10-K 1 ped_10k.htm ANNUAL REPORT ped_10k
 

  
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-K
 
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
Commission file number: 001-35922
 
PEDEVCO Corp.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
Texas
 
22-3755993
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
 
575 N. Dairy Ashford, Suite 210, Houston, Texas 77079
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(713) 221-1768
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
 
 
 
 
Title of each class
Trading Symbols(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock,
$0.001 Par Value Per Share
PED
NYSE American
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None.
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  No 
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes  No 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  No 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) 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, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
 
 
Large accelerated filer  
Accelerated filer   
Non-accelerated filer  
Smaller reporting company 
Emerging growth  
 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes   No 
 
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 28, 2019 (the last trading day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter), based upon the closing price reported on such date was approximately $19,962,615. Shares of voting stock held by each officer and director and by each person who, as of June 28, 2019, may be deemed to have beneficially owned more than 10% of the outstanding voting stock have been excluded. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination of affiliate status for any other purpose.
 
As of March 27, 2020, 72,125,328 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share, were outstanding.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
None.


 
 
 
Table of Contents
 
 
 
Page
PART I
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART III


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART IV
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward Looking Statements
 
ALL STATEMENTS IN THIS DISCUSSION THAT ARE NOT HISTORICAL ARE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995. STATEMENTS PRECEDED BY, FOLLOWED BY OR THAT OTHERWISE INCLUDE THE WORDS “BELIEVES,” “EXPECTS,” “ANTICIPATES,” “INTENDS,” “PROJECTS,” “ESTIMATES,” “PLANS,” “MAY INCREASE,” “MAY FLUCTUATE” AND SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS OR FUTURE OR CONDITIONAL VERBS SUCH AS “SHOULD”, “WOULD”, “MAY” AND “COULD” ARE GENERALLY FORWARD-LOOKING IN NATURE AND NOT HISTORICAL FACTS. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WERE BASED ON VARIOUS FACTORS AND WERE DERIVED UTILIZING NUMEROUS IMPORTANT ASSUMPTIONS AND OTHER IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS INCLUDE THE INFORMATION CONCERNING OUR FUTURE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE, BUSINESS STRATEGY, PROJECTED PLANS AND OBJECTIVES. THESE FACTORS INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, THE FACTORS SET FORTH BELOW UNDER THE HEADING “RISK FACTORS.” ALTHOUGH WE BELIEVE THAT THE EXPECTATIONS REFLECTED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE REASONABLE, WE CANNOT GUARANTEE FUTURE RESULTS, LEVELS OF ACTIVITY, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS. MOST OF THESE FACTORS ARE DIFFICULT TO PREDICT ACCURATELY AND ARE GENERALLY BEYOND OUR CONTROL. WE ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO PUBLICLY UPDATE ANY OF THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS TO REFLECT EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER THE DATE HEREOF OR TO REFLECT THE OCCURRENCE OF UNANTICIPATED EVENTS. READERS ARE CAUTIONED NOT TO PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE ON THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. REFERENCES IN THIS FORM 10-K, UNLESS ANOTHER DATE IS STATED, ARE TO DECEMBER 31, 2019. AS USED HEREIN, THE “COMPANY,” “WE,” “US,” “OUR” AND WORDS OF SIMILAR MEANING REFER TO PEDEVCO CORP., WHICH WAS KNOWN AS BLAST ENERGY SERVICES, INC. UNTIL JULY 30, 2012, AND ITS WHOLLY-OWNED AND PARTIALLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARIES, BLAST AFJ, INC., PACIFIC ENERGY DEVELOPMENT CORP., RED HAWK PETROLEUM, LLC, RIDGEWAY ARIZONA OIL CORP. (ACQUIRED SEPTEMBER 1, 2018), AND EOR OPERATING COMPANY (ACQUIRED SEPTEMBER 1, 2018), UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED.
 
This Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Annual Report”) may contain forward-looking statements which are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this Annual Report, regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs and cash flows, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this Annual Report, the words “could,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “should,” “continue,” “predict,” “potential,” “project” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words.
 
Forward-looking statements may include statements about our:
 
business strategy;
reserves;
technology;
cash flows and liquidity;
financial strategy, budget, projections and operating results;
oil and natural gas realized prices;
timing and amount of future production of oil and natural gas;
availability of oil field labor;
the amount, nature and timing of capital expenditures, including future exploration and development costs;
drilling of wells;
government regulation and taxation of the oil and natural gas industry;
marketing of oil and natural gas;
exploitation projects or property acquisitions;
costs of exploiting and developing our properties and conducting other operations;
general economic conditions in the United States and around the world, including the effect of regional or global health pandemics (such as, for example, the coronavirus);
competition in the oil and natural gas industry;
effectiveness of our risk management activities;
environmental liabilities;
 
 
2
 
 
counterparty credit risk;
developments in oil-producing and natural gas-producing countries;
future operating results;
future acquisition transactions;
estimated future reserves and the present value of such reserves; and
plans, objectives, expectations and intentions contained in this Annual Report that are not historical.
  
All forward-looking statements speak only at the date of the filing of this Annual Report. The reader should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements we make in this Annual Report are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. We disclose important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations under “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this Annual Report. These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements except as required by law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the SEC.
 
Certain abbreviations and oil and gas industry terms used throughout this Annual Report are described and defined in greater detail under “Glossary of Oil and Natural Gas Terms” below, and readers are encouraged to review that section.
 
Unless the context otherwise requires and for the purposes of this report only:
 
   ● “Exchange Act” refers to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
   ● “SEC” or the “Commission” refers to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission; and
   ● “Securities Act” refers to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
Available Information
 
We are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, under which we file periodic reports, proxy and information statements and other information with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC.
 
Financial and other information about PEDEVCO Corp. is available on our website (www.pedevco.com). Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this report. We make available on our website, free of charge, copies of our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after filing such material electronically or otherwise furnishing it to the SEC.
 
GLOSSARY OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS TERMS
 
The following is a description of the meanings of some of the oil and natural gas terms used in this Annual Report.
 
AFE or Authorization for Expenditures. A document that lays out proposed expenses for a particular project and authorizes an individual or group to spend a certain amount of money for that project.
 
Bbl. One stock tank barrel, or 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume, used in this Annual Report in reference to crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.
 
Bcf. An abbreviation for billion cubic feet. Unit used to measure large quantities of gas, approximately equal to 1 trillion Btu.
 
Boe. Barrels of oil equivalent, determined using the ratio of one Bbl of crude oil, condensate or natural gas liquids, to six Mcf of natural gas.
 
Boepd. Barrels of oil equivalent per day.
 
Bopd. Barrels of oil per day.
 
 
 
3
 
 
 
Btu or British thermal unit. The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
 
Completion. The operations required to establish production of oil or natural gas from a wellbore, usually involving perforations, stimulation and/or installation of permanent equipment in the well or, in the case of a dry hole, the reporting of abandonment to the appropriate agency.
 
Condensate. Liquid hydrocarbons associated with the production of a primarily natural gas reserve.
 
Conventional resources. Natural gas or oil that is produced by a well drilled into a geologic formation in which the reservoir and fluid characteristics permit the natural gas or oil to readily flow to the wellbore.
 
Cushing/WTI. Means the price of West Texas Intermediate oil at the hub located in Cushing, Oklahoma.
 
Developed acreage. The number of acres that are allocated or assignable to productive wells.
 
Development well. A well drilled into a proved oil or natural gas reservoir to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.
 
Estimated ultimate recovery or EUR. Estimated ultimate recovery is the sum of reserves remaining as of a given date and cumulative production as of that date.
 
Exploratory well. A well drilled to find and produce oil or natural gas reserves not classified as proved, to find a new reservoir in a field previously found to be productive of oil or natural gas in another reservoir or to extend a known reservoir.
 
Frac or fracking. A short name for hydraulic fracturing, a method for extracting oil and natural gas.
 
Farmin or farmout. An agreement under which the owner of a working interest in an oil or natural gas lease assigns the working interest or a portion of the working interest to another party who desires to drill on the leased acreage. Generally, the assignee is required to drill one or more wells in order to earn its interest in the acreage. The assignor usually retains a royalty or reversionary interest in the lease. The interest received by an assignee is a “farmin” while the interest transferred by the assignor is a “farmout.
 
FERC. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
 
Field. An area consisting of a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs all grouped on or related to the same individual geological structural feature and/or stratigraphic condition.
 
Gross acres or gross wells. The total acres or wells in which a working interest is owned.
 
Henry Hub. A natural gas pipeline located in Erath, Louisiana that serves as the official delivery location for futures contracts on the NYMEX. The settlement prices at the Henry Hub are used as benchmarks for the entire North American natural gas market.
 
             
Held by production. An oil and natural gas property under lease in which the lease continues to be in force after the primary term of the lease in accordance with its terms as a result of production from the property.
 
Horizontal drilling or well. A drilling operation in which a portion of the well is drilled horizontally within a productive or potentially productive formation. This operation typically yields a horizontal well that has the ability to produce higher volumes than a vertical well drilled in the same formation. A horizontal well is designed to replace multiple vertical wells, resulting in lower capital expenditures for draining like acreage and limiting surface disruption.
 
Hydraulic Fracturing. Means the forcing open of fissures in subterranean rocks by introducing liquid at high pressure, especially to extract oil or gas.
 
IP30. Means the production of a well for the first full calendar month of production.
 
 
 
4
 
 
 
Liquids. Liquids, or natural gas liquids, are marketable liquid products including ethane, propane, butane and pentane resulting from the further processing of liquefiable hydrocarbons separated from raw natural gas by a natural gas processing facility.
 
LOE or Lease operating expenses. The costs of maintaining and operating property and equipment on a producing oil and gas lease.
 
MBbl. One thousand barrels of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.
 
MMBbl/d. One thousand barrels of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons per day.
 
Mcf. One thousand cubic feet of natural gas.
 
Mcfgpd. Thousands of cubic feet of natural gas per day.
 
MMcf. One million cubic feet of natural gas.
 
MMBtu. One million British thermal units.
 
Net acres or net wells. The sum of the fractional working interest owned in gross acres or wells.
 
Net revenue interest. The interest that defines the percentage of revenue that an owner of a well receives from the sale of oil, natural gas and/or natural gas liquids that are produced from the well.
 
NGL. Natural gas liquids.
 
NYMEX. New York Mercantile Exchange.
 
Permeability. A reference to the ability of oil and/or natural gas to flow through a reservoir.
 
Petrophysical analysis. The interpretation of well log measurements, obtained from a string of electronic tools inserted into the borehole, and from core measurements, in which rock samples are retrieved from the subsurface, then combining these measurements with other relevant geological and geophysical information to describe the reservoir rock properties.
 
Play. A set of known or postulated oil and/or natural gas accumulations sharing similar geologic, geographic and temporal properties, such as source rock, migration pathways, timing, trapping mechanism and hydrocarbon type.
 
Possible reserves. Additional reserves that are less certain to be recognized than probable reserves.
 
Probable reserves. Additional reserves that are less certain to be recognized than proved reserves but which, in sum with proved reserves, are as likely as not to be recovered.
 
Producing well, production well or productive well. A well that is found to be capable of producing hydrocarbons in sufficient quantities such that proceeds from the sale of the well’s production exceed production-related expenses and taxes.
 
Properties. Natural gas and oil wells, production and related equipment and facilities and natural gas, oil or other mineral fee, leasehold and related interests.
 
Prospect. A specific geographic area which, based on supporting geological, geophysical or other data and also preliminary economic analysis using reasonably anticipated prices and costs, is considered to have potential for the discovery of commercial hydrocarbons.
 
Proved developed reserves. Proved reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells and facilities and by existing operating methods.
 
Proved reserves. Reserves of oil and natural gas that have been proved to a high degree of certainty by analysis of the producing history of a reservoir and/or by volumetric analysis of adequate geological and engineering data.
 
 
5
 
 
 
 
Proved undeveloped reserves or PUDs. Proved reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion.
 
Repeatability. The potential ability to drill multiple wells within a prospect or trend.
 
Reservoir. A porous and permeable underground formation containing a natural accumulation of producible oil and/or natural gas that is confined by impermeable rock or water barriers and is individual and separate from other reservoirs.
 
Royalty interest. An interest in an oil and natural gas lease that gives the owner of the interest the right to receive a portion of the production from the leased acreage (or of the proceeds of the sale thereof), but generally does not require the owner to pay any portion of the costs of drilling or operating the wells on the leased acreage. Royalties may be either landowner’s royalties, which are reserved by the owner of the leased acreage at the time the lease is granted, or overriding royalties, which are usually reserved by an owner of the leasehold in connection with a transfer to a subsequent owner.
 
2-D seismic. The method by which a cross-section of the earth’s subsurface is created through the interpretation of reflecting seismic data collected along a single source profile.
 
3-D seismic. The method by which a three-dimensional image of the earth’s subsurface is created through the interpretation of reflection seismic data collected over a surface grid. 3-D seismic surveys allow for a more detailed understanding of the subsurface than do 2-D seismic surveys and contribute significantly to field appraisal, exploitation and production.
 
Transition Zone. The Transition Zone usually produces both oil and water at different ratios depending on the height above the Free Water Level (FWL). In normal conditions wells that are drilled in the Transition Zone will produce at some water cut.
 
Trend. A region of oil and/or natural gas production, the geographic limits of which have not been fully defined, having geological characteristics that have been ascertained through supporting geological, geophysical or other data to contain the potential for oil and/or natural gas reserves in a particular formation or series of formations.
 
Unconventional resource play. A set of known or postulated oil and or natural gas resources or reserves warranting further exploration which are extracted from (a) low-permeability sandstone and shale formations and (b) coalbed methane. These plays require the application of advanced technology to extract the oil and natural gas resources.
 
Undeveloped acreage. Lease acreage on which wells have not been drilled or completed to a point that would permit the production of commercial quantities of oil and natural gas, regardless of whether such acreage contains proved reserves. Undeveloped acreage is usually considered to be all acreage that is not allocated or assignable to productive wells.
 
Unproved and unevaluated properties. Refers to properties where no drilling or other actions have been undertaken that permit such property to be classified as proved.
 
USACE. United States Army Corps of Engineers.
 
Vertical well. A hole drilled vertically into the earth from which oil, natural gas or water flows is pumped.
 
Volumetric reserve analysis. A technique used to estimate the amount of recoverable oil and natural gas. It involves calculating the volume of reservoir rock and adjusting that volume for the rock porosity, hydrocarbon saturation, formation volume factor and recovery factor.
 
Wellbore. The hole made by a well.
 
WTI or West Texas Intermediate. A grade of crude oil used as a benchmark in oil pricing. This grade is described as light because of its relatively low density, and sweet because of its low sulfur content.
 
Working interest. The operating interest that gives the owner the right to drill, produce and conduct operating activities on the property and receive a share of production.
 
 
6
 
 
PART I
 
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
 
History
 
We were originally incorporated in September 2000 as Rocker & Spike Entertainment, Inc. In January 2001 we changed our name to Reconstruction Data Group, Inc., and in April 2003 we changed our name to Verdisys, Inc. and were engaged in the business of providing satellite services to agribusiness. In June 2005, we changed our name to Blast Energy Services, Inc. (“Blast”) to reflect our new focus on the energy services business, and in 2010 we changed the direction of the Company to focus on the acquisition of oil and gas producing properties.
 
On July 27, 2012, we acquired, through a reverse acquisition, Pacific Energy Development Corp., a privately held Nevada corporation, which we refer to as Pacific Energy Development. As described below, pursuant to the acquisition, the stockholders of Pacific Energy Development gained control of approximately 95% of the then voting securities of our company. Since the transaction resulted in a change of control, Pacific Energy Development was the acquirer for accounting purposes. In connection with the merger, which we refer to as the Pacific Energy Development merger, Pacific Energy Development became our wholly-owned subsidiary and we changed our name from Blast Energy Services, Inc. to PEDEVCO Corp. Following the merger, we refocused our business plan on the acquisition, exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas resources in the United States.
 
Our corporate headquarters are located in approximately 5,200 square feet of office space at 575 N. Dairy Ashford, Suite 210, Houston, Texas 77079. We lease that space pursuant to a lease that expires in August 2023.
 
Business Operations
 
Overview
 
We are an oil and gas company focused on the acquisition and development of oil and natural gas assets where the latest in modern drilling and completion techniques and technologies have yet to be applied. In particular, we focus on legacy proven properties where there is a long production history, well defined geology and existing infrastructure that can be leveraged when applying modern field management technologies. Our current properties are located in the San Andres formation of the Permian Basin situated in West Texas and eastern New Mexico (the Permian Basin”) and in the Denver-Julesberg Basin (“D-J Basin”) in Colorado.  As of December 31, 2019, we held approximately 38,258 net Permian Basin acres located in Chaves and Roosevelt Counties, New Mexico, through our wholly-owned operating subsidiary, Pacific Energy Development Corp. (“PEDCO”), which we refer to as our “Permian Basin Asset,” and approximately 11,948 net D-J Basin acres located in Weld and Morgan Counties, Colorado, through our wholly-owned operating subsidiary, Red Hawk Petroleum, LLC (“Red Hawk”), which asset we refer to as our “D-J Basin Asset.” As of December 31, 2019, we held interests in 379 gross (302 net) wells in our Permian Basin Asset, of which 51 are active producers, 25 are active injectors and one well is an active Saltwater Disposal Well (“SWD”), all of which are held by PEDCO and operated by its wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, and interests in 75 gross (21.9 net) wells in our D-J Basin Asset, of which 18 gross (16.2 net) wells are operated by Red Hawk and currently producing, 36 gross (5.6 net) wells are non-operated, and 21 wells have an after-payout interest.
 
Business Strategy
 
We believe that horizontal development and exploitation of conventional assets in the Permian Basin and development of the Wattenberg and Wattenberg Extension in the D-J Basin, represent among the most economic oil and natural gas plays in the U.S. We plan to optimize our existing assets and opportunistically seek additional acreage proximate to our currently held core acreage, as well as other attractive onshore U.S. oil and gas assets that fit our acquisition criteria, that Company management believes can be developed using our technical and operating expertise and be accretive to stockholder value. 
 
 
 
7
 
 
 
 
Specifically, we seek to increase stockholder value through the following strategies:
 
Grow production, cash flow and reserves by developing our operated drilling inventory and participating opportunistically in non-operated projects. We believe our extensive inventory of drilling locations in the Permian Basin and the DJ-Basin, combined with our operating expertise, will enable us to continue to deliver accretive production, cash flow and reserves growth. We have identified approximately 150 gross drilling locations across our Permian Basin acreage based on 20-acre spacing. We believe the location, concentration and scale of our core leasehold positions, coupled with our technical understanding of the reservoirs will allow us to efficiently develop our core areas and to allocate capital to maximize the value of our resource base.
Apply modern drilling and completion techniques and technologies. We own and intend to own additional properties that have been historically underdeveloped and underexploited. We believe our attention to detail and application of the latest industry advances in horizontal drilling, completions design, frac intensity and locally optimal frac fluids will allow us to successfully develop our properties.
Optimization of well density and configuration. We own properties that are legacy conventional oil fields characterized by widespread vertical development and geological well control. We utilize the extensive petrophysical and production data of such legacy properties to confirm optimal well spacing and configuration using modern reservoir evaluation methodologies.
Maintain a high degree of operational control. We believe that by retaining high operational control, we can efficiently manage the timing and amount of our capital expenditures and operating costs, and thus key in on the optimal drilling and completions strategies, which we believe will generate higher recoveries and greater rates of return per well.
Leverage extensive deal flow, technical and operational experience to evaluate and execute accretive acquisition opportunities. Our management and technical teams have an extensive track record of forming and building oil and gas businesses. We also have significant expertise in successfully sourcing, evaluating and executing acquisition opportunities. We believe our understanding of the geology, geophysics and reservoir properties of potential acquisition targets will allow us to identify and acquire highly prospective acreage in order to grow our reserve base and maximize stockholder value.
Preserve financial flexibility to pursue organic and external growth opportunities. We intend to maintain a disciplined financial profile that will provide us flexibility across various commodity and market cycles. We intend to utilize our strategic partners and public currency to continuously fund development and operations.
 
Our strategy is to be the operator and/or a significant working interest owner, directly or through our subsidiaries and joint ventures, in the majority of our acreage so we can dictate the pace of development in order to execute our business plan. Our 2020 development plan includes several carryover projects from 2019’s Phase II Permian Basin Asset development plan. These projects include the drilling of a SWD well in the Chaveroo field (Chaves and Roosevelt Counties, New Mexico) and production hookup and commencement on five horizontal San Andres wells drilled in 2019. In the later part of 2020, our plan contemplates the drilling of two horizontal San Andres wells on our Permian Basin Asset. Additionally, we plan to test a vertical reactivation program in the Chaveroo field, offsetting our new horizontal wells, where six reactivations are currently planned. We also have planned several vertical reactivations in the Milnesand field (Chaves and Roosevelt Counties, New Mexico) and several enhancement and facilities projects throughout all our operated assets. We currently have approximately $2 million earmarked for D-J Basin Asset projects in 2020, pending receipt of well proposals that meet our participation criteria. Our total planned capital expenditure budget for 2020 is approximately $14.5 million, which amount the Company anticipates that it can fund through cash from operations together with approximately $12 million of existing cash on the balance sheet as of the filing date of these financial statements, of which carryover capital accounts for approximately $5 million, and the balance will be deployed for new development projects. This plan of operations is contingent on a minimum of a $50 per barrel realized oil price (West Texas Intermediate pricing) and could fluctuate based on market conditions and/or opportunities that may arise throughout the year. If the oil price continues to remain below this $50 per barrel threshold, the Company has the ability to slow or halt most of its projects, and reduce its 2020 capital expenditures to approximately $5 million, which includes funding for the completion of a SWD well in the Permian Asset, which was drilled in early 2020 and is currently being completed. We expect that we will have sufficient cash available to meet our needs over the foreseeable future, which cash we anticipate being available from (i) our projected cash flow from operations, (ii) our existing cash on hand, (iii) equity infusions or loans (which may be convertible) made available from SK Energy LLC, which is 100% owned and controlled by Dr. Simon Kukes, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and director (“SK Energy”), which funding SK Energy is under no obligation to provide, and (iv) funding through credit or loan facilities. In addition, we may seek additional funding through asset sales, farm-out arrangements, lines of credit, or public or private debt or equity financings to fund 2020 capital expenditures and/or acquisitions. If market conditions are not conducive to raising additional funds, the Company may choose to extend the drilling program and associated capital expenditures further into 2020.
 
 
 
8
 

The following chart reflects our current organizational structure:
 
 
*Represents percentage of total voting power based on 72,125,328 shares of common stock (solely on an issued and outstanding basis) outstanding as of March 27, 2020, with beneficial ownership calculated in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act (but without reflecting the conversion of convertible securities into voting securities, including, options exercisable for common stock of the Company. Holdings of SK Energy LLC, an entity wholly-owned and controlled by our CEO and director Dr. Simon Kukes, are also included in holdings of Senior Management and Board – See “Part III” — “Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.” Ownership of Mr. Tkachev is based solely on his filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
  
Competition
 
The oil and natural gas industry is highly competitive. We compete, and will continue to compete, with major and independent oil and natural gas companies for exploration and exploitation opportunities, acreage and property acquisitions. We also compete for drilling rig contracts and other equipment and labor required to drill, operate and develop our properties. Many of our competitors have substantially greater financial resources, staffs, facilities and other resources than we have. In addition, larger competitors may be able to absorb the burden of any changes in federal, state and local laws and regulations more easily than we can, which would adversely affect our competitive position. These competitors may be able to pay more for drilling rigs or exploratory prospects and productive oil and natural gas properties and may be able to define, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than we can. Our competitors may also be able to afford to purchase and operate their own drilling rigs.
 
 
9
 
 
 
Our ability to exploit, drill and explore for oil and natural gas and to acquire properties will depend upon our ability to conduct operations, to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in this highly competitive environment. Many of our competitors have a longer history of operations than we have, and many of them have also demonstrated the ability to operate through industry cycles.
 
Competitive Strengths
 
We believe we are well positioned to successfully execute our business strategies and achieve our business objectives because of the following competitive strengths:
 
Legacy Conventional Focus. Legacy conventional oil fields that have seen large-scale vertical development. Vertical production confirms moveable hydrocarbons ideal for horizontal development that may have been technologically or economically limited or missed.
 
Technical Engineering & Operations Expertise. Lateral landing decisions incorporate log analysis, fracture-geometry modeling and an understanding of local porosity and saturation distributions. Our team are creative problem solvers with expertise in wellbore mechanics, completion design, production enhancement, artificial lift design, water handling, facilities optimization, and production down-time reduction.
 
Low Cost Development. Shallow conventional reservoirs (<8,000 feet) and short to mid-range laterals (1.0 mile and 1.5 mile, respectively) allow for efficient full-scale development without the requirement for extended reach laterals and large fracs to meet economic thresholds.
 
Management. We have assembled a management team at our Company with extensive experience in the fields of business development, petroleum engineering, geology, field development and production, operations, planning and corporate finance. Our management team is headed by our Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Simon Kukes, who was formerly the CEO at Samara-Nafta, a Russian oil company partnering with Hess Corporation, President and CEO of Tyumen Oil Company, and Chairman of Yukos Oil. Our President, J. Douglas Schick, has over 20 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, having co-founded American Resources, Inc., and formerly serving in executive, management and operational planning, strategy and finance roles at Highland Oil and Gas, Mariner Energy, Inc., The Houston Exploration Co., ConocoPhillips and Shell Oil Company. In addition, our Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Clark R. Moore, has over 14 years of energy industry experience, and formerly served as acting general counsel of Erin Energy Corp. Several other members of the management team have also successfully helped develop similar companies with like kind asset profiles and technical operations at Sheridan Production Company, Trinity Operating LLC, Baker Hughes and Halliburton. We believe that our management team is highly qualified to identify, acquire and exploit energy resources in the U.S.
 
Our operations team has extensive experience in horizontal development of conventional assets in the Permian Basin at Sheridan Production Company and experience drilling and completing unconventional wells in the D-J Basin at Baker Hughes and Halliburton.
 
Our board of directors also brings extensive oil and gas industry experience, headed by our Chairman, John J. Scelfo, who brings 40 years of experience in oil and gas management, finance and accounting, and who served in numerous executive-level capacities at Hess Corporation, including as Senior Vice President, Finance and Corporate Development, Chief Financial Officer, Worldwide Exploration & Producing, and as a member of Hess’ Executive Committee. In addition, our Board includes Ivar Siem, who brings over 50 years of broad experience from both the upstream and the service segments of the oil and gas industry, including serving as Chairman of Blue Dolphin Energy Company (OTCQX: BDCO), as Chairman and interim CEO of DI Industries/Grey Wolf Drilling, as Chairman and CEO of Seateam Technology ASA, and in various executive roles at multiple E&P and oil field service companies. Furthermore, our Board includes H. Douglas Evans, who brings over 50 years of experience in executive management positions with Gulf Interstate Engineering Company, one of the world's top pipeline design and engineering firms, including as its Honorary Chairman and previously its Chairman and President and Chief Executive Officer, and who is a past President and current Board member of the International Pipe Line and Offshore Contractors Association, current Chairman of its Strategy Committee, and an active member of the Pipeline Contractors Association. 
 
 
10
 
 
 
Significant acreage positions and drilling potential. As of December 31, 2019, we have accumulated interests in a total of 38,258 net acres in our core Permian Basin Asset operating area, and 11,948 net acres in our core D-J Basin Asset operating area, both of which we believe represent significant upside potential. The majority of our interests are in or near areas of considerable activity by both major and independent operators, although such activity may not be indicative of our future operations. Based on our current acreage position, we believe our Permian Basin Asset could contain 185 potential net wells, comprised of 170 net 1.0-mile lateral wells and 15 net 1.5-mile lateral wells ,on 120-acre spacing and 180-acre spacing, respectively. We believe our D-J Basin Asset could contain approximately 90 potential net wells, comprised of 49 net 1.0-mile lateral wells, 40 net 2.0-mile lateral wells, and 1 net 1.5-mile lateral well, on 80-acre spacing, 160-acre spacing, and 120-acre spacing, respectively, providing us with a substantial drilling inventory for future years.
 
Marketing
 
We generally sell a significant portion of our oil and gas production to a relatively small number of customers, and during the year ended December 31, 2019, sales to two customers comprised 54% and 13%, respectively, of the Company’s total oil and gas revenues. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of our revenue during these periods. The Company is not dependent upon any one purchaser and believes that, if its primary customers are unable or unwilling to continue to purchase the Company’s production, there are a substantial number of alternative buyers for its production at comparable prices.
 
Oil. Our crude oil is generally sold under short-term, extendable and cancellable agreements with unaffiliated purchasers. Crude oil prices realized from production sales are indexed to published posted refinery prices, and to published crude indexes with adjustments on a contract basis. Transportation costs related to moving crude oil are also deducted from the price received for crude oil.
 
Natural GasOur natural gas is sold under both long-term and short-term natural gas purchase agreements, which include two gas purchase agreements for our DJ Basin Asset that are in effect until December 1, 2021 and April 1, 2032, respectively. However, natural gas sales related to these agreements only represent a nominal (3%) of our total revenues as of December 31, 2019, and the Company believes that this trend will continue in the DJ Basin Asset. Natural gas produced by us is sold at various delivery points at or near producing wells to both unaffiliated independent marketing companies and unaffiliated mid-stream companies. We receive proceeds from prices that are based on various pipeline indices less any associated fees for processing, location or transportation differentials.
 
Oil and Gas Properties
 
We believe that our Permian Basin and D-J Basin assets represent among the most economic oil and natural gas plays in the U.S. We plan to opportunistically seek additional acreage proximate to our currently held core acreage located in the Northwest Shelf of the Permian Basin in Chaves and Roosevelt Counties, New Mexico, and the Wattenberg and Wattenberg Extension areas of Weld County, Colorado in the D-J Basin. Our strategy is to be the operator and/or a significant working interest owner, directly or through our subsidiaries and joint ventures, in the majority of our acreage so we can dictate the pace of development in order to execute our business plan. The majority of our capital expenditure budget for 2020 will be focused on the development of our Permian Basin Asset, and secondarily on development of our D-J Basin Asset. 
 
Unless otherwise noted, the following table presents summary data for our leasehold acreage in our core Permian Basin Asset and D-J Basin Asset as of December 31, 2019 and our drilling capital budget with respect to this acreage from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. If commodity prices drop significantly, we may delay drilling activities. The ultimate amount of capital we will expend may fluctuate materially based on, among other things, market conditions, commodity prices, asset monetizations, non-operated project proposals, the success of our drilling results as the year progresses, and availability of capital (see “Part I” – “Item 1A. Risk Factors”.)
 
 
11
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Drilling Capital Budget
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
 
 
Current Core Assets:
 
Net Acres
 
 
Gross Wells (1)
 
 
Gross Costs
per Well
 
 
Capital Cost to the Company (2)
 
Permian Basin Asset
  38,258 
  2.0 
 $3,000,000 
 $6,000,000 
D-J Basin Asset
  11,948 
  3.0 
  6,500,000 
  1,657,500 
Enhancements (3)
    
    
    
  1,018,941 
Facilities and Infrastructure (4)
    
    
    
  980,000 
2019 Carryover (5)
    
    
    
  4,850,000 
Total
  50,206 
  5.0 
    
 $14,506,441 
 
(1)
Includes planned drilling and completion of (i) two 1.0 mile lateral wells in the Chaveroo Field in the Permian Basin Asset, and (ii) three gross horizontal wells in the D-J Basin Asset at 8.5% working interest.
 
(2)
 
 
(3)
 
(4)
 
 
(5)
The Company anticipates that it can fund the entire $14.5 million capital cost to the Company through cash from operations and existing cash on the balance sheet.
 
Estimated capital expenditures for reactivation of existing wells and reserve enhancing projects on existing wells.
 
Estimated capital expenditures for construction of central facilities including tank batteries, injection lines, heater treaters, and other property equipment in the Permian Basin Asset.
 
Carryover capital expenditures from the 2019 development plan. Includes a SWD well and cleanouts, hookups, flowback and associated costs on five (2019 Phase II) wells.
 
Our Core Areas
 
Permian Basin Asset
 
We hold our Permian Basin Assets through our wholly-owned subsidiary, PEDCO, with operations conducted through PEDCO’s wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, EOR Operating Company and Ridgeway Arizona Oil Corp. Our Permian Basin Asset was assembled through three acquisitions completed between 2018 and 2019. In the first acquisition, we acquired 100% of the assets of Hunter Oil Company, with an effective date of September 1, 2018, which created our core Permian position. In 2019, we acquired additional assets in two bolt-on acquisitions from private operators. These interests are all located in Chaves and Roosevelt Counties, New Mexico, where we currently operate 379 gross (302 net) wells, of which 51 wells are active producers, 25 wells are active injectors, and one well is an active SWD. As of December 31, 2019, our Permian Basin Asset acreage is located in the areas shaded in yellow in the sectional map following the State of New Mexico map below.
 
 
 
12
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13
 
 
 
 
It is estimated that there are approximately 110 billion barrels of oil-in-place in San Andres reservoirs across the Permian Basin (Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America (“RPSEA”) report dated December 21, 2015). The San Andres oilfields of the Northwest Shelf, Central Basin Platform and the Eastern Shelf are some of the largest oilfields within the Permian Basin. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (“EIA”), as of December 31, 2013, three oil fields that have produced from the San Andres formation were amongst the top 50 largest oilfields by reserves in the United States. The San Andres has been historically under-developed due to technological and economic limitations during early development. The San Andres is a dolomitic carbonate reservoir characterized as being highly-heterogenous with a multi-porosity system that typically shows significant oil saturation, but primary production often yields higher than normal water cut. While existing San Andres operators may ascribe different drivers for the water cut, San Andres production requires sufficient fluid removal, transportation and disposal, in order to achieve higher oil cuts, through a network of on-site fluid storage and saltwater disposal systems.
 
Oil was originally trapped in the San Andres by three types of pre-Tertiary traps: Structural, Stratigraphic and Structurally enhanced Stratigraphic. Legacy fields exist where oil accumulated in these traps to form thick oil columns, referred to as Main Pay Zones (“MPZ”). Legacy San Andres fields lack sharp oil-water contacts creating secondary zones of increasing water saturation beneath the MPZ known as Transitional Oil Zones (“TOZ”) and Residual Oil Zones (“ROZ”). TOZs and ROZs also extend outside the historical boundaries of the legacy fields downdip to their structural limits. The vast majority of horizontal San Andres wells have been drilled in these TOZ and ROZ areas where vertical development is uneconomic.
 
The Company’s 38,258 net acres within the Chaveroo and Milnesand fields of Chaves and Roosevelt Counties, New Mexico offer a rare opportunity to drill infill horizontal wells targeting the higher oil-saturations of the MPZs. The Chaveroo NE field is an extension of the Chaveroo field that was not originally developed vertically. There are currently 379 wellbores within the leasehold, of which 51 are active producers and 25 are active injectors, and one is an active SWD. The remainder are shut-in wellbores with future potential utility for additional water injection, production reactivations, and behind-pipe recompletions. We currently own and operate three water handling facilities, one in each field, that have a current combined capacity of approximately 40,000 barrels of water per day (bbl/d).
 
 
14
 
 
 
D-J Basin Asset
 
We have grown our legacy D-J Basin Asset position to 11,948 net acres in Weld and Morgan Counties, Colorado. We directly hold all of our interests in the D-J Basin Asset through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Red Hawk. These interests are all located in Weld County, Colorado. Red Hawk has an interest in 75 gross (21.9 net) wells and is currently the operator of 18 gross (16.2 net) wells located in our D-J Basin Asset. Our D-J Basin Asset acreage is located in the areas circled in the map below. The D-J Basin has seen a tremendous amount of growth in drilling activity in the past 12 months. D-J Basin operators are now drilling 16 to 24 horizontal wells per section in the Niobrara and Codell formations, utilizing the latest advances in completion design, frac stages, and frac intensity to obtain favorable well results. Notable non-operated partners leading the Niobrara revival are Noble Energy, Extraction Oil & Gas, SRC Energy (merged with PDC Energy in January 2020), and Bonanza Creek Energy.
 
 
 
 
 
15
 
 
 
Production, Sales Price and Production Costs
 
We have listed below the total production volumes and total revenue net to the Company for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017:
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Revenues
 $12,972,000 
 $4,523,000 
 $3,015,000 
 
    
    
    
Oil:
    
    
    
Total Production (Bbls)
  234,378 
  70,395 
  52,260 
Average sales price (per Bbl)
 $53.41 
 $59.00 
 $47.15 
Natural Gas:
    
    
    
Total Production (Mcf)
  153,251 
  89,769 
  100,254 
Average sales price (per Mcf)
 $2.43 
 $2.56 
 $2.97 
NGL:
    
    
    
Total Production (Bbls)
  6,150 
  7,629 
  12,209 
Average sales price (per Bbl)
 $13.28 
 $18.32 
 $20.73 
Oil Equivalents:
    
    
    
Total Production (Boe) (1)
  266,070 
  92,985 
  81,178 
Average Daily Production (Boe/d)
  729 
  255 
  222 
Average Production Costs (per Boe) (2)
 $15.32 
 $19.77 
 $13.62 
_________________________
 
(1)
Assumes 6 Mcf of natural gas equivalents to 1 barrel of oil.
(2)
Excludes workover costs, marketing, ad valorem and severance taxes.
 
As of December 31, 2019, and 2018, the Chaveroo and Milnesand fields are the fields that each comprise 15% or more of our total proved reserves. As of December 31, 2017, the Wattenberg field comprised 15% or more of our total proved reserves for that year. The applicable production volumes from these fields for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, is represented in the table below in total barrels (Bbls):
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018*
 
 
2017
 
Chaveroo
  120,765 
  3,631 
  - 
Milnesand
  11,295 
  2,917 
  - 
Wattenberg
  - 
  - 
  46,198 
 
* In 2018, production from our acquisition of the Chaveroo and Milnesand fields in the third quarter 2018 are the fields that each comprised 15% or more of our total proved reserves at December 31, 2018. The data above only includes production for these fields since the date of the acquisition.
 
The following table summarizes our gross and net developed and undeveloped leasehold and mineral fee acreage at December 31, 2019:
 
 
 
Total
 
 
Developed (1)
 
 
Undeveloped (2)
 
 
 
Gross
 
 
Net
 
 
Gross
 
 
Net
 
 
Gross
 
 
Net
 
D-J Basin
  205,994 
  11,948 
  183,370 
  9,388 
  22,624 
  2,560 
Permian Basin
  40,648 
  38,258 
  31,813 
  31,036 
  8,835 
  7,222 
Total
  246,642 
  50,206 
  215,183 
  40,424 
  31,459 
  9,782 
 
(1) Developed acreage is the number of acres that are allocated or assignable to producing wells or wells capable of production.
 
(2) Undeveloped acreage is lease acreage on which wells have not been drilled or completed to a point that would permit the production of commercial quantities of oil and natural gas regardless of whether such acreage includes proved reserves.
 
 
16
 
 
 
We believe we have satisfactory title, in all material respects, to substantially all of our producing properties in accordance with standards generally accepted in the oil and natural gas industry.
 
Total Net Undeveloped Acreage Expiration
 
In the event that production is not established or we take no action to extend or renew the terms of our leases, our net undeveloped acreage that will expire over the next three years as of December 31, 2019 is 1,758, 3,545 and 1,395 for the years ending December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. We expect to retain substantially all of our expiring acreage either through drilling activities, renewal of the expiring leases or through the exercise of extension options.
 
Well Summary
 
The following table presents our ownership in productive crude oil and natural gas wells at December 31, 2019. This summary includes crude oil wells in which we have a working interest:
 
 
 
Gross
 
 
Net
 
 Crude oil
  122.0 
  88.1 
 Natural gas
  - 
  - 
Total*
  122.0 
  88.1 
 
* Total percentage of gross operated wells is 69.7%.
 
Drilling Activity
 
We drilled wells or participated in the drilling of wells as indicated in the table below:
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
 
Gross
 
 
Net
 
 
Gross
 
 
Net
 
 
Gross
 
 
Net
 
Development
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Productive
  20 
  9.6 
  - 
  - 
  3 
  0.2 
Dry
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
Exploratory
    
    
    
    
    
    
Productive
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
Dry
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
 
Oil and Natural Gas Reserves
 
Reserve Information. For estimates of the Company’s net proved producing reserves of crude oil and natural gas, as well as discussion of the Company’s proved and probable undeveloped reserves, see “Part II” - “Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” – “Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited)”. At December 31, 2019, the Company’s total estimated proved reserves were 14.0 million Boe, of which 12.4 million Bbls were crude oil and NGL reserves, and 9.7 million Mcf were natural gas reserves.
 
Internal Controls. Clayton Riddle, our Vice President of Development (a non-executive position), is the technical person primarily responsible for our internal reserves estimation process (which are based upon the best available production, engineering and geologic data) and provides oversight of the annual audit of our year end reserves by our independent third party engineers. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering, and in excess of five years as a reserves estimator and is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.
 
The preparation of our reserve estimates is in accordance with our prescribed procedures that include verification of input data into a reserve forecasting and economic software, as well as management review. Our reserve analysis includes, but is not limited to, the following:
 
 
17
 
 
 
Research of operators near our lease acreage. Review operating and technological techniques, as well as reserve projections of such wells.
The review of internal reserve estimates by well and by area by a qualified petroleum engineer. A variance by well to the previous year-end reserve report is used as a tool in this process.
SEC-compliant internal policies to determine and report proved reserves.
The discussion of any material reserve variances among management to ensure the best estimate of remaining reserves.
 
Qualifications of Third Party Engineers. The technical person primarily responsible for the audit of our reserves estimates at Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc. is W. Todd Brooker, who meets the requirements regarding qualifications, independence, objectivity, and confidentiality set forth in the Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc. is an independent firm and does not own an interest in our properties and is not employed on a contingent fee basis. Reserve estimates are imprecise and subjective and may change at any time as additional information becomes available. Furthermore, estimates of oil and gas reserves are projections based on engineering data. There are uncertainties inherent in the interpretation of this data as well as the projection of future rates of production. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. A copy of the report issued by Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc. is incorporated by reference into this report as Exhibit 99.1.
 
For more information regarding our oil and gas reserves, please refer to "Part II “Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” – “Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited)”.
 
Current Year Events
 
January 2019 SK Energy Convertible Note
 
On January 11, 2019, the Company borrowed $15.0 million from SK Energy, through the issuance of a convertible promissory note in the amount of $15.0 million (the “January 2019 Convertible Note”). The January 2019 Convertible Note accrues interest monthly at 8.5% per annum, which is payable on the maturity date, unless otherwise converted into shares of the Company’s common stock as described below. The January 2019 Convertible Note and all accrued interest thereon are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock, at the option of the holder thereof, at a conversion price equal to $1.50 per share. Further, the conversion of the January 2019 Convertible Note is subject to a 49.9% conversion limitation which prevents the conversion of any portion thereof into common stock of the Company if such conversion would result in SK Energy or any of its affiliates beneficially owning more than 49.9% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock. The January 2019, Convertible Note is due and payable on January 11, 2022 but may be prepaid at any time without penalty. In February 2019, the January 2019 Convertible Note was converted into common stock as discussed below.
 
Convertible Notes Amendment and Conversion
 
On February 15, 2019, the Company and SK Energy agreed to amend the terms of $23.6 million in Convertible Promissory Notes sold in August 2018 (including $22 million acquired by SK Energy) and a $7 million Convertible Note sold to SK Energy in October 2018, each described in further detail in “Part II” - “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” – “Note 8 - Notes Payable”, as well as the January 2019 Convertible Note, whereby each of the notes were amended to remove the conversion limitation that previously prevented SK Energy from converting any portion of the notes into common stock of the Company if such conversion would have resulted in SK Energy beneficially owning more than 49.9% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock
 
Immediately following the entry into the Amendment, on February 15, 2019, SK Energy elected to convert (i) all $15,000,000 of the outstanding principal and all $126,000 of accrued interest under the January 2019 defined above as the “January 2019 Convertible Notes” into common stock of the Company at a conversion price of $1.50 per share as set forth in the January 2019 defined above as the “January 2019 Convertible Notes” into 10,083,819 shares of restricted common stock of the Company, and (ii) all $7,000,000 of the outstanding principal and all $18,700of accrued interest under the October 2018 note into common stock of the Company at a conversion price of $1.79 per share as set forth in the October 2018 note into 4,014,959 shares of restricted common stock of the Company, which shares in aggregate represented approximately 47.1% of the Company’s then 29,907,223 shares of issued and outstanding Company common stock after giving effect to the conversions.
 
