0000921895-14-000025.txt : 20140107 0000921895-14-000025.hdr.sgml : 20140107 20140107113807 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000921895-14-000025 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13D/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 FILED AS OF DATE: 20140107 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20140107 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CALLON PETROLEUM CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000928022 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311] IRS NUMBER: 640844345 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-50286 FILM NUMBER: 14512515 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 200 N CANAL ST CITY: NATCHEZ STATE: MS ZIP: 39120 BUSINESS PHONE: 6014421601 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 200 N CANAL ST CITY: NATCHEZ STATE: MS ZIP: 39120 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: CALLON PETROLEUM HOLDING CO DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19940805 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Lone Star Value Management LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001589350 IRS NUMBER: 462567817 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 53 FOREST AVENUE, 1ST FLOOR CITY: OLD GREENWICH STATE: CT ZIP: 06870 BUSINESS PHONE: (203) 542-0235 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 53 FOREST AVENUE, 1ST FLOOR CITY: OLD GREENWICH STATE: CT ZIP: 06870 SC 13D/A 1 sc13da209482002_01062014.htm AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE SCHEDULE 13D sc13da209482002_01062014.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D
(Rule 13d-101)

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
TO § 240.13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO
§ 240.13d-2(a)

(Amendment No.  2)1

Callon Petroleum Company
(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
(Title of Class of Securities)

13123X102
(CUSIP Number)
 
JEFFREY E. EBERWEIN
LONE STAR VALUE MANAGEMENT, LLC
53 Forest Avenue, 1st Floor
Old Greenwich, Connecticut 06870
(203) 542-0235

STEVE WOLOSKY
OLSHAN FROME WOLOSKY LLP
Park Avenue Tower
65 East 55th Street
New York, New York 10022
(212) 451-2300
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

January 6, 2013
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box ¨.

Note:  Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits.  See § 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.


_______________
1              The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
 
 
 

 
CUSIP NO. 13123X102
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
LONE STAR VALUE INVESTORS, LP
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) o
  (b) x
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
WC
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
DELAWARE
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
1,050,000
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
1,050,000
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
1,050,000
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
2.6%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
PN

 
2

 
CUSIP NO. 13123X102
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
LONE STAR VALUE CO-INVEST I, LP
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) o
  (b) x
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
WC
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
DELAWARE
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
1,480,000
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
1,480,000
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
1,480,000
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
3.7%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
PN

 
3

 
CUSIP NO. 13123X102
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
LONE STAR VALUE INVESTORS GP, LLC
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) o
  (b) x
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
AF
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
DELAWARE
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
2,530,000
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
2,530,000
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
2,530,000
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
6.3%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
OO

 
4

 
CUSIP NO. 13123X102
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
LONE STAR VALUE MANAGEMENT, LLC
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) o
  (b) x
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
AF
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
CONNECTICUT
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
1,050,000
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
- 0 -
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
1,050,000
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
- 0 -
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
1,050,000
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
2.6%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
OO

 
5

 
CUSIP NO. 13123X102
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
JEFFREY E. EBERWEIN
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) o
  (b) x
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
AF, PF
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
USA
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
2,630,000
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
-0-
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
2,630,000
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
-0-
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
2,630,0001
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
6.5%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
IN


1 Includes 100,000 Shares held in Mr. Eberwein’s IRA Account.

 
6

 
CUSIP NO. 13123X102
 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
 
MATTHEW REGIS BOB
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
  (a) o
  (b) x
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
 
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)
 
¨
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
USA
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
-0-
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
-0-
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
-0-
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
-0-
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
-0-
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
 
o
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
0%
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
IN

 
7

 
CUSIP NO. 13123X102
 
The following constitutes Amendment No. 2 (“Amendment No. 2”) to the Schedule 13D filed by the undersigned. This Amendment No. 2 amends the Schedule 13D as specifically set forth herein.
 
