730
|
107,504
|
(26,876
|
)
|
110,358
|
||||||||
Exploration
expense
|
333,919
|
-
|
-
|
333,919
|
|||||||||
General
and administrative
|
4,501,737
|
567,524
|
(141,881
|
)
|
4,927,380
|
||||||||
Total
operating expenses
|
6,812,398
|
5,066,055
|
(1,130,876
|
)
|
10,747,577
|
||||||||
(5,650,579
|
)
|
(577,740
|
)
|
(17,949
|
)
|
(6,246,268
|
)
|
||||||
Other
income (expense):
|
|||||||||||||
Liquidated
damages pursuant to registration rights agreement
|
(2,705,531
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
(2,705,531
|
)
|
|||||||
Interest
expense
|
(37,654
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
(37,654
|
)
|
|||||||
Amortization
of deferred financing costs
|
(537,822
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
(537,822
|
)
|
|||||||
Interest
and other income
|
229,331
|
-
|
-
|
229,331
|
|||||||||
Total
other income (expense)
|
(3,051,676
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
(3,051,676
|
)
|
|||||||
$
|
(8,702,255
|
)
|
$
|
(577,740
|
)
|
$
|
(17,949
|
)
|
$
|
(9,297,944
|
)
|
30
Year
Ended March 31, 2006 (Unaudited)
|
||||||||||
Rancher
Energy
Corp.
|
Predecessor
|
Combined
|
||||||||
Revenue:
|
|
|
||||||||
Oil
production (in barrels)
|
-
|
67,321
|
67,321
|
|||||||
Oil
price (per barrel)
|
-
|
55.17
|
55.17
|
|||||||
Oil
& gas sales
|
-
|
3,713,973
|
3,713,973
|
|||||||
Operating
expenses:
|
||||||||||
Production
taxes
|
-
|
428,905
|
428,905
|
|||||||
Lease
operating expenses
|
-
|
1,537,992
|
1,537,992
|
|||||||
Depreciation,
depletion and amortization
|
213
|
567,345
|
567,558
|
|||||||
Accretion
expense
|
-
|
107,712
|
107,712
|
|||||||
General
and administrative
|
74,240
|
1,045,133
|
1,119,373
|
|||||||
Exploration
expense - mining
|
50,000
|
-
|
50,000
|
|||||||
Total
operating expenses
|
124,453
|
3,687,087
|
3,811,540
|
|||||||
$
|
(124,453
|
)
|
$
|
26,886
|
$
|
(97,567
|
)
|
31
Year
Ended March 31, 2005 (Unaudited)
|
|||||||||||||
Rancher
Energy
Corp.
|
Predecessor
|
Pre-
Predecessor
|
Combined
|
||||||||||
Revenue:
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Oil
production (in barrels)
|
-
|
16,234
|
35,882
|
52,116
|
|||||||||
Oil
price (per barrel)
|
-
|
44.50
|
35.54
|
38.33
|
|||||||||
Oil
& gas sales
|
-
|
722,449
|
1,275,214
|
1,997,663
|
|||||||||
Operating
expenses:
|
|||||||||||||
Production
taxes
|
-
|
81,868
|
138,087
|
219,955
|
|||||||||
Lease
operating expenses
|
-
|
360,207
|
583,942
|
944,149
|
|||||||||
Depreciation,
depletion and amortization
|
201
|
62,542
|
-
|
62,473
|
|||||||||
Accretion
expense
|
-
|
12,990
|
-
|
12,990
|
|||||||||
General
and administrative
|
26,953
|
283,257
|
-
|
310,210
|
|||||||||
Total
operating expenses
|
27,154
|
800,864
|
722,029
|
1,550,047
|
|||||||||
$
|
(27,154
|
)
|
$
|
(78,415
|
)
|
$
|
553,185
|
$
|
447,616
|
The
following provides explanations of changes in our results of operations,
and our
results of operations on a combined basis.
Rancher
Energy Corp.
Year
Ended March 31, 2007 Compared to Year Ended March 31,
2006
Overview.
For the
year ended March 31, 2007, we reflected a net loss of $8,702,255, or
$(0.16) per basic and fully diluted share, as compared to a loss of $124,453,
or
$(0.00) per basic and fully diluted share, for the corresponding year ended
March 31, 2006. During the year ended March 31, 2007, we completed our
December 22, 2006 acquisition of the Cole Creek South Field and South
Glenrock B Field, and our January 4, 2007 acquisition of the Big Muddy
Field. We did not have any oil & gas properties during fiscal 2006. During
fiscal year 2007 we directed our efforts to raising capital to finance the
acquisitions, and to increase our operational and administrative
infrastructure.
Revenue,
Production Taxes, and Lease Operating Expenses.
For the
year ended March 31, 2007, we reflected oil & gas sales of $1,161,819
on 23,838 barrels of oil at $48.74 per barrel, production taxes (including
ad
valorem taxes) of $136,305 and lease operating expenses of $700,623, as compared
to $0, $0 and $0, respectively, for the corresponding year ended March 31,
2006. Lease operating expenses per barrel of production were $29.39 and
production taxes were $5.72 per barrel for the fiscal year ended March 31,
2007.
32
Depreciation,
depletion, and amortization.
For the
year ended March 31, 2007, we reflected depreciation, depletion, and
amortization of $375,701 as compared to $213 for the corresponding year ended
March 31, 2006. Depreciation, depletion, and amortization was $14.59 per
barrel of production for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.
Impairment
of unproved properties.
For the
year ended March 31, 2007, we reflected impairment of unproved properties
of $734,383 as compared to $0 for the corresponding year ended March 31,
2006. We determined we would not develop certain properties, and the carrying
value would not be realized.
Exploration
expense.
For the
year ended March 31, 2007, we reflected exploration expense of $333,919 as
compared to $0 for the corresponding year ended March 31, 2006. Exploration
expenses were for geological and geophysical analysis of certain projects,
all
of which we elected not to pursue.
General
and administrative expense.
For the
year ended March 31, 2007, we reflected general and administrative expenses
of $4,501,737 as compared to $74,240 for the corresponding year ended
March 31, 2006. The increase is primarily attributed to focusing our
efforts on building our oil & gas infrastructure. Included in general and
administrative expenses for fiscal 2007 is stock-based compensation of
$1,501,908. Other key elements comprising the increase include corporate
promotion, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, audit fees, legal, and reservoir
engineering.
Liquidated
damages pursuant to registration rights agreement.
In
connection with our equity private placement in December 2006 and
January 2007, we entered into a registration rights agreement and agreed to
file a registration statement to register for resale the shares of common stock.
The agreement includes provisions for payment if the registration statement
is
not declared effective by May 20, 2007, and additional payments are due if
there are additional delays in obtaining effectiveness. We have determined
that
the obligation to pay liquidated damages is both probable and can be estimated.
Our estimate of $2,705,531 is equal to three months of damages. One month’s
damages were paid on May 18, 2007 by the issuance of 933,458 shares, valued
at $1.04 per share, with a present value of $953,431. The damages for the two
additional months were estimated to have a present value of $876,050 per month,
or a total for those months of $1,752,100. A second month’s damages were paid on
June 19, 2007 by the issuance of 946,819 shares, and the present value
approximated the previously established obligation.
Amortization
of deferred financing costs.
For the
year ended March 31, 2007, we reflected amortization of deferred financing
costs of $537,822 as compared to $0 for the corresponding year ended
March 31, 2006. We incurred financing costs of $921,821 in connection with
the private placement of convertible notes payable with a term of four months.
The amortization of those costs was based on the period from the date of the
notes through March 30, 2007, the date the notes automatically converted to
shares of common stock. When converted, proceeds from the placement were
reflected net of the unamortized deferred financing costs.
Interest
income.
For the
year ended March 31, 2007, we reflected interest income of $229,331 as
compared to $0 for the corresponding year ended March 31, 2006. The
interest income was derived from earnings on excess cash derived from the
private placement of units, consisting of common stock and warrants to acquire
shares of common stock.
33
Year
Ended March 31,
2006 Compared to Year Ended March 31, 2005
During
the year ended March 31, 2006, we had a net loss of $124,453, which was an
increase from a net loss of $27,154 for the year ended March 31, 2005.
Legal and accounting fees increased to $47,809 from $8,795 in 2006 due to our
increased activity. In addition, our increase in activity resulted in increased
auditing and review fees. Mining exploration expenses of $50,000 were recognized
in the year ended March 31, 2006 which related to expenditures on a mining
project that we abandoned subsequent to year end.
Rancher
Energy Corp. Combined with Predecessor and
Pre-Predecessor
Year
Ended March 31, 2007 Compared to Year Ended March 31,
2006
Revenue,
Production Taxes, and Lease Operating Expenses.
For the
year ended March 31, 2007, oil & gas sales were $4,501,309 on 78,283
barrels of oil at $57.50 per barrel, production taxes (including ad valorem
taxes) were $509,948, or $6.51 per barrel, and lease operating expenses were
$3,070,154, or $39.22 per barrel, as compared to oil & gas sales of
$3,713,973 on 67,321 barrels of oil at $55.17 per barrel, production taxes
(including ad valorem taxes) of $428,905, or $6.37 per barrel, and lease
operating expenses of $1,537,992, or $22.85 per barrel, respectively, for the
corresponding year ended March 31, 2006.
Depreciation,
depletion, and amortization.
For the
year ended March 31, 2007, depreciation, depletion, and amortization was
$1,061,435, or $13.56 per barrel of oil, as compared to $567,558, or $8.43
per
barrel of oil, for the corresponding year ended March 31, 2006.
The
depreciation, depletion and amortization is not comparable between periods
because the oil and gas properties have a different basis of accounting as
a
result of applying purchase accounting, which resulted in depreciation,
depletion and amortization rates that are different before and after the
acquisition of the properties.
Impairment
of unproved properties.
For the
year ended March 31, 2007, impairment of unproved properties was $734,383,
as compared to $0 for the corresponding year ended March 31, 2006. We
determined that certain properties would not be developed, and the carrying
value would not be realized.
Exploration
expense.
For the
year ended March 31, 2007, exploration expense was $333,919 as compared to
$0 for the corresponding year ended March 31, 2006. Exploration expenses
were for geological and geophysical analysis of certain projects, all of which
were not pursued.
General
and administrative expense.
For the
year ended March 31, 2007, general and administrative expenses were
$4,927,380 as compared to $1,119,373 for the corresponding year ended
March 31, 2006. The increase was primarily attributed to focusing efforts
on building our oil & gas infrastructure. Included in general and
administrative expenses for fiscal 2007 is stock-based compensation of
$1,501,908. Other key elements comprising the increase include corporate
promotion, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, audit fees, legal, and reservoir
engineering.
Liquidated
damages pursuant to registration rights agreement.
In
connection with our equity private placement in December 2006 and
January 2007, we entered into a registration rights agreement and agreed to
file a registration statement to register for resale the shares of common stock.
The agreement includes provisions for payment if the registration statement
is
not declared effective by May 20, 2007, and additional payments are due if
there are additional delays in obtaining effectiveness. We have determined
that
the obligation to pay liquidated damages is both probable and can be estimated.
Our estimate of $2,705,531 is equal to three months of damages. One month’s
damages were paid on May 18, 2007 by the issuance of 933,458 shares, valued
at $1.04 per share, with a present value of $953,431. The damages for the two
additional months were estimated to have a present value of $876,050 per month,
or a total for those months of $1,752,100. A second month’s damages were paid on
June 19, 2007 by the issuance of 946,819 shares, and the present value
approximated the previously established obligation.
34
Amortization
of deferred financing costs.
For the
year ended March 31, 2007, we reflected amortization of deferred financing
costs of $537,822 as compared to $0 for the corresponding year ended
March 31, 2006. We incurred financing costs of $921,821 in connection with
the private placement of convertible notes payable with a term of four months.
The amortization of those costs was based on the period from the date of the
notes through March 30, 2007, the date the notes automatically converted to
shares of common stock. When converted, proceeds from the placement were
reflected net of the unamortized deferred financing costs.
Interest
income.
For the
year ended March 31, 2007, interest income was $229,331 as compared to $0
for the corresponding year ended March 31, 2006. The interest income was
derived from earnings on excess cash derived from the private placement of
units, consisting of common stock and warrants to acquire shares of common
stock.
Year
Ended March 31,
2006 Compared to Year Ended March 31, 2005
Revenue,
Production Taxes, and Lease Operating Expenses.
For the
year ended March 31, 2006, oil & gas sales were $3,713,973 on 67,321
barrels of oil at $55.17 per barrel, production taxes (including ad valorem
taxes) were $428,905, or $6.37 per barrel, and lease operating expenses were
$1,537,992, or $22.85 per barrel, as compared to oil & gas sales of
$1,997,663 on 52,116 barrels of oil at $38.33 per barrel, production taxes
(including ad valorem taxes) of $219,955, or $4.22 per barrel, and lease
operating expenses of $944,149, or $18.12 per barrel, respectively, for the
corresponding year ended March 31, 2005.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
As
of
March 31, 2007, we had working capital of $889,221. Current liabilities
include $2,705,531 for penalty payments pursuant to the Registration Rights
Agreement, part of which has already been paid in stock. We anticipate that
the
remaining accrued payment will also be made in stock. If the penalty payments
amount was excluded, working capital would be $3,594,752.
Our
primary source of liquidity to meet operating expenses and fund capital
expenditures is our access to debt and equity markets. The debt and equity
markets, public, private, and institutional, have been our principal source
of
capital used to finance a significant amount of growth, including acquisitions.
We will need substantial additional funding to pursue our business
plan.
35
We
have
working capital and have revenue from production operations in our three fields.
However, these currently available cash sources are not sufficient to fund
our
planned expenditures for the tertiary development of the fields. Essentially
all
of the funding for tertiary development is expected to come from, and is
dependent on, successful completion of a debt financing.
We
currently have negative cash flow from operating activities. Monthly oil
&
gas production revenue is adequate to cover monthly field operating costs
and
production taxes at the current time. Only a portion of the remaining cash
costs, which consist primarily of general and administrative expenses, are
covered by cash flow. At current staffing levels, the negative cash flow
is
projected to be covered by available cash, assuming no additional financing
is
obtained by us, through fiscal year 2008. However, in the event we are not
successful in raising financing adequate to begin our CO2
development projects, we do not plan to allow negative monthly cash flow
to
remain at current levels. Rather, we plan to address the situation at that
time
by reducing staffing levels to reduce cash requirements, and using proceeds
of a
senior revolving debt facility, if available, to pursue development projects
to
enhance near term production rates and cash flow.
We
may
have to pay liquidated damages pursuant to the registration rights agreement
in
connection with our December 2006 and January 2007 equity private placement
that
are in excess of the amounts that we have already incurred or accrued. We
anticipate that we will make any payments due related to the registration rights
agreement in stock, rather than cash, subject to our meeting certain
requirements. If we are required to make payments in cash rather than stock,
our
liquidity would be negatively affected.
Change
in Financial Condition
We
entered into a number of debt and equity transactions in fiscal year 2007,
which
dramatically increased our financial capability. The following is a summary
of
debt and equity transactions completed during fiscal 2007:
Convertible
Debt Transactions
Venture
Capital First LLC
On
June 9, 2006, we borrowed $500,000 from Venture Capital First LLC (Venture
Capital). Principal and interest at an annual rate of 6% were due
December 9, 2006. The agreement provided that Venture Capital had the
option to convert all or a portion of the loan into common stock and warrants
to
purchase common stock, either (i) at the closing price of our shares on the
day
preceding notice from Venture Capital of its intent to convert all or a portion
of the loan into common stock or, (ii) in the event we conducted an offering
of
common stock, or units consisting of common stock and warrants to purchase
stock, at the price of such shares or units in the offering.
36
On
July 19, 2006, Venture Capital elected to convert its entire loan and
accrued interest into 1,006,905 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase
1,006,905 shares of common stock at a price of $0.50 per unit, the price per
unit in the offering discussed in Equity
Transactions
below.
The warrants are exercisable over a two-year period, at a price of $0.75 per
share for the first year, and $1.00 per share for the second year. On
December 21, 2006, the warrant holder agreed not to exercise its right to
acquire shares of common stock until we received stockholder approval to
increase the number of authorized shares, and the exercise price of $0.75 per
share was extended by us through the second year.
Private
Placement - Convertible Notes Payable
As
part
of the December 2006 and January 2007 equity private placement, which is further
discussed below, in December 2006 and January 2007, we received
$10,494,582 from certain investors, who received convertible notes payable.
Upon
stockholder approval of an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation increasing
the authorized shares of our common stock, which occurred on March 30,
2007, the notes automatically converted into shares of common stock. The number
of shares issued upon conversion of the notes was equal to the face amount
of
the notes divided by $1.50 per share, which is the price that the shares were
simultaneously sold in a private placement as discussed below, or 6,996,342
shares. Had the notes not converted, the notes would have accrued interest
at an
annual rate of 12% beginning 120 days after issuance, which was the maturity
date of the notes.
Consistent
with the terms and conditions of the Units sold in the private placement (as
further discussed below under the heading “Private Placement” and in Note 6 -
Sale of Common Stock and Warrants to the Notes to Financial Statements of our
audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 in
Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report), the convertible notes payable were
issued with warrants to acquire 6,996,322 shares of common stock at $1.50 per
share.
Equity
Transactions
Units
Issued Pursuant to Regulation S
For
the
period from June 2006 through October 2006, we sold 18,133,500 Units
for $0.50 per Unit, totaling gross proceeds of $9,066,750, pursuant to the
exemption from registration of securities under the Securities Act of 1933
as
provided by Regulation S. Each Unit consisted of one share of common stock
and a
warrant to purchase one additional share of common stock.
For
8,850,000 Units, we paid no underwriting commissions. For 9,283,500 Units,
we
paid a cash commission of $232,088, equal to 5% of the proceeds from the units,
and a stock-based commission of 464,175 shares of common stock, equal to 5%
of
the number of Units sold. The sum of the shares sold and the commission shares
aggregated 18,597,675. All warrants were originally exercisable for a period
of
two years from the date of issuance. During the first year, the exercise price
was $0.75 per share; during the second year, the exercise price was $1.00 per
share. The warrants are redeemable by us for no consideration upon 30 days
prior
notice. A portion of these warrants were modified as discussed
below.
Warrant
Modification - Warrants Issued Pursuant to Regulation S
On
December 21, 2006, holders of 13,192,000 warrants issued pursuant to
Regulation S in a private placement from June through October 2006
agreed not to exercise their right to acquire shares of common stock until
we
received stockholder approval, which was obtained on March 30, 2007, to
increase the number of our authorized shares. Pursuant to this agreement, the
exercise price of $0.75 per share was extended by us through the second year.
Terms for the remaining 4,941,500 warrants were unchanged.
37
Private
Placement
On
December 21, 2006, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement, as
amended, with institutional and individual accredited investors to effect a
$79,500,000 private placement of shares of our common stock and other securities
in multiple closings. As part of this private placement, we raised an aggregate
of $79,405,418 and issued (i) 45,940,510 shares of common stock, (ii) promissory
notes that were convertible into 6,996,342 shares of common stock, and (iii)
warrants to purchase 52,936,832 shares of common stock. The warrants issued
to
investors in the private placement are exercisable during the five year period
beginning on the date we amended and restated our Articles of Incorporation
to
increase our authorized shares of common stock, which was March 30, 2007.
The notes issued in the private placement automatically converted into shares
of
common stock on March 30, 2007. In conjunction with the private placement,
we also used the services of placement agents and have issued warrants to
purchase 3,633,313 shares of common stock to these agents or their designees.