 
18
 
 
 
SK Energy Note Amendment; Note Purchases and Conversion
 
On March 1, 2019, the Company and SK Energy entered into a First Amendment to Promissory Note (the “SK Energy Note Amendment”) which amended the note dated June 25, 2018, evidencing $7.7 million of principal owed to SK Energy (the “SK Energy Note”), to provide SK Energy the right, at any time, at its option, to convert the principal and interest owed under such SK Energy Note, into shares of the Company’s common stock, at a conversion price of $2.13 per share. The SK Energy Note previously only included a conversion feature whereby the Company had the option to pay quarterly interest payments on the SK Energy Note in shares of Company common stock instead of cash, at a conversion price per share calculated based on the average closing sales price of the Company’s common stock on the NYSE American for the ten trading days immediately preceding the last day of the calendar quarter immediately prior to the quarterly payment date.
 
In addition, on March 1, 2019, the holders of $1,500,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes issued by the Company on August 1, 2018 (the “August 2018 Notes”) sold their August 2018 Notes at face value plus accrued and unpaid interest through March 1, 2019 to SK Energy (the “August 2018 Note Sale”). Holders which sold their August 2018 Notes pursuant to the August 2018 Note Sale to SK Energy include an executive officer of SK Energy ($200,000 in principal amount of August 2018 Notes); a trust affiliated with John J. Scelfo, a director of the Company ($500,000 in principal amount of August 2018 Notes); an entity affiliated with Ivar Siem, a director of the Company, and J. Douglas Schick the President of the Company ($500,000 in principal amount of August 2018 Notes); and Harold Douglas Evans, a director of the Company ($200,000 in principal amount of August 2018 Notes).
 
Following the August 2018 Note Sale, the Company’s sole issued and outstanding debt was the (i) $7,700,000 in principal, plus accrued interest, under the SK Energy Note held by SK Energy, (ii) an aggregate of $23,500,000 in principal, plus accrued interest, under the August 2018 Notes and Convertible Note held by SK Energy, and (iii) $100,000 in principal, plus accrued interest, under an August 2018 Note held by an unaffiliated holder (the “Unaffiliated Holder”).
 
Immediately following the effectiveness of the SK Energy Note Amendment and August 2018 Note Sale, on March 1, 2019, SK Energy and the Unaffiliated Holder elected to convert all $31,300,000 of outstanding principal and an aggregate of $1,462,818 of accrued interest under the SK Energy Note, Convertible Note held by SK Energy, and August 2018 Notes, into common stock of the Company at a conversion price of $2.13 per share (the “Conversion Price” and the “Conversions”) as set forth in the SK Energy Note, as amended, and the August 2018 Notes and the Convertible Note held by SK Energy (collectively, the “Notes”), into an aggregate of 15,381,605 shares of restricted common stock of the Company (the “Conversion Shares”).
 
As a result of the Conversions and the issuance of the shares of common stock of the Company in consideration for such debt, as of the date of this report, the Company has no debt on its balance sheet.
 
Manzano Acquisition
 
On February 1, 2019, for consideration of $700,000, the Company completed an asset purchase from Manzano, LLC and Manzano Energy Partners II, LLC, whereby the Company purchased approximately 18,000 net leasehold acres, ownership and operated production from one horizontal well currently producing from the San Andres play in the Permian Basin, ownership of three additional shut-in wells, and ownership of one saltwater disposal well.  The Company subsequently drilled one Manzano well in Phase Two of its 2019 development plan, which was completed in the fourth quarter of 2019.
 
Red Hawk Property Rights Sale
 
On March 7, 2019, Red Hawk sold rights to 85.5 net acres of oil and gas leases located in Weld County, Colorado, to a third party, for aggregate proceeds of $1.2 million. The sale agreement included a provision whereby the purchaser was required to assign Red Hawk 85 net acres of leaseholds in an area located where the Company already owns other leases in Weld County, Colorado, within nine months from the date of the sale, or to repay the Company up to $200,000 (proportionally adjusted for the amount of leasehold delivered). In December 2019, the purchaser assigned Redhawk 121 net acres of leaseholds with a value of $121,000, thereby satisfying in full its obligations to Red Hawk under the sale agreement.
 
 
19
 
 
 
Drilling and Workover Activities
 
In December 2018, we commenced drilling four San Andres horizontal wells in our Permian Basin Asset acreage acquired from Hunter Oil Company in September 2018, which wells were completed in March 2019. Also, in February 2019, we completed workover operations to reactivate a San Andres horizontal well, and in March 2019 we completed the drilling of our fifth San Andres horizontal well, both of which operations were conducted on our Permian Basin acreage acquired from Manzano in February 2019. In July 2019, we also commenced drilling four additional San Andres horizontal wells in our Permian Basin Asset, for which drilling operations were completed in September 2019, and for which recompletion operations were completed in November and December of 2019. Also, we participated in the drilling and completion of two horizontal wells in August of 2019 and nine horizontal wells in October of 2019 in our DJ-Basin Asset, which are operated by third-party operators.
 
Additional San Andres Acquisition
 
Effective June 10, 2019, for consideration of $350,000, the Company completed an asset purchase from a private operator, whereby the Company purchased approximately 2,076 net leasehold acres, ownership and operated production from 22 horizontal wells currently producing from the San Andres play in the Permian Basin and ownership of three injection wells.
 
Regulation of the Oil and Gas Industry
 
All of our oil and gas operations are substantially affected by federal, state and local laws and regulations. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations can result in substantial penalties. The regulatory burden on the industry increases the cost of doing business and affects profitability. Historically, our compliance costs have not had a material adverse effect on our results of operations; however, we are unable to predict the future costs or impact of compliance.
 
Additional proposals and proceedings that affect the oil and natural gas industry are regularly considered by Congress, the states, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the “FERC”) and the courts. We cannot predict when or whether any such proposals may become effective. We do not believe that we would be affected by any such action materially differently than similarly situated competitors.
 
At the state level, our operations in Colorado are regulated by the Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission (“COGCC”) and our New Mexico operations are regulated by the Conservation Division of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (regulates oil and gas operations), New Mexico Environment Department (administers environmental protection laws), and the New Mexico State Land Office (oversees surface and mineral acres and development). The Oil Conservation Division of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, Natural Resources Department, and New Mexico State Land Office require the posting of financial assurance for owners and operators on privately owned or state land within New Mexico in order to provide for abandonment restoration and remediation of wells, and for the drilling of salt water disposal wells.
 
The COGCC regulates oil and gas operators through rules, policies, written guidance, orders, permits, and inspections. Among other things, the COGCC enforces specifications regarding drilling, development, production, reclamation, enhanced recovery, safety, aesthetics, noise, waste, flowlines, and wildlife.  In recent years, the COGCC has amended its existing regulatory requirements and adopted new requirements with increased frequency. For example, in January 2016, the COGCC approved new rules that require local government consultation and certain best management practices for large-scale oil and natural gas facilities in certain urban mitigation areas. These rules also require operator registration and/or notifications to local governments with respect to future oil and natural gas drilling and production facility locations. In February 2018, the COGCC comprehensively amended its regulations for oil, gas, and water flowlines to expand requirements addressing flowline registration and safety, integrity management, leak detection, and other matters. The COGCC has also adopted or amended numerous other rules in recent years, including rules relating to safety, flood protection, and spill reporting. In December 2018, the COGCC approved new rules that require new oil and gas sites to be situated at least 1,000 feet away from school properties such as playgrounds and athletic fields. Most recently, in 2019, Colorado enacted Senate Bill 19-181 (“SB 19-181”), which changes the mission of the COGCC from fostering responsible and balanced development to regulating development to protect public health and the environment and directs the COGCC to undertake rulemaking on various operational matters including environmental protection, facility siting and wellbore integrity. Pursuant to this directive, in December 2019, the COGCC proposed new regulatory requirements to enhance safety and environmental protection during hydraulic fracturing and to enhance wellbore integrity.
 
 
20
 
 
 
 
We anticipate that the COGCC, the Conservation Division of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, Natural Resources Department, the New Mexico State Land Office, the New Mexico Environment Department and other federal, state and local authorities will continue to adopt new rules and regulations moving forward which will likely affect our oil and gas operations, and could make it more costly for our operations or limit our activities. We routinely monitor our operations and new rules and regulations which may affect our operations, to ensure that we maintain compliance.
 
Regulation Affecting Production
 
The production of oil and natural gas is subject to United States federal and state laws and regulations, and orders of regulatory bodies under those laws and regulations, governing a wide variety of matters. All of the jurisdictions in which we own or operate producing oil and natural gas properties have statutory provisions regulating the exploration for and production of oil and natural gas, including provisions related to permits for the drilling of wells, bonding requirements to drill or operate wells, the location of wells, the method of drilling and casing wells, the surface use and restoration of properties upon which wells are drilled, sourcing and disposal of water used in the drilling and completion process, and the abandonment of wells. Our operations are also subject to various conservation laws and regulations. These include the regulation of the size of drilling and spacing units or proration units, the number of wells which may be drilled in an area, and the unitization or pooling of oil or natural gas wells, as well as regulations that generally prohibit the venting or flaring of natural gas, and impose certain requirements regarding the ratability or fair apportionment of production from fields and individual wells. These laws and regulations may limit the amount of oil and gas we can drill. Moreover, each state generally imposes a production or severance tax with respect to the production and sale of oil, NGL and gas within its jurisdiction.
 
States do not regulate wellhead prices or engage in other similar direct regulation, but there can be no assurance that they will not do so in the future. The effect of such future regulations may be to limit the amounts of oil and gas that may be produced from our wells, negatively affect the economics of production from these wells or limit the number of locations we can drill.
 
The failure to comply with the rules and regulations of oil and natural gas production and related operations can result in substantial penalties. Our competitors in the oil and natural gas industry are subject to the same regulatory requirements and restrictions that affect our operations.
 
Regulation Affecting Sales and Transportation of Commodities
 
Sales prices of gas, oil, condensate and NGL are not currently regulated and are made at market prices. Although prices of these energy commodities are currently unregulated, the United States Congress historically has been active in their regulation. We cannot predict whether new legislation to regulate oil and gas, or the prices charged for these commodities might be proposed, what proposals, if any, might actually be enacted by the United States Congress or the various state legislatures and what effect, if any, the proposals might have on our operations. Sales of oil and natural gas may be subject to certain state and federal reporting requirements.
 
              The price and terms of service of transportation of the commodities, including access to pipeline transportation capacity, are subject to extensive federal and state regulation. Such regulation may affect the marketing of oil and natural gas produced by the Company, as well as the revenues received for sales of such production. Gathering systems may be subject to state ratable take and common purchaser statutes. Ratable take statutes generally require gatherers to take, without undue discrimination, oil and natural gas production that may be tendered to the gatherer for handling. Similarly, common purchaser statutes generally require gatherers to purchase, or accept for gathering, without undue discrimination as to source of supply or producer. These statutes are designed to prohibit discrimination in favor of one producer over another producer or one source of supply over another source of supply. These statutes may affect whether and to what extent gathering capacity is available for oil and natural gas production, if any, of the drilling program and the cost of such capacity. Further state laws and regulations govern rates and terms of access to intrastate pipeline systems, which may similarly affect market access and cost.
 
The FERC regulates interstate natural gas pipeline transportation rates and service conditions. The FERC is continually proposing and implementing new rules and regulations affecting interstate transportation. The stated purpose of many of these regulatory changes is to ensure terms and conditions of interstate transportation service are not unduly discriminatory or unduly preferential, to promote competition among the various sectors of the natural gas industry and to promote market transparency. We do not believe that our drilling program will be affected by any such FERC action in a manner materially differently than other similarly situated natural gas producers.
 
 
21
 
 
 
 
In addition to the regulation of natural gas pipeline transportation, FERC has additional, jurisdiction over the purchase or sale of gas or the purchase or sale of transportation services subject to FERC’s jurisdiction pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (“EPAct 2005”). Under the EPAct 2005, it is unlawful for “any entity,” including producers such as us, that are otherwise not subject to FERC’s jurisdiction under the Natural Gas Act of 1938 (“NGA”) to use any deceptive or manipulative device or contrivance in connection with the purchase or sale of gas or the purchase or sale of transportation services subject to regulation by FERC, in contravention of rules prescribed by FERC. FERC’s rules implementing this provision make it unlawful, in connection with the purchase or sale of gas subject to the jurisdiction of FERC, or the purchase or sale of transportation services subject to the jurisdiction of FERC, for any entity, directly or indirectly, to use or employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud; to make any untrue statement of material fact or omit to make any such statement necessary to make the statements made not misleading; or to engage in any act or practice that operates as a fraud or deceit upon any person. EPAct 2005 also gives FERC authority to impose civil penalties for violations of the NGA and the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 up to $1.2 million per day, per violation. The anti-manipulation rule applies to activities of otherwise non-jurisdictional entities to the extent the activities are conducted “in connection with” gas sales, purchases or transportation subject to FERC jurisdiction, which includes the annual reporting requirements under FERC Order No. 704 (defined below).
 
In December 2007, FERC issued a final rule on the annual natural gas transaction reporting requirements, as amended by subsequent orders on rehearing (“Order No. 704”). Under Order No. 704, any market participant, including a producer that engages in certain wholesale sales or purchases of gas that equal or exceed 2.2 trillion BTUs of physical natural gas in the previous calendar year, must annually report such sales and purchases to FERC on Form No. 552 on May 1 of each year. Form No. 552 contains aggregate volumes of natural gas purchased or sold at wholesale in the prior calendar year to the extent such transactions utilize, contribute to the formation of price indices. Not all types of natural gas sales are required to be reported on Form No. 552. It is the responsibility of the reporting entity to determine which individual transactions should be reported based on the guidance of Order No. 704. Order No. 704 is intended to increase the transparency of the wholesale gas markets and to assist FERC in monitoring those markets and in detecting market manipulation.
 
The FERC also regulates rates and terms and conditions of service on interstate transportation of liquids, including oil and NGL, under the Interstate Commerce Act, as it existed on October 1, 1977 (“ICA”). Prices received from the sale of liquids may be affected by the cost of transporting those products to market. The ICA requires that certain interstate liquids pipelines maintain a tariff on file with FERC. The tariff sets forth the established rates as well as the rules and regulations governing the service. The ICA requires, among other things, that rates and terms and conditions of service on interstate common carrier pipelines be “just and reasonable.” Such pipelines must also provide jurisdictional service in a manner that is not unduly discriminatory or unduly preferential. Shippers have the power to challenge new and existing rates and terms and conditions of service before FERC. 
 
              The rates charged by many interstate liquids pipelines are currently adjusted pursuant to an annual indexing methodology established and regulated by FERC, under which pipelines increase or decrease their rates in accordance with an index adjustment specified by FERC. For the five-year period beginning July 1, 2016, FERC established an annual index adjustment equal to the change in the producer price index for finished goods plus 1.23%. This adjustment is subject to review every five years. Under FERC’s regulations, a liquids pipeline can request a rate increase that exceeds the rate obtained through application of the indexing methodology by obtaining market-based rate authority (demonstrating the pipeline lacks market power), establishing rates by settlement with all existing shippers, or through a cost-of-service approach (if the pipeline establishes that a substantial divergence exists between the actual costs experienced by the pipeline and the rates resulting from application of the indexing methodology). Increases in liquids transportation rates may result in lower revenue and cash flows for the Company.
 
In addition, due to common carrier regulatory obligations of liquids pipelines, capacity must be prorated among shippers in an equitable manner in the event there are nominations in excess of capacity or for new shippers. Therefore, new shippers or increased volume by existing shippers may reduce the capacity available to us. Any prolonged interruption in the operation or curtailment of available capacity of the pipelines that we rely upon for liquids transportation could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. However, we believe that access to liquids pipeline transportation services generally will be available to us to the same extent as to our similarly situated competitors.
 
Rates for intrastate pipeline transportation of liquids are subject to regulation by state regulatory commissions. The basis for intrastate liquids pipeline regulation, and the degree of regulatory oversight and scrutiny given to intrastate liquids pipeline rates, varies from state to state. We believe that the regulation of liquids pipeline transportation rates will not affect our operations in any way that is materially different from the effects on our similarly situated competitors.
 
 
22
 
 
 
In addition to FERC’s regulations, we are required to observe anti-market manipulation laws with regard to our physical sales of energy commodities. In November 2009, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) issued regulations pursuant to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, intended to prohibit market manipulation in the petroleum industry. Violators of the regulations face civil penalties of up to $1 million per violation per day. In July 2010, Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Act, which incorporated an expansion of the authority of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) to prohibit market manipulation in the markets regulated by the CFTC. This authority, with respect to oil swaps and futures contracts, is similar to the anti-manipulation authority granted to the FTC with respect to oil purchases and sales. In July 2011, the CFTC issued final rules to implement their new anti-manipulation authority. The rules subject violators to a civil penalty of up to the greater of $1.1 million or triple the monetary gain to the person for each violation.
 
Regulation of Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health Matters
 
Our operations are subject to stringent federal, state and local laws and regulations governing occupational safety and health aspects of our operations, the discharge of materials into the environment and environmental protection. Numerous governmental entities, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and analogous state agencies have the power to enforce compliance with these laws and regulations and the permits issued under them, often requiring difficult and costly actions. These laws and regulations may, among other things (i) require the acquisition of permits to conduct drilling and other regulated activities; (ii) restrict the types, quantities and concentration of various substances that can be released into the environment or injected into formations in connection with oil and natural gas drilling and production activities; (iii) limit or prohibit drilling activities on certain lands lying within wilderness, wetlands and other protected areas; (iv) require remedial measures to mitigate pollution from former and ongoing operations, such as requirements to close pits and plug abandoned wells; (v) apply specific health and safety criteria addressing worker protection; and (vi) impose substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from drilling and production operations. Any failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, the imposition of corrective or remedial obligations, the occurrence of delays or restrictions in permitting or performance of projects, and the issuance of orders enjoining performance of some or all of our operations.
 
              These laws and regulations may also restrict the rate of oil and natural gas production below the rate that would otherwise be possible. The regulatory burden on the oil and natural gas industry increases the cost of doing business in the industry and consequently affects profitability. The trend in environmental regulation is to place more restrictions and limitations on activities that may affect the environment, and thus any changes in environmental laws and regulations or re-interpretation of enforcement policies that result in more stringent and costly well drilling, construction, completion or water management activities, or waste handling, storage transport, disposal, or remediation requirements could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations. We may be unable to pass on such increased compliance costs to our customers. Moreover, accidental releases or spills may occur in the course of our operations, and we cannot assure you that we will not incur significant costs and liabilities as a result of such releases or spills, including any third-party claims for damage to property, natural resources or persons. Continued compliance with existing requirements is not expected to materially affect us. However, there is no assurance that we will be able to remain in compliance in the future with such existing or any new laws and regulations or that such future compliance will not have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.
 
Additionally, on January 14, 2019, in Martinez v. Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the Colorado Supreme Court overturned a ruling by the Colorado Court of Appeals that held that the Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission (“COGCC”) had held that the COGCC concluded that it lacked statutory authority to undertake a proposed rulemaking “to suspend the issuance of permits that allow hydraulic fracturing until it can be done without adversely impacting human health and safety and without impairing Colorado’s atmospheric resource and climate system, water, soil, wildlife, or other biological resources.” The Colorado Court of Appeals concluded that Colorado’s Oil and Gas Conservation Act mandated that oil and gas development “be regulated subject to the protection of public health, safety, and welfare, including protection of the environment and wildlife resources.” In the Colorado Supreme Court’s majority opinion, Justice Richard L. Gabriel wrote the COGCC is required first to “foster the development of oil and gas resources” and second “to prevent and mitigate significant environmental impacts to the extent necessary to protect public health, safety and welfare, but only after taking into consideration cost-effectiveness and technical feasibility.”
 
 
 
23
 
 
 
The following is a summary of the more significant existing and proposed environmental and occupational safety and health laws, as amended from time to time, to which our business operations are or may be subject and for which compliance may have a material adverse impact on our capital expenditures, results of operations or financial position.
 
Hazardous Substances and Wastes
 
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), and comparable state statutes, regulate the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal and cleanup of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. Pursuant to rules issued by the EPA, the individual states administer some or all of the provisions of RCRA, sometimes in conjunction with their own, more stringent requirements. Drilling fluids, produced waters, and most of the other wastes associated with the exploration, development, and production of oil or natural gas, if properly handled, are currently exempt from regulation as hazardous waste under RCRA and, instead, are regulated under RCRA’s less stringent non-hazardous waste provisions, state laws or other federal laws. However, it is possible that certain oil and natural gas drilling and production wastes now classified as non-hazardous could be classified as hazardous wastes in the future. Stricter regulation of wastes generated during our operations could result in an increase in our, as well as the oil and natural gas exploration and production industry’s, costs to manage and dispose of wastes, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position.
 
In December 2016, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia approved a consent decree between the EPA and a coalition of environmental groups. The consent decree requires the EPA to review and determine whether it will revise the RCRA regulations for exploration and production waste to treat such waste as hazardous waste. In April 2019, the EPA, pursuant to the consent decree, determined that revision of the regulations is not necessary. Information comprising the EPA’s review and decision is contained in a document entitled “Management of Exploration, Development and Production Wastes: Factors Informing a Decision on the Need for Regulatory Action”. The EPA indicated that it will continue to work with states and other organizations to identify areas for continued improvement and to address emerging issues to ensure that exploration, development and production wastes continue to be managed in a manner that is protective of human health and the environment. Environmental groups, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the EPA’s decision and will likely continue to press the issue at the federal and state levels.
 
              The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), also known as the Superfund law, and comparable state laws impose joint and several liability, without regard to fault or legality of conduct, on classes of persons who are considered to be responsible for the release of a hazardous substance into the environment. These persons include the current and former owners and operators of the site where the release occurred and anyone who disposed or arranged for the disposal of a hazardous substance released at the site. Under CERCLA, such persons may be subject to joint and several liability for the costs of cleaning up the hazardous substances that have been released into the environment, for damages to natural resources and for the costs of certain health studies. CERCLA also authorizes the EPA and, in some instances, third parties to act in response to threats to the public health or the environment and to seek to recover from the responsible classes of persons the costs they incur. In addition, it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the hazardous substances released into the environment. We generate materials in the course of our operations that may be regulated as hazardous substances.
 
We currently lease or operate numerous properties that have been used for oil and natural gas exploration, production and processing for many years. Although we believe that we have utilized operating and waste disposal practices that were standard in the industry at the time, hazardous substances, wastes, or petroleum hydrocarbons may have been released on, under or from the properties owned or leased by us, or on, under or from other locations, including off-site locations, where such substances have been taken for treatment or disposal. In addition, some of our properties have been operated by third parties or by previous owners or operators whose treatment and disposal of hazardous substances, wastes, or petroleum hydrocarbons was not under our control. These properties and the substances disposed or released on, under or from them may be subject to CERCLA, RCRA and analogous state laws. Under such laws, we could be required to undertake response or corrective measures, which could include removal of previously disposed substances and wastes, cleanup of contaminated property or performance of remedial plugging or pit closure operations to prevent future contamination, the costs of which could be substantial.
 
 
 
24
 
 
Water Discharges
 
The federal Clean Water Act (“CWA”) and analogous state laws impose strict controls concerning the discharge of pollutants and fill material, including spills and leaks of crude oil and other substances. The CWA also requires approval and/or permits prior to construction, where construction will disturb certain wetlands or other waters of the U.S. In June 2015, the EPA issued a final rule that attempted to clarify the CWA’s jurisdictional reach over “waters of the United States” (“2015 Clean Water Rule”) and replace the pre-existing 1986 rule and guidance. In February 2018, the EPA issued a rule to delay the applicability of the 2015 Clean Water Rule until February 2020, but this delay rule was struck following a court challenge. Other federal district courts, however, issued rulings temporarily enjoining the applicability of the 2015 Clean Water Rule itself in several states. Taken together, the 2015 Clean Water Rule has been in effect in 22 states, including Colorado, and temporarily stayed in 27 states (the 2015 Clean Water Rule was in effect in certain counties in New Mexico and not in others). In those remaining states, the 1986 rule and guidance remained in effect. In October 2019, the EPA and the USACE issued a final rule to repeal the 2015 Clean Water Rule (the “2019 Repeal Rule”). With the 2019 Repeal Rule, the agencies report that they will implement the pre-2015 Clean Water Rule regulations and guidance nationwide. The 2019 Repeal Rule became effective on December 23, 2019; accordingly, the 2015 Clean Water Rule is no longer in effect in any state. However, numerous legal challenges to the 2019 Repeal Rule have already been filed in federal court.
 
In February 2019, the EPA and the USACE published a proposed new rule that would differently revise the definition of “waters of the United States” and essentially replace both the 1986 rule and the 2015 Clean Water Rule. On January 23, 2020, the EPA and USACE announced the final new rule, titled the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (“2020 Rule”). The 2020 Rule will go into effect sixty days after publication in the Federal Register. The 2020 Rule will generally regulate four categories of “jurisdictional” waters: (i) territorial seas and traditional navigable waters (i.e., large rivers); (ii) perennial and intermittent tributaries of these waters; (iii) certain lakes, ponds and impoundments; and (iv) wetlands to jurisdictional waters. The 2020 Rule also includes 12 categories of exclusions, or “non-jurisdictional” waters, including groundwater, ephemeral features and diffuse stormwater run-off over upland areas. In particular, the 2020 Rule will likely regulate fewer wetlands areas than were regulated under the 1986 rule and the 2015 Clean Water Rule because it does not regulate wetlands that are not adjacent to jurisdictional waters. Following publication, this new definition of “waters of the United States” will likely be challenged and sought to be enjoined in federal court. If and when the 2020 Rule goes into effect, it will change the scope of the CWA’s jurisdiction, which could result in increased costs and delays with respect to obtaining permits for discharges of pollutants or dredge and fill activities in waters of the U.S., including regulated wetland areas.
 
In January 2017, the Army Corps of Engineers issued revised and renewed streamlined general nationwide permits that are available to satisfy permitting requirements for certain work in streams, wetlands and other waters of the U.S. under Section 404 of the CWA and the Rivers and Harbors Act. The new nationwide permits took effect in March 2017, or when certified by each state, whichever was later. The oil and gas industry broadly utilizes nationwide permits 12, 14 and 39 for the construction, maintenance and repair of pipelines, roads and drill pads, respectively, and related structures in waters of the U.S. that impact less than a half-acre of waters of the U.S. and meet the other criteria of each nationwide permit.
 
The CWA also regulates storm water run-off from crude oil and natural gas facilities and requires storm water discharge permits for certain activities. Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (“SPCC”) requirements of the CWA require appropriate secondary containment, load out controls, piping controls, berms and other measures to help prevent the contamination of navigable waters in the event of a petroleum hydrocarbon spill, rupture or leak.
 
Subsurface Injections
 
In the course of our operations, we produce water in addition to oil and natural gas. Water that is not recycled may be disposed of in disposal wells, which inject the produced water into non-producing subsurface formations. Underground injection operations are regulated pursuant to the Underground Injection Control (“UIC”) program established under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA”) and analogous state laws. The UIC program requires permits from the EPA or an analogous state agency for the construction and operation of disposal wells, establishes minimum standards for disposal well operations, and restricts the types and quantities of fluids that may be disposed. A change in UIC disposal well regulations or the inability to obtain permits for new disposal wells in the future may affect our ability to dispose of produced water and ultimately increase the cost of our operations. For example, in response to recent seismic events near belowground disposal wells used for the injection of oil and natural gas-related wastewaters, regulators in some states, including Colorado, have imposed more stringent permitting and operating requirements for produced water disposal wells. In Colorado, permit applications are reviewed specifically to evaluate seismic activity and, as of 2011, the state has required operators to identify potential faults near proposed wells, if earthquakes historically occurred in the area, and to accept maximum injection pressures and volumes based on fracture gradient as conditions to permit approval. Additionally, legal disputes may arise based on allegations that disposal well operations have caused damage to neighboring properties or otherwise violated state or federal rules regulating waste disposal. These developments could result in additional regulation, restriction on the use of injection wells by us or by commercial disposal well vendors whom we may use from time to time to dispose of wastewater, and increased costs of compliance, which could have a material adverse effect on our capital expenditures and operating costs, financial condition, and results of operations.
 
 
 
25
 
 
 
Air Emissions
 
Our operations are subject to the Clean Air Act (the “CAA”) and comparable state and local requirements. The CAA contains provisions that may result in the gradual imposition of certain pollution control requirements with respect to air emissions from our operations. The EPA and state governments continue to develop regulations to implement these requirements. We may be required to make certain capital investments in the next several years for air pollution control equipment in connection with maintaining or obtaining operating permits and approvals addressing other air emission-related issues.
 
In June 2016, the EPA implemented new requirements focused on achieving additional methane and volatile organic compound reductions from the oil and natural gas industry. The rules imposed, among other things, new requirements for leak detection and repair, control requirements for oil well completions, replacement of certain pneumatic pumps and controllers and additional control requirements for gathering, boosting and compressor stations. In September 2018, the EPA proposed revisions to the 2016 rules. The proposed amendments address certain technical issues raised in administrative petitions and include proposed changes to, among other things, the frequency of monitoring for fugitive emissions at well sites and compressor stations. In September 2019, the EPA proposed certain policy amendments to the 2016 rules that would remove all sources in the transmission and storage segment of the oil and natural gas industry from regulation. The proposed amendments would also rescind the methane requirements in the 2016 rules that apply to sources in the production and processing segments of the industry. The EPA is also proposing, in the alternative, to rescind the methane requirements that apply to all sources in the oil and natural gas industry, without removing any sources from the current source category.
 
In November 2016, the BLM finalized rules to further regulate venting, flaring and leaks during oil and natural gas production activities on onshore federal and Indian leases. The rules require additional controls and impose new emissions and other standards on certain operations on applicable leases, including committed state or private tracts in a federally approved unit or communitized agreement that drains federal minerals. In September 2018, the BLM published a final rule that revises the 2016 rules. The new rule, among other things, rescinds the 2016 rule requirements related to waste-minimization plans, gas-capture percentages, well drilling, well completion and related operations, pneumatic controllers, pneumatic diaphragm pumps, storage vessels and leak detection and repair. The new rule also revised provisions related to venting and flaring. Environmental groups and the States of California and New Mexico have filed challenges to the 2018 rule in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
 
In 2016, the EPA increased the state of Colorado’s non-attainment ozone classification for the Denver Metro North Front Range Ozone Eight-Hour Non-Attainment (“Denver Metro/North Front Range NAA”) area from “marginal” to “moderate” under the 2008 national ambient air quality standard (“NAAQS”). This increase in non-attainment status triggered significant additional obligations for the state under the CAA and resulted in Colorado adopting new and more stringent air quality control requirements in November 2017 that are applicable to our operations. In 2019, the EPA increased the state of Colorado’s non-attainment ozone classification for the Denver Metro/North Front Range NAA area from “moderate” to “serious” under the 2008 NAAQS. This “serious” classification will trigger significant additional obligations for the state under the CAA and could result in new and more stringent air quality control requirements, which may in turn result in significant costs, and delays in obtaining necessary permits applicable to our operations. 
 
SB 19-181 also requires, among other things, that the Air Quality Control Commission (“AQCC”) adopt additional rules to minimize emissions of methane and other hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides from the entire oil and gas fuel cycle. The AQCC anticipates holding several rulemakings over the next several years to implement the requirements of SB 19-181, including a rulemaking to require continuous emission monitoring equipment at oil and gas facilities. In December 2019, the AQCC held the first of several rulemakings that are anticipated as a result of SB 19-181. As part of that rulemaking, the AQCC adopted significant additional and new emission control requirements applicable to oil and gas operations, including, for example, hydrocarbon liquids unloading control requirements and increased LDAR frequencies for facilities in certain proximity to occupied areas.
 
 
26
 
 
 
State-level rules applicable to our operations include regulations imposed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (“CDPHE”) Air Quality Control Commission, including stringent requirements relating to monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting matters. In October 2019, the CDPHE published a human health risk assessment for oil and gas operations in Colorado, which used oil and gas emission data to model possible human exposure and found a possibility of negative health impacts at distances up to 2,000 feet away under worst case conditions. In response, the COGCC announced that it will more rigorously scrutinize permit applications for wells within 2,000 feet of a building unit, work with CDPHE to obtain better site-specific data on oil and gas emissions, and consider the resulting data for possible future rulemaking.
 
Regulation of GHG Emissions
 
The EPA has published findings that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases (“GHGs”) present an endangerment to public health and the environment because such emissions are, according to the EPA, contributing to warming of the earth’s atmosphere and other climatic changes. These findings provide the basis for the EPA to adopt and implement regulations that would restrict emissions of GHGs under existing provisions of the CAA. In June 2010, the EPA began regulating GHG emissions from stationary sources.
 
In the past, Congress has considered proposed legislation to reduce emissions of GHGs. To date, Congress has not adopted any such significant legislation, but could do so in the future. In addition, many states and regions have taken legal measures to reduce emissions of GHGs, primarily through the planned development of GHG emission inventories and/or regional GHG cap and trade programs. In February 2014, November 2017 and December 2019, Colorado adopted rules regulating methane emissions from the oil and gas sector.
 
The Obama administration reached an agreement during the December 2015 United Nations climate change conference in Paris pursuant to which the U.S. initially pledged to make a 26 percent to 28 percent reduction in its GHG emissions by 2025, against a 2005 baseline, and committed to periodically update this pledge every five years starting in 2020 (the “Paris Agreement”). In June 2017, President Trump announced that the U.S. would initiate the formal process to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. In November 2019, the U.S. formally notified the United Nations of its intentions to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. The notification begins a one-year process to complete the withdrawal.
 
Regulation of methane and other GHG emissions associated with oil and natural gas production could impose significant requirements and costs on our operations.
 
Regulation of Flowlines
 
In February 2018, the COGCC comprehensively amended its regulations for oil, gas and water flowlines in Colorado to expand requirements addressing flowline registration and safety, integrity management, leak detection and other matters. In November 2019, the COGCC further amended its flowline regulations pursuant to SB 19-181 to impose additional requirements regarding flowline mapping, operational status, certification and abandonment, among other things. The COGCC has also adopted or amended numerous other rules in recent years, including rules relating to safety, flood protection and spill reporting.
 
Hydraulic Fracturing Activities
 
 Hydraulic fracturing is an important and common practice that is used to stimulate production of natural gas and/or oil from dense subsurface rock formations. We regularly use hydraulic fracturing as part of our operations. Hydraulic fracturing involves the injection of water, sand or alternative proppant and chemicals under pressure into targeted geological formations to fracture the surrounding rock and stimulate production.  Hydraulic fracturing is typically regulated by state oil and natural gas commissions. However, several federal agencies have asserted regulatory authority over certain aspects of the process. For example, in December 2016, the EPA released its final report on the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources, concluding that “water cycle” activities associated with hydraulic fracturing may impact drinking water resources under certain circumstances. Additionally, the EPA published in June 2016 an effluent limitations guideline final rule pursuant to its authority under the SDWA prohibiting the discharge of wastewater from onshore unconventional oil and natural gas extraction facilities to publicly owned wastewater treatment plants; asserted regulatory authority in 2014 under the SDWA over hydraulic fracturing activities involving the use of diesel and issued guidance covering such activities; and issued in 2014 a prepublication of its Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding Toxic Substances Control Act reporting of the chemical substances and mixtures used in hydraulic fracturing. Also, the BLM published a final rule in March 2015 establishing new or more stringent standards for performing hydraulic fracturing on federal and American Indian lands including well casing and wastewater storage requirements and an obligation for exploration and production operators to disclose what chemicals they are using in fracturing activities. However, following years of litigation, the BLM rescinded the rule in December 2017. Additionally, from time to time, legislation has been introduced, but not enacted, in Congress to provide for federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing and to require disclosure of the chemicals used in the fracturing process. In the event that a new, federal level of legal restrictions relating to the hydraulic fracturing process is adopted in areas where we operate, we may incur additional costs to comply with such federal requirements that may be significant in nature, and also could become subject to additional permitting requirements and experience added delays or curtailment in the pursuit of exploration, development, or production activities.
 
 
 
27
 
 
 
At the state level, Colorado, where we conduct significant operations, is among the states that has adopted, and other states are considering adopting, regulations that could impose new or more stringent permitting, disclosure or well-construction requirements on hydraulic fracturing operations. Moreover, states could elect to prohibit high volume hydraulic fracturing altogether, following the approach taken by the State of New York in 2015. Also, certain interest groups in Colorado opposed to oil and natural gas development generally, and hydraulic fracturing in particular, have from time to time advanced various options for ballot initiatives that, if approved, would allow revisions to the state constitution in a manner that would make such exploration and production activities in the state more difficult in the future. However, during the November 2016 voting process, one proposed amendment placed on the Colorado state ballot making it relatively more difficult to place an initiative on the state ballot was passed by the voters. As a result, there are more stringent procedures now in place for placing an initiative on a state ballot. In addition to state laws, local land use restrictions may restrict drilling or the hydraulic fracturing process and cities may adopt local ordinances allowing hydraulic fracturing activities within their jurisdictions but regulating the time, place and manner of those activities.
 
For example, on November 6, 2018, registered voters in the State of Colorado cast their ballots and rejected Proposition 112 (“Prop. 112”), with 55% of ballots cast against the measure. Prop. 112 would have created a rigid 2,500-foot setback from oil and gas facilities to the nearest occupied structure and other “vulnerable areas,” which included parks, ball fields, open space, streams, lakes and intermittent streams. It would have dramatically increased the amount of surface area off-limits to new energy development by 26 times and put 94% of private land in the top five oil and gas producing counties in the State of Colorado off-limits to new development. See further discussion in “Part I” – “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
 
Passed in Colorado in 2019, SB 19-181 gives local governmental authorities increased authority to regulate oil and gas development. The authors of the legislation were clear that SB 19-181 was not intended to allow an outright ban on oil and gas development. However, anti-industry activists in Longmont, Colorado, have argued in court that SB 19-181 permits a local governmental authority to impose such a ban. We primarily operate in the rural areas of the Wattenberg Field in Weld and Morgan Counties, jurisdictions in which there has historically been significant support for the oil and gas industry.
 
If new or more stringent federal, state or local legal restrictions relating to the hydraulic fracturing process are adopted in areas where we operate, including, for example, on federal and American Indian lands, we could incur potentially significant added costs to comply with such requirements, experience delays or curtailment in the pursuit of exploration, development or production activities, and perhaps even be precluded from drilling wells.
 
              In the event that local or state restrictions or prohibitions are adopted in areas where we conduct operations, that impose more stringent limitations on the production and development of oil and natural gas, including, among other things, the development of increased setback distances, we and similarly situated oil and natural exploration and production operators in the state may incur significant costs to comply with such requirements or may experience delays or curtailment in the pursuit of exploration, development, or production activities, and possibly be limited or precluded in the drilling of wells or in the amounts that we and similarly situated operates are ultimately able to produce from our reserves. Any such increased costs, delays, cessations, restrictions or prohibitions could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity. If new or more stringent federal, state or local legal restrictions relating to the hydraulic fracturing process are adopted in areas where we operate, including, for example, on federal and American Indian lands, we could incur potentially significant added cost to comply with such requirements, experience delays or curtailment in the pursuit of exploration, development or production activities, and perhaps even be precluded from drilling wells.
 
 
 
28
 
 
 
Moreover, because most of our operations are conducted in two particular areas, the Permian Basin in New Mexico and the D-J Basin in Colorado, legal restrictions imposed in that area will have a significantly greater adverse effect than if we had our operations spread out amongst several diverse geographic areas. Consequently, in the event that local or state restrictions or prohibitions are adopted in the Permian Basin in New Mexico and/or the D-J Basin in Colorado that impose more stringent limitations on the production and development of oil and natural gas, we may incur significant costs to comply with such requirements or may experience delays or curtailment in the pursuit of exploration, development, or production activities, and possibly be limited or precluded in the drilling of wells or in the amounts that we are ultimately able to produce from our reserves. Any such increased costs, delays, cessations, restrictions or prohibitions could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.
 
Activities on Federal Lands
 
Oil and natural gas exploration, development and production activities on federal lands, including American Indian lands and lands administered by the BLM, are subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”). NEPA requires federal agencies, including the BLM, to evaluate major agency actions having the potential to significantly impact the environment. In the course of such evaluations, an agency will prepare an Environmental Assessment that assesses the potential direct, indirect and cumulative impacts of a proposed project and, if necessary, will prepare a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement that may be made available for public review and comment. While we currently have no exploration, development and production activities on federal lands, our future exploration, development and production activities may include leasing of federal mineral interests, which will require the acquisition of governmental permits or authorizations that are subject to the requirements of NEPA. This process has the potential to delay or limit, or increase the cost of, the development of oil and natural gas projects. Authorizations under NEPA are also subject to protest, appeal or litigation, any or all of which may delay or halt projects. Moreover, depending on the mitigation strategies recommended in Environmental Assessments or Environmental Impact Statements, we could incur added costs, which may be substantial.
 
Endangered Species and Migratory Birds Considerations
 
The federal Endangered Species Act (“ESA”), and comparable state laws were established to protect endangered and threatened species. Pursuant to the ESA, if a species is listed as threatened or endangered, restrictions may be imposed on activities adversely affecting that species or that species’ habitat. Similar protections are offered to migrating birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We may conduct operations on oil and natural gas leases in areas where certain species that are listed as threatened or endangered are known to exist and where other species, such as the sage grouse, that potentially could be listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA may exist. Moreover, as a result of one or more agreements entered into by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the agency is required to make a determination on listing of numerous species as endangered or threatened under the ESA pursuant to specific timelines. The identification or designation of previously unprotected species as threatened or endangered in areas where underlying property operations are conducted could cause us to incur increased costs arising from species protection measures, time delays or limitations on our exploration and production activities that could have an adverse impact on our ability to develop and produce reserves. If we were to have a portion of our leases designated as critical or suitable habitat, it could adversely impact the value of our leases.
 
OSHA
 
We are subject to the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) and comparable state statutes whose purpose is to protect the health and safety of workers. In addition, the OSHA hazard communication standard, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act and comparable state statutes and any implementing regulations require that we organize and/or disclose information about hazardous materials used or produced in our operations and that this information be provided to employees, state and local governmental authorities and citizens.
 
Private Lawsuits
 
Lawsuits have been filed against other operators in several states, including Colorado, alleging contamination of drinking water as a result of hydraulic fracturing activities.
 
 
29
 
 
 
Related Permits and Authorizations
 
Many environmental laws require us to obtain permits or other authorizations from state and/or federal agencies before initiating certain drilling, construction, production, operation, or other oil and natural gas activities, and to maintain these permits and compliance with their requirements for on-going operations. These permits are generally subject to protest, appeal, or litigation, which can in certain cases delay or halt projects and cease production or operation of wells, pipelines, and other operations.
 
We are not able to predict the timing, scope and effect of any currently proposed or future laws or regulations regarding hydraulic fracturing, but the direct and indirect costs of such laws and regulations (if enacted) could materially and adversely affect our business, financial conditions and results of operations. See further discussion in “Part I” – “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
 
Insurance
 
Our oil and gas properties are subject to hazards inherent in the oil and gas industry, such as accidents, blowouts, explosions, implosions, fires and oil spills. These conditions can cause:
 
     ●
 damage to or destruction of property, equipment and the environment;
 
 
     ●
 personal injury or loss of life; and
 
 
     ●
 suspension of operations.
 
We maintain insurance coverage that we believe to be customary in the industry against these types of hazards. However, we may not be able to maintain adequate insurance in the future at rates we consider reasonable. In addition, our insurance is subject to coverage limits and some policies exclude coverage for damages resulting from environmental contamination. The occurrence of a significant event or adverse claim in excess of the insurance coverage that we maintain or that is not covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Employees
 
At December 31, 2019, we employed 16 people and also utilize the services of independent contractors to perform various field and other services. Our future success will depend partially on our ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel. We are not a party to any collective bargaining agreements and have not experienced any strikes or work stoppages. We consider our relations with our employees to be satisfactory.
 
 
 
 
30
 
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
 
An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below as well as the other information in this filing before deciding to invest in our company. Any of the risk factors described below could significantly and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known or that are currently considered to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. As a result, the trading price or value of our common stock could be materially adversely affected and you may lose all or part of your investment.
 
Risks Related to the Oil, NGL and Natural Gas Industry and Our Business
 
Declines in oil and, to a lesser extent, NGL and natural gas prices, will adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations and our ability to meet our capital expenditure obligations or targets and financial commitments.
 
