US ENERGY CORP - Quarter Report: 2006 March (Form 10-Q)
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
x
|
Quarterly
report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of
1934
|
For
the quarter ended March 31, 2006 or
|
|
o
|
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 0-6814
U.S.
ENERGY CORP.
|
(Exact
Name of Company as Specified in its
Charter)
|
Wyoming
|
83-0205516
|
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of
|
(I.R.S.
Employer
|
|
incorporation
or organization)
|
Identification
No.)
|
|
877
North 8th
West, Riverton, WY
|
82501
|
|
(Address
of principal executive offices)
|
(Zip
Code)
|
|
Company's
telephone number, including area code:
|
(307)
856-9271
|
Not
Applicable
|
Former
name, address and fiscal year, if changed since last
report
|
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined
in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
YES
o NO
x
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports to Section
13 or
Section 15(d) of the Act.
YES
o NO
x
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 Company was required
to
file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the
past 90 days.
YES
x NO
o
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.
Large
accelerated filer o
Accelerated
filer o Non-accelerated
filer x
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
YES
o NO
x
APPLICABLE
ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY
PROCEEDINGS
DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports
required to be filed by Section 12, 13, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act
of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed
by a
court.
YES
o NO
o
Indicate
the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common
stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
|
Outstanding
Shares at May 15, 2006
|
|
Common
stock, $.01 par value
|
19,530,425
|
-2-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. and SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX
Page
No.
|
||
PART
I.
|
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
|
|
ITEM
1.
|
Financial
Statements.
|
|
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005
(unaudited)
|
4-5
|
|
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three months Ended
March 31,
2006 and 2005 (unaudited)
|
6-7
|
|
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Three Months Ended March 31,
2006
and 2005 (unaudited)
|
8-10
|
|
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
|
11-16
|
|
ITEM
2.
|
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
|
17-28
|
ITEM
3.
|
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
|
28-30
|
ITEM
4.
|
Controls
and Procedures
|
30
|
PART
II.
|
OTHER
INFORMATION
|
|
ITEM
1.
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
31-32
|
ITEM
2.
|
Changes
in Securities and Use of Proceeds
|
32
|
ITEM
3.
|
Defaults
Upon Senior Securities
|
32
|
ITEM
4.
|
Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Shareholders
|
32
|
ITEM
5.
|
Other
Information
|
32
|
ITEM
6.
|
Exhibits
and Reports on Form 8-K
|
32
|
Signatures
|
33
|
|
Certifications
|
See
Exhibits
|
-3-
PART
I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM
1. Financial Statements
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
|||||||
ASSETS
|
|||||||
March
31,
|
December
31,
|
||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||
CURRENT
ASSETS:
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$
|
7,763,800
|
$
|
6,998,700
|
|||
Marketable
securities, available for sale
|
1,457,800
|
328,700
|
|||||
Accounts
receivable
|
|||||||
Trade,
net of allowance of $32,300 each period
|
61,800
|
251,400
|
|||||
Affiliates
|
11,900
|
14,100
|
|||||
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
357,700
|
215,000
|
|||||
Inventories
|
20,100
|
32,700
|
|||||
Total
current assets
|
9,673,100
|
7,840,600
|
|||||
INVESTMENTS:
|
|||||||
Non-affiliated
companies
|
14,175,400
|
14,760,800
|
|||||
Marketable
securities, held-to-maturity
|
6,760,700
|
6,761,200
|
|||||
Other
|
54,900
|
54,900
|
|||||
Total
investments
|
20,991,000
|
21,576,900
|
|||||
PROPERTIES
AND EQUIPMENT:
|
13,777,900
|
13,847,600
|
|||||
Less
accumulated depreciation,
|
|||||||
depletion
and amortization
|
(7,397,900
|
)
|
(7,481,800
|
)
|
|||
Net
properties and equipment
|
6,380,000
|
6,365,800
|
|||||
OTHER
ASSETS:
|
|||||||
Note
receivable trade
|
20,800
|
20,800
|
|||||
Real
estate held for resale
|
1,819,700
|
1,819,700
|
|||||
Deposits
and other
|
477,900
|
482,900
|
|||||
Total
other assets
|
2,318,400
|
2,323,400
|
|||||
Total
assets
|
$
|
39,362,500
|
$
|
38,106,700
|
|||
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
-4-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
|||||||
LIABILITIES
AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|||||||
March
31,
|
December
31,
|
||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||
CURRENT
LIABILITIES:
|
|||||||
Accounts
payable
|
$
|
249,400
|
$
|
433,000
|
|||
Accrued
compensation expense
|
205,200
|
177,100
|
|||||
Asset
retirement obligation
|
233,100
|
233,200
|
|||||
Current
portion of long-term debt
|
283,600
|
156,500
|
|||||
Other
current liabilities
|
384,500
|
232,400
|
|||||
Total
current liabilities
|
1,355,800
|
1,232,200
|
|||||
LONG-TERM
DEBT, net of current portion
|
907,500
|
880,300
|
|||||
ASSET
RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS,
|
|||||||
net
of current portion
|
5,945,200
|
5,669,000
|
|||||
OTHER
ACCRUED LIABILITIES
|
1,413,400
|
1,400,500
|
|||||
MINORITY
INTERESTS
|
1,807,500
|
1,767,500
|
|||||
COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENCIES
|
|||||||
FORFEITABLE
COMMON STOCK, $.01 par value
|
|||||||
442,740
shares issued, forfeitable until earned
|
2,599,000
|
2,599,000
|
|||||
PREFERRED
STOCK,
|
|||||||
$.01
par value; 100,000 shares authorized
|
|||||||
No
shares issued or outstanding
|
--
|
--
|
|||||
SHAREHOLDERS'
EQUITY:
|
|||||||
Common
stock, $.01 par value;
|
|||||||
unlimited
shares authorized; 19,218,010
|
|||||||
and
18,825,134 shares issued respectively
|
192,200
|
188,200
|
|||||
Additional
paid-in capital
|
69,441,800
|
68,005,600
|
|||||
Accumulated
deficit
|
(41,239,200
|
)
|
(40,154,100
|
)
|
|||
Treasury
stock at cost,
|
|||||||
1,004,174
and 999,174 shares respectively
|
(2,923,500
|
)
|
(2,892,900
|
)
|
|||
Unrealized
gain (loss) on marketable securities
|
353,300
|
(98,100
|
)
|
||||
Unallocated
ESOP contribution
|
(490,500
|
)
|
(490,500
|
)
|
|||
Total
shareholders' equity
|
25,334,100
|
24,558,200
|
|||||
Total
liabilities and shareholders' equity
|
$
|
39,362,500
|
$
|
38,106,700
|
|||
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
-5-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||
Three
months ended March 31,
|
|||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
OPERATING
REVENUES:
|
|||||||
Real
estate operations
|
$
|
54,800
|
$
|
85,100
|
|||
Management
fees and other
|
121,800
|
256,300
|
|||||
176,600
|
341,400
|
||||||
OPERATING
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
|
|||||||
Real
estate operations
|
70,200
|
68,100
|
|||||
Mineral
holding costs
|
501,100
|
292,900
|
|||||
General
and administrative
|
2,548,700
|
1,164,400
|
|||||
3,120,000
|
1,525,400
|
||||||
OPERATING
LOSS
|
(2,943,400
|
)
|
(1,184,000
|
)
|
|||
OTHER
INCOME & (EXPENSES):
|
|||||||
Gain
on sales of assets
|
2,414,900
|
9,500
|
|||||
Gain
on sale of investment
|
--
|
66,500
|
|||||
Loss
from valuation of derivatives
|
(585,400
|
)
|
--
|
||||
Dividends
|
2,800
|
--
|
|||||
Interest
income
|
51,300
|
54,900
|
|||||
Interest
expense
|
(29,500
|
)
|
(273,100
|
)
|
|||
1,854,100
|
(142,200
|
)
|
|||||
LOSS
BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST,
|
|||||||
DISCONTINUED
OPERATIONS AND
|
|||||||
PROVISION
FOR INCOME TAXES
|
(1,089,300
|
)
|
(1,326,200
|
)
|
|||
MINORITY
INTEREST IN LOSS OF
|
|||||||
CONSOLIDATED
SUBSIDIARIES
|
4,200
|
53,800
|
|||||
LOSS
BEFORE DISCONTINUED
|
|||||||
OPERATIONS
AND PROVISION
|
|||||||
FOR
INCOME TAXES
|
(1,085,100
|
)
|
(1,272,400
|
)
|
|||
DISCONTINUED
OPERATIONS, net of taxes
|
--
|
(326,100
|
)
|
||||
LOSS
BEFORE PROVISION FOR
|
|||||||
INCOME
TAXES
|
(1,085,100
|
)
|
(1,598,500
|
)
|
|||
PROVISION
FOR INCOME TAXES
|
--
|
--
|
|||||
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
-6-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||
Three
months ended March 31,
|
|||||||
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|||
NET
LOSS
|
$
|
(1,085,100
|
)
|
$
|
(1,598,500
|
)
|
|
PER
SHARE DATA
|
|||||||
Loss
from continuing operations
|
$
|
(0.06
|
)
|
$
|
(0.09
|
)
|
|
Loss
from discontinued operations
|
--
|
(0.02
|
)
|
||||
NET
LOSS PER SHARE BASIC
|
|||||||
AND
DILUTED
|
$
|
(0.06
|
)
|
$
|
(0.11
|
)
|
|
BASIC
AND DILUTED WEIGHTED
|
