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VAALCO ENERGY INC /DE/ - Quarter Report: 2010 September (Form 10-Q)

Form 10-Q For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number 1-32167

VAALCO Energy, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   76-0274813

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

4600 Post Oak Place

Suite 309

Houston, Texas

  77027
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

(713) 623-0801

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨.

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

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer  

x

Non-accelerated filer   ¨    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).    Yes  ¨    No  x.

As of October 31, 2010, there were outstanding 56,470,585 shares of common stock, $0.10 par value per share, of the registrant.

 

 

 


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VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Table of Contents

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009

     3   

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Operations Three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

     4   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity Nine months ended September  30, 2010 and 2009

     5   

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows Nine months ended September  30, 2010 and 2009

     6   

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     7   

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     13   

QUANTATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     22   

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

     22   

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  

ITEM 1A.

   RISK FACTORS      23   

ITEM 6.

   EXHIBITS      24   

 

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VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of dollars, except number of shares and par value amounts)

 

      September 30,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 91,223      $ 80,570   

Funds in escrow

     5,543        5,572   

Receivables:

    

Trade

     21,118        8,175   

Accounts with partners

     3,102        13,558   

Other

     11,610        5,171   

Crude oil inventory

     587        286   

Materials and supplies

     416        160   

Prepayments and other

     1,878        1,217   
                

Total current assets

     135,477        114,709   
                

Property and equipment - successful efforts method:

    

Wells, platforms and other production facilities

     144,935        137,122   

Undeveloped acreage

     13,252        13,252   

Work in progress

     17,554        1,784   

Equipment and other

     3,566        3,668   
                
     179,307        155,826   

Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

     (92,510     (80,260
                

Net property and equipment

     86,797        75,566   
                

Other assets:

    

Deferred tax asset

     1,349        1,349   

Funds in escrow

     10,874        10,873   

Other long term assets

     —          502   
                

Total Assets

   $ 234,497      $ 202,999   
                

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 29,644      $ 33,728   

Accounts with partners

     4,660        —     
                

Total current liabilities

     34,304        33,728   
                

Other liabilities

     1,930        1,500   

Asset retirement obligations

     11,638        10,666   
                

Total liabilities

     47,872        45,894   
                

VAALCO Energy Inc. shareholders’ equity:

    

Common stock, $0.10 par value, 100,000,000 authorized shares, 62,302,991 and 61,809,024 shares issued with 5,855,738 and 5,453,942 shares in treasury at Sept. 30, 2010 and
Dec. 31, 2009, respectively

     6,230        6,157   

Additional paid-in capital

     62,172        57,550   

Retained earnings

     137,710        109,249   

Less treasury stock, at cost

     (24,472     (21,515
                

Total VAALCO Energy Inc. shareholders’ equity

     181,640        151,441   

Noncontrolling interest

     4,985        5,664   
                

Total Equity

     186,625        157,105   
                

Total Liabilities and Equity

   $ 234,497      $ 202,999   
                

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
    Nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Revenues:

        

Oil and gas sales

   $ 32,604      $ 29,262      $ 96,285      $ 82,668   

Operating costs and expenses:

        

Production expenses

     4,815        5,674        15,881        15,852   

Exploration expense

     695        853        2,114        34,825   

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     4,542        4,413        12,860        15,689   

General and administrative expenses

     949        3,268        5,855        7,120   

Other operating expense (income)

     —          (4,519     —          (6,504
                                

Total operating costs and expenses

     11,001        9,689        36,710        66,982   
                                

Operating income

     21,603        19,573        59,575        15,686   

Other income (expense):

        

Interest income

     26        (92     89        554   

Interest expense

     —          (309     —          (450

Other, net

     (327     (793     (554     247   
                                

Total other income (expense)

     (301     (1,194     (465     351   
                                

Income before income taxes

     21,302        18,379        59,110        16,037   

Income tax expense

     7,369        13,301        26,839        23,003   
                                

Net income (loss)

     13,933        5,078        32,271        (6,966

Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (1,482     (891     (3,816     (3,147
                                

Net income (loss) attributable to VAALCO Energy Inc.

   $ 12,451      $ 4,187      $ 28,455      $ (10,113
                                

Earnings per share - basic:

        

Net income (loss) attributable to VAALCO Energy Inc. common shareholders

   $ 0.22      $ 0.07      $ 0.50      $ (0.18
                                

Earnings per share - diluted:

        

Net income (loss) attributable to VAALCO Energy Inc. common shareholders

   $ 0.22      $ 0.07      $ 0.50      $ (0.18
                                

Basic weighted shares outstanding

     56,435        56,790        56,428        57,765   
                                

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

     57,193        57,174        56,923        57,765   
                                

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of dollars)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

 

     VAALCO Energy, Inc. Shareholders              
     Common
Stock
     Aditional
Paid-In Capital
     Retained
Earnings
     Treasury
Stock
    Noncontrolling
Interest
    Total  