The warrants issued to the placement agents or their designees are exercisable
during the two year period (warrants to purchase 2,187,580 shares of common
stock) or the five year period (warrants to purchase 1,445,733 shares of common
stock) beginning on the date we amended and restated our Articles of
Incorporation to increase our authorized shares of common stock, which was
March 30, 2007. All of the warrants issued in conjunction with the private
placement have an exercise price of $1.50 per share.
In
connection with the private placement, we also entered into a Registration
Rights Agreement with the investors in which we agreed to register for resale
the shares of common stock issued in the private placement as well as the shares
underlying the warrants and convertible notes issued in the private placement.
There are liquidated damages payable pursuant to the Securities Purchase
Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement relating to these registration
provisions and other obligations, as described in Note 6 - Sale of Common
Stock and Warrants to the Notes to Financial Statements of our audited financial
statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 in Part IV,
Item 15, of this Annual Report, which, if triggered, could result in
substantial amounts to be due to the investors.
Summary
of Warrants
We
have
19,140,405 warrants outstanding to acquire our common stock at an exercise
price
of $0.75 per share, all of which expire by October 18, 2008. The exercise
of the full amount of these warrants, which is not assured, would add
$14,355,304 to our liquidity. In the longer term, the exercise of the remaining
56,820,165 warrants outstanding to acquire our common stock at an exercise
price
of $1.50 per share would add $85,230,247 to our liquidity, if all were
exercised. These options expire by March 30, 2012.
The
following is a summary of warrants as of March 31, 2007.
38
Warrants
|
Exercise
Price
|
Expiration
Date
|
||||||||
Warrants
issued in connection with the
following:
|
||||||||||
Sale
of common stock pursuant to
Regulation
S
|
18,133,500
|
$
|
0.75-$1.00
|
July
5, 2008
to
October 18, 2008
|
||||||
Conversion
of notes payable into common stock
|
1,006,905
|
$
|
0.75
|
July
19, 2008
|
||||||
Private
placement of common stock
|
45,940,510
|
$
|
1.50
|
March
30, 2012
|
||||||
Private
placement of convertible notes payable
|
6,996,322
|
$
|
1.50
|
March
30, 2012
|
||||||
Private
placement agent commissions
|
2,187,580
|
$
|
1.50
|
March
30, 2009
|
||||||
Private
placement agent commissions
|
1,445,733
|
$
|
1.50
|
March
30, 2012
|
||||||
Acquisition
of oil & gas properties
|
250,000
|
$
|
1.50
|
December
22, 2011
|
||||||
Total
warrants outstanding at March 31, 2007
|
75,960,550
|
|||||||||
Cash
Flows
The
following is a summary of our comparative cash flows:
|
For
the Years Ended March 31,
|
|||||||||
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
|||||||
Cash
flows from:
|
|
|
||||||||
Operating
activities
|
$
|
(2,285,430
|
)
|
$
|
(124,073
|
)
|
$
|
(25,050
|
)
|
|
Investing
activities
|
(74,357,306
|
)
|
-
|
(890
|
)
|
|||||
Financing
activities
|
81,726,538
|
166,094
|
30,000
|
Analysis
of cash flow changes between 2007 and 2006
Cash
flows used for operating activities increased primarily as a result of general
and administrative expenses incurred in connection with the expansion of our
oil
& gas operations.
Cash
flows used for investing activities increased primarily as a result of expending
$47,073,657 in connection with the acquisition of the Cole Creek South and
South
Glenrock B Fields, and $25,672,638 in connection with the acquisition of the
Big
Muddy Field. We expended $841,993 for other oil & gas property capital
expenditures and $769,018 for other equipment.
Cash
flows provided by financing activities increased primarily as a result of
certain private placements of equity securities aggregating net proceeds of
$71,653,937. In connection with the private placement of equity securities,
we
also received net proceeds of $10,494,582 from the issuance of convertible
notes
payable and warrants to acquire shares of our common stock. The notes payable
were converted to equity on March 30, 2007.
Capital
Expenditures
The
following table sets forth certain historical information regarding costs
incurred in oil & gas property acquisition, exploration and development
activities, whether capitalized or expensed.
39
|
For
the Year Ended March 31,
|
|||||||||
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
|||||||
|
|
|
||||||||
Exploration
|
$
|
333,919
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||
Development
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Acquisitions:
|
||||||||||
Unproved
|
56,813,516
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Proved
|
18,552,188
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Total
|
75,699,623
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Costs
associated with asset retirement obligations
|
$
|
1,191,837
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
Schedule
of Contractual Obligations
The
following table summarizes our future estimated minimum lease payments for
our
office space for the periods specified.
Total
|
Less
than 1 year
|
1
-
3 years
|
3
-
5 years
|
More
than 5 years
|
||||||||||||
Operating
lease
|
$
|
1,907,640
|
$
|
280,859
|
$
|
733,061
|
$
|
765,773
|
$
|
127,947
|
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
We
do not
have any off-balance sheet financing nor do we have any unconsolidated
subsidiaries.
We
are
engaged in the exploration, exploitation, development, acquisition, and
production of natural gas and crude oil. Our discussion of financial condition
and results of operations is based upon the information reported in our
financial statements. The preparation of these financial statements requires
us
to make assumptions and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets,
liabilities, revenues, and expenses as well as the disclosure of contingent
assets and liabilities as of the date of our financial statements. We base
our
decisions, which affect the estimates we use, on historical experience and
various other sources that are believed to be reasonable under the
circumstances. Actual results may differ from the estimates we calculate due
to
changing business conditions or unexpected circumstances. Policies we believe
are critical to understanding our business operations and results of operations
are detailed below. For additional information on our significant accounting
policies see Note 1—Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting
Policies, Note 3—Asset Retirement Obligations, and Note 7—Disclosures About Oil
& Gas Producing Activities to the Notes to Financial Statements of our
audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 in
Part IV, Item 15, of this Annual Report.
Oil
& gas reserve quantities.
Estimated
reserve quantities and the related estimates of future net cash flows are the
most important estimates for an exploration and production company because
they
affect our perceived value, are used in comparative financial analysis ratios
and are used as the basis for the most significant accounting estimates in
our
financial statements. This includes the periodic calculations of depletion,
depreciation, and impairment for our proved oil & gas assets. Proved oil
& gas reserves are the estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas, and
natural gas liquids which geological and engineering data demonstrate with
reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future periods from known reservoirs
under existing economic and operating conditions. Future cash inflows and future
production and development costs are determined by applying benchmark prices
and
costs, including transportation, quality, and basis differentials, in effect
at
the end of each period to the estimated quantities of oil & gas remaining to
be produced as of the end of that period. Expected cash flows are reduced to
present value using a discount rate that depends upon the purpose for which
the
reserve estimates will be used. For example, the standardized measure
calculation required by SFAS No. 69, Disclosures About Oil & Gas
Producing Activities, requires a 10% discount rate to be applied. Although
reserve estimates are inherently imprecise, and estimates of new discoveries
and
undeveloped locations are more imprecise than those of established producing
oil
& gas properties, we make a considerable effort in estimating our reserves,
which are prepared by independent reserve engineering consultants. We expect
that periodic reserve estimates will change in the future as additional
information becomes available or as oil & gas prices and operating and
capital costs change. We evaluate and estimate our oil & gas reserves at
March 31 of each year. For purposes of depletion, depreciation, and
impairment, reserve quantities are adjusted at all interim periods for the
estimated impact of additions and dispositions. Changes in depletion,
depreciation, or impairment calculations caused by changes in reserve quantities
or net cash flows are recorded in the period that the reserve estimates
change.
40
Successful
efforts method of accounting.
Generally
accepted accounting principles provide for two alternative methods for the
oil
& gas industry to use in accounting for oil & gas producing activities.
These two methods are generally known in our industry as the full cost method
and the successful efforts method. Both methods are widely used. The methods
are
different enough that in many circumstances the same set of facts will provide
materially different financial statement results within a given year. We have
chosen the successful efforts method of accounting for our oil & gas
producing activities, and a detailed description is included in Note 1 -
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Notes to
Financial Statements of our audited financial statements for the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2007 in Part IV, Item 15, of this Annual
Report.
Revenue
recognition.
Our
revenue recognition policy is significant because revenue is a key component
of
our results of operations and our forward-looking statements contained in our
analyses of liquidity and capital resources. We derive our revenue primarily
from the sale of produced crude oil. We report revenue as the gross amounts
we
receive for our net revenue interest before taking into account production
taxes
and transportation costs, which are reported as separate expenses. Revenue
is
recorded in the month our production is delivered to the purchaser, but payment
is generally received between 30 and 90 days after the date of production.
No
revenue is recognized unless it is determined that title to the product has
transferred to a purchaser. At the end of each month we make estimates of the
amount of production delivered to the purchaser and the price we will receive.
We use our knowledge of our properties, their historical performance, the
anticipated effect of weather conditions during the month of production, NYMEX
and local spot market prices, and other factors as the basis for these
estimates. Variances between
our estimates and the actual amounts received are recorded in the month payment
is received.
Asset
retirement obligations.
We
are
required to recognize an estimated liability for future costs associated with
the abandonment of our oil & gas properties. We base our estimate of the
liability on our historical experience in abandoning oil & gas wells
projected into the future based on our current understanding of federal and
state regulatory requirements. Our present value calculations require us to
estimate the economic lives of our properties, assume what future inflation
rates apply to external estimates, and determine what credit adjusted risk-free
rate to use. The statement of operations impact of these estimates is reflected
in our depreciation, depletion, and amortization and accretion calculations
and
occurs over the remaining life of our oil & gas properties.
Valuation
of long-lived and intangible assets.
Our
property and equipment is recorded at cost. An impairment allowance is provided
on unproved property when we determine that the property will not be developed
or the carrying value will not be realized. We evaluate the realizability of
our
proved properties and other long-lived assets whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that impairment may be appropriate. Our impairment test
compares the expected undiscounted future net revenues from a property, using
escalated pricing, with the related net capitalized costs of the property at
the
end of each period. When the net capitalized costs exceed the undiscounted
future net revenue of a property, the cost of the property is written down
to
our estimate of fair value, which is determined by applying a discount rate
that
we believe is indicative of the current market. Our criteria for an acceptable
internal rate of return are subject to change over time. Different pricing
assumptions or discount rates could result in a different calculated
impairment.
41
Income
taxes.
We
provide for deferred income taxes on the difference between the tax basis of
an
asset or liability and its carrying amount in our financial statements in
accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting
for Income Taxes.
This
difference will result in taxable income or deductions in future years when
the
reported amount of the asset or liability is recovered or settled, respectively.
Considerable judgment is required in determining when these events may occur
and
whether recovery of an asset is more likely than not. Additionally, our federal
and state income tax returns are generally not filed before the financial
statements are prepared, therefore we estimate the tax basis of our assets
and
liabilities at the end of each period as well as the effects of tax rate
changes, tax credits, and net operating and capital loss carryforwards and
carrybacks. Adjustments related to differences between the estimates we used
and
actual amounts we reported are recorded in the period in which we file our
income tax returns. These adjustments and changes in our estimates of asset
recovery could have an impact on our results of operations. Deferred tax assets
are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it
is
more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will
not be realized. To date, we have not recorded any deferred tax assets because
of the historical losses that we have incurred.
Stock-based
compensation.
As
of
April 1, 2006, we adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). This
statement requires us to record expense associated with the fair value of
stock-based compensation. As a result of adoption of this statement, we recorded
compensation expense associated with stock options totaling $1,501,908 under
the
modified-prospective adoption method.
Registration
Payment Arrangements. During
the year ended March 31, 2007, we adopted Staff Position (FSP) EITF (Emerging
Issues Task Force) 00-19-2, Accounting
for Registration Payment Arrangements.
FSP
EITF 00-19-2 specifies that the contingent obligation to make future payments
or
otherwise transfer consideration under a registration payment arrangement,
whether issued as a separate agreement or included as a provision of a financial
instrument or other agreement, should be separately recognized and measured
in
accordance with FASB Statement No. 5, Accounting
for Contingencies.
As a
result of the adoption of the FSP we recorded $2,705,531 in liquidated damages
as an expense in the consolidated statement of operations and in accrued
liabilities at March 31, 2007.
ITEM
7A. QUANTITATIVE
AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Commodity
Price Risk
Because
of our relatively low level of current oil & gas production, we are not
exposed to a great degree of market risk relating to the pricing applicable
to
our oil production. However, our ability to raise additional capital at
attractive pricing, our future revenues from oil & gas operations, our
future profitability and future rate of growth depend substantially upon the
market prices of oil and natural gas, which fluctuate widely. With increases
to
our production, exposure to this risk will become more significant. We expect
commodity price volatility to continue. We do not currently utilize hedging
contracts or derivative instruments to protect against commodity price risk.
Terms of a debt facility may require that we hedge a portion of our expected
future production.
42
ITEM
8. FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
Our
Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data required by this Item
8
are set forth following the signature page and exhibit index of this Annual
Report, and are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM
9. CHANGES
IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE.
On
July 31, 2006, our Board of Directors approved a change in our registered
independent accounting firm to audit our financial statements. We appointed
Hein
& Associates, LLP to serve as our registered independent accounting firm
effective August 1, 2006 to replace Williams & Webster P.S. The change
was made to further consolidate our accounting and auditing functions in Denver,
Colorado.
There
were no “disagreements” (as such term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of
Regulation S-K) with Williams & Webster P.S. at any time during our most
recent two fiscal years and through July 31, 2006 regarding any matter of
accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing
scope or procedures that if not resolved to the satisfaction of Williams &
Webster P.S. would have caused it to make reference to such disagreements in
its
reports.
The
reports of Williams & Webster P.S. on our financial statements for the years
March 31, 2005 and 2006 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer
of opinion, and were not modified as to audit scope or accounting principles.
However, the reports did contain an explanatory paragraph related to the
uncertainty about our ability to continue as a going concern. There are no
other
“reportable events” (as such term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v)(A) through (D)
of Regulation S-K and its related instructions) in context of our relationship
with Williams & Webster P.S. during the relevant periods.
During
each of the two most recent fiscal years and through July 31, 2006, neither
we nor anyone on our behalf consulted with Hein & Associates, LLP with
respect to any accounting or auditing issues involving us. In particular, there
was no discussion with us regarding the type of audit opinion that might be
rendered on our financial statements, the application of accounting principles
applied to a specified transaction, or any matter that was the subject of a
disagreement or a “reportable event” as defined in Item 304(a)(1) of Regulation
S-K and its related instructions.
Williams
& Webster P.S. has reviewed the disclosures above, which were previously
included in a Form 8-K filing made by us in 2006. In 2006, Williams &
Webster P.S. furnished us with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC), which was filed as Exhibit 16.1 to the Current Report on
Form 8-K filed by the Company with the SEC on August 10, 2006 and is
incorporated herein by reference in accordance with Item 304(a)(3) of Regulation
S-K.
ITEM
9A. CONTROLS
AND PROCEDURES.
Disclosure
Controls and Procedures.
We
maintain controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required
to
be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 (Exchange Act) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported
within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. Evaluations
have been performed under the supervision and with the participation of our
management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer,
of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls
and
procedures (as such terms are defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the
Exchange Act). We view internal control over financial reporting to be an
integral part of our disclosure control over financial reporting. Based on
the
evaluation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer that
there
are material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we
concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are not effective. The
weaknesses and our remediation efforts are discussed below.
43
Our
management does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will
prevent all errors and all fraud. The design of a control system must reflect
the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls
must
be considered relative to their costs. Based on the inherent limitations in
all
control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that
all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have
been
detected. These inherent limitations include the realties that judgments in
decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple
errors or mistakes. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual
acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management
override of the controls. The design of any system of controls also is based
in
part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. Therefore,
a control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only
reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system
are met.
Management’s
Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our
management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer,
are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control
over
financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting was designed
to provide reasonable assurance regarding the fair presentation of our financial
statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States (GAAP). Our internal control over financial reporting includes
those policies and procedures that:
· |
Establish
and maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting,
|
· |
Assess
the effectiveness of internal control over financing
reporting,
|
· |
Pertain
to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately
and
fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our
assets,
|
· |
Provide
reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as to permit
preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and
that our
receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with
authorization of our management and Board of Directors,
and
|
· |
Provide
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of
unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that
could
have a material effect on our financial statements.
|
Management
has excluded from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting
as
of March 31, 2007, the internal control processes specifically related to
the
accounting for the acquisitions of the South Glenrock B, Cole Creek South,
and
Big Muddy oil & gas producing properties because they were acquired in the
latter part of our third fiscal quarter and the early part of our fourth
fiscal
quarter of 2007. The acquisitions represented the first purchases of oil
&
gas producing properties for the Company. The processes that were specifically
excluded were the accounting for the acquisition purchase price, depletion,
and
depreciation of the properties, oil & gas sales and receivables, production
taxes, lease operating expenses and receivables, and the FAS143 asset retirement
obligation. The acquisitions represent approximately $74.7 million, or 92%,
$1.2
million, or 21%, and $1.2 million, or 100%, of the Company’s total assets, total
liabilities, and total revenues, respectively, as of and for the year ended
March 31, 2007.
44
Management
assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting
as
of March 31, 2007 based on criteria issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in its Internal
Control-Integrated Framework.
Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design of our internal
control over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness
of
our internal control over financial reporting. Based on our assessment,
management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting
as
of March 31, 2007 is not effective due to the identification of the material
weaknesses discussed below. It is reasonably possible that, if not remediated,
one or more of the material weaknesses could result in a material misstatement
in our reported financial statements in a future annual or interim period.
A
material weakness in internal control over financial reporting is defined
by the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s Audit Standard No. 2 as being a
significant deficiency, or combination of significant deficiencies, that
results
in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the financial
statements would not be prevented or detected. A significant deficiency is
a
control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that adversely
affects the company’s ability to initiate, authorize, record, process, or report
external financial data reliably in accordance with GAAP such that there
is more
than a remote likelihood that a misstatement of the company’s annual or interim
financial statements that is more than inconsequential will not be prevented
or
detected.
Management’s
assessment of our internal control over financial reporting is not effective
as
of March 31, 2007 due to the identification of the following material
weaknesses.
(A)
Our operating environment did not sufficiently promote effective internal
control over financial reporting throughout the organization.
During
the year, the Company changed focus from one engaged in the exploration of
a
gold prospect in British Columbia, Canada which found no commercially
exploitable deposits or reserves of gold, to an oil & gas company focused on
using CO2
enhanced
oil recovery methods in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming.
45
The
change in operating environment is evidenced by the
following:
· |
the
small amount of cash on hand in the Company totaling approximately
$15,000
one year ago as compared to over $89,300,000 of equity capital raised
by
the Company by mid-January 2007,
|
· |
the
rapid asset growth of the Company from one small undeveloped oil
& gas
property valued at approximately $250,000 one year ago to the acquisition
of three large producing oil fields that we purchased for approximately
$73,000,000 in December 2006 and January 2007,
|
· |
the
rapid employee growth of the Company from two employees one year
ago to
over 25 employees as of the date of filing of this Annual Report,
including the employment of a new Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Operating
Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Senior Vice President, Engineering,
|
· |
the
short operating period of the Company during which, beginning on
September
30, 2006, we became an accelerated filer for SEC purposes and became
subject to Sarbanes-Oxley rules concerning our internal control over
financial reporting,
|
· |
the
short period within which to test our internal controls over financial
reporting resulting in a small sample size upon which the internal
controls and financial reporting could be tested,
and
|
· |
the
hiring of four additional members of our Board of Directors in April
2007,
which increased our Board to six members from the two members in
place
throughout most of the year, and the absence of the establishment
of the
Company’s Audit Committee until May 2007.
|
Because
of the rapid change in our operating environment, we did not effectively
implement a system of entity-level internal controls by March 31, 2007, as
evidenced by the following deficiencies:
We
did not maintain sufficient auditable evidence of management’s review and
analysis of the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange
Act.