|||||||
AVERAGE
SHARES OUTSTANDING
|
18,127,158
|
14,398,093
|
|||||
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
-7-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||
Three
months ended March 31,
|
|||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
CASH
FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
|||||||
Net
loss
|
$
|
(1,085,100
|
)
|
$
|
(1,598,500
|
)
|
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss
|
|||||||
to
net cash used in operating activities:
|
|||||||
Minority
interest in loss of
|
|||||||
consolidated
subsidiaries
|
(4,200
|
)
|
(53,800
|
)
|
|||
Amortization
of deferred charge
|
--
|
23,600
|
|||||
Depreciation
|
159,700
|
92,800
|
|||||
Accretion
of asset
|
|||||||
retirement
obligations
|
192,700
|
91,700
|
|||||
Amortization
of debt discount
|
--
|
167,700
|
|||||
Loss
from valuation of derivatives
|
585,400
|
--
|
|||||
Extension
of warrants
|
321,100
|
--
|
|||||
Noncash
services
|
4,500
|
35,600
|
|||||
Initial
valuation of asset
|
|||||||
retirement
obligation
|
83,400
|
--
|
|||||
(Gain)
on sale of assets
|
(2,293,700
|
)
|
(9,500
|
)
|
|||
(Gain)
on sale investments
|
--
|
(66,500
|
)
|
||||
Noncash
compensation
|
358,800
|
86,100
|
|||||
Net
changes in assets and liabilities:
|
(76,500
|
)
|
410,200
|
||||
NET
CASH USED IN
|
|||||||
OPERATING
ACTIVITIES
|
(1,753,900
|
)
|
(820,600
|
)
|
|||
CASH
FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
|||||||
Development
of unproved mining claims
|
(9,200
|
)
|
(53,300
|
)
|
|||
Proceeds
on sale of property and equipment
|
1,639,400
|
9,500
|
|||||
Proceeds
from sale investments
|
--
|
66,500
|
|||||
Escrow
proceeds
|
--
|
500,000
|
|||||
Net
change in restricted investments
|
500
|
800
|
|||||
Purchase
of property and equipment
|
(107,400
|
)
|
(96,700
|
)
|
|||
Net
change in notes receivable
|
(30,600
|
)
|
14,500
|
||||
Net
change in investments in affiliates
|
44,200
|
117,300
|
|||||
NET
CASH PROVIDED BY
|
|||||||
BY
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
1,536,900
|
558,600
|
|||||
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
-8-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||
Three
months ended March 31,
|
|||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
CASH
FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
|||||||
Issuance
of common stock
|
$
|
908,500
|
$
|
1,416,700
|
|||
Issuance
of subsidiary stock
|
--
|
--
|
|||||
Proceeds
from long term debt
|
184,400
|
3,750,000
|
|||||
Repayments
of long term debt
|
(110,800
|
)
|
(73,500
|
)
|
|||
NET
CASH PROVIDED BY
|
|||||||
FINANCING
ACTIVITIES
|
982,100
|
5,093,200
|
|||||
Net
cash used in operating activities of
|
|||||||
disontinued
operations
|
--
|
(453,500
|
)
|
||||
Net
cash used in investing activities of
|
|||||||
disontinued
operations
|
--
|
(215,000
|
)
|
||||
Net
cash used in financing activites of
|
|||||||
disontinued
operations
|
--
|
(8,500
|
)
|
||||
NET
INCREASE IN
|
|||||||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
765,100
|
4,154,200
|
|||||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
|||||||
AT
BEGINNING OF PERIOD
|
6,998,700
|
3,842,500
|
|||||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
|||||||
AT
END OF PERIOD
|
$
|
7,763,800
|
$
|
7,996,600
|
|||
SUPPLEMENTAL
DISCLOSURES:
|
|||||||
Income
tax paid
|
$
|
--
|
$
|
--
|
|||
Interest
paid
|
$
|
29,500
|
$
|
105,400
|
|||
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
-9-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||
Three
months ended March 31,
|
|||||||
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
||||
NON-CASH
INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
|||||||
Satisfaction
of receivable - employee
|
|||||||
with
stock in company
|
$
|
30,600
|
$
|
20,500
|
|||
Acquisition
of assets
|
|||||||
through
issuance of debt
|
$
|
80,700
|
$
|
50,000
|
|||
Issuance
of stock warrants in
|
|||||||
conjunction
with debt
|
$
|
--
|
$
|
1,226,200
|
|||
Issuance
of stock as coversion of
|
|||||||
subsidiary
stock
|
$
|
--
|
$
|
499,700
|
|||
Issuance
of stock for services
|
$
|
--
|
$
|
35,600
|
|||
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
-10-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
1) The
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2006, the Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31,
2006
and 2005 and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three
months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, have been prepared by the Company without
audit. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2005 has been
taken from the audited financial statements included in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the period then ended. In the opinion of the Company,
the accompanying financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of
only normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the financial
position of the Company as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the results
of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2006, and 2005 and cash
flows
for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005.
2) Certain
information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements
prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America have been condensed or omitted. It is suggested that
these financial statements be read in conjunction with the Company's December
31, 2005 Form 10-K. The results of operations for the periods ended March 31,
2006 and 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the
full year.
3) The
consolidated financial statements of the Company and subsidiaries include the
accounts of the Company, the accounts of its majority-owned or controlled
subsidiaries Plateau Resources Limited, Inc. (“Plateau”) (100%), Four Nines
Gold, Inc. ("FNG") (50.9%), Sutter Gold Mining Inc. (“SGMI”) (65.4%), Crested
Corp. (“Crested”) (71.0%), Yellow Stone Fuels, Inc. (“YSFI”) (35.9%), and the
USECC Joint Venture ("USECC"), a consolidated joint venture which is equally
owned by the Company and Crested, through which the bulk of their operations
are
conducted.
Investments
of less than 20% are accounted for by the cost method. All material
inter-company profits, transactions and balances have been eliminated. Because
of management control, YSFI is consolidated into the financial statements of
the
Company.
4) Stock-
based compensation
We
adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004),
Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123R), effective January 1, 2006. SFAS 123R requires
the recognition of the fair value of stock-based compensation in net income.
Stock-based compensation primarily consists of stock options. Stock options
are
granted to employees at exercise prices equal to the fair market value of our
stock at the dates of grant. Generally, options fully vest immediately and
expire 90 days after the employee voluntarily terminates their employment with
the Company and twelve months after retirement, disability or death. We
recognize the stock-based compensation expense over the requisite service period
of the individual grantees, which generally equals the vesting period. We
provide newly issued shares to satisfy stock option exercises. There were no
option awards granted in the three months ended March 31, 2006. There are
however options that vest on June 1, 2006. The expense associated with the
vesting of these shares will be recorded during the six months ended June 30,
2006 as a result of the adoption of SFAS 123(R).
-11-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Continued)
Prior
to
January 1, 2006, we followed Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion 25,
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations in
accounting for our stock-based compensation. Under APB 25, no compensation
expense was recognized for stock options since the exercise price of our
employee stock options equals the market price of the underlying stock on the
date of grant. We have elected the modified prospective transition method for
adopting SFAS 123R. Under this method, the provisions of SFAS 123R apply to
all
awards granted or modified after the date of adoption.
FAS
123R
requires us to present pro forma information for periods prior to the adoption
as if we had accounted for all our employee stock options and performance awards
under the fair value method of that statement. For purposes of pro forma
disclosure, the estimated fair value of the options and performance awards
at
the date of the grant is amortized to expense over the requisite service period,
which generally equals the vesting period. For pro forma purposes, the estimated
fair value of our stock-based awards to employees is amortized over the
respective vesting periods.