Balance at January 1, 2010

   $ 6,157       $ 57,550       $ 109,249       $ (21,515   $ 5,664      $ 157,105   

Proceeds from stock issuance

     73         2,697         —           (2,603     —          167   

Stock based compensation

     —           1,925         —           (354     —          1,571   

Net income

     —           —           28,455         —          3,816        32,271   

Redemption of rights agreement

     —           —           6         —          —          6   

Distribution to noncontrolling interest

     —           —           —           —          (4,495     (4,495
                                                   

Balance at September 30, 2010

   $ 6,230       $ 62,172       $ 137,710       $ (24,472   $ 4,985      $ 186,625   
                                                   

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

 

     VAALCO Energy, Inc. Shareholders              
     Common
Stock
     Aditional
Paid-In Capital
     Retained
Earnings
    Treasury
Stock
    Noncontrolling
Interest
    Total  

Balance at January 1, 2009

   $ 6,112       $ 53,983       $ 117,205      $ (11,422   $ 7,914      $ 173,792   

Proceeds from stock issuance

     4         155         —          —          —          159   

Stock based compensation

     —           1,503         —          —          —          1,503   

Treasury stock purchase

     —           —           —          (7,201     —          (7,201

Net income (loss)

     —           —           (10,113     —          3,147        (6,966

Redemption of rights agreement

     —           —           (67     —          —          (67

Distribution to noncontrolling interest

     —           —           —          —          (4,496     (4,496
                                                  

Balance at September 30, 2009

   $ 6,116       $ 55,641       $ 107,025      $ (18,623   $ 6,565      $ 156,724   
                                                  

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of dollars)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net income (loss)

   $ 32,271      $ (6,966

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

    

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     12,860        15,689   

Unrealized foreign exchange gain

     (493     (456

Dry hole costs

     130        32,578   

Stock based compensation

     1,571        1,503   

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Trade receivables

     (12,943     1,018   

Accounts with partners

     15,116        (7,405

Other receivables

     (6,474     (3,202

Crude oil inventory

     (301     926   

Materials and supplies

     (256     17   

Prepayments and other

     (693     763   

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities

     (6,358     (14,731

Other long term assets

     502        —     
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     34,932        19,734   
                

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Decrease in funds in escrow

     28        6,680   

Property and equipment expenditures

     (19,941     (61,585

Reimbursement of property and equipment expenditures by partner

     —          5,737   
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (19,913     (49,168
                

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Proceeds from the issuance of common stock

     123        159   

Purchase of treasury shares

     —          (7,201

Redemption of rights agreement

     6        (67

Distribution to noncontrolling interest

     (4,495     (4,496
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (4,366     (11,605
                

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     10,653        (41,039

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     80,570        125,425   
                

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

   $ 91,223      $ 84,386   
                

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

    

Cash paid for income taxes

   $ 25,938      $ 21,533   
                

Cash paid for interest

   $ —        $ 15   
                

Supplemental disclosure of non cash investing and financing activity

    

Property and equipment additions incurred during the period but not paid at period end

   $ 7,671      $ 592   
                

Receivable from employee for stock option exercise

   $ 44      $ —     
                

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The condensed consolidated financial statements of VAALCO Energy, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively, “VAALCO” or the “Company”), included herein are unaudited, but include all adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals which the Company deems necessary for a fair presentation of its financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim period. Such results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, which also contain a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Company in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. These policies were also followed in preparing the quarterly report included herein. The Company follows the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and gas exploration and development costs.

VAALCO is a Houston-based independent energy company, principally engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas. VAALCO owns producing properties and conducts exploration activities as operator of consortiums internationally in Gabon and Angola and as a non-operator in the British North Sea. In Gabon and Angola, VAALCO serves as the operator for groups of companies which own the working interest in the production sharing contract, collectively referred to as a consortium. Domestically, the Company has interests in the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast area.

VAALCO’s active subsidiaries include VAALCO Gabon (Etame), Inc., VAALCO Production (Gabon), Inc., VAALCO Angola (Kwanza), Inc., VAALCO UK (North Sea), Ltd., and VAALCO Energy (USA), Inc.

 

2. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share (EPS) is calculated using the average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. Diluted EPS assumes the exercise of all stock options having exercise prices less than the average market price of the common stock using the treasury stock method. For purposes of computing EPS in a loss period, potential common shares are excluded from the computation of weighted average common shares outstanding as their effect is antidilutive. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2009, 581,540 potential common shares were excluded because they would be antidilutive in a period with a net loss.

Diluted shares consist of the following:

 

      Three months ended      Nine months ended  

Item

   Sept. 30, 2010      Sept. 30, 2009      Sept. 30, 2010      Sept. 30, 2009  

Basic weighted average common stock issued and outstanding

     56,435,297         56,789,977         56,428,344         57,765,099   

Dilutive options

     757,593         384,078         494,601         0   
                                   

Total diluted shares

     57,192,890         57,174,055         56,922,945         57,765,099   
                                   

Options to purchase 1,420,940 and 1,427,606 shares were excluded in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, because they would have been anti-dilutive. Options to purchase 1,090,606 and 1,087,273 shares were

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

excluded in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, because they would have been anti-dilutive.