We have
implemented measures to retain copies of comments from our personnel evidencing
such review and analysis. We anticipate that this deficiency will be remediated
December 31, 2007.
We
did not make available to management timely internal management reports,
or to
the extent available, we maintained insufficient auditable evidence of
management’s review and analysis of those reports.
Management has directed that key performance indicators and other financial
information be gathered and reported to our Chief Executive Officer and other
appropriate senior managers on a monthly basis. We expect that the timing
of
this remediation effort will be partly dependent on the timing of our hiring
of
a Chief Accounting Officer and a Financial Controller. However, we anticipate
that the steps necessary to address this deficiency will be fully implemented
by
December 31, 2007.
We
had no formal written policy governing delegation of approval authority levels
for financial transactions. While
prior to March 2007 we had an informal policy governing delegation of approval
authority levels for financial transactions, including contracts, expenditures,
and payments, due to the low level of operations of the Company and its small
size, we had no formal written policy governing delegation of approval authority
levels for financial transactions. In March 2007 our policy governing such
approval authority levels was adopted by our management and Board of Directors,
and this policy was again reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors in
May
2007.
We
did not obtain attestations by management or our employees regarding their
compliance with our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. While
we
did receive, by March 31, 2007, from all officers and employees attestations
as
to their understanding of and compliance with Company policies related to
their
employment, we did not obtain attestations regarding their compliance with
our
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. We adopted a new Code of Business Conduct
and Ethics in May 2007, and that policy has been posted on our website. We
have
distributed the policy document to all employees and Directors, and as of
the
date of filing of this Annual Report, we received from all employees and
Directors attestations as to their understanding of and compliance with this
policy.
46
We
did not conduct a full fraud assessment process prior to year end.
In
May
2007 we initiated a formal fraud assessment process. Our policies call for
a
quarterly fraud assessment as part of our financial closing procedures and
an
annual fraud assessment as part of the business planning process carried
out by
our management. We anticipate that the steps necessary to address this
deficiency will be fully implemented by December 31, 2007.
We
did not obtain prescribed attestations by management regarding their compliance
with an insider trading policy or attestations from our employees as to their
understanding of and compliance with the company policies related to insider
trading. We
adopted a formal Insider Trading Policy on May 31, 2007. This policy document
has been posted on our website and we have distributed the policy document
to
all employees and Directors, and as of the date of filing of this Annual
Report
we received from all employees and Directors attestations as to their
understanding of and compliance with this policy.
(B) We
did not have a sufficient complement of personnel with appropriate training
and
experience in GAAP, as evidenced by the following deficiencies:
The
rapid
employee growth of the Company from two employees one year ago to over 25
employees as of the date of filing of this Annual Report resulted in the
Company
not having a sufficient complement of personnel with appropriate training
and
experience in GAAP during the past fiscal year. We did not have any significant
properties or operations until we completed our equity private placement
in
mid-January 2007 and acquired our three properties in Wyoming. In January
2007
we hired a Chief Financial Officer with an M.B.A. in Finance from the Wharton
School, University of Pennsylvania, and with B.S. and Master’s degrees in civil
engineering from Rice University. He has over twenty years of experience
in
financial management and strategic planning in the energy industry, including
serving most recently as treasurer and acting chief financial officer of
a
privately held energy and production company. Although both our Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer have substantial financial experience,
they
do not have significant experience in preparing financial statements of a
publicly held company or in implementing internal control over financing
reporting for a public company. As a result, during the year we relied primarily
on consultants for preparation of our financial statements and for our internal
control over financial reporting. For example, the reconciliation of payroll,
among other items, to the general ledger was not performed throughout the
year.
Management, in coordination with the Audit Committee, has undertaken steps
to
reorganize our Accounting Department, and management is allocating significant
additional resources to our Accounting Department, including retaining
additional consultants and hiring new full-time personnel.
In
June
2007, our Financial Controller, who was hired in March 2007, announced her
intention to leave the Company. Management, in coordination with the Audit
Committee, has begun an executive search for a new Financial Controller.
We
expect this deficiency will be remediated by December 31, 2007.
In
June
2007, Management, in coordination with the Audit Committee, implemented the
following remediation plans:
· |
retained
a national executive services and consulting firm, to provide immediate
assistance to the Company with respect to our internal financial
reporting, reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act,
and our
internal control over financial reporting. They have supplied the
Company
with two senior-level executives experienced in financial reporting,
Exchange Act reporting, and control over financial reporting. In
addition
they will assist the Company to strategically identify its
requirements for additional full-time Accounting Department personnel,
and
locating and recruiting such personnel.
|
47
· |
began
an executive search in June 2007 for a Chief Accounting Officer who
would
have the requisite GAAP training and experience to supplement our
Chief
Financial Officer’s other finance experience. We expect that this
deficiency will be remediated by December 31,
2007.
|
Management,
in coordination with the Audit Committee, intends to provide our Operations
Controller with additional training in GAAP. We anticipate that this deficiency
will be remediated by December 31, 2007.
(C) We
did not adequately segregate the duties of different personnel within our
Accounting Department due to an insufficient complement of staff and inadequate
management oversight.
Our
Operations Controller performed all of the following functions: (i) operations
accounting system set-up, (ii) administration, (iii) data input, and (iv)
reporting. Activities that were not adequately segregated included (i)
processing of deposits and making payments, and (ii) payroll calculation and
payroll processing. We are addressing these segregation issues through revised
desk procedures and management and staff training. We anticipate that this
deficiency will be remediated by December 31, 2007.
Our
Financial Controller, who was responsible for our financial reporting,
established and maintained the internal controls over financial reporting ,
and
also identified which tests should be performed over our internal control over
financial reporting We anticipate that this deficiency will be remediated
byDecember 31, 2007.
48
Changes
in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The
changes noted above are the only changes during our most recently completed
fiscal year that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially
affect our internal control over financial reporting.
Hein
& Associates, LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that
audited our financial statements included in this Annual Report, has also issued
an attestation on our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our
internal control over financial reporting and the effectiveness of our internal
control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2007, which follows.
49
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To
the
Board of Directors
Rancher
Energy Corp.
Denver,
Colorado
We
have
audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s
Report on Internal Control, that Rancher Energy Corp. did not maintain effective
internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2007, because of
the
effect of the material weaknesses identified in management’s assessment, based
on criteria established in
Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued
by
the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
Rancher Energy Corp.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective
internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the
effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting based
on our audit.
We
conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that
we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective
internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material
respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control
over
financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating
the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing
such
other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe
that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A
company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting
and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over
financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain
to
the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly
reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2)
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary
to
permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company
are
being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors
of
the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or
timely
detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s
assets that could have a material effect on the financial
statements.
50
To
the
Board of Directors
Rancher
Energy Corp.
Page
2
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.
A
material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination of control
deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material
misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented
or detected. The following material weaknesses have been identified and included
in management’s assessment as of March 31, 2007.
1) |
The
Company’s control environment did not sufficiently promote effective
internal control over financial reporting throughout the
organization.
|
2) |
The
Company did not have in place adequate competent accounting personnel
with
the appropriate training and expertise in generally accepted accounting
principles (“GAAP”).
|
3) |
The
Company did not adequately segregate the duties in the accounting
department, due to an insufficient complement of personnel and inadequate
management oversight.
|
These
material weaknesses were considered in determining the nature, timing, and
extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 2007 financial statements,
and
this report does not affect our report dated June 28, 2007 on those
financial statements.
In
our
opinion, management’s assessment that Rancher Energy Corp. did not maintain
effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2007,
is
fairly stated, in all material respects, based on criteria established
in
Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued
by
COSO.
Also, in
our opinion, because of the effect of the material weaknesses described above
on
the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria, Rancher Energy
Corp.
did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of
March
31, 2007, based on criteria established in
Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued
by
COSO.
/s/
HEIN&
ASSOCIATES LLP
Denver,
Colorado
June
28,
2007
51
ITEM
9B. OTHER
INFORMATION.
None.
52
PART
III
ITEM
10. DIRECTORS,
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
Except
as
set forth below, the information required by Item 10 is hereby incorporated
herein by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2007 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders.
We
have
adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Directors, Officers, and
Employees. We undertake to provide any person, without charge, a copy of the
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Requests should be submitted in writing
to
the attention of our Chief Financial Officer, Rancher Energy Corp.,
999-18th
Street,
Suite 1740, Denver, Colorado 80202.
ITEM
11. EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION.
The
information required by Item 11 is hereby incorporated herein by reference
to
the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2007 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders.
ITEM
12. SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS.
The
information required by Item 12, as to certain beneficial owners and management,
is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement
for
our 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
ITEM
13. CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE.
The
information required by Item 13 is hereby incorporated herein by reference
to
the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2007 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders.
ITEM
14. PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.
The
information required by Item 14 is hereby incorporated herein by reference
to
the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2007 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders.
53
PART
IV
ITEM
15. EXHIBITS,
Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)
Documents filed as a part of the report:
(1) Index
to
Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company
An
“Index
to Consolidated Financial Statements” has been filed as a part of this Report
beginning on page F-1 hereof.
(2) All
schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation
of
the SEC have been omitted because of the absence of the conditions under which
they would be required or because the information required is included in the
consolidated financial statements of the Registrant or the notes
thereto.
(3) Exhibits
Exhibit
|
Description
|
|
3.1
|
Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation (17)
|
|
3.4
|
Amended
and Restated Bylaws (2)
|
|
4.1
|
Form
of Stock Certificate for Fully Paid, Non-Assessable Common Stock
of the
Company (1)
|
|
4.2
|
Form
of Unit Purchase Agreement (2)
|
|
4.3
|
Form
of Warrant Certificate (2)
|
|
4.4
|
Form
of Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 21, 2006
(3)
|
|
4.5
|
Form
of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (3)
|
|
10.1
|
Burke
Ranch Unit Purchase and Participation Agreement between Hot Springs
Resources Ltd. and PIN Petroleum Partners Ltd., dated February 6,
2006
(4)
|
|
10.2
|
Employment
Agreement between John Works and Rancher Energy Corp., dated June 1,
2006 (5)
|
|
10.3
|
Assignment
Agreement between PIN Petroleum Partners Ltd. and Rancher Energy
Corp.,
dated June 6, 2006 (5)
|
|
10.4
|
Loan
Agreement between Enerex Capital, Corp. and Rancher Energy Corp.,
dated
June 6, 2006 (5)
|
|
10.5
|
Letter
Agreement between NITEC LLC and Rancher Energy Corp., dated June 7,
2006 (5)
|
|
10.6
|
Loan
Agreement between Venture Capital First LLC and Rancher Energy Corp.,
dated June 9, 2006 (6)
|
|
10.7
|
Exploration
and Development Agreement between Big Snowy Resources, LP and Rancher
Energy Corp., dated June 15, 2006 (5)
|
|
10.8
|
Assignment
Agreement between PIN Petroleum Partners Ltd. and Rancher Energy
Corp.,
dated June 21, 2006 (5)
|
|
10.9
|
Purchase
and Sale Agreement between Wyoming Mineral Exploration, LLC and Rancher
Energy Corp., dated August 10, 2006 (4)
|
|
10.10
|
South
Glenrock and South Cole Creek Purchase and Sale Agreement by and
between
Nielson & Associates, Inc. and Rancher Energy Corp., dated
October 1, 2006 (7)
|
|
10.11
|
Rancher
Energy Corp. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan
(7)
|
|
10.12
|
Rancher
Energy Corp. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan Form of Option Agreement
(7)
|
|
10.13
|
Employment
Agreement by and between John Dobitz and Rancher Energy Corp., dated
October 2, 2006 (7)
|
54
Exhibit
|
Description
|
|
10.14
|
Denver
Place Office Lease between Rancher Energy Corp. and Denver Place
Associates Limited Partnership, dated October 30, 2006 (8)
|
|
10.15
|
Employment
Agreement between Andrew Casazza and Rancher Energy Corp., dated
October 23, 2006 (9)
|
|
10.16
|
Finder’s
Fee Agreement between Falcon Capital and Rancher Energy Corp. (10)
|
|
10.17
|
Amendment
to Purchase and Sale Agreement between Wyoming Mineral Exploration,
LLC
and Rancher Energy Corp. (11)
|
|
10.18
|
Letter
Agreement between Certain Unit Holders and Rancher Energy Corp.,
dated
December 8, 2006 (2)
|
|
10.19
|
Letter
Agreement between Certain Option Holders and Rancher Energy Corp.,
dated
December 13, 2006
(2)
|
|
10.20
|
Product
Sale and Purchase Contract by and between Rancher Energy Corp. and
the
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, dated December 15, 2006 (12)
|
|
10.21
|
Amendment
to Purchase and Sale Agreement between Nielson & Associates, Inc. and
Rancher Energy Corp. (13)
|
|
10.22
|
Securities
Purchase Agreement by and among Rancher Energy Corp. and the Buyers
identified therein, dated December 21, 2006 (3)
|
|
10.23
|
Lock-Up
Agreement between Rancher Energy Corp. and Stockholders identified
therein, dated December 21, 2006 (3)
|
|
10.24
|
Voting
Agreement between Rancher Energy Corp. and Stockholders identified
therein, dated as of December 13, 2006 (3)
|
|
10.25
|
Form
of Convertible Note (14)
|
|
10.26
|
Employment
Agreement between Daniel Foley and Rancher Energy Corp., dated
January 12, 2007 (15)
|
|
10.27
|
First
Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement by and among Rancher Energy
Corp. and the Buyers identified therein, dated as of January 18, 2007
(16)
|
|
10.28
|
Rancher
Energy Corp. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan form of Restricted Stock Agreement
(20)
|
|
14.1
|
Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics (18)
|
|
16.1
|
Letter
from Williams & Webster, P.S. regarding change in certifying
accountant(19)
|
|
21.1
|
List
of Subsidiaries (20)
|
|
23.1
|
Consent
of Ryder Scott Company, L.P., Independent Petroleum Engineers(20)
|
|
31.1
|
Certification
Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) (Chief Executive Officer)
(20)
|
|
31.2
|
Certification
Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) (Chief Financial Officer)
(20)
|
|
32.1
|
Certification
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section
906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (20)
|
|
32.2
|
Certification
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section
906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (20)
|
(1) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Form SB-2 Registration Statement filed on
June 9, 2004 (File No.
333-116307).
|
(2) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on
December 18, 2006 (File No.
000-51425).
|
(3) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on
December 27, 2006 (File No.
000-51425).
|
(4) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A filed on
August 28, 2006 (File No.
000-51425).
|
55
(5) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on June 30,
2006 (File No. 000-51425).
|
(6) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 21,
2006 (File No. 000-51425).
|
(7) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 6,
2006 (File No. 000-51425).
|
(8) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 9,
2006 (File No. 000-51425).
|
(9) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on
November 14,2006 (File No.
000-51425).
|
(10) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on
November 14, 2006 (File No.
000-51425).
|
(11) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 4,
2006 (File No. 000-51425).
|
(12) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on
December 22, 2006 (File No.
000-51425).
|
(13) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on
December 27, 2006 (File No.
000-51425).
|
(14) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 8,
2007 (File No. 000-51425).
|
(15) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 16,
2007 (File No. 000-51425).
|
(16) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 25,
2007 (File No. 000-51425).
|
(17) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 3,
2007 (File No. 000-51425).
|
(18) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 6,
2007 (File No. 000-51425).
|
(19) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on August 9,
2006 (File No. 000-51425)
|
(20) |
Filed
herewith.
|
56
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this Annual
Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized,
this 29th
day of
June, 2007.
RANCHER ENERGY CORP. | ||
/s/ John Works | ||
John Works, President,
Chief Executive Officer,
Principal
Executive Officer, Director, Secretary,
and
Treasurer
|
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Annual Report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant
and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
|
Title
|
Date
|
||
/s/ John Works | President, Chief Executive Officer, | |||
John
Works
|
Principal
Executive Officer, Director, Secretary,
and
Treasurer
|
June 29,
2007
|
||
/s/
Daniel P. Foley
|
Chief Financial Officer, Principal | |||
Daniel
P. Foley
|
\Financial
Officer, and Principal
Accounting
Officer
|
June 29,
2007
|
||
/s/
William A. Anderson
|
||||
William
A. Anderson
|
Director
|
June 29,
2007
|
||
/s/
Joseph P. McCoy
|
||||
Joseph
P. McCoy
|
Director
|
June 29,
2007
|
||
/s/
Patrick M. Murray
|
||||
Patrick
M. Murray
|
Director
|
June 29,
2007
|
||
/s/
Myron M. Sheinfeld
|
||||
Myron
M. Sheinfeld
|
Director
|
June 29,
2007
|
||
/s/
Mark Worthey
|
||||
Mark
Worthey
|
Director
|
June 29,
2007
|
EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibit
|
Description
|
|
3.1
|
Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation (17)
|
|
3.4
|
Amended
and Restated Bylaws (2)
|
|
4.1
|
Form
of Stock Certificate for Fully Paid, Non-Assessable Common Stock
of the
Company (1)
|
|
4.2
|
Form
of Unit Purchase Agreement (2)
|
|
4.3
|
Form
of Warrant Certificate (2)
|
|
4.4
|
Form
of Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 21, 2006
(3)
|
|
4.5
|
Form
of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (3)
|
|
10.1
|
Burke
Ranch Unit Purchase and Participation Agreement between Hot Springs
Resources Ltd. and PIN Petroleum Partners Ltd., dated February 6,
2006
(4)
|
|
10.2
|
Employment
Agreement between John Works and Rancher Energy Corp., dated June 1,
2006 (5)
|
|
10.3
|
Assignment
Agreement between PIN Petroleum Partners Ltd. and Rancher Energy
Corp.,
dated June 6, 2006 (5)
|
|
10.4
|
Loan
Agreement between Enerex Capital, Corp. and Rancher Energy Corp.,
dated
June 6, 2006 (5)
|
|
10.5
|
Letter
Agreement between NITEC LLC and Rancher Energy Corp., dated June 7,
2006 (5)
|
|
10.6
|
Loan
Agreement between Venture Capital First LLC and Rancher Energy Corp.,
dated June 9, 2006 (6)
|
|
10.7
|
Exploration
and Development Agreement between Big Snowy Resources, LP and Rancher
Energy Corp., dated June 15, 2006 (5)
|
|
10.8
|
Assignment
Agreement between PIN Petroleum Partners Ltd. and Rancher Energy
Corp.,
dated June 21, 2006 (5)
|
|
10.9
|
Purchase
and Sale Agreement between Wyoming Mineral Exploration, LLC and Rancher
Energy Corp., dated August 10, 2006 (4)
|
|
10.10
|
South
Glenrock and South Cole Creek Purchase and Sale Agreement by and
between
Nielson & Associates, Inc. and Rancher Energy Corp., dated
October 1, 2006 (7)
|
|
10.11
|
Rancher
Energy Corp. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan
(7)
|
|
10.12
|
Rancher
Energy Corp. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan Form of Option Agreement
(7)
|
|
10.13
|
Employment
Agreement by and between John Dobitz and Rancher Energy Corp., dated
October 2, 2006 (7)
|
|
10.14
|
Denver
Place Office Lease between Rancher Energy Corp. and Denver Place
Associates Limited Partnership, dated October 30, 2006 (8)
|
|
10.15
|
Employment
Agreement between Andrew Casazza and Rancher Energy Corp., dated
October 23, 2006 (9)
|
|
10.16
|
Finder’s
Fee Agreement between Falcon Capital and Rancher Energy Corp. (10)
|
|
10.17
|
Amendment
to Purchase and Sale Agreement between Wyoming Mineral Exploration,
LLC
and Rancher Energy Corp. (11)
|
|
10.18
|
Letter
Agreement between Certain Unit Holders and Rancher Energy Corp.,
dated
December 8, 2006 (2)
|
|
10.19
|
Letter
Agreement between Certain Option Holders and Rancher Energy Corp.,
dated
December 13, 2006
(2)
|
|
10.20
|
Product
Sale and Purchase Contract by and between Rancher Energy Corp. and
the
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, dated December 15, 2006 (12)
|
|
10.21
|
Amendment
to Purchase and Sale Agreement between Nielson & Associates, Inc. and
Rancher Energy Corp. (13)
|
|
10.22
|
Securities
Purchase Agreement by and among Rancher Energy Corp. and the Buyers
identified therein, dated December 21, 2006 (3)
|
E-1
Exhibit
|
Description
|
|
10.23
|
Lock-Up
Agreement between Rancher Energy Corp. and Stockholders identified
therein, dated December 21, 2006 (3)
|
|
10.24
|
Voting
Agreement between Rancher Energy Corp. and Stockholders identified
therein, dated as of December 13, 2006 (3)
|
|
10.25
|
Form
of Convertible Note (14)
|
|
10.26
|
Employment
Agreement between Daniel Foley and Rancher Energy Corp., dated
January 12, 2007 (15)
|
|
10.27
|
First
Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement by and among Rancher Energy
Corp. and the Buyers identified therein, dated as of January 18, 2007
(16)
|
|
10.28
|
Rancher
Energy Corp. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan form of Restricted Stock Agreement
(20)
|
|
14.1
|
Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics (18)
|
|
16.1
|
Letter
from Williams & Webster, P.S. regarding change in certifying
accountant (19)
|
|
21.1
|
List
of Subsidiaries (20)
|
|
23.1
|
Consent
of Ryder Scott Company, L.P., Independent Petroleum Engineers(20)
|
|
31.1
|
Certification
Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) (Chief Executive Officer)
(20)
|
|
31.2
|
Certification
Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) (Chief Financial Officer)
(20)
|
|
32.1
|
Certification
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section
906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (20)
|
|
32.2
|
Certification
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section
906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (20)
|
(1) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Company's Form SB-2 Registration Statement
filed on
June 9, 2004 (File No.