The
following table illustrates the effect on net loss and net loss per share if
we
had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation,” to our stock-based employee compensation for the
periods indicated:
Three
Months Ended
|
||||
March
31,
|
||||
2005
|
||||
Net
loss
|
$
|
(1,598,500
|
)
|
|
Deduct:
|
||||
Stock-based employee compensation determined under fair
|
||||
value method for all awards, net of related tax effects
|
(102,900
|
)
|
||
Net
income/(loss) available to common stockholders - pro forma
|
$
|
(1,701,400
|
)
|
|
Basic
and diluted loss per share as reported
|
$
|
(0.11
|
)
|
|
Basic
and diluted loss per share pro forma
|
$
|
(0.12
|
)
|
|
Weighted
average basic and diluted common stock outstanding
|
14,398,093
|
|||
5) Components
of Properties and Equipment at March 31, 2006, consist of land, buildings and
equipment.
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
Amortization
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
Depletion
and
|
|
Net
|
|
|||
|
|
Cost
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
Book
Value
|
||||
Buildings,
land and equipment
|
$
|
13,777,900
|
$
|
(7,397,900
|
)
|
$
|
6,380,000
|
The
Company has impaired a portion of historical costs associated with its
properties in prior periods. The Company will provide additional impairments
if
necessary in the future. No additional impairments are required at March 31,
2006.
-12-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Continued)
6) Comprehensive
Income
Unrealized
gains on investments, are excluded from net income but are reported as
comprehensive income on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet under
Shareholders’ equity. The following table illustrates the effect on net income
(loss) if the Company had recognized comprehensive income:
Three
months ending March 31,
|
|||||||
2006
|
|
2005
|
|||||
Net
loss
|
$
|
(1,085,100
|
)
|
$
|
(1,598,500
|
)
|
|
Comprehensive
gain from the
|
|||||||
unrealized
loss on marketable securities
|
353,300
|
--
|
|||||
Comprehensive
income from the
|
|||||||
unrealized
loss on hedging activities
|
--
|
(742,600
|
)
|
||||
Comprehenseive
loss
|
$
|
(731,800
|
)
|
$
|
(2,341,100
|
)
|
|
7) Based
on
the provisions of SFAS No. 115, the Company accounts for marketable equity
securities as marketable securities which are available for sale. Available
for-sale securities are measured at fair value, with net unrealized gains and
losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of
comprehensive income until realized.
Investments
in marketable securities consisted of the following at March 31,
2006:
|
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|||||
|
|
Cost
|
|
Market
Value
|
|
Gain
/ (Loss)
|
||||
Equity
Securities
|
||||||||||
YSFC
Enterra Units
|
$
|
89,000
|
$
|
64,500
|
$
|
(24,500
|
)
|
|||
USECC
UPC shares
|
$
|
1,015,500
|
$
|
1,393,300
|
$
|
377,800
|
||||
Total
|
$
|
1,104,500
|
$
|
1,457,800
|
$
|
353,300
|
||||
These
securities relate to 4,685 shares of Enterra Energy Trust owned by YSFI and
2,500,000 shares of UPC.
8) The
Company presents basic and diluted earnings per share in accordance with the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings
per
Share". Basic earnings per common share is based on the weighted average number
of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share
is
computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding
adjusted for the incremental shares attributed to outstanding options to
purchase common stock, if dilutive. Potential common shares relating to options
and warrants are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per
share, because they are anti-dilutive. These options and warrants totaled
5,151,908 and 6,082,815 at March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Stock options
and warrants have a weighted average exercise price of $3.01 and $2.99 per
share
at March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Potential common shares relating
to
convertible debt are excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share,
because they are anti-dilutive.
-13-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Continued)
9) Long
term
debt at March 31, 2006 consists of:
Current
portion of long term debt for the purchase of aircraft and equipment
and
insurance policies at various interest rates and due dates
|
$
|
283,600
|
||
Long
term portion of debt for the purchase of aircraft and equipment and
insurance policies at various interest rates and due dates
|
907,500
|
|||
$
|
1,191,100
|
10) The
Company has uranium properties that are in a shut down status in Wyoming and
southern Utah for which it is responsible for the reclamation expense. The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America, requires management to
make
estimates for these reclamation expenses based on certain assumptions. These
estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities
and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period.
The
Company accounts for the reclamation of its mineral properties and oil
properties pursuant to SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement
Obligation.” Under the provisions of this accounting statement, the Company
records the estimated fair value of the reclamation liability on its mineral
properties as of the date that the liability is incurred with a corresponding
increase in the property’s book value. Actual costs could differ from those
estimates. The reclamation liabilities are reviewed each quarter to determine
whether estimates for the total asset retirement obligation are sufficient
to
complete the reclamation work required.
The
Company deducts any actual funds expended for reclamation from the asset
retirement obligations during the quarter in which it occurs. As a result of
the
Company taking impairment allowances in prior periods on its shut-down mining
properties, it has no remaining book value for these properties. Any upward
revisions of retirement costs on its mineral properties will therefore be
expensed in the quarter in which they are recorded.
The
following is a reconciliation of the total liability for asset retirement
obligations (unaudited):
Three
months ended March 31,
|
|
||||||
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|||
Balance
December 31, 2005
|
$
|
5,902,200
|
$
|
8,075,100
|
|||
Addition
to Liability
|
83,400
|
--
|
|||||
Liability
Settled
|
--
|
--
|
|||||
Accretion
Expense
|
192,700
|
104,400
|
|||||
Balance
March 31, 2006
|
$
|
6,178,300
|
$
|
8,179,500
|
|||
11) During
the three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company issued 392,876 shares of
its
common stock. The following table details the number of shares issued and the
dollar values received.
-14-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Continued)
Additional
|
||||||||||
Common
Stock
|
Paid-In
|
|||||||||
Shares
|
Amount
|
Capital
|
||||||||
Balance
December 31, 2005
|
18,825,134
|
$
|
188,200
|
$
|
68,005,600
|
|||||
2001
Stock Compensation Plan
|
15,000
|
200
|
69,100
|
|||||||
Exercise
of Options
|
156,476
|
1,600
|
103,200
|
|||||||
Exercise
of Warrants
|
221,400
|
2,200
|
801,500
|
|||||||
Expense
of warrant extension
|
321,100
|
|||||||||
Expense
of Employee options
|
||||||||||
vesting
|
136,800
|
|||||||||
Valuation
of Company warrants issued
|
4,500
|
|||||||||
for
professional services
|
||||||||||
19,218,010
|
$
|
192,200
|
$
|
69,441,800
|
||||||
12) On
January 13, 2006, the Company and Crested (acting as their joint venture USECC)
amended their December 8, 2004 Purchase and Sale Agreement with Uranium Power
Corp. (“UPC”). UPC paid USECC $2,152,000 and 1,500,000 shares of UPC common
stock pursuant to the amendment.
· |
The
original agreement required UPC to pay USECC $800,000 and issue 750,000
shares of UPC stock on June 29, 2006, and pay an additional $800,000
and
issue 750,000 more shares of UPC stock on December 29, 2006. UPC
has paid
the $1.6 million cash and has delivered the 1.5 million shares to
USE and
Crested in equal amounts of 750,000
shares.
|
· |
The
original agreement required UPC to pay to USECC $1.5 million on April
29,
2006, and an additional $1.5 million on October 29, 2006. This payment
schedule has been extended one year, to require the payments on April
29,
2007 and October 29, 2007, provided that UPC is required to pay 50%
of all
money it raises after January 13, 2006 until the two $1.5 million
payments
are made, regardless of the one year extension.
|
· |
The
amendment also required UPC to pay USECC the $152,011.89 outstanding
balance for the 2005 uranium property drilling program and an additional
$400,000 of $775,440 budgeted for the first half of the 2006 drilling
program. UPC has paid this
$552,011.89.
|
-15-
U.S.
ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Continued)
· |
The
original agreement required UPC to pay a total of $4,050,000 and
4 million
shares of UPC common stock. However, the cash portion was subject
to
increase by $3 million (in two $1.5 million installments) if the
uranium
oxide price (long term indicator) attained or exceeded $30.00/lb
for four
consecutive weeks. This price benchmark was achieved on June 20,
2005,
which resulted in the two $1.5 million payments being required on
April 29
and October 29, 2006.
|
· |
The
original agreement required two additional payments each of $800,000
cash
and 750,000 UPC shares (total $1,600,000 cash and 1,500,000 UPC shares)
due on June 29, 2007 and December 29, 2007. These payment requirements
have not been amended and remain due in accordance with the original
agreement.
|
As
provided for in the original agreement, UPC would own nothing in the properties
subject to the agreement if UPC fails to make any payments on time. Except
as
amended, the original agreement is unchanged.
-16-
ITEM
2. Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.