 

3. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Consolidation – Effective January 1, 2010, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-17, Consolidations (Topic 810)Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities. This statement amends FASB Interpretation No. (“FIN”) 46(R), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, to replace the quantitative-based risks and rewards calculation for determining which enterprise has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity with a qualitative approach. This new approach focuses on identifying which enterprise has the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (1) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or (2) the right to receive benefits from the entity. It also requires ongoing assessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, and it requires additional disclosures about an enterprise’s involvement in variable interest entities. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition, as the Company does not have any variable interests in variable interest entities.

 

4. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock options are granted under the Company’s long-term incentive plan and have an exercise price that may not be less than the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant. In general, stock options granted will become exercisable over a period determined by the Compensation Committee which in the past has been a five year life, with the options vesting over a three year period. A portion of the stock options granted in March 2010 were vested immediately with the others vesting over a three year period. In addition, stock options will become exercisable upon a change in control, unless provided otherwise by the Compensation Committee. At September 30, 2010, there were 476,396 shares subject to options authorized but not granted.

For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recognized non-cash compensation expense of $0.2 million and $1.6 million, respectively, related to stock options. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recognized non-cash compensation expense of $0.4 million and $1.5 million, respectively. These amounts were recorded as general and administrative expense. Because the Company does not pay significant United States taxes, no amounts were recorded for tax benefits related to excess stock based compensation deductions.

 

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VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

A summary of the option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 is provided below:

 

     Number of
Shares
Underlying
Options

(in thousands)
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term

(in years)
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

(in  millions)
 

Outstanding at beginning of period

     3,786      $ 5.42         2.65      

Granted

     1,565        4.28         4.42      

Exercised

     (494     3.79         0.16      

Forfeited

     (72     4.83         2.74      
                            

Outstanding at end of period

     4,785      $ 5.23         2.96       $ 3.54   
                                  

Exercisable at end of period

     3,577      $ 5.55         2.65       $ 2.45   
                                  

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, 442,300 options were exercised on a cashless basis, resulting in 40,504 shares being issued to employees and 401,796 shares being added to treasury stock.

The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the current market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option.

As of September 30, 2010, unrecognized compensation costs totaled $1.0 million. The expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.3 years. Stock options vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 totaled 1.2 million options.

 

5. GUARANTEES

In October 2007, the Company entered into an amendment with the owner of the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility chartered for the Etame Marin block to extend the contract until September 2015. In connection with the charter of the FPSO, the Company as operator of the Etame Marin block guaranteed the charter payments through the same time period. The charter continues for two years beyond that period unless one year’s prior notice is given to the owner of the FPSO. The Company obtained several guarantees from its partners for their share of the charter payment. The Company’s share of the charter payment is 28.1%. The Company believes the need for performance under the charter guarantee is remote. The estimated obligations for the annual charter payment and the Company’s share of the charter payments through the end of the charter are as follows (in thousands):

 

Year

   Full Charter Payment      Company Share  

2010 (remainder)

   $ 4,328       $ 1,215   

2011

   $ 16,971       $ 4,764   

2012

   $ 16,879       $ 4,739   

2013

   $ 16,833       $ 4,726   

2014

   $ 16,833       $ 4,726   

2015

   $ 11,621       $ 3,263   

The Company has recorded a liability of $0.5 million at September 30, 2010 representing the guarantee’s fair value.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

6. COMMITMENTS

Offshore Gabon

In November 2009, the Company negotiated and signed the sixth exploration period extension on the Etame Marin block. The three year extension expires in July 2014. The Company committed to the drilling of two exploration wells and acquiring and processing 150 square kilometers of 3D seismic with a $17.5 million minimum financial commitment ($5.3 million net to the Company). The Company expects to begin seismic operations in November 2010 which will satisfy the seismic obligation. One of the two required exploration wells is expected to be drilled in the fourth quarter of 2010 on the Omangou prospect.

Onshore Gabon

In November 2005, the Company signed a production sharing contract for the Mutamba Iroru block onshore Gabon. The contract awards the Company exploration rights along the central coast of Gabon. In October 2010, the Company signed a second exploration period extension which expires in May 2012. The Company is obligated to reprocess 400 square kilometers of 2D seismic and drill one exploration well. An agreement with Total Gabon (“Total”) was completed in August 2010 which established a joint operation on the block beginning when the one year extension was finalized with the Republic of Gabon. Accordingly, Total acquired a 50% working interest in the block effective November 1, 2010. The terms of the agreement provide for Total paying a disproportionate share of the seismic reprocessing costs and the exploration well drilling costs. The Company expects the joint operation with Total to result in seismic reprocessing in 2010 and 2011 followed by the drilling of an exploratory well in 2012.