Item 3.
Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
 
Item 3 is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:
 
The Shares purchased by each of Lone Star Value Investors and Lone Star Value Co-Invest were purchased with working capital (which may, at any given time, include margin loans made by brokerage firms in the ordinary course of business) in open market purchases, except as otherwise noted, as set forth in Schedule A, which is incorporated by reference herein.  The aggregate purchase price of the 1,050,000 Shares beneficially owned by Lone Star Value Investors is approximately $5,367,696, excluding brokerage commissions.  The aggregate purchase price of the 1,480,000 Shares beneficially owned by Lone Star Value Co-Invest is approximately $5,700,241, excluding brokerage commissions.
 
The Shares held in Mr. Eberwein’s IRA Account were purchased with personal funds in open market purchases.  The aggregate purchase price of the 100,000 Shares held in Mr. Eberwein’s IRA Account is approximately $346,890, including brokerage commissions.
 
Item 4.
Purpose of Transaction.
 
Item 4 is hereby amended to add the following:
 
On January 6, 2013, Lone Star Value Management, together with its affiliates and director nominees (“Lone Star Value”) issued a press release, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. In the press release, Lone Star Value urged the board of directors of the Issuer (the “Board”) to refrain from any further dilution of shareholder value through capital markets issuances, cease all acquisition activity outside the Permian Basin and immediately commence a process to explore and evaluate all strategic alternatives available to the Issuer, including a sale of the Issuer, with a goal of maximizing shareholder value.
 
In the press release, Lone Star Value attributed the Issuer’s material undervaluation relative to its Permian Basin peers and assessed Net Asset Value (NAV) and its short- and long-term stock underperformance, to poor operating and financial track record, high cost of capital and the threat of further shareholder dilution.  Lone Star Value expressed concern that the Issuer’s true long-term strategy is to grow its asset base (likely at a high cost) rather than enhance shareholder value.
 
The press release outlined Lone Star Value’s superior plan to maximize shareholder value.  Specifically, Lone Star Value explained that the Issuer: (1) should avoid making any acquisitions outside the Permian Basin; (2) should only use low-cost bank debt to fund its growth; and (3) should immediately commence a robust review and evaluation of all strategic opportunities to maximize shareholder value, including the sale of the Issuer.  Lone Star Value noted it is aware of certain preliminary indications of interest by potential acquirers and it believes such overtures were rebuffed by the Issuer’s management without serious consideration.  The press release concluded with Lone Star Value’s belief that if elected to the Board, its highly-qualified, independent nominees, Jeffrey E. Eberwein and Matthew Regis Bob, will be instrumental in designing a plan to maximize shareholder value, including through strategic avenues the incumbent directors have shown reluctance to consider.
 
 
8

 
CUSIP NO. 13123X102
 
Item 5.
Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
 
Items 5(a)-(c) are hereby amended and restated to read as follows.
 
The aggregate percentage of Shares reported owned by each person named herein is based upon 40,444,973 Shares outstanding, which is the total number of Shares reported outstanding as of December 12, 2013 in the Issuer’s definitive proxy statement for a special meeting of stockholders, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 13, 2013.
 
A.
Lone Star Value Investors
 
 
(a)
As of the close of business on January 6, 2014, Lone Star Value Investors beneficially owned 1,050,000 Shares.
 
Percentage: Approximately 2.6%
 
 
(b)
1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 1,050,000
 
2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 0
 
3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 1,050,000
 
4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

 
(c)
The transactions in the Shares by Lone Star Value Investors during the past 60 days are set forth in Schedule A and are incorporated herein by reference.
 
B.
Lone Star Value Co-Invest
 
 
(a)
As of the close of business on January 6, 2014, Lone Star Value Co-Invest beneficially owned 1,480,000 Shares.
 
Percentage: Approximately 3.7%
 
 
(b)
1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 1,480,000
 
2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 0
 
3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 1,480,000
 
4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

 
(c)
Lone Star Value Co-Invest has not entered into any transactions in the Shares during the past 60 days.
 