The
following is Management's Discussion and Analysis of the significant factors
which have affected our liquidity, capital resources and results of operations
during the periods included in the accompanying financial statements. For a
detailed explanation of the Company's Business Overview, it is suggested that
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2006 be read in conjunction
with
the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. The discussion
contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Due
to
uncertainties in our business, actual results may differ materially from the
discussion below.
Overview
of Business
U.S.
Energy Corp. ("USE" or the "Company") and its subsidiaries historically have
been involved in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of
properties prospective for hard rock minerals including lead, zinc, silver,
molybdenum, gold, uranium, and oil and gas. The Company also has been engaged
to
a limited extent in commercial real estate.
The
Company manages its operations through a joint venture, USECC Joint Venture
("USECC"), with one of its subsidiary companies, Crested Corp. ("Crested")
of
which it owns a consolidated 71%. The narrative discussion of this MD&A
refers only to USE or the Company but includes the consolidated financial
statements of Crested, Plateau Resources Limited, Inc. ("Plateau"), USECC and
other subsidiaries. The Company has entered into partnerships through which
it
either joint ventured or leased properties with non-related parties for the
development and production of certain of its mineral properties. The Company
had
no production from any of its mineral properties during the quarter ended March
31, 2006.
During
the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004, the Company’s uranium and gold
properties were shut down due to depressed metals prices. During 2005, the
market prices for gold and uranium increased to levels which may allow the
Company to place these properties into production or sell part or all of them
to
industry participants. Exploration work was resumed on the uranium properties
in
2005 and continues in 2006. New uranium properties have also been
acquired.
Uranium
- The
price of uranium concentrate has increased from a five year low of $7.25 per
pound in January 2001 to a five year high of $41 per pound in April 2006.
Gold
- The
five year low for gold was in 2001 when it hit $256 per ounce. The market price
for gold has risen since that time to an average price for the first quarter
of
2006 of $569.41 per ounce. As of May 1, 2006 the price for gold was $657.50
per
ounce. (Metal Prices.com).
Molybdenum
- Annual
Metal Week Dealer Oxide mean prices for molybidic oxide averaged $24.05 per
pound during the four months ended April 2006, compared with annual averages
of
$16.41 per pound in 2004, $5.32 per pound in 2003 and $3.77 per pound in 2002.
(Metal Prices.com). Continued strong demand, which has outpaced supply over
the
past several years (deficit market conditions), has reduced inventory levels
throughout the industry.
The
rebound in uranium, gold and molybdenum presents an opportunity for the Company.
The Company holds what we consider to be significant mineral and related
properties in gold and uranium, and received a significant molybdenum property
from Phelps Dodge Corporation (“PD”) on February 28, 2006. In contrast to the
prior five years, we now have cash on hand, and reasonably expect to receive
more cash during the year ending December 31, 2006 sufficient for general and
administrative expenses, the continuation of our uranium property acquisition
and exploration plan, and operation of the water treatment plant on the
molybdenum property.
-17-
Management’s
strategy to generate a return on shareholder equity is first, to demonstrate
prospective value in the mineral properties sufficient to support substantial
investments by large industry partners and second, to structure these
investments to bring capital and long term development expertise to move the
properties into production.
To
demonstrate prospective value in the mineral properties and therefore bring
investing industry partners into the mineral projects during the years ended
December 31, 2006 and 2007, management is evaluating having feasibility studies
prepared on each of the projects. All the studies will be performed by
independent engineering firms with the intent of proving up economic development
plans for the properties based on current and projected market prices as well
as
existing or projected infrastructure. In some instances, significant additional
exploratory drilling will have to be completed to further delineate grades
as
well as the extent of the minerals in the ground.
The
principal uncertainties in the successful implementation of our strategy
are:
· |
Whether
the feasibility studies will show, for any of the properties, that
the
minerals can be mined and processed profitably.
|
· |
Whether
the feasibility studies will show volume and grades of mineralization,
and
manageable costs of mining and processing, which are sufficient to
bring
industry partners to the point of investment;
and
|
· |
Whether
we can negotiate terms with industry partners which will return a
profit
to the Company for its retained interest and the project’s development
costs to that point in time.
|
To
some
extent, the economic feasibility of a particular property can be changed with
modifications to the mine/processing plans (add or not add a circuit to process
a particular mineral, whether to enlarge or make the mine plan smaller, etc.).
However, overall, the principal drivers to attainment of the business strategy
are the quality of the minerals in the ground and international commodity
prices.
Please
see the risk factor disclosures elsewhere in this Report for more information
on
the risks and uncertainties in the business.
Forward
Looking Statements
This
Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 includes
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("the Exchange Act"). All statements other
than
statements of historical fact included in this Report are forward-looking
statements. In addition, whenever words like "expect", "anticipate”, or
"believe" are used, we are making forward looking statements. Actual results
may
vary materially from the forward-looking statements and there is no assurance
that the assumptions used will be realized in fact.
Critical
Accounting Policies
Asset
Impairments
- We
assess the impairment of property and equipment whenever events or circumstances
indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
Mineral
Claims
- We
follow the full cost method of accounting for mineral properties. Accordingly,
all costs associated with acquisition, exploration and development of oil and
mineral reserves, including directly related overhead costs, are capitalized
and
are subject to ceiling tests to ensure the carrying value does not exceed the
fair market value.
-18-
All
capitalized costs of mineral properties subject to amortization and the
estimated future costs to develop proved reserves, are amortized using the
unit-of-production method using estimates of proved reserves. Investments in
unproved properties and major construction and development projects are not
amortized until proved reserves associated with the projects can be determined
or until impairment occurs. If the results of an assessment indicate that the
properties are impaired, the capitalized cost of the property will be added
to
the costs to be amortized.
Asset
Retirement Obligations
- The
Company's policy is to accrue the liability for future reclamation costs of
its
mineral properties based on the current estimate of the future reclamation
costs
as determined by internal and external experts.
Revenue
Recognition
-
Revenues are reported on a gross revenue basis and are recorded at the time
services are provided or the commodity is sold. Sales of proved and unproved
properties are accounted for as adjustments of capitalized costs with no gain
or
loss recognized, unless such adjustments would significantly alter the
relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves, in which case the
gain or loss is recognized in income. Abandonment of properties is accounted
for
as an adjustment of capitalized costs with no loss recognized.
Use
of Accounting Estimates
- The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions.
These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date
of
the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Income
Taxes
- The
Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109 ("SFAS 109"), "Accounting for Income Taxes". This
statement requires recognition of deferred income tax assets and liabilities
for
the expected future income tax consequences, based on enacted tax laws, of
temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets,
liabilities and carry forwards.
SFAS
109
requires recognition of deferred tax assets for the expected future effects
of
all deductible temporary differences, loss carry forwards and tax credit carry
forwards. Deferred tax assets are reduced, if deemed necessary, by a valuation
allowance for any tax benefits which, based on current circumstances, are not
expected to be realized.
Marketable
Securities -
The
Company accounts for its marketable securities under Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in
Debt and Equity Securities , which requires certain securities to be categorized
as either trading, available-for-sale or held-to-maturity. Based on the
Company's intent to invest in the securities at least through the minimum
holding period, the Company's available-for-sale securities are carried at
fair
value with net unrealized gain or (loss) recorded as a separate component of
shareholders' equity. Held-to-maturity securities are valued at amortized cost.
If a decline in fair value of held-to-maturity securities is determined to
be
other than temporary, the investment is written down to fair value.
The
Company determined that the conversion feature of the Enterra Series D common
stock it owns is a derivative. The derivative was determined to be a fair value
hedge and any change in value is recognized in the statement of
operations.
-19-
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
SFAS
123(R)
In
December 2004, the FASB issued its final standard on accounting for employee
stock options, FAS No. 123 (Revised 2004), "Share-Based Payment" ("FAS123(R)").
FAS 123(R) replaces FAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“FAS
123"), and supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting
for Stock Issued to Employees”. FAS 123(R) requires companies to measure
compensation costs for all share-based payments, including grants of employee
stock options, based on the fair value of the awards on the grant date and
to
recognize such expense over the period during which an employee is required
to
provide services in exchange for the award. The pro forma disclosures previously
permitted under FAS 123 will no longer be an alternative to financial statement
recognition. FAS 123 (R) is effective for all awards granted, modified,
repurchased or cancelled after, and to unvested portions of previously issued
and outstanding awards vesting after, interim or annual periods, beginning
after
June 15, 2005, which for us is first quarter of fiscal 2006. During the quarter
ended March 31, 2006 the Company recognized $136,800 in employee compensation
related to options which vest on July 1, 2006. All future issuances of options
under the plan will be evaluated using the Black Scholes model and expensed
over
the term of the option.