Angola

In November 2006, the Company signed a production sharing contract for Block 5 offshore Angola. The four year primary contract with an optional three year extension awards the Company exploration rights to 1.4 million acres offshore central Angola. The Company’s working interest in the contract is 40%. Additionally, the Company is required to carry the Angolan national oil company, Sonangol P&P, for 10% of the work program. During the first four years of the contract the Company is required to acquire and process 1,000 square kilometers of 3-D seismic, drill two exploration wells and expend a minimum of $29.5 million ($14.8 million net to the Company). During the optional three year extension to the contract, the Company is required to acquire 600 square kilometers of 3-D seismic data, drill two exploration wells and expend a minimum of $27.2 million ($13.6 million net to the Company). The Company acquired the 1,175 square kilometers of 3-D data called for in the first exploration period at a cost of $7.5 million ($3.75 million net to the Company) in January 2007. Subsequently, the Company acquired 524 square kilometers of proprietary 3-D seismic data on the block during the fourth quarter of 2008 at a cost of $6.0 million ($3.0 million net to the Company), and has interpreted the seismic data in preparation for the drilling of the two required exploration wells.

 

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VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

The government-assigned working interest partner was delinquent on paying their share of the costs several times in 2009 and consequently was placed in a default position which has impacted the timing for drilling the two commitment wells. In early 2010, the Company began working with the government of Angola to obtain both a replacement partner and a time extension for the drilling of the commitment wells. The Company has opened a data room for potential partners to evaluate the opportunity. The data room will remain open until the end of November 2010 and a list of interested companies will be referred to Sonangol for the negotiations and selection process.

In an October 2010 meeting, the Sonangol Block Chairman confirmed that Sonangol and the Ministry of Petroleum have approved a one year extension for the drilling of the two commitment wells. Sonangol also stated that evidence of the approval will be published in Angola’s Official Gazette, Diário da República. While the Company believes the government of Angola has granted the extension to be confirmed by publication in the Diário da República, management can provide no assurances. If the government of Angola were to deny a time extension, the Company risks forfeiture of its $10 million funds in escrow plus the Company may be required to impair its leasehold costs and other investments with a carrying amount of $11.0 million as of September 30, 2010. With the expected time extension and the assignment of a replacement partner or partners, the Company estimates the drilling of the two exploration wells will take place in the second half of 2011 on this block in Angola.

 

7. TAX AUDIT

During the second quarter of 2009, the Gabon Ministry of Finance initiated a withholding tax audit for the Company’s Gabon operations for the period 2005 through 2007. The results of the audit were received in September 2009 and the Ministry of Finance asserted a claim of $9.4 million ($2.7 million net to the Company) plus penalties of $4.7 million ($1.3 million net to the Company). The Company contested portions of the claim for the underpayment of withholding tax primarily on the basis that withholding tax did not apply for certain types of services. However, in preparing its response, the Company identified some invoices which were paid to certain vendors without calculating and paying the appropriate withholding tax to the Republic of Gabon. An estimated liability of $3.3 million net to the Company was recorded in 2009 to accrue for this potential liability for the audited period as well as 2008 and 2009. In April 2010, a negotiated settlement with the government of Gabon was agreed upon for the time period 2005 – 2009. The settlement resulted in a payment of $9.1 million ($2.6 million net to the Company) in June 2010.

 

8. CAPITALIZATION OF EXPLORATORY WELL COSTS

ASC Topic 932 - Extractive Industries provides that an exploratory well shall be capitalized as part of the entity’s uncompleted wells pending the determination of whether the well has found proved reserves. Further, an exploration well that discovers oil and gas reserves, but those reserves cannot be classified as proved when drilling is completed, shall be capitalized if the well has found a sufficient quantity of reserves to justify its completion as a producing well and the entity is making sufficient progress assessing the reserves and the economic and operating viability of the project. If either condition is not met, the exploration well would be assumed to be impaired and its costs would be charged to expense.

 

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VAALCO ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

In the second and third quarters of 2010, the Company drilled the Southeast Etame No. 1 well with two sidetracks in the Etame Marin block offshore Gabon. The well discovered a five meter sand of oil. Additional evaluation of the well and sidetrack information is in progress and the Company has a project underway to evaluate development options for this well in conjunction with other potential initiatives in the Etame Marin block. The Company has capitalized $7.6 million for this well in accordance with the criteria contained in ASC Topic 932.

 

9. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company’s operations are based in Gabon, Angola, the British North Sea and in the United States. Management reviews and evaluates the operation of each geographic segment separately. The operations of all segments include exploration for and production of hydrocarbons where commercial reserves have been found and developed. Revenues are based on the location of hydrocarbon production. The Company evaluates each segment based on income (loss) from operations. Segment activity for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 are as follows: (in thousands)

 

Three months ended September 30,    Gabon      Angola     North
Sea
    Corporate
and Other
    Total  

2010

           

Revenues

   $ 32,591       $ —        $ —        $ 13      $ 32,604   

Income (loss) from operations

     22,300         (516     (76     (105     21,603   

2009

           

Revenues

   $ 29,243       $ —        $ —        $ 19      $ 29,262   

Income (loss) from operations

     22,504         (355     (123     (2,453     19,573   
Nine months ended September 30,    Gabon      Angola     North
Sea
    Corporate
and Other
    Total  

2010

           