C.
Lone Star Value GP
 
 
(a)
Lone Star Value GP, as the general partner of each of Lone Star Value Investors and Lone Star Value Co-Invest, may be deemed the beneficial owner of the (i) 1,050,000 Shares owned by Lone Star Value Investors and (ii) 1,480,000 Shares owned by Lone Star Value Co-Invest.
 
Percentage: Approximately 6.3%
 
 
(b)
1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 2,530,000
 
2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 0
 
3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 2,530,000
 
4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

 
(c)
Lone Star Value GP has not entered into any transactions in the Shares during the past 60 days.  The transactions in the Shares on behalf of Lone Star Value Investors during the past 60 days are set forth in Schedule A and are incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
9

 
CUSIP NO. 13123X102
 
D.
Lone Star Value Management
 
 
(a)
Lone Star Value Management, as the investment manager of Lone Star Value Investors, may be deemed the beneficial owner of the 1,050,000 Shares owned by Lone Star Value Investors.
 
Percentage: Approximately 2.6%
 
 
(b)
1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 1,050,000
 
2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 0
 
3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 1,050,000
 
4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

 
(c)
Lone Star Value Management has not entered into any transactions in the Shares during the past 60 days.  The transactions in the Shares on behalf of Lone Star Value Investors during the past 60 days are set forth in Schedule A and are incorporated herein by reference.
 
E.
Mr. Eberwein
 
 
(a)
As of the close of business on January 6, 2014, 100,000 Shares were held in Mr. Eberwein’s IRA Account. Mr. Eberwein, as the manager of Lone Star Value GP and sole member of Lone Star Value Management, may also be deemed the beneficial owner of the (i) 1,050,000 Shares owned by Lone Star Value Investors and (ii) 1,480,000 Shares owned by Lone Star Value Co-Invest.
 
Percentage: Approximately 6.5%
 
 
(b)
1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 2,630,000
 
2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 0
 
3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 2,630,000
 
4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

 
(c)
Mr. Eberwein has not entered into any transactions in the Shares during the past 60 days.  The transactions in the Shares on behalf of Lone Star Value Investors during the past 60 days are set forth in Schedule A and are incorporated herein by reference.
 
F.
Mr. Bob
 
 
(a)
As of the close of business on January 6, 2014, Mr. Bob does not own any Shares.
 
Percentage: 0%
 
 
10

 
CUSIP NO. 13123X102
 
 
(b)
1. Sole power to vote or direct vote: 0
 
2. Shared power to vote or direct vote: 0
 
3. Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0
 
4. Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

 
(c)
Mr. Bob has not entered into any transactions in the Shares during the past 60 days.
 
An aggregate of 2,630,000 Shares, constituting approximately 6.5% of the Shares outstanding, are reported in this Schedule 13D.
 
The Reporting Persons, as members of a “group” for the purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, may be deemed the beneficial owner of the Shares directly owned by the other Reporting Person.  Each Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of such Shares except to the extent of his or its pecuniary interest therein.
 
Item 7.
Material to be Filed as Exhibits.
 
Item 7 is hereby amended to add the following exhibit:
 
 
99.1
Press Release, dated January 6, 2014.
 
 
11

 
CUSIP NO. 13123X102
 
SIGNATURES
 
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
 
Dated:  January 7, 2014

 
Lone Star Value Investors, LP
   
 
By:
Lone Star Value Investors GP, LLC
General Partner
   
 
By:
/s/ Jeffrey E. Eberwein
   
Name:
Jeffrey E. Eberwein
   
Title:
Manager


 
Lone Star Value Co-Invest I, LP
   
 
By:
Lone Star Value Investors GP, LLC
 
General Partner
   
 
By:
/s/ Jeffrey E. Eberwein
   
Name:
Jeffrey E. Eberwein
   
Title:
Manager


 
Lone Star Value Investors GP, LLC
   
   
 