The
Company has reviewed other current outstanding statements from the Financial
Accounting Standards Board and does not believe that any of those statements
will have a material adverse affect on the financial statements of the Company
when adopted.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
The
Company continues to maintain a strong cash position at March 31, 2006, of
$7,763,800 which is an increase of $765,100 from the cash position at December
31, 2005. Financing activities generated $982,100 primarily as a result of
the
exercise of warrants for the Company’s common stock and third party debt,
investing activities generated $1,536,900 and operating activities consumed
$1,753,900.
Although
the Company’s cash position increased during the quarter ended March 31, 2006 it
is anticipated that the Company may need to sell the remaining Enterra
Acquisitions Class D (“Acquisitions”) shares when converted to Enterra Energy
Trust (“Enterra”) shares as well as seek industry partners or equity financing
to fund mine exploration and development costs and also fund reclamation and
general and administrative expenses.
We
believe that the current market prices for gold, uranium and molybdenum are
at
levels that warrant the exploration and development of the Company’s mineral
properties. Management of the Company anticipates these metals prices will
remain at levels which will allow the properties to be produced economically.
Management of the Company therefore believes that sufficient capital will be
available to develop its mineral properties from strategic industry partners,
debt financing, the sale of equity or a combination of the three. The successful
development and production of these properties could greatly enhance the
liquidity and financial position of the Company.
-20-
Capital
Resources
Enterra
Acquisitions Class D shares
On
June
1, 2006, the 436,586 Class D shares of Acquisitions (not traded on any exchange)
owned by the Company will be exchangeable, on a one-for-one basis, for
additional Enterra units (the "Enterra Additional Units"); the Enterra
Additional Units will be tradable on the Toronto Stock Exchange - Vancouver
(“TSX-V”) at that time. Crested also owns an additional 245,759 of Class D
shares of Acquisitions which will be available for sale on June 1, 2006. The
Company has valued the Class D shares of Acquisitions as a derivative pursuant
to SFAS 133 at March 31, 2006. The initial carrying value of the Class D shares
was $19.00 per share. Using the risk free interest rate of 4.38% and a
volatility of 48.66% at March 31, 2006 the Acquisitions Class D shares have
a
value of $19.0656 per share. The Company therefore recorded a loss on the
derivative conversion right of the Class D shares of Acquisitions of $585,400.
The Class D shares of Acquisitions will be revalued at each quarterly reporting
period until they are converted to the Enterra Additional Units, at which time
they will be accounted for as marketable securities held for sale.
A
substantial portion of any cash received by Crested from the sale of its 245,759
Enterra Additional Units will likely be applied to its debt of $11,410,000
at
March 31, 2006 to the Company. The ultimate value of the Class D shares of
Acquisitions will not be determined until they are converted to the units and
sold.
Pinnacle
Gas Resources Inc.
The
Company and Crested own a minority interest in Pinnacle Gas Resources, Inc.
(“Pinnacle”). Enterra is entitled to be paid an amount of up to (but not more
than) $2,000,000, if proceeds from a future disposition by the Company and
Crested to a third party of their minority equity interest in Pinnacle exceeds
$10,000,000. Management of the Company may sell some or all of its equity in
Pinnacle at such time as Pinnacle becomes a public company with securities
tradable on a public exchange.
Agreements
with Uranium Power Corp.
As
noted
in Footnote 12, the Company and Crested amended their agreement with Uranium
Power Corp. (“UPC”) on January 13, 2006. As a result of this amendment the
Company and Crested received $1.6 million in cash and 1.5 million shares of
UPC
common stock valued at $677,700. UPC continues to be responsible for the initial
$500,000 of exploration costs on individual uranium projects. UPC is current
on
its funding requirements under the $1.3 million of approved exploration work
on
the uranium properties for 2006. The amount expended under the approved 2006
budget through March 31, 2006 was $158,700 and UPC has funded
$400,000.
Other
The
Company and Crested have a line of credit with a commercial bank in the amount
of $750,000. The line of credit is secured by certain real estate holdings
and
equipment. This line of credit is used for short term working capital needs
associated with operations. At March 31, 2006, the entire amount of $750,000
under the line of credit was available to the Company and Crested.
-21-
The
Company and Crested continue to pursue the settlement of a long standing
arbitration/litigation regarding the Sheep Mountain Partners partnership
(“SMP”). The litigation involves Nukem, Inc. (“Nukem”) and its subsidiary Cycle
Resource Investment Corp. of Danbury Connecticut. The case is currently on
remand to the arbitration panel following Nukem’s third appeal to the Tenth
Circuit Court of Appeals. Prior to the remand, there was a $20 million judgment
entered by the U.S. District Court of Colorado in favor of the Company and
Crested. The timing and cost of achieving final resolution cannot be predicted.
Management of the Company and Crested believe that the ultimate outcome will
be
positive and in favor of the Company.
Capital
Requirements
The
capital requirements of the Company during 2006 remain its general and
administrative costs and expenses; permitting and development work on its gold
property, and the ongoing maintenance, exploration and potential development
of
its uranium and molybdenum properties.
Maintaining
Mineral Properties
Uranium
Properties
As
stated
above, the agreement with UPC calls for UPC to fund 50% of the expenses
associated with maintaining the Sheep Mountain uranium properties in central
Wyoming and five other uranium projects and performing exploration drilling
on
them. A budget of $1.3 million for the year ending December 31, 2006 has been
approved, relating to reclamation work at the uranium properties, exploration
drilling, geological and engineering work, and other costs. UPC has also agreed
to fund the first $500,000 of all approved projects up to a total of $10,000,000
and has advanced $400,000 against the 2006 approved budget. A total of $158,700
has been expended under these approved projected as of March 31, 2006. The
average care and maintenance costs associated with the Sheep Mountain uranium
mineral properties in Wyoming is approximately $200,000 per year of which UPC
is
required to pay 50% annually. UPC is also required to pay 50% of any monies
spent on each of the other five projects after it expends the first
$500,000.
Plateau
Resources Limited, Inc., Uranium Properties
Plateau
owns and maintains the Shootaring Canyon Uranium Mill (the “Shootaring Mill”).
In March 2005, Plateau filed an application with the State of Utah to restart
the Shootaring Mill. If management’s projections of placing the Shootaring Mill
into production hold, reclamation on the property is not anticipated to commence
until some time in 2033.
It
is
anticipated $31 million will be required to modify the Shootaring Mill’s
tailings facility to Utah standards and complete other mill upgrades before
production can begin. Additionally, a circuit to process vanadium which is
contained in almost all of the mineralized material found in nearby properties,
may be added to the Shootaring Mill. When refurbished, the Shootaring Mill
is
projected to have the capacity to produce up to 1.5 million pounds of uranium
concentrates annually depending on the grade of material fed to the Shootaring
Mill. In order to fund the refurbishment of the Mill and acquire additional
uranium properties from which to produce uranium bearing ores, USE and Crested
are seeking joint venture partners or equity participants. Once the State of
Utah grants the Plateau an operating license for the Shootaring Mill the bonding
requirement will be increased.
-22-
On
February 27, 2006, Plateau re-acquired by Foreclosure Sale the Ticaboo townsite
operations (“Ticaboo”) located in southern Utah near Lake Powell. The Ticaboo
property includes a motel, restaurant and lounge, convenience store,
recreational boat storage and service facility, and improved residential and
mobile home lots. Most of these properties were acquired when the Shootaring
Mill was acquired in 1993. Plateau negotiated a management agreement with a
non-affiliated company to manage the Ticaboo properties. Initially, the Company
will be responsible for capital up-grades to the Ticaboo properties which is
currently estimated to be approximately $250,000.
Sutter
Gold Mining Inc. (SGMI) Properties
Additional
financing is being sought by SGMI. Until such financing is obtained, the Company
may be required to fund some standby costs at the SGMI properties and legal
and
accounting work necessary to obtain additional equity financing. Management
anticipates that during the twelve months ended December 31, 2006, this cash
commitment will not exceed $250,000.
Lucky
Jack Molybdenum Project
The
Company and Crested re-acquired the Lucky Jack molybdenum project, formerly
known as the Mt. Emmons molybdenum property, located near Crested Butte,
Colorado on February 28, 2006. The property was returned to the Company and
Crested by Phelps Dodge Corporation (“PD”) in accordance with a 1987 Amended
Royalty Deed and Agreement between USECC and Amax Inc. (“Amax”).
The
Company and Crested have decided to pursue permitting and development of the
property and are now engaged in the active pursuit of a sizable mining industry
partner to co-develop and mine the property. In order to do so, the Company
and
Crested may have to obtain a mine feasibility study which is estimated will
cost
approximately $2.5 million. Of this total amount, it is anticipated by
management that approximately $1.0 million will be spent during the year ended
December 31, 2006.