Revenues

   $ 96,207       $ —        $ —        $ 78      $ 96,285   

Income (loss) from operations

     64,965         (1,782     (284     (3,324     59,575   

2009

           

Revenues

   $ 82,607       $ —        $ —        $ 61      $ 82,668   

Income (loss) from operations

     32,376         (2,492     (9,371     (4,827     15,686   

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This report includes “forward looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this report (and the exhibits hereto), including without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s financial position and estimated quantities and net present values of reserves, and statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the word “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “projects,” “target,” “goal,” “objective,” “should,” or similar expressions or variations of such expressions are forward looking statements. The Company can give no assurances that the assumptions upon which such statements are based will prove to have been correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations (“Cautionary Statements”) include the volatility of oil and natural gas prices; future production costs; future production quantities; the uncertainty of estimates of oil and natural gas reserves; the impact of competition; the availability and cost of seismic, drilling and other equipment; operating hazards inherent in the exploration for and production of oil and natural gas; difficulties encountered during the exploration for and production of oil and natural gas; difficulties encountered in delivering oil to commercial markets; general economic conditions; changes in customer demand and producers’ supply; the uncertainty of the Company’s ability to attract capital; compliance with, or the effect of changes in, the foreign governmental regulations regarding the Company’s exploration and production, including those related to climate change; action of operators of the Company’s oil and natural gas properties; political turmoil in the Republic of Gabon; weather conditions; and statements set forth in the “Risk Factors” section included in this report and in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. All subsequent written and oral forward looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified by the Cautionary Statements.

INTRODUCTION

The Company operates oil production sharing contracts in Gabon and Angola, and has non-active interests in two blocks in the British North Sea. In addition, the Company has minor onshore and offshore domestic United States production in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Company’s primary source of revenue is from the Etame Production Sharing Contract related to the Etame Marin block located offshore the Republic of Gabon. The Company produces from the Etame, Avouma, South Tchibala and Ebouri fields on the block. Oil production commenced from the Etame field in September 2002, from the Avouma and South Tchibala fields in January 2007, and from the Ebouri field in January 2009. In May 2010, the third development well in the Ebouri field was completed and began producing oil. During the first nine months of 2010, the Etame, Avouma, South Tchibala and Ebouri fields produced approximately 5.5 million bbls (1.3 million bbls net to the Company).

 

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In November 2009, the Company signed the sixth exploration period extension on the Etame Marin block. The three year extension expires in July 2014. Beginning in March 2010, drilling began on the first of four planned wells located within the Etame Marin block. The first of these wells was a development well drilled from the Ebouri platform which began producing oil in May 2010. The second well was a successful workover of the Ebouri 3-H well to replace submersible pumps. The third well was an exploration effort with two sidetracks in the Southeast Etame area which discovered a five meter sand of oil. Various completion options for the Southeast Etame discovery are being considered as part of a study on future development plans for the Etame Marin block. The fourth well in the drilling program was a subsea completed development well in the Etame field which is expected to begin producing oil before the end of 2010. In July 2010, the consortium elected to extend the drilling program by two additional wells and exercised the option on the drilling rig for these wells. The fifth well in the drilling program is underway on a development well in the South Tchibala field and the sixth well will be an exploration well on the Omangou prospect. The Omangou well will count as one of the two exploration wells required per the terms of the sixth exploration period extension. The six well drilling program is expected to be completed in 2010.

Onshore Gabon, the Company has a 100% working interest in the Mutamba Iroru block located near the coast in central Gabon. The Mutamba Iroru block contains approximately 270,000 acres for exploration. The Company acquired aeromagnetic gravity data in 2008 and, together with seismic data acquired from previous operators over the block in 2006 and 2007, drilled two unsuccessful exploration wells on the block in 2009. A two year extension of the block was entered into in 2009 and a further one year extension was finalized with the Republic of Gabon in October 2010. The exploratory period now ends in May 2012. An agreement with Total Gabon (“Total”) was completed in August 2010 which established a joint operation on the block beginning when the one year extension was finalized with the Republic of Gabon. Accordingly, Total acquired a 50% interest in the block effective November 1, 2010. The Company expects the joint operation with Total to result in seismic reprocessing in 2010 and 2011 followed by the drilling of an exploratory well in 2012.

In November 2006, the Company signed a production sharing contract (PSA) for a 40% working interest in Block 5 offshore Angola. The four year primary contract with an optional three year extension awards the Company exploration rights to approximately 1.4 million acres along the central coast of Angola. The Company has acquired approximately 1,700 square kilometers of seismic data over a portion of Block 5 and has identified drilling objectives.

The government-assigned working interest partner was delinquent on paying their share of the costs several times in 2009 and consequently was placed in a default position which has impacted the timing for drilling the two commitment wells. In early 2010, the Company began working with the government of Angola to obtain both a replacement partner and a time extension for the drilling of the commitment wells. The Company has opened a data room for potential partners to evaluate the opportunity. The data room will remain open until the end of November 2010 and a list of interested companies will be referred to Sonangol for the negotiations and selection process.