The price we receive for our oil and, to a lesser extent, natural gas and NGLs, heavily influences our revenue, profitability, cash flows, liquidity, access to capital, present value and quality of our reserves, the nature and scale of our operations and future rate of growth. Oil, NGL and natural gas are commodities and, therefore, their prices are subject to wide fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in supply and demand. In recent years, the markets for oil and natural gas have been volatile. These markets will likely continue to be volatile in the future. Further, oil prices and natural gas prices do not necessarily fluctuate in direct relation to each other. Because approximately 88% of our estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2019 were oil, our financial results are more sensitive to movements in oil prices. The price of crude oil has experienced significant volatility over the last five years, with the price per barrel of West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) crude rising from a low of $27 in February 2016 to a high of $76 in October 2018, then, in 2020, most recently dropping and remaining in the low $20’s per barrel due in part to reduced global demand stemming from the recent global COVID-19 outbreak. A prolonged period of low market prices for oil and natural gas, or further declines in the market prices for oil and natural gas, will likely result in capital expenditures being further curtailed and will adversely affect our business, financial condition and liquidity and our ability to meet obligations, targets or financial commitments and could ultimately lead to restructuring or filing for bankruptcy, which would have a material adverse effect on our stock price and indebtedness. Additionally, lower oil and natural gas prices may cause further decline in our stock price. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the daily NYMEX WTI oil spot price ranged from a high of $66.24 per Bbl to a low of $46.31 per Bbl and the NYMEX natural gas Henry Hub spot price ranged from a high of $4.25 per MMBtu to a low of $1.75 per MMBtu.
  
We have a limited operating history and expect to continue to incur losses for an indeterminable period of time.
 
We have a limited operating history and are engaged in the initial stages of exploration, development and exploitation of our leasehold acreage and will continue to be so until commencement of substantial production from our oil and natural gas properties, which will depend upon successful drilling results, additional and timely capital funding, and access to suitable infrastructure. Companies in their initial stages of development face substantial business risks and may suffer significant losses. We have generated substantial net losses and negative cash flows from operating activities in the past and expect to continue to incur substantial net losses as we continue our drilling program. In considering an investment in our common stock, you should consider that there is only limited historical and financial operating information available upon which to base your evaluation of our performance. We have incurred net losses of $95,596,000 from the date of inception (February 9, 2011) through December 31, 2019. Additionally, we are dependent on obtaining additional debt and/or equity financing to roll-out and scale our planned principal business operations. Management’s plans in regard to these matters consist principally of seeking additional debt and/or equity financing combined with expected cash flows from current oil and gas assets held and additional oil and gas assets that we may acquire. Our efforts may not be successful and funds may not be available on favorable terms, if at all.
 
 
 
31
 
 
 
We face challenges and uncertainties in financial planning as a result of the unavailability of historical data and uncertainties regarding the nature, scope and results of our future activities. New companies must develop successful business relationships, establish operating procedures, hire staff, install management information and other systems, establish facilities and obtain licenses, as well as take other measures necessary to conduct their intended business activities. We may not be successful in implementing our business strategies or in completing the development of the infrastructure necessary to conduct our business as planned. In the event that one or more of our drilling programs is not completed or is delayed or terminated, our operating results will be adversely affected and our operations will differ materially from the activities described in this Annual Report and our subsequent periodic reports. As a result of industry factors or factors relating specifically to us, we may have to change our methods of conducting business, which may cause a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. The uncertainty and risks described in this Annual Report may impede our ability to economically find, develop, exploit and acquire oil and natural gas reserves. As a result, we may not be able to achieve or sustain profitability or positive cash flows provided by our operating activities in the future.
 
We will need additional capital to complete future acquisitions, conduct our operations and fund our business beyond 2020, and our ability to obtain the necessary funding is uncertain.
 
We will need to raise additional funding to complete future potential acquisitions and will be required to raise additional funds through public or private debt or equity financing or other various means to fund our operations and complete exploration and drilling operations beyond 2020 (which 2020 plan is fully funded), and acquire assets. In such a case, adequate funds may not be available when needed or may not be available on favorable terms. If we need to raise additional funds in the future by issuing equity securities, dilution to existing stockholders will result, and such securities may have rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of our common stock. If funding is insufficient at any time in the future and we are unable to generate sufficient revenue from new business arrangements, to complete planned acquisitions or operations, our results of operations and the value of our securities could be adversely affected.
 
Additionally, due to the nature of oil and gas interests, i.e., that rates of production generally decline over time as oil and gas reserves are depleted, if we are unable to drill additional wells and develop our reserves, either because we are unable to raise sufficient funding for such development activities, or otherwise, or in the event we are unable to acquire additional operating properties, we believe that our revenues will continue to decline over time. Furthermore, in the event we are unable to raise additional required funding in the future, we will not be able to participate in the drilling of additional wells, will not be able to complete other drilling and/or workover activities, and may not be able to make required payments on our outstanding liabilities.
  
If this were to happen, we may be forced to scale back our business plan, sell or liquidate assets to satisfy outstanding debts, all of which could result in the value of our outstanding securities declining in value.
 
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow to meet any future debt service and other obligations due to events beyond our control.
 
Our ability to generate cash flows from operations, to make payments on or refinance potential future indebtedness and to fund working capital needs and planned capital expenditures will depend on our future financial performance and our ability to generate cash in the future. Our future financial performance will be affected by a range of economic, financial, competitive, business and other factors that we cannot control, such as general economic, legislative, regulatory and financial conditions in our industry, the economy generally, the price of oil and other risks described below. A significant reduction in operating cash flows resulting from changes in economic, legislative or regulatory conditions, increased competition or other events beyond our control could increase the need for additional or alternative sources of liquidity and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, prospects and our ability to service future potential debt and other obligations. If we are unable to service future potential indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs, we may be forced to adopt an alternative strategy that may include actions such as reducing or delaying capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing such indebtedness, seeking additional capital, or any combination of the foregoing. If we raise debt, it would increase our interest expense, leverage and our operating and financial costs. We cannot assure you that any of these alternative strategies could be affected on satisfactory terms, if at all, or that they would yield sufficient funds to make required payments on future potential indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. Reducing or delaying capital expenditures or selling assets could delay future cash flows. In addition, the terms of future debt agreements may restrict us from adopting any of these alternatives. We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flows from operations or that future borrowings will be available in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay such future potential indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs.
 
If for any reason we are unable to meet our future potential debt service and repayment obligations, we may be in default under the terms of the agreements governing such indebtedness, which could allow our creditors at that time to declare such outstanding indebtedness to be due and payable. Under these circumstances, our lenders could compel us to apply all of our available cash to repay our borrowings. In addition, the lenders under our credit facilities or other secured indebtedness could seek to foreclose on any of our assets that are their collateral. If the amounts outstanding under such indebtedness were to be accelerated, or were the subject of foreclosure actions, our assets may not be sufficient to repay in full the money owed to the lenders or to our other debt holders.
  
 
 
32
 
 
 
All of our crude oil, natural gas and NGLs production is located in the Permian Basin and the D-J Basin, making us vulnerable to risks associated with operating in only two geographic areas. In addition, we have a large amount of proved reserves attributable to a small number of producing formations.
 
Our operations are focused solely in the Permian Basin located in Chaves and Roosevelt Counties, New Mexico, and the D-J Basin of Weld and Morgan Counties, Colorado, which means our current producing properties and new drilling opportunities are geographically concentrated in those two areas. Because our operations are not as diversified geographically as many of our competitors, the success of our operations and our profitability may be disproportionately exposed to the effect of any regional events, including:
 
 
fluctuations in prices of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs produced from the wells in these areas;
 
 
 
 
natural disasters such as the flooding that occurred in the D-J Basin area in September 2013;
 
 
 
 
the effects of local quarantines;
 
 
 
 
restrictive governmental regulations; and
 
 
 
 
curtailment of production or interruption in the availability of gathering, processing or transportation infrastructure and services, and any resulting delays or interruptions of production from existing or planned new wells.
 
For example, bottlenecks in processing and transportation that have occurred in some recent periods in the Permian Basin and D-J Basin may negatively affect our results of operations, and these adverse effects may be disproportionately severe to us compared to our more geographically diverse competitors. Similarly, the concentration of our assets within a small number of producing formations exposes us to risks, such as changes in field-wide rules that could adversely affect development activities or production relating to those formations. Such an event could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, in areas where exploration and production activities are increasing, as has been the case in recent years in the Permian Basin and D-J Basin, the demand for, and cost of, drilling rigs, equipment, supplies, personnel and oilfield services increase. Shortages or the high cost of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies, personnel or oilfield services could delay or adversely affect our development and exploration operations or cause us to incur significant expenditures that are not provided for in our capital forecast, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Finally, our operations in New Mexico or Colorado may be negatively affected by quarantines put in place in New Mexico or Colorado in an effort to slow the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus or other viruses or diseases.
 
Drilling for and producing oil and natural gas are highly speculative and involve a high degree of risk, with many uncertainties that could adversely affect our business. We have not recorded significant proved reserves, and areas that we decide to drill may not yield oil or natural gas in commercial quantities or at all.
 
Exploring for and developing hydrocarbon reserves involves a high degree of operational and financial risk, which precludes us from definitively predicting the costs involved and time required to reach certain objectives. Our potential drilling locations are in various stages of evaluation, ranging from locations that are ready to drill, to locations that will require substantial additional interpretation before they can be drilled. The budgeted costs of planning, drilling, completing and operating wells are often exceeded, and such costs can increase significantly due to various complications that may arise during the drilling and operating processes. Before a well is spudded, we may incur significant geological and geophysical (seismic) costs, which are incurred whether a well eventually produces commercial quantities of hydrocarbons or is drilled at all. Exploration wells bear a much greater risk of loss than development wells. The analogies we draw from available data from other wells, more fully explored locations or producing fields may not be applicable to our drilling locations. If our actual drilling and development costs are significantly more than our estimated costs, we may not be able to continue our operations as proposed and could be forced to modify our drilling plans accordingly.
 
If we decide to drill a certain location, there is a risk that no commercially productive oil or natural gas reservoirs will be found or produced. We may drill or participate in new wells that are not productive. We may drill wells that are productive, but that do not produce sufficient net revenues to return a profit after drilling, operating and other costs. There is no way to predict in advance of drilling and testing whether any particular location will yield oil or natural gas in sufficient quantities to recover exploration, drilling or completion costs or to be economically viable. Even if sufficient amounts of oil or natural gas exist, we may damage the potentially productive hydrocarbon-bearing formation or experience mechanical difficulties while drilling or completing the well, resulting in a reduction in production and reserves from the well or abandonment of the well. Whether a well is ultimately productive and profitable depends on a number of additional factors, including the following:
 
 
 
33
 
 
 
 
general economic and industry conditions, including the prices received for oil and natural gas;
 
 
 
 
shortages of, or delays in, obtaining equipment, including hydraulic fracturing equipment, and qualified personnel;
 
 
potential significant water production which could make a producing well uneconomic, particularly in the Permian Basin Asset, where abundant water production is a known risk;
 
 
 
 
potential drainage by operators on adjacent properties;
 
 
 
 
loss of, or damage to, oilfield development and service tools;
 
 
 
 
problems with title to the underlying properties;
 
 
 
 
increases in severance taxes;
 
 
 
 
adverse weather conditions that delay drilling activities or cause producing wells to be shut down;
 
 
 
 
domestic and foreign governmental regulations; and
 
 
 
 
proximity to and capacity of transportation facilities.
 
If we do not drill productive and profitable wells in the future, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
 
Our success is dependent on the prices of oil, NGLs and natural gas. Low oil or natural gas prices and the substantial volatility in these prices may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to meet our capital expenditure requirements and financial obligations.
 
The prices we receive for our oil, NGLs and natural gas heavily influence our revenue, profitability, cash flow available for capital expenditures, access to capital and future rate of growth. Oil, NGLs and natural gas are commodities and, therefore, their prices are subject to wide fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in supply and demand. Historically, the commodities market has been volatile. For example, the price of crude oil has experienced significant volatility over the last five years, with the price per barrel of WTI crude rising from a low of $27 in February 2016 to a high of $76 in October 2018, then most recently dropping and remaining in the low $20’s per barrel due in part to reduced global demand stemming from the recent global novel coronavirus outbreak. Prices for natural gas and NGLs experienced declines of similar magnitude. An extended period of continued lower oil prices, or additional price declines, will have further adverse effects on us. The prices we receive for our production, and the levels of our production, will continue to depend on numerous factors, including the following:
 
 
the domestic and foreign supply of oil, NGLs and natural gas;
 
 
 
 
the domestic and foreign demand for oil, NGLs and natural gas;
 
 
the prices and availability of competitors’ supplies of oil, NGLs and natural gas;
 
 
 
 
the actions of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, and state-controlled oil companies relating to oil price and production controls;
 
 
 
 
the price and quantity of foreign imports of oil, NGLs and natural gas;
 
 
 
 
the impact of U.S. dollar exchange rates on oil, NGLs and natural gas prices;
 
 
 
 
domestic and foreign governmental regulations and taxes;
 
 
34
 
 
 
 
 
 
speculative trading of oil, NGLs and natural gas futures contracts;
 
 
 
 
localized supply and demand fundamentals, including the availability, proximity and capacity of gathering and transportation systems for natural gas;
 
 
 
 
the availability of refining capacity;
 
 
 
 
the prices and availability of alternative fuel sources;
 
 
 
 
the threat, or perceived threat, or results, of viral pandemics, for example, as experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020;
 
 
weather conditions and natural disasters;
 
 
 
 
political conditions in or affecting oil, NGLs and natural gas producing regions, including the Middle East and South America;
 
 
 
 
the continued threat of terrorism and the impact of military action and civil unrest;
 
 
 
 
public pressure on, and legislative and regulatory interest within, federal, state and local governments to stop, significantly limit or regulate hydraulic fracturing activities;
 
 
 
 
the level of global oil, NGL and natural gas inventories and exploration and production activity;
 
 
 
 
authorization of exports from the Unites States of liquefied natural gas;
 
 
 
 
the impact of energy conservation efforts;
 
 
 
 
technological advances affecting energy consumption; and
 
 
 
 
overall worldwide economic conditions.
 
Declines in oil, NGL or natural gas prices would not only reduce our revenue, but could reduce the amount of oil, NGL and natural gas that we can produce economically. Should natural gas, NGL or oil prices decrease from current levels and remain there for an extended period of time, we may elect in the future to delay some of our exploration and development plans for our prospects, or to cease exploration or development activities on certain prospects due to the anticipated unfavorable economics from such activities, and, as a result, we may have to make substantial downward adjustments to our estimated proved reserves, each of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Our business and operations may be adversely affected by the recent  COVID-19 or other similar outbreaks.
 
As a result of the recent COVID-19 outbreak or other adverse public health developments, including voluntary and mandatory quarantines, travel restrictions and other restrictions, our operations, and those of our subcontractors, customers and suppliers, have and may continue to experience delays or disruptions and temporary suspensions of operations. In addition, our financial condition and results of operations have been and may continue to be adversely affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
 
The timeline and potential magnitude of the COVID-19 outbreak is currently unknown.  The continuation or amplification of this virus could continue to more broadly affect the United States and global economy, including our business and operations, and the demand for oil and gas.  For example, a significant outbreak of coronavirus or other contagious diseases in the human population could result in a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that could affect our operating results. In addition, the effects of COVID-19 and concerns regarding its global spread have recently negatively impacted the domestic and international demand for crude oil and natural gas, which has contributed to price volatility, impacted the price we receive for oil and natural gas and materially and adversely affected the demand for and marketability of our production. As the potential impact from COVID-19 is difficult to predict, the extent to which it may negatively affect our operating results or the duration of any potential business disruption is uncertain. Any impact will depend on future developments and new information that may emerge regarding the severity and duration of COVID-19 and the actions taken by authorities to contain it or treat its impact, all of which are beyond our control. These potential impacts, while uncertain, could adversely affect our operating results, notwithstanding the fact that the impact of COVID-19 has already negatively affected our first quarter results of operations.
 
 
 
35
 
 
 
Future conditions might require us to make write-downs in our assets, which would adversely affect our balance sheet and results of operations.
 
We review our long-lived tangible and intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. We also test our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually on December 31 of each year, or when events or changes in the business environment indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit may exceed its fair value. If conditions in any of the businesses in which we compete were to deteriorate, we could determine that certain of our assets were impaired and we would then be required to write-off all or a portion of our costs for such assets. Any such significant write-offs would adversely affect our balance sheet and results of operations.
 
Declining general economic, business or industry conditions may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.
 
Concerns over global economic conditions, the threat of pandemic diseases and the results thereof, energy costs, geopolitical issues, inflation, the availability and cost of credit, the United States mortgage market and a declining real estate market in the United States have contributed to increased economic uncertainty and diminished expectations for the global economy. These factors, combined with volatile prices of oil and natural gas, declining business and consumer confidence and increased unemployment, have precipitated an economic slowdown and a recession. Concerns about global economic growth have had a significant adverse impact on global financial markets and commodity prices. If the economic climate in the United States or abroad continues to deteriorate, demand for petroleum products could diminish, which could impact the price at which we can sell our oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, affect the ability of our vendors, suppliers and customers to continue operations and ultimately adversely impact our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.
 
Our exploration, development and exploitation projects require substantial capital expenditures that may exceed cash on hand, cash flows from operations and potential borrowings, and we may be unable to obtain needed capital on satisfactory terms, which could adversely affect our future growth.
 
Our exploration and development activities are capital intensive. We make and expect to continue to make substantial capital expenditures in our business for the development, exploitation, production and acquisition of oil and natural gas reserves. Our cash on hand, our operating cash flows and future potential borrowings may not be adequate to fund our future acquisitions or future capital expenditure requirements. The rate of our future growth may be dependent, at least in part, on our ability to access capital at rates and on terms we determine to be acceptable.
 
Our cash flows from operations and access to capital are subject to a number of variables, including:
 
 
our estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves;
 
 
 
 
the amount of oil and natural gas we produce from existing wells;
 
 
 
 
the prices at which we sell our production;
 
 
 
 
the costs of developing and producing our oil and natural gas reserves;
 
 
 
 
our ability to acquire, locate and produce new reserves;
 
 
 
 
the general state of the economy;
 
 
 
 
the ability and willingness of banks to lend to us; and
 
 
 
 
our ability to access the equity and debt capital markets.
 
 
 
36
 
 
 
In addition, future events, such as terrorist attacks, wars or combat peace-keeping missions, financial market disruptions, general economic recessions, oil and natural gas industry recessions, large company bankruptcies, accounting scandals, pandemic diseases, overstated reserves estimates by major public oil companies and disruptions in the financial and capital markets have caused financial institutions, credit rating agencies and the public to more closely review the financial statements, capital structures and earnings of public companies, including energy companies. Such events have constrained the capital available to the energy industry in the past, and such events or similar events could adversely affect our access to funding for our operations in the future.
 
If our revenues decrease as a result of lower oil and natural gas prices, operating difficulties, declines in reserves or for any other reason, we may have limited ability to obtain the capital necessary to sustain our operations at current levels, further develop and exploit our current properties or invest in additional exploration opportunities. Alternatively, a significant improvement in oil and natural gas prices or other factors could result in an increase in our capital expenditures and we may be required to alter or increase our capitalization substantially through the issuance of debt or equity securities, the sale of production payments, the sale or farm out of interests in our assets, the borrowing of funds or otherwise to meet any increase in capital needs. If we are unable to raise additional capital from available sources at acceptable terms, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. Further, future debt financings may require that a portion of our cash flows provided by operating activities be used for the payment of principal and interest on our debt, thereby reducing our ability to use cash flows to fund working capital, capital expenditures and acquisitions. Debt financing may involve covenants that restrict our business activities. If we succeed in selling additional equity securities to raise funds, at such time the ownership percentage of our existing stockholders would be diluted, and new investors may demand rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing stockholders. If we choose to farm-out interests in our prospects, we may lose operating control over such prospects.
  
Our oil and natural gas reserves are estimated and may not reflect the actual volumes of oil and natural gas we will receive, and significant inaccuracies in these reserve estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect the quantities and present value of our reserves.
 
The process of estimating accumulations of oil and natural gas is complex and is not exact, due to numerous inherent uncertainties. The process relies on interpretations of available geological, geophysical, engineering and production data. The extent, quality and reliability of this technical data can vary. The process also requires certain economic assumptions related to, among other things, oil and natural gas prices, drilling and operating expenses, capital expenditures, taxes and availability of funds. The accuracy of a reserves estimate is a function of:
 
 
the quality and quantity of available data;
 
 
 
 
the interpretation of that data;
 
 
 
 
the judgment of the persons preparing the estimate; and
 
 
 
 
the accuracy of the assumptions.
 
The accuracy of any estimates of proved reserves generally increases with the length of the production history. Due to the limited production history of our properties, the estimates of future production associated with these properties may be subject to greater variance to actual production than would be the case with properties having a longer production history. As our wells produce over time and more data is available, the estimated proved reserves will be re-determined on at least an annual basis and may be adjusted to reflect new information based upon our actual production history, results of exploration and development, prevailing oil and natural gas prices and other factors.
 
Actual future production, oil and natural gas prices, revenues, taxes, development expenditures, operating expenses and quantities of recoverable oil and natural gas most likely will vary from our estimates. It is possible that future production declines in our wells may be greater than we have estimated. Any significant variance to our estimates could materially affect the quantities and present value of our reserves.
 
 
 
37
 
 
We may record impairments of oil and gas properties that would reduce our shareholders’ equity.
 
The successful efforts method of accounting is used for oil and gas exploration and production activities. Under this method, all costs for development wells, support equipment and facilities, and proved mineral interests in oil and gas properties are capitalized. We review the carrying value of our long-lived assets annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the historical cost-carrying value of an asset may no longer be appropriate. We assess the recoverability of the carrying value of the asset by estimating the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the asset, including eventual disposition. If the future net undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment loss is recorded equal to the difference between the asset’s carrying value and estimated fair value. This impairment does not impact cash flows from operating activities but does reduce earnings and our shareholders’ equity. The risk that we will be required to recognize impairments of our oil and gas properties increases during periods of low oil or gas prices. Impairments would occur if we were to experience sufficient downward adjustments to our estimated proved reserves or the present value of estimated future net revenues. An impairment recognized in one period may not be reversed in a subsequent period even if higher oil and gas prices increase the cost center ceiling applicable to the subsequent period. We have in the past and could in the future incur additional impairments of oil and gas properties.
  
We may have accidents, equipment failures or mechanical problems while drilling or completing wells or in production activities, which could adversely affect our business.
 
While we are drilling and completing wells or involved in production activities, we may have accidents or experience equipment failures or mechanical problems in a well that cause us to be unable to drill and complete the well or to continue to produce the well according to our plans. We may also damage a potentially hydrocarbon-bearing formation during drilling and completion operations. Such incidents may result in a reduction of our production and reserves from the well or in abandonment of the well.
 
Our operations are subject to operational hazards and unforeseen interruptions for which we may not be adequately insured.
 
There are numerous operational hazards inherent in oil and natural gas exploration, development, production and gathering, including:
 
 
unusual or unexpected geologic formations;
 
 
 
 
natural disasters;
 
 
 
 
adverse weather conditions;
 
 
 
 
unanticipated pressures;
 
 
 
 
loss of drilling fluid circulation;
 
 
 
 
blowouts where oil or natural gas flows uncontrolled at a wellhead;
 
 
 
 
cratering or collapse of the formation;
 
 
 
 
pipe or cement leaks, failures or casing collapses;
 
 
 
 
fires or explosions;
 
 
 
 
releases of hazardous substances or other waste materials that cause environmental damage;
 
 
 
 
pressures or irregularities in formations; and
 
 
 
 
equipment failures or accidents.
 
In addition, there is an inherent risk of incurring significant environmental costs and liabilities in the performance of our operations, some of which may be material, due to our handling of petroleum hydrocarbons and wastes, our emissions to air and water, the underground injection or other disposal of our wastes, the use of hydraulic fracturing fluids and historical industry operations and waste disposal practices.
 
 
 
38
 
 
 
Any of these or other similar occurrences could result in the disruption or impairment of our operations, substantial repair costs, personal injury or loss of human life, significant damage to property, environmental pollution and substantial revenue losses. The location of our wells, gathering systems, pipelines and other facilities near populated areas, including residential areas, commercial business centers and industrial sites, could significantly increase the level of damages resulting from these risks. Insurance against all operational risks is not available to us. We are not fully insured against all risks, including development and completion risks that are generally not recoverable from third parties or insurance. In addition, pollution and environmental risks generally are not fully insurable. We maintain $2 million general liability coverage and $10 million umbrella coverage that covers our and our subsidiaries’ business and operations. With respect to our other non-operated assets, we may elect not to obtain insurance if we believe that the cost of available insurance is excessive relative to the perceived risks presented. Losses could, therefore, occur for uninsurable or uninsured risks or in amounts in excess of existing insurance coverage. Moreover, insurance may not be available in the future at commercially reasonable prices or on commercially reasonable terms. Changes in the insurance markets due to various factors may make it more difficult for us to obtain certain types of coverage in the future. As a result, we may not be able to obtain the levels or types of insurance we would otherwise have obtained prior to these market changes, and the insurance coverage we do obtain may not cover certain hazards or all potential losses that are currently covered, and may be subject to large deductibles. Losses and liabilities from uninsured and underinsured events and delay in the payment of insurance proceeds could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
  
The threat and impact of terrorist attacks, cyber-attacks or similar hostilities may adversely impact our operations.
 
We cannot assess the extent of either the threat or the potential impact of future terrorist attacks on the energy industry in general, and on us in particular, either in the short-term or in the long-term. Uncertainty surrounding such hostilities may affect our operations in unpredictable ways, including the possibility that infrastructure facilities, including pipelines and gathering systems, production facilities, processing plants and refineries, could be targets of, or indirect casualties of, an act of terror, a cyber-attack or electronic security breach, or an act of war.
 
Failure to adequately protect critical data and technology systems could materially affect our operations.
 
Information technology solution failures, network disruptions and breaches of data security could disrupt our operations by causing delays or cancellation of customer orders, impeding processing of transactions and reporting financial results, resulting in the unintentional disclosure of customer, employee or our information, or damage to our reputation. There can be no assurance that a system failure or data security breach will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
 
Our strategy as an onshore resource player may result in operations concentrated in certain geographic areas and may increase our exposure to many of the risks described in this Annual Report.
 
Our current operations are concentrated in the states of New Mexico and Colorado. This concentration may increase the potential impact of many of the risks described in this Annual Report. For example, we may have greater exposure to regulatory actions impacting New Mexico and/or Colorado, natural disasters in New Mexico and/or Colorado, competition for equipment, services and materials available in, and access to infrastructure and markets in, these states.
 
Unless we replace our oil and natural gas reserves, our reserves and production will decline, which will adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
The rate of production from our oil and natural gas properties will decline as our reserves are depleted. Our future oil and natural gas reserves and production and, therefore, our income and cash flow, are highly dependent on our success in (a) efficiently developing and exploiting our current reserves on properties owned by us or by other persons or entities and (b) economically finding or acquiring additional oil and natural gas producing properties. In the future, we may have difficulty acquiring new properties. During periods of low oil and/or natural gas prices, it will become more difficult to raise the capital necessary to finance expansion activities. If we are unable to replace our production, our reserves will decrease, and our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.
 
Our strategy includes acquisitions of oil and natural gas properties, and our failure to identify or complete future acquisitions successfully, or not produce projected revenues associated with the future acquisitions could reduce our earnings and hamper our growth.
 
We may be unable to identify properties for acquisition or to make acquisitions on terms that we consider economically acceptable. There is intense competition for acquisition opportunities in our industry. Competition for acquisitions may increase the cost of, or cause us to refrain from, completing acquisitions. The completion and pursuit of acquisitions may be dependent upon, among other things, our ability to obtain debt and equity financing and, in some cases, regulatory approvals. Our ability to grow through acquisitions will require us to continue to invest in operations, financial and management information systems and to attract, retain, motivate and effectively manage our employees. The inability to manage the integration of acquisitions effectively could reduce our focus on subsequent acquisitions and current operations, and could negatively impact our results of operations and growth potential. Our financial position and results of operations may fluctuate significantly from period to period as a result of the completion of significant acquisitions during particular periods. If we are not successful in identifying or acquiring any material property interests, our earnings could be reduced and our growth could be restricted.
  
 
 
39
 
 
 
We may engage in bidding and negotiating to complete successful acquisitions. We may be required to alter or increase substantially our capitalization to finance these acquisitions through the use of cash on hand, the issuance of debt or equity securities, the sale of production payments, the sale of non-strategic assets, the borrowing of funds or otherwise. If we were to proceed with one or more acquisitions involving the issuance of our common stock, our stockholders would suffer dilution of their interests. Furthermore, our decision to acquire properties that are substantially different in operating or geologic characteristics or geographic locations from areas with which our staff is familiar may impact our productivity in such areas.
 
We may not be able to produce the projected revenues related to future acquisitions. There are many assumptions related to the projection of the revenues of future acquisitions including, but not limited to, drilling success, oil and natural gas prices, production decline curves and other data. If revenues from future acquisitions do not meet projections, this could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
 
If we complete acquisitions or enter into business combinations in the future, they may disrupt or have a negative impact on our business.
 
If we complete acquisitions or enter into business combinations in the future, funding permitting, we could have difficulty integrating the acquired companies’ assets, personnel and operations with our own. Additionally, acquisitions, mergers or business combinations we may enter into in the future could result in a change of control of the Company, and a change in the board of directors or officers of the Company. In addition, the key personnel of the acquired business may not be willing to work for us. We cannot predict the effect expansion may have on our core business. Regardless of whether we are successful in making an acquisition or completing a business combination, the negotiations could disrupt our ongoing business, distract our management and employees and increase our expenses. In addition to the risks described above, acquisitions and business combinations are accompanied by a number of inherent risks, including, without limitation, the following:
 
 
the difficulty of integrating acquired companies, concepts and operations;
 
 
the potential disruption of the ongoing businesses and distraction of our management and the management of acquired companies;
 
 
change in our business focus and/or management;
 
 
difficulties in maintaining uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies;
 
 
the potential impairment of relationships with employees and partners as a result of any integration of new management personnel;
 
 
the potential inability to manage an increased number of locations and employees;
 
 
our ability to successfully manage the companies and/or concepts acquired;
 
 
the failure to realize efficiencies, synergies and cost savings; or
 
 
the effect of any government regulations which relate to the business acquired.
 
Our business could be severely impaired if and to the extent that we are unable to succeed in addressing any of these risks or other problems encountered in connection with an acquisition or business combination, many of which cannot be presently identified. These risks and problems could disrupt our ongoing business, distract our management and employees, increase our expenses and adversely affect our results of operations.
 
 
 
40
 
 
 
 
Any acquisition or business combination transaction we enter into in the future could cause substantial dilution to existing stockholders, result in one party having majority or significant control over the Company or result in a change in business focus of the Company.
 
We may incur indebtedness which could reduce our financial flexibility, increase interest expense and adversely impact our operations and our unit costs.
 
We currently have no outstanding indebtedness, but we may incur significant amounts of indebtedness in the future in order to make acquisitions or to develop our properties. Our level of indebtedness could affect our operations in several ways, including the following:
 
 
a significant portion of our cash flows could be used to service our indebtedness;
 
 
a high level of debt would increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
 
 
any covenants contained in the agreements governing our outstanding indebtedness could limit our ability to borrow additional funds;
 
 
dispose of assets, pay dividends and make certain investments;
 
 
a high level of debt may place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that are less leveraged and, therefore, may be able to take advantage of opportunities that our indebtedness may prevent us from pursuing; and
 
 
 
debt covenants to which we may agree may affect our flexibility in planning for, and reacting to, changes in the economy and in our industry.
 
A high level of indebtedness increases the risk that we may default on our debt obligations. We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to pay the principal or interest on our debt, and future working capital, borrowings or equity financing may not be available to pay or refinance such debt. If we do not have sufficient funds and are otherwise unable to arrange financing, we may have to sell significant assets or have a portion of our assets foreclosed upon which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
We may purchase oil and natural gas properties with liabilities or risks that we did not know about or that we did not assess correctly, and, as a result, we could be subject to liabilities that could adversely affect our results of operations.
 
Before acquiring oil and natural gas properties, we estimate the reserves, future oil and natural gas prices, operating costs, potential environmental liabilities and other factors relating to the properties. However, our review involves many assumptions and estimates, and their accuracy is inherently uncertain. As a result, we may not discover all existing or potential problems associated with the properties we buy. We may not become sufficiently familiar with the properties to assess fully their deficiencies and capabilities. We do not generally perform inspections on every well or property, and we may not be able to observe mechanical and environmental problems even when we conduct an inspection. The seller may not be willing or financially able to give us contractual protection against any identified problems, and we may decide to assume environmental and other liabilities in connection with properties we acquire. If we acquire properties with risks or liabilities we did not know about or that we did not assess correctly, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected as we settle claims and incur cleanup costs related to these liabilities.
 
We may incur losses or costs as a result of title deficiencies in the properties in which we invest.
 
If an examination of the title history of a property that we have purchased reveals an oil and natural gas lease has been purchased in error from a person who is not the owner of the property, our interest would be worthless. In such an instance, the amount paid for such oil and natural gas lease as well as any royalties paid pursuant to the terms of the lease prior to the discovery of the title defect would be lost.
 
 
 
41
 
 
 
Prior to the drilling of an oil and natural gas well, it is the normal practice in the oil and natural gas industry for the person or company acting as the operator of the well to obtain a preliminary title review of the spacing unit within which the proposed oil and natural gas well is to be drilled to ensure there are no obvious deficiencies in title to the well. Frequently, as a result of such examinations, certain curative work must be done to correct deficiencies in the marketability of the title, and such curative work entails expense. Our failure to cure any title defects may adversely impact our ability in the future to increase production and reserves. In the future, we may suffer a monetary loss from title defects or title failure. Additionally, unproved and unevaluated acreage has greater risk of title defects than developed acreage. If there are any title defects or defects in assignment of leasehold rights in properties in which we hold an interest, we will suffer a financial loss which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
  
Our identified drilling locations are scheduled over several years, making them susceptible to uncertainties that could materially alter the occurrence or timing of their drilling.
 
Our management team has identified and scheduled drilling locations in our operating areas over a multi-year period. Our ability to drill and develop these locations depends on a number of factors, including the availability of equipment and capital, approval by regulators, seasonal conditions, oil and natural gas prices, assessment of risks, costs and drilling results. The final determination on whether to drill any of these locations will be dependent upon the factors described elsewhere in this Annual Report and the documents incorporated by reference herein, as well as, to some degree, the results of our drilling activities with respect to our established drilling locations. Because of these uncertainties, we do not know if the drilling locations we have identified will be drilled within our expected timeframe or at all or if we will be able to economically produce hydrocarbons from these or any other potential drilling locations. Our actual drilling activities may be materially different from our current expectations, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Potential conflicts of interest could arise for certain members of our management team and board of directors that hold management positions with other entities and our largest stockholder.
 
Dr. Simon Kukes, our Chief Executive Officer and member of our board of directors, J. Douglas Schick, our President, and Clark R. Moore, our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, hold various other management positions with privately-held companies, some of which are involved in the oil and gas industry, and Dr. Simon Kukes is the principal of SK Energy LLC, the Company’s largest stockholder. Dr. Kukes also beneficially owns 74.5% of our voting securities. We believe these positions require only an immaterial amount of each officers’ time and will not conflict with their roles or responsibilities with our company. If any of these companies enter into one or more transactions with our company, or if the officers’ position with any such company requires significantly more time than currently anticipated, potential conflicts of interests could arise from the officers performing services for us and these other entities.
  
We currently license only a limited amount of seismic and other geological data and may have difficulty obtaining additional data at a reasonable cost, which could adversely affect our future results of operations.
 
We currently license only a limited amount of seismic and other geological data to assist us in exploration and development activities. We may obtain access to additional data in our areas of interest through licensing arrangements with companies that own or have access to that data or by paying to obtain that data directly. Seismic and geological data can be expensive to license or obtain. We may not be able to license or obtain such data at an acceptable cost. In addition, even when properly interpreted, seismic data and visualization techniques are not conclusive in determining if hydrocarbons are present in economically producible amounts and seismic indications of hydrocarbon saturation are generally not reliable indicators of productive reservoir rock.
 
The unavailability or high cost of drilling rigs, completion equipment and services, supplies and personnel, including hydraulic fracturing equipment and personnel, could adversely affect our ability to establish and execute exploration and development plans within budget and on a timely basis, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Shortages or the high cost of drilling rigs, completion equipment and services, supplies or personnel could delay or adversely affect our operations. When drilling activity in the United States increases, associated costs typically also increase, including those costs related to drilling rigs, equipment, supplies and personnel and the services and products of other vendors to the industry. These costs may increase, and necessary equipment and services may become unavailable to us at economical prices. Should this increase in costs occur, we may delay drilling activities, which may limit our ability to establish and replace reserves, or we may incur these higher costs, which may negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
 
42
 
 
 
In addition, the demand for hydraulic fracturing services currently exceeds the availability of fracturing equipment and crews across the industry and in our operating areas in particular. The accelerated wear and tear of hydraulic fracturing equipment due to its deployment in unconventional oil and natural gas fields characterized by longer lateral lengths and larger numbers of fracturing stages has further amplified this equipment and crew shortage. If demand for fracturing services increases or the supply of fracturing equipment and crews decreases, then higher costs could result and could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
We have limited control over activities on properties we do not operate.
 
We are not the operator on some of our properties located in our D-J Basin Asset, and, as a result, our ability to exercise influence over the operations of these properties or their associated costs is limited. Our dependence on the operators and other working interest owners of these projects and our limited ability to influence operations and associated costs or control the risks could materially and adversely affect the realization of our targeted returns on capital in drilling or acquisition activities. The success and timing of our drilling and development activities on properties operated by others therefore depends upon a number of factors, including:
  
 
timing and amount of capital expenditures;
 
 
 
 
the operator’s expertise and financial resources;
 
 
 
 
the rate of production of reserves, if any;
 
 
 
 
approval of other participants in drilling wells; and
 
 
 
 
selection of technology.
 
The marketability of our production is dependent upon oil and natural gas gathering and transportation facilities owned and operated by third parties, and the unavailability of satisfactory oil and natural gas transportation arrangements would have a material adverse effect on our revenue.
 
The unavailability of satisfactory oil and natural gas transportation arrangements may hinder our access to oil and natural gas markets or delay production from our wells. The availability of a ready market for our oil and natural gas production depends on a number of factors, including the demand for, and supply of, oil and natural gas and the proximity of reserves to pipelines and terminal facilities. Our ability to market our production depends in substantial part on the availability and capacity of gathering systems, pipelines and processing facilities owned and operated by third parties. Our failure to obtain these services on acceptable terms could materially harm our business. We may be required to shut-in wells for lack of a market or because of inadequacy or unavailability of pipeline or gathering system capacity. If that were to occur, we would be unable to realize revenue from those wells until production arrangements were made to deliver our production to market. Furthermore, if we were required to shut-in wells we might also be obligated to pay shut-in royalties to certain mineral interest owners in order to maintain our leases. We do not expect to purchase firm transportation capacity on third-party facilities. Therefore, we expect the transportation of our production to be generally interruptible in nature and lower in priority to those having firm transportation arrangements.
 
The disruption of third-party facilities due to maintenance and/or weather could negatively impact our ability to market and deliver our products. The third parties' control when or if such facilities are restored and what prices will be charged. Federal and state regulation of oil and natural gas production and transportation, tax and energy policies, changes in supply and demand, pipeline pressures, damage to or destruction of pipelines and general economic conditions could adversely affect our ability to produce, gather and transport oil and natural gas.
 
An increase in the differential between the NYMEX or other benchmark prices of oil and natural gas and the wellhead price we receive for our production could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
 
43
 
 
 
The prices that we will receive for our oil and natural gas production sometimes may reflect a discount to the relevant benchmark prices, such as the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), that are used for calculating hedge positions. The difference between the benchmark price and the prices we receive is called a differential. Increases in the differential between the benchmark prices for oil and natural gas and the wellhead price we receive could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. We do not have, and may not have in the future, any derivative contracts or hedging covering the amount of the basis differentials we experience in respect of our production. As such, we will be exposed to any increase in such differentials.
 
We may have difficulty managing growth in our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to execute our business plan in a timely fashion.
 
Because of our small size, growth in accordance with our business plans, if achieved, will place a significant strain on our financial, technical, operational and management resources. As we expand our activities, including our planned increase in oil exploration, development and production, and increase the number of projects we are evaluating or in which we participate, there will be additional demands on our financial, technical and management resources. The failure to continue to upgrade our technical, administrative, operating and financial control systems or the occurrence of unexpected expansion difficulties, including the inability to recruit and retain experienced managers, geoscientists, petroleum engineers and landmen could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to execute our business plan in a timely fashion.
 
Financial difficulties encountered by our oil and natural gas purchasers, third-party operators or other third parties could decrease our cash flow from operations and adversely affect the exploration and development of our prospects and assets.
 
We derive and will derive in the future, substantially all of our revenues from the sale of our oil and natural gas to unaffiliated third-party purchasers, independent marketing companies and mid-stream companies. Any delays in payments from our purchasers caused by financial problems encountered by them will have an immediate negative effect on our results of operations.
 
Liquidity and cash flow problems encountered by our working interest co-owners or the third-party operators of our non-operated properties may prevent or delay the drilling of a well or the development of a project. Our working interest co-owners may be unwilling or unable to pay their share of the costs of projects as they become due. In the case of a farmout party, we would have to find a new farmout party or obtain alternative funding in order to complete the exploration and development of the prospects subject to a farmout agreement. In the case of a working interest owner, we could be required to pay the working interest owner’s share of the project costs. We cannot assure you that we would be able to obtain the capital necessary to fund either of these contingencies or that we would be able to find a new farmout party.
 
The calculated present value of future net revenues from our proved reserves will not necessarily be the same as the current market value of our estimated oil and natural gas reserves.
 
You should not assume that the present value of future net cash flows as included in our public filings is the current market value of our estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves. We generally base the estimated discounted future net cash flows from proved reserves on current costs held constant over time without escalation and on commodity prices using an unweighted arithmetic average of first-day-of-the-month index prices, appropriately adjusted, for the 12-month period immediately preceding the date of the estimate. Actual future prices and costs may be materially higher or lower than the prices and costs used for these estimates and will be affected by factors such as:
  
 
actual prices we receive for oil and natural gas;
 
 
 
 
actual cost and timing of development and production expenditures;
 
 
 
 
the amount and timing of actual production; and
 
 
 
 
changes in governmental regulations or taxation.
 
In addition, the 10% discount factor that is required to be used to calculate discounted future net revenues for reporting purposes under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) is not necessarily the most appropriate discount factor based on the cost of capital in effect from time to time and risks associated with our business and the oil and natural gas industry in general.
 
 
 
44
 
 
 
Competition in the oil and natural gas industry is intense, making it difficult for us to acquire properties, market oil and natural gas and secure trained personnel.
 
Our ability to acquire additional prospects and to find and develop reserves in the future will depend on our ability to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment for acquiring properties, marketing oil and natural gas and securing trained personnel. Also, there is substantial competition for capital available for investment in the oil and natural gas industry. Many of our competitors possess and employ financial, technical and personnel resources substantially greater than ours, and many of our competitors have more established presences in the United States than we have. Those companies may be able to pay more for productive oil and natural gas properties and exploratory prospects and to evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than our financial or personnel resources permit. In addition, other companies may be able to offer better compensation packages to attract and retain qualified personnel than we are able to offer. The cost to attract and retain qualified personnel has increased in recent years due to competition and may increase substantially in the future. We may not be able to compete successfully in the future in acquiring prospective reserves, developing reserves, marketing hydrocarbons, attracting and retaining quality personnel and raising additional capital, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
  
Our competitors may use superior technology and data resources that we may be unable to afford or that would require a costly investment by us in order to compete with them more effectively.
 
Our industry is subject to rapid and significant advancements in technology, including the introduction of new products and services using new technologies and databases. As our competitors use or develop new technologies, we may be placed at a competitive disadvantage, and competitive pressures may force us to implement new technologies at a substantial cost. In addition, many of our competitors will have greater financial, technical and personnel resources that allow them to enjoy technological advantages and may in the future allow them to implement new technologies before we can. We cannot be certain that we will be able to implement technologies on a timely basis or at a cost that is acceptable to us. One or more of the technologies that we will use or that we may implement in the future may become obsolete, and we may be adversely affected.
 
If we do not hedge our exposure to reductions in oil and natural gas prices, we may be subject to significant reductions in prices. Alternatively, we may use oil and natural gas price hedging contracts, which involve credit risk and may limit future revenues from price increases and result in significant fluctuations in our profitability.
 
In the event that we continue to choose not to hedge our exposure to reductions in oil and natural gas prices by purchasing futures and/or by using other hedging strategies, we may be subject to a significant reduction in prices which could have a material negative impact on our profitability. Alternatively, we may elect to use hedging transactions with respect to a portion of our oil and natural gas production to achieve more predictable cash flow and to reduce our exposure to price fluctuations. While the use of hedging transactions limits the downside risk of price declines, their use also may limit future revenues from price increases. Hedging transactions also involve the risk that the counterparty may be unable to satisfy its obligations.
 