Conveyance
of the property by PD to the Company and Crested also included the transfer
of
ownership and operational responsibility of the mine water treatment plant
located on the properties. Operating costs for the water treatment plant are
expected to approximate $1 million annually. In an effort to assure continued
compliance, the Company and Crested have retained the technical expert and
contractor hired by PD on January 2, 2006 to operate the water treatment
plant.
Debt
Payments
Debt
to
non-related parties at March 31, 2006 was $1,191,100. This debt consists of
debt
related to the purchase of vehicles and a corporate aircraft and insurance
policies. The total amount of debt that will be paid during the balance of
2006
is $283,600 as of March 31, 2006.
Reclamation
Costs
The
asset
retirement obligation on the Plateau uranium mining and milling properties
in
Utah at March 31, 2006 was $3,712,100. This liability is fully funded by cash
investments that are recorded as long term restricted investments. It is
currently anticipated that the reclamation of the Plateau uranium mill will
not
commence until 2033.
-23-
The
asset
retirement obligation of the Sheep Mountain uranium properties in Wyoming at
March 31, 2006 is $2,355,800 and is covered by a reclamation bond which is
secured by a pledge of certain real estate assets of the Company and Crested.
It
is anticipated that $233,100 of reclamation work on the Sheep Mountain
properties will be performed during 2006.
The
asset
retirement obligation for SGMI at December 31, 2005 is $22,400 which is covered
by a cash bond. It is not anticipated that any cash resources will be used
for
asset retirement obligations at SGMI during the year ending December 31,
2006.
As
a
result or the re-acquisition of the Lucky Jack molybdenum property during the
quarter ended March 31, 2006, the Company recorded a asset retirement obligation
of $88,000 at March 31, 2006. It is not anticipated that this reclamation work
will occur in the near term.
Other
The
employees of the Company are not given raises on a regular basis. In
consideration of this and in appreciation of their work, board of directors
from
time to time has accepted the recommendation of the Compensation Committee
to
grant bonuses to employees and directors. Bonuses may be paid to some of the
key
individuals involved over the past 14 years in the Nukem case once it is
resolved.
Results
of Operations
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2006 compared to 2005
During
the three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company recognized a loss of
$1,085,100 or $0.06 per share as compared to a loss of $1,598,500 or $0.11
per
share for the period ended March 31, 2005. The primary reasons for this
reduction in the net loss is increased other revenues. Offsets to this increase
in net income are reduced operating revenues, increased operating costs and
expenses and increased other expenses.
Operating
revenues were reduced by $164,800 to $176,600 at March 31, 2006 from $341,400
at
March 31, 2005. Components of this reduction of revenues were reductions in
real
estate operations of $30,300 and management fees of $134,500.
Mineral
holding costs increased by $208,200 during the three months ended March 31,
2006
to $501,100 as compared to $292,900 during the three months ended March 31,
2005. The increase is due to the increased geological and engineering activity
on the Company’s mineral properties. General and Administrative expenses
increased by $1,384,300 during the three months ended March 31, 2006 over those
recorded during the three months of the same quarter of the prior year.
General
and Administrative costs and expenses for the three months ended March 31,
2006
were $2,548,700. For the three months ended March 31, 2005 General and
Administrative expenses were $1,164,400. This increase of $1,384,300 during
the
three months ended March 31, 2006 over the three months ended March 31, 2005
was
as a result of the expensing of employee options pursuant to SFAS 123(R) which
will vest on July 1, 2006, $136,800; accrual of the executive retirement
benefits adopted in October 2005, $71,000; the value of the extension of
warrants to non affiliates of $321,100; increased professional services of
$97,200 relating to year end costs and legal services on various matters;
repairs to the Company’s airplane $353,700; $278,200 in professional services
related to the Lucky Jack molybdenum property which consisted of both legal
and
engineering/geological services and increased costs related to the Sutter gold
project of $77,200.
-24-
During
the three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company recognized $2,414,900 from
the sale of assets while during the three months ended March 31, 2005 the
Company only recognized $9,500 from the sale of assets. This increase of
$2,405,400 was as primarily due to the receipt of $1.6 million cash from UPC
pursuant the amendment discussed in footnote 14 above and 1,500,000 shares
of
UPC common stock valued at $677,700.
The
Company recognized a loss of $585,400 from the valuation of the imbedded
derivative associated with the Acquisitions Class D shares discussed above
under
Capital Resources. As mentioned above, the Acquisitions Class D shares will
automatically convert to Enterra Additional Units on June 1, 2006 at which
time
they will be accounted for as marketable securities held for sale. The entry
for
the loss of $585,400 at March 31, 2006 will therefore be the last time the
Company values the imbedded derivative associated with the Class D shares of
Acquisitions.
Three
Months Ended March 31, 2005 compared to 2004
During
the three months ended March 31, 2005, the Company recorded a loss from
operations of $1,598,500 as compared to a loss from operations during the
quarter ended March 31, 2004 of $1,775,000. The reduction of the loss from
operations during the current year was as a result of increased revenues and
reductions in various cost and expense categories.
Revenues
increased during the three months ended March 31, 2005 over the three months
ended March 31, 2004 as a result of increases in real estate operations and
management fees of $33,900, and $170,300, respectively. Management fees
increased due to increased activity on properties managed for third
parties.
Operating
costs and expenses decreased by $50,100 to $1,525,400 for the three months
ended
March 31, 2005 from $1,575,400 during the three months ended March 31, 2004.
This decrease in costs was a result of the implementation of cost reduction
measures. As a result of these cost reduction measures, real estate operation
costs were reduced by $9,400, mineral holding costs were reduced by $96,300.
General and administrative costs and expenses were increased by $55,600 during
the three months ended March 31, 2005 when compared to the three months ended
March 31, 2004.
During
the three months ended March 31, 2004, the Company recognized $279,200 in
revenues from the sale of Ruby Mining Company common stock. During the three
months ended March 31, 2005, the Company only recorded $66,500 in revenues
from
the sale of the same investment. This reduction of $212,700 in revenues and
an
increase of $87,000 in interest expense during the three months ended March
31,
2005 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2004 are the primary
causes
in the decrease in other income and expenses of $277,900. Increased interest
expense is a result of the amortization of the beneficial conversion feature
on
the senior convertible debenture entered into during the quarter ended March
31,
2005. The amortization of the beneficial conversion feature is recorded as
interest expense and was $97,300 during the quarter ended March 31,
2005.
The
Company recorded a net loss of $1,598,500 or $0.11 per share for the quarter
ended March 31, 2005 as compared to a loss of $1,775,000 or $0.14 per share
for
the quarter ended March 31, 2004. The reduction in the loss per share is a
result of the decrease of the net loss of $176,500 and an increase in the
weighted average number of shares outstanding at March 31, 2005 from that at
March 31, 2004 of 2,078,436 shares.
-25-
Contractual
Obligations
The
Company has two divisions of contractual obligations as of March 31, 2006:
debt
to third parties of $1,191,100, and asset retirement obligations of $6,178,300
which will be paid over a period more than five years. The following table
shows
the schedule of the payments on the debt, and the expenditures for budgeted
asset retirement obligations.
Less
|
One
to
|
Three
to
|
More
than
|
|||||||||||||
than
one
|
Three
|
Five
|
Five
|
|||||||||||||
Total
|
Year
|
Years
|
Years
|
Years
|
||||||||||||
Long-term
debt obligations
|
$
|
1,191,100
|
$
|
283,600
|
$
|
887,200
|
$
|
20,300
|
$
|
-
|
||||||
Other
long-term liabilities
|
6,178,300
|
233,200
|
430,600
|
2,099,800
|
3,414,700
|
|||||||||||
Totals
|
$
|
7,369,400
|
$
|
516,800
|
$
|
1,317,800
|
$
|
2,120,100
|
$
|
3,414,700
|
||||||
Subsequent
Event
Cornell
Capital Partners
On
April
11, 2006, the Company”) signed a Standby Equity Distribution Agreement with
Cornell Capital Partners, LP (”Cornell”), under which Cornell had committed to
provide up to $50 million of equity financing over 36 months. As of May 5,
2006,
that agreement and all related agreements were terminated, and a new Standby
Equity Distribution Agreement (“SEDA”) has been executed. The following is a
summary of the terms of the SEDA, and related agreements; all references to
SEDA
and the related agreements.
Each
advance under the SEDA will have a maximum amount of $5 million and will be
a
sale by us to Cornell of newly-issued shares of common stock. The number of
shares to be sold to Cornell will be determined by dividing the advance amount
by 98% of market price for our stock. Market price is defined in the SEDA as
the
lowest daily volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of our common stock during
the five trading days (the “pricing period”) immediately following the date we
send an advance notice to Cornell. Access to the SEDA financing is subject
to
the Company having an effective re-sale registration statement on file with
the
SEC for the securities underlying the SEDA.