 

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In an October 2010 meeting, the Sonangol Block Chairman confirmed that Sonangol and the Ministry of Petroleum have approved a one year extension for the drilling of the two commitment wells. Sonangol also stated that evidence of the approval will be published in Angola’s Official Gazette, Diário da República. While the Company believes the government of Angola has granted the extension to be confirmed by publication in the Diário da República, management can provide no assurances. If the government of Angola were to deny a time extension, the Company risks forfeiture of its $10 million funds in escrow plus the Company may be required to impair its leasehold costs and other investments with a carrying amount of $11.0 million as of September 30, 2010. With the expected time extension and the assignment of a replacement partner or partners, the Company estimates the drilling of the two exploration wells will take place in the second half of 2011 on this block in Angola.

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

Cash Flows

Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $34.9 million, as compared to $19.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase in net cash provided by operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was primarily due to higher net income and changes in working capital other than cash which used $11.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $22.7 million used for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $19.9 million, compared to net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 of $49.2 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company drilled two development wells and an exploration well, all in the Etame Marin block. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company incurred $32.6 million in dry hole costs and the remaining cash used in investing activities was primarily invested in an appraisal well and two development wells in the Ebouri field.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, cash used in financing activities was $4.4 million, consisting primarily of distributions to a noncontrolling interest owner of $4.5 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, cash used in financing activities was $11.6 million consisting of $4.5 million used for distributions to noncontrolling interest holders and $7.2 million for the purchase of treasury shares.

Capital Expenditures

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company invested $23.4 million in net property and equipment additions (including amounts carried in accounts payable at September 30, 2010 and excluding exploration dry hole costs), primarily associated with the drilling of two development wells and an exploration well, all in the Etame Marin block. The Company invested $6.9 million

 

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in the Ebouri 4-H development well and $8.7 million in the Etame 7-H development well. The Company invested $7.6 million in the Southeast Etame exploration well which has been capitalized.

During the remainder of 2010, the Company anticipates drilling the South Tchibala development well at a remaining cost of $6.8 million and an exploration well in the Etame Marin block on the Omangou prospect at a cost of $3.8 million.

Oil and Gas Exploration Costs

The Company uses the “successful efforts” method of accounting for its oil and gas exploration and development costs. All expenditures related to exploration, with the exception of costs of drilling exploratory wells, are charged as an expense when incurred. The costs of exploratory wells are capitalized pending determination of whether commercially producible oil and gas reserves have been discovered. If the determination is made that a well did not encounter potentially economic oil and gas quantities, the well costs are charged as an expense. As of September 30, 2010, the Company spent $7.6 million on an exploration well and two sidetracks in the Southeast Etame area which has been capitalized.

Liquidity

The Company’s primary source of capital has been cash flows from operations. At September 30, 2010, the Company had unrestricted cash of $91.2 million. The Company believes that this cash combined with cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund the Company’s remaining 2010 capital expenditure budget and additional investments in working capital resulting from potential growth. As operator of the Etame Marin block and Block 5 in Angola, the Company enters into project related activities on behalf of its working interest partners. The Company generally obtains advances from its partners prior to significant funding commitments.

Substantially all of the Company’s crude oil and gas is sold at the well head at posted or index prices under short-term contracts. In Gabon, the Company markets its crude oil under an agreement with Vitol S.A. While the loss of Vitol S.A. as a buyer might have a material adverse effect on the Company in the near term, management believes that the Company would be able to obtain other customers for its crude oil.

Domestically, the Company produces from wells in Brazos County Texas and offshore Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico, which contributed $78,000 to revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Domestic production is sold via separate contracts for oil and gas. The Company has access to several alternative buyers for oil and gas sales domestically.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to three months ended September 30, 2009

Revenues

Total revenues were $32.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $29.3 million for the comparable period in 2009. The Company sold approximately 429,000 net barrels of oil equivalent at an average price of $76.17 per barrel in the three months ended September 30, 2010. In the three months ended September 30, 2009, the Company sold approximately 436,000 barrels of oil equivalent at an average price of $67.07 per barrel. Crude oil production from the Etame, Avouma, South Tchibala and Ebouri fields averaged 20,600 barrels of oil per day (“BOPD”) in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to approximately 23,300 BOPD in the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decline in the BOPD between the periods is primarily attributable to natural decline and increasing water cuts from mature wells. Crude oil sales are a function of the number and size of crude oil liftings in each quarter from the FPSO and thus crude oil sales do not always coincide with volumes produced in any given quarter.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Total production expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2010 were $4.8 million compared to $5.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2009. Production expenses in the three months ended September 30, 2010 were lower than in the three months ended September 30, 2009 primarily due to the impact of a lower than estimated domestic market obligation (“DMO”) invoice from the Republic of Gabon pertaining to the 2009 calendar year. The impact in the three months ended September 30, 2010 resulted in a credit of $0.4 million compared to an expense of $0.7 million recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2009 for the DMO. Also included in the production expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2009 were FPSO labor costs of a one-time nature associated with a labor law change. The Company matches production expenses with crude oil sales. Any production expenses associated with unsold crude oil inventory are capitalized.