333-116307).
|
(2) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
on
December 18, 2006 (File No.
000-51425).
|
(3) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
on
December 27, 2006 (File No.
000-51425).
|
(4) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A filed
on
August 28, 2006 (File No.
000-51425).
|
(5) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
on
June 30, 2006 (File No.
000-51425).
|
(6) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
on
June 21, 2006 (File No.
000-51425).
|
(7) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
on
October 6, 2006 (File No.
000-51425).
|
(8) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
on
November 9, 2006 (File No.
000-51425).
|
(9) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
on
November 14,2006 (File No.
000-51425).
|
E-2
(10) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed
on
November 14, 2006 (File No.
000-51425).
|
(11) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
on
December 4, 2006 (File No.
000-51425).
|
(12) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
on
December 22, 2006 (File No.
000-51425).
|
(13) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
on
December 27, 2006 (File No.
000-51425).
|
(14) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
on
January 8, 2007 (File No.
000-51425).
|
(15) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
on
January 16, 2007 (File No.
000-51425).
|
(16) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
on
January 25, 2007 (File No.
000-51425).
|
(17) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
on
April 3, 2007 (File No.
000-51425).
|
(18) |
Incorporated
by reference from the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
on
June 6, 2007 (File No.
000-51425).
|
(19) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on August 9,
2006 (File No. 000-51425).
|
(20) |
Filed
herewith.
|
E-3
INDEX
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Audited
Financial Statements - Rancher Energy Corp.
|
|
|
|
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
F-2
|
|
|
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
F-3
|
Balance
Sheets as of March 31, 2007 and 2006
|
F-4
|
|
|
Statements
of Operations for the Years Ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and
2005
|
F-5
|
|
|
Statement
of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the Years Ended
March 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005
|
F-6
|
|
|
Statements
of Cash Flows for the Years Ended March 31, 2007, 2006, and
2005
|
F-7
|
|
|
Notes
to Financial Statements
|
F-8
|
|
|
Audited
Carve Out Financial Statements - Cole Creek South and South Glenrock
Operations
|
|
|
|
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
F-29
|
|
|
Carve
Out Balance Sheets as of December 21, 2006 and December 31, 2005
|
F-30
|
|
|
Carve
Out Statements of Operations for the Period from January 1, 2006
through December 21, 2006, the year ended December 31, 2005 and
for the Period from September 1, 2004 (inception) through
December 31, 2004
|
F-31
|
|
|
Carve
Out Statement of Changes in Owner’s Net Investment for the Period from
September 1, 2004 (inception) through December 31, 2004, the
year ended December 31, 2005, and for the Period from January 1,
2006 through December 21, 2006
|
F-32
|
|
|
Carve
Out Statements of Cash Flows for the Period from January 1, 2006
through December 21, 2006, the year ended December 31, 2005 and
the Period from September 1, 2004 (inception) through
December 31, 2004
|
F-33
|
|
|
Notes
to Carve Out Financial Statements
|
F-34
|
|
|
Audited
Statement of Revenues and Direct Operating Expenses - Cole Creek
South and
South Glenrock Operations
|
|
|
|
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
F-42
|
|
|
Statement
of Revenues and Direct Operating Expenses for the Period from
January 1, 2004 through August 31, 2004
|
F-43
|
|
|
Notes
to Statement of Revenues and Direct Operating Expenses
|
F-44
|
F-1
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board
of
Directors and Stockholders of Rancher Energy Corp.
Denver,
Colorado
We
have
audited the accompanying balance sheet of Rancher Energy Corp. (the Company)
as
of March 31, 2007, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’
equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements
are
the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We
conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we
plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining,
on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used
and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In
our
opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of the Company as of March 31,
2007, and the results of its operations and cash flows for the year then ended,
in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
As
discussed in Note 1 to the accompanying financial statements, effective
April 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment.
We
also
have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Company’s internal
control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2007, based on criteria
established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee
of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report
dated June 28, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s
assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting and an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal
control over financial reporting.
/s/
Hein
& Associates LLP
Denver,
Colorado
June 28,
2007
F-2
To
the
Board of Directors
Rancher
Energy Corp.
(fka
Metalex Resources, Inc.)
Spokane,
Washington
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We
have
audited the accompanying balance sheets of Rancher Energy Corp. (fka Metalex
Resources, Inc. and a Nevada corporation and an exploration stage company)
as of
March 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related statements of operations, stockholder’s
deficit and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements
are
the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We
conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that
we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining,
on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used
and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In
our
opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Rancher Energy Corp. as of March
31, 2006 and 2005, and the results of its operations, stockholder’s deficit and
cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
The
accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company
will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial
statements, the Company’s operating losses raise substantial doubt about its
ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans regarding those
matters also are described in Note 1. The financial statements do not include
any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this
uncertainty.
/s/Williams
& Webster, P.S.
Williams
& Webster, P.S.
Certified
Public Accountants
Spokane,
Washington
June
19,
2006
F-3
Balance
Sheets
March 31,
|
|||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
ASSETS
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|||||
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$
|
5,129,883
|
$
|
46,081
|
|||
Accounts
receivable
|
453,709
|
-
|
|||||
Total
current assets
|
5,583,592
|
46,081
|
|||||
|
|||||||
Oil
& gas properties (successful efforts method):
|
|||||||
Unproved
|
56,079,133
|
-
|
|||||
Proved
|
18,552,188
|
-
|
|||||
Less:
Accumulated depletion, depreciation, and amortization
|
(347,821
|
)
|
-
|
||||
Net
oil & gas properties
|
74,283,500
|
-
|
|||||
|
|||||||
Other
assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $27,880 and $414,
respectively
|
1,610,939
|
476
|
|||||
Total
assets
|
$
|
81,478,031
|
$
|
46,557
|
|||
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|||||||
Current
liabilities:
|
|||||||
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
$
|
1,542,840
|
$
|
2,070
|
|||
Accrued
oil & gas property costs
|
250,000
|
-
|
|||||
Asset
retirement obligation
|
196,000
|
-
|
|||||
Liquidated
damages pursuant to registration rights arrangement
|
2,705,531
|
-
|
|||||
Total
current liabilities
|
4,694,371
|
2,070
|
|||||
Long-term
liabilities:
|
|||||||
Asset
retirement obligation
|
1,025,567
|
-
|
|||||
|
|||||||
Commitments
and contingencies (Note 5)
|
|||||||
|
|||||||
Stockholders’
equity:
|
|||||||
Common
stock, $0.00001 par value, 275,000,000 and 100,000,000 shares authorized
at March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively; 102,041,432 and 28,500,000
shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2007 and 2006,
respectively
|
1,021
|
285
|
|||||
Additional
paid-in capital
|
84,985,934
|
570,809
|
|||||
Accumulated
deficit
|
(
9,228,862
|
)
|
(526,607
|
)
|
|||
Total
stockholders’ equity
|
75,758,093
|
44,487
|
|||||
|
|||||||
Total
liabilities and stockholders’ equity
|
$
|
81,478,031
|
$
|
46,557
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.
F-4
Rancher
Energy Corp.
Statements
of Operations
|
For
the Years Ended March 31,
|
|||||||||
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
|||||||
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Oil
& gas sales
|
$
|
1,161,819
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||
Operating
expenses:
|
||||||||||
Production
taxes
|
136,305
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Lease
operating expenses
|
700,623
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Depreciation,
depletion, and amortization
|
375,701
|
213
|
201
|
|||||||
Impairment
of unproved properties
|
734,383
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Accretion
expense
|
29,730
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Exploration
expense
|
333,919
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
General
and administrative
|
4,501,737
|
74,240
|
26,953
|
|||||||
Exploration
expense - mining
|
-
|
50,000
|
-
|
|||||||
Total operating expenses
|
6,812,398
|
124,453
|
27,154
|
|||||||
Loss
from operations
|
(5,650,579
|
)
|
(124,453
|
)
|
(27,154
|
)
|
||||
Other
income (expense):
|
||||||||||
Liquidated
damages pursuant to registration rights arrangement
|
(
2,705,531
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
||||||
Amortization
of deferred financing costs
|
(
537,822
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
||||||
Interest
expense
|
(37,654
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
||||||
Interest
and other income
|
229,331
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Total other income (expense)
|
(
3,051,676
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
||||||
Net
loss
|
$
|
(
8,702,255
|
)
|
$
|
(124,453
|
)
|
$
|
(27,154
|
)
|
|
Basic
and fully diluted net loss per share
|
$
|
(0.16
|
)
|
$
|
(0.00
|
)
|
$
|
(0.00
|
)
|
|
Weighted
average shares outstanding
|
53,782,291
|
32,819,623
|
70,000,000
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.
F-5
Rancher
Energy Corp.
Statement
of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
|
Shares
|
Amount
|
Additional
Paid- In Capital
|
Accumulated
Deficit
|
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
(Deficit)
|
|||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Balance,
April 1, 2004
|
70,000,000
|
$
|
700
|
$
|
374,300
|
$
|
(375,000
|
)
|
$
|
-
|
||||||
Net
loss
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(27,154
|
)
|
(27,154
|
)
|
|||||||||
Balance,
March 31, 2005
|
70,000,000
|
700
|
374,300
|
(402,154
|
)
|
(27,154
|
)
|
|||||||||
Common
stock issued for cash, net of offering costs of $3,906
|
28,000,000
|
280
|
195,814
|
-
|
196,094
|
|||||||||||
Shares
returned by founding stockholder
|
(69,500,000
|
)
|
(695
|
)
|
695
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Net
loss
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(124,453
|
)
|
(124,453
|
)
|
|||||||||
Balance,
March 31, 2006
|
28,500,000
|
285
|
570,809
|
(526,607
|
)
|
44,487
|
||||||||||
Common
stock issued for cash, net of offering costs of $529,749
|
17,075,221
|
171
|
8,106,967
|
-
|
8,107,138
|
|||||||||||
Common
stock issued on conversion of note payable
|
1,006,905
|
10
|
503,443
|
-
|
503,453
|
|||||||||||
Common
stock issued on exercise of stock options
|
1,000,000
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
|||||||||||
Common
stock issued for cash, net of offering costs of $41,212
|
1,522,454
|
15
|
720,001
|
-
|
720,016
|
|||||||||||
Warrants
issued in exchange for acquisition of oil & gas
properties
|
-
|
-
|
616,140
|
-
|
616,140
|
|||||||||||
Common
stock issued for cash, net of offering costs of $6,054,063
|
45,940,510
|
460
|
62,856,243
|
-
|
62,856,703
|
|||||||||||
Common
stock issued for conversion of notes payable, net of offering costs
of
$384,159
|
6,996,342
|
70
|
10,110,423
|
-
|
10,110,493
|
|||||||||||
Stock-based
compensation
|
-
|
-
|
1,501,908
|
-
|
1,501,908
|
|||||||||||
Net
loss
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(
8,702,255
|
)
|
(
8,702,255
|
)
|
|||||||||
Balance,
March 31, 2007
|
102,041,432
|
$
|
1,021
|
$
|
84,985,934
|
$
|
(
9,228,862
|
)
|
$
|
75,758,093
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.
F-6
Rancher
Energy Corp.
Statements
of Cash Flows
|
For
the Years Ended March 31,
|
|||||||||
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
|||||||
Cash
flows from operating activities:
|
||||||||||
Net
loss
|
$
|
(
8,702,255
|
)
|
$
|
(124,453
|
)
|
$
|
(27,154
|
)
|
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss to net cash used for operating
activities:
|
||||||||||
Liquidated
damages pursuant to registration rights arrangements
|
2,705,531
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Depreciation,
depletion, and amortization
|
375,701
|
213
|
201
|
|||||||
Impairment
of unproved properties
|
734,383
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Accretion
expense
|
29,730
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Stock-based
compensation expense
|
1,501,908
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Amortization
of deferred financing costs
|
537,822
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Interest
expense on convertible note payable beneficial conversion
|
30,000
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Interest
expense on debt converted to equity
|
3,453
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
|
||||||||||
Accounts
receivable
|
(453,709
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
||||||
Other
assets
|
(588,764
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
||||||
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
1,540,770
|
167
|
1,903
|
|||||||
Net
cash used for operating activities
|
(2,285,430
|
)
|
(124,073
|
)
|
(25,050
|
)
|
||||
|
||||||||||
Cash
flows from investing activities:
|
||||||||||
Acquisition
of Cole Creek South and South Glenrock B Fields
|
(47,073,657
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
||||||
Acquisition
of Big Muddy Field
|
(25,672,638
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
||||||
Capital
expenditures for oil & gas properties
|
(841,993
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
||||||
Increase
in other assets
|
(769,018
|
)
|
-
|
(890
|
)
|
|||||
Net
cash used for investing activities
|
(74,357,306
|
)
|
-
|
(890
|
)
|
|||||
Cash
flows from financing activities:
|
||||||||||
Increase
in deferred financing costs
|
(
921,981
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
||||||
Proceeds
from issuance of convertible notes payable
|
11,144,582
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Payment
of convertible note payable
|
(150,000
|
)
|
||||||||
Proceeds
from shareholder loans
|
-
|
-
|
30,000
|
|||||||
Payment
of shareholder loans
|
-
|
(30,000
|
)
|
-
|
||||||
Proceeds
from sale of common stock and warrants
|
71,653,937
|
196,094
|
-
|
|||||||
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
81,726,538
|
166,094
|
30,000
|
|||||||
|
||||||||||
Increase
in cash and cash equivalents
|
5,083,802
|
42,021
|
4,060
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents, beginning of year
|
46,081
|
4,060
|
-
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents, end of year
|
$
|
5,129,883
|
$
|
46,081
|
$
|
4,060
|
||||
Non-cash
investing and financing activities:
|
||||||||||
Payables
for purchase of oil & gas properties
|
$
|
250,000
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||
Asset
retirement asset and obligation
|
$
|
1,191,837
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||
Value
of warrants issued in connection with acquisition of Cole Creek South
and
South Glenrock B Fields
|
$
|
616,140
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||
Common
stock and warrants issued on conversion of notes payable
|
$
|
10,613,876
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.
F-7
Rancher
Energy Corp.
Notes
to
Financial Statements
Note
1—Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting
Policies
Organization
Rancher
Energy Corp. (Rancher Energy or the Company), formerly known as Metalex
Resources, Inc. (Metalex), was incorporated in Nevada on February 4, 2004.
The Company acquires, explores for, develops and produces oil & natural gas,
concentrating on applying secondary and tertiary recovery technology to older,
historically productive fields in North America.
Metalex
was formed for the purpose of acquiring, exploring and developing mining
properties. On April 18, 2006, the stockholders of Metalex voted to change
its name to Rancher Energy Corp. and announced that it changed its business
plan
and focus from mining to oil & gas.
From
February 4, 2004 (inception) through the third fiscal quarter ended
December 31, 2006, the Company was a development stage company. Commencing
with the fourth fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2007, the Company was no
longer in the development stage.
As
reflected in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
March 31, 2006, the Company had no revenues, had incurred a net loss of
$526,607 for the period from February 4, 2004 (inception) through
March 31, 2006, and had an accumulated deficit. Those factors indicated
that the Company may not have been able to continue in existence. The financial
statements did not include any adjustments related to the recoverability and
classification of recorded assets, or the amounts and classification of
liabilities that might have been necessary in the event the Company could not
have continued in existence.
During
the year ended March 31, 2007, the Company generated net cash from
financing activities of $81,726,538, of which $74,357,306 and $2,285,430
were
used for investing and operating activities, respectively. The Company has
never
been profitable and does not expect to be profitable during the coming year.
Our
acquisition and development of prospects will require substantial additional
capital expenditures in the future and, consequently, will require an additional
infusion of debt or equity. There are uncertainties and factors that may
impede
our ability to achieve or sustain profitability in the future. The Company
believes that available cash, and earnings thereon, and cash generated from
its
oil operations (oil sales net of production taxes and lease operating expenses)
should be sufficient to fund its operating activities for the coming year.
Use
of
Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of oil & gas reserves,
assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at
the
date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those
estimates. Estimates of oil & gas reserve quantities provide the basis for
calculations of depletion, depreciation, and amortization (DD&A) and
impairment, each of which represents a significant component of the financial
statements.
Revenue
Recognition
The
Company derives revenue primarily from the sale of produced crude oil. The
Company reports revenue at its net revenue interests as the amount received
before taking into account production taxes and transportation costs, which
are
reported as separate expenses. Revenue is recorded in the month the Company’s
production is delivered to the purchaser, but payment is generally received
between 30 and 60 days after the date of production. No revenue is recognized
unless it is determined that title to the product has transferred to a
purchaser. At the end of each month the Company estimates the amount of
production delivered to the purchaser and the price the Company will receive.
The Company uses its knowledge of properties, their historical performance,
the
anticipated effect of weather conditions during the month of production, NYMEX
and local spot market prices, and other factors as the basis for these
estimates.
F-8
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
The
Company considers all liquid investments purchased with an initial maturity
of
three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying value of cash and
cash
equivalents approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these
instruments.