Changes in the legal and regulatory environment governing the oil and natural gas industry, particularly changes in the current Colorado forced pooling system and salt water disposal permitting regulations in New Mexico, could have a material adverse effect on our business.
 
Our business is subject to various forms of government regulation, including laws and regulations concerning the location, spacing and permitting of the oil and natural gas wells we drill, among other matters. In particular, our business in the D-J Basin of Colorado utilizes a methodology available in Colorado known as “forced pooling,” which refers to the ability of a holder of an oil and natural gas interest in a particular prospective drilling spacing unit to apply to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission for an order forcing all other holders of oil and natural gas interests in such area into a common pool for purposes of developing that drilling spacing unit. In addition, our Permian Basin operations require significant salt water disposal capacity, with the permitting of necessary salt water disposal wells being regulated by the New Mexico State Land Office. In recent months, we have encountered significant delays in receiving such permits, and increasing difficulty in obtaining required permits, from the New Mexico State Land Office, which has delayed completion operations and the bringing of new wells on to full production. Changes in the legal and regulatory environment governing our industry, particularly any changes to Colorado’s forced pooling procedures that make forced pooling more difficult to accomplish, or increased regulation in New Mexico with respect to salt water disposal well permitting, could result in increased compliance costs and operational delays, and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
45
 
 
 
               In the event that local or state restrictions or prohibitions are adopted in areas where we conduct operations, that impose more stringent limitations on the production and development of oil and natural gas, including, among other things, the development of increased setback distances, we and similarly situated oil and natural exploration and production operators in the state may incur significant costs to comply with such requirements or may experience delays or curtailment in the pursuit of exploration, development, or production activities, and possibly be limited or precluded in the drilling of wells or in the amounts that we and similarly situated operates are ultimately able to produce from our reserves. Any such increased costs, delays, cessations, restrictions or prohibitions could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity. If new or more stringent federal, state or local legal restrictions relating to the hydraulic fracturing process are adopted in areas where we operate, including, for example, on federal and American Indian lands, we could incur potentially significant added cost to comply with such requirements, experience delays or curtailment in the pursuit of exploration, development or production activities, and perhaps even be precluded from drilling wells.
 
SEC rules could limit our ability to book additional proved undeveloped reserves (“PUDs”) in the future.
 
SEC rules require that, subject to limited exceptions, PUDs may only be booked if they relate to wells scheduled to be drilled within five years after the date of booking. This requirement has limited and may continue to limit our ability to book additional PUDs as we pursue our drilling program. Moreover, we may be required to write down our PUDs if we do not drill or plan on delaying those wells within the required five-year timeframe.
 
New or amended environmental legislation or regulatory initiatives could result in increased costs, additional operating restrictions, or delays, or have other adverse effects on us.
 
The environmental laws and regulations to which we are subject change frequently, often to become more burdensome and/or to increase the risk that we will be subject to significant liabilities. New or amended federal, state, or local laws or implementing regulations or orders imposing new environmental obligations on, or otherwise limiting, our operations could make it more difficult and more expensive to complete oil and natural gas wells, increase our costs of compliance and doing business, delay or prevent the development of resources (especially from shale formations that are not commercial without the use of hydraulic fracturing), or alter the demand for and consumption of our products. Any such outcome could have a material and adverse impact on our cash flows and results of operations.
 
For example, in 2014, 2016 and 2018, opponents of hydraulic fracturing sought statewide ballot initiatives in Colorado that would have restricted oil and gas development in Colorado and could have had materially adverse impacts on us. One of the proposed initiatives would have made the vast majority of the surface area of the state ineligible for drilling, including substantially all of our planned future drilling locations. By further example, in April 2019, Colorado Senate Bill 19-181 (the “Bill”) was passed into law, which prioritizes the protection of public safety, health, welfare, and the environment in the regulation of the oil and gas industry by modifying the State’s oil and gas statutes and clarifying, reinforcing, and establishing local governments’ regulatory authority over the surface impacts of oil and gas development in Colorado. This Bill, among other things, gives more power to local government entities in making land use decisions about oil and gas development and regulation, and directs the Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission (“COGCC”) to promulgate rules to ensure, among other things, proper wellbore integrity, allow public disclosure of flowline information, and evaluate when inactive or shut-in wells must be inspected before being put into production or used for injection. In addition, the Bill requires that owners of more than 50% of the mineral interests in lands to be pooled must have joined in the application for a pooling order and that the application must include proof that the applicant received approval for the facilities from the affected local government or that the affected local government does not regulate such facilities. In addition, the Bill provides that an operator cannot use the surface owned by a nonconsenting owner without permission from the nonconsenting owner, and increases nonconsenting owners’ royalty rates during a well’s pay-back period from 12.5% to 13.0%. Pursuant to the Bill, in December 2019 the COGCC proposed new regulatory requirements to enhance safety and environmental protection during hydraulic fracturing and to enhance wellbore integrity. We anticipate that the Bill may make it more difficult and more costly for us to undertake oil and gas development activities in Colorado.
 
Similar to the Bill described above, proposals are made from time to time to adopt new, or amend existing, laws and regulations to address hydraulic fracturing or climate change concerns through further regulation of exploration and development activities. Please read “Part I” – “Item 1. Business” — “Regulation of the Oil and Gas Industry” and “Regulation of Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health Matters” for a further description of the laws and regulations that affect us. We cannot predict the nature, outcome, or effect on us of future regulatory initiatives, but such initiatives could materially impact our results of operations, production, reserves, and other aspects of our business.
 
 
46
 
 
 
For example, in 2019, the EPA increased the state of Colorado’s non-attainment ozone classification for the Denver Metro/North Front Range NAA area from “moderate” to “serious” under the 2008 NAAQS. This “serious” classification will trigger significant additional obligations for the state under the CAA and could result in new and more stringent air quality control requirements, which may in turn result in significant costs, and delays in obtaining necessary permits applicable to our operations. 
 
Proposed changes to U.S. tax laws, if adopted, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
 
From time to time, legislative proposals are made that would, if enacted, result in the elimination of the immediate deduction for intangible drilling and development costs, the elimination of the deduction from income for domestic production activities relating to oil and gas exploration and development, the repeal of the percentage depletion allowance for oil and gas properties, and an extension of the amortization period for certain geological and geophysical expenditures. Such changes, if adopted, or other similar changes that reduce or eliminate deductions currently available with respect to oil and gas exploration and development, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
 
We may incur substantial costs to comply with the various federal, state, and local laws and regulations that affect our oil and natural gas operations, including as a result of the actions of third parties.
 
We are affected significantly by a substantial number of governmental regulations relating to, among other things, the release or disposal of materials into the environment, health and safety, land use, and other matters. A summary of the principal environmental rules and regulations to which we are currently subject is set forth in Part I” – “Item 1. Business” — “Regulation of the Oil and Gas Industry” and “Regulation of Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health Matters”. Compliance with such laws and regulations often increases our cost of doing business and thereby decreases our profitability. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil, and criminal penalties, the incurrence of investigatory or remedial obligations, or the issuance of cease and desist orders.
 
The environmental laws and regulations to which we are subject may, among other things:
 
 
require us to apply for and receive a permit before drilling commences or certain associated facilities are developed;
 
 
restrict the types, quantities, and concentrations of substances that can be released into the environment in connection with drilling, hydraulic fracturing, and production activities;
 
 
limit or prohibit drilling activities on certain lands lying within wilderness, wetlands and other “waters of the United States,” threatened and endangered species habitat, and other protected areas;
 
 
require remedial measures to mitigate pollution from former operations, such as plugging abandoned wells;
 
 
require us to add procedures and/or staff in order to comply with applicable laws and regulations; and
 
 
impose substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from our operations.
 
In addition, we could face liability under applicable environmental laws and regulations as a result of the activities of previous owners of our properties or other third parties. For example, over the years, we have owned or leased numerous properties for oil and natural gas activities upon which petroleum hydrocarbons or other materials may have been released by us or by predecessor property owners or lessees who were not under our control. Under applicable environmental laws and regulations, including The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act - otherwise known as CERCLA or Superfund, The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), and state laws, we could be held liable for the removal or remediation of previously released materials or property contamination at such locations, or at third-party locations to which we have sent waste, regardless of our fault, whether we were responsible for the release or whether the operations at the time of the release were lawful.
 
 
 
47
 
 
 
Compliance with, or liabilities associated with violations of or remediation obligations under, environmental laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
Part of our strategy involves drilling in existing or emerging oil and gas plays using some of the latest available horizontal drilling and completion techniques. The results of our planned exploratory drilling in these plays are subject to drilling and completion technique risks, and drilling results may not meet our expectations for reserves or production. As a result, we may incur material write-downs and the value of our undeveloped acreage could decline if drilling results are unsuccessful.
 
Our operations in the Permian Basin in Chaves and Roosevelt Counties, New Mexico, and the D-J Basin in Weld and Morgan Counties, Colorado, involve utilizing the latest drilling and completion techniques in order to maximize cumulative recoveries and therefore generate the highest possible returns. Risks that we may face while drilling include, but are not limited to, landing our well bore in the desired drilling zone, staying in the desired drilling zone while drilling horizontally through the formation, running our casing the entire length of the well bore and being able to run tools and other equipment consistently through the horizontal well bore. Risks that we may face while completing our wells include, but are not limited to, being able to fracture stimulate the planned number of stages, being able to run tools the entire length of the well bore during completion operations and successfully cleaning out the well bore after completion of the final fracture stimulation stage.
  
The results of our drilling in new or emerging formations will be more uncertain initially than drilling results in areas that are more developed and have a longer history of established production. Newer or emerging formations and areas have limited or no production history and consequently we are less able to predict future drilling results in these areas.
 
Ultimately, the success of these drilling and completion techniques can only be evaluated over time as more wells are drilled and production profiles are established over a sufficiently long time period. If our drilling results are less than anticipated or we are unable to execute our drilling program because of capital constraints, lease expirations, access to gathering systems and limited takeaway capacity or otherwise, and/or natural gas and oil prices decline, the return on our investment in these areas may not be as attractive as we anticipate. Further, as a result of any of these developments we could incur material write-downs of our oil and natural gas properties and the value of our undeveloped acreage could decline in the future. 
 
Part of our strategy involves using some of the latest available horizontal drilling and completion techniques. The results of our drilling in these plays are subject to drilling and completion technique risks, and results may not meet our expectations for reserves or production.
 
Many of our operations involve, and are planned to utilize, the latest drilling and completion techniques as developed by us and our service providers in order to maximize production and ultimate recoveries and therefore generate the highest possible returns. Risks we face while completing our wells include, but are not limited to, the inability to fracture stimulate the planned number of stages, the inability to run tools and other equipment the entire length of the well bore during completion operations, the inability to recover such tools and other equipment, and the inability to successfully clean out the well bore after completion of the final fracture stimulation. Ultimately, the success of these drilling and completion techniques can only be evaluated over time as more wells are drilled and production profiles are established over a sufficiently long time period. If our drilling results are less than anticipated or we are unable to execute our drilling program because of capital constraints, lease expirations, limited access to gathering systems and takeaway capacity, and/or prices for crude oil, natural gas, and NGLs decline, then the return on our investment for a particular project may not be as attractive as we anticipated and we could incur material write-downs of oil and gas properties and the value of our undeveloped acreage could decline in the future.
 
Uncertainties associated with enhanced recovery methods may result in us not realizing an acceptable return on our investments in such projects.
 
Production and reserves, if any, attributable to the use of enhanced recovery methods are inherently difficult to predict. If our enhanced recovery methods do not allow for the extraction of crude oil, natural gas, and associated liquids in a manner or to the extent that we anticipate, we may not realize an acceptable return on our investments in such projects. In addition, as proposed legislation and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing become law, the cost of some of these enhanced recovery methods could increase substantially.
 
 
48
 
 
 
A significant amount of our Permian Basin Asset acreage must be drilled pursuant to governing agreements and leases, in order to hold the acreage by production. In the highly competitive market for acreage, failure to drill sufficient wells in order to hold acreage will result in a substantial lease renewal cost, or if renewal is not feasible, loss of our lease and prospective drilling opportunities.
 
Currently 31,813 acres of our Permian Basin Asset are held by production and not subject to lease expiration, with 8,835 acres subject to lease or governing agreement expiration if these acres are not developed by us prior to expiration. The loss of substantial leases could have a material adverse effect on our assets, operations, revenues and cash flow and could cause the value of our securities to decline in value.
 
Competition for hydraulic fracturing services and water disposal could impede our ability to develop our oil and gas plays.
 
The unavailability or high cost of high pressure pumping services (or hydraulic fracturing services), chemicals, proppant, water and water disposal and related services and equipment could limit our ability to execute our exploration and development plans on a timely basis and within our budget. The oil and natural gas industry is experiencing a growing emphasis on the exploitation and development of shale natural gas and shale oil resource plays, which are dependent on hydraulic fracturing for economically successful development. Hydraulic fracturing in oil and gas plays requires high pressure pumping service crews. A shortage of service crews or proppant, chemical, water or water disposal options, especially if this shortage occurred in eastern New Mexico or eastern Colorado, could materially and adversely affect our operations and the timeliness of executing our development plans within our budget.
 
Regulations could adversely affect our ability to hedge risks associated with our business and our operating results and cash flows.
 
Rules adopted by federal regulators establishing federal regulation of the over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives market and entities that participate in that market may adversely affect our ability to manage certain of our risks on a cost effective basis. Such laws and regulations may also adversely affect our ability to execute our strategies with respect to hedging our exposure to variability in expected future cash flows attributable to the future sale of our oil and gas.
 
We expect that our potential future hedging activities will remain subject to significant and developing regulations and regulatory oversight. However, the full impact of the various U.S. regulatory developments in connection with these activities will not be known with certainty until such derivatives market regulations are fully implemented and related market practices and structures are fully developed.
 
Our operations are substantially dependent on the availability of water. Restrictions on our ability to obtain water may have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.              
 
Water is an essential component of shale oil and natural gas production during both the drilling and hydraulic fracturing processes. Historically, we have been able to purchase water from local land owners for use in our operations. When drought conditions occur, governmental authorities may restrict the use of water subject to their jurisdiction for hydraulic fracturing to protect local water supplies. Both New Mexico and Colorado have relatively arid climates and experience drought conditions from time to time. If we are unable to obtain water to use in our operations from local sources or dispose of or recycle water used in operations, or if the price of water or water disposal increases significantly, we may be unable to produce oil and natural gas economically, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
 
Downturns and volatility in global economies and commodity and credit markets could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
 
Our results of operations are materially affected by the conditions of the global economies and the credit, commodities and stock markets. Among other things, we may be adversely impacted if consumers of oil and gas are not able to access sufficient capital to continue to operate their businesses or to operate them at prior levels. A decline in consumer confidence or changing patterns in the availability and use of disposable income by consumers can negatively affect the demand for oil and gas and as a result our results of operations.
 
 
 
49
 
 
 
Improvements in or new discoveries of alternative energy technologies could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Because our operations depend on the demand for oil and used oil, any improvement in or new discoveries of alternative energy technologies (such as wind, solar, geothermal, fuel cells and biofuels) that increase the use of alternative forms of energy and reduce the demand for oil, gas and oil and gas related products could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Competition due to advances in renewable fuels may lessen the demand for our products and negatively impact our profitability.
 
Alternatives to petroleum-based products and production methods are continually under development. For example, a number of automotive, industrial and power generation manufacturers are developing alternative clean power systems using fuel cells or clean-burning gaseous fuels that may address increasing worldwide energy costs, the long-term availability of petroleum reserves and environmental concerns, which if successful could lower the demand for oil and gas. If these non-petroleum based products and oil alternatives continue to expand and gain broad acceptance such that the overall demand for oil and gas is decreased it could have an adverse effect on our operations and the value of our assets.
 
Future litigation or governmental proceedings could result in material adverse consequences, including judgments or settlements.
 
From time to time, we are involved in lawsuits, regulatory inquiries and may be involved in governmental and other legal proceedings arising out of the ordinary course of our business. Many of these matters raise difficult and complicated factual and legal issues and are subject to uncertainties and complexities. The timing of the final resolutions to these types of matters is often uncertain. Additionally, the possible outcomes or resolutions to these matters could include adverse judgments or settlements, either of which could require substantial payments, adversely affecting our results of operations and liquidity.
 
We may be subject in the normal course of business to judicial, administrative or other third-party proceedings that could interrupt or limit our operations, require expensive remediation, result in adverse judgments, settlements or fines and create negative publicity.
 
Governmental agencies may, among other things, impose fines or penalties on us relating to the conduct of our business, attempt to revoke or deny renewal of our operating permits, franchises or licenses for violations or alleged violations of environmental laws or regulations or as a result of third-party challenges, require us to install additional pollution control equipment or require us to remediate potential environmental problems relating to any real property that we or our predecessors ever owned, leased or operated or any waste that we or our predecessors ever collected, transported, disposed of or stored. Individuals, citizens groups, trade associations or environmental activists may also bring actions against us in connection with our operations that could interrupt or limit the scope of our business. Any adverse outcome in such proceedings could harm our operations and financial results and create negative publicity, which could damage our reputation, competitive position and stock price. We may also be required to take corrective actions, including, but not limited to, installing additional equipment, which could require us to make substantial capital expenditures. We could also be required to indemnify our employees in connection with any expenses or liabilities that they may incur individually in connection with regulatory action against us. These could result in a material adverse effect on our prospects, business, financial condition and our results of operations.
  
A substantial percentage of our recently acquired New Mexico properties are undeveloped; therefore, the risk associated with our success is greater than would be the case if the majority of such properties were categorized as proved developed producing.
 
Because a substantial percentage of our recently acquired New Mexico properties are undeveloped, we will require significant additional capital to develop such properties before they may become productive. Further, because of the inherent uncertainties associated with drilling for oil and gas, some of these properties may never be developed to the extent that they result in positive cash flow. Even if we are successful in our development efforts, it could take several years for a significant portion of our undeveloped properties to be converted to positive cash flow.
  
 
 
50
 
 
 
Part of our strategy involves using certain of the latest available horizontal drilling and completion techniques, which involve additional risks and uncertainties in their application if compared to conventional drilling.
 
We plan to utilize some of the latest horizontal drilling and completion techniques as developed by us, other oil and gas exploration and production companies and our service providers. The additional risks that we face while drilling horizontally include, but are not limited to, the following:
 
drilling wells that are significantly longer and/or deeper than more conventional wells;
 
landing our wellbore in the desired drilling zone;
 
staying in the desired drilling zone while drilling horizontally through the formation;
 
running our casing the entire length of the wellbore; and
 
being able to run tools and other equipment consistently through the horizontal wellbore.
 
Risks that we face while completing our wells include, but are not limited to, the following:
 
the ability to fracture stimulate the planned number of stages in a horizontal or lateral well bore;
 
the ability to run tools the entire length of the wellbore during completion operations; and
 
the ability to successfully clean out the wellbore after completion of the final fracture stimulation stage.
 
Prospects that we decide to drill may not yield oil or natural gas in commercially viable quantities.
 
Our prospects are in various stages of evaluation, ranging from prospects that are currently being drilled to prospects that will require substantial additional seismic data processing and interpretation. There is no way to predict in advance of drilling and testing whether any particular prospect will yield oil or natural gas in sufficient quantities to recover drilling or completion costs or to be economically viable. This risk may be enhanced in our situation, due to the fact that a significant percentage of our reserves is undeveloped. The use of seismic data and other technologies and the study of producing fields in the same area will not enable us to know conclusively prior to drilling whether oil or natural gas will be present or, if present, whether oil or natural gas will be present in commercial quantities. We cannot assure you that the analogies we draw from available data obtained by analyzing other wells, more fully explored prospects or producing fields will be applicable to our drilling prospects.
 
Over the past approximately 21 months we have been significantly dependent on capital provided to us by SK Energy.
 
Since June 2018, SK Energy, which is owned and controlled by Dr. Simon Kukes, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and director, has loaned us an aggregate of $51.7 million to support our operations and for acquisitions, all of which loans were evidenced by promissory notes. The promissory notes generally had terms which were more favorable to us than we would have been able to obtain from third parties, including, generally favorable interest rates, no restrictions on further borrowing or financial covenants and no security interests in our assets. All of such notes have to date been converted into 29.5 million shares of common stock at conversion prices which were above the then-trading prices of our common stock. Additionally, pursuant to subscription agreements, SK Energy purchased an additional aggregate of 15.0 million shares of common stock from the Company in private transactions for $28.0 million. While SK Energy has verbally advised us that it intends to provide us additional funding as needed, nothing has been documented to date, and such future funding, if any, may not ultimately be provided on favorable terms, if at all. In the event that we are forced to obtain funding from parties other than SK Energy, such funding terms will likely not be as favorable to the Company as the funding provided by SK Energy, and may not be available in such amounts as previously provided by SK Energy. In the event SK Energy fails to provide us future funding, when and if needed, it could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, results of operations and could force us to borrow funds from outside sources on less favorable terms than our prior debt.
 
 
51
 
 
 
 
Negative public perception regarding us and/or our industry could have an adverse effect on our operations.
 
 
Negative public perception regarding us and/or our industry resulting from, among other things, concerns raised by advocacy groups about hydraulic fracturing, waste disposal, oil spills, seismic activity, climate change, explosions of natural gas transmission lines and the development and operation of pipelines and other midstream facilities may lead to increased regulatory scrutiny, which may, in turn, lead to new state and federal safety and environmental laws, regulations, guidelines and enforcement interpretations. Additionally, environmental groups, landowners, local groups and other advocates may oppose our operations through organized protests, attempts to block or sabotage our operations or those of our midstream transportation providers, intervene in regulatory or administrative proceedings involving our assets or those of our midstream transportation providers, or file lawsuits or other actions designed to prevent, disrupt or delay the development or operation of our assets and business or those of our midstream transportation providers. These actions may cause operational delays or restrictions, increased operating costs, additional regulatory burdens and increased risk of litigation. Moreover, governmental authorities exercise considerable discretion in the timing and scope of permit issuance and the public may engage in the permitting process, including through intervention in the courts. Negative public perception could cause the permits we require to conduct our operations to be withheld, delayed or burdened by requirements that restrict our ability to profitably conduct our business.
 
Recently, activists concerned about the potential effects of climate change have directed their attention towards sources of funding for fossil-fuel energy companies, which has resulted in certain financial institutions, funds and other sources of capital restricting or eliminating their investment in energy-related activities. Ultimately, this could make it more difficult to secure funding for exploration and production activities.
 
Our business could be adversely affected by security threats, including cybersecurity threats.
 
 
We face various security threats, including cybersecurity threats to gain unauthorized access to our sensitive information or to render our information or systems unusable, and threats to the security of our facilities and infrastructure or third-party facilities and infrastructure, such as gathering and processing facilities, refineries, rail facilities and pipelines. The potential for such security threats subjects our operations to increased risks that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. For example, unauthorized access to our seismic data, reserves information or other proprietary information could lead to data corruption, communication interruptions, or other disruptions to our operations.
 
Our implementation of various procedures and controls to monitor and mitigate such security threats and to increase security for our information, systems, facilities and infrastructure may result in increased capital and operating costs. Moreover, there can be no assurance that such procedures and controls will be sufficient to prevent security breaches from occurring. If any of these security breaches were to occur, they could lead to losses of, or damage to, sensitive information or facilities, infrastructure and systems essential to our business and operations, as well as data corruption, reputational damage, communication interruptions or other disruptions to our operations, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.
 
Weather and climate may have a significant and adverse impact on us.
 
Demand for crude oil and natural gas is, to a degree, dependent on weather and climate, which impacts, among other things, the price we receive for the commodities we produce and, in turn, our cash flows and results of operations. For example, relatively warm temperatures during a winter season generally result in relatively lower demand for natural gas (as less natural gas is used to heat residences and businesses) and, as a result, lower prices for natural gas production.
 
In addition, there has been public discussion that climate change may be associated with more frequent or more extreme weather events, changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, changes to ground and surface water availability, and other related phenomena, which could affect some, or all, of our operations. Our exploration, exploitation and development activities and equipment could be adversely affected by extreme weather events, such as winter storms, flooding and tropical storms and hurricanes, which may cause a loss of production from temporary cessation of activity or damaged facilities and equipment. Such extreme weather events could also impact other areas of our operations, including access to our drilling and production facilities for routine operations, maintenance and repairs, the installation and operation of gathering, processing, compression, storage and transportation facilities and the availability of, and our access to, necessary third-party services, such as gathering, processing, compression, storage and transportation services. Such extreme weather events and changes in weather patterns may materially and adversely affect our business and, in turn, our financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
52
 
 
 
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
 
We currently have an illiquid and volatile market for our common stock, and the market for our common stock is and may remain illiquid and volatile in the future.
 
We currently have a highly sporadic, illiquid and volatile market for our common stock, which market is anticipated to remain sporadic, illiquid and volatile in the future. Factors that could affect our stock price or result in fluctuations in the market price or trading volume of our common stock include:
 
 
our actual or anticipated operating and financial performance and drilling locations, including reserves estimates;
 
 
 
 
quarterly variations in the rate of growth of our financial indicators, such as net income per share, net income and cash flows, or those of companies that are perceived to be similar to us;
 
 
 
 
changes in revenue, cash flows or earnings estimates or publication of reports by equity research analysts;
 
 
 
 
speculation in the press or investment community;
 
 
 
 
public reaction to our press releases, announcements and filings with the SEC;
 
 
 
 
sales of our common stock by us or other stockholders, or the perception that such sales may occur;
 
 
 
 
the limited amount of our freely tradable common stock available in the public marketplace;
 
 
 
 
general financial market conditions and oil and natural gas industry market conditions, including fluctuations in commodity prices;
 
 
 
 
the realization of any of the risk factors presented in this Annual Report;
 
 
 
 
the recruitment or departure of key personnel;
 
 
 
 
commencement of, or involvement in, litigation;
 
 
 
 
the prices of oil and natural gas;
 
 
 
 
the success of our exploration and development operations, and the marketing of any oil and natural gas we produce;
 
 
 
 
changes in market valuations of companies similar to ours; and
 
 
 
 
domestic and international economic, health, legal and regulatory factors unrelated to our performance.
 
Our common stock is listed on the NYSE American under the symbol “PED.” Our stock price may be impacted by factors that are unrelated or disproportionate to our operating performance. The stock markets in general have experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. Additionally, general economic, political and market conditions, such as recessions, interest rates or international currency fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Due to the limited volume of our shares which trade, we believe that our stock prices (bid, ask and closing prices) may not be related to our actual value, and not reflect the actual value of our common stock. Stockholders and potential investors in our common stock should exercise caution before making an investment in us.
 
Additionally, as a result of the illiquidity of our common stock, investors may not be interested in owning our common stock because of the inability to acquire or sell a substantial block of our common stock at one time. Such illiquidity could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. In addition, a stockholder may not be able to borrow funds using our common stock as collateral because lenders may be unwilling to accept the pledge of securities having such a limited market. We cannot assure you that an active trading market for our common stock will develop or, if one develops, be sustained.
 
 
 
53
 
 
 
An active liquid trading market for our common stock may not develop in the future.
 
Our common stock currently trades on the NYSE American, although our common stock’s trading volume is very low. Liquid and active trading markets usually result in less price volatility and more efficiency in carrying out investors’ purchase and sale orders. However, our common stock may continue to have limited trading volume, and many investors may not be interested in owning our common stock because of the inability to acquire or sell a substantial block of our common stock at one time. Such illiquidity could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. In addition, a stockholder may not be able to borrow funds using our common stock as collateral because lenders may be unwilling to accept the pledge of securities having such a limited market. We cannot assure you that an active trading market for our common stock will develop or, if one develops, be sustained.
 
We do not presently intend to pay any cash dividends on or repurchase any shares of our common stock.
 
We do not presently intend to pay any cash dividends on our common stock or to repurchase any shares of our common stock. Any payment of future dividends will be at the discretion of the board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, statutory and contractual restrictions applying to the payment of dividends and other considerations that our board of directors deems relevant. Cash dividend payments in the future may only be made out of legally available funds and, if we experience substantial losses, such funds may not be available. Accordingly, you may have to sell some or all of your common stock in order to generate cash flow from your investment, and there is no guarantee that the price of our common stock that will prevail in the market will ever exceed the price paid by you.
 
Because we are a small company, the requirements of being a public company, including compliance with the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Act, may strain our resources, increase our costs and distract management, and we may be unable to comply with these requirements in a timely or cost-effective manner.
 
As a public company with listed equity securities, we must comply with the federal securities laws, rules and regulations, including certain corporate governance provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) and the Dodd-Frank Act, related rules and regulations of the SEC and the NYSE American, with which a private company is not required to comply. Complying with these laws, rules and regulations will occupy a significant amount of time of our board of directors and management and will significantly increase our costs and expenses, which we cannot estimate accurately at this time. Among other things, we must:
 
 
establish and maintain a system of internal control over financial reporting in compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the related rules and regulations of the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board;
 
 
 
 
comply with rules and regulations promulgated by the NYSE American;
 
 
 
 
prepare and distribute periodic public reports in compliance with our obligations under the federal securities laws;
 
 
 
 
maintain various internal compliance and disclosures policies, such as those relating to disclosure controls and procedures and insider trading in our common stock;
 
 
 
 
involve and retain to a greater degree outside counsel and accountants in the above activities;
 
 
 
 
maintain a comprehensive internal audit function; and
 
 
 
 
maintain an investor relations function.
  
In addition, being a public company subject to these rules and regulations may require us to accept less director and officer liability insurance coverage than we desire or to incur substantial costs to obtain coverage. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our board of directors, particularly to serve on our audit committee, and qualified executive officers.
 
 
 
54
 
 
 
Future sales of our common stock could cause our stock price to decline.
 
If our stockholders sell substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, the market price of our common stock could decrease significantly. The perception in the public market that our stockholders might sell shares of our common stock could also depress the market price of our common stock.  A decline in the price of shares of our common stock might impede our ability to raise capital through the issuance of additional shares of our common stock or other equity securities.
 
Our outstanding options, warrants and convertible securities may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.
 
As of December 31, 2019, there are outstanding stock options to purchase 753,349 shares of our common stock and outstanding warrants to purchase 150,329 shares of our common stock. For the life of the options and warrants, the holders have the opportunity to profit from a rise in the market price of our common stock without assuming the risk of ownership. The issuance of shares upon the exercise of outstanding securities will also dilute the ownership interests of our existing stockholders.
 
The availability of these shares for public resale, as well as any actual resales of these shares, could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. We previously filed registration statements with the SEC on Form S-8 providing for the registration of an aggregate of approximately 8,134,915 shares of our common stock, issued, issuable or reserved for issuance under our equity incentive plans. Subject to the satisfaction of vesting conditions, the expiration of lockup agreements, any management 10b5-1 plans and certain restrictions on sales by affiliates, shares registered under registration statements on Form S-8 will be available for resale immediately in the public market without restriction.
 
We cannot predict the size of future issuances of our common stock pursuant to the exercise of outstanding options or warrants or conversion of other securities, or the effect, if any, that future issuances and sales of shares of our common stock may have on the market price of our common stock. Sales or distributions of substantial amounts of our common stock (including shares issued in connection with an acquisition), or the perception that such sales could occur, may cause the market price of our common stock to decline.
  
We depend significantly upon the continued involvement of our present management.
 
We depend to a significant degree upon the involvement of our management, specifically, our Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Simon Kukes and our President, Mr. J. Douglas Schick. Our performance and success are dependent to a large extent on the efforts and continued employment of Dr. Kukes and Mr. Schick. We do not believe that Dr. Kukes or Mr. Schick could be quickly replaced with personnel of equal experience and capabilities, and their successor(s) may not be as effective. If Dr. Kukes, Mr. Schick, or any of our other key personnel resign or become unable to continue in their present roles and if they are not adequately replaced, our business operations could be adversely affected. We have no employment or similar agreement in place with Dr. Kukes. Mr. Schick is party to an employment agreement with us which has no stated term and can be terminated by either party without cause.
 
We have an active board of directors that meets several times throughout the year and is intimately involved in our business and the determination of our operational strategies. Members of our board of directors work closely with management to identify potential prospects, acquisitions and areas for further development. If any of our directors resign or become unable to continue in their present role, it may be difficult to find replacements with the same knowledge and experience and as a result, our operations may be adversely affected.
 
Dr. Simon Kukes, our Chief Executive Officer and a member of board of directors, beneficially owns 74.5% of our common stock through SK Energy LLC, which gives him majority voting control over stockholder matters and his interests may be different from your interests.
 
Dr. Simon Kukes, our Chief Executive Officer and member of the board of directors, is the principal and sole owner of SK Energy LLC, which beneficially owns approximately 71.8% of our issued and outstanding common stock and Dr. Kukes, together with the ownership of SK Energy, beneficially owns approximately 74.5% of our issued and outstanding common stock. As such, Dr. Kukes can control the outcome of all matters requiring a stockholder vote, including the election of directors, the adoption of amendments to our certificate of formation or bylaws and the approval of mergers and other significant corporate transactions. Subject to any fiduciary duties owed to the stockholders generally, while Dr. Kukes’ interests may generally be aligned with the interests of our stockholders, in some instances Dr. Kukes may have interests different than the rest of our stockholders, including but not limited to, future potential company financings in which SK Energy may participate, or his leadership at the Company. Dr. Kukes’ influence or control of our company as a stockholder may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of our company and may adversely affect the voting and other rights of other stockholders. Because Dr. Kukes controls the stockholder vote, investors may find it difficult to replace Dr. Kukes (and such persons as he may appoint from time to time) as members of our management if they disagree with the way our business is being operated. Additionally, the interests of Dr. Kukes may differ from the interests of the other stockholders and thus result in corporate decisions that are adverse to other stockholders.
  
 
 
55
 
 
 
Provisions of Texas law may have anti-takeover effects that could prevent a change in control even if it might be beneficial to our stockholders.
 
Provisions of Texas law may discourage, delay or prevent someone from acquiring or merging with us, which may cause the market price of our common stock to decline. Under Texas law, a stockholder who beneficially owns more than 20% of our voting stock, or any “affiliated stockholder,” cannot acquire us for a period of three years from the date this person became an affiliated stockholder, unless various conditions are met, such as approval of the transaction by our board of directors before this person became an affiliated stockholder (such as the approval of our board of directors of Dr. Kukes’ ownership of the Company) or approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of our outstanding voting shares not beneficially owned by the affiliated stockholder.
 
Our board of directors can authorize the issuance of preferred stock, which could diminish the rights of holders of our common stock and make a change of control of our company more difficult even if it might benefit our stockholders.
 
Our board of directors is authorized to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the voting powers, preferences and other rights and limitations of the preferred stock. Shares of preferred stock may be issued by our board of directors without stockholder approval, with voting powers and such preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and powers as determined by our board of directors, which may be greater than the shares of common stock currently outstanding. As a result, shares of preferred stock may be issued by our board of directors which cause the holders to have majority voting power over our shares, provide the holders of the preferred stock the right to convert the shares of preferred stock they hold into shares of our common stock, which may cause substantial dilution to our then common stock stockholders and/or have other rights and preferences greater than those of our common stock stockholders including having a preference over our common stock with respect to dividends or distributions on liquidation or dissolution.
 
Investors should keep in mind that the board of directors has the authority to issue additional shares of common stock and preferred stock, which could cause substantial dilution to our existing stockholders. Additionally, the dilutive effect of any preferred stock which we may issue may be exacerbated given the fact that such preferred stock may have voting rights and/or other rights or preferences which could provide the preferred stockholders with substantial voting control over us subsequent to the date of this Annual Report and/or give those holders the power to prevent or cause a change in control, even if that change in control might benefit our stockholders. As a result, the issuance of shares of common stock and/or preferred stock may cause the value of our securities to decrease.
 
Securities analysts may not cover, or continue to cover, our common stock and this may have a negative impact on our common stock’s market price.
 
The trading market for our common stock will depend, in part, on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. We do not have any control over independent analysts (provided that we have engaged various non-independent analysts). We currently only have a few independent analysts that cover our common stock, and these analysts may discontinue coverage of our common stock at any time. Further, we may not be able to obtain additional research coverage by independent securities and industry analysts. If no independent securities or industry analysts continue coverage of us, the trading price for our common stock could be negatively impacted. If one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our common stock, changes their opinion of our shares or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price could decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of us or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our common stock could decrease and we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause our stock price and trading volume to decline.
 
 
 
56
 
 
 
Stockholders may be diluted significantly through our efforts to obtain financing and satisfy obligations through the issuance of securities.
 
Wherever possible, our board of directors will attempt to use non-cash consideration to satisfy obligations. In many instances, we believe that the non-cash consideration will consist of shares of our common stock, preferred stock or warrants to purchase shares of our common stock. Our board of directors has authority, without action or vote of the stockholders, subject to the requirements of the NYSE American (which generally require stockholder approval for any transactions which would result in the issuance of more than 20% of our then outstanding shares of common stock or voting rights representing over 20% of our then outstanding shares of stock, subject to certain exceptions, including sales in a public offering and/or sales which are undertaken at or above the lower of the closing price immediately preceding the signing of the binding agreement or the average closing price for the five trading days immediately preceding the signing of the binding agreement), to issue all or part of the authorized but unissued shares of common stock, preferred stock or warrants to purchase such shares of common stock. In addition, we may attempt to raise capital by selling shares of our common stock, possibly at a discount to market in the future. These actions will result in dilution of the ownership interests of existing stockholders and may further dilute common stock book value, and that dilution may be material. Such issuances may also serve to enhance existing management’s ability to maintain control of us, because the shares may be issued to parties or entities committed to supporting existing management.
 
We are subject to the Continued Listing Criteria of the NYSE American and our failure to satisfy these criteria may result in delisting of our common stock.
 
Our common stock is currently listed on the NYSE American. In order to maintain this listing, we must maintain certain share prices, financial and share distribution targets, including maintaining a minimum amount of stockholders’ equity and a minimum number of public stockholders. In addition to these objective standards, the NYSE American may delist the securities of any issuer if, in its opinion, the issuer’s financial condition and/or operating results appear unsatisfactory; if it appears that the extent of public distribution or the aggregate market value of the security has become so reduced as to make continued listing on the NYSE American inadvisable; if the issuer sells or disposes of principal operating assets or ceases to be an operating company; if an issuer fails to comply with the NYSE American’s listing requirements; if an issuer’s common stock sells at what the NYSE American considers a “low selling price” (generally trading below $0.20 per share for an extended period of time) and the issuer fails to correct this via a reverse split of shares after notification by the NYSE American (provided that issuers can also be delisted if any shares of the issuer trade below $0.06 per share); or if any other event occurs or any condition exists which makes continued listing on the NYSE American, in its opinion, inadvisable.
  
If the NYSE American delists our common stock, investors may face material adverse consequences, including, but not limited to, a lack of trading market for our securities, reduced liquidity, decreased analyst coverage of our securities, and an inability for us to obtain additional financing to fund our operations.
   
Due to the fact that our common stock is listed on the NYSE American, we are subject to financial and other reporting and corporate governance requirements which increase our costs and expenses.
 
We are currently required to file annual and quarterly information and other reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission that are specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Additionally, due to the fact that our common stock is listed on the NYSE American, we are also subject to the requirements to maintain independent directors, comply with other corporate governance requirements and are required to pay annual listing and stock issuance fees. These obligations require a commitment of additional resources including, but not limited, to additional expenses, and may result in the diversion of our senior management’s time and attention from our day-to-day operations. These obligations increase our expenses and may make it more complicated or time consuming for us to undertake certain corporate actions due to the fact that we may require NYSE approval for such transactions and/or NYSE rules may require us to obtain stockholder approval for such transactions.
 
If persons engage in short sales of our common stock, including sales of shares to be issued upon exercise of our outstanding warrants, the price of our common stock may decline.
 
Selling short is a technique used by a stockholder to take advantage of an anticipated decline in the price of a security. In addition, holders of options and warrants will sometimes sell short knowing they can, in effect, cover through the exercise of an option or warrant, thus locking in a profit. A significant number of short sales or a large volume of other sales within a relatively short period of time can create downward pressure on the market price of a security. Further sales of common stock issued upon exercise of our outstanding warrants could cause even greater declines in the price of our common stock due to the number of additional shares available in the market upon such exercise, which could encourage short sales that could further undermine the value of our common stock. Stockholders could, therefore, experience a decline in the values of their investment as a result of short sales of our common stock.
   
 
 
57
 
 
 
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
 
None.
 
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
 
The information regarding the Company’s oil and gas properties as required by Item 102 of Regulation S-K is included in "Part I" – “Item 1. Business”, above and incorporated in this Item 2 by reference.
 
Office Leases
 
In June 2018, the Company assumed the lease for its corporate office space located in Houston, Texas from American Resources, Inc., an entity beneficially owned and controlled by Ivar Siem, a director of the Company, and J. Douglas Schick, the Company’s President. The term of the lease ended on August 31, 2019.
 
Effective September 1, 2019, the Company moved its corporate headquarters from 1250 Wood Branch Park Dr., Suite 400, Houston, Texas 77079 to 575 N. Dairy Ashford, Suite 210, Houston, Texas 77079 in connection with the expiration of its former office space lease. The Company entered into a sublease on approximately 5,200 square feet of office space that expires on August 31, 2023, and has a base monthly rent of approximately $10,000 with the first month rent due beginning on January 1, 2020. The Company paid a security deposit of $9,600.
 
On November 1, 2019, the Company subleased approximately 300 square feet of office space at its current headquarters to SK Energy, which is owned and controlled by Dr. Kukes, our Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors. The lease renews on a monthly basis, may be terminated by either party at any time upon prior written notice delivered to the other party, and has a monthly base rent of $1,200.
 
The Company also leased space for its former corporate headquarters in Danville, California that was scheduled to expire on July 31, 2019, but was terminated in January 2019, without penalty or other amounts due. In February 2019, the Company entered into a six-month lease agreement for 187 square feet of new office space located in Danville, California for the Company’s General Counsel. The monthly rent is $1,200, and the Company paid a $1,200 security deposit. In August 2019, the lease was extended for an additional six months on the same terms. The lease was subsequently extended for an additional six months in February 2020 at the same rate. The total current obligation for the remainder of this lease through July 2020 is $8,400.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company incurred lease expense of $139,000 and $98,000, respectively, for the combined leases.
 
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
From time to time, we may become party to litigation or other legal proceedings that we consider to be a part of the ordinary course of our business. We are not currently involved in any legal proceedings that we believe could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations. We may become involved in material legal proceedings in the future.
 
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
 
Not applicable
 
 
 
 
58
 
 
PART II
 
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
 
Market Information
 
Since September 10, 2013, the Company’s shares of common stock have traded on the NYSE American under the ticker symbol “PED.
 
Stockholders
 
As of March 27, 2020, there were approximately 759 holders of record of our common stock, not including any persons who hold their stock in “street name”.
 
Common Stock
 
The Company is authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares of common stock with $0.001 par value per share. Holders of shares of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders. In the event of liquidation, holders of common stock are entitled to share pro rata in the distribution of assets remaining after payment of liabilities, if any. Holders of common stock have no cumulative voting rights, and, accordingly, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares have the ability to elect all of the directors of the Company. Holders of common stock have no preemptive or other rights to subscribe for shares. Holders of common stock are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by the Board out of funds legally available therefore. The outstanding shares of common stock are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. 
 
Preferred Stock
 
At December 31, 2019 and as of the date of this filing, the Company was authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.001 per share, of which 25,000,000 shares have been designated “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock”. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no shares of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding, respectively, and there are no outstanding shares of preferred stock as of the date of this filing.
 
Stock Transfer Agent
 
Our stock transfer agent is American Stock Transfer, Inc., located at 6201 15th Ave., Brooklyn, New York 11219.
 
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
 
There have been no sales of unregistered securities during the year ended December 31, 2019 and from the period from January 1, 2020 to the filing date of this report, which have not previously been disclosed in a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or in a Current Report on Form 8-K.
 
Recent Sales of Registered Securities
 
None.
 
Use of Proceeds From Sale of Registered Securities
 
None.
 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
None.
 
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
Not required under Regulation S-K for “smaller reporting companies.”
 
 
 
 
59
 
 
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report. The following discussion contains “forward-looking statements” that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. We caution you that assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions or beliefs about future events may, and often do, vary from actual results and the differences can be material. See “Risk Factors” and “Forward Looking Statements.
 