Exploration expense was $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $0.9 million in the comparable period in 2009. For the three months ended September 30, 2010, exploration expense included seismic reprocessing costs in Angola of $0.1 million and prior year dry hole costs for withholding taxes at the Mutamba Iroru block of $0.2 million. Exploration expense for the three months ended September 30, 2009 consisted primarily of additional dry hole costs incurred on the two unsuccessful exploration wells in onshore Gabon of $0.5 million, and $0.1 million for the unsuccessful exploration well in the British North Sea.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses were $4.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $4.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2009. The slightly higher depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009 was due to more sales from fields with a higher depletion rate offset by decreased sales volumes.

 

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General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were $0.9 million and $3.3 million for each period, respectively. In the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company benefited from overhead reimbursement associated with production and development operations on the Etame Marin block in Gabon and Block 5 in Angola which reduced general and administrative expenses by $1.3 million compared to a $0.3 million reduction of general and administrative expenses in the three months ended September 30, 2009. During the three months ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, the Company incurred stock based compensation expense of $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Included in the general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was an expense for retirement benefits of $0.3 million, and other employee related expenses of $0.4 million.

Other operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was nil. Other operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $4.5 million attributable to receipt of proceeds from a joint venture partner that originally elected to not participate in two wells drilled in the Ebouri field, offshore Gabon. The partner later elected to participate and paid for their proportionate share of the capital expenditures for the wells. The $4.5 million payment received in the period ended September 30, 2009 plus the $2.0 million payment received in the period ended June 30, 2009 represents the Company’s share of an agreed risk premium benefiting the other joint venture partners that originally participated in those two wells.

Other Income (Expense)

Other expense was $0.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $1.2 million in other expense in the three months ended September 30, 2009. The other expense in the three months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily attributable to foreign exchange losses. Other expense in the three months ended September 30, 2009 was comprised primarily of foreign exchange losses of $0.8 million and an interest adjustment on an escrow account of $0.2 million.

Income Taxes

Income taxes amounted to $7.4 million and $13.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. In the three months ended September 30, 2010 and in the three months ended September 30, 2009, the income taxes were all paid in Gabon. Income taxes in the three months ended September 30, 2010 were lower due to a higher percentage of crude sales allocated as “cost oil” versus “profit oil” primarily due to the drilling program which increased recoverable costs.

Net Income

Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was $13.9 million compared to net income of $5.1 million for the same period in 2009. Higher crude prices and lower Gabon income taxes were the primary reasons for the higher net income in 2010. Net income allocated to noncontrolling interest was $1.5 million and $0.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010 and

 

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2009, respectively. The noncontrolling interest is associated with VAALCO Energy (International), Inc., a subsidiary that is 90.01% owned by the Company.

Nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2009

Revenues

Total revenues were $96.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $82.7 million for the comparable period in 2009. The Company sold approximately 1,275,000 net barrels of oil equivalent at an average price of $75.69 per barrel in the nine months ended September 30, 2010. In the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company sold approximately 1,483,000 barrels of oil equivalent at an average price of $55.69 per barrel. Crude oil production from the Etame, Avouma, South Tchibala and Ebouri fields averaged 20,000 BOPD in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to approximately 22,900 BOPD in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decline in the BOPD between the two periods is primarily attributable to natural decline and increasing water cuts from mature wells. Crude oil sales are a function of the number and size of crude oil liftings in each quarter from the FPSO and thus crude oil sales do not always coincide with volumes produced in any given quarter.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Total production expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were $15.9 million. Production expenses in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 included the impact of a lower than estimated domestic market obligation (“DMO”) invoice from the Republic of Gabon pertaining to the 2009 calendar year. The impact in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 resulted in an expense of $0.8 million compared to an expense of $1.4 million recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 for the DMO. Also included in the production expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were FPSO labor costs of a one-time nature associated with a labor law change. The Company matches production expenses with crude oil sales. Any production expenses associated with unsold crude oil inventory are capitalized.

Exploration expense was $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $34.8 million in the comparable period in 2009. Exploration expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 included seismic reprocessing costs in Angola of $0.5 million, seismic reprocessing and site survey work on the Etame Marin block totaling $0.4 million and onshore Gabon exploration expense of $0.6 million, which included $0.4 million of dry hole costs associated with the two 2009 unsuccessful exploration wells. Exploration expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 included $32.6 million of dry hole costs. The dry hole costs included $9.2 million for a well in the British North Sea, $20.7 million for two wells in onshore Gabon and $2.7 million for a well in offshore Gabon. Additionally, seismic processing costs in Angola totaled $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

 

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Depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses were $12.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $15.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The lower depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were due to lower sales volumes.

General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $5.9 million compared to $7.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company benefited from overhead reimbursement associated with production and development operations on the Etame Marin block in Gabon and Block 5 in Angola which reduced general and administrative expenses by $2.8 million compared to a $1.8 million reduction of general and administrative expenses in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Included in the general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was an accrual for retirement benefits of $0.4 million and $1.5 million, respectively. Included in the general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was an offset for a retroactive compensation adjustment of $0.9 million that benefited the Company by charging the adjustment to the Gabon partners.