Concentration
of Credit Risk
Substantially
all of the Company’s receivables are from purchasers of oil & gas and from
joint interest owners. Although diversified among a number of companies,
collectability is dependent upon the financial wherewithal of each individual
company as well as the general economic conditions of the industry. The
receivables are not collateralized. To date the Company has had no bad
debts.
Oil
& Gas Producing Activities
The
Company uses the successful efforts method of accounting for its oil & gas
properties. Under this method of accounting, all property acquisition costs
and
costs of exploratory and development wells are capitalized when incurred,
pending determination of whether the well has found proved reserves. If an
exploratory well does not find proved reserves, the costs of drilling the well
are charged to expense. Exploratory dry hole costs are included in cash flows
from investing activities as part of capital expenditures within the
consolidated statements of cash flows. The costs of development wells are
capitalized whether or not proved reserves are found. Costs of unproved leases,
which may become productive, are reclassified to proved properties when proved
reserves are discovered on the property. Unproved oil & gas interests are
carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value and are not subject to
amortization.
Geological
and geophysical costs and the costs of carrying and retaining unproved
properties are expensed as incurred. DD&A of capitalized costs related to
proved oil & gas properties is calculated on a property-by-property basis
using the units-of-production method based upon proved reserves. The computation
of DD&A takes into consideration restoration, dismantlement, and abandonment
costs and the anticipated proceeds from salvaging equipment.
The
Company complies with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Staff Position
No. FAS 19-1, Accounting
for Suspended Well Costs,
(FSP
FAS 19-1). The Company currently does not have any existing capitalized
exploratory well costs, and has therefore determined that no suspended well
costs should be impaired.
The
Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairments when events or changes
in
circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. The impairment test
for proved properties compares the expected undiscounted future net cash flows
on a property-by-property basis with the related net capitalized costs,
including costs associated with asset retirement obligations, at the end of
each
reporting period. Expected future cash flows are calculated on all proved
reserves using a discount rate and price forecasts selected by the Company’s
management. The discount rate is a rate that management believes is
representative of current market conditions. The price forecast is based on
NYMEX strip pricing for the first three to five years and is held constant
thereafter. Operating costs are also adjusted as deemed appropriate for these
estimates. When the net capitalized costs exceed the undiscounted future net
revenues of a field, the cost of the field is reduced to fair value, which
is
determined using discounted future net revenues. An impairment allowance is
provided on unproved property when the Company determines the property will
not
be developed or the carrying value is not realizable.
F-9
Sales
of Proved and Unproved Properties
The
sale
of a partial interest in a proved oil & gas property is accounted for as
normal retirement, and no gain or loss is recognized as long as this treatment
does not significantly affect the units-of-production DD&A rate. A gain or
loss is recognized for all other sales of producing properties and is reflected
in results of operations.
The
sale
of a partial interest in an unproved property is accounted for as a recovery
of
cost when substantial uncertainty exists as to recovery of the cost applicable
to the interest retained. A gain on the sale is recognized to the extent the
sales price exceeds the carrying amount of the unproved property. A gain or
loss
is recognized for all other sales of nonproducing properties and is reflected
in
results of operations.
Other
Property and Equipment
Other
property and equipment, such as office furniture and equipment, automobiles,
and
computer hardware and software, is recorded at cost. Costs of renewals and
improvements that substantially extend the useful lives of the assets are
capitalized. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed when incurred.
Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated
useful lives of the assets from three to seven years. When other property and
equipment is sold or retired, the capitalized costs and related accumulated
depreciation are removed from the accounts.
Fair
Value of Financial Instruments
The
Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts
receivable, and accounts payable, are carried at cost, which approximates fair
value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. The Company does
not
currently have any credit facilities. Because considerable judgment is required
to develop estimates of fair value, the estimates provided are not necessarily
indicative of the amounts the Company could realize upon the sale or refinancing
of such instruments.
Income
Taxes
Deferred
income taxes are provided on the difference between the tax basis of an asset
or
liability and its carrying amount in the financial statements, in accordance
with SFAS No. 109, Accounting
for Income Taxes.
This
difference may result in taxable income or deductions in future years when
the
reported amount of the asset or liability is recovered or settled,
respectively.
Net
Income (Loss) per Share
Basic
net
income (loss) per common share of stock is calculated by dividing net income
(loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted-average of common shares
outstanding during each period.
Diluted
net income per common share of stock is calculated by dividing adjusted net
income by the weighted-average of common shares outstanding, including the
effect of other dilutive securities. The Company’s potentially dilutive
securities consist of in-the-money outstanding options and warrants to purchase
the Company’s common stock. Diluted net loss per common share does not give
effect to dilutive securities as their effect would be
anti-dilutive.
F-10
The
treasury stock method is used to measure the dilutive impact of stock options
and warrants. The following table details the weighted-average dilutive and
anti-dilutive securities related to stock options and warrants for the periods
presented:
|
For the Years Ended March 31,
|
|||||||||
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
|||||||
Dilutive
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Anti-dilutive
|
14,214,461
|
-
|
-
|
Stock
options and warrants were not considered in the detailed calculations below
as
their effect would be anti-dilutive.
The
following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted loss per
share:
|
For
the Year Ended March 31,
|
|||||||||
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
|||||||
|
|
|
||||||||
Net
loss
|
$
|
(
8,702,255
|
)
|
$
|
(124,453
|
)
|
$
|
(27,154
|
)
|
|
Basic
weighted average common shares outstanding
|
53,782,291
|
32,819,623
|
70,000,000
|
|||||||
Basic
and diluted net loss per common share
|
(0.16
|
)
|
(0.00
|
)
|
(0.00
|
)
|
||||
Share-Based
Payment
Effective
April 1, 2006, Rancher Energy adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standard 123(R) Share-Based
Payment
using
the modified prospective transition method. In addition, the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the SEC) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107
Share-Based
Payment
in
March, 2005, which provides supplemental application guidance on Statement
123(R) based on the views of the SEC. Under the modified prospective transition
method, compensation cost recognized for the year ended March 31, 2007,
includes: (i) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted prior
to, but not yet vested as of April 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair
value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of
Statement 123, and (ii) compensation cost for all share-based payments
granted beginning April 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value
estimated in accordance with Statement 123(R). In accordance with the modified
prospective transition method, results for prior periods have not been
restated.
Registration
Payment Arrangements
In
December 2006, FASB issued Staff Position (FSP) EITF (Emerging Issues
Task Force) 00-19-2, Accounting
for Registration Payment Arrangements. FSP
EITF
00-19-2 specifies that the contingent obligation to make future payments or
otherwise transfer consideration under a registration payment arrangement,
whether issued as a separate agreement or included as a provision of a financial
instrument or other agreement, should be separately recognized and measured
in
accordance with FASB Statement No. 5, Accounting
for Contingencies.
This
FSP is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We
adopted this FSP during the year March 31, 2007 and recorded $2,705,531 in
liquidated damages as an expense in the consolidated statement of operations
and
in accrued liabilities at March 31, 2007.
F-11
In
September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Staff
Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering
the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in
Current Year Financial Statements
(SAB
108), to address diversity in practice in quantifying financial statement
misstatements. SAB 108 requires misstatements to be quantified based on their
impact on each of the Company’s financial statements and related disclosures.
SAB 108 provides for registrants to correct prior year financial statements
for
immaterial errors in subsequent filings of prior year financial statements
and
does not require previously filed reports to be amended. SAB 108 is effective
for the Company as of March 31, 2007. The SAB also allows for a one-time
transitional cumulative effect adjustment to accumulated deficit, as of
April 1, 2006, for errors that were not previously deemed material,
but are material under the guidance in SAB 108. Based on the Company’s
evaluation as of March 31, 2007, the Company’s historical financial
statements were not affected by the adoption of this standard.
In
September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair
Value Measurements
(SFAS
No. 157), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring
fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The
provisions of SFAS No. 157 will be effective as of the beginning of the
Company’s 2008 fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact SFAS
No. 157 will have on its financial statements.
In
July 2006 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB
Interpretation No. 48, Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement
No. 109
(FIN 48), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty of tax positions.
FIN 48 will require the Company to recognize the impact of a tax position
in its
financial statements only if the technical merits of that position indicate
that
the position is more likely than not of being sustained upon audit. FIN 48
will
be effective for the Company’s 2008 fiscal year. The Company is currently
evaluating the impact that FIN 48 will have on its financial
statements.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, The
Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
(SFAS 159).
SFAS 159 permits an entity to elect fair value as the initial and subsequent
measurement attribute for many financial assets and liabilities. Entities
electing the fair value option are required to distinguish on the face of the
balance sheet, the fair value of assets and liabilities for which the fair
value
option has been elected and similar assets and liabilities measured using
another measurement attribute. SFAS 159 is effective for the Company’s fiscal
year ending March 31, 2008. The adjustment to reflect the difference
between the fair value and the carrying amount would be accounted for as a
cumulative-effect adjustment to accumulated deficit as of the date of initial
adoption. The Company does not expect the adoption of this statement will have
a
material impact on its financial position or results of operations.
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
The
Company does not have revenue, expenses, gains or losses that are reflected
in
equity rather than in results of operations. Consequently, for all periods
presented, comprehensive loss is equal to net loss.
Major
Customers
For
the
year ended March 31, 2007, one customer accounted for 100% of the Company’s
oil & gas sales. The Company did not have revenue for the years ended
March 31, 2006 and 2005. The loss of that customer would not be expected to
have a material adverse effect upon our sales and would not be expected to
reduce the competition for our oil production, which in turn would not be
expected to negatively impact the price we receive.
F-12
Industry
Segment and Geographic Information
The
Company operates in one industry segment, which is the exploration,
exploitation, development, acquisition, and production of crude oil &
natural gas. All of the Company’s operations are conducted in the continental
United States. Consequently, the Company currently reports as a single industry
segment.
Off—Balance
Sheet Arrangements
As
part
of its ongoing business, the Company has not participated in transactions that
generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships,
such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose
entities (SPEs), which would have been established for the purpose of
facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or
limited purposes. From February 4, 2004 (inception) through
March 31, 2007, the Company has not been involved in any
unconsolidated SPE transactions.
Note
2—Oil & Gas Properties
Acquisitions
Cole
Creek South Field and South Glenrock B Field Acquisitions
On
December 22, 2006, the Company purchased certain oil & gas properties
for $46,750,000, before adjustments for the period from the effective date
to
the closing date, and closing costs. The oil & gas properties consisted of
(i) a 100% working interest (79.3% net revenue interest) in the Cole Creek
South
Field, which is located in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin; and (ii) a 93.6%
working interest (74.5% net revenue interest) in the South Glenrock B Field,
which is also located in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin.
The
total
adjusted purchase price was allocated as follows:
Acquisition
costs:
|
|
|||
Cash
consideration
|
$
|
46,750,000
|
||
Direct
acquisition costs
|
323,657
|
|||
Estimated
fair value of warrants to purchase common stock
|
616,140
|
|||
Total
|
$
|
47,689,797
|
||
|
||||
Allocation
of acquisition costs:
|
||||
Oil
& gas properties:
|
||||
Unproved
|
$
|
31,569,778
|
||
Proved
|
16,682,101
|
|||
Other
assets - long-term accounts receivable
|
53,341
|
|||
Other
assets - inventory
|
227,220
|
|||
Asset
retirement obligation
|
(842,643
|
)
|
||
Total
|
$
|
47,689,797
|
In
partial consideration for an extension of the closing date, the Company issued
the seller of the oil & gas properties warrants to acquire 250,000 shares of
its common stock for $1.50 per share for a period of five years. The estimated
fair value of the warrants to purchase common stock was estimated as of the
grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following
assumptions:
F-13
Volatility
|
76.00
|
%
|
||
Expected
option term
|
5
years
|
|||
Risk-free
interest rate
|
4.51
|
%
|
||
Expected
dividend yield
|
0.00
|
%
|
As
of
March 31, 2007, there are no acquisition contingencies subject to
determination.
Big
Muddy Field Acquisition
On
January 4, 2007, Rancher Energy acquired the Big Muddy Field, consisting of
approximately 8,500 acres located in the Powder River Basin east of Casper,
Wyoming. The total purchase price was $25,000,000, before adjustments for the
period from the effective date to the closing date, and closing costs. While
the
Big Muddy Field was discovered in 1916, future profitable operations are
dependent on the application of tertiary recovery techniques requiring
significant amounts of CO2.
The
total
adjusted purchase price was allocated as follows:
Acquisition
costs:
|
|
|||
Cash
consideration
|
$
|
25,000,000
|
||
Direct
acquisition costs
|
672,638
|
|||
Total
|
$
|
25,672,638
|
||
|
||||
Allocation
of acquisition costs:
|
||||
Oil
& gas properties:
|
||||
Unproved
|
$
|
24,151,745
|
||
Proved
|
1,870,086
|
|||
Asset
retirement obligation
|
(349,193
|
)
|
||
Total
|
$
|
25,672,638
|
As
of
March 31, 2007, there are no acquisition contingencies subject to
determination.
Pro
Forma Results of Operations
The
following table reflects the pro forma results of operations for the years
ended
March 31, 2007 and 2006, as though the acquisitions had occurred
on April 1, 2005. The pro forma amounts include certain adjustments,
including recognition of depreciation, depletion and amortization based on
the
allocated purchase price.
The
pro
forma results do not necessarily reflect the actual results that would have
occurred had the acquisitions been combined during the periods presented, nor
does it necessarily indicate the future results of the Company and the
acquisitions.
For
the Year Ended March 31,
|
|||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||
Revenue
|
$
|
4,959,813
|
$
|
4,602,601
|
|||
Net
income (loss)
|
(8,688,062
|
)
|
427,344
|
||||
Net
income (loss) per basic and diluted share
|
(0.09
|
)
|
0.00
|
Carbon
Dioxide Product Sale and Purchase Contract
As
part
of our CO2
tertiary
recovery strategy, on December 15, 2006, the Company entered into a Product
Sale and Purchase Contract (Purchase Contract) with the Anadarko Petroleum
Corporation (Anadarko) for the purchase of CO2
(meeting
certain quality specifications identified in the agreement) from Anadarko.
The
Company intends to use the CO2
for its
enhanced oil recovery (EOR) projects.
F-14
The
primary term of the Agreement commences upon the later of January 1, 2008,
or the date of the first CO2
delivery,
and terminates upon the earlier of the day on which the Company has taken and
paid for the Total Contract Quantity, as defined, or 10 years from the
commencement date. The Company has the right to terminate the Purchase Contract
at any time with notice to Anadarko, subject to a termination payment as
specified in the Purchase Contract.
During
the primary term the “Daily Contract Quantity” is 40 MMcf per day for a total of
146 Bcf. CO2
deliveries are subject to a 25 MMcf per day take-or-pay provision. Anadarko
has
the right to satisfy its own needs before sales to the Company, which reduces
our take-or-pay obligation. In the event the CO2
does not
meet certain quality specifications, we have the right to refuse delivery of
such CO2.
For
CO2
deliveries, the Company has agreed to pay $1.50 per thousand cubic feet, to
be
adjusted by a factor that is indexed to the average posted price of Wyoming
Sweet oil. From oil that is produced by CO2
injection, the Company also agreed to convey to Anadarko an overriding royalty
interest of 1% in year one, increasing 1% on each of the next four anniversaries
to a maximum of 5% for the remainder of the 10-year term.
Impairment
of Unproved Properties
In
June 2006, the Company acquired 10,104 acres in the Burke Ranch field and
adjacent property in Natrona County, Wyoming. The Company subsequently had
engineering studies performed on the property and concluded that the property’s
potential reserves did not warrant further development expenditures. In
June 2006, the Company also acquired Broadview Dome Prospect, which is
located in the Crazy Mountain Basin in Montana and is comprised of approximately
7,600 acres. The Company determined it would not develop the property, and
the
carrying value would not be realized. Consequently, the Company impaired the
full carrying amounts of both properties totaling $734,383, which is reflected
as impairment of unproved properties in the statement of
operations.
The
Company recognizes an estimated liability for future costs associated with
the
abandonment of its oil & gas properties. A liability for the fair value of
an asset retirement obligation and a corresponding increase to the carrying
value of the related long-lived asset are recorded at the time a well is
completed or acquired. The increase in carrying value is included in proved
oil
& gas properties in the balance sheets. The Company depletes the amount
added to proved oil & gas property costs and recognizes accretion expense in
connection with the discounted liability over the remaining estimated economic
lives of the respective oil & gas properties. Cash paid to settle asset
retirement obligations is included in the operating section of the Company’s
statement of cash flows.
The
Company’s estimated asset retirement obligation liability is based on our
historical experience in abandoning wells, estimated economic lives, estimates
as to the cost to abandon the wells in the future, and federal and state
regulatory requirements. The liability is discounted using a credit-adjusted
risk-free rate estimated at the time the liability is incurred or revised.
The
credit-adjusted risk-free rate used to discount the Company’s abandonment
liabilities was 13.1%. Revisions to the liability are due to changes in
estimated abandonment costs and changes in well economic lives, or if federal
or
state regulators enact new requirements regarding the abandonment of
wells.
The
Company did not have any oil & gas properties during the years ended
March 31, 2006 and 2005 and, consequently, did not have any asset
retirement obligation liability. A reconciliation of the Company’s asset
retirement obligation liability during the year ended March 31, 2007 is as
follows:
F-15
Beginning
asset retirement obligation
|
$
|
-
|
||
Liabilities
incurred
|
1,191,837
|
|||
Accretion
expense
|
29,730
|
|||
Ending
asset retirement obligation
|
$
|
1,221,567
|
||
Current
|
$
|
196,000
|
||
Long-term
|
1,025,567
|
|||
$
|
1,221,567
|
Note
4—Convertible Notes Payable
Enerex
Capital Corp.
On
June 6, 2006, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Enerex Capital
Corp. (Enerex) to borrow from Enerex the principal amount of $150,000 (the
Enerex Loan) for the Company’s working capital purposes to be repaid in full
plus two percent (2%) interest on the principal amount on or before
June 30, 2006. The Enerex Loan agreement provided that Enerex had the
option to convert all or a portion of the loan into shares of common stock
of
the Company, either (i) at a price per share equal to the closing price of
the
Company’s shares on the day preceding notice from Enerex of its intent to
convert all or a portion of the loan into shares of the Company, or (ii) in
the
event the Company offered shares or units to the general public, at the price
such shares or units were offered to the general public. On June 29, 2006,
the loan was paid in full.
Venture
Capital First LLC
On
June 9, 2006, the Company borrowed $500,000 from Venture Capital First LLC
(Venture Capital). Principal and interest at an annual rate of 6% were due
December 9, 2006. The agreement provided that Venture Capital had the
option to convert all or a portion of the loan into common stock and warrants
to
purchase common stock, either (i) at the closing price of the Company’s shares
on the day preceding notice from Venture Capital of its intent to convert all
or
a portion of the loan into common stock or, (ii) in the event the Company
conducted an offering of common stock, or units consisting of common stock
and
warrants to purchase stock, at the price of such shares or units in the
offering.
On
July 19, 2006, Venture Capital elected to convert its entire loan and
accrued interest into 1,006,905 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase
1,006,905 shares of common stock at a price of $0.50 per unit, the price per
unit in the offering discussed in Note 6 below. The warrants were exercisable
over a two-year period, at a price of $0.75 per share for the first year, and
$1.00 per share for the second year. On December 21, 2006, the warrant
holder agreed not to exercise its right to acquire shares of common stock until
the Company received stockholder approval to increase the number of authorized
shares, and the exercise price of $0.75 per share was extended by the Company
through the second year. On March 30, 2007, the Company amended its
Articles of Incorporation increasing its authorized shares of common
stock.