Overview
 
We are an oil and gas company focused on the development, acquisition and production of oil and natural gas assets where the latest in modern drilling and completion techniques and technologies have yet to be applied. In particular, we focus on legacy proven properties where there is a long production history, well defined geology and existing infrastructure that can be leveraged when applying modern field management technologies. Our current properties are located in the San Andres formation of the Permian Basin situated in West Texas and eastern New Mexico and in the Denver-Julesberg Basin in Colorado.  As of December 31, 2019, we held approximately 38,258 net Permian Basin acres located in Chaves and Roosevelt Counties, New Mexico, through PEDCO and approximately 11,948 net D-J Basin acres located in Weld and Morgan Counties, Colorado, through our wholly-owned operating subsidiary, Red Hawk. As of December 31, 2019, we held interests in 379 gross (302 net) wells in our Permian Basin Asset of which 51 are active producers, 25 are active injectors and one well is an active Saltwater Disposal Well (“SWD”), all of which are held by PEDCO and operated by its wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, and interests in 75 gross (21.9 net) wells in our D-J Basin Asset, of which 18 gross (16.2 net) wells are operated by Red Hawk and currently producing, 36 gross (5.6 net) wells are non-operated, and 21 wells have an after-payout interest.
 
Detailed information about our business plans and operations, including our core D-J Basin and Permian Basin Assets, is contained under “Part I” — “Item 1. Business” above.
  
How We Conduct Our Business and Evaluate Our Operations
  
Our use of capital for acquisitions and development allows us to direct our capital resources to what we believe to be the most attractive opportunities as market conditions evolve. We have historically acquired properties that we believe had significant appreciation potential. We intend to continue to acquire both operated and non-operated properties to the extent we believe they meet our return objectives.
 
We will use a variety of financial and operational metrics to assess the performance of our oil and natural gas operations, including:
 
production volumes;
realized prices on the sale of oil and natural gas, including the effects of our commodity derivative contracts;
oil and natural gas production and operating expenses;
capital expenditures;
general and administrative expenses;
net cash provided by operating activities; and
net income.
 
Reserves
 
Our estimated net proved crude oil and natural gas reserves at December 31, 2019 and 2018 were approximately 14.0 million Boe and 12.4 million Boe, respectively. This reserve level increased approximately 1.6 million Boe or13%, from 2018 to 2019. In 2019, we had an increase in reserves primarily due to the drilling and completion of nine new productive wells in the Permian Basin, as well as our participation (non-operated working interest), in 11 productive wells in the DJ-Basin.
 
 
60
 
 
 
Using the average monthly crude oil price of $55.69 per Bbl and natural gas price of $2.58 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, our estimated discounted future net cash flow (PV-10) before tax expenses for our proved reserves was approximately $122.7 million, of which approximately $82.8 million are proved undeveloped reserves. Total reserve value at December 31, 2019 represents a decrease of approximately $58.6 million or 32% from a year earlier using the same SEC pricing and reserves methodology. The decrease can be attributed to a $69.1 million reduction due to changes in commodity prices, coupled with a $21.5 million reduction due to increases in capital costs for proved undeveloped reserves and operating expenses, offset by a $32.0 million increase in proved developed reserves from our drilling and completion activity during the period which is noted above.
 
The reserves as of December 31, 2019 were determined in accordance with standard industry practices and SEC regulations by the licensed independent petroleum engineering firm of Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc. A large portion of the proved undeveloped crude oil reserves are associated with the Permian Basin formation. Although these hydrocarbon quantities have been determined in accordance with industry standards, they are prepared using the subjective judgments of the independent engineers and may actually be more or less.
 
Oil and Natural Gas Sales Volumes
 
During the year ended December 31, 2019, our net crude oil, natural gas and NGLs sales volumes increased to 266,070 Bbls or 729 Bopd from 92,985 Bbls, or 255 Bopd, a 186% increase over the previous fiscal year. The production increase is primarily related to the Company’ acquisition of oil and gas properties in third quarter of 2018, which in turn increased production for 2019, and the drilling and completion of five new productive wells, four of which began production in the first quarter of 2019, in the Permian Basin, as well as our participation (non-operated working interest) in 11 productive wells in the DJ-Basin.
 
Significant Capital Expenditures
 
The table below sets out the significant components of capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands):
 
 
 
2019
 
Capital Expenditures
 
 
 
Leasehold Acquisitions (1) 
 $468 
Property Acquisitions (1)
  652 
Drilling and Facilities (2) 
  41,810 
 Total
 $42,930 
 
(1)
Consists of amounts related to the acquisition of certain oil and gas properties during 2019 (discussed in greater detail at “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” - “Note 6 - Oil and Gas Properties.”)
(2)
Consists of amounts primarily related to the drilling and completion of nine wells in the Permian and our participation in the drilling and completion of 11 wells in the DJ-Basin by a third-party operator.
 
Market Conditions and Commodity Prices
 
Our financial results depend on many factors, particularly the price of natural gas and crude oil and our ability to market our production on economically attractive terms. Commodity prices are affected by many factors outside of our control, including changes in market supply and demand, which are impacted by weather conditions, inventory storage levels, basis differentials and other factors. As a result, we cannot accurately predict future commodity prices and, therefore, we cannot determine with any degree of certainty what effect increases or decreases in these prices will have on our production volumes or revenues. In addition to production volumes and commodity prices, finding and developing sufficient amounts of natural gas and crude oil reserves at economical costs are critical to our long-term success. We expect prices to remain volatile for the remainder of the year. For information about the impact of realized commodity prices on our natural gas and crude oil and condensate revenues, refer to “Results of Operations” below.
 
Results of Operations
 
The following discussion and analysis of the results of operations for each of the two fiscal years in the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of PEDEVCO Corp. and notes thereto included herein (see “Part II” – “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”).
 
 
61
 
 
 
We reported a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2019 of $11.1 million, or ($0.22) per share, compared to net income for the year ended December 31, 2018 of $53.6 million or $4.80 per share. The decrease in net income of $64.7 million was primarily due to the recognition of a one-time $70.3 million gain on debt restructuring in June 2018. Excluding this significant non-recurring transaction, our net loss decreased by $5.6 million, due to a reduction in interest expense incurred of $6.9 million, as a result of our 2018 debt restructuring, coupled with $8.4 million in additional revenue and a $1.0 million gain on asset sale, offset by a $0.5 million loss on the settlement of Asset Retirement Obligations (“ARO”) and additional operating expenses of $10.2 million, from the Company’s production increases, as well as the hiring of additional staff and consultants, when comparing the current period to the prior period.
 
Net Revenues
 
The following table sets forth the revenue and production data for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
%
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
Sale Volumes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Crude Oil (Bbls)
  234,378 
  70,395 
  163,983 
  233%
Natural Gas (Mcf)
  153,251 
  89,769 
  63,482 
  71%
NGL (Bbls)
  6,150 
  7,629 
  (1,479)
  (19%)
Total (Boe)
  266,070 
  92,985 
  173,085 
  186%
 
    
    
    
    
Crude Oil (Bbls per day)
  642 
  193 
  449 
  233%
Natural Gas (Mcf per day)
  420 
  246 
  174 
  71%
NGL (Bbls per day)
  17 
  21 
  (4)
  (19%)
Total (Boe per day)
  729 
  255 
  474 
  186%
 
    
    
    
    
Average Sale Price:
    
    
    
    
Crude Oil ($/Bbl)
 $53.41 
 $59.00 
 $(5.59)
  (9%)
Natural Gas($/Mcf)
  2.43 
  2.56 
  (0.13)
  (5%)
NGL ($/Bbl)
  13.28 
  18.32 
  (5.04)
  (28%)
 
    
    
    
    
 
    
    
    
    
Net Operating Revenues (In thousands):
    
    
    
    
Crude Oil
 $12,518 
 $4,153 
 $8,365 
  201%
Natural Gas
  372 
  230 
  142 
  62%
NGL
  82 
  140 
  (58)
  (41%)
           Total Revenues
 $12,972 
 $4,523 
 $8,449 
  187%
 
(1)
Assumes 6 Mcf of natural gas equivalents to 1 barrel of oil.
 
Total crude oil and natural gas revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019 increased $8.5 million, or 187%, to $13.0 million, compared to $4.5 million for the same period a year ago due primarily to a favorable crude oil volume variance of $8.9 million, offset by an unfavorable crude oil price variance of $0.4 million. Production increases are primarily from our drilling and completing five productive wells in our Permian Basin, as well as our participation (non-operated working interest) in the drilling and completion of 11 productive wells in our DJ-Basin and additional workover activities during the period.
 
 
62
 
 
 
Net Operating and Other (Income) Expenses
 
The following table sets forth operating and other expenses for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 (In thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase
 
 
% Increase
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 
 (Decrease)
 
 
 (Decrease)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct Lease Operating Expenses
 $4,077 
 $1,839 
 $2,238 
  122%
Workovers
  1,421 
  695 
  726 
  104%
Other*
  1,319 
  287 
  1,032 
  360%
Total Lease Operating Expenses
  6,817 
  2,821 
  3,996 
  142%
 
    
    
    
    
Exploration Expenses
  110 
  47 
  63 
  134%
Depreciation, Depletion,
    
    
    
    
  Amortization and Accretion
  11,031 
  6,519 
  4,512 
  69%
Loss on settlement of ARO
  496 
  - 
  496 
  100%
 
    
    
    
    
General and Administrative (Cash)
 $4,228 
 $3,278 
 $950 
  29%
Share-Based Compensation (Non-Cash)
  1,557 
  862 
  695 
  81%
Total General and Administrative Expense
  5,785 
  4,140 
  1,645 
  40%
 
    
    
    
    
Gain on Sale of Oil and Gas Properties
 $1,040 
 $- 
 $1,040 
  100%
 
    
    
    
    
Interest Expense
 $824 
 $7,699 
 $(6,875)
  (89%)
Interest Income
 $55 
 $1 
 $54 
  5,400%
Gain on Debt Extinguishment
 $- 
 $70,309 
 $(70,309)
  (100%)
Other Expense
 $106 
 $- 
 $106 
  100%
 
*Includes severance, ad valorem taxes and marketing costs.
 
Lease Operating Expenses. The increase of $4.0 million in lease operating expenses was primarily due to $0.7 million in increased workover expenses coupled with higher direct and variable lease operating expenses associated with the higher oil volume resulting from the increased number of wells and increased oil production during the current year’s period, compared to the prior year’s period, due to the Permian Basin Asset acquisition in September 2018, as well as production from our completed wells in 2019.
 
Exploration Expense.  There was a minimal change in exploration expenses for 2019 compared to 2018, as there was a minimal increase in exploration activity undertaken by the Company in the current year’s period compared to the prior year’s period.  
 
Depreciation, Depletion, Amortization and Accretion. The $4.5 million increase in depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion was primarily the result of higher oil volume resulting from the increased number of wells and increased oil production from our four new producing wells during the current year’s period, compared to the prior year’s period.
 
Loss on Settlement of ARO. During 2019, the Company incurred a $0.5 million loss on the plugging and abandonment of seven wells located in our Permian Asset. The Company experienced unforeseen fishing and cleanout costs, in addition to a lack of available service providers, which resulted in additional premium charges.
 
General and Administrative Expenses (excluding share-based compensation). The increase of $1.0 million in general and administrative expenses (excluding share-based compensation) was primarily due to increases in payroll, as well as other cost increases, resulting from the hiring of additional personnel and consultants during the current year’s period, compared to the prior year’s period.
 
 
63
 
 
 
Share-Based Compensation. Share-based compensation, which is included in general and administrative expenses in the Statements of Operations, increased by $0.7 million primarily due to an increase in the awarding of employee stock-based options and compensation. Share-based compensation is utilized for the purpose of conserving cash resources for use in field development activities and operations.
 
Gain on Sale of Oil and Gas Properties.  The Company sold rights to 85.5 net acres and acquired 121 net acres of oil and gas leases located in Weld County, Colorado, to a third party during 2019, for aggregate proceeds of $1.2 million and recognized a gain on sale of oil and gas properties of $1.0 million.
 
Interest Expense.  The decrease of $6.9 million in interest expense was due primarily to the conversion of all of our outstanding debt in the first quarter of 2019, coupled with the Company’s June 2018 debt restructuring, noted above, when comparing the current period to the prior period.
 
Gain on Debt Extinguishment. During 2018, the Company recognized a one-time gain of $70.3 million on the Company’s debt restructuring, which occurred in June 2018.
 
Interest Income and Other Expense. Includes interest earned from our interest-bearing cash accounts, and the write-off of a $0.1 million third party option related to the option to acquire shares of Caspian Energy, described in greater detail under “Part II” - “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” - “Note 7 – Other Current Assets” which expired unexercised as of May 12, 2019.
  
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
The primary sources of cash for the Company during the year ended December 31, 2019 were funds borrowed pursuant to convertible promissory notes (which were subsequently converted into common stock) and the sale of restricted common stock, which funds primarily came from SK Energy, which is owned and controlled by Dr. Kukes, our Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors, and Mr. Viktor Tkachev, an unrelated investor who purchased $12.0 million of restricted common stock, and sales of crude oil and natural gas. The primary uses of cash were funds used for development costs and operations.
 
Working Capital
 
At December 31, 2019, the Company’s total current assets of $27.1 million exceeded its total current liabilities of $15.2 million, resulting in a working capital surplus of $11.9 million, which included a reclassification of $3.3 million of restricted cash from current to other assets, as it was determined that the restricted cash, which is used as collateral for surety bonds in our New Mexico operations, would be long-term in nature. See “Part II” - “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” - “Note 4 – Cash”). At December 31, 2018, the Company’s total current liabilities of $8.9 million exceeded its total current assets of $6.8 million, resulting in a working capital deficit of $2.1 million. The $14.0 million increase in our working capital surplus is primarily related to cash borrowed under convertible notes (subsequently converted into common stock) and the sale of common stock during the period, which amounts were in excess of amounts used to fund payables and accrued expenses related to our capital drilling projects.
 
Financing
 
A summary of our financing transactions and other recent funding transactions can be found above under “Part I” – “Item 1. Business” – “Current Year Events”; and “Part II” - “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” - “Note 8 – Notes Payable”, “Note 11 – Stockholders’ Equity – Common Stock” and “Note 14 – Related Party Transactions”, which information is incorporated by reference herein.
 
Cash Flows (in thousands)
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities
 $1,669 
 $(1,494)
Cash flows used in investing activities
  (39,736)
  (23,118)
Cash flows provided by financing activities
  58,000 
  29,474 
Net increase in cash and restricted cash
 $19,933 
 $4,862 
 
 
 
64
 
 
 
Cash Flows provided by (used in) Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $3.2 million for the current year, when compared to the prior year, primarily due to a decrease in our net loss of $6.4 million, when not factoring in our $70.3 million gain on debt restructuring which occurred in the prior period, coupled with a $4.0 million decrease in capitalized and deferred interest expense, a $1.0 million gain on asset sales and net increases to our other components of working capital, which are related to our increased revenue and production levels from our drilling and completion activity in the current year.
 
Cash Flows used in Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities increased by $16.6 million for the current year, when compared to the prior year, primarily due to an increase of $39.6 million in drilling and completion activities in the current year, offset by a $1.2 million property sale in the current period and $21.8 million in additional acquisition and equipment costs in the prior year compared to the current year.
 
Cash Flows provided by Financing Activities. Net cash provided by financing activities increased by $28.5 million primarily due to $43.0 million in proceeds from the sale of common stock in the current year, offset by a decrease in net proceeds from the sale of notes payable from the prior year compared to the current year of $22.9 million. There was also $7.8 million of repayment of notes payable and a $1.1 million warrant repurchase, offset by $0.4 million in proceeds from the issuance of a note payable in the prior year, which contributed to the increase in the current year, when compared to the prior year.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
The Company does not participate in financial transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships. As of December 31, 2019, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our most significant judgments and estimates used in preparation of our financial statements.
 
Oil and Gas Properties, Successful Efforts Method. The successful efforts method of accounting is used for oil and gas exploration and production activities. Under this method, all costs for development wells, support equipment and facilities, and proved mineral interests in oil and gas properties are capitalized. Geological and geophysical costs are expensed when incurred. Costs of exploratory wells are capitalized as exploration and evaluation assets pending determination of whether the wells find proved oil and gas reserves. Proved oil and gas reserves are the estimated quantities of crude oil and natural gas which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions, (i.e., prices and costs as of the date the estimate is made). Prices include consideration of changes in existing prices provided only by contractual arrangements, but not on escalations based upon future conditions.
 
Exploratory wells in areas not requiring major capital expenditures are evaluated for economic viability within one year of completion of drilling. The related well costs are expensed as dry holes if it is determined that such economic viability is not attained. Otherwise, the related well costs are reclassified to oil and gas properties and subject to impairment review. For exploratory wells that are found to have economically viable reserves in areas where major capital expenditure will be required before production can commence, the related well costs remain capitalized only if additional drilling is under way or firmly planned. Otherwise the related well costs are expensed as dry holes.
 
Exploration and evaluation expenditures incurred subsequent to the acquisition of an exploration asset in a business combination are accounted for in accordance with the policy outlined above.
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization of capitalized oil and gas properties is calculated on a field by field basis using the unit of production method. Lease acquisition costs are amortized over the total estimated proved developed and undeveloped reserves and all other capitalized costs are amortized over proved developed reserves. Costs specific to developmental wells for which drilling is in progress or uncompleted are capitalized as wells in progress and not subject to amortization until completion and production commences, at which time amortization on the basis of production will begin.
 
 
65
 
 
 
 
Revenue Recognition.  ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”, supersedes the revenue recognition requirements and industry-specific guidance under Revenue Recognition (Topic 605). Topic 606 requires an entity to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The Company adopted Topic 606 on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method applied to contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Under the modified retrospective method, prior period financial positions and results will not be adjusted. The cumulative effect adjustment recognized in the opening balances included no significant changes as a result of this adoption. Topic 606 requires certain changes to the presentation of revenues and related expenses beginning January 1, 2018. Refer to “Note 5 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers” for additional information.
 
The Company’s revenue is comprised entirely of revenue from exploration and production activities. The Company’s oil is sold primarily to marketers, gatherers, and refiners. Natural gas is sold primarily to interstate and intrastate natural-gas pipelines, direct end-users, industrial users, local distribution companies, and natural-gas marketers. NGLs are sold primarily to direct end-users, refiners, and marketers. Payment is generally received from the customer in the month following delivery.
 
Contracts with customers have varying terms, including month-to-month contracts, and contracts with a finite term. The Company recognizes sales revenues for oil, natural gas, and NGLs based on the amount of each product sold to a customer when control transfers to the customer. Generally, control transfers at the time of delivery to the customer at a pipeline interconnect, the tailgate of a processing facility, or as a tanker lifting is completed. Revenue is measured based on the contract price, which may be index-based or fixed, and may include adjustments for market differentials and downstream costs incurred by the customer, including gathering, transportation, and fuel costs.
 
Revenues are recognized for the sale of the Company’s net share of production volumes. Sales on behalf of other working interest owners and royalty interest owners are not recognized as revenues.
 
Stock-Based Compensation. Pursuant to the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, which establishes accounting for equity instruments exchanged for employee service, we utilize the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of employee stock option awards at the date of grant, which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including expected volatility and expected life. Changes in these inputs and assumptions can materially affect the measure of estimated fair value of our share-based compensation. These assumptions are subjective and generally require significant analysis and judgment to develop. When estimating fair value, some of the assumptions will be based on, or determined from, external data and other assumptions may be derived from our historical experience with stock-based payment arrangements. The appropriate weight to place on historical experience is a matter of judgment, based on relevant facts and circumstances. We estimate volatility by considering historical stock volatility. We have opted to use the simplified method for estimating expected term, which is equal to the midpoint between the vesting period and the contractual term.
 
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
 
Refer to Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” for a discussion of recently adopted accounting pronouncements.
 
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK.
 
Not required under Regulation S-K for “smaller reporting companies.
 
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
 
 
 
66
 
 
 
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Audited Financial Statements for Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
 
 
 
PEDEVCO Corp.:
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018
F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
F-5
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity For the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-7
 
 
 
 
F-1
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
 
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of
PEDEVCO Corp.
 
Opinion on the Financial Statements
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of PEDEVCO Corp. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
Basis for Opinion
 
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
 
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
/s/ Marcum llp
 
Marcum llp
 
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2008.
 
Houston, Texas
March 30, 2020
 
 
 
 
 
 
F-2
 
 
PEDEVCO CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash
 $22,415 
 $3,463 
Restricted cash – current
  - 
  2,316 
Accounts receivable – oil and gas
  4,602 
  842 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
  73 
  204 
Total current assets
  27,090 
  6,825 
 
    
    
Oil and gas properties:
    
    
Oil and gas properties, subject to amortization, net
  76,952 
  51,946 
Oil and gas properties, not subject to amortization, net
  14,896 
  8,516 
Total oil and gas properties, net
  91,848 
  60,462 
 
    
    
Operating lease – right-of-use asset
  360 
  - 
Other assets
  3,598 
  238 
Total assets
 $122,896 
 $67,525 
 
    
    
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
    
    
Current liabilities:
    
    
Accounts payable
 $12,099 
 $4,509 
Accrued expenses
  1,972 
  3,391 
Revenue payable
  827 
  831 
Operating lease liabilities – current
  97 
  - 
Asset retirement obligations – current
  225 
  119 
Total current liabilities
  15,220 
  8,850 
 
    
    
Long-term liabilities:
    
    
Accrued expenses
  - 
  14 
Accrued expenses – related party
  - 
  943 
Notes payable – Subordinated
  - 
  400 
Notes payable – Subordinated – related party
  - 
  30,200 
Notes payable – related party, net of debt discount of $-0- and $161, respectively
  - 
  7,694 
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion
  300 
  - 
Asset retirement obligations, net of current portion
  1,874 
  2,452 
Total liabilities
  17,394 
  50,553 
 
    
    
Commitments and contingencies
    
    
 
    
    
Shareholders’ equity
    
    
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 71,061,328 and 15,808,445 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
  71 
  16 
Additional paid-in capital
  201,027 
  101,450 
Accumulated deficit
  (95,596)
  (84,494)
Total shareholders’ equity
  105,502 
  16,972 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 $122,896 
 $67,525 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
F-3
 
 
PEDEVCO CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
 
 
December 31,
 
Revenue:
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
Oil and gas sales
 $12,972 
 $4,523 
 
    
    
Operating expenses:
    
    
Lease operating costs
  6,817 
  2,821 
Exploration expense
  110 
  47 
Selling, general and administrative expense
  5,785 
  4,140 
Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion
  11,031 
  6,519 
Loss on settlement of asset retirement obligations
  496 
  - 
Total operating expenses
  24,239 
  13,527 
 
    
    
Gain on sale of oil and gas properties
  1,040 
  - 
Operating income (loss)
  (10,227)
  (9,004)
 
    
    
Other income (expense):
    
    
Interest expense
  (824)
  (7,699)
Interest income
  55 
  1 
Other expense
  (106)
  - 
Gain on debt restructuring
  - 
  70,309 
Total other income (expense)
  (875)
  62,611 
 
    
    
Net income (loss)
 $(11,102)
 $53,607 
 
    
    
Earnings (loss) per common share:
    
    
Basic
 $(0.22)
 $4.80 
Diluted
 $(0.22)
 $4.74 
 
    
    
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
    
    
Basic
  51,214,986 
  11,168,490 
Diluted
  51,214,986 
  11,313,246 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
F-4
 
 
PEDEVCO CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(amounts in thousands) 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 $(11,102)
 $52,797 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
    
    
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
  11,031 
  7,329 
Share-based compensation expense
  1,557 
  862 
Interest expense deferred and capitalized in debt restructuring
  - 
  3,958 
Gain on debt restructuring
  - 
  (70,309)
Gain on sale of oil and gas properties
  (1,040)
  - 
Amortization of debt discount
  161 
  1,415 
Amortization of right-of-use asset
  37 
  - 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
    
    
Accounts receivable – oil and gas
  (3,760)
  (541)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
  131 
  (28)
Accounts payable
  5,414 
  408 
Accrued expenses
  (1,413)
  1,231 
Accrued expenses – related parties
  657 
  1,110 
Revenue payable
  (4)
  274 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
  1,669 
  (1,494)
 
    
    
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
    
    
Cash paid for the acquisition of oil and gas properties, net of restricted cash received of $0 and $2,316, respectively
  (1,120)
  (19,693)
Cash paid for drilling and completion costs
  (39,700)
  (43)
Cash paid for other property and equipment
  (81)
  (3,270)
Cash paid for oil and gas security bonds
  - 
  (112)
Proceeds from the sale of oil and gas property
  1,175 
  - 
Cash paid for security deposit
  (10)
  - 
Net cash used in investing activities
  (39,736)
  (23,118)
 
    
    
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
    
    
Proceeds from notes payable
  - 
  400 
Proceeds from notes payable – related parties
  15,000 
  37,900 
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock
  43,000 
  - 
Repayment of notes payable
  - 
  (7,795)
Cash paid for warrant repurchase
  - 
  (1,095)
Proceeds from warrant exercise for common stock
  - 
  64 
Net cash provided by financing activities
  58,000 
  29,474 
 
    
    
 
    
    
Net increase in cash and restricted cash
  19,933 
  4,862 
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of year
  5,779 
  917 
Cash and restricted cash at end of year
 $25,712 
 $5,779 
 
    
    
 
    
    
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
    
    
Cash paid for:
    
    
Interest
 $- 
 $- 
Income taxes
 $- 
 $- 
 
    
    
Noncash investing and financing activities:
    
    
Change in accrued oil and gas development costs
 $2,056 
 $7,000 
Acquisition of asset retirement obligations
 $54 
 $2,061 
Change in estimates of asset retirement costs
 $695 
 $133 
Common stock issued for debt conversion
 $55,075 
 $- 
Common stock issued as debt inducement
 $- 
 $185 
Common stock issued for debt interest
 $- 
 $167 
Issuance of restricted common stock 
 $1 
 $1 
Conversion of Series A preferred stock
 $- 
 $7 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
F-5
 
 
PEDEVCO CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
For the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
(amounts in thousands, except share amounts) 
 
 
 
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
Shares
 
 
Amount
 
 
Shares
 
 
Amount
 
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
 
Accumulated Deficit
 
 
Totals
 
Balances at December 31, 2017
  66,625 
 $- 
  7,278,754 
 $7 
 $100,954 
 $(138,101)
 $(37,140)
Conversion of Series A Preferred Stock to common stock
  (66,625)
  - 
  6,662,500 
  7 
  (7)
  - 
  - 
Conversion of accrued interest on notes payable – related party to common stock
  - 
  - 
  75,118 
  - 
  167 
  - 
  167 
Conversion of stock options
  - 
  - 
  95,865 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
Issuance of warrants for debt repayment
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  322 
  - 
  322 
Issuance of restricted common stock
  - 
  - 
  904,000 
  1 
  (1)
  - 
  - 
Issuance of common stock for exercise of warrants
  - 
  - 
  192,208 
  - 
  64 
  - 
  64 
Issuance of common stock for debt inducement
  - 
  - 
  600,000 
  1 
  184 
  - 
  185 
Warrants repurchased
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (1,095)
  - 
  (1,095)
Share-based compensation
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  862 
  - 
  862 
Net income
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  53,607 
  53,607 
Balances at December 31, 2018
  - 
  - 
  15,808,445 
  16 
  101,450 
  (84,494)
  16,972 
Issuance of common stock for debt conversion
  - 
  - 
  29,480,383 
  29 
  55,046 
  - 
  55,075 
Issuance of restricted common stock
  - 
  - 
  430,000 
  1 
  (1)
  - 
  - 
Issuance of common stock to non-affiliates
  - 
  - 
  10,150,000 
  10 
  14,990 
  - 
  15,000 
Issuance of common stock to affiliate
  - 
  - 
  15,122,662 
  15 
  27,985 
  - 
  28,000 
Warrants exercised
  - 
  - 
  60,056 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
Cashless exercise of stock options
  - 
  - 
  9,782 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
Share-based compensation
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  1,557 
  - 
  1,557 
Net loss
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  (11,102)
  (11,102)
Balances at December 31, 2019
  - 
 $- 
  71,061,328 
 $71 
 $201,027 
 $(95,596)
 $105,502 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 
 
 
F-6
 
 
PEDEVCO CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of PEDEVCO Corp. (“PEDEVCO” or the “Company”), have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
 
The Company’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and subsidiaries in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
NOTE 2 – DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
 
PEDEVCO is an oil and gas company focused on the development, acquisition and production of oil and natural gas assets where the latest in modern drilling and completion techniques and technologies have yet to be applied. In particular, the Company focuses on legacy proven properties where there is a long production history, well defined geology and existing infrastructure that can be leveraged when applying modern field management technologies. The Company’s current properties are located in the San Andres formation of the Permian Basin situated in West Texas and eastern New Mexico (the “Permian Basin”) and in the Denver-Julesberg Basin (“D-J Basin”) in Colorado.  The Company holds its Permian Basin acres located in Chaves and Roosevelt Counties, New Mexico, through its wholly-owned operating subsidiary, Pacific Energy Development Corp. (“PEDCO”), which asset the Company refers to as its “Permian Basin Asset,” and it holds its D-J Basin acres located in Weld and Morgan Counties, Colorado, through its wholly-owned operating subsidiary, Red Hawk Petroleum, LLC (“Red Hawk”), which asset the Company refers to as its “D-J Basin Asset.”
 
The Company believes that horizontal development and exploitation of conventional assets in the Permian Basin and development of the Wattenberg and Wattenberg Extension in the D-J Basin represent among the most economic oil and natural gas plays in the United States (“U.S.”).  Moving forward, the Company plans to optimize its existing assets and opportunistically seek additional acreage proximate to its currently held core acreage, as well as other attractive onshore U.S. oil and gas assets that fit the Company’s acquisition criteria, that Company management believes can be developed using its technical and operating expertise and be accretive to shareholder value.  
 
NOTE 3 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation.  The consolidated financial statements herein have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company and those of its wholly and partially-owned subsidiaries as follows: (i) Blast AFJ, Inc., a Delaware corporation; (ii) PEDCO, a Nevada corporation; (iii) Red Hawk, a Nevada limited liability company; (iv) Ridgeway Arizona Oil Corp., an Arizona corporation (“RAOC”), acquired by PEDCO effective September 1, 2018 in connection with the Company’s acquisition of the Permian Basin Asset; (v) EOR Operating Company, a Texas corporation (“EOR”) acquired by PEDCO effective September 1, 2018 in connection with the Company’s acquisition of the Permian Basin Asset; and (vi) Condor Energy Technology LLC, a Nevada limited liability company (“Condor”), acquired by Red Hawk on August 1, 2018 in connection with the Company’s acquisition of part of its D-J Basin Asset, which was dissolved on October 30, 2019. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. 
 
Use of Estimates in Financial Statement Preparation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as certain financial statement disclosures. While management believes that the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from these estimates. Significant estimates generally include those with respect to the amount of recoverable oil and gas reserves, the fair value of financial instruments, oil and gas depletion, asset retirement obligations, and stock-based compensation.
 
 
 
 
F-7
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, cash equivalents consisted of money market funds and cash on deposit.
 
In November 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) amending the presentation of restricted cash within the consolidated statements of cash flows. The new guidance requires that restricted cash be added to cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2018 on a retrospective basis with no impact to the consolidated statements of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
 
Concentrations of Credit Risk. Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk include cash deposits placed with financial institutions. The Company periodically assesses the financial condition of its financial institutions and considers any possible credit risk to be minimal.
 
Sales to one customer comprised 54% of the Company’s total oil and gas revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company believes that, in the event that its primary customers are unable or unwilling to continue to purchase the Company’s production, there are a substantial number of alternative buyers for its production at comparable prices.
 
Accounts Receivable. Accounts receivable typically consist of oil and gas receivables. The Company has classified these as short-term assets in the balance sheet because the Company expects repayment or recovery within the next 12 months. The Company evaluates these accounts receivable for collectability considering the results of operations of these related entities and, when necessary, records allowances for expected unrecoverable amounts. To date, no allowances have been recorded. Included in accounts receivable – oil and gas are $106,000 related to receivables from joint interest owners.
 
Bad Debt Expense. The Company’s ability to collect outstanding receivables is critical to its operating performance and cash flows. Accounts receivable are stated at an amount management expects to collect from outstanding balances. The Company extends credit in the normal course of business. The Company regularly reviews outstanding receivables and when the Company determines that a party may not be able to make required payments, a charge to bad debt expense in the period of determination is made. Though the Company’s bad debts have not historically been significant, the Company could experience increased bad debt expense should a financial downturn occur. 
 
Equipment. Equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Renewals and betterments which extend the life or improve existing equipment are capitalized. Upon disposition or retirement of equipment, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in operations. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are 3 to 10 years.
 
Oil and Gas Properties, Successful Efforts Method. The successful efforts method of accounting is used for oil and gas exploration and production activities. Under this method, all costs for development wells, support equipment and facilities, and proved mineral interests in oil and gas properties are capitalized. Geological and geophysical costs are expensed when incurred. Costs of exploratory wells are capitalized as exploration and evaluation assets pending determination of whether the wells find proved oil and gas reserves. Proved oil and gas reserves are the estimated quantities of crude oil and natural gas which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions, (i.e., prices and costs as of the date the estimate is made). Prices include consideration of changes in existing prices provided only by contractual arrangements, but not on escalations based upon future conditions.
 
Exploratory wells in areas not requiring major capital expenditures are evaluated for economic viability within one year of completion of drilling. The related well costs are expensed as dry holes if it is determined that such economic viability is not attained. Otherwise, the related well costs are reclassified to oil and gas properties and subject to impairment review. For exploratory wells that are found to have economically viable reserves in areas where major capital expenditure will be required before production can commence, the related well costs remain capitalized only if additional drilling is under way or firmly planned. Otherwise the related well costs are expensed as dry holes.
 
 
 
 
F-8
 
 
Exploration and evaluation expenditures incurred subsequent to the acquisition of an exploration asset in a business combination are accounted for in accordance with the policy outlined above.
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization of capitalized oil and gas properties is calculated on a field by field basis using the unit of production method. Lease acquisition costs are amortized over the total estimated proved developed and undeveloped reserves and all other capitalized costs are amortized over proved developed reserves. Costs specific to developmental wells for which drilling is in progress or uncompleted are capitalized as wells in progress and not subject to amortization until completion and production commences, at which time amortization on the basis of production will begin.
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the historical cost-carrying value of an asset may no longer be appropriate. The Company assesses recoverability of the carrying value of the asset by estimating the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the asset, including eventual disposition. If the future net undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment loss is recorded equal to the difference between the asset’s carrying value and estimated fair value.
 
Asset Retirement Obligations. If a reasonable estimate of the fair value of an obligation to perform site reclamation, dismantle facilities or plug and abandon wells can be made, the Company will record a liability (an asset retirement obligation or “ARO”) on its consolidated balance sheet and capitalize the present value of the asset retirement cost in oil and gas properties in the period in which the retirement obligation is incurred. In general, the amount of an ARO and the costs capitalized will be equal to the estimated future cost to satisfy the abandonment obligation assuming the normal operation of the asset, using current prices that are escalated by an assumed inflation factor up to the estimated settlement date, which is then discounted back to the date that the abandonment obligation was incurred using an assumed cost of funds for the Company. After recording these amounts, the ARO will be accreted to its future estimated value using the same assumed cost of funds and the capitalized costs are depreciated on a unit-of-production basis over the estimated proved developed reserves. Both the accretion and the depreciation will be included in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense on our consolidated statements of operations.
 
Revenue Recognition. ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”, supersedes the revenue recognition requirements and industry-specific guidance under Revenue Recognition (Topic 605). Topic 606 requires an entity to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The Company adopted Topic 606 on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method applied to contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Under the modified retrospective method, prior period financial positions and results will not be adjusted. The cumulative effect adjustment recognized in the opening balances included no significant changes as a result of this adoption. Topic 606 requires certain changes to the presentation of revenues and related expenses beginning January 1, 2018. Refer to “Note 5 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers” for additional information.
 
The Company’s revenue is comprised entirely of revenue from exploration and production activities. The Company’s oil is sold primarily to marketers, gatherers, and refiners. Natural gas is sold primarily to interstate and intrastate natural-gas pipelines, direct end-users, industrial users, local distribution companies, and natural-gas marketers. NGLs are sold primarily to direct end-users, refiners, and marketers. Payment is generally received from the customer in the month following delivery.
 
Contracts with customers have varying terms, including month-to-month contracts, and contracts with a finite term. The Company recognizes sales revenues for oil, natural gas, and NGLs based on the amount of each product sold to a customer when control transfers to the customer. Generally, control transfers at the time of delivery to the customer at a pipeline interconnect, the tailgate of a processing facility, or as a tanker lifting is completed. Revenue is measured based on the contract price, which may be index-based or fixed, and may include adjustments for market differentials and downstream costs incurred by the customer, including gathering, transportation, and fuel costs.
 
Revenues are recognized for the sale of the Company’s net share of production volumes. Sales on behalf of other working interest owners and royalty interest owners are not recognized as revenues.
 
 
 
 
F-9
 
 
Income Taxes. The Company utilizes the asset and liability method in accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards and for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets unless it is more likely than not that the value of such assets will be realized.
 
Uncertain Tax Positions. The Company evaluates uncertain tax positions to recognize a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. Those tax positions failing to qualify for initial recognition are recognized in the first interim period in which they meet themore likely than not standard, or are resolved through negotiation or litigation with the taxing authority, or upon expiration of the statute of limitations. De-recognition of a tax position that was previously recognized occurs when an entity subsequently determines that a tax position no longer meets the more likely than not threshold of being sustained.
 
The Company is subject to ongoing tax exposures, examinations and assessments in various jurisdictions. Accordingly, the Company may incur additional tax expense based upon the outcomes of such matters. In addition, when applicable, the Company will adjust tax expense to reflect the Company’s ongoing assessments of such matters, which require judgment and can materially increase or decrease its effective rate as well as impact operating results.
 
Stock-Based Compensation. The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of employee stock option awards at the date of grant, which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including expected volatility and expected life. Changes in these inputs and assumptions can materially affect the measure of estimated fair value of our share-based compensation. These assumptions are subjective and generally require significant analysis and judgment to develop. When estimating fair value, some of the assumptions will be based on, or determined from, external data and other assumptions may be derived from our historical experience with stock-based payment arrangements. The appropriate weight to place on historical experience is a matter of judgment, based on relevant facts and circumstances.
 
The Company estimates volatility by considering the historical stock volatility. The Company has opted to use the simplified method for estimating expected term, which is generally equal to the midpoint between the vesting period and the contractual term.
 
Earnings (Loss) per Common Share. Basic earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders (numerator) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding (denominator) during the period. Diluted EPS give effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method and convertible preferred stock using the if-converted method. In computing diluted EPS, the average stock price for the period is used to determine the number of shares assumed to be purchased from the exercise of stock options and/or warrants. Diluted EPS excluded all dilutive potential shares if their effect is anti-dilutive. For the year ended December 31, 2019, potentially dilutive securities related to options and warrants were not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share because to do so would be anti-dilutive.
 
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements. 
 
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”. The new lease guidance supersedes Topic 840. The core principle of the guidance is that entities should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases. Topic 840 does not apply to leases to explore for or use minerals, oil, natural gas and similar nonregenerative resources, including the intangible right to explore for those natural resources and rights to use the land in which those natural resources are contained. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, “Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements”, which provides entities with an alternative modified transition method to elect not to recast the comparative periods presented when adopting Topic 842. The Company adopted Topic 842 as of January 1, 2019, using the alternative modified transition method, for which, comparative periods, including the disclosures related to those periods, are not restated.
 
In addition, the Company elected practical expedients provided by the new standard whereby, the Company has elected to not reassess its prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification, and initial direct costs and to retain off-balance sheet treatment of short-term leases (i.e., 12 months or less and does not contain a purchase option that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise). Refer to “Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies” for additional information.
 
In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting”. The amendments in this update maintain or improve the usefulness of the information provided to the users of financial statements while reducing cost and complexity in financial reporting. The areas for simplification in this update involve several aspects of the accounting for nonemployee share-based payment transactions resulting from expanding the scope of Topic 718, to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. Some of the areas for simplification apply only to nonpublic entities. The amendments in this update are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted the standard as of January 1, 2019. There was no impact of the standard on its consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
F-10
 
 
The Company does not expect the adoption of any other recently issued accounting pronouncements to have a significant impact on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
 
Subsequent Events. The Company has evaluated all transactions through the date the consolidated financial statements were issued for subsequent event disclosure consideration.
 
NOTE 4 – CASH
 
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash reported within the balance sheets on December 31, 2019 and 2018, which sum to the total of such amounts shown in the accompanying audited consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands): 
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
Cash
 $22,415 
 $3,463 
Restricted cash
  - 
  2,316 
Restricted cash included in other assets
  3,297 
  - 
Total cash and restricted cash as shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows
 $25,712 
 $5,779 
 
NOTE 5 – REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
 
Disaggregation of Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The following table disaggregates revenue by significant product type for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
Oil sales
 $12,518 
 $4,153 
Natural gas sales
  372 
  230 
Natural gas liquids sales
  82 
  140 
Total revenue from customers
 $12,972 
 $4,523 
 
There were no significant contract liabilities or transaction price allocations to any remaining performance obligations as of December 31, 2019 or 2018, respectively. 
 
 
 
 
F-11
 
 
NOTE 6 – OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES
 
The following tables summarize the Company’s oil and gas activities by classification for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively (in thousands):
 
 
 
Balance at December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31,
 
 
 
2018
 
 
Additions
 
 
Disposals
 
 
Transfers
 
 
2019
 
Oil and gas properties, subject to amortization
 $70,803 
 $29,900 
 $(135)
 $6,596 
 $107,164 
Oil and gas properties, not subject to amortization
  8,516 
  12,976 
  - 
  (6,596)
  14,896 
Asset retirement costs
  2,188 
  (641)
  - 
  - 
  1,547 
Accumulated depreciation and depletion
  (21,045)
  (10,714)
  - 
  - 
  (31,759)
Total oil and gas assets
 $60,462 
 $31,521 
 $(135)
 $- 
 $91,848 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
Additions
 
 
Disposals
 
 
Transfers
 
 
2018
 
Oil and gas properties, subject to amortization
 $49,356 
 $21,447 
 $- 
 $- 
 $70,803 
Oil and gas properties, not subject to amortization
  - 
  8,516 
  - 
  - 
  8,516 
Asset retirement costs
  260 
  1,928 
  - 
  - 
  2,188 
Accumulated depreciation and depletion
  (14,694)
  (6,351)
  - 
  - 
  (21,045)
Total oil and gas assets
 $34,922 
 $25,540 
 $- 
 $- 
 $60,462 
 
For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company incurred $26,362,000 in drilling and completion costs relating to the drilling of nine wells and corresponding facility costs in its Permian Basin Asset, in addition to amounts incurred for the participation (non-operated working interest) in the drilling of 11 total wells in the DJ Basin ($2,500,000 noted below), and the acquisition of oil and gas assets from Manzano LLC and Manzano Energy Partners II, LLC (“Manzano”) ($764,000 noted below) and from a private operator ($350,000 noted below). Also, the Company transferred $6,596,000 in capital costs from four wells which were not completed at the beginning of the period from unproved properties to proved properties when production began in March and April of 2019. At December 31, 2019, drilling and completion costs of $12,976,000 had been incurred for four of the nine wells in its Permian Asset; however, as production had not yet commenced, this amount was included in the amount not subject to amortization at December 31, 2019.
 
The depletion recorded for production on proved properties for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, amounted to $10,714,000 and $6,351,000, respectively.
 
On February 1, 2019, for consideration of $743,000, plus $21,000 in acquisition costs, the Company completed an asset purchase from Manzano, whereby the Company purchased approximately 18,000 net leasehold acres, ownership and operated production from one horizontal well currently producing from the San Andres play in the Permian Basin, ownership of three additional shut-in wells, and ownership of one saltwater disposal well. The Company subsequently drilled one Manzano well in Phase Two of its 2019 development plan, which has yet to be completed.
 
On March 7, 2019, Red Hawk sold rights to 85.5 net acres of oil and gas leases located in Weld County, Colorado, to a third party, for aggregate proceeds of $1.2 million and recognized a gain on sale of oil and gas properties of $920,000 on the Statement of Operations. The sale agreement included a provision whereby the purchaser was required to assign Red Hawk 85 net acres of leaseholds in an area located where the Company already owns other leases in Weld County, Colorado, within nine months from the date of the sale, or to repay the Company up to $200,000 (proportionally adjusted for the amount of leasehold delivered). In December 2019, the purchaser assigned Red Hawk 121 net acres of leaseholds with a value of $121,000, which the Company recognized as an additional gain on the Statement of Operations.
 
On June 10, 2019, for consideration of $350,000, the Company completed an asset purchase from a private operator, whereby the Company purchased approximately 2,076 net leasehold acres, ownership and operated production from 22 vertical wells currently producing from the San Andres play in the Permian Basin and ownership of three injection wells.
 