Other operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was nil. Other operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $6.5 million attributable to receipt of proceeds from a joint venture partner that originally elected to not participate in two wells drilled in the Ebouri field, offshore Gabon. The partner later elected to participate and paid for their proportionate share of the capital expenditures for the wells. The $6.5 million payment received in the nine month period ended September 30, 2009 represents the Company’s share of an agreed risk premium benefiting the other joint venture partners that originally participated in those two wells.

Other Income (Expense)

Other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was an expense of $0.5 million compared to other income of $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The other expense recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily due to a foreign exchange loss of $0.6 million, compared to a foreign exchange gain of $0.2 million for the same period in 2009. Interest income received on amounts on deposit was $0.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $0.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in interest income received on amounts on deposit reflects lower interest rates in 2010. In the nine months ended September 30, 2009 interest expense and financing charges associated with the Company’s IFC loan was $0.5 million, net of capitalized interest expense.

Income Taxes

Income taxes amounted to $26.8 million and $23.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. In the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the income taxes were all paid in Gabon. The higher income taxes paid in Gabon in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 were primarily due to higher oil prices.

 

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Net Income

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $32.3 million, compared to net loss of $7.0 million for the same period in 2009. The increase is primarily attributable to a combination of higher crude prices received in 2010 plus the affect of exploration dry hole write-offs incurred in 2009. Net income allocated to noncontrolling interest was $3.8 million and $3.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The noncontrolling interest is associated with VAALCO Energy (International), Inc., a subsidiary that is 90.01% owned by the Company.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company’s results of operations are dependent upon the difference between prices received for its oil and gas production and the costs to find and produce such oil and gas. Oil and gas prices have been and are expected in the future to be volatile and subject to fluctuations based on a number of factors beyond the control of the Company. The Company does not presently have any active hedges in place, but may do so in the future.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Other than as described below, there have been no material changes to the disclosure on this matter in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

The default in payment of costs by a working interest partner in Angola has resulted in delays in our drilling of exploration wells, which could cause us to forfeit our interest in our Angola assets.

The government-assigned working interest partner was delinquent on paying their share of the costs several times in 2009 and consequently was placed in a default position which has impacted the timing for drilling the two commitment wells. In early 2010, the Company began working with the government of Angola to obtain both a replacement partner and a time extension for the drilling of the commitment wells. The process is underway for obtaining a replacement partner. If the Company is unable to obtain a replacement partner on a timely basis, the drilling of wells may not occur prior to the expiration of the well commitment extension.

In an October 2010 meeting, the Sonangol Block Chairman confirmed that Sonangol and the Ministry of Petroleum have approved a one year extension for the drilling of the two commitment wells. Sonangol also stated that evidence of the approval will be published in Angola’s Official Gazette, Diário da República. While the Company believes the government of Angola has granted the extension to be confirmed by publication in the Diário da República, management can provide no assurances. If the government of Angola were to deny a time extension, the Company risks forfeiture of its $10 million funds in escrow plus the Company may be required to impair its leasehold costs and other investments with a carrying amount of $11.0 million as of September 30, 2010.

The adoption and implementation of new statutory and regulatory requirements for derivative transactions could have an adverse impact on our ability to hedge risks associated with our business.

Although we have no hedges in place, if we were to enter into any hedges, the recently passed Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act could make those hedges more expensive than they are currently. Among other things, the act requires the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the SEC to enact regulations affecting derivative contracts, including the derivative contracts we could use to hedge our exposure to price volatility. We cannot predict the content of these regulations or the effect the that these regulations will have on our business. Of particular concern, the act does not explicitly exempt end users (such as us) from the requirements to post margin in connection with hedging activities. While several Senators have indicated that it was not the intent of the act to require margin from end users, the exemption is not in the act. If the regulations ultimately adopted were to require that we post margin for our future hedging activities, hedging would become more expensive and would factor into our future hedging strategy.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

(a) Exhibits

 

31. Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications
    31.1    Certification pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
    31.2    Certification pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Section 1350 Certificates

    32.1    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Of 2002.
    32.2    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Of 2002.

 

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SIGNATURES

In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

VAALCO ENERGY, INC.

(Registrant)

 

By  

     /s/ GREGORY R. HULLINGER

 

Gregory R. Hullinger,

 

Chief Financial Officer

(on behalf of the Registrant and as the principal financial officer)

Dated: November 8, 2010

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibits

 

Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

    3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the Commission on July 15, 1998, Reg. No. 333-59095).
    3.2    Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the Commission on July 15, 1998, Reg. No. 333-59095).
    3.3    Amended and Restated Bylaws dated February 26, 2009 filed with the Commission on March 3, 2009 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 3, 2009).

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications

    31.1    Certification pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
    31.2    Certification pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Section 1350 Certificates

    32.1    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Of 2002.
    32.2    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Of 2002.

 

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