Private
Placement
The
Company received $10,494,582 from investors in exchange for convertible notes
payable and warrants to acquire 6,996,322 shares of common stock at $1.50 per
share. The warrants have the same terms and conditions as the warrants discussed
in Note 6 below. The notes accrued interest at an annual rate of 12% beginning
120 days after issuance, which was the maturity date, if not converted or paid
before that date.
F-16
Upon
stockholder approval of an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to
increase the authorized shares of the Company’s common stock, which occurred on
March 30, 2007, the notes automatically converted into
6,996,342 shares
of
common stock. The number of shares issued was equal to the face amount of the
notes divided by $1.50 per share, the price that shares were simultaneously
sold
in a private placement as discussed in Note 6 below.
The
Company incurred deferred financing costs of $921,981 to be amortized over
the
life of the loan. Through March 30, 2007, the date the notes automatically
converted, the Company reflected $537,822 of amortization of deferred financing
costs in the statements of operations. At that date, deferred financing costs,
net of accumulated amortization, of $384,159 were reflected as a reduction
to
the proceeds from the offering.
The
Company leases office space under a non-cancellable operating lease that expires
July 31, 2012. Rent expense was $35,766, $0 and $0 during the years
ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The annual minimum lease
payments for the next five years and thereafter are presented
below:
Years Ending March 31,
|
||||
2008
|
$
|
280,859
|
||
2009
|
362,403
|
|||
2010
|
370,658
|
|||
2011
|
381,931
|
|||
2012
|
383,842
|
|||
Thereafter
|
127,947
|
|||
Total
|
$
|
1,907,640
|
The
Company has entered into a Product Purchase and Sale Agreement with Anadarko
as
discussed in Note 2 above. The Company has also entered into a Registration
Rights Agreement as discussed in Note 6 below.
The
Company may be subject to litigation and claims that may arise in the ordinary
course of business. The Company accrues for such items when a liability is
both
probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The Company is not
currently the subject of any litigation.
Note
6—Sale of Common Stock and Warrants
For
the Year Ended March 31, 2007
Units
Issued Pursuant to Regulation S
For
the
period from June 2006 through October 2006, we sold 18,133,500 Units
for $0.50 per Unit, totaling gross proceeds of $9,066,750, pursuant to the
exemption from registration of securities under the Securities Act of 1933
as
provided by Regulation S. Each Unit consisted of one share of common stock
and a
warrant to purchase one additional share of common stock.
For
8,850,000 Units, Rancher Energy paid no underwriting commissions. For 9,283,500
Units, Rancher Energy paid a cash commission of $232,088, equal to 5% of the
proceeds from the units, and a stock-based commission of 464,175 shares of
common stock, equal to 5% of the number of Units sold. The sum of the shares
sold and the commission shares aggregated 18,597,675. All
warrants were originally exercisable for a period of two years from the
date of issuance. During the first year, the exercise price was $0.75 per share;
during the second year, the exercise price was $1.00 per share. The
warrants are redeemable by us for no consideration upon 30 days prior notice.
A
portion of these warrants were modified as discussed below.
F-17
Warrant
Modification - Warrants Issued Pursuant to Regulation S
On
December 21, 2006, holders of 13,192,000 warrants issued pursuant to
Regulation S in a private placement from June through October 2006
agreed not to exercise their right to acquire shares of common stock until
the
Company received stockholder approval, which it obtained on March 30, 2007,
to increase the number of its authorized shares from 100,000,000 to 275,000,000,
and the exercise price of $0.75 per share was extended by the Company through
the second year. Terms for the remaining 4,941,500 warrants were
unchanged.
Private
Placement
On
December 21, 2006, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement, as
amended, with institutional and individual accredited investors to effect a
$79,500,000 private placement of shares of our common stock and other securities
in multiple closings. As part of this private placement, we raised an aggregate
of $79,405,418 and issued (i) 45,940,510 shares of common stock, (ii) promissory
notes that were convertible into 6,996,342 shares of common stock, and (iii)
warrants to purchase 52,936,832 shares of common stock. The warrants issued
to
investors in the private placement are exercisable during the five year period
beginning on the date we amended and restated our Articles of Incorporation
to
increase our authorized shares of common stock, which was March 30, 2007.
The notes issued in the private placement automatically converted into shares
of
common stock on March 30, 2007. In conjunction with the private placement,
we also used services of placement agents and have issued warrants to purchase
3,633,313 shares of common stock to these agents or their designees. The
warrants issued to the placement agents or their designees are exercisable
during the two year period (warrants to purchase 2,187,580 shares of common
stock) or the five year period (warrants to purchase 1,445,733 shares of common
stock) beginning on the date we amended and restated our Articles of
Incorporation to increase our authorized shares of common stock, which was
March 30, 2007. All of the warrants issued in conjunction with the private
placement have an exercise price of $1.50 per share.
In
connection with the private placement, the Company also entered into a
Registration Rights Agreement with the investors in which the Company agreed
to
register for resale the shares of common stock issued in the private placement
as well as the shares underlying the warrants and convertible notes issued
in
the private placement. There are liquidated damages payable pursuant to the
Securities Purchase Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement relating to
these registration provisions and other obligations which, if triggered, could
result in substantial amounts to be due to the investors, as discussed further
below.
Summary
of Warrants
The
following is a summary of warrants as of March 31, 2007.
Warrants
|
Exercise
Price
|
Expiration
Date
|
||||||||
Warrants
issued in connection with the
following:
|
||||||||||
Sale
of common stock pursuant to
Regulation
S
|
18,133,500
|
$
|
0.75-$1.00
|
July
5, 2008
to
October 18, 2008
|
||||||
Conversion
of notes payable into common stock
|
1,006,905
|
$
|
0.75
|
July
19, 2008
|
||||||
Private
placement of common stock
|
45,940,510
|
$
|
1.50
|
March
30, 2012
|
||||||
Private
placement of convertible notes payable
|
6,996,322
|
$
|
1.50
|
March
30, 2012
|
||||||
Private
placement agent commissions
|
2,187,580
|
$
|
1.50
|
March
30, 2009
|
||||||
Private
placement agent commissions
|
1,445,733
|
$
|
1.50
|
March
30, 2012
|
||||||
Acquisition
of oil & gas properties
|
250,000
|
$
|
1.50
|
December
22, 2011
|
||||||
Total
warrants outstanding at March 31, 2007
|
75,960,550
|
|||||||||
F-18
Registration
and Other Payment Arrangements
In
connection with the sale of certain Units discussed above, the Company has
entered into agreements that require the transfer of consideration under
registration and other payment arrangements, if certain conditions are not
met.
The following is a description of the conditions and those that have not been
met as of March 31, 2007.
Under
the
terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company must pay the holders
of
the registrable securities issued in the December 2006 and January 2007 equity
private placement, liquidated damages if the registration statement that was
filed in conjunction with the private placement has not been declared effective
by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) within 150 days of the
closing of the private placement (December 21, 2006). The liquidated
damages are due on or before the day of the failure (May 20, 2007) and
every 30 days thereafter, or three business days after the failure is cured,
if
earlier. The amount due is 1% of the aggregate purchase price, or $794,000
per
month. If the Company fails to make the payments timely, interest accrues at
a
rate of 1.5% per month. All payments pursuant to the registration rights
agreement and the private placement agreement cannot exceed 24% of the aggregate
purchase price, or $19,057,000 in total. The payment may be made in cash, notes,
or shares of common stock, at the Company’s option, as long as the Company does
not have an equity condition failure. The equity condition failures are
described further below. Pursuant to the terms of the registration rights
agreement, if the Company opts to pay the liquidated damages in shares of common
stock, the number of shares issued is based on the payment amount of $794,000
divided by 90% of the volume weighted average price of the Company’s common
stock for the 10 trading days immediately preceding the payment due
date.
The
Company made its first penalty payment by issuing 933,458 shares of Company
common stock on May 18, 2007. The number of shares issued was based on 90%
of the weighted average price for the 10 trading days preceding May 18,
2007, or $0.85 per share. The Company made its second penalty payment by issuing
946,819 shares of Company common stock on June 19, 2007. The number of
shares issued was based on 90% of the weighted average price for the 10 trading
days preceding June 19, 2007, or approximately $0.84 per share. In
accordance with FSP EITF 00-19-2, Accounting
for Registration Payment Arrangements,
as of
the date of this Annual Report, the Company believes that it is probable that
it
will incur the obligation to pay liquidated damages on July 19, 2007 and,
consequently, the Company has recorded a contingent liability for these
arrangements. At March 31, 2007, the Company accrued a total of $2,705,531
for the May, June, and July liquidated damages payments, which is reflected
as “Liquidated Damages Pursuant to Registration Rights Arrangements” in its
statements of operations, and as a current liability in its balance sheets.
The
amount of the estimated contingent liability is based on the assumption that
all
of the payments will be settled in Company shares. Upon issuance of the shares,
the portion of the current liability attributable to the issuance will be
reclassified to stockholders’ equity.
F-19
Once
the
SEC declares the Company’s registration statement effective, the Company must
maintain effectiveness, provide the information necessary for sale of shares
to
be made, register a sufficient number of shares, and maintain the listing of
the
shares. Lack of compliance requires the Company to pay the holders of the
registrable securities liquidated damages under the same terms discussed
above.
It
is
possible that the SEC will object to and reduce the number of shares being
registered. If that happens, the Company is obligated to pay liquidated damages
to the holders of the registrable shares under the same terms discussed above.
Failure
to maintain the equity conditions, a description of which follows, negates
the
Company’s ability to settle the liquidated damages in shares of common stock.
The Company must ensure that:
o |
Common
stock is designated for quotation on OTC Bulletin Board, the New
York
Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the NASDAQ Global
Market,
the NASDAQ Capital Market, or the American Stock
Exchange;
|
§ |
Common
stock has not been suspended from trading, other than for two days
due to
business announcements; and
|
§ |
Delisting
or suspension has not been threatened, or is not
pending.
|
o |
Shares
of common stock have been delivered upon conversion of Notes and
Warrants
on a timely basis;
|
o |
Shares
may be issued in full without violating the rules and regulations
of the
exchange or market upon which they are listed or
quoted;
|
o |
Payments
have been made within five business days of when due pursuant to
the
Securities Purchase Agreement, the Convertible Notes, the Registration
Rights Agreement, the Transfer Agent Instructions, or the Warrants
(Transaction Documents);
|
o |
There
has not been a change in control of the company, a merger of the
company
or an event of default as defined in the Notes;
and
|
o |
There
is material compliance with the provisions, covenants, representations
or
warranties of all Transaction
Documents.
|
There
is
an equity conditions failure if, on any day during the 10 trading days prior
to
when a registration-delay payment is due, the equity conditions have not been
satisfied or waived.
Under
the
terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement, liquidated damages are due to the
holders of the securities if the Company does not meet the applicable listing
requirements on an approved exchange or market, and the registrable shares
are
not listed by December 21, 2007 on an approved exchange or market. The
liquidated damages are equal to 0.25% of the aggregate purchase price, or
$198,000, payable in cash. The payments are due on the day of the listing
failure.
Currently,
there are no equity conditions failures.
F-20
For
the Year Ended March 31, 2006
During
the three months ended June 30, 2005 the Company issued 28,000,000 shares
of common stock for cash in the amount of approximately $0.007 per share, or
$200,000 before offering costs of $3,906.
During
the year ended March 31, 2006, the Company approved a 14-for-1 stock split.
All share amounts prior to the stock split have been retroactively restated.
In
March 2006, in anticipation of certain management changes and
reorganization of the Company’s activities, the Company’s president and majority
shareholder returned 69,500,000 shares of his common stock and retained 500,000
shares of common stock. The capital restructuring was in anticipation of a
change to the Company’s direction and business focus. There was no established
secondary market for the Company’s common stock, and the cancellation reduced
the shares issued for the president’s initial investment of $375,000 during the
year ended March 31, 2004.
Note
7—Share-Based Compensation
Effective
April 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standard 123(R) (SFAS 123(R)), Share-Based
Payment.
Pursuant to SFAS 123(R), compensation expense is measured at the grant date
based on fair value of the award and recognized as an expense in earnings over
the service period as the award vests. The adoption of SFAS 123(R) using the
modified prospective transition method resulted in stock compensation expense
for the year ended March 31, 2007 of $1,501,908. The Company did not
recognize a tax benefit from the stock compensation expense because it is more
likely than not that the related deferred tax assets, which have been reduced
by
a full valuation allowance, will not be realized.
The
Black-Scholes option-pricing model was used to estimate the option fair values.
The option-pricing model requires a number of assumptions, of which the most
significant are the stock price at the valuation date, the expected stock price
volatility, and the expected option term (the amount of time from the grant
date
until the options are exercised or expire).
Prior
to
the adoption of SFAS 123(R), the Company reflected tax benefits from deductions
resulting from the exercise of stock options as operating activities in the
statements of cash flows. SFAS 123(R) requires tax benefits resulting from
tax
deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options
(excess tax benefits) be classified and reported as both an operating cash
outflow and a financing cash inflow upon adoption of SFAS 123(R). As a result
of
the Company’s net operating losses, the excess tax benefits, which would
otherwise be available to reduce income taxes payable, have the effect of
increasing the Company’s net operating loss carry forwards. Accordingly, because
the Company is not able to realize these excess tax benefits, such benefits
have
not been recognized in the statements of cash flows for the year ended
March 31, 2007.
Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) Option Grant
On
May 15, 2006, in connection with an employment agreement, the Company
granted its President & CEO options to purchase up to 4,000,000 shares of
Company common stock at an exercise price of $0.00001 per share. The options
vest as follows: (i) 1,000,000 shares upon execution of the employment
agreement, (ii) 1,000,000 shares from June 1, 2006 to May 31, 2007 at
the rate of 250,000 shares per completed quarter of service, (iii) 1,000,000
shares from June 1, 2007 to May 31, 2008 at the rate of 250,000 shares
per completed quarter of service, and (iv) 1,000,000 shares from June 1,
2008 to May 31, 2009 at the rate of 250,000 shares per completed quarter of
service. In the event the employment agreement is terminated, the CEO will
be
entitled to purchase all shares that have vested. All unvested shares shall
be
forfeited. The options
have no expiration date.
F-21
The
Company determined the fair value of the options to be $0.4235 per underlying
common share. The value was determined by using the Black-Scholes valuation
model using assumptions which resulted in the value of one Unit (one common
share and one warrant to purchase a common share) equaling $0.50, the price
of
the most recently issued securities at the time of the calculation. The combined
value was allocated between the value of the common stock and the value of
the
warrant. The value of one common share from this analysis ($0.4235) was used
to
calculate the resulting compensation expense under the provisions of SFAS
123(R). The assumptions used in the valuation of the CEO options were as
follows:
Volatility | 87.00% |
Expected option term | One year |
Risk-free interest rate | 5.22% |
Expected dividend yield | 0.00% |
The
expected term of options granted was based on the expected term of the warrants
included in the Units described above. The expected volatility was based on
historical volatility of the Company’s common stock price. The risk free rate
was based on the one-year U.S Treasury bond rate for the month of
July 2006.
The
Company recognized stock compensation expense attributable to the CEO options
of
$741,125 for the year ended March 31, 2007. The company expects to
recognize the remaining compensation expense of $952,875 related to the unvested
shares over the next 2.3 years.
2006
Stock Incentive Plan
On
March 30, 2007, the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2006 Stock Incentive
Plan) was approved by the shareholders and was effective October 2, 2006.
The 2006 Stock Incentive Plan had previously been approved by the Company’s
Board of Directors. Under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, the Board of Directors
may grant awards of options to purchase common stock, restricted stock, or
restricted stock units to officers, employees, and other persons who provide
services to the Company or any related company. The participants to whom awards
are granted, the type of awards granted, the number of shares covered for each
award, and the purchase price, conditions and other terms of each award are
determined by the Board of Directors, except that the term of the options shall
not exceed 10 years. A total of 10,000,000 shares of Rancher Energy common
stock
are subject to the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. The shares issued for the 2006
Stock Incentive Plan may be either treasury or authorized and unissued shares.
During the year ended March 31, 2007, options to purchase up to 3,335,000
shares of common stock were granted under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan to
officers, directors, and employees. The options granted have exercise prices
ranging from $1.63 to $3.19, generally vest
over
three years, and have a maximum term of five years.
The
fair
value of the options granted under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan was estimated
as of the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the
following assumptions:
Volatility
|
76.00%
|
Expected
option term
|
5
years
|
Risk-free
interest rate
|
4.34%
to 4.75%
|
Expected
dividend yield
|
0.00%
|
The
expected term of options granted was estimated to be the contractual term.
The
expected volatility was based on an average of the volatility disclosed by
other
comparable companies who had similar expected option terms. The risk free rate
was based on the five-year U.S Treasury bond rate.
F-22
The
following table summarizes stock option activity for the year ended
March 31, 2007:
Outstanding
Options
|
|||||||||||||
Number
of Shares
|
Weighted
Average Exercise Price
|
Weighted
Average Remaining
Contractual
Term
(in
Years)
|
Total
Intrinsic
Value
|
||||||||||
Outstanding,
April 1, 2006
|
—
|
||||||||||||
Granted—
|
|||||||||||||
CEO
|
4,000,000
|
$
|
0.00001
|
2.25
|
|||||||||
Plan
|
3,335,000
|
$
|
2.34
|
4.61
|
|||||||||
Total
|
7,335,000
|
$
|
1.06
|
3.32
|
|||||||||
Exercised—CEO
|
(1,000,000
|
)
|
0.00001
|
—
|
|||||||||
Outstanding,
March 31, 2007
|
|||||||||||||
CEO
|
3,000,000
|
0.00001
|
2.25
|
$
|
3,989,970
|
||||||||
Plan
|
3,335,000
|
2.34
|
4.61
|
$
|
(4,593,750
|
)
|
|||||||
Total
|
6,335,000
|
1.23
|
3.49
|
$
|
(603,780
|
)
|
|||||||
Vested
or expected to vest at
March 31,
2007—
|
|||||||||||||
CEO
|
1,750,000
|
$
|
0.00001
|
2.25
|
$
|
2,327,483
|
|||||||
Plan
|
187,500
|
$
|
1.75
|
4.50
|
$
|
(78,750
|
)
|
||||||
Total
|
1,937,500
|
$
|
0.19
|
2.47
|
$
|
2,248,733
|
|||||||
Exercisable,
March 31, 2007—
|
|||||||||||||
CEO
|
750,000
|
$
|
0.00001
|
2.25
|
$
|
997,493
|
|||||||
Plan
|
187,500
|
$
|
1.75
|
4.50
|
$
|
(328,125
|
)
|
||||||
Total
|
937,500
|
$
|
0.35
|
2.70
|
$
|
669,368
|
F-23
The
following table summarizes changes in the unvested shares for the year ended
March 31, 2007:
Number
of Shares
|
Grant
Date
Fair
Value
|
||||||
Non-vested,
April 1, 2006
|
__
|
$
|
__
|
||||
Granted—
|
|||||||
CEO
|
4,000,000
|
0.42
|
|||||
Plan
|
3,335,000
|
1.52
|
|||||
Total
|
7,335,000
|
0.92
|
|||||
Vested—
|
|||||||
CEO
|
(750,000
|
)
|
0.42
|
||||
Plan
|
(187,500
|
)
|
1.13
|
||||
Total
|
(937,500
|
)
|
0.56
|
||||
Exercised—CEO
|
(1,000,000
|
)
|
0.42
|
||||
Non-vested,
March 31, 2007
|
|||||||
CEO
|
2,250,000
|
$
|
0.42
|
||||
Plan
|
3,147,500
|
$
|
1.54
|
||||
Total
|
5,397,500
|
$
|
1.07
|
The
weighted-average grant-date fair values of the stock options granted during
the
year ended March 31, 2007 were $0.42, $1.52, and $0.92 for the CEO, the
2006 Stock Incentive Plan and in total, respectively. The total intrinsic value,
calculated as the difference between the exercise price and the market price
on
the date of exercise of all options exercised during the year ended
March 31, 2007, was approximately $1,450,000. The Company received $10 from
stock options exercised during the year ended March 31, 2007. The Company
did not realize any tax deductions related to the exercise of stock options
during year.