The Company participated in the drilling and completion of 11 horizontal wells in the DJ-Basin by third-party outside operators and incurred $2.5 million in net participation costs.
 
 
 
F-12
 
 
For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company incurred $9,975,000 in drilling and completion costs, in addition to amounts incurred for the participation (non-operated working interest) in the drilling of two wells in the DJ Basin ($295,000), the acquisition of Condor ($693,000 as detailed below) and the acquisition of the New Mexico assets ($19,000,000 as detailed below). At December 31, 2018, drilling and completion costs of $8,516,000 had been incurred for wells that had not been completed. Therefore, this amount was included in the amount not subject to amortization at December 31, 2018.
 
Acquisition of New Mexico Properties
 
On August 1, 2018, the Company entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Milnesand Minerals Inc., Chaveroo Minerals Inc., Ridgeway Arizona Oil Corp. (“RAOC”), and EOR Operating Company (“EOR”) (collectively the “Seller”)(the “Purchase Agreement”). The transaction closed on August 31, 2018, and the effective date of the acquisition was September 1, 2018. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company acquired certain oil and gas assets described in greater detail below (the “New Mexico Assets”) from the Seller in consideration for $18,500,000 (of which $500,000 was held back to provide for potential indemnification of the Company under the Purchase Agreement and Stock Purchase Agreement (described below), with one-half ($250,000) to be released to Seller 90 days after closing and the balance ($250,000) to be released 180 days after closing (provided that if a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any part of the amount withheld by the Company subsequent to 180 days after closing was in fact due to the Seller, the Company is required to pay the Seller 200%, instead of 100%, of the amount so retained).
 
The New Mexico Assets represent approximately 23,000 net leasehold acres, current operated production, and all the Seller’s leases and related rights, oil and gas and other wells, equipment, easements, contract rights, and production (effective as of the effective date) as described in the Purchase Agreement. The New Mexico Assets are located in the San Andres play in the Permian Basin situated in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico, with all acreage and production 100% operated, and substantially all acreage held by production (“HBP”).
 
Also on August 31, 2018, the Company closed the transactions under the August 1, 2018 Stock Purchase Agreement with Hunter Oil Production Corp. (“Hunter Oil”), and acquired all the stock of RAOC and EOR (the “Acquired Companies”) for net cash paid of $500,000 (an aggregate purchase price of $2,816,000, less $2,316,000 in restricted cash which the Acquired Companies are required to maintain as of the closing date). The Stock Purchase Agreement contains customary representations and warranties of the parties, post-closing adjustments, and indemnification requirements requiring Hunter Oil to indemnify us for certain items.
 
On December 17, 2018, the Company and Seller agreed that the Company would pay to Seller $25,000 for all post-closing adjustments and post-closing support under the Purchase Agreement and accelerate the payment by the Company to Seller of the final $250,000 to be released 180 days after closing, which payments were made by the Company to Seller on December 17, 2018.
 
 
 
 
F-13
 
 
 The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the net assets acquired (in thousands):
 
Purchase price at September 1, 2018
 
 
 
Cash paid
 $20,816 
Contingent consideration 
  500 
Total consideration paid 
 $21,316 
 
    
Fair value of net assets acquired at September 1, 2018
    
Restricted cash for bonds
 $2,316 
Oil and gas properties
  21,012 
Total assets
  23,328 
 
    
Asset retirement obligations
  2,012 
Total liabilities
  2,012 
Net assets acquired
 $21,316 
 
The following table presents the Company’s supplemental unaudited consolidated pro forma total revenues, lease operating costs, net income (loss) and net income (loss) per common share for the year ended December 31, 2018 as if the acquisition of the New Mexico assets had occurred on January 1, 2018 (in thousands except for share and per share amounts):
 
 
 
PEDEVCO
 
 
New Mexico Asset Acquisition (1)
 
 
Proforma
Combined
 
Revenue
 $4,523 
 $1,222 
 $5,745 
Lease operating costs
 $(2,821)
 $(931)
 $(3,752)
Net income (loss)
  53,607 
 $(1,481)
 $52,126 
Net income (loss) per common share (diluted)
 $4.74 
 $(0.15)
 $4.59 
(1)
Amount are based on Company estimates. 
 
Acquisition of Condor Properties from MIE Jurassic Energy Corporation
 
On August 1, 2018, the Company entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Membership Purchase Agreement”) with MIE Jurassic Energy Corporation (“MIEJ”) to acquire 100% of the outstanding membership interests of Condor from MIEJ in exchange for cash paid of $537,000. Condor owns approximately 2,340 net leasehold acres, 100% held by production (HBP), located in Weld and Morgan Counties, Colorado, with four operated, producing wells.
 
 
 
 
F-14
 
 
The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to the net assets acquired (in thousands):
 
Purchase price at August 1, 2018
 
 
 
Cash paid
 $537 
 
    
Fair value of net assets acquired at August 1, 2018
    
Cash
 $2 
Accounts receivable – oil and gas
  59 
Other current assets
  39 
Oil and gas properties
  742 
Bonds
  105 
Total assets
  947 
 
    
Current liabilities
  361 
Asset retirement obligations
  49 
Total liabilities
  410 
Final Purchase price
 $537 
 
NOTE 7 – OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
 
On September 11, 2013, the Company entered into a Shares Subscription Agreement (“SSA”) to acquire an approximate 51% ownership in Asia Sixth Energy Resources Limited (“Asia Sixth”), which held an approximate 60% ownership interest in Aral Petroleum Capital Limited Partnership (“Aral”), a Kazakhstan entity. In August 2014 the SSA was restructured (the “Aral Restructuring”), in connection with which the Company received a promissory note in the principal amount of $10.0 million from Asia Sixth (the “A6 Promissory Note”), which was to be converted into a 10.0% interest in Caspian Energy, Inc. (“Caspian Energy”), an Ontario, Canada company listed at that time on the NEX Board of the TSX Venture Exchange, upon the consummation of the Aral Restructuring. The Aral Restructuring was consummated on May 20, 2015, upon which date the A6 Promissory Note was converted into 23,182,880 shares of common stock of Caspian Energy.
 
In February 2015, the Company expanded its D-J Basin position through the acquisition of acreage from Golden Globe Energy (US), LLC (“GGE”)(the “GGE Acquisition” and the “GGE Acquired Assets”). In connection with the GGE Acquisition, on February 23, 2015, the Company provided GGE an option to acquire its interest in Caspian Energy for $100,000 payable upon exercise of the option (with an expiration date of May 12, 2019) recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets. As a result, the carrying value of the 23,182,880 shares of common stock of Caspian Energy which were issued upon conversion of the A6 Promissory Note at December 31, 2015 was $100,000. The shares of Caspian Energy underlying the option were classified as part of other current assets. The option expired without being exercised on May 12, 2019. The Company fully reserved the $100,000 and recognized no value related to the shares of Caspian Energy on the Company’s balance sheet as of December 31, 2019, as the Company determined the value of the shares to be $0 as a result of such shares being delisted from the NEX Board of the TSX Venture Exchange.
 
NOTE 8 – NOTES PAYABLE
 
The Company’s notes payable consisted of the following for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively (in thousands):
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
Notes Payable – Subordinated
 $- 
 $400 
Notes Payable – Subordinated Related Party
  - 
  30,200 
Notes Payable – Related Party
  - 
  7,855 
 
  - 
  38,455 
Unamortized Debt Discount
  - 
  (161)
Total Notes Payable
 $- 
 $38,294 
 
Convertible Note Issuances
 
On June 26, 2018, the Company borrowed $7.7 million from SK Energy under a Promissory Note dated June 25, 2018, in the amount of $7.7 million (the “June 2018 SK Energy Note”) and shown on the December 31, 2018 Balance Sheet as Note Payable – Related Party, net of debt discount from the issuance of 600,000 shares of common stock (as described below) with a fair value of $185,000 based on the market price at the issuance date. The June 2018 SK Energy Note accrues interest monthly at 8% per annum, payable quarterly, in either cash or shares of common stock (at the option of the Company), or, with the consent of SK Energy, such interest may be accrued and capitalized.
 
As additional consideration for SK Energy agreeing to the terms of the June 2018 SK Energy Note, the Company agreed to issue SK Energy 600,000 shares of common stock (the “Loan Shares”), with a fair value of $185,000 based on the market price on the date of issuance that was accounted for as a debt discount and is being amortized over the term of the note.
 
 
F-15
 
 
Based on a conversion price equal to $2.18 per share, pursuant to the conversion terms of the June 2018 SK Energy Note, the amount of interest under the June 2018 SK Energy Note as of December 31, 2018 equaled $155,000 and was included in the outstanding principal balance of $7,855,000, for interest not paid or issued in common stock when due, the amount is recapitalized into the face value of the note, per the terms of the June 2018 SK Energy Note. The total amount of the remaining debt discount reflected on the accompanying balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 was $161,000, which was amortized in full as of December 31, 2019, due to the note conversions, which included $107,000 of additional interest that was included in the principal balance, noted below under “Convertible Notes Amendment and Conversion” and “SK Energy Note Amendment; Note Purchases and Conversion”.
 
On August 1, 2018, the Company received total proceeds of $23,600,000 from the sale of multiple Convertible Promissory Notes (the “Convertible Notes”). A total of $22,000,000 in Convertible Notes were purchased by SK Energy (the “August 2018 SK Energy Note”); $200,000 in Convertible Notes were purchased by an executive officer of SK Energy; $500,000 in Convertible Notes were purchased by a trust affiliated with John J. Scelfo, a director of the Company; $500,000 in Convertible Notes were purchased by an entity affiliated with Ivar Siem, our director, and J. Douglas Schick, President of the Company; $200,000 in Convertible Notes was purchased by H. Douglas Evans (who became a Director and related party on September 27, 2018); and $200,000 in Convertible Notes were purchased by an unaffiliated party (the “Unaffiliated Holder”). The $23,600,000 is accounted for on the balance sheet as $23,200,000 of subordinated notes payable – related party and $400,000 as subordinated notes, as these notes are subordinated to the original June 2018 SK Energy Note.
 
The Convertible Notes accrue interest monthly at 8.5% per annum, which interest is payable on the maturity date unless otherwise converted into our common stock. The principal and interest due under the Convertible Notes are convertible into shares of our common stock, from time to time after August 29, 2018, at the option of the holders thereof, at a conversion price equal to $2.13 per share, per terms of the Convertible Notes.
 
The accrued interest is accounted for on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 as $943,000 of accrued interest – related party and $14,000 of accrued interest. As of December 31, 2019, there was no accrued interest – related party or accrued interest associated with the Convertible Notes on the Balance Sheet, as $347,000 of accrued interest – related party and $6,000 of accrued interest, incurred during 2019 together with the accrued interest outstanding as of December 31, 2018, was converted into shares of common stock due to the note conversions described below.
 
 
 
F-16
 
 
On October 25, 2018, the Company borrowed an additional $7.0 million from SK Energy, through the sale of a convertible promissory note in the amount of $7.0 million (the “October 2018 SK Energy Note”). The October 2018 SK Energy Note had substantially similar terms as the August 2018 SK Energy Note, except that it had a conversion price of $1.79 per share. The October 2018 SK Energy Note is due and payable on October 25, 2021 but may be prepaid at any time without penalty. The accrued interest expense related to this note for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $109,000 and is accounted for on the balance sheet as accrued interest – related party. As of December 31, 2019, there was no accrued interest – related party associated with the August 2018 SK Energy Note on the Balance Sheet, as accrued interest of $78,000 incurred during 2019 together with the accrued interest outstanding as of December 31, 2018 was converted into shares of common stock due to the note conversions described below.
 
January 2019 SK Energy Convertible Note
 
On January 11, 2019, the Company borrowed an additional $15.0 million from SK Energy, through the sale of a convertible promissory note in the amount of $15.0 million (the “January 2019 SK Energy Note”). The January 2019 SK Energy Note had substantially similar terms as the August 2018 SK Energy Note, except that it had a conversion price of $1.50 per share. The January 2019 SK Energy Note is due and payable on January 11, 2022 but may be prepaid at any time without penalty. As of December 31, 2019, there was no outstanding principal or accrued interest – related party associated with the January 2019 SK Energy Note on the Balance Sheet, due to the note conversions described below. Accrued interest-related party for this note prior to the conversion totaled $126,000.
 
Convertible Notes Amendment and Conversion
 
On February 15, 2019, the Company and SK Energy agreed to amend the Convertible Notes (including the August 2018 SK Energy Note), October 2018 SK Energy Note, and the January 2019 SK Energy Note, to remove the conversion limitation that previously prevented SK Energy from converting any portion of the notes into common stock of the Company if such conversion would have resulted in SK Energy beneficially owning more than 49.9% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock.
 
Immediately following the entry into the amendment, on February 15, 2019, SK Energy elected to convert (i) all $15,000,000 of the outstanding principal and all $126,000 of accrued interest then owed under the January 2019 SK Energy Note into common stock of the Company at a conversion price of $1.50 per share, as set forth in the January 2019 SK Energy Note into 10,083,819 shares of restricted common stock of the Company, and (ii) all $7,000,000 of the outstanding principal and all $187,000 of accrued interest under the October 2018 SK Energy Note into common stock of the Company at a conversion price of $1.79 per share, as set forth in the October 2018 SK Energy Note, into 4,014,959 shares of restricted common stock of the Company.
 
On March 1, 2019, the Company and SK Energy amended the June 2018 SK Energy Note, to provide SK Energy the right, at any time, at its option, to convert the principal and interest owed under such June 2018 SK Energy Note, into shares of the Company’s common stock, at a conversion price of $2.13 per share.
 
In addition, on March 1, 2019, the holders of $1,500,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes sold their Convertible Notes at face value plus accrued and unpaid interest through March 1, 2019 to SK Energy (the “Convertible Note Sale”). Holders which sold their Convertible Notes pursuant to the Convertible Note Sale to SK Energy, included an executive officer of SK Energy ($200,000 in principal amount of Convertible Notes); a trust affiliated with John J. Scelfo, a director of the Company ($500,000 in principal amount of Convertible Notes); an entity affiliated with Ivar Siem, a director of the Company, and J. Douglas Schick the President of the Company ($500,000 in principal amount of Convertible Notes); and Harold Douglas Evans, a director of the Company ($200,000 in principal amount of Convertible Notes).
 
Immediately following the effectiveness of the SK Energy Note Amendment and Convertible Note Sale, on March 1, 2019, SK Energy and the Unaffiliated Holder elected to convert all $31,300,000 of outstanding principal and an aggregate of $1,460,000 of accrued interest under the June 2018 SK Energy Note, SK Energy’s $22 million Convertible Note and all other Convertible Notes, into common stock of the Company at a conversion price of $2.13 per share (the “Conversion Price” and the “Conversions”) as set forth in the June 2018 SK Energy Note, as amended, and the Convertible Notes (including SK Energy’s $22 million Convertible Note (collectively, the “Notes”), into an aggregate of 15,381,605 shares of restricted common stock of the Company (the “Conversion Shares”).
 
 
 
F-17
 
 
NOTE 9 – ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION
 
Activity related to the Company’s asset retirement obligations is as follows for the year ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands):
 
 
 
2019
 
Balance at the beginning of the period (1)
 $2,571 
Accretion expense
  289 
Obligations incurred for acquisition
  54 
Liabilities settled
  (120)
Changes in estimates
  (695)
Balance at end of period (2)
 $2,099 
 
(1)
Includes $119,000 of current asset retirement obligations at December 31, 2018.
 
(2)
Includes $225,000 of current asset retirement obligations at December 31, 2019.
 
NOTE 10 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Lease Agreements
 
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception of the arrangement. To the extent that the Company determines an arrangement represents a lease, that lease is classified as an operating lease or a finance lease. The Company currently does not have any finance leases. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 842-Accounting for Leases, operating leases are capitalized on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet through an asset and a corresponding lease liability. Recorded assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent its obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Short-term leases that have an initial term of one year or less are not capitalized. Currently, the Company has one operating lease for office space that requires ASC Topic 842 treatment, discussed below.
 
Discount Rate
 
The Company’s leases typically do not provide an implicit rate. Accordingly, the Company is required to use its incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of lease payments based on the information available at commencement date. The Company’s incremental borrowing rate would reflect the estimated rate of interest that it would pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term, an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. However, the Company currently maintains no debt, and in order to apply an appropriate discount rate, the Company used an average discount rate of eight publicly traded peer group companies similar to it based on size, geographic location, asset types and/or operating characteristics.
 
Office Leases
 
In June 2018, the Company assumed the lease for its corporate office space located in Houston, Texas from American Resources, Inc., an entity beneficially owned and controlled by Ivar Siem, a director of the Company, and J. Douglas Schick, the Company’s President. The term of the lease ended on August 31, 2019.
 
Effective September 1, 2019, the Company moved its corporate headquarters from 1250 Wood Branch Park Dr., Suite 400, Houston, Texas 77079 to 575 N. Dairy Ashford, Suite 210, Houston, Texas 77079 in connection with the expiration of its former office space lease. The Company entered into a sublease on approximately 5,200 square feet of office space that expires on August 31, 2023, and has a base monthly rent of approximately $10,000 with the first month rent due beginning on January 1, 2020. The Company paid a security deposit of $9,600.
 
 
 
 
F-18
 
 
The Company also leased space for its former corporate headquarters in Danville, California that was scheduled to expire July 31, 2019, but was terminated in January 2019, without penalty or other amounts due. In February 2019, the Company entered into a six-month lease agreement for 187 square feet of new office space located in Danville, California for the Company’s General Counsel. The monthly rent is $1,200, and the Company paid a $1,200 security deposit. In August 2019, the lease was extended for an additional six months on the same terms. The Company did not apply ASC Topic 842 to this lease, as the lease term and extension period are for 12-months or less and we cannot currently conclude if the lease will be renewed or extended beyond a 12-month period. The lease was subsequently extended for an additional six months in February 2020 at the same rate. The total current obligation for the remainder of this lease through July 2020 is $8,400.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company incurred lease expense of $139,000 and $98,000, respectively, for the combined leases.
 
Supplemental cash flow information related to the Company’s operating lease is included in the table below for the year ended December 31, 2019:
 
 
 
2019
 
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities $
  - 
 
Supplemental balance sheet information related to operating leases is included in the table below for the year ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands):
 
 
 
2019
 
Operating lease – right-of-use asset
 $360 
 
    
Operating lease liabilities - current
 $97 
Operating lease liabilities - long-term
  300 
Total lease liability
 $397 
 
The weighted-average remaining lease term for the Company’s operating lease is 3.7 years as of December 31, 2019, with a weighted-average discount rate of 5.35%.
 
Lease liability with enforceable contract terms that have greater than one-year terms are as follows (in thousands):
 
2020
 $115 
2021
  118 
2022
  121 
2023
  82 
Thereafter
  - 
Total lease payments
  436 
Less imputed interest
  (39)
Total lease liability
 $397 
 
 
 
F-19
 
 
Leasehold Drilling Commitments
 
The Company’s oil and gas leasehold acreage is subject to expiration of leases if the Company does not drill and hold such acreage by production or otherwise exercises options to extend such leases, if available, in exchange for payment of additional cash consideration. In the D-J Basin Asset, 202 net acres expire during the remainder of 2020, and no net acres expire thereafter (net to our direct ownership interest only). In the Permian Basin Asset, 8,835 acres are set to expire without meeting drilling commitments or term assignment extensions (net to our direct ownership interest only). The Company plans to hold significantly all of this acreage through a program of drilling and completing producing wells. If the Company is not able to drill and complete a well before term assignment expiration, the Company may seek to extend terms of contractual assignments. 
 
Other Commitments
 
Although the Company may, from time to time, be involved in litigation and claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business, the Company is not currently a party to any material legal proceeding. In addition, the Company is not aware of any material legal or governmental proceedings against it or contemplated to be brought against it.
 
As part of its regular operations, the Company may become party to various pending or threatened claims, lawsuits and administrative proceedings seeking damages or other remedies concerning its commercial operations, products, employees and other matters.
 
Although the Company provides no assurance about the outcome of these or any other pending legal and administrative proceedings and the effect such outcomes may have on the Company, the Company believes that any ultimate liability resulting from the outcome of such proceedings, to the extent not otherwise provided for or covered by insurance, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
 
NOTE 11 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
Common Stock
 
On February 15, 2019 and March 1, 2019, $22.3 million and $32.8 million of outstanding note payables and accrued interest were converted into 14,098,778 and 15,381,605 shares of the Company’s common stock, respectively (see “Note 8- Notes Payable” above for further discussion of the note conversions).
 
On May 16, 2019, the Company sold an aggregate of 1,500,000 shares of its restricted common stock to two third-party purchasers at a price of $2.00 per share, or $3 million in aggregate, pursuant to subscription agreements, and on September 17, 2019, the Company sold an aggregate of 8,400,000 shares of its restricted common stock to an additional third-party purchaser, Viktor Tkachev, who became an affiliate of the Company, after the issuance, at a price of $1.43 per share, or $12 million in aggregate, pursuant to a subscription agreement.
 
On May 21, 2019, SK Energy, which is owned and controlled by Dr. Kukes, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors, purchased 6,818,181 shares of restricted common stock from the Company at a price of $2.20 per share, or $15 million in aggregate, pursuant to a subscription agreement, and on September 17, 2019, SK Energy purchased an additional 8,204,481 shares of restricted common stock from the Company at a price of $1.58 per share, or $13 million in aggregate, pursuant to a subscription agreement.
 
As a result of the purchases above, SK Energy, which beneficially owned 78.2% of the Company’s outstanding common stock prior to the May 16, 2019 subscription agreement, beneficially owned 73.2% of the Company’s outstanding common stock after all of the subscriptions discussed above. Currently, SK Energy beneficially owns 71.8% of the Company’s outstanding common stock as of the date of this report.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2018, SK Energy converted all of its 66,625 outstanding shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock into 6,662,500 shares of the Company’s common stock. SK Energy also converted an aggregate of $167,000 of interest accrued under the March 2019 SK Energy Note into 75,118 shares of the Company’s common stock, based on a conversion price equal to $2.18 per share, pursuant to the conversion terms of the March 2019 SK Energy Note.
 
 
 
 
F-20
 
 
Warrants
 
During the year ended December 31, 2019, no warrants were granted, and warrants to purchase 470,077 shares of common stock expired. Additionally, on April 1, 2019, the Company issued 60,056 total shares of common stock upon the cashless exercise of two warrants to purchase an aggregate of 596,280 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $2.50 per share, based on a current market value of $2.78 per share, under the terms of each warrant.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2018, warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,448,472 shares of common stock were granted to certain holders of Company debt in connection with the Company’s June 2018 debt restructuring. These warrants have a term of three years, an exercise price of $0.322, and the estimated fair value of $322,000 was based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model and was recognized as warrant expense, which was included in the net gain on debt restructuring. Variables used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for the warrants issued include: (1) a discount rate of 2.50%, (2) expected term of 3.0 years, (3) expected volatility of 125.4%, and (4) zero expected dividends. Additionally, 192,208 shares were issued in connection with the exercise of warrants (in exchange for cash received of $64,000), 165,017 warrants expired and 1,105,935 were cancelled and re-purchased at a total price of $1,095,000.
 
The intrinsic value of outstanding as well as exercisable warrants at December 31, 2019 and 2018 was $201,000 and $65,000, respectively.
 
Warrant activity during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was:
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 
 
Number of Warrants
 
 
 Weighted Average Exercise Price
 
 
Weighted Average Remaining Contract Term (Years)
 
 
Number of Warrants
 
 
 Weighted Average Exercise Price
 
 
Weighted Average Remaining Contract Term (Years)
 
 Outstanding at Beginning of Period
  1,216,686 
 $6.36 
  0.8 
  1,231,373 
 $7.44 
  1.4 
 Granted
  - 
    
    
  1,448,472 
  0.32 
    
 Expired/Cancelled
  (470,077)
  13.19 
    
  (1,270,951)
  1.44 
    
 Exercised
  (596,280)
  2.50 
    
  (192,208)
  0.32 
    
 Outstanding at End of Period
  150,329 
 $0.32 
  1.5 
  1,216,686 
 $6.36 
  0.8 
 Exercisable at End of Period
  150,329 
 $0.32 
  1.5 
  1,216,686 
 $6.36 
  0.8 
 
NOTE 12 – SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
 
2012 Incentive Plan
 
On July 27, 2012, the shareholders of the Company approved the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2012 Incentive Plan”), which was previously approved by the Board of Directors on June 27, 2012, and authorizes the issuance of various forms of stock-based awards, including incentive or non-qualified options, restricted stock awards, performance shares and other securities as described in greater detail in the 2012 Incentive Plan, to the Company’s employees, officers, directors and consultants. The 2012 Incentive Plan was amended on June 27, 2014, October 7, 2015 and December 28, 2016, December 28, 2017, September 27, 2018 and August 28, 2019 to increase by 500,000, 300,000, 500,000, 1,500,000, 3,000,000 and 2,000,000 (to 8,000,000 currently), respectively, the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2012 Incentive Plan.
 
A total of 8,000,000 shares of common stock are eligible to be issued under the 2012 Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2019, of which 3,980,130 shares have been issued as restricted stock, 678,000 shares are subject to issuance upon exercise of issued and outstanding options, and 3,341,870 shares remain available for future issuance as of December 31, 2019. 
 
 
 
 
F-21
 
 
PEDCO 2012 Equity Incentive Plan
 
As a result of the July 27, 2012 merger by and between the Company, Blast Acquisition Corp., a wholly-owned Nevada subsidiary of the Company (“MergerCo”), and Pacific Energy Development Corp., a privately-held Nevada corporation (“PEDCO”) pursuant to which MergerCo was merged with and into PEDCO, with PEDCO continuing as the surviving entity and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, in a transaction structured to qualify as a tax-free reorganization (the “Merger”), the Company assumed the PEDCO 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “PEDCO Incentive Plan”), which was adopted by PEDCO on February 9, 2012. The PEDCO Incentive Plan authorized PEDCO to issue an aggregate of 100,000 shares of common stock in the form of restricted shares, incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, share appreciation rights, performance shares, and performance units under the PEDCO Incentive Plan. As of December 31, 2019, options to purchase an aggregate of 21,635 shares of the Company’s common stock and 55,168 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock have been granted under this plan (all of which were granted by PEDCO prior to the closing of the merger with the Company, with such grants being assumed by the Company and remaining subject to the PEDCO Incentive Plan following the consummation of the merger). The Company does not plan to grant any additional awards under the PEDCO Incentive Plan.
 
Common Stock
 
In April 2019, restricted stock awards were granted to three new employees and one consultant for an aggregate of 160,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. The grant for a total of 50,000 of the restricted stock awards vests as follows: 100% on the one-year anniversary of the grant date, subject to the recipient’s continued service with the Company. These shares have a total fair value of $135,000 based on the market price on the issuance date. The grants for 110,000 shares of restricted stock vest as follows: 50% on the one-year anniversary of the grant date and 50% on the second-year anniversary of the grant date, subject to the recipient’s continued service with the Company. These shares have a total fair value of $253,000 based on the market price on the issuance date.
 
On July 18, 2019, 50,000 shares of restricted stock were awarded to an advisor under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. The restricted stock vests as follows: 100% on the six-month anniversary of the grant date, subject to the recipient’s continued service with the Company. These shares have a total fair value of $83,000, based on the market price on the issuance date.
 
On August 28, 2019, restricted stock awards were granted to three directors for an aggregate of 170,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. The grant for a total of 120,000 of the restricted stock awards vests as follows: 100% on July 12, 2020, subject to the recipient’s continued service with the Company. These shares have a total fair value of $187,000 based on the market price on the issuance date. The grants for 50,000 shares of restricted stock vest as follows: 100% on September 27, 2020, subject to the recipient’s continued service with the Company. These shares have a total fair value of $78,000 based on the market price on the issuance date. Additionally, 50,000 shares of restricted stock were awarded to a director for advisory services provided to the Company under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. The restricted stock vests as follows: 100% on July 12, 2020, subject to the recipient’s continued service with the Company. These shares have a total fair value of $78,000, based on the market price on the issuance date.
 
On October 5, 2019, 250,000 shares of restricted stock were awarded to an advisor under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. The restricted stock vests as follows: 100% on the six-month anniversary of the grant date, subject to the recipient’s continued service with the Company. These shares have a total fair value of $350,000, based on the market price on the issuance date.
 
On November 8, 2019, the Company entered into an Advisory Agreement and Restricted Shares Grant Agreement with Viktor Tkachev, a greater than 10% shareholder of the Company (who acquired $12 million of shares of common stock on September 17, 2019), under which Mr. Tkachev agreed to provide strategic planning and business development services, and pursuant to which 100,000 shares of restricted common stock were awarded to Mr. Tkachev under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, 100% of which vest on the six-month anniversary of the grant date, subject to the recipient’s continued service with the Company and the terms and conditions of these agreements. These shares have a total fair value of $128,000 based on the market price on the issuance date.
 
 
 
F-22
 
 
Also on November 8, 2019, the Company entered into an Advisory Agreement with Ivar Siem, a member of the Board of Directors, pursuant to which the 50,000 restricted shares of common stock previously awarded to Mr. Siem on August 28, 2019 under the Plan continue to vest, with 100% vesting on July 12, 2020, subject to Mr. Siem continuing to provide advisory services to the Company on such vesting date, and subject to the terms and conditions of a Restricted Shares Grant Agreement entered into by and between the Company and Mr. Siem on August 28, 2019. The Advisory Agreement contains customary confidentiality, indemnification and no conflict language; and may be terminated by the Company or the advisor with 15 days prior written notice for any reason.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued shares of common stock and restricted common stock as follows: 600,000 shares of common stock issued to SK Energy with a fair value of $185,000 based on the market price on the date of issuance, 80,000 shares of restricted stock were issued to our former CEO (Mr. Ingriselli) with a fair value of $27,000 based on the market price on the date of issuance, and 30,848 shares were issued to employees for the cashless exercise of options. The 80,000 shares of restricted stock were issued in consideration for Mr. Ingriselli rejoining the Company as its President and Chief Executive Officer in May 2018. Mr. Ingriselli subsequently resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer on September 27, 2018 and the shares of restricted stock fully vested on October 1, 2018 pursuant to a separation agreement entered into with him.
 
Also, restricted stock awards were granted to Messrs. Frank C. Ingriselli (then President) and Clark R. Moore (Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary) of 60,000 and 50,000 shares, respectively, under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan during the year ended December 31, 2018. The restricted stock awards vest as follows: 100% on the six-month anniversary of the grant date. These shares have a total fair value of $164,000 based on the market price on the issuance date. Upon Mr. Ingriselli’s resignation, noted above, the 60,000 shares of restricted stock fully vested on October 1, 2018 pursuant to a separation agreement entered into with him.
 
Subsequent restricted stock awards were granted to 12 employees and two directors totaling an aggregate of 714,000 shares (90,000 shares on September 27, 2018 and 624,000 shares on December 12, 2018), under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. The grants for a total of 40,000 of the restricted stock awards vest as follows: 100% on the one-year anniversary of the grant date. These shares have a total fair value of $88,000 based on the market price on the issuance date. The grant for 50,000 shares of restricted stock vest as follows: 50% on the one-year anniversary of the grant date and 50% on the second-year anniversary of the grant date. These shares have a total fair value of $109,000 based on the market price on the issuance date. The grant for 624,000 shares of restricted stock vest as follows: 33.3% on the one-year anniversary of the grant date, 33.3% on the two-year anniversary of the grant date and 33.3% on the third-year anniversary of the grant date. These shares have a total fair value of $830,000 based on the market price on the issuance date. In each case above the restricted shares are subject to the recipient of the shares being an employee of or consultant to the Company on such vesting date, and subject to the terms and conditions of a Restricted Shares Grant Agreement, as applicable, entered into by and between the Company and the recipient. In addition, 65,017 shares were issued to an employee for the cashless exercise of options, and 192,208 shares were issued for the exercise of warrants at an exercise price of $0.322 per share for an aggregate exercise price of $64,000.
 
The awarded shares above are subject to trading restrictions, and forfeiture, subject to the vesting terms described above. When such securities are vested in accordance with their terms, the trading restrictions are lifted.
 
Stock-based compensation expense recorded related to restricted stock during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was $1,259,000 and $659,000, respectively. The remaining amount of unamortized stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock at December 31, 2019 and 2018 was $999,000 and $967,000, respectively.
 
Options
 
On August 14, 2019, the Company issued 9,782 total shares of common stock upon the cashless exercise of stock options to purchase an aggregate of 12,500 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $0.31 per share, based on a then current market value of $1.42 per share, under the terms of the options. The options had an intrinsic value of $14,000 on the exercise date.
 
 
 
F-23
 
 
On September 27, 2018, the Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 120,000 and 100,000 shares of common stock an exercise price of $2.19 per share to John J. Scelfo, our Chairman, and H. Douglas Evans, a Director, respectively, all pursuant to the Company’s 2012 Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan and in consideration for their joining the Company’s board of directors and committees thereof. The options have a term of five years and fully vest on the one-year anniversary of the vesting commencement date contingent upon the recipient’s continued service with the Company. The aggregate fair value of the options on the date of grant, using the Black-Scholes model, was $417,000. Variables used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for the options issued include: (1) a discount rate of 2.75%, (2) expected term of 3.0 years, (3) expected volatility of 171%, and (4) zero expected dividends. 
 
On December 12, 2018, the Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 50,000 shares of common stock to an employee at an exercise price of $1.33 per share. The options have a term of five years and fully vest in December 2021. 33.3% vest each subsequent year from the date of grant contingent upon the recipient’s continued service with the Company. The aggregate fair value of the options on the date of grant, using the Black-Scholes model, was $59,000. Variables used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for the options issued include: (1) a discount rate of 2.75%, (2) expected term of 3.5 years, (3) expected volatility of 164%, and (4) zero expected dividends.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recognized stock option based compensation expense related to options of $298,000 and $203,000, respectively.
 
The remaining amount of unamortized stock options expense at December 31, 2019 and 2018 was $22,000 and $320,000, respectively.
 
The intrinsic value of outstanding and exercisable options at December 31, 2019 and 2018 was $197,000 and $36,000, respectively.
 
Option activity during the year-ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was:
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 
 
Number of Stock Options 
 
 
Weighted Average Grant Price
 
 
Weighted Average Remaining Contract Term (Years) 
 
 
Number of Stock Options 
 
 
Weighted Average Grant Price 
 
 
Weighted Average Remaining Contract Term (Years) 
 
 Outstanding at Beginning of Period
  890,232 
 $3.26 
  3.3 
  743,727 
 $3.45 
  3.8 
 Granted
  - 
    
    
  270,000 
  2.03 
  4.8 
 Expired/Cancelled
  (124,383)
  6.13 
    
  (3,495)
  45.67 
    
 Exercised
  (12,500)
  0.31 
    
  (120,000)
  0.44 
    
 Outstanding at End of Period
  753,349 
 $2.93 
  2.5 
  890,232 
 $3.26 
  3.3 
 Exercisable at End of Period
  720,016 
 $3.00 
  2.4 
  575,232 
 $4.19 
  2.5 
 
NOTE 13 – EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE
 
Earnings (loss) per common share-basic is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Net income (loss) per common share-diluted assumes the conversion of all potentially dilutive securities and is calculated by dividing net (loss) income by the sum of the weighted average number of shares of common stock, as defined above, outstanding plus potentially dilutive securities. Net (loss) income per common share-diluted considers the impact of potentially dilutive securities except in periods in which there is a loss because the inclusion of the potential common shares, as defined above, would have an anti-dilutive effect.
 
 
 
F-24
 
 
The calculation of earnings (loss) per share for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data):
 
Numerator:
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
Net income (loss)
 $(11,102)
 $53,607 
Effect of common stock equivalents
  - 
  - 
Net income (loss) adjusted for common stock equivalents
 $(11,102)
 $53,607 
 
    
    
Denominator:
    
    
Weighted average common shares – basic
  51,214,986 
  11,168,490 
 
    
    
Dilutive effect of common stock equivalents:
    
    
Options and Warrants
  - 
  144,756 
 
    
    
Denominator:
    
    
Weighted average common shares – diluted
  51,214,986 
  11,313,246 
 
    
    
Earnings (loss) per common share – basic
 $(0.22)
 $4.80 
Earnings (loss) per common share – diluted
 $(0.22)
 $4.74 
 
For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the following share equivalents related to convertible debt and preferred stock, and options and warrants to purchase shares of common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share as the inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive.
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
Common Shares Issuable for:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Convertible Debt
  - 
  15,449,559 
Options and Warrants
  903,678 
  1,491,589 
Total
  903,678 
  16,941,148 
 
NOTE 14 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
The following table reflects the related party amounts for SK Energy, Directors and Officers included in the balance sheets of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
Long-term accrued expenses
 $- 
 $943 
Long-term notes payable – subordinated
  - 
  30,200 
Long-term notes payable, net of discount of $-0- and $161, respectively
  - 
  7,694 
Total related party liabilities
 $- 
 $38,837 
 
See “Note 8 – Notes Payable above for a further discussion of the debt conversions and subsequent retirement of all related party debt.
 
On May 21, 2019, SK Energy, which is owned and controlled by Dr. Kukes, our Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors, purchased 6,818,181 shares of restricted common stock from the Company at a price of $2.20 per share, or $15 million in aggregate, and on September 17, 2019, SK Energy purchased 8,204,481 additional shares of restricted common stock from the Company at a price of $1.5845 per share, or $13 million in aggregate (see “Note 11 – Shareholders’ Equity above for a further discussion of the issuance of the restricted common stock).
 
On August 28, 2019, 50,000 shares of restricted stock were awarded to a director for advisory services provided to the Company, which shares have a total fair value of $78,000, based on the market price on the issuance date (see “Note 12 – Share-Based Compensation above for a further discussion of the issuance of the share-based compensation).
 
 
 
F-25
 
 
Also, on August 28, 2019, the Company granted an aggregate of 170,000 shares of restricted stock to three directors of the Company, which have a total fair value of $265,000, based on the market price on the issuance date (see “Note 12 – Share-Based Compensation above for a further discussion of the issuance of the share-based compensation).
 
On November 1, 2019, the Company subleased approximately 300 square feet of office space at its current headquarters to SK Energy, which is owned and controlled by Dr. Kukes, our Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors. The lease renews on a monthly basis, may be terminated by either party at any time upon prior written notice delivered to the other party, and has a monthly base rent of $1,200.
 
On November 8, 2019, 100,000 shares of restricted stock were awarded to a greater than 10% shareholder of the Company for strategic planning and business development services provided to the Company, which shares have a total fair value of $128,000, based on the market price on the issuance date (see “Note 12 – Share-Based Compensation above for a further discussion of the issuance of the share-based compensation).
 
NOTE 15 – INCOME TAXES
 
Due to the Company’s net taxable losses for both years, there were no provisions for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
 
The following table reconciles the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate in effect for the years ended December 1, 2019 and 2018, and the Company’s effective tax rate:
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
U.S. federal statutory income tax (benefit)
  21.00%
  21.00%
State and local income tax, net of benefits
  6.64%
  6.64%
Amortization of debt discount
  -2.05%
  0.73%
Officer life insurance and D&O insurance
  -0.05%
  0.01%
Stock-based compensation
  -0.62%
  0.08%
Utilization of net operating loss carryforwards
  0.03%
  0.44%
Tax rate changes and other
  0.00%
  -30.18%
Valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets
  -24.95%
  1.28%
Effective income tax rate
  0.00%
  0.00%
 
Deferred income tax assets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows (in thousands):
 
Deferred Tax Assets
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
Difference in depreciation, depletion, and capitalization methods – oil and natural gas properties
 $529 
 $4,334 
Accretion
  80 
  - 
Share-based compensation
  584 
  - 
Net operating loss – federal taxes
  23,183 
  30,324 
Net operating loss – state taxes
  3,139 
  5,397 
Total deferred tax asset
  27,515 
  40,055 
Less valuation allowance
  (27,515)
  (40,055)
Total deferred tax assets
 $- 
 $- 
 
In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of deferred assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible.
 
 
 
F-26
 

Utilization of NOL and tax credit carryforwards may be subject to a substantial annual limitation due to ownership change limitations that may have occurred or that could occur in the future, as required by the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), as amended, as well as similar state provisions. In general, an “ownership change” as defined by the Code results from a transaction or series of transactions over a three-year period resulting in an ownership change of more than 50 percent of the outstanding stock of a company by certain shareholders or public groups.
 
Based on the available objective evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets will not be fully realizable. Accordingly, management has applied a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2019 and 2018. The net change in the total valuation allowance from December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2019 was a decrease of $12,500,000.
 
The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not have any significant uncertain tax positions or unrecognized tax benefits. The Company did not have associated accrued interest or penalties, nor was any interest expense or penalties recognized for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
 
As of December 31, 2019, the Company has federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $110,000,000, which if not utilized approximately $95,000,000 will expire beginning in 2023 and ending 2037, respectively, and $15,000,000. carried forward indefinitely limited to 80% of a given years taxable income.
 
The Company currently has tax returns open for examination by the Internal Revenue Service for all years since 2015.
 
NOTE 16 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
On January 13, 2020, the Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 733,000 shares of common stock to various Company employees at an exercise price of $1.68 per share. The options have a term of five years and fully vest in January 2023. 33.3% vest each subsequent year from the date of grant, contingent upon the recipient’s continued service with the Company. The aggregate fair value of the options on the date of grant, using the Black-Scholes model, was $1,053,000. Variables used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for the options issued include: (1) a discount rate of 1.63%, (2) expected term of 3.5 years, (3) expected volatility of 155%, and (4) zero expected dividends.
 
Additionally on January 13, 2020, restricted stock awards were granted to various employees and one consultant for an aggregate of 1,049,000 (including 924,000 restricted stock awards to officers of the Company) and 70,000 shares, respectively, of the Company’s common stock, under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. The grant for the 1,049,000 shares of restricted stock vest as follows: 33.3% vest each subsequent year from the date of grant contingent upon the recipient’s continued service with the Company. These shares have a total fair value of $1,172,000 based on the market price on the issuance date. The grant for the 70,000 shares of restricted stock vest as follows: 100% on the one-year anniversary of the grant date, subject to the recipient’s continued service with the Company. These shares had a total fair value of $118,000 based on the market price on the issuance date.
 
In February 2020, 55,000 shares of restricted common stock were rescinded due to an employee termination. As a result, these shares were canceled and returned to the Company’s Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan.
 
 
 
 
F-27
 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON OIL AND GAS PRODUCING ACTIVITIES
(UNAUDITED)
 
The following disclosures for the Company are made in accordance with authoritative guidance regarding disclosures about oil and natural gas producing activities. Users of this information should be aware that the process of estimating quantities of “proved,” “proved developed,” and “proved undeveloped” crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas reserves is complex, requiring significant subjective decisions in the evaluation of all available geological, engineering and economic data for each reservoir. The data for a given reservoir may also change substantially over time as a result of numerous factors including, but not limited to, additional development activity, evolving production history and continual reassessment of the viability of production under varying economic conditions. Consequently, material revisions (upward or downward) to existing reserve estimates may occur from time to time. Although reasonable effort is made to ensure that reserve estimates reported represent the most accurate assessments possible, the significance of the subjective decisions required and variances in available data for various reservoirs make these estimates generally less precise than other estimates presented in connection with financial statement disclosures.
 
Proved reserves represent estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas that geoscience and engineering data can estimate, with reasonable certainty, to be economically producible from a given day forward from known reservoirs under economic conditions, operating methods and government regulation before the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation.
 
Proved developed reserves are proved reserves expected to be recovered under operating methods being utilized at the time the estimates were made, through wells and equipment in place or if the cost of any required equipment is relatively minor compared to the cost of a new well.
 
Proved undeveloped reserves are reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required. Reserves on undrilled acreage are limited to those directly offsetting development spacing areas that are reasonably certain of production when drilled, unless evidence using reliable technology exists that establishes reasonable certainty of economic producibility at greater distances. Undrilled locations can be classified as having undeveloped reserves only if a development plan has been adopted indicating that they are scheduled to be drilled within five years, unless the specific circumstances justify a longer time. Estimates for proved undeveloped reserves are not attributed to any acreage for which an application of fluid injection or other improved recovery technique is contemplated, unless such techniques have been proved effective by actual projects in the same reservoir or an analogous reservoir, or by other evidence using reliable technology establishing reasonable certainty.
 
 
F-28
 
 
PROVED RESERVE SUMMARY
 
All of the Company’s reserves are located in the United States. The following tables sets forth the changes in the Company’s net proved reserves (including developed and undeveloped reserves) for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. Reserves estimates as of December 31, 2019 were estimated by the independent petroleum consulting firm Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc. The reserve report has been incorporated by reference herein as Exhibit 99.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K which these financial statements are filed with.
 