The
SEDA
gives the Company a floor price below which we can’t sell stock to Cornell. The
“market price” cannot be less than 95% of the VWAP price (defined in the SEDA as
the “minimum acceptable price”) on the trading day before we send an advance
notice to Cornell. If, during the pricing period, the market price is less
than
the minimum acceptable price, then the amount of the advance (and the number
of
shares sold) will be reduced 20% for each day in the pricing period when the
minimum acceptable price is less than the market price during the pricing
period. We also will pay Cornell a cash fee equal to 2% of each advance we
receive, plus $500, for each advance under the SEDA.
-26-
On
signing of the original agreement, we paid Cornell $20,000 for a structuring
and
due diligence fee, and issued to Cornell 68,531 shares of restricted common
stock (the “investor shares”). These payments have been treated as fully earned
for purposes of the SEDA signed on May 5, 2006. We also have issued a new three
year warrant (the “initial warrant”), replacing the warrant signed on April 11,
2006) to purchase 100,000 shares of restricted common stock at $7.15 per share.
The terms of this warrant are unchanged from the original warrant. If the
closing bid price for our stock exceeds 150% of the exercise price of the
applicable exercise price in a ten consecutive trading day period, the warrant
will expire 20 trading days later unless exercised (but will not expire to
the
extent not exercised, if the closing bid price should be equal to or lower
than
$7.15 during the 20 day period). The number of shares to be sold to Cornell
will
be determined by dividing the advance amount by 98% of market price for our
stock. Market price is defined in the SEDA as the lowest daily volume weighted
average price (“VWAP”) of our common stock during the five trading days (the
“pricing period”) immediately following the date we send an advance notice to
Cornell.
In
addition, each time we take advances aggregating $5 million under the SEDA,
we
will issue a “milestone warrant” to Cornell, to purchase 100,000 shares at the
average VWAP for our stock for the ten trading days immediately preceding the
date of the $5 million advance (or the last advance which brings the aggregate
to $5 million. Like the warrant already issued, the milestone warrants will
have
a forced exercise provision.
We
have
engaged Newbridge Securities Corporation, a registered broker-dealer, to act
as
our placement agent in connection with the SEDA. We have issued 1,399 restricted
shares of common stock (the “Newbridge shares”) to Newbridge as compensation for
services. The prior agreement with Newbridge was terminated, however, the
Newbridge shares are being treated as fully earned.
By
a
registration rights agreement with Cornell, we have agreed to file with the
SEC
a registration statement covering public resale of the shares to be sold to
Cornell under the SEDA, the investor shares issued to Cornell, the Newbridge
shares, and the shares issuable under the initial warrant issued to Cornell.
If
we issue milestone warrants to Cornell, we will file additional registration
statements to cover resale of shares issued on exercise thereof.
Uranium
Power Corp.
On
April
9, 2006, the Company and Crested signed an agreement with Uranium Power Corp.
(“UPC”) to add two new projects to their joint venture, the Green River North
and the Green River South projects. Both projects are located in Emery County,
Utah and are located approximately 110 miles and 90 miles respectively, by
paved
road from the Company’s Shootaring Mill. The Company and Crested will hold a 50%
interest and UPC will hold a 50% interest in the projects in accordance with
their Mining Joint Venture agreement.
The
Green
River North Project consists of 10 lode mining claims owned by the Company.
The
Green River South project consists of 428 lode mining claims and five State
of
Utah mineral leases. The Green River South property was previously known as
the
Sahara Property. The Sahara Property was optioned by UPC from the Uranium Group
(“UG”). Under this agreement, UPC has an option to earn a 70% interest by making
payments to UG of $585,000 and 200,000 shares of UPC stock, and committing
to
the expenditure of $1,365,000 for exploration and development activities over
the next four years. UPC can earn a further 15% interest by paying UG an
additional $300,000 and spending an additional $700,000 on exploration and
development work, and issuing 400,000 more UPC shares to UG. UPC, and the
Company/Crested, will have equal ownership through the Mining Joint Venture
of
the interest in the Green River South project as earned by UPC.
-27-
Sutter
Gold
During
April 2006, SGMI through IBK Capital of Toronto Canada, raised approximately
Cdn. $850,000 (none from U.S. residents) for drilling and operational funds
of
the SGMI property. These funds are critical to the further delineation of
the
gold deposit in order that SGMI can raise sufficient funds to place the property
into production. SGMI continues to seek additional financing to complete
the
drilling and begin the construction of a mill for the gold
property.
Risk
Factors
The
following risk factors should be considered in evaluating the information in
this Form 10-Q.
Uncertain
value of investment securities and operating losses.
At March
31, 2006, we recorded $14,175,400 for the value of investments in non-affiliates
(including $13,217,700 for the Class D shares of Acquisitions and $957,700
for
the common stock in Pinnacle). However, the Class D shares are not tradable,
but
they will automatically convert to Enterra Energy Trust units on a one-for-one
basis on June 1, 2006. The cash we can realize from the Class D shares will
depend on the price of Enterra Energy Trust Units, which has been somewhat
volatile since June 1, 2005. Pinnacle is a private company. The cash we can
realize from this investment presently is not determinable.
We
have a
history of operating losses, and our working capital needs have primarily come
from the receipt of funds from liquidating investments and selling equity.
These
sources of capital may not be sufficient to develop our mineral properties,
none
of which have proved reserves.
Working
capital and future receipt of proceeds from liquidating the Enterra securities
are expected to be sufficient to fund general and administrative expenses,
and
conduct exploration and a limited amount of development work on the mineral
properties, through 2006. However, putting mineral properties into production
(constructing and operating mines and processing facilities) requires very
substantial amounts of capital. We are seeking financing sources or
large-company industry partners for our uranium, gold and molybdenum properties.
We have entered into a financing agreement with Cornell Capital (see subsequent
events). Additional financing will be required to place the Company’s mineral
properties into production. The development of some or all of the properties
will likely be delayed until we are successful in obtaining financing, either
in
direct capital or through arrangements with industry partners.
In
addition, we are in litigation with Phelps Dodge (see “Legal Proceeding” below).
An adverse ruling in this matter could negatively impact our working capital
position, and could temporarily reduce our ability to continue executing our
business plan until capital is replenished from other funding
opportunities.
Uncertainties
in the value of the mineral properties.
While
we believe that our mineral properties are valuable, substantial work and
capital will be needed to establish whether they are valuable in
fact.
· The
profitable mining and processing of uranium and possibly vanadium at and in
the
vicinity of Plateau Resource Limited’s (“Plateau”) properties in Utah, will
depend on many factors: Obtaining properties in close proximity of the
Shootaring Mill to keep transportation costs economic; delineation through
extensive drilling and sampling of sufficient volumes of mineralized material
with sufficient grades to make mining and processing economic over time;
continued sustained high prices for uranium oxide and vanadium; obtaining the
capital required to upgrade the Shootaring Mill, and/or possibly add a vanadium
circuit, and obtaining and continued compliance with operating
permits.
-28-
· The
profitable mining at the Sheep Mountain uranium properties in Wyoming will
depend on: evaluations of existing and future drilling data to delineate
sufficient volumes and grades of mineralized material to make mining and
processing economic over time; continued sustained high prices for uranium
oxide
and UPC and the Company having sufficient capital. In addition, there is
no
operating mill near the Sheep Mountain properties, although the Sweetwater
Mill
(which is on standby) is located 30 miles south of Sheep Mountain. The ultimate
economics of mining the Sheep Mountain properties will depend on sufficient
volumes and grades of mineralized materials, sustained high uranium oxide
prices
and access to an operating mill.
· The
profitable mining and processing of gold by SGMI will depend on many factors,
including: receipt of permits and keeping in compliance with permit conditions;
delineation through extensive drilling and sampling of sufficient volumes of
mineralized material with sufficient grades to make mining and processing
economic over time; continued sustained high prices for gold, and obtaining
the
capital required to initiate and sustain mining operations and build and operate
a gold processing mill.
· The
Lucky
Jack Project (formerly the Mount Emmons molybdenum property) has had extensive
work conducted by prior owners. This data will have to be updated to the level
of a current feasibility study to determine the viability of starting mining
operations. Obtaining mining and other permits to begin mining the molybdenum
property may be difficult, and like any mining operation, capital requirements
for a molybdenum mining operation will be substantial. There is a history of
opposition by local government entities and environmental organizations to
the
prior owners seeking permits to mine this property. This opposition has been
expressed in litigation from time to time. Continued legal challenges may delay
putting the Lucky Jack Project into production.