Total
estimated unrecognized compensation cost from unvested stock options as of
March 31, 2007 was approximately $5,250,480 which the Company expects to
recognize over 2.6 years.
On
December 21, 2006, all option holders entered into an agreement whereby
they were precluded from exercising any options until the Company amended its
Articles of Incorporation to increase its authorized shares of common stock.
The
increase in the number of authorized shares was approved by the shareholders
on
March 30, 2007.
Subsequent
Events
On
April 10, 2007, pursuant to our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, we granted
options to purchase up to a total of 248,000 shares of common stock to 18
employees at an exercise price of $1.18 per share, the fair market value of
our
stock based on the closing market price on the date of grant, and to one
consultant at an exercise price of $1.64 pursuant to an agreement between us
and
the consultant. The employee stock option grants vest over a three-year period,
with 33-1/3% of the original number of shares respectively on the first, second,
and third anniversaries of the grant date, and will be exercisable for a
five-year term. The consultant’s stock option grant vests 50% of the original
number of shares on August 31, 2007 and 50% of the original shares on
February 28, 2008 pursuant to an agreement between us and the consultant
entered into on March 1, 2007, and will be exercisable for a five-year
term.
F-24
On
April 19 and May 31, 2007, John Works, our President, Chief Executive
Officer, and a member of our Board of Directors, exercised a portion of his
option to purchase 750,000 shares of common stock and 250,000 shares of common
stock, respectively, at an exercise price of $0.00001 per share. The aggregate
purchase price for the two exercises was $10.00.
On
April 20, 2007, our Board of Directors appointed four new members of the
Board. On that date, each newly appointed director was granted an option to
purchase 10,000 shares of our common stock pursuant to our 2006 Stock Incentive
Plan. The exercise price of the grant was $1.02 per share, the fair market
value
of our common stock on the date of grant. The option vests 20% (2,000 shares)
on
each one year anniversary of the date of the initial grant and will be
exercisable for a ten-year term. Each newly appointed director also received
a
stock grant of 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock that vests 20%
(20,000 shares) on the date of grant with vesting 20% per year
thereafter.
As
discussed in Note 6, on May 18 and June 19, 2007, we issued 933,458 shares
and 946,819 shares, respectively, of our common stock to the investors who
participated in our December 2006 and January 2007 equity private placement.
On
May 31, 2007, the remaining independent Board member not covered by the
April 20, 2007 award received a stock grant of 100,000 shares of the
Company’s common stock that vests 20% (20,000 shares) on the date of grant with
vesting 20% per year thereafter.
Pursuant
to the terms of a consulting agreement that we previously entered into with
an
executive search consulting firm, on June 27, 2007 we granted 107,143 shares
of
our common stock in the aggregate, pursuant to our 2006 Stock Incentive Plan,
to
the principals of the consulting firm as partial consideration for the services
provided to us by the consulting firm.
Note
8—Income Taxes
For
the
years ended March 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, there was no provision or
benefit for income taxes. Our income tax is different than the expected amount
computed using the applicable federal and state statutory income tax rates
of
35%. The reasons for and effects of such differences are as
follows:
|
For
the Year Ended March 31,
|
|||||||||
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
|||||||
|
|
|
||||||||
Expected
amount
|
$
|
3,045,789
|
$
|
43,559
|
$
|
9,504
|
||||
Permanent
items
|
(183,726
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
||||||
Other
|
128,087 |
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Change
in valuation allowance
|
(2,990,150
|
)
|
(43,559
|
)
|
(9,504
|
)
|
||||
|
$ | - |
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
F-25
The
deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from temporary differences between
book and tax basis of assets and liabilities are comprised of the
following:
|
For
the Year Ended March 31,
|
||||||
|
2007
|
2006
|
|||||
Current
deferred tax assets:
|
|||||||
Liquidated
damages pursuant to registration rights agreement
|
$
|
946,936
|
$
|
-
|
|||
Valuation
allowance
|
(946,936
|
)
|
-
|
||||
Net
current deferred tax assets
|
-
|
-
|
|||||
Long-term
deferred tax assets:
|
|||||||
Federal
net operating loss carryforwards
|
1,786,119
|
55,500
|
|||||
Asset
retirement obligation
|
427,548
|
-
|
|||||
Stock-based
compensation
|
245,313
|
-
|
|||||
Valuation
allowance
|
(2,098,714
|
)
|
(55,500
|
)
|
|||
Net
long-term deferred tax assets
|
360,266
|
-
|
|||||
Long-term
deferred tax liabilities:
|
|||||||
Oil
& gas properties
|
360,266
|
-
|
|||||
|
$ | - |
$
|
-
|
As
of
March 31, 2007, we had federal net operating loss carryforwards of
$5,103,000 that expire between 2024 and 2026.
As
of December 31, 2006 and 2005, because the Company
believes that it is more likely than not that its net deferred tax assets will
not be utilized in the future, the Company has fully provided for a valuation
of
its net deferred tax assets.
Note
9—Disclosures about Oil & Gas Producing Activities
Prior
to
the year ended March 31, 2007, the Company did not have any oil & gas
properties.
Costs
Incurred in Oil & Gas Producing Activities:
Costs
incurred in oil & gas property acquisition, exploration and development
activities, whether capitalized or expensed, are summarized as follows.
|
For
the Year Ended March 31,
|
|||||||||
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
|||||||
|
|
|
||||||||
Exploration
|
$
|
333,919
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||
Development
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Acquisitions:
|
||||||||||
Unproved
|
56,813,516
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Proved
|
18,552,188
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Total
|
75,699,623
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Costs
associated with asset retirement obligations
|
$
|
1,191,837
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
Oil
& Gas Reserve Quantities (Unaudited):
For
the
year ended March 31, 2007, Ryder Scott Company, L.P. prepared the reserve
information for the Company’s Cole Creek South, South Glenrock B, and Big Muddy
Fields in the Powder River Basin. The Company did not have oil & gas
reserves as of and for the years ended March 31, 2006 and
2005.
F-26
The
Company emphasizes that reserve estimates are inherently imprecise and that
estimates of new discoveries and undeveloped locations are more imprecise than
estimates of established proved producing oil & gas properties. Accordingly,
these estimates are expected to change as future information becomes
available.
Proved
oil & gas reserves are the estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas,
and natural gas liquids that geological and engineering data demonstrate with
reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs
under existing economic and operating conditions. Proved developed oil & gas
reserves are those expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing
equipment and operating methods. All of the Company’s proved reserves are
located in the continental United States.
Presented
below is a summary of the changes in estimated oil reserves (in barrels) of
the
Company for the year ended March 31, 2007 (the Company did not have any
natural gas reserves):
Total
proved:
|
||||
Beginning
of year
|
-
|
|||
Purchases
of minerals in-place
|
1,073,138
|
|||
Production
|
(23,838
|
)
|
||
Revisions
of previous estimates
|
229,864
|
|||
End
of year
|
1,279,164
|
|||
Proved
developed reserves:
|
1,062,206
|
|||
Standardized
Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows (Unaudited):
SFAS
No. 69, Disclosures
about Oil & Gas Producing Activities
(SFAS
No. 69), prescribes guidelines for computing a standardized measure of
future net cash flows and changes therein relating to estimated proved reserves.
The Company has followed these guidelines, which are briefly discussed
below.
Future
cash inflows and future production and development costs are determined by
applying benchmark prices and costs, including transportation, quality, and
basis differentials, in effect at year-end to the year-end estimated quantities
of oil & gas to be produced in the future. Each property the Company
operates is also charged with field-level overhead in the estimated reserve
calculation. Estimated future income taxes are computed using current statutory
income tax rates, including consideration for estimated future statutory
depletion. The resulting future net cash flows are reduced to present value
amounts by applying a 10% annual discount factor.
Future
operating costs are determined based on estimates of expenditures to be incurred
in developing and producing the proved oil & gas reserves in place at the
end of the period, using year-end costs and assuming continuation of existing
economic conditions, plus Company overhead incurred by the central
administrative office attributable to operating activities.
The
assumptions used to compute the standardized measure are those prescribed by
the
FASB and the SEC. These assumptions do not necessarily reflect the Company’s
expectations of actual revenues to be derived from those reserves, nor their
present value. The limitations inherent in the reserve quantity estimation
process, as discussed previously, are equally applicable to the standardized
measure computations since these estimates are the basis for the valuation
process. The price, as adjusted for transportation, quality, and basis
differentials, used in the calculation of the standardized measure was $53.47
per barrel of oil for the year ended March 31, 2007. The Company did not
have natural gas reserves during the year ended March 31, 2007, and did not
have crude oil or natural gas reserves during the years ended March 31,
2006 and 2005.
F-27
The
following summary sets forth the Company’s future net cash flows relating to
proved oil & gas reserves based on the standardized measure prescribed in
SFAS No. 69:
As
of
March 31,
2007
|
||||
Future
cash inflows
|
$
|
68,396,874
|
||
Future
production costs
|
(38,185,216
|
)
|
||
Future
development costs
|
(2,004,287
|
)
|
||
Future
income taxes
|
-
|
|||
Future
net cash flows
|
28,207,371
|
|||
10%
annual discount
|
(15,088,423
|
)
|
||
Standardized
measure of discounted future net cash flows
|
$
|
13,118,948
|
The
principal sources of change in the standardized measure of discounted future
net
cash flows are:
For
the year
ended
March 31,
2007
|
||||
Standardized
measure of discounted future net cash flows, beginning of
year
|
$
|
-
|
||
Sales
of oil & gas produced, net of production costs
|
(324,891
|
)
|
||
Net
changes in prices and production costs
|
3,412,974
|
|||
Purchase
of minerals in-place
|
8,479,171
|
|||
Revisions
of previous quantity estimates
|
2,611,204
|
|||
Accretion
of discount
|
211,979
|
|||
Changes
in timing and other
|
(1,271,489
|
)
|
||
Standardized
measure of discounted future net cash flows, end of year
|
$
|
13,118,948
|
Note
10—Related Party Transaction
In
December 2006, the Company acquired artwork for $7,500 from our President,
Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board of
Directors.
F-28
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The
Board
of Directors and Stockholders
Nielson
& Associates, Inc.:
We
have
audited the accompanying carve out balance sheets of South Cole Creek and
South
Glenrock operations as of December 21, 2006 and December 31, 2005, and the
related carve out statements of operations, changes in owner’s net investment,
and cash flows for the period from January 1, 2006 to December 21, 2006,
the
year ended December 31, 2005, and the period from September 1, 2004 to December
31, 2004. These financial statements are the responsibility of Nielson &
Associates, Inc.’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements based on our audits.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that
we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining,
on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used
and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In
our
opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the carve out financial position of South Cole Creek and
South Glenrock operations as of December 21, 2006 and December 31, 2005,
and the
carve out results of their operations and their cash flows for the period
from
January 1, 2006 to December 21, 2006, the year ended December 31, 2005, and
the
period from September 1, 2004 to December 31, 2004, in conformity with U.S.
generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/
KPMG
LLP
Billings,
Montana
June
29,
2007
F-29
Carve
Out Balance Sheets
December
21, 2006
|
December
31, 2005
|
||||||
Assets
|
|||||||
Current
assets:
|
|||||||
Accounts
receivable:
|
|||||||
Revenue
|
$
|
281,142
|
$
|
359,903
|
|||
Joint
interest
|
91,024
|
12,036
|
|||||
Total
current assets
|
372,166
|
371,939
|
|||||
Property
and equipment, at cost:
|
|||||||
Oil
and gas properties, successful efforts method of
accounting
|
|||||||
Proved
properties
|
15,634,302
|
13,142,564
|
|||||
Unproved
properties
|
173,821
|
173,821
|
|||||
15,808,123
|
13,316,385
|
||||||
Less
accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization
|
(1,582,671
|
)
|
(629,887
|
)
|
|||
Net
property and equipment
|
14,225,452
|
12,686,498
|
|||||
Total
assets
|
$
|
14,597,618
|
$
|
13,058,437
|
Liabilities
and Owner’s Net Investment
|
|||||||
Current
liabilities:
|
|||||||
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
$
|
663,922
|
$
|
359,319
|
|||
Production
taxes
|
368,088
|
238,093
|
|||||
Asset
retirement obligations
|
10,916
|
482,369
|
|||||
Total
current liabilities
|
1,042,926
|
1,079,781
|
|||||
Production
taxes
|
163,700
|
165,957
|
|||||
Asset
retirement obligations
|
958,023
|
861,435
|
|||||
Owner’s
net investment
|
12,432,969
|
10,951,264
|
|||||
|
|||||||
Total
liabilities and owner’s net investment
|
$
|
14,597,618
|
$
|
13,058,437
|
See
accompanying notes to carve
out
financial statements.
F-30
South
Cole Creek and South Glenrock Operations
Carve
Out Statements of Operations
From
January 1, 2006 to December
21, 2006
|
Year
Ended
December 31, 2005 |
From
September 1, 2004 to December
31, 2004
|
||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
Revenue:
|
||||||||||
Oil
sales
|
$
|
4,488,315
|
$
|
3,713,973
|
$
|
722,449
|
||||
|
||||||||||
Operating
expenses:
|
||||||||||
Lease
operating expense
|
2,944,287
|
1,537,992
|
360,207
|
|||||||
Production
taxes
|
493,956
|
428,905
|
81,868
|
|||||||
General
and administrative
|
567,524
|
1,045,133
|
283,257
|
|||||||
Depreciation,
depletion, and amortization
|
952,784
|
567,345
|
62,542
|
|||||||
Accretion
of asset retirement obligations
|
107,504
|
107,712
|
12,990
|
|||||||
Total
operating expenses
|
5,066,055
|
3,687,087
|
800,864
|
|||||||
|
||||||||||
Net
income (loss)
|
$
|
(577,740
|
)
|
$
|
26,886
|
$
|
(78,415
|
)
|
See
accompanying notes to carve
out
financial statements.
F-31
South
Cole Creek and South Glenrock Operations
Carve
Out Statement of Changes in Owner’s Net Investment
Balance
at September 1, 2004 (inception)
|
$
|
-
|
||
|
||||
Owner’s
contributions, net
|
2,468,305
|
|||
Net
loss
|
(78,415
|
)
|
||
|
||||
Balance
at December 31, 2004
|
2,389,890
|
|||
|
||||
Owner’s
contributions, net
|
8,534,488
|
|||
Net
income
|
26,886
|
|||
|
||||
Balance
at December 31, 2005
|
10,951,264
|
|||
|
||||
Owner’s
contributions, net
|
2,059,445
|
|||
Net
loss
|
(577,740
|
)
|
||
|
||||
Balance
at December 21, 2006
|
$
|
12,432,969
|
See
accompanying notes to carve
out
financial statements.
F-32
South
Cole Creek and South Glenrock Operations
Carve
Out Statements of Cash Flows
From
January 1, 2006 to December 21, 2006 |
Year
Ended
December 31, 2005 |
From
September 1, 2004 to December 31, 2004 |
||||||||
Operating
activities:
|
||||||||||
Net
income (loss)
|
$
|
(577,740
|
)
|
$
|
26,886
|
$
|
(78,415
|
)
|
||
Adjustments
to reconcile net income (loss) to
net
cash provided by operating activities
|
||||||||||
Depreciation,
depletion and amortization
|
952,784
|
567,345
|
62,542
|
|||||||
Accretion
of asset retirement obligations
|
107,504
|
107,712
|
12,990
|
|||||||
Change
in operating assets and liabilities:
|
||||||||||
Accounts
receivable
|
(227
|
)
|
(51,094
|
)
|
(320,845
|
)
|
||||
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
304,603
|
103,287
|
256,032
|
|||||||
Production
taxes payable
|
127,738
|
306,150
|
97,900
|
|||||||
Settlement
of asset retirement obligations
|
(482,369
|
)
|
(110,314
|
)
|
-
|
|||||
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
432,293
|
949,972
|
30,204
|
|||||||
|
||||||||||
Investing
activities:
|
||||||||||
Acquisition
of oil and gas properties
|
-
|
(2,299,715
|
)
|
(2,498,509
|
)
|
|||||
Exploration
and development expenditures
|
(2,491,738
|
)
|
(7,184,745
|
)
|
-
|
|||||
Net
cash used for investing activities
|
(2,491,738
|
)
|
(9,484,460
|
)
|
(2,498,509
|
)
|
||||
|
||||||||||
Financing
activities:
|
||||||||||
Contributions
from owner, net
|
2,059,445
|
8,534,488
|
2,468,305
|
|||||||
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
2,059,445
|
8,534,488
|
2,468,305
|
|||||||
|
||||||||||
Net
increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
|
||||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents at beginning of period
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
|
||||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents at end of period
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||
|
||||||||||
Non-cash
investing activities:
|
||||||||||
Increase
in asset retirement obligations
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
507,748
|
$
|
825,668
|
See
accompanying notes to carve
out
financial statements.
F-33
South
Cole Creek and South Glenrock Operations
Notes
to Carve Out Financial Statements
December 21,
2006
Note
1 - Basis of Presentation
The
accompanying Historical Financial Statements (the “Historical Statements”) and
related notes there to are presented on an accrual basis, and represent the
financial position, results of operations, cash flows, and changes in owner’s
net investment attributable to Nielson & Associates, Inc.’s (“Nielson” or
the “Company”) interests in certain producing oil properties located in Converse
County, Wyoming (the “Acquisition Properties”). Nielson acquired the Acquisition
Properties from Continental Industries, LC on September 1, 2004 and subsequently
sold the Acquisition Properties to Rancher Energy Corp. on December 22, 2006.
The Historical Statements were prepared from the historical accounting records
of Nielson and reflect the financial position, results of operations and cash
flows for the period of time the Acquisition Properties were owned by Nielson.
Accordingly, the Historical Statements do not give effect to the sale of the
properties to Rancher Energy Corp.
The
Acquisition Properties were not operated as a separate business unit within
Nielson. Accordingly, the Historical Statements have been prepared on a “carve
out” basis and Owner’s Net Investment is presented in place of stockholders’
equity. The Historical Statements have been prepared in accordance with
Regulation S-X, Article 3 “General instructions to financial statements” and
Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) Topic 1-B1 “Costs reflected in historical
financial statements.” The accompanying Historical Statements include an
allocation of certain corporate services, including accounting, finance, legal,
information systems and human resources. As a result, certain assumptions and
estimates were made in order to allocate a reasonable share of such expenses
so
that the accompanying Historical Statements reflect substantially all the costs
of doing business. The allocations and related estimates and assumptions are
described more fully in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting
Policies.
The
operating results and cash flows included in the Historical Statements are
not
necessarily indicative of future results due to the change in business and
in
operating expenses.
Note
2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
The
Acquisition Properties did not have separate bank accounts and accordingly,
all
cash receipts and disbursements are recorded through the Owner’s Net Investment
account in the accompanying Historical Statements. Cash received or paid by
Nielson related to the Acquisition Properties is reflected as owner’s
contributions, net in the accompanying Statement of Changes in Owner’s Net
Investment.