 
 
 December 31,
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 Crude Oil (MBbls) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net proved reserves at beginning of year
  11,538 
  1,942 
 Revisions of previous estimates
  105 
  (1,556)
 Purchases in place
  1,083 
  - 
 Extensions, discoveries and other additions
  - 
  - 
 Sales in place
  (52)
  - 
 Production
  (315)
  (74)
 Net proved reserves at end of year
  12,359 
  11,538 
 
    
    
 Natural Gas (Mmcf) 
    
    
 Net proved reserves at beginning of year
  5,283 
  6,354 
 Revisions of previous estimates
  4,071 
  (5,874)
 Purchases in place
  742 
  4,942 
 Extensions, discoveries and other additions
  - 
  - 
 Sales in place
  (123)
  - 
 Production
  (227)
  (139)
 Net proved reserves at end of year
  9,746 
  5,283 
 
    
    
 NGL (MBbbls) 
    
    
 Net proved reserves at beginning of year
  17 
  673 
 Revisions of previous estimates
  49 
  (645)
 Purchases in place
  - 
  - 
 Extensions, discoveries and other additions
  - 
  - 
 Sales in place
  (3)
  - 
 Production
  (15)
  (11)
 Net proved reserves at end of year
  48 
  17 
 
    
    
 Oil Equivalents (MBoe) 
    
    
 Net proved reserves at beginning of year
  12,435 
  3,674 
 Revisions of previous estimates
  832 
  (3,180)
 Purchases in place
  1,207 
  12,050 
 Extensions, discoveries and other additions
  - 
  - 
 Sales in place
  (75)
  - 
 Production
  (367)
  (108)
 Net proved reserves at end of year
  14,032 
  12,436 
 
 
F-29
 
 
RESERVES
 
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company increased its reserves by approximately 1.6 MBoe of proved reserves. We had a 1.8 MBoe increase in proved developed and non-producing reserves primarily due to the drilling and completion of nine new productive wells in the Permian Basin, as well as our participation (non-operated working interest) in 11 productive wells in the DJ-Basin representing 1.7 MBoe of proved developed reserves, coupled with our acquisition of 0.1 MBoe in proved developed  and non-producing reserves in the Permian Basin, offset by a 0.2 MBoe reduction of proved undeveloped reserves, noted below.
 
We also had a transfer to proved non-producing reserves on existing wells of 1.1 MBoe due to one well which was previously producing, being shut-in, due to water injection capacity restrictions, and four new wells completed by December 31, 2019, for which production had not yet commenced.
 
The following table sets forth the Company’s proved developed and undeveloped reserves at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively:
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 Proved Developed Reserves
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Crude Oil (MBbls) 
  938 
  435 
 Natural Gas (Mmcf) 
  983 
  341 
 NGL (MBbls) 
  48 
  17 
 Oil Equivalents (MBoe) 
  1,151 
  509 
 
    
    
 Proved Developed Non-Producing Reserves
    
    
 Crude Oil (MBbls) 
  1,045 
  - 
 Natural Gas (Mmcf) 
  619 
  - 
 NGL (MBbls) 
  - 
  - 
 Oil Equivalents (MBoe) 
  1,148 
  - 
 
    
    
 Proved Undeveloped Reserves
    
    
 Crude Oil (MBbls) 
  10,376 
  11,103 
 Natural Gas (Mmcf) 
  8,144 
  4,942 
 NGL (MBbls) 
  - 
  - 
 Oil Equivalents (MBoe) 
  11,733 
  11,927 
 
    
    
 Proved Reserves
    
    
 Crude Oil (MBbls) 
  12,359 
  11,538 
 Natural Gas (Mmcf) 
  9,747 
  5,283 
 NGL (MBbls) 
  48 
  17 
 Oil Equivalents (MBoe) 
  14,032 
  12,436 
 
 
 
 
F-30
 
 
Proved Undeveloped Reserves
 
For the year ended December 31, 2019, total proved undeveloped reserves (PUDs) decreased by 0.2 million MBoe to 11.7 million MBoe. The change in proved understated reserves was:
 
transfer of 1,324 MBoe from PUD to proved developed reserves based on total capital expenditures of $43.0 million during 2019;
819 MBoe addition from four San Andres PUDs acquired in the Chaveroo bolt-on acquisition; and
312 MBoe addition from five gross Niobrara PUDs, ~1 net Niobrara PUD.
 
Our plan is to convert our remaining PUD balance as of December 31, 2019 to proved developed reserves within five years or prior to the end of fiscal year 2024, provided that we are able to obtain adequate funding and capital over the time period.
 
Capitalized Costs Relating to Oil and Natural Gas Producing Activities. The following table sets forth the capitalized costs relating to the Company’s crude oil and natural gas producing activities at December 31, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):
 
 
 
 2019
 
 
 2018
 
Proved oil and gas properties
 $123,607 
 $81,507 
Unproved oil and gas properties
  - 
  - 
Total oil and gas properties
  123,607 
  81,507 
Accumulated depreciation and depletion
  (31,759)
  (21,045)
Net Capitalized Costs
 $91,848 
 $60,462 
 
Costs Incurred in Oil and Natural Gas Property Acquisition, Exploration and Development Activities. The following table sets forth the costs incurred in the Company’s oil and natural gas property acquisition, exploration and development activities for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):
 
 
 
 2019
 
 
 2018
 
 Acquisition of properties:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Proved
 $1,120 
 $18,867 
 Unproved
  - 
  - 
 Exploration costs
  - 
  - 
 Development costs
  41,810 
  11,096 
 Total
 $42,930 
 $29,963 
 
Results of Operations for Oil and Natural Gas Producing Activities. The following table sets forth the results of operations for oil and natural gas producing activities for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):
 
 
 
 2019
 
 
 2018
 
 Crude oil and natural gas revenues
 $12,972 
 $4,523 
 Production costs
  (6,817)
  (2,821)
 Depreciation, depletion and accretion
  (11,031)
  (6,519)
 Results of operations for producing activities,
    
    
 excluding corporate overhead and interest costs
 $(4,876)
 $(4,817)
 
 
 
 
F-31
 
 
Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows Relating to Proved Oil and Natural Gas Reserves. The following information has been developed utilizing procedures prescribed by ASC Topic 932 and based on crude oil and natural gas reserves and production volumes estimated by the independent petroleum consultants of the Company. The estimates were based on a 12-month average of first-of-the-month commodity prices for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. The following information may be useful for certain comparison purposes, but should not be solely relied upon in evaluating the Company or its performance. Further, information contained in the following table should not be considered as representative of realistic assessments of future cash flows, nor should the Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows be viewed as representative of the current value of the Company.
 
The future cash flows presented below are based on cost rates and statutory income tax rates in existence as of the date of the projections and average prices over the preceding twelve months. It is expected that material revisions to some estimates of crude oil and natural gas reserves may occur in the future, development and production of the reserves may occur in periods other than those assumed, and actual prices realized and costs incurred may vary significantly from those used.
 
Management does not rely upon the following information in making investment and operating decisions. Such decisions are based upon a wide range of factors, including estimates of probable and possible as well as proved reserves, and varying price and cost assumptions considered more representative of a range of possible economic conditions that may be anticipated.
 
The following table sets forth the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows from projected production of the Company’s oil and natural gas reserves as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 Future cash inflows
 $696,130 
 $691,921 
 Future production costs
  (272,623)
  (203,418)
 Future development costs
  (174,401)
  (214,437)
 Future income taxes
  (47,797)
  (79,315)
 Future net cash flows
  201,309 
  194,751 
 Discount to present value at 10% annual rate
  (97,546)
  (63,933)
 Standardized measure of discounted future net
    
    
 cash flows relating to proved oil and gas
    
    
  reserves
 $103,763 
 $130,818 
 
Changes in Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows. The following table sets forth the changes in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows for each of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):
 
 
 
 2019
 
 
 2018
 
 Standardized measure, beginning of year
 $130,818 
 $31,223 
 Crude oil and natural gas sales, net of production costs
  (3,406)
  (2,636)
 Net changes in prices and production costs
  (64,318)
  1,953 
 Extensions, discoveries, additions and improved recovery
  - 
  - 
 Changes in estimated future development costs
  37,149 
  341 
 Development costs incurred
  - 
  - 
 Revisions of previous quantity estimates
  (2,622)
  (30,096)
 Accretion of discount
  (37,109)
  3,123 
 Net change in income taxes
  31,494 
  (50,467)
 Purchases of reserves in place
  12,343 
  180,122 
 Sales of reserves in place     
  (1,483)
  - 
 Change in timing of estimated future production
  897 
  (2,745)
 Standardized measure, end of year
 $103,763 
 $130,818 
 
 
F-32
 
 
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
 
None.
 
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, as appropriate, in order to allow timely decisions in connection with required disclosure.
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Accounting Officer (“CAO”), we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15I and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report. Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CAO concluded as of December 31, 2019, that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP, but because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that are designed to:
 
 
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
 
 
 
 
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and
 
 
 
 
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
              Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued in 1992. Based on our assessment, management believes that the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting were effective as of December 31, 2019. 
 
 

 
67
 
 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the year ended December 31, 2019 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
 
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls
 
The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Accounting Officer with reasonable assurances that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures will achieve their objectives. However, the Company’s management does not expect that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures or the Company’s internal control over financial reporting can or will prevent all human error. A control system, no matter how well designed and implemented, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Furthermore, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are internal resource constraints, and the benefit of controls must be weighed relative to their corresponding costs. Because of the limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide complete assurance that all control issues and instances of error, if any, within the Company’s company are detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur due to human error or mistake. Additionally, controls, no matter how well designed, could be circumvented by the individual acts of specific persons within the organization. The design of any system of controls is also based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated objectives under all potential future conditions.
 
Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
This report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding our internal controls over financial reporting. Under SEC rules, such attestation is not required for smaller reporting companies such as the Company.
 
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
 
None.
 
 

 
68
 
 
PART III
 
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
 
Information about our Executive Officers and Directors
 
The following table sets forth the name, age and position held by each of our executive officers and directors. Directors are elected for a period of one year and thereafter serve until the next annual meeting at which their successors are duly elected by the shareholders.
 
Name
 
Age
 
Position
 
 
 
 
 
John J. Scelfo
 
62
 
Chairman of the Board
Dr. Simon Kukes
 
73
 
Chief Executive Officer and Director
J. Douglas Schick
 
44
 
President
Paul Pinkston
 
52
 
Chief Accounting Officer
Clark R. Moore
 
47
 
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Ivar Siem
 
73
 
Director
H. Douglas Evans
 
71
 
Director
 
There is no arrangement or understanding between our directors and executive officers and any other person pursuant to which any director or officer was or is to be selected as a director or officer, and there is no arrangement, plan or understanding as to whether non-management shareholders will exercise their voting rights to continue to elect the current board of directors (the “Board”). There are also no arrangements, agreements or understandings to our knowledge between non-management shareholders that may directly or indirectly participate in or influence the management of our affairs.
 
Business Experience
 
The following is a brief description of the business experience and background of our current directors and executive officers. There are no family relationships among any of the directors or executive officers.
 
John J. Scelfo, Chairman of the Board (Director since July 2018)
 
Mr. Scelfo brings 40 years of experience in oil and gas management, finance and accounting to the Board. Mr. Scelfo currently serves as principal and owner of JJS Capital Group, a Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based family investment company that he formed in April 2014. Prior to forming JJS Capital, Mr. Scelfo was Senior Vice President, Finance and Corporate Development (from February 2004 to March 2014), and Chief Financial Officer, Worldwide Exploration & Producing (from April 2003 to January 2004) of New York, New York-based Hess Corporation, a large integrated oil and gas company, where he served as one of eight members of the company’s Executive Committee and was responsible for the company’s corporate treasury, strategy and upstream commercial activities. Prior to joining Hess Corporation, Mr. Scelfo served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of publicly listed Sirius Satellite Radio (from April 2001 to March 2003), as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Asia Pacific & Japan for Dell Computer (November 1999 to March 2001), and in various roles of increasing responsibility with Mobil Corporation (from June 1980 to October 1999).
 
Mr. Scelfo holds a bachelor’s degree and an M.B.A. from Cornell University. In 2011, he was awarded Cornell ILR School’s Alpern Award given to those who “have been exceedingly generous in their support of the ILR School in general and in support of Off-Campus Credit Programs in particular”.
 
Dr. Simon Kukes, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Chief Executive and Director since July 2018)
 
Dr. Simon Kukes is a globally renowned consultant for oil and gas businesses in both the United States and Russia.
 

 
69
 
 
Holding various positions over the years, Kukes has served as the principal of his personal investment company, SK Energy LLC, since April 2013. From January 2005 to April 2013, Dr. Kukes was the CEO at Samara-Nafta, a Russian oil company that partnered with US-based international oil company, Hess Corporation. He was also the President and Chief Executive of Tyumen Oil Company (TNK) from 1998 until it combined with British Petroleum in 2003 to create TNK-BP. Following his time at TNK, Dr. Kukes joined Yukos Oil Company in Moscow presiding as the CEO and Chairman. From 1979 to 1987 he was the Technical Director of oil-refining and petro-chemistry for Phillips Petroleum and in 1987 became Vice-President over marketing and business development for Amoco.
 
Dr. Kukes boasts several awards and achievements over his lifespan. In 1999, the Wall Street Journal voted Kukes as one of the Top 10 Central European Executives. He is also the recipient of the Medal of the Ministry for Natural Resources of the Russian Federation, as well as the American Society of Competition Development Award for Leadership. In 2003, he was named by The Financial Times and PricewaterhouseCoopers as one of the 64 most respected business leaders in the world.
 
Dr. Kukes attended several prestigious universities all over the globe, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University for Chemical Technology in Moscow, where he graduated with Honors. From there, he pursued his PhD in Physical Chemistry at the Academy of Sciences in Moscow, where he would later be a Research Associate for Nuclear and Electronic Resonance. Kukes then attended Rice University in Houston, Texas, where he was a Postdoctoral Fellow. Dr. Kukes has also served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Delaware and on the Editorial Board of Fuel Magazine.
 
His commitment to the oil and gas industry has inspired Dr. Kukes to publish more than 60 scientific papers and two books on the oil and gas industry of Russia and the United States. Dr. Kukes is also the holder of more than 130 patents, primarily in Oil and Petrochemical Processing.
 
J. Douglas Schick, President
 
Mr. Schick has over twenty years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Prior to joining the Company as President on August 1, 2018, Mr. Schick was employed by American Resources, Inc., a Houston, Texas-based privately-held oil and gas investment, development and operating company which he co-founded and continues to serve as Chief Executive Officer (from August 2017 to the present) and formerly as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Business Development (from August 2013 to August 2017), provided that Mr. Schick’s service to American Resources requires only minimal time commitment from Mr. Schick that does not conflict with his duties and responsibilities to the Company. Prior to starting American Resources, Mr. Schick served as the founder, owner and principal of J. Douglas Enterprises, a Houston, Texas-based energy industry focused business development and financial consulting firm (from June 2011 to August 2013) as Vice President of Finance (from January 2011 until its sale in June 2011) for Highland Oil and Gas, a private equity-backed E&P company headquartered in Houston, Texas, as Manager of Planning and then Director of Planning at Houston, Texas-based Mariner Energy, Inc. (from December 2006 until its merger with Apache Corp. in December 2010), and in various roles of increasing responsibility in finance, planning, M&A, treasury and accounting at The Houston Exploration Company, ConocoPhillips and Shell Oil Company (from 1998 to 2006). Mr. Schick current serves on the Board of Directors of Rockdale Marcellus, LLC, a Houston, Texas-based subsidiary of Rockdale Energy, LLC engaged in the development of natural gas in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
 
Mr. Schick holds a BBA in Finance from New Mexico State University and an MBA with a specialization in Finance from Tulane University.
 

 
70
 
 
Paul A. Pinkston, Chief Accounting Officer
 
Mr. Pinkston brings over 20 years of accounting, compliance, and financial reporting expertise to the Company, with extensive experience in handling and managing corporate compliance, financial reporting and audits, and other regulatory functions for companies engaged in the oil and gas industry in the U.S.  Prior to joining the Company on December 1, 2018, from August 2017 to February 2018, Mr. Pinkston served as Corporate Controller and Secretary for Trecora Resources (NYSE:  TREC), a Sugar Land, Texas-based petrochemical manufacturing and customer processing service company.  Prior to joining Trecora Resources, from May 2013 to June 2017, Mr. Pinkston served in various roles of increasing authority and responsibility at Camber Energy, Inc. (NYSE American:  CEI), a Houston, Texas-based oil and gas exploration and production company, including as Camber Energy’s Chief Accounting Officer, Secretary and Treasurer (August 2016 to June 2017), and as its Director of Financial Reporting (May 2013 to August 2016).  Before joining Camber Energy, Mr. Pinkston served as a Senior Consultant with Sirius Solutions LLLP, where he performed accounting, audit and finance consulting services (January 2006 to May 2013), as a Corporate Auditor performing internal audits for Baker Hughes, Inc. (January 2002 to November 2005), and as a Senior Auditor, conducting public and private audits, at Arthur Andersen LLP (from September 1998 to November 2001).
 
Mr. Pinkston received a Bachelor of Business Administration (Finance and Marketing) degree from the University of Texas and earned a Master of Business Administration (Accounting) degree from the University of Houston.  Mr. Pinkston is a Certified Public Accountant registered in the State of Texas.
 
Clark R. Moore, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
 
Mr. Moore has served as our Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary since our acquisition of Pacific Energy Development in July 2012 and has served as the Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of the Company since its inception in February 2011. Mr. Moore began his career in 2000 as a corporate attorney at the law firm of Venture Law Group located in Menlo Park, California, which later merged into Heller Ehrman LLP in 2003. In 2004, Mr. Moore left Heller Ehrman LLP and launched a legal consulting practice focused on representation of private and public company clients in the energy and high-tech industries. In September 2006, Mr. Moore joined Erin Energy Corporation (OTCMKTS:ERN) (formerly CAMAC Energy, Inc.), an independent energy company headquartered in Houston, Texas, as its acting General Counsel and continued to serve in that role through February 2011. In addition, since June 1, 2018, Mr. Moore has served as a partner at Foundation Law Group, LLP.
 
Mr. Moore received his J.D. with Distinction from Stanford Law School and his B.A. with Honors from the University of Washington.
 
Ivar Siem, Director (Director since July 2018)
 
Mr. Siem has broad experience from both the upstream and the service segments of the oil and gas industry, has been the founder of several companies, and has been involved in several roll-ups and restructuring processes throughout his career. He currently serves as the Chairman of American Resources, Inc., and as a Managing Partner of its affiliated investment vehicle, Norexas, LLC, both privately held Houston, Texas-based companies active in oil and gas investment, acquisition and development and has served in that capacity since 2013. Previously, Mr. Siem served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of American Resources, Inc. (from 2013 through July 2017) and Chairman of Blue Dolphin Energy Company (OTCQX: BDCO), Houston, Texas after taking the company out of bankruptcy in 1990. Blue Dolphin was an offshore Gulf of Mexico operator until a merger in 2012 with an independent refiner and marketer of petroleum products. Mr Siem’s role as CEO ended with the merger and he left the board in 2014. From January 2007 to present, Mr. Siem served as President of Drillmar Oil and Gas, Inc. (“Drillmar Oil”), a subsidiary of Drillmar Energy, Inc. Drillmar Oil filed a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding in November 2009 from which it emerged in October 2010. In 1999, Mr. Siem acquired a small distressed public company, American Resources Offshore, Inc. and worked with creditors and existing management to achieve a voluntary reorganization. From 1995 to 2000, Mr. Siem served as Chairman and interim CEO of DI Industries/Grey Wolf Drilling while restructuring the company financially and operationally. Through several mergers and acquisitions, the company emerged as one of the leading land drilling contractors in the US. The company was subsequently acquired by Precision Drilling in 2008. From 1996 to 1997 Mr. Siem served as the initial Chairman and CEO of Seateam Technology ASA when it was spun off from DSND ASA and listed on the Oslo exchange. Prior to Seateam, Mr. Siem held various executive roles at multiple E&P and oil field service companies. Mr. Siem started his career at Amoco working as an engineer in various segments of upstream operations.
 

 
71
 
 
Mr. Siem is currently on the Board of Directors at Siem Industries, Inc., the Drillmar Energy Group of companies, and Petrolia Energy Corporation (OTCQB: BBLS), and has served on the board of several privately held and publicly traded companies including Frupor SA, Avenir ASA, and DSND ASA. Siem Industries is a holding company which invests in shipping and offshore oil and gas construction services. Frupor SA, is a Portuguese agricultural business, which Mr. Siem cofounded with his brother O. M. Siem in 1988.
 
Mr. Siem holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Petroleum from the University of California, Berkeley and an Executive MBA from the Amos Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth University.
 
H. Douglas Evans, Director (Director since September 2018)
 
Mr. Evans has 50 years of oil and gas industry experience, 40 years of which have been spent in various executive management positions with Gulf Interstate Engineering Company (“GIE”), a privately-held Houston, Texas-based firm specializing in the engineering of oil, gas and liquid pipeline systems, where he has served as Honorary Chairman since November 2017, and previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer (July 2004-November 2017), President (February 2003-November 2017), Senior Vice President (September 1994-July 2004), and in various other roles since he joined the company in 1978. During Mr. Evans’ tenure as an executive at GIE, he has successfully overseen the company’s organic growth from $25 million in sales in 1996 to over $250 million in sales in recent years, with GIE involved in almost every major onshore oil and gas pipeline in the world over the last 20 years.
 
Mr. Evans holds a B.S. Civil Engineering and Master of Business Administration from Queen’s University at Kingston, Ontario, and is a registered Professional Engineer in Ontario and Alberta, Canada. Mr. Evans currently serves as Honorary Chairman of GIE (since November 2017), and previously a member of the Board of Directors of Gulf Interstate Field Services, a GIE affiliate engaged in providing oil and gas pipeline construction inspection services, and a number of other GIE affiliated companies, the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Strategy Committee for the International Pipe Line and Offshore Contractors Association (IPLOCA) (through September 2019), a member of the Board of Houston, Texas-based Crossroads School, Inc. (since 2004), and a former member of the Board of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation – Texas Gulf Coast Chapter.
 
Director Qualifications
 
The Board believes that each of our directors is highly qualified to serve as a member of the Board. Each of the directors has contributed to the mix of skills, core competencies and qualifications of the Board. When evaluating candidates for election to the Board, the Board seeks candidates with certain qualities that it believes are important, including integrity, an objective perspective, good judgment, and leadership skills. Our directors are highly educated and have diverse backgrounds and talents and extensive track records of success in what we believe are highly relevant positions.
 
Family Relationships
 
None of our directors are related by blood, marriage, or adoption to any other director, executive officer, or other key employees.
 
Arrangements between Officers and Directors
 
There is no arrangement or understanding between our directors and executive officers and any other person pursuant to which any director or officer was or is to be selected as a director or officer. There are also no arrangements, agreements or understandings to our knowledge between non-management shareholders that may directly or indirectly participate in or influence the management of our affairs.
 

 
72
 
 
Other Directorships
 
Other than Mr. Siem, who currently serves on the Board of Directors of Petrolia Energy Corporation, (OTCQB: BBLS), no directors of the Company are also directors of issuers with a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act (or which otherwise are required to file periodic reports under the Exchange Act).
 
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
 
To the best of our knowledge, except as discussed above under the description of each officer’s and director’s business experience, during the past ten years, none of our directors or executive officers were involved in any of the following: (1) any bankruptcy petition filed by or against any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time; (2) any conviction in a criminal proceeding or being a named subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses); (3) being subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities; (4) being found by a court of competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the SEC or the Commodities Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law; (5) being the subject of, or a party to, any Federal or State judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, relating to an alleged violation of (i) any Federal or State securities or commodities law or regulation; (ii) any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease-and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order; or (iii) any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or (6) being the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Exchange Act), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member.
  
Board Leadership Structure
 
Our board of directors has the responsibility for selecting our appropriate leadership structure. In making leadership structure determinations, the board of directors considers many factors, including the specific needs of our business and what is in the best interests of our shareholders. Our current leadership structure is comprised of a separate Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"). Mr. John J. Scelfo serves as Chairman and Dr. Simon Kukes serves as CEO. The board of directors does not have a policy as to whether the Chairman should be an independent director, an affiliated director, or a member of management. Our board of directors believes that the Company’s current leadership structure is appropriate because it effectively allocates authority, responsibility, and oversight between management (the Company’s CEO, Dr. Kukes) and the members of our board of directors. It does this by giving primary responsibility for the operational leadership and strategic direction of the Company to its CEO, while enabling our Chairman to facilitate our board of directors’ oversight of management, promote communication between management and our board of directors, and support our board of directors’ consideration of key governance matters. The board of directors believes that its programs for overseeing risk, as described below, would be effective under a variety of leadership frameworks and therefore do not materially affect its choice of structure.
 
Risk Oversight
 
Effective risk oversight is an important priority of the board of directors. Because risks are considered in virtually every business decision, the board of directors discusses risk throughout the year generally or in connection with specific proposed actions. The board of directors’ approach to risk oversight includes understanding the critical risks in our business and strategy, evaluating our risk management processes, allocating responsibilities for risk oversight among the full board of directors, and fostering an appropriate culture of integrity and compliance with legal responsibilities.
 

 
73
 
 
The board of directors exercises direct oversight of strategic risks to us. Our Audit Committee reviews and assesses our processes to manage business and financial risk and financial reporting risk. It also reviews our policies for risk assessment and assesses steps management has taken to control significant risks. Our Compensation Committee oversees risks relating to compensation programs and policies. In each case management periodically reports to our board of directors or the relevant committee, which provides the relevant oversight on risk assessment and mitigation.
 
Director Independence
 
Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Scelfo and Mr. Evans are independent directors as defined in the NYSE American rules governing members of boards of directors and as defined under Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, 50% of the members of our board of directors are independent as defined in the NYSE American rules governing members of boards of directors and as defined under Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act. 
 
Committees of our Board of Directors
 
On September 5, 2013, and effective September 10, 2013, the board of directors adopted charters for the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Compensation Committee and Audit Committee. We currently maintain a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Compensation Committee and Audit Committee.
 
The committees of the Board of Directors consist of the following members as of the date of this filing:
 
Director
 
Audit Committee
 
Compensation Committee
 
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
 
Independent
Dr. Simon Kukes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ivar Siem
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
John J. Scelfo (1)
 
C
 
C
 
M
 
X
H. Douglas Evans
 
M
 
M
 
C
 
X
 
C - Chairman of Committee.
M – Member.
(1) – Chairman of the board of directors.
 
Each of these committees has the duties described below and operates under a charter that has been approved by our board of directors and is posted on our website. Our website address is http://www.pacificenergydevelopment.com. Information contained on our website is expressly not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report.
 
Audit Committee
 
The audit committee selects, on behalf of our board of directors, an independent public accounting firm to audit our financial statements, discusses with the independent auditors their independence, reviews and discusses the audited financial statements with the independent auditors and management, and recommends to the board of directors whether the audited financial statements should be included in our annual reports to be filed with the SEC. Mr. Scelfo serves as Chair of the Audit Committee and our board of directors has determined that Mr. Scelfo is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the audit committee held six meetings.
   

 
74
 
 
Compensation Committee
 
The compensation committee reviews and approves (a) the annual salaries and other compensation of our executive officers, and (b) individual stock and stock option grants. The compensation committee also provides assistance and recommendations with respect to our compensation policies and practices and assists with the administration of our compensation plans. Mr. Scelfo serves as Chair of the compensation committee.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the compensation committee held one meeting.
  
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
 
The nominating and corporate governance committee assists our board of directors in fulfilling its responsibilities by: identifying and approving individuals qualified to serve as members of our board of directors, selecting director nominees for our annual meetings of shareholders, evaluating the performance of our board of directors, and developing and recommending to our board of directors corporate governance guidelines and oversight procedures with respect to corporate governance and ethical conduct. Mr. Scelfo serves as Chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee.
 
The nominating and governance committee of the board of directors considers nominees for director based upon a number of qualifications, including their personal and professional integrity, ability, judgment, and effectiveness in serving the long-term interests of our shareholders. There are no specific, minimum or absolute criteria for membership on the board of directors. The committee makes every effort to ensure that the board of directors and its committees include at least the required number of independent directors, as that term is defined by applicable standards promulgated by the NYSE American and/or the SEC.
 
The nominating and governance committee may use its network of contacts to compile a list of potential candidates. The nominating and governance committee has not in the past relied upon professional search firms to identify director nominees but may engage such firms if so desired. The nominating and governance committee may meet to discuss and consider candidates’ qualifications and then choose a candidate by majority vote.
 
The nominating and governance committee will consider qualified director candidates recommended in good faith by shareholders, provided those nominees meet the requirements of NYSE American and applicable federal securities law. The nominating and governance committee’s evaluation of candidates recommended by shareholders does not differ materially from its evaluation of candidates recommended from other sources. The Committee will consider candidates recommended by shareholders if the information relating to such candidates are properly submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Company in accordance with the manner described for shareholder proposals under “Stockholder Proposals for 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and 2020 Proxy Materials” on page 50 of our definitive proxy statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of stockholders. Individuals recommended by stockholders in accordance with these procedures will receive the same consideration received by individuals identified to the Committee through other means.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the nominating and corporate governance committee held one meeting.
 
Meetings of the Board of Directors and Annual Meeting
 
During the fiscal year that ended on December 31, 2018, the Board held eight meetings and took various other actions via the unanimous written consent of the board of directors and the various committees described above. All directors attended all of the board of directors’ meetings and committee meetings relating to the committees on which each director served during fiscal year 2019. The Company held annual shareholders meetings on June 26, 2014, October 7, 2015, December 28, 2016, December 28, 2017, September 27, 2018 and August 28, 2019 at which meetings all directors were present in person or via teleconference. Each director of the Company is expected to be present at annual meetings of shareholders, absent exigent circumstances that prevent their attendance. Where a director is unable to attend an annual meeting in person but is able to do so by electronic conferencing, the Company will arrange for the director’s participation by means where the director can hear, and be heard, by those present at the meeting.
 

 
75
 
 
Executive Sessions of the Board of Directors
 
The independent members of our board of directors meet in executive session (with no management directors or management present) from time to time. The executive sessions include whatever topics the independent directors deem appropriate.
 
Code of Ethics
 
In 2012, in accordance with SEC rules, our board of directors adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for our directors, officers and employees. Our board of directors believes that these individuals must set an exemplary standard of conduct. This code sets forth ethical standards to which these persons must adhere and other aspects of accounting, auditing and financial compliance, as applicable. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website at www.pacificenergydevelopment.com. Please note that the information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference in, or considered to be a part of, this Annual Report.
 
We intend to disclose any amendments to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and any waivers with respect to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics granted to our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer, or any of our other employees performing similar functions on our website at www.pacificenergydevelopment.com, within four business days after the amendment or waiver. In such case, the disclosure regarding the amendment or waiver will remain available on our website for at least 12 months after the initial disclosure. There have been no waivers granted with respect to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to any such officers or employees to date.
 
Shareholder Communications
 
Our stockholders and other interested parties may communicate with members of the board of directors by submitting such communications in writing to our Corporate Secretary, 575 N. Dairy Ashford, Suite 210, Houston, Texas 77079 who, upon receipt of any communication other than one that is clearly marked “Confidential,” will note the date the communication was received, open the communication, make a copy of it for our files and promptly forward the communication to the director(s) to whom it is addressed. Upon receipt of any communication that is clearly marked “Confidential,” our Corporate Secretary will not open the communication, but will note the date the communication was received and promptly forward the communication to the director(s) to whom it is addressed. If the correspondence is not addressed to any particular board member or members, the communication will be forwarded to a board member to bring to the attention of the board of directors.
 
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
 
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers and directors and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the SEC initial statements of beneficial ownership, reports of changes in ownership and annual reports concerning their ownership in our common stock and other equity securities, on Form 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Executive officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by the SEC regulations to furnish our company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.
 
Based solely on our review of the copies of such reports received by us and on written representation by our officers and directors regarding their compliance with the applicable reporting requirements under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, we believe that all filings required to be made under Section 16(a) during 2019 were timely made, except that Dr. Simon Kukes inadvertently failed to timely file one Form 4, and as a result one transaction was not reported on a timely basis and Ivar Siem inadvertently failed to timely file one Form 4, and as a result two transactions were not reported on a timely basis.

 
76
 
 
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
Compensation of Executive Officers
 
The following table sets forth the compensation for services paid in all capacities for the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 to (a) Dr. Simon Kukes, our current Chief Executive Officer and Director, (b) J. Douglas Schick, our current President, (c) Clark R. Moore, our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, (d) Paul A Pinkston, our current Chief Accounting Officer, (e) Frank C. Ingriselli, our former Chairman, former President and former Chief Executive Officer, (f) Michael L. Peterson, our former President and Chief Executive Officer, and (g) Gregory Overholtzer, our former Chief Financial Officer (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”). There were no other executive officers who received compensation in excess of $100,000 in either 2019 or 2018.
 
Summary Compensation Table
 
Name and Principal Position
 
Fiscal Year
 
 
Salary ($) 
 
 
Bonus ($) 
 
 
Option Awards ($)
 
 
Stock Awards ($)
 
 
 All Other Compensation ($)  
 
 
Total ($) 
 
Simon Kukes
2019
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
Chief Executive Officer
2018
  - 
  - 
  - 
  399,000(1)
  - 
  399,000 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
J. Douglas Schick
2019
  250,000 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  250,000 
President
2018
  104,167 
  - 
  - 
  148,960(2)
  - 
  253,127 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Clark R. Moore
2019
  2T50,000 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  250,000 
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
2018
  250,000 
  - 
  - 
  141,830(3)
  - 
  391,830 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Paul A. Pinkston
2019
  140,000 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  140,000 
Chief Accounting Officer
2018
  11,667 
  - 
  - 
  39,900(4)
  - 
  51,567 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Frank C. Ingriselli (5)
2018
  66,346 
  - 
  - 
  116,000(6)
  350,000(7)
  532,346 
Former Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Michael L. Peterson (8)
2018
  125,000 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  125,000 
Former Chief Executive Officer and President
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Gregory Overholtzer (9)
2018
  190,000 
  - 
  - 
  26,600(10)
  - 
  216,600 
Former Chief Financial Officer
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
Does not include perquisites and other personal benefits or property, unless the aggregate amount of such compensation is more than $10,000. No executive officer earned any non-equity incentive plan compensation or nonqualified deferred compensation during the periods reported above. Stock Awards represent the aggregate grant date fair value of awards computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standard Codification Topic 718. For additional information on the valuation assumptions with respect to the restricted stock grants, refer to “Part II” - “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” - “Note 12 – Share-Based Compensation”. These amounts do not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by the named individuals from these awards.
 

 
77
 
 
(1)
Consists of the value of 300,000 shares of restricted common stock granted in December 2018 at $1.33 per share.
 
(2)
Consists of the value of 11,200 shares of restricted common stock granted in December 2018 at $1.33 per share.
 
(3)
Consists of the value of 50,000 shares of restricted common stock granted in July 2018 at $1.48 per share and the value of 51,000 shares of restricted common stock granted in December 2018 at $1.33 per share.
 
(4)
Consists of the value of 30,000 shares of restricted common stock granted in December 2018 at $1.33 per share.
 
(5)
 
Mr. Ingriselli served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company until his retirement effective May 1, 2016, after which date he continued to serve as Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors until September 27, 2018, and again served as our Chief Executive Officer from April 2018 to July 2018, and served as President from April 2018 to August 1, 2018.
 
(6)
 
Consists of the value of 80,000 shares of restricted common stock granted in May 2018 at $0.34 per share and the value of 60,000 shares of restricted common stock granted in July 2018 at $1.48 per share.
 
(7)
Consists of cash severance amount paid to Mr. Ingriselli pursuant to the Separation and General Release Agreement, dated September 6, 2018, entered into by and between Mr. Ingriselli and the Company.
 
(8)
Mr. Peterson resigned as Chief Executive Officer and President effective May 31, 2018, and pursuant to a consulting agreement entered into with him, he received $5,000 per month through May 2019 for debt restructuring, strategic planning, and capital markets consulting services.
 
(9)
Mr. Overholtzer resigned as Chief Financial Officer effective December 31, 2018, and pursuant to a consulting agreement entered into with him, he received $15,000 per month through April 7, 2019 for transitional consulting services, and was paid an additional amount of cash severance and accrued vacation (totaling $37,755) pursuant to the Separation and General Release Agreement, dated December 31, 2018, entered into by and between Mr. Overholtzer and the Company.
 
(10)
Consists of the value of 20,000 shares of restricted common stock granted in December 2018 at $1.33 per share.
 
Outstanding Equity Awards at Year Ended December 31, 2019
 
The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2019 concerning outstanding equity awards for the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table.
 

 
78
 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
 
 
 
Option Awards
 
 
Stock Awards
 
Name
 
Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) exercisable
 
 
Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) 
unexercisable
 
 
Option Exercise price ($)  
 
 
Option expiration date  
 
 
Number of shares or units of stock that have not vested (#)  
 
 
Market value of shares or units of stock that have not vested ($)  
 
Dr. Simon Kukes
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  200,000(1)
 $266,000 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
J. Douglas Schick
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  74,677(1)
 $99,320 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Clark R. Moore
  18,887 
  - 
 $5.10 
 
6/18/2022
 
  34,000(1)
 $6,720 
 
  4,447 
  - 
 $5.10 
 
6/18/2022
 
  - 
  - 
 
  27,000*
  - 
 $3.70 
 
1/7/2020
 
  - 
  - 
 
  28,000 
  - 
 $2.20 
 
1/7/2021
 
  - 
  - 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Paul A. Pinkston
  - 
  - 
  - 
  - 
  15,000(2)
  19,950 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Frank C. Ingriselli**
  34,827 
  - 
 $5.10 
 
5/30/2021
 
  - 
  - 
 
  4,254 
  - 
 $5.10 
 
5/30/2021
 
  - 
  - 
 
  37,000 
  - 
 $3.70 
 
5/30/2021
 
  - 
  - 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Gregory Overholtzer**
  11,667 
  - 
 $5.10 
 
6/18/2022
 
  - 
  - 
 
  5,000 
  - 
 $3.70 
 
12/31/2021
 
  - 
  - 
 
  15,000 
  - 
 $2.20 
 
12/31/2021
 
  - 
  - 
 
  1,100 
  - 
 $3.00 
 
2/8/2022
 
  - 
  - 
 
  60,000 
  - 
 $1.10 
 
12/31/2021
 
  - 
  - 
 
  75,000 
  - 
 $0.3088 
 
12/28/2022
 
  - 
  - 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Michael L. Peterson**
  - 
  - 
    
    
  - 
  - 
 
(1)
Stock award vests 50% on December 12, 2020 and December 12, 2021, subject to the holder remaining an employee of or consultant to the Company on such vesting dates.
(2)
Stock award vests on December 1, 2020, subject to the holder remaining an employee of or consultant to the Company on such vesting date.
*
Since expired unexercised.
**
Former Officers
 
Issuances of Equity to Executive Officers
 
See above and see alsoPart II” - “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” – “Note 12 – Share-Based Compensation”, for equity issuances to executive officers for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
 

 
79
 
 
Compensation of Directors
 
The following table sets forth compensation information with respect to our non-executive directors during our fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.
 
Name
 
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)*
 
 
Stock Awards ($) (1) (2) (3)
 
 
All Other Compensation ($)
 
 
Total ($)
 
John J. Scelfo
 $- 
 $109,200 
 $- 
 $109,200 
Ivar Siem
 $- 
 $156,000 
 $- 
 $156,000 
H. Douglas Evans
 $- 
 $78,000 
 $- 
 $78,000 
 
* The table above does not include the amount of any expense reimbursements paid to the above directors. No directors received any Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation or Nonqualified Deferred Compensation. Does not include perquisites and other personal benefits, or property, unless the aggregate amount of such compensation is more than $10,000.
 
(1)
Amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of awards computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standard Codification Topic 718. For additional information on the valuation assumptions with respect to the restricted stock grants, refer to “Part II” - “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” - “Note 12 – Share-Based Compensation”. These amounts do not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by the named individuals from these awards.
 
(2)
Mr. Scelfo, Mr. Evans and Mr. Siem received grants of 70,000, 50,000 and 50,000 shares of restricted stock, respectively, on August 28, 2019, each with an aggregate grant date fair value of $109,200, $78,000 and $78,000, respectively, which will vest in full on July 12, 2020, September 27, 2020 and July 12, 2020, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2019, there was compensation of $88,000, related to these grants.
 
(3)
Mr. Siem also received an additional grant of 50,000 shares of restricted stock, on August 28, 2019, for advisory services provided to the Company with an aggregate grant date fair value of $78,000, which will vest in full on July 12, 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2019, there was compensation of $26,000, related to these grants.
 
Effective September 27, 2018, the Board no longer has a formal compensation program; provided that the Board of Directors and/or the Compensation Committee may authorize compensation (including, but not limited to cash, options and restricted stock) to the members of the Board of Directors from time to time in their discretion.
 
Agreements with Current Named Executive Officers
 
Dr. Simon Kukes. Dr. Kukes has agreed to receive an annual salary of $1 as his compensation for serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and as a member of the Board of Directors and to not charge the Company for any personal business expenses he incurs in connection with such positions. Notwithstanding the above, Dr. Kukes was not paid any salary for 2019 or 2018.
 

 
80
 
 
J. Douglas Schick. On August 1, 2018, in connection with his appointment as President of the Company, we entered into an offer letter with J. Douglas Schick (the “Offer Letter”). Pursuant to the Offer Letter, Mr. Schick agreed to serve as President of the Company on an at-will basis; the Company agreed to pay Mr. Schick $20,833 per month and that Mr. Schick is eligible for an annual bonus in the discretion of the Company totaling up to 40% of his then current salary and may also receive grants of restricted stock and options in the Board of Directors’ sole discretion. Mr. Schick’s employment may be terminated by him or the Company with 30 days prior written notice. In the event Mr. Schick’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without “Cause,” the Company will (a) pay Mr. Schick an amount equal to twelve (12) months of his then-current annual base salary, and (b) immediately accelerate by twelve (12) months the vesting of all outstanding Company restricted stock and options exercisable for Company capital stock held by Mr. Schick. For purposes of the Offer Letter, “Cause” means Mr. Schick’s (1) conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony or any other crime involving moral turpitude; (2) fraud on or misappropriation of any funds or property of the Company or any of its affiliates, customers or vendors; (3) act of material dishonesty, willful misconduct, willful violation of any law, rule or regulation, or breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, in each case made in connection with his responsibilities as an employee, officer or director of the Company and which has, or could reasonably be deemed to result in, a material adverse effect upon the Company; (4) illegal use or distribution of drugs; (5) willful material violation of any policy or code of conduct of the Company; or (6) material breach of any provision of the Offer Letter or any other employment, non-disclosure, non-competition, non-solicitation or other similar agreement executed by him for the benefit of the Company or any of its affiliates, all as reasonably determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company. However, an event that is or would constitute “Cause” shall cease to be “Cause” if he reverses the action or cures the default that constitutes “Cause” within 10 days after the Company notifies him in writing that Cause exists.
  
The Offer Letter contains standard confidentiality provisions; a standard non-compete restriction prohibiting Mr. Schick from competing against the Company during the term of his employment and for one year thereafter in connection with any directly competitive enterprise, commercial venture, or project involving petroleum exploration, development, or production activities in the same geographic areas as the Company’s activities or doing business with the Company during the six-month period before the termination of his employment, with certain exceptions; and a non-solicitation provision prohibiting him from inducing or attempting to induce any employee of the company from leaving their employment with the Company and/or attempting to induce any consultant, service provider, customer or business relation of the Company from terminating their relationship with the Company during the term of his employment and for one year thereafter.
 
Clark R. Moore. Pacific Energy Development, our wholly-owned subsidiary, has entered into an employment agreement, dated June 10, 2011, as amended January 11, 2013, with Clark Moore, its Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel (the “Moore Employment Agreement”), pursuant to which, effective June 1, 2011, Mr. Moore has been employed by Pacific Energy Development, with a current annual base salary of $250,000, and a target annual cash bonus of between 20% and 40% of his base salary, awardable by the board of directors in its discretion. In addition, Mr. Moore’s employment agreement includes, among other things, severance payment provisions that would require the Company to make lump sum payments equal to 18 months’ salary and target bonus to Mr. Moore in the event his employment is terminated due to his death or disability, terminated without “Cause” or if he voluntarily resigns for “Good Reason” (36 months in connection with a “Change of Control”), and continuation of benefits for up to 36 months (48 months in connection with a “Change of Control”), as such terms are defined in the employment agreement. The employment agreement also prohibits Mr. Moore from engaging in competitive activities during and following termination of his employment that would result in disclosure of our confidential information, but does not contain a general restriction on engaging in competitive activities.
 