· We
have
not yet obtained feasibility studies on any of our mineral properties. These
studies would establish the economic viability, or not, of the different
properties based on extensive drilling and sampling; the design and costs to
build and operate mills; the cost of capital, and other factors. Feasibility
studies can take many months to complete. These studies are conducted by
professional third party consulting and engineering firms, and will have to
be
completed, at considerable cost, to determine if the deposits contain proved
reserves (amounts of minerals in sufficient grades that can be extracted
profitably under current pricing assumptions for development and operating
costs
and commodity prices). A feasibility study usually (but not always) must be
completed in order to raise the substantial capital needed to put a mineral
property into production. We have not established any reserves (economic
deposits of mineralized materials) on any of our properties, and future studies
may indicate that some or all of the properties will not be economic to put
into
production.
Compliance
with environmental regulations may be costly.
Our
business is intensely regulated by government agencies. Permits are required
to
explore for minerals, operate mines, build and operate processing plants. The
regulations under which permits are issued change from time to time to reflect
changes in public policy or scientific understanding of issues. If the economics
of a project cannot withstand the cost of complying with changed regulations,
we
might decide not to move forward with the project.
-29-
The
Company must comply with numerous environmental regulations on a continuous
basis, to comply with the United States: Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act,
the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA"), and the Comprehensive
Environmental Response Compensation Liability Act ("CERCLA"). For example,
water
and dust discharged from mines and tailings from prior mining or milling
operations must be monitored and contained and reports filed with federal,
state
and county regulatory authorities. Additional monitoring and reporting is
required by the Utah Division of Radiation Control for uranium mills even
if not
currently operating (like the Shootaring Mill at Ticaboo, Utah). The Abandoned
Mine Reclamation Act in Wyoming and similar laws in other states where we
have
properties impose reclamation obligations on abandoned mining properties,
in
addition to or in conjunction with federal statutes. Environmental regulatory
programs create potential liability for our operations, and may result in
requirements to perform environmental investigations or corrective actions
under
federal and state laws and federal and state Superfund
requirements.
Failure
to comply with these regulations could result in substantial fines,
environmental remediation orders and/or potential shut down of the project
until
compliance is achieved. Failure to timely obtain required permits to start
operations at a project could cause delay and/or the failure of the project
resulting in a potential write-off of the investments therein.
Possible
Dilution to Shareholders.
Because
we don’t have enough capital to put our properties into production, shareholders
may be diluted in their ownership if we raise capital. Direct dilution would
occur if we sell preferred stock, common stock, or debt, convertible into common
stock, with conversion and other terms which large institutions can negotiate
for substantial capital financings which result in more favorable terms than
buying stock in the market. Indirect dilution would occur if institutional
financing is raised for a subsidiary company. In this scenario, the percentage
of the subsidiary held by us would be diluted. Please see subsequent events
for
discussion of a recent financing with Cornell Capital which could result in
dilution.
ITEM
4. Controls and Procedures
Management
of the Company, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief
Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), has evaluated the
effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as defined
in
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) as of
the end of the period covered by this Report. Based upon that evaluation,
management has concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures
are effective to ensure that information it is required to disclose in reports
that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act is communicated
to
management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions
regarding required disclosure and is recorded, processed, summarized and
reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and
forms.
During
the three months covered by this Report, there have been no significant changes
in internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected,
or
are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.
-30-
PART
II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM
1. Legal
Proceedings
Material
proceedings pending at March 31, 2006, and developments in those proceedings
from that date to the date this Annual Report was filed, are summarized below.
The legal status of the legal proceedings, which were pending during the year
has either not changed, been settled or is otherwise immaterial.
Sheep
Mountain Partners Arbitration/Litigation
A
one day
hearing was held in New York City on December 20, 2005. On January 3, 2006
the
Panel entered an amended order requesting additional information concerning
the
CIS contracts The additional information requested by the Panel was submitted
by
the parties on February 3, 2006. The parties are currently waiting for the
Arbitration Panel’s decision in this matter.
The
timing and ultimate outcome of this litigation cannot be predicted. We believe
that the ultimate outcome will not have an adverse affect on our financial
condition or results of operations.
Phelps
Dodge Litigation
On
October 31, 2005, Phelps Dodge Corporation (“PD”) filed a motion with the
District Court to recover attorney’s fees and expenses in the declaratory
judgment action against the Company and Crested. PD is claiming $4,050,200
in
attorney’s fees and expenses and $3,692,100 in costs incurred for the operation
of the water treatment plant for the last three years. These claims were not
part of the initial litigation with PD. The Company and Crested have filed
a
response with the Court denying that USECC owes PD such monies. It is not known
how or when the Court will rule on these issues. Management of the Company
believes that no monies are due to PD. On February 28, 2006, PD conveyed the
Mount Emmons (Lucky Jack Project) mining claims and the water treatment plant,
to the Company and Crested.
The
timing and ultimate outcome of this litigation cannot be predicted. We believe
that the ultimate outcome will not have an adverse affect on our financial
condition or results of operations. However, an unfavorable outcome on the
full
amount of PD’s claim would negatively impact the Company (see “risk Factors”
above).
Coastline
Capital Partners
On
May
16, 2005, Coastline Capital Partners (“Coastline”) filed a complaint against
U.S. Energy Corp. (“USE”) in the U.S. District Court of Wyoming, Case No.
05-CV-0143-J for breach of contract. Coastline Capital claimed that a partial
performance fee of $75,000 plus USE equity warrants were due Coastline Capital
for a private placement that was unsuccessful. USE believes that no Performance
Fee is due under the terms of the Engagement Letter and the Proposal Letter.
The
parties completed discovery and Motions for Summary Judgments was pending before
the U.S. District Court, with a jury trial scheduled for April 3, 2006 in
Cheyenne, Wyoming. The Parties attempted to resolve this matter by mediation,
but the mediation was unsuccessful. The parties subsequently agreed to submit
this matter to binding arbitration and that any award to Coastline for damages
by the arbitrator, will be limited to a minimum of $115,000 and a maximum of
$395,000, with specific performance of the contract not allowed.
An
arbitration hearing was held in Salt Lake City, Utah on April 18 and 19, 2006.
Written closing arguments were submitted by Coastline on March 28, 2006. The
last filings will be made in May 2006.
-31-
A
final
decision by the arbitrator is expected within 30-60 days of Coastlines reply.
Management believes that the ultimate outcome of the matter will not have a
material effect on the Company’s financial condition or result of
operations.
ITEM
2. Changes
in Securities and Use of Proceeds
During
the three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company issued a total of 392,876
shares of its common stock. These shares were issued pursuant to the exercise
of
warrants, 221,400 shares; employee options, 156,476 shares; and the 2001 stock
compensation plan, 15,000 shares.
ITEM
3. Defaults
Upon Senior Securities
Not
Applicable
ITEM
4. Submission
of Matter to a Vote of Shareholders
Not
Applicable
ITEM
5. Other
Information
Not
Applicable
ITEM
6. Exhibits
and Reports on Form 8-K
(a)
|
Exhibits.
|
||
31.1
|
Certification
of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) / Rule
15d-15(e)
|
||
31.2
|
Certification
of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) / Rule
15(e)/15d-15(e)
|
||
32.1
|
Certification
of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
adopted
by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
||
32.2
|
Certification
of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
adopted
by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
||
(b)
|
Reports
on Form 8-K.
The Company filed four reports on Form 8-K for the quarter ended
March 31,
2006. The events reported were as follows:
|
||
1.
|
The
report filed on January 17, 2006, under Item 1.01 referenced the
January
13, 2006 amended agreement between USECC and UPC.
|
||
2.
|
The
report filed on February 28, 2006, under Item 8.01 referenced the
re-acquisition by Foreclosure Sale of the Ticaboo townsite
operations.
|
||
3.
|
The
report filed on March 2, 2006, under Item 8.01 referenced the
re-acquisition of the Mount Emmons molybdenum property.
|
||
4.
|
The
report filed on March 24, 2006, under Item 8.01 referenced the Memorandum
of Agreement for the Shootaring Mill License and drilling results
for the
Burro Canyon Project.
|
-32-
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has
duly
caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, there unto
duly authorized.
U.S.
ENERGY CORP.
|
||||
(Company)
|
||||
Date:
May 15, 2006
|
By:
|
/s/
Keith G.. Larsen
|
||
KEITH
G. LARSEN,
|
||||
Chairman
and CEO
|
||||
Date:
May 15, 2006
|
By:
|
/s/
Robert Scott Lorimer
|
||
ROBERT
SCOTT LORIMER
|
||||
Principal
Financial Officer and
|
||||
Chief
Accounting Officer
|
-33-