F-34
South
Cole Creek and South Glenrock Operations
Notes
to Carve Out Financial Statements
December 21,
2006
Note
2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(continued)
Use
of
Estimates
Preparing
Historical Statements in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. The more
significant areas that required the use of management’s estimates and judgments
relate to preparation of estimates of oil and gas reserves, the use of these
oil
and gas reserves in calculating depreciation, depletion and amortization, the
use of estimates of future net revenues in computing impairments and estimates
of abandonment obligations used in such calculations and in recording asset
retirement obligations. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Revenue
Recognition and Receivables
The
Company recognizes revenues from oil sales based upon actual volumes sold to
purchasers. Receivables represent accrued oil sales and amounts due from other
working interest owners. No allowance for doubtful accounts was, in the opinion
of management, necessary at December 21, 2006 and December 31,
2005.
Oil
Properties
The
Acquisition Properties are accounted for using the successful efforts method
of
accounting for oil properties under Statement of Accounting Standards (“SFAS”)
No. 19, “Financial Accounting and Reporting by Oil and Gas Producing Companies”
(“SFAS 19”). Under this method, costs of productive exploratory wells,
development wells and undeveloped leases are capitalized. Oil and gas lease
acquisition costs are also capitalized. Exploration costs, including personnel
costs, geological and geophysical expenses and delay rentals for oil and gas
leases, are charged to expense as incurred. Costs associated with drilling
exploratory wells are initially capitalized pending determination of whether
the
well is economically productive or nonproductive.
If
an
exploratory well does not find reserves or does not find reserves in a
sufficient quantity as to make them economically producible, the previously
capitalized costs are expensed in the accompanying Historical Statements of
Operations in the period in which the determination was made. If a determination
cannot be made within one year of the exploratory well being drilled and no
other drilling or exploration activities to evaluate the discovery are firmly
planned, all previously capitalized costs associated with the exploratory well
are expensed. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance to sustain or increase
production from the existing producing reservoir are charged to expense as
incurred. Expenditures to recomplete a current well in a different unproved
reservoir are capitalized pending determination that economic reserves have
been
added. If the recompletion is not successful, the expenditures are charged
to
expense.
Significant
tangible equipment added or replaced is capitalized. Expenditures to construct
facilities or increase the productive capacity from existing reserves are
capitalized. Capitalized costs are amortized on a unit-of-production basis
based
on the proved reserves attributable to the properties.
F-35
South
Cole Creek and South Glenrock Operations
Notes
to Carve Out Financial Statements
December 21,
2006
Note
2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(continued)
Oil
Properties (continued)
The
costs
of retired, sold, or abandoned properties that constitute part of an
amortization base are charged or credited, net of proceeds received, to the
accumulated depletion, depreciation, and amortization (“DD&A”) reserve.
Gains or losses from the disposal of other properties are recognized currently.
Independent
reserve engineers estimate reserves once a year as of December 31. These reserve
estimates have been used to calculate DD&A expense for each of the periods
presented in the accompanying carve out financial statements.
In
accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of
Long-Lived Assets”, an impairment of capitalized costs of long-lived assets to
be held and used, including proved oil and natural gas properties, must be
assessed whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value
of
the asset may not be recoverable. If impairment is indicated based on a
comparison of the asset’s carrying value to its undiscounted expected future net
cash flows, then it is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds
fair value. Expected future net cash flows are based on existing proved reserves
and production information and pricing assumptions that management believes
are
reasonable. There have been no impairments of oil and gas properties recorded
in
the Historical Statements.
Asset
Retirement Obligations
The
Company has adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 143 (SFAS 143), Accounting
for Asset Retirement Obligations. SFAS
143
requires entities to record the fair value of a liability for an asset
retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred. For oil and natural
gas properties, this is the period in which an oil or natural gas property
is
acquired or a new well is drilled. An amount equal to and offsetting the
liability is capitalized as part of the carrying amount of oil and natural
gas
properties at its discounted fair value. The liability is then accreted up
by
recording accretion expense each period until the liability is settled or the
well is sold. Estimates are based on historical experience in plugging and
abandoning wells and estimated remaining lives of those wells based on reserve
estimates.
Income
Taxes
The
operations of Acquisition Properties are currently included in the federal
income tax return of Nielson, which is a limited partnership that is not subject
to federal income taxes. Therefore, no income taxes have been provided for
in
the Historical Statements.
F-36
South
Cole Creek and South Glenrock Operations
Notes
to Carve Out Financial Statements
December 21,
2006
Note
2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(continued)
Allocation
of Costs
A
related-party entity provides general and administrative (G&A) services to
Nielson and charges the associated cost of salaries and benefits, depreciation,
rent, accounting and legal services and other G&A expenses to Nielson under
agreed-upon terms. The accompanying financial statements include an allocation
of G&A expenses incurred by Nielson in the management of the Acquisition
Properties.
The
allocation of G&A expense is based on a combination of factors including
production, revenue, operating expenses and capital expenditures attributable
to
the Acquisition Properties as compared to those factors for all properties
owned
by Nielson during the respective periods. In management’s opinion, the
allocation methodologies used are reasonable and result in an allocation of
the
cost of doing business borne by Nielson on behalf of the Acquisition Properties;
however, these allocations may not be indicative of the cost of future
operations.
Earnings
Per Share
During
the periods presented, the Acquisition Properties were wholly owned by Nielson.
Accordingly, earnings per share amounts have not been presented.
Note
3 - Asset Retirement Obligations
The
Company’s asset retirement obligations consist of costs related to the plugging
of wells, the removal of facilities and equipment, and site restoration of
oil
and gas properties. The following table summarizes the activity in the Company’s
asset retirement obligation (ARO) liability:
From
January
1, 2006 to
December
21, 2006
|
Year
Ended December 31, 2005
|
From
September
1, 2004 to
December
31, 2004
|
||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
ARO
liability- beginning of period
|
$
|
1,343,804
|
$
|
838,658
|
$
|
-
|
||||
ARO
liabilities assumed in acquisitions
|
-
|
484,922
|
825,668
|
|||||||
ARO
liabilities incurred in the current period
|
-
|
22,826
|
-
|
|||||||
ARO
liabilities settled in the current period
|
(482,369
|
)
|
(110,314
|
)
|
-
|
|||||
Accretion
expense
|
107,504
|
107,712
|
12,990
|
|||||||
ARO
liability - end of period
|
$
|
968,939
|
$
|
1,343,804
|
$
|
838,658
|
F-37
South
Cole Creek and South Glenrock Operations
Notes
to Carve Out Financial Statements
December 21,
2006
Note
4 - Concentrations
Major
purchasers, and the approximate percentage of revenue for each, during the
respective periods are as follows:
From
January
1, 2006 to
December
21, 2006
|
Year
Ended December 31, 2005
|
From
September
1, 2004 to
December
31, 2004
|
||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
Customer
A
|
-
|
11
|
%
|
46
|
%
|
|||||
Customer
B
|
58
|
%
|
62
|
%
|
54
|
%
|
||||
Customer
C
|
42
|
%
|
27
|
%
|
-
|
At
December 21, 2006 and December 31, 2005 these major customers accounted for
100
percent of revenue accounts receivable.
Note
5 - Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Oil Properties Reserves
(Unaudited)
Supplemental
oil reserve information related to the operations of the Acquisition Properties
is presented in accordance with the requirements of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 69, “Disclosures about Oil and Gas Producing
Activities” (SFAS No. 69). There are numerous uncertainties inherent in
estimating quantities of proved reserves and in projecting the future rates
of
production and timing of development expenditures.
Costs
Incurred -
The
following table sets forth the capitalized costs incurred in the Company’s oil
production, exploration, and development activities:
From
January
1, 2006 to
December
21, 2006
|
Year
Ended
December 31, 2005 |
From
September
1, 2004 to
December
31, 2004
|
||||||||
Acquisition
of proved properties
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
2,807,433
|
$
|
3,306,967
|
||||
Acquisition
of unproved properties
|
-
|
156,611
|
17,210
|
|||||||
Exploration
costs
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Development
costs
|
2,491,738
|
7,028,164
|
-
|
|||||||
Total
costs incurred for acquisition, exploration and development
activities
|
$
|
2,491,738
|
$
|
9,992,208
|
$
|
3,324,177
|
F-38
South
Cole Creek and South Glenrock Operations
Notes
to Carve Out Financial Statements
December 21,
2006
Note
5 - Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Oil Properties Reserves (Unaudited)
(continued)
Estimated
Proved Reserves - Proved
oil reserves are the estimated quantities of crude oil that geological and
engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in
future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating
conditions, i.e. prices and costs at the date the estimate is made.
Proved
developed oil reserves are reserves that can be expected to be recovered through
existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods. Additional oil
expected to be obtained through the application of fluid injection or other
improved recovery techniques for supplementing the natural forces and mechanisms
of primary recovery are included as “proved developed reserves” only after
testing by a pilot project or after the operations of an installed program
has
confirmed through production response that the increased recovery will be
achieved.
Following
is a summary of the proved developed and total proved oil reserves, in barrels
of oil, attributed to the operations of the Acquisition Properties. In
management’s opinion, the reserves estimates at December 31, 2006 were
approximately the same as those at December 21, 2006, the date the Acquisition
Properties were sold.
Proved
developed and undeveloped reserves:
Proved
reserves:
|
Year
Ended
December 31, 2006 |
Year
Ended
December 31, 2005 |
From
September 1, 2004 to December 31, 2004 |
|||||||
Beginning
of period
|
1,588,713
|
837,846
|
-
|
|||||||
Purchases
of minerals in place
|
-
|
633,384
|
854,080
|
|||||||
Revisions
of estimates
|
(487,469
|
)
|
94,280
|
-
|
||||||
Extensions
and discoveries
|
-
|
90,524
|
-
|
|||||||
Production
|
(73,076
|
)
|
(67,321
|
)
|
(16,234
|
)
|
||||
End
of period
|
1,028,168
|
1,588,713
|
837,846
|
|||||||
Proved
Developed Reserves
|
827,487
|
1,372,989
|
837,846
|
Standardized
Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows
Future
oil sales and production and development costs have been estimated using prices
and costs in effect at the end of the periods indicated. The weighted average
period-end prices used for the Acquisition Properties at December 31, 2006,
2005
and 2004 were $47.94, $56.71 and $41.49 per barrel of oil, respectively. Future
cash inflows were reduced by estimated future development, abandonment and
production costs based on period-end costs. No deductions were made for general
overhead, depreciation, depletion and amortization, or any indirect costs.
All
cash flows amounts are discounted at 10 percent.
F-39
South
Cole Creek and South Glenrock Operations
Notes
to Carve Out Financial Statements
December 21,
2006
Note
5 - Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Oil Properties Reserves (Unaudited)
(continued)
Standardized
Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows
(continued)
Changes
in the demand for oil, inflation, and other factors made such estimates
inherently imprecise and subject to substantial revision. This table should
not
be construed to be an estimate of current market value of the proved reserves
attributable to the Acquisition Properties.
The
estimated standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating
to
proved reserves at December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 is shown below:
December
31, 2006
|
December
31, 2005
|
December
31, 2004
|
||||||||
Future
cash inflows
|
$
|
47,317,344
|
$
|
86,488,888
|
$
|
33,157,864
|
||||
Future
production costs
|
(29,851,344
|
)
|
(46,837,348
|
)
|
(19,815,423
|
)
|
||||
Future
development costs
|
(2,004,287
|
)
|
(2,304,287
|
)
|
-
|
|||||
Future
net cash flows
|
15,461,713
|
37,347,253
|
13,342,441
|
|||||||
10
percent annual discount
|
(7,666,089
|
)
|
(20,374,454
|
)
|
(6,595,775
|
)
|
||||
Standardized
measure of discounted future net
cash
flows relating to proved reserves
|
$
|
7,795,624
|
$
|
16,972,799
|
$
|
6,746,666
|
F-40
South
Cole Creek and South Glenrock Operations
Notes
to Carve Out Financial Statements
December 21,
2006
Note
5 - Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Oil Properties Reserves (Unaudited)
(continued)
Standardized
Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows
(continued)
The
following reconciles the change in the standardized measure of discounted future
net cash flows during the periods ended December 31, 2006 and December 31,
2005
and 2004:
From
January
1, 2006 to
December
31, 2006
|
Year
Ended
December 31, 2005 |
From
September
1, 2004 to
December
31, 2004
|
||||||||
Beginning
of period
|
$
|
16,972,799
|
$
|
6,746,666
|
$
|
-
|
||||
Purchases
of reserves in place
|
-
|
6,264,995
|
7,016,351
|
|||||||
Revisions
of previous estimates
|
(3,763,013
|
)
|
1,176,659
|
-
|
||||||
Extensions
and discoveries
|
-
|
1,958,102
|
-
|
|||||||
Changes
in future development costs, net
|
300,000
|
(671,511
|
)
|
-
|
||||||
Net
change in prices
|
(5,731,580
|
)
|
3,757,911
|
-
|
||||||
Sales
of oil, net of production costs
|
(1,050,072
|
)
|
(1,747,076
|
)
|
(280,374
|
)
|
||||
Changes
in timing and other
|
(629,790
|
)
|
(1,187,614
|
)
|
10,689
|
|||||
Accretion
of discount
|
1,697,280
|
674,667
|
-
|
|||||||
End
of period
|
$
|
7,795,624
|
$
|
16,972,799
|
$
|
6,746,666
|
F-41
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board
of
Directors
Rancher
Energy Corp.
Denver,
Colorado
We
have
audited the accompanying historical summary of revenue and direct operating
expenses of properties acquired in December 2006 by Rancher Energy Corp., for
the period from January 1, 2004 through August 31, 2004. The
historical summary are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on the historical summary based on
our
audits.
We
conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we
plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
historical summaries are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures
in
the historical summaries. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall historical summaries presentation. We believe that our
audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
The
accompanying historical summary was prepared for the purpose of complying with
the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (for
inclusion in the Form 10-K of Rancher Energy Corp. as described in Note 1)
and is not intended to be a complete presentation of the properties’
revenues and expenses.
In
our
opinion, the historical summary referred to above presents fairly, in all
material respects, the revenue and direct operating expenses of the properties
acquired in December 2006 by Rancher Energy Corp. for the period from January
1,
2004 through August 31, 2004, in conformity with U. S. generally accepted
accounting principles.
/s/
HEIN &
ASSOCIATES LLP
Denver,
Colorado
June
28,
2007
F-42
Statement
of Revenues and Direct Operating Expenses
For
the Period January 1 through August 31, 2004
|
||||
Revenue:
|
||||
Oil
sales
|
$
|
1,275,214
|
||
|
||||
Direct
operating expenses:
|
||||
Lease
operating expense
|
583,942
|
|||
Production
taxes
|
138,087
|
|||
Total
direct operating expenses
|
722,029
|
|||
|
||||
Revenues
in excess of direct operating expenses
|
$
|
553,185
|
See
Accompanying Notes to Statement of Revenues and Direct Operating
Expenses.
F-43
South
Cole Creek and South Glenrock Operations
Notes
to Statement of Revenues and Direct Operating Expenses
Note
1 - Basis of Presentation
The
accompanying financial statement presents the revenues and direct operating
expenses of the oil properties (the Acquisition Properties) acquired by Nielson
& Associates, Inc. (the Company) from Continental Industries, LC
(Continental) for the period January 1, 2004 to August 31, 2004. The
Acquisition Properties were purchased by the Company in September 2004 and
were subsequently sold to Rancher Energy Corp. (Rancher) on December 22,
2006.
The
accompanying statement of revenues and direct operating expenses of the
Acquisition Properties do not include indirect general and administrative
expenses, interest expense, depreciation, depletion and amortization, or any
provision for income taxes. Management of Rancher believes historical expenses
of this nature incurred by Continental are not indicative of the costs to be
incurred by Rancher.
The
Company recognizes revenues from oil sales based upon actual volumes sold to
purchasers. The direct operating expenses are recognized on the accrual basis
and consist of the direct costs of operating the Acquisition Properties
including severance and ad valorem (property) taxes, lifting costs, well repair
and well workover costs. Direct costs do not include general corporate
overhead.
Complete
financial statements, including a balance sheet, are not presented as the
Acquisition Properties were not operated as a separate business unit within
Continental. Accordingly, it is not practicable to identify all assets and
liabilities, or the indirect operating costs applicable to the Acquisition
Properties. As such, the historical statement of revenues and direct operating
expenses have been presented in lieu of financial statements prescribed by
Rule
3-01-04 of Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X.
The
preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that
affect the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reported period.
Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates.
Note
2 - Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Oil Properties Reserves
(Unaudited)
Estimated
Proved Reserves - Proved
oil reserves are the estimated quantities of crude oil that geological and
engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in
future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating
conditions, i.e. prices and costs at the date the estimate is made. Prices
include consideration of changes in existing prices provided only by contractual
arrangement, but not on escalations based on future conditions.
Proved
developed oil reserves are reserves that can be expected to be recovered through
existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods. Additional oil
expected to be obtained through the application of fluid injection or other
improved recovery techniques for supplementing the natural forces and mechanisms
of primary recovery are included as “proved developed reserves” only after
testing by a pilot project or after the operations of an installed program
has
confirmed through production response that the increased recovery will be
achieved.
Following
is a summary of the proved developed and total proved oil reserves, in barrels
of oil, attributed to the Acquisition Properties:
Proved
developed and undeveloped reserves:
F-44
August 31,
2004
|
||||
Beginning
of period
|
836,759
|
|||
Purchases
of minerals in place
|
-
|
|||
Revisions
of estimates
|
135,800
|
|||
Extensions
and discoveries
|
-
|
|||
Production
|
(35,882
|
)
|
||
End
of period
|
936,677
|
|||
Proved
Developed
|
936,677
|
|||
Total
Proved
|
936,677
|
Standardized
Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows
Future
oil sales and production and development costs have been estimated using prices
and costs in effect at the end of the period indicated. The weight average
period-end price used for the Acquisition Properties at August 31, 2004 was
$39.83 per barrel of oil. Future cash inflows were reduced by estimated future
development, abandonment and production costs based on period-end costs. No
deductions were made for general overhead, depreciation, depletion and
amortization, or any indirect costs. All cash flow amounts are discounted at
10
percent.
Changes
in the demand for oil, inflation, and other factors made such estimates
inherently imprecise and subject to substantial revision. This table should
not
be construed to be an estimate of current market value of the proved reserves
attributable to the Acquisition Properties.
The
estimated standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating
to
proved reserves at August 31, 2004 is shown below:
August 31,
2004
|
||||
Future
cash inflows
|
$
|
37,307,874
|
||
Future
production costs
|
(14,681,028
|
)
|
||
Future
development costs
|
-
|
|||
Future
net cash flows
|
22,626,846
|
|||
10%
annual discount
|
(12,460,123
|
)
|
||
Standardized
measure of discounted future net
cash
flows
|
$
|
10,166,723
|
The
following reconciles the change in the standardized measure of discounted future
net cash flows during the period ended August 31, 2004:
For
the Period Ended
August 31,
2004
|
||||
Beginning
of period
|
$
|
8,987,287
|
||
Purchases
of reserves in place
|
-
|
|||
Revisions
of previous estimates
|
1,441,810
|
|||
Extensions
and discoveries
|
-
|
|||
Changes
in future development costs, net
|
-
|
|||
Net
change in prices
|
(221,934
|
)
|
||
Sales
of oil, net of production costs
|
(553,185
|
)
|
||
Changes
in timing and other
|
(385,984
|
)
|
||
Accretion
of discount
|
898,729
|
|||
End
of period
|
$
|
10,166,723
|
F-45