For purposes of the Moore Employment Agreement, the term “Cause” means his (1) conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony or any other crime involving moral turpitude; (2) fraud on or misappropriation of any funds or property of our company or any of its affiliates, customers or vendors; (3) act of material dishonesty, willful misconduct, willful violation of any law, rule or regulation, or breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, in each case made in connection with his responsibilities as an employee, officer or director of our company and which has, or could reasonably be deemed to result in, a Material Adverse Effect upon our company; (4) illegal use or distribution of drugs; (5) material violation of any policy or code of conduct of our company; or (6) material breach of any provision of the employment agreement or any other employment, non-disclosure, non-competition, non-solicitation or other similar agreement executed by him for the benefit of our company or any of its affiliates, all as reasonably determined in good faith by the board of directors of our company. However, an event that is or would constitute “Cause” shall cease to be “Cause” if he reverses the action or cures the default that constitutes “Cause” within 10 days after our company notifies him in writing that Cause exists. No act or failure to act on Mr. Moore’s part will be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by him in bad faith or without reasonable belief that such action or omission was in the best interests of our company. Any act or failure to act that is based on authority given pursuant to a resolution duly passed by the board of directors, or the advice of counsel to our company, shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, in good faith and in the best interests of the Company.
 
 

 
81
 
 
For purposes of the Moore Employment Agreement, “Material Adverse Effect” means any event, change or effect that is materially adverse to the condition (financial or otherwise), properties, assets, liabilities, business, operations or results of operations of our company or its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
  
For purposes of the Moore Employment Agreement, “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following without his written consent: (a) the assignment to him of duties substantially inconsistent with this employment agreement or a material adverse change in his titles or authority; (b) any failure by our company to comply with the compensation provisions of the agreement in any material way; (c) any material breach of the employment agreement by our company; or (d) the relocation of him by more than fifty (50) miles from the location of our company’s office located in Danville, California. However, an event that is or would constitute “Good Reason” shall cease to be “Good Reason” if: (i) he does not terminate employment within 45 days after the event occurs; (ii) before he terminates employment, we reverse the action or cure the default that constitutes “Good Reason” within 10 days after he notifies us in writing that Good Reason exists; or (iii) he was a primary instigator of the “Good Reason” event and the circumstances make it inappropriate for him to receive “Good Reason” termination benefits under the employment agreement (e.g., he agrees temporarily to relinquish his position on the occurrence of a merger transaction he assists in negotiating).
 
              For purposes of the Moore Employment Agreement, “Change of Control” means: (i) a merger, consolidation or sale of capital stock by existing holders of capital stock of our company that results in more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding capital stock of our company or its successor changing ownership; (ii) the sale, or exclusive license, of all or substantially all of our company’s assets; or (iii) the individuals constituting our company’s board of directors as of the date of the employment agreement (the “Incumbent Board of Directors”) cease for any reason to constitute at least 1/2 of the members of the board of directors; provided, however, that if the election, or nomination for election by our stockholders, of any new director was approved by a vote of the Incumbent Board of Directors, such new director shall be considered a member of the Incumbent Board of Directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing and for purposes of clarity, a transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if: (w) its sole purpose is to change the state of our company’s incorporation; (x) its sole purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held our company’s securities immediately before such transaction; or (y) it is a transaction effected primarily for the purpose of financing our company with cash (as determined by the board of directors in its discretion and without regard to whether such transaction is effectuated by a merger, equity financing or otherwise).
 
Paul A. Pinkston. On December 1, 2018, the Company appointed Mr. Pinkston as the Chief Accounting Officer of the Company and Mr. Pinkston commenced employment with the Company pursuant to the terms of an Offer Letter, dated October 16, 2018, and effective December 1, 2018, entered into by and between the Company and Mr. Pinkston (the “Pinkston Offer Letter”). Also effective on December 1, 2018, Mr. Pinkston commenced serving as the Company’s Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of the Company.
 
 

 
82
 
 
Pursuant to the Pinkston Offer Letter, Mr. Pinkston agreed to serve as Chief Accounting Officer of the Company on an at-will basis, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Pinkston $11,666.67 per month, Mr. Pinkston is eligible for an annual bonus in the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company totaling up to 30% of his then current salary, Mr. Pinkston may also receive grants of restricted stock and options in the Board of Directors’ sole discretion, and Mr. Pinkston’s employment may be terminated by him or the Company with 30 days prior written notice. In addition, Mr. Pinkston was granted 30,000 shares of the Company’s common stock under the Company’s employee equity incentive plan, 50% of which shares vest on Mr. Pinkston’s one (1) year anniversary of his employment commencement date, and 50% of which shares vest on Mr. Pinkston’s two (2) year anniversary of his employment commencement date, subject to Mr. Pinkston’s continued service with the Company and the terms of a Board-approved restricted stock purchase agreement entered into between Mr. Pinkston and the Company.
 
The Pinkston Offer Letter contains standard confidentiality provisions and a standard a non-solicitation provision prohibiting him from inducing or attempting to induce any employee of the Company from leaving their employment with the Company and/or attempting to induce any consultant, service provider, customer or business relation of the Company from terminating their relationship with the Company during the term of his employment and for one year thereafter.
 
Agreements with Former Named Executive Officers
 
Frank C. Ingriselli. Mr. Frank C. Ingriselli entered into an Employment Agreement with Pacific Energy Development, our wholly-owned subsidiary on May 10, 2018 (the “Ingriselli Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the Ingriselli Employment Agreement, which had an effective date of June 1, 2018, Mr. Ingriselli served as our President at an annual base salary of $250,000, and a target annual cash bonus of between 20% and 40% of his base salary, awardable by the Board of Directors in its discretion. The Company also agreed to pay Mr. Ingriselli standard benefits as other executive officers of the Company. In addition, the Ingriselli Employment Agreement included certain termination and severance provisions which provided for, among other things, severance payment provisions that would require the Company to make lump sum payments equal to 18 months’ salary and target bonus (payable within thirty days after termination) to Mr. Ingriselli in the event his employment was terminated due to his death or disability, terminated without “Cause” or if he voluntarily resigned for “Good Reason” (36 months in connection with a “Change of Control”), and continuation of benefits for up to 36 months (48 months in connection with a “Change of Control”), as such terms are defined in the Ingriselli Employment Agreement.
 
The definitions of “Cause” (including the applicable cure provisions associated therewith), “Material Adverse Effect”, “Good Reason” and “Change of Control” in Mr. Ingriselli’s employment agreement were substantially the same as in Mr. Moore’s employment agreement as discussed above.
 
In addition, as additional consideration for Mr. Ingriselli rejoining the Company as its President (which position he held until August 2018) and Chief Executive Officer (which position he held until July 2018), on May 10, 2018, the Company granted Mr. Ingriselli 80,000 shares of restricted Company common stock under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, vesting with respect to 60,000 shares on the six (6) month anniversary of June 1, 2018 and 20,000 of the shares on the nine (9) month anniversary of June 1, 2018, subject to his continued service as an employee of or consultant to the Company on such vesting dates, and subject to the terms and conditions of a Restricted Shares Grant Agreement entered into by and between the Company and Mr. Ingriselli.
 

 
83
 
 
In an effort to reduce the general and administrative expenses of the Company, Mr. Ingriselli, the Company’s then-Chairman and former President and Chief Executive Officer, agreed to retire from the Company as an employee, effective September 6, 2018.  Mr. Ingriselli continued as the Non-Executive Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors until his resignation from the Board on September 27, 2018, and continued to work with the Company in a transitional consulting capacity until October 1, 2018 (the “Ingriselli Transition Period”) through his wholly-owned consulting firm, Global Ventures Investments Inc. (“GVEST”), pursuant to an Agreement dated September 6, 2018, entered into by and between the Company and GVEST (the “Consulting Agreement”).   Pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, through GVEST Mr. Ingriselli agreed to provide the Company with services in the areas of investor relations, public relations, financing strategies, corporate strategies and development of business opportunities through the Ingriselli Transition Period in exchange for the acceleration of vesting of an aggregate of 140,000 shares of restricted common stock previously issued to Mr. Ingriselli by the Company (the “Unvested Ingriselli Shares”), which would have otherwise vested in full on March 1, 2019, subject to Mr. Ingriselli’s continued service to the Company, and would have otherwise been forfeited by Mr. Ingriselli upon his resignation prior to such vesting date.  In addition, the Company and Mr. Ingriselli entered into an Employee Separation and Release dated September 6, 2018 (the “Ingriselli Separation Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Ingriselli agreed to (i) waive all severance benefits to which he is entitled under his Executive Employment Agreement dated May 10, 2018 (the “Ingriselli Employment Agreement”), including, but not limited to, waiver of any payments by the Company to Mr. Ingriselli of a lump sum payment equal to up to eighteen (18) months’ salary and 30% bonus, and continued medical benefits for up to three (3) years, in the event of Mr. Ingriselli’s termination under certain circumstances, pursuant to the terms of the Ingriselli Employment Agreement, and (ii) fully-release the Company from all claims, in exchange for the Company agreeing to (x) allow Mr. Ingriselli to transfer the Unvested Ingriselli Shares to GVEST, and (y) pay a lump sum cash payment of $350,000 to Mr. Ingriselli after seven (7) days following the effectiveness of the Separation Agreement, which the Company paid in full.
 
Michael L. Peterson. The Company and Mr. Peterson (who previously served as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer) entered into a customary Employee Separation and Release on May 10, 2018 (the “Separation Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Peterson agreed to fully-release the Company from all claims, in exchange for the Company agreeing to make a lump sum payment of $20,000 upon effectiveness of the Separation Agreement. In addition, in order to assist in the transition of his executive duties to Mr. Ingriselli, and to continue to support the Company’s ongoing efforts to restructure its debt prior to its maturity in the second quarter of 2019, Mr. Peterson has agreed to continue to work with the Company in a consulting capacity for a period of twelve (12) months commencing June 1, 2018 (the “Consulting Term”, which is renewable thereafter for additional one month terms pursuant to the terms of the agreement) pursuant to an Independent Contractor Agreement dated May 10, 2018 entered into by and between the Company and Mr. Peterson (the “Peterson Consulting Agreement”).   Pursuant to the Peterson Consulting Agreement, Mr. Peterson shall provide the Company with executive transition, debt restructuring, strategic planning and capital markets support and services through the Consulting Term in exchange for monthly fee of $5,000. The Peterson Consulting Agreement is terminable by the Company at any time for “Cause”, as similarly defined under the Ingriselli Employment Agreement as described above.
 
On September 1, 2011, Pacific Energy Development, our wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a Consulting Agreement engaging Michael L. Peterson to serve as Executive Vice President of Pacific Energy Development. This Consulting Agreement was superseded by an employment offer letter dated February 1, 2012, which employment offer letter was later amended and restated in full on June 16, 2012 and further amended on April 25, 2016 in connection with his promotion to the office of Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Pursuant to Mr. Peterson’s employment offer letter, Mr. Peterson served the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company (positions he held until May 31, 2018) at an annual base salary of $300,000, and a target annual cash bonus of between 20% and 40% of his base salary, awardable by the board of directors in its discretion. Mr. Peterson’s employment offer letter was terminated on May 31, 2018.
 
Gregory Overholtzer. Mr. Overholtzer served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company from May 2016 to December 31, 2018, and formerly as the Company’s Corporate Controller from January 2012 to May 2016, and as the Company’s Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller from June 2012 to May 2016.  Effective May 1, 2016, in connection with Mr. Overholtzer’s appointment as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, the Company entered into an Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement on April 25, 2016 with Mr. Overholtzer (the “Amended Overholtzer Employment Agreement”), which amended that certain Employment Letter Agreement dated June 16, 2012, entered into by and between the Company as successor-in-interest to Pacific Energy Development Corp. and Mr. Overholtzer in connection with his original employment with the Company, and provided that the Company may terminate Mr. Overholtzer’ s employment for any reason with thirty (30) days prior written notice (the “Overholtzer Employment Agreement”). Mr. Overholtzer had an annual base salary of $190,000, and was eligible for a discretionary cash performance bonus each year of up to 30% of his then-current annual base salary.
 

 
84
 
 
In connection with the Company’s consolidation of accounting operations to its new Houston, Texas headquarters, on December 31, 2018, the Company and Mr. Overholtzer entered into a Separation and General Release Agreement (the “Overholtzer Separation Agreement”) pursuant to which, effective December 31, 2018 (the “Overholtzer Separation Date”), Mr. Overholtzer and the Company mutually agreed to discontinue Mr. Overholtzer’s employment with the Company and Mr. Overholtzer resigned from all positions held with the Company and its subsidiaries. Mr. Overholtzer continues to work with the Company in a transitional consulting capacity until April 7, 2019 (the “Transition Period”) pursuant to a Consulting Agreement entered into by and between the Company and Mr. Overholtzer on January 1, 2019 (the “Overholtzer Consulting Agreement”).   Pursuant to the Overholtzer Consulting Agreement, Mr. Overholtzer agreed to provide accounting and financial reporting services and support to the Company for an average of up to six (6) hours per week during the Overholtzer Transition Period in exchange for cash compensation of $15,000 per month and continued COBRA insurance coverage for Mr. Overholtzer and his dependents paid for by the Company during the Overholtzer Transition Period. Upon the successful conclusion of the Overholtzer Transition Period, (i) the Company agreed to accelerate the vesting of an aggregate of 20,000 shares of restricted common stock previously issued to Mr. Overholtzer by the Company (the “Unvested Overholtzer Shares”), which would have otherwise vested ratably over three years through December 12, 2021, subject to Mr. Overholtzer’s continued service to the Company, and which would have otherwise been forfeited by Mr. Overholtzer upon his separation from the Company prior to such vesting date, (ii) the Company agreed to accelerate the vesting of options to purchase an aggregate of 30,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.3088 per share previously issued to Mr. Overholtzer by the Company (the “Unvested Overholtzer Options”), which would have otherwise vested in full on June 28, 2019, subject to Mr. Overholtzer’s continued service to the Company, and which would have otherwise been forfeited by Mr. Overholtzer upon his separation from the Company prior to such vesting date, and (iii) the Company agreed to extend the exercise period for all of Mr. Overholtzer’s options for a period of three (3) years following the Overholtzer Separation Date (regardless of their original terms).  In addition, pursuant to the Overholtzer Separation Agreement, Mr. Overholtzer agreed to fully-release the Company from all claims in exchange for the Company agreeing to pay a lump sum cash payment of $15,833.33 to Mr. Overholtzer following the effectiveness of the Overholtzer Separation Agreement.
 
Equity Incentive Plans
 
2012 Plan
 
General. On June 26, 2012, our board of directors adopted the Blast Energy Services, Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, which was approved by our stockholders on July 30, 2012 and subsequently renamed to the PEDEVCO Corp. 2012 Equity Incentive Plan in connection with our name change from Blast Energy Services, Inc. to PEDEVCO Corp. The 2012 Equity Incentive Plan provides for awards of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, rights to acquire restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, or SARs, and performance units and performance shares. Subject to the provisions of the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan relating to adjustments upon changes in our common stock, an aggregate of 200,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. On April 23, 2014, the board of directors adopted an amended and restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, to increase by 500,000 shares, the number of awards available for issuance under the plan, which was approved by stockholders on June 27, 2014. On July 27, 2015, the board of directors adopted an amended and restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, to increase by 300,000 shares, the number of awards available for issuance under the plan, which was approved by stockholders on October 7, 2015. On October 21, 2016, the board of directors adopted an amended and restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, to increase by 500,000 shares, the number of awards available for issuance under the plan, which was approved by stockholders on December 28, 2016. On November 6, 2017, the board of directors adopted an amended and restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, to increase by 1,500,000 shares, the number of awards available for issuance under the plan, which was approved by stockholders on December 28, 2017. On August 10, 2018, the board of directors adopted an amended and restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, to increase by 3,000,000 shares, the number of awards available for issuance under the plan, which was approved by stockholders on September 27, 2018. On July 1, 2019, the board of directors adopted an amended and restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, to increase by 2,000,000 shares, the number of awards available for issuance under the plan, which was approved by stockholders on August 28, 2019.
 
We refer to the 2012 Amended and Restated Incentive Plan as the 2012 Plan.
 
Purpose. Our board of directors adopted the 2012 Plan to provide a means by which our employees, directors and consultants may be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in the value of our common stock, to assist in attracting and retaining the services of such persons, to bind the interests of eligible recipients more closely to our interests by offering them opportunities to acquire shares of our common stock and to afford such persons stock-based compensation opportunities that are competitive with those afforded by similar businesses.
 

 
85
 
 
Administration. Unless it delegates administration to a committee, our board of directors administers the 2012 Plan. Subject to the provisions of the 2012 Plan, our board of directors has the power to construe and interpret the 2012 Plan, and to determine: (a) the fair value of common stock subject to awards issued under the 2012 Plan; (b) the persons to whom and the dates on which awards will be granted; (c) what types or combinations of types of awards will be granted; (d) the number of shares of common stock to be subject to each award; (e) the time or times during the term of each award within which all or a portion of such award may be exercised; (f) the exercise price or purchase price of each award; and (g) the types of consideration permitted to exercise or purchase each award and other terms of the awards.
 
Eligibility. Incentive stock options may be granted under the 2012 Plan only to employees of us and our affiliates. Employees, directors and consultants of us and our affiliates are eligible to receive all other types of awards under the 2012 Plan.
 
Terms of Options and SARs. The exercise price of incentive stock options may not be less than the fair market value of the common stock subject to the option on the date of the grant and, in some cases, may not be less than 110% of such fair market value. The exercise price of nonstatutory options also may not be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. 
 
Options granted under the 2012 Plan may be exercisable in cumulative increments, or “vest,” as determined by our board of directors. Our board of directors has the power to accelerate the time as of which an option may vest or be exercised. The maximum term of options, SARs and performance shares and units under the 2012 Plan is ten years, except that in certain cases, the maximum term is five years. Options, SARs and performance shares and units awarded under the 2012 Plan generally will terminate three months after termination of the participant’s service, subject to certain exceptions.
 
A recipient may not transfer an incentive stock option otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. During the lifetime of the recipient, only the recipient may exercise an option, SAR or performance share or unit. Our board of directors may grant nonstatutory stock options, SARs and performance shares and units that are transferable to the extent provided in the applicable written agreement.
 
Terms of Restricted Stock Awards. Our board of directors may issue shares of restricted stock under the 2012 Plan as a grant or for such consideration, including services, and, subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, promissory notes, as determined in its sole discretion.
 
Shares of restricted stock acquired under a restricted stock purchase or grant agreement may, but need not, be subject to forfeiture to us or other restrictions that will lapse in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by our board of directors. In the event a recipient’s employment or service with us terminates, any or all of the shares of common stock held by such recipient that have not vested as of the date of termination under the terms of the restricted stock agreement may be forfeited to us in accordance with such restricted stock agreement.
 
Rights to acquire shares of common stock under the restricted stock purchase or grant agreement shall be transferable by the recipient only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the restricted stock agreement, as our board of directors shall determine in its discretion, so long as shares of common stock awarded under the restricted stock agreement remain subject to the terms of such agreement.
 
Adjustment Provisions. If any change is made to our outstanding shares of common stock without our receipt of consideration (whether through reorganization, stock dividend or stock split, or other specified change in our capital structure), appropriate adjustments may be made in the class and maximum number of shares of common stock subject to the 2012 Plan and outstanding awards. In that event, the 2012 Plan will be appropriately adjusted in the class and maximum number of shares of common stock subject to the 2012 Plan, and outstanding awards may be adjusted in the class, number of shares and price per share of common stock subject to such awards.

 
86
 
 
Effect of Certain Corporate Events. In the event of (a) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company; (b) a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another corporation or entity (other than a merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary); (c) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or (d) a purchase or other acquisition of more than 50% of the outstanding stock of the Company by one person or by more than one person acting in concert, any surviving or acquiring corporation may assume awards outstanding under the 2012 Plan or may substitute similar awards. Unless the stock award agreement otherwise provides, in the event any surviving or acquiring corporation does not assume such awards or substitute similar awards, then the awards will terminate if not exercised at or prior to such event. 
 
Duration, Amendment and Termination. Our board of directors may suspend or terminate the 2012 Plan without stockholder approval or ratification at any time or from time to time. Unless sooner terminated, the 2012 Plan will terminate ten years from the date of its adoption by our board of directors, i.e., in June 2022.
 
Our board of directors may also amend the 2012 Plan at any time, and from time to time. However, except as it relates to adjustments upon changes in common stock, no amendment will be effective unless approved by our stockholders to the extent stockholder approval is necessary to preserve incentive stock option treatment for federal income tax purposes. Our board of directors may submit any other amendment to the 2012 Plan for stockholder approval if it concludes that stockholder approval is otherwise advisable.
 
As of the date of this Annual Report, options to purchase 678,000 shares of common stock and 3,980,130 shares of restricted stock have been issued under the 2012 Plan, with 3,341,870 shares of common stock remaining available for issuance under the 2012 Plan. The options have a weighted average exercise price of $2.69 per share and have expiration dates ranging from 2020 to 2023.
 
2012 Pacific Energy Development (Pre-Merger) Plan
 
On February 9, 2012, prior to the Pacific Energy Development merger, Pacific Energy Development adopted the Pacific Energy Development 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, which we refer to as the 2012 Pre-Merger Plan. We assumed the obligations of the 2012 Pre-Merger Plan pursuant to the Pacific Energy Development merger, though the 2012 Pre-Merger Plan has been superseded by the 2012 Plan (described above).
 
The 2012 Pre-Merger Plan provides for awards of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, rights to acquire restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, or SARs, and performance units and performance shares. Subject to the provisions of the 2012 Pre-Merger Plan relating to adjustments upon changes in our common stock, an aggregate of 100,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance under the 2012 Pre-Merger Plan.
 
The board of directors of Pacific Energy Development adopted the 2012 Pre-Merger Plan to provide a means by which its employees, directors and consultants may be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in the value of its common stock, to assist in attracting and retaining the services of such persons, to bind the interests of eligible recipients more closely to our interests by offering them opportunities to acquire shares of our common stock and to afford such persons stock-based compensation opportunities that are competitive with those afforded by similar businesses.
 
The exercise price of incentive stock options may not be less than the fair market value of the common stock subject to the option on the date of the grant and, in some cases, may not be less than 110% of such fair market value. The exercise price of nonstatutory options also may not be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the 2012 Pre-Merger Plan may be exercisable in cumulative increments, or “vest,” as determined by the board of directors of Pacific Energy Development at the time of grant.
 

 
87
 
 
Shares of restricted stock could be issued under the 2012 Pre-Merger Plan as a grant or for such consideration, including services, and, subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, promissory notes, as determined in the sole discretion of the Pacific Energy Development board of directors. Shares of restricted stock acquired under a restricted stock purchase or grant agreement could, but need not, be subject to forfeiture or other restrictions that will lapse in accordance with a vesting schedule determined by the board of directors of Pacific Energy Development at the time of grant. In the event a recipient’s employment or service with the Company terminates, any or all of the shares of common stock held by such recipient that have not vested as of the date of termination under the terms of the restricted stock agreement may be forfeited to the Company in accordance with such restricted stock agreement.
 
Appropriate adjustments may be made to outstanding awards in the event of changes in our outstanding shares of common stock, whether through reorganization, stock dividend or stock split, or other specified change in capital structure of the Company. In the event of liquidation, merger or consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or other change in control, any surviving or acquiring corporation may assume awards outstanding under the 2012 Pre-Merger Plan or may substitute similar awards. Unless the stock award agreement otherwise provides, in the event any surviving or acquiring corporation does not assume such awards or substitute similar awards, then the awards will terminate if not exercised at or prior to such event.
 
As of the date of this Annual Report, 21,635 options remain outstanding under the 2012 Pre-Merger Plan. These options have a weighted average exercise price of $4.98 per share and have expiration dates ranging from May 31, 2021 to June 18, 2022.
 
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
 
The following table sets forth, as of March 27, 2020, the number and percentage of outstanding shares of our common stock beneficially owned by: (a) each person who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock; (b) each of our directors; (c) each of our Named Executive Officers; and (d) all current directors and Named Executive Officers, as a group. As of March 27, 2020, there were 72,125,328 shares of common stock and no shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock issued and outstanding.
 
Beneficial ownership has been determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act. Under this rule, certain shares may be deemed to be beneficially owned by more than one person (if, for example, persons share the power to vote or the power to dispose of the shares). In addition, shares are deemed to be beneficially owned by a person if the person has the right to acquire shares (for example, upon exercise of an option or warrant or upon conversion of a convertible security) within 60 days of the date as of which the information is provided. In computing the percentage ownership of any person, the amount of shares is deemed to include the amount of shares beneficially owned by such person by reason of such acquisition rights. As a result, the percentage of outstanding shares of any person as shown in the following table does not necessarily reflect the person’s actual voting power at any particular date.
  
To our knowledge, except as indicated in the footnotes to this table and pursuant to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them.
 

 
88
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
Number of Common Stock Shares Beneficially Owned (1)
 
 
Percent of Common Stock (1)
 
Named Executive Officers and Directors
 
 
 
 
 
 
Simon G. Kukes (2)
  53,760,368 
  74.5%
Clark R. Moore (3)
  450,144 
  * 
Ivar Siem (4)
  287,100 
  * 
J. Douglas Schick (5)
  259,000 
  * 
John J. Scelfo (6)
  201,000 
  * 
Paul A. Pinkston (7)
  115,000 
  * 
H. Douglas Evans (8)
  180,000 
  * 
Frank C. Ingriselli (9)**
  351,081 
  * 
Gregory Overholtzer (10)**
  182,326 
  * 
Michael L. Peterson (11)**
  205,000 
  * 
All Named Executive Officers and Directors as a group (seven persons)
  55,352,612 
  76.3%
 
    
    
Greater than 5% Stockholders
    
    
SK Energy, LLC (12)
  51,791,325 
  71.8%
 
    
    
 
    
    
 
    
    
Viktor Tkachev (13)
  8,500,000 
  11.8%
Arhitektora Vlasova Street 22
Apt 93
    
    
Moscow, Russia 117393
    
    
 
*Less than 1%.
** Former Officers
 
Unless otherwise stated, the address of each stockholder is c/o PEDEVCO Corp., 575 N. Dairy Ashford, Suite 210, Houston, Texas 77079.
 
(1)
Ownership voting percentages are based on 72,125,328 total shares of common stock which were outstanding as of March 27, 2020, provided that shares of common stock subject to options, warrants or other convertible securities (including the common stock issuable upon exercise of convertible promissory notes) that are currently exercisable or convertible, or exercisable or convertible within 60 days of the applicable date of determination, are deemed to be outstanding and to be beneficially owned by the person or group holding such options, warrants or other convertible securities for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such person or group, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person or group. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting and/or investing power with respect to securities. We believe that, except as otherwise noted and subject to applicable community property laws, each person named in the following table has sole investment and voting power with respect to the securities shown as beneficially owned by such person.
 
(2)
Consisting of the following: (a) 51,791,325 shares of common stock held by SK Energy LLC, an entity which Dr. Simon G. Kukes is deemed to beneficially own; (b) 1,256,043 shares of fully-vested common stock held by Dr. Kukes; (c) 710,000 unvested shares of common stock held by Dr. Kukes, 100,000 of which vest on each of December 12, 2020 and December 12, 2021, and 170,000 of which vest on each of January 13, 2021, January 13, 2022 and January 13, 2023, provided that Dr. Kukes remains employed by us, or is a consultant to us, on such vesting dates; and (d) 1,000 shares of fully-vested common stock held by the spouse of Dr. Kukes, and 1,000 unvested shares of common stock of which 500 shares vest on each of December 12, 2021 and December 12, 2022, provided that his spouse remains an employee of, or consultant to, the Company on such vesting dates. Dr. Kukes has voting control over his unvested shares of common stock.
 

 
89
 
 
(3)
Consisting of the following: (a) 197,076 fully-vested shares of common stock held by Mr. Moore; (b) 2,867 fully-vested shares of common stock held by each of Mr. Moore’s two children, which he is deemed to beneficially own; (c) 196,000 unvested shares of common stock held by Mr. Moore, 17,000 of which vest on each of December 12, 2020 and December 12, 2021, and 54,000 of which vest on each of January 13, 2021, January 13, 2022 and January 13, 2023, provided that Mr. Moore remains employed by us, or is a consultant to us, on such vesting dates; (d) options to purchase 23,334 shares of common stock exercisable by Mr. Moore at an exercise price of $5.10 per share; and (e) options to purchase 28,000 shares of common stock exercisable by Mr. Moore at an exercise price of $2.20 per share. Mr. Moore has voting control over his unvested shares of common stock.
 
(4)
Consisting of the following: (a) 187,000 shares of common stock held by American Resources Offshore Inc., which shares Mr. Siem is deemed to beneficially own (Mr. Siem disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities held by American Resources Offshore Inc., except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein); and (b) 100,000 unvested shares of common stock held by Mr. Siem, which vest on July 12, 2020, provided that Mr. Siem remains a director, employee of, or consultant to the Company on such vesting date. Mr. Siem has voting control over his unvested shares of common stock.
 
(5)
Consisting of the following: (a) 22,333 shares of fully-vested common stock held by Mr. Schick; and (b) 236,667 unvested shares of common stock, 37,333 of which vest on each of December 12, 2021 and 37,334 which vest on December 12, 2022, and 54,000 of which vest on each of January 13, 2021, January 13, 2022 and January 13, 2023, provided that Mr. Schick remains employed by us, or is a consultant to us, on such vesting dates. Mr. Schick has voting control over his unvested shares of common stock.
 
(6)
Consisting of the following: (a) 11,000 shares of fully-vested common stock held by Mr. Scelfo; (b) 70,000 unvested shares of common stock, which vest on July 12, 2020, provided that Mr. Scelfo remains a director, employee of, or consultant to the Company on such vesting date; and (c) options to purchase 120,000 shares of common stock exercisable by Mr. Scelfo at an exercise price of $2.19 per share. Mr. Scelfo has voting control over his unvested shares of common stock.
 
(7)
Consisting of the following: (a) 10,000 shares of fully-vested common stock held by Mr. Pinkston; and (b) 105,000 unvested shares of common stock, 15,000 of which vest on December 12, 2020, and 30,000 of which vest on each of January 13, 2021, January 13, 2022 and January 13, 2023, provided that Mr. Pinkston remains employed by us, or is a consultant to us, on such vesting dates. Mr. Pinkston has voting control over his unvested shares of common stock.
 
(8)
Consisting of the following: (a) 30,000 shares of fully-vested common stock held by Mr. Evans; (b) 50,000 unvested shares of common stock, which vest on September 27, 2020, provided that Mr. Evans remains a director, employee of, or consultant to the Company on such vesting date; and (c) options to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock exercisable by Mr. Scelfo at an exercise price of $2.19 per share. Mr. Evans has voting control over his unvested shares of common stock.
 
(9)
Includes (a) options to purchase 39,081 shares of common stock exercisable by Mr. Ingriselli at an exercise price of $5.10 per share; and (b) options to purchase 37,000 shares of common stock exercisable by Mr. Ingriselli at an exercise price of $3.70 per share. The information presented with respect to the holder’s beneficial ownership is based solely on the Company’s record shareholder list and securities which the holder beneficially owns, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, which information has not been independently verified or confirmed.
 
(10)
Consisting of the following: (a) 14,559 fully-vested shares of common stock; (b) options to purchase 11,667 shares of common stock exercisable by Mr. Overholtzer at an exercise price of $5.10 per share; (c) options to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock exercisable by Mr. Overholtzer at an exercise price of $3.70 per share; (d) options to purchase 15,000 shares of common stock exercisable by Mr. Overholtzer at an exercise price of $2.20 per share; (e) options to purchase 1,100 shares of common stock exercisable by Mr. Overholtzer at an exercise price of $3.00 per share; (f) options to purchase 60,000 shares of common stock exercisable by Mr. Overholtzer at an exercise price of $1.10 per share; and (g) options to purchase 75,000 shares of common stock exercisable by Mr. Overholtzer at an exercise price of $0.3088 per share. The information presented with respect to the holder’s beneficial ownership is based solely on the Company’s record shareholder list and securities which the holder beneficially owns, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, which information has not been independently verified or confirmed.
 

 
90
 
 
(11)
Consisting of 205,000 shares of common stock, including shares held by a family trust which Mr. Peterson is deemed to beneficially own.
 
(12)
Consisting of 51,791,325 shares of common stock held by SK Energy LLC, an entity which Dr. Simon G. Kukes is deemed to beneficially own due to his position as the Chief Executive Officer and 100% owner of SK Energy.
 
(13)
Consisting of the following: (a) 8,400,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Tkachev; and (b) 100,000 unvested shares of common stock, which vest on May 8, 2020. Mr. Tkachev has voting control over his unvested shares of common stock.

Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
The following table sets forth information, as of December 31, 2019, with respect to our compensation plans under which common stock is authorized for issuance. 
 
Plan Category
 
 Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(A)
 
 
 Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(B)
 
 
 Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in Column A)
(C)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders (1)
  699,635 
 $2.76 
  3,341,870(2)
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders (3)
  204,043 
 $1.58 
  - 
Total
  903,678 
 $2.50 
  3,341,870 
 
(1)
Consists of (i) options to purchase 21,635 shares of common stock issued and outstanding under the Pacific Energy Development Corp. 2012 Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan, and (ii) options to purchase 678,000 shares of common stock issued and outstanding under the PEDEVCO Corp. 2012 Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan.
 
(2)
Consists of 3,341,870 shares of common stock reserved and available for issuance under the PEDEVCO Corp. 2012 Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan.
 
(3)
Consists of (i) options to purchase 53,714 shares of common stock granted by Pacific Energy Development Corp. to employees and consultants of the company in October 2011 and June 2012, and (ii) warrants to purchase 150,329 shares of common stock granted by PEDEVCO Corp. to lenders in June 2018.
 
Changes in Control
 
The Company is not currently aware of any arrangements which may at a subsequent date result in a change of control of the Company.
 
 

 
91
 
 
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
 
Except as referenced below or otherwise disclosed above under “Item 11. Executive Compensation”, which information is incorporated by reference in this Item 13, there have been no transactions since January 1, 2018, and there is not currently any proposed transaction, in which the Company was or is to be a participant, where the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of the Company’s total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years, and in which any officer, director, or any stockholder owning greater than five percent (5%) of our outstanding voting shares, nor any member of the above referenced individual’s immediate family, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
 
Related Transactions
 
On September 20, 2018, SK Energy entered into an agreement with American Resources Inc. (“American”), whose principals are Ivar Siem, a member of the Board of Directors of the Company, and J. Douglas Schick, the President of the Company. Pursuant to the agreement, American agreed to assist Dr. Kukes with his investments in the Company and SK Energy agreed to pay American 25% of the profit realized by SK Energy, if any, following the sale or disposal of the securities of the Company which SK Energy holds and may acquire in the future (prior to such sale/disposition). The profit is to be calculated based on (x) the amount of consideration received by SK Energy in connection with the sale of such securities, minus (y) the consideration paid by SK Energy for the securities, increased by 10% each year that such securities are held. The agreement has a term of four years, but can be terminated at any time by SK Energy with written notice to American.
 
Effective November 8, 2019, the Company entered into an Advisory Agreement and Restricted Shares Grant Agreement with Viktor Tkachev, a greater than 10% shareholder of the Company (who acquired $12 million of shares of common stock on September 17, 2019), under which Mr. Tkachev agreed to provide strategic planning and business development services, and pursuant to which 100,000 shares of restricted common stock were awarded to Mr. Tkachev under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), vesting in full on the six-month anniversary of the grant date, subject to his continued service with the Company, in consideration for advisory services to be provided by Mr. Tkachev to the Company. The Advisory Agreement contains customary confidentiality, indemnification and no conflict language, and may be terminated by the Company or the advisor with 15 days prior written notice for any reason.
 
Effective November 8, 2019, the Company entered into an Advisory Agreement with Ivar Siem, a member of the Board of Directors, pursuant to which the 50,000 restricted shares of common stock previously awarded to Mr. Siem on August 28, 2019 under the Plan continue to vest, with 100% vesting on July 12, 2020, subject to Mr. Siem continuing to provide advisory services to the Company on such vesting date, and subject to the terms and conditions of a Restricted Shares Grant Agreement entered into by and between the Company and Mr. Siem on August 28, 2019. The Advisory Agreement contains customary confidentiality, indemnification and no conflict language; and may be terminated by the Company or the advisor with 15 days prior written notice for any reason.
 
Additional related party transactions are discussed in greater detail under  “Part I” – “Item 1. Business” – “Current Year Events” – “January 2019 SK Energy Convertible Note”; “Convertible Notes Amendment and Conversion”; and “SK Energy Note Amendment; Note Purchases and Conversion”; and Part I” – “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” - “Note 8 – Notes Payable”; “Note 11 – Shareholders’ Equity – Common Stock” and “Note 14 – Related Party Transactions” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, all of which information and disclosures is incorporated by reference into this “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence”.
 
 

 
92
 
 
Review and Approval of Related Party Transactions
 
We have not adopted formal policies and procedures for the review, approval or ratification of transactions, such as those described above, with our executive officer(s), director(s) and significant stockholders, provided that it is our policy that any and all such transactions are presented and approved by the independent members of the Board of Directors (typically through an ad hoc committee formed solely for the purpose of approving each individual transaction), or the Audit Committee, or a majority of the board (with the interested parties abstaining) and future material transactions between us and members of management or their affiliates shall be on terms no less favorable than those available from unaffiliated third parties.
 
In addition, our Code of Ethics (described above under “Part III” –“Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance” – “Code of Ethics”), which is applicable to all of our employees, officers and directors, requires that all employees, officers and directors avoid any conflict, or the appearance of a conflict, between an individual’s personal interests and our interests.
 
Director Independence
 
Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Scelfo and Mr. Evans are independent directors as defined in the NYSE American rules governing members of boards of directors or as defined under Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, 50% of the members of our board of directors are independent as defined in the NYSE American rules governing members of boards of directors and as defined under Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act.
 
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
 
The following table presents fees for professional audit services performed by Marcum LLP for the audit of our annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands).
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
Audit Fees (1)
 $131 
 $122 
Audit-Related Fees (2)
  - 
  - 
Tax Fees (3)
  40 
  27 
All Other Fees (4)
  14 
  18 
Total
 $185 
 $167 
 
(1)            
Audit fees include professional services rendered for (1) the audit of our annual financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and (ii) the reviews of the financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for such years.
 
(2)            
Audit-related fees consist of fees billed for professional services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements but are not reported under “Audit fees.”
 
(3)            
Tax fees include professional services relating to preparation of the annual tax return.
 
(4)            
Other fees include professional services for review of various filings and issuance of consents.
 
Pre-Approval Policies
 
It is the policy of our board of directors that all services to be provided by our independent registered public accounting firm, including audit services and permitted audit-related and non-audit services, must be pre-approved by our board of directors. Our board of directors pre-approved all services, audit and non-audit, provided to us by Marcum LLP for 2019 and 2018.
 

 
93
 
 
PART IV
 
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
(1) Financial Statements
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Audited Financial Statements for Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
 
 
 
PEDEVCO Corp.:
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018
F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
F-5
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity For the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
F-6
6Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-7
 
(2) Financial Statement Schedules
 
All financial statement schedules have been omitted, since the required information is not applicable or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule, or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this Form 10-K.
 
(3) Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K
 
  
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY.
 
None.
 

 
94
 
SIGNATURES 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. 
 
 
PEDEVCO Corp.    
 
 
 
 
March 30, 2020
By:
/s/ Dr. Simon Kukes
 
 
 
Dr. Simon Kukes
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer and Director
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
March 30, 2020
By:
/s/ Paul A. Pinkston
 
 
 
Paul A. Pinkston
 
 
 
Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
 
 
 
 
By: /s/ Dr. Simon Kukes
 
Chief Executive Officer and Director
 
March 30, 2020
 Dr. Simon Kukes
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By: /s/ Paul A. Pinkston
 
Chief Accounting Officer
 
March 30, 2020
Paul A. Pinkston
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By: /s/ John J. Scelfo
 
Chairman of the Board of Directors
 
March 30, 2020
John J. Scelfo
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
By: /s/ H. Douglas Evans
 
Director
 
March 30, 2020
H. Douglas Evans
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
By: /s/ Ivar Siem
 
Director
 
March 30, 2020
Ivar Siem
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
95
 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Incorporated By Reference
Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
Filed With This Annual Report on Form 10-K
 
Form
 
Exhibit
 
Filing Date/Period End Date
 
File Number
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
2.1
 
August 1, 2018
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
2.1
 
January 14, 2019
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
3.1
 
August 2, 2012
 
000-53725
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
3.1
 
April 23, 2013
 
000-53725
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
3.1
 
February 24, 2015
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
3.1
 
March 27, 2017
 
333-64122
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
3.1
 
June 26, 2018
 
001-35922
 

 
96
 
 
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
3.3
 
March 6, 2008
 
333-64122
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
3.1
 
December 6, 2012
 
000-53725
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
3.1
 
October 21, 2016
 
001-35922
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
S-3
 
4.1
 
October 23, 2013
 
333-191869
 
 
 
 
10-K
 
4.2
 
March 31, 2014
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
S-8
 
4.13
 
October 31, 2013
 
333-192002
 
 
 
 
S-8
 
4.14
 
October 31, 2013
 
333-192002
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
4.1
 
August 2, 2012
 
000-53725
 
 
 
 
S-8
 
4.2
 
October 31, 2013
 
333-192002
 
 
 
 
S-8
 
4.3
 
October 31, 2013
 
333-192002
 
 
 
 
S-8
 
4.4
 
October 31, 2013
 
333-192002
 
 
 
 
S-8
 
4.1
 
December 28, 2017
 
333-222335
 
 
 
 
S-8
 
4.5
 
October 31, 2013
 
333-192002
 
 
 
 
S-8
 
4.6
 
October 31, 2013
 
333-192002
 
 
 
 
S-8
 
4.7
 
October 31, 2013
 
333-192002
 
 
 
 
S-8
 
4.8
 
October 31, 2013
 
333-192002
 
 
 
 
10-K
 
10.11
 
March 31, 2014
 
001-35922
 

 
97
 
 
 
 
 
 
10-K
 
10.20
 
March 31, 2014
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
10-K
 
10.43
 
March 31, 2014
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
10-K
 
10.44
 
March 31, 2014
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
10-K
 
10.58
 
March 31, 2014
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.3
 
April 27, 2016
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.4
 
April 27, 2016
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.5
 
April 27, 2016
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.6
 
April 27, 2016
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.5
 
May 17, 2016
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.6
 
May 17, 2016
 
001-35922
 
Call Option Agreement dated as of May 12, 2016, by and between PEDEVCO Corp. and Golden Globe Energy (US), LLC
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.12
 
May 17, 2016
 
001-35922  
 

 
98
 
 
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.1
 
May 10, 2018
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.2
 
May 10, 2018
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.3
 
May 10, 2018
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.1
 
June 26, 2018
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.2
 
June 26, 2018
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.3
 
June 26, 2018
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.4
 
June 26, 2018
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.5
 
June 26, 2018
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
S-8
 
4.1
 
September 27, 2018
 
333-227566
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.1
 
August 1, 2018
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.2
 
August 1, 2018
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.3
 
August 1, 2018
 
001-35922
 

 
99
 
 
10.34
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.4
 
August 1, 2018
 
001-35922
10.35
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.1
 
September 4, 2018
 
001-35922
10.36
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.2
 
September 4, 2018
 
001-35922
10.37
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.1
 
September 10, 2018
 
001-35922
10.38
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.2
 
September 10, 2018
 
001-35922
10.39
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.1
 
October 26, 2018
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.1
 
December 3, 2018
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.1
 
January 4, 2019
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.2
 
January 4, 2019
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.1
 
January 14, 2019
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.4
 
February 19, 2019
 
001-35922
 

 
100
 
 
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.1
 
March 4, 2019
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K/A
 
10.1
 
August 12, 2019
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
S-8
 
4.1
 
August 29, 2019
 
333-233525
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.1
 
September 18, 2019
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
10.1
 
September 18, 2019
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
10-Q
 
10.12
 
November 8, 2019
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
10-Q
 
10.13
 
November 8, 2019
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
10-Q
 
10.14
 
November 8, 2019
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K/A
 
14.1
 
August 8, 2012
 
000-53725
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
16.1
 
August 1, 2018
 
001-35922
 
 
 X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
101
 
 
 
 
 *
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 *
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
99.1
 
September 5, 2013
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
99.2
 
September 5, 2013
 
001-35922
 
 
 
 
8-K
 
99.3
 
September 5, 2013
 
001-35922
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*            
Furnished herein.
**            
Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
 
# Schedules and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. A copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit will be furnished supplementally to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request; provided, however that PEDEVCO Corp. may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for any schedule or exhibit so furnished.

 
102