By:
/s/ Jeffrey E. Eberwein
   
Name:
Jeffrey E. Eberwein
   
Title:
Manager


 
Lone Star Value Management, LLC
   
   
 
By:
/s/ Jeffrey E. Eberwein
   
Name:
Jeffrey E. Eberwein
   
Title:
Sole Member


 
/s/ Jeffrey E. Eberwein
 
Jeffrey E. Eberwein
Individually and as attorney-in-fact for Matthew Regis Bob
 
 
12

 
CUSIP NO. 13123X102
 
SCHEDULE A
 
Transactions in the Shares During the Past Sixty Days
 
Shares of Common Stock
Purchased/(Sold)
Price Per
Share($)
Date of
Purchase / Sale


LONE STAR VALUE INVESTORS, LP

25,000
6.0375
12/19/2013
25,000
6.1009
12/20/2013
25,000
6.3123
01/03/2014
25,000
6.3570
01/06/2014


EX-99.1 2 ex991to13da209482002_010614.htm PRESS RELEASE, DATED JANUARY 6, 2014 ex991to13da209482002_010614.htm
Exhibit 99.1
 
Lone Star Value Calls For Review Of Strategic Alternatives At Callon Petroleum
 
Urges the Board to Avoid Issuing Additional Securities or Acquiring Assets Outside the Permian
 
Highlights a Superior Strategic Plan to Maximize Shareholder Value
 
NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2014 -- Lone Star Value Management, LLC (together with its affiliates and director nominees, “Lone Star Value,” “we” or “our”) is a significant shareholder in Callon Petroleum Company (“CPE”, “Callon” or the “Company”) (NYSE: CPE) with ownership of 6.4% of CPE.  Lone Star Value urges the board of directors of CPE (the “Board”) to refrain from any further dilution of shareholder value through capital markets issuances, cease all acquisition activity outside the Permian Basin and immediately commence a process to explore and evaluate all strategic alternatives available to CPE, including a sale of the Company, with a goal of maximizing shareholder value.
 
CPE trades at a material discount to its Permian Basin peers and its stock has underperformed these peers.
 
Company
2014 EV/EBITDA
 
2014 Price/Cash
Flow
 
Current Price/Book
Value
 
2013 Stock Price
Performance
ATHL(1)
7.7x
 
8.1x
 
4.1x
 
51%
CXO
7.3
 
6.2
 
3.0
 
34%
FANG
7.6
 
7.3
 
2.8
 
177%
LPI
8.0
 
7.8
 
3.1
 
53%
PXD
9.9
 
9.9
 
3.2
 
73%
Average
8.2x
 
7.8x
 
3.0x
 
84%
CPE
4.6x
 
3.7x
 
0.9x
 
39%
Implied CPE Stock Price at Peer Multiple Average:
$14.50
 
$13.50
 
$20.50
   

Source: Bloomberg
 
(1) IPO on 8/1/2013
 
The Company also trades at a material discount to our assessment of its Net Asset Value (NAV).
 
 
Low End
Per Share
High End
Per Share
Proved Reserves at YE2013
$9.00
$13.00
Undeveloped Acreage: South & Central Permian
5.00
7.50
Undeveloped Acreage: North Permian
0.00
1.00
Net Debt & Preferred Stock
(3.40)
(3.40)
Dilution from Management Stock Options
(0.63)
(0.63)
  Net Asset Value
$10
$17.50
 
 
 

 
 
CPE stock has materially underperformed its E&P peer group and the S&P 500 over the long term.
 

Price Indexed to 12/31/07
For the Year Ended December 31,
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Callon Petroleum
100
15.8
9.1
36.0
30.2
28.6
39.7
S&P E&P Index
100
61.5
75.9
85.6
85.6
97.1
125.9
S&P 500 Index
100
65.0
91.6
99.4
92.4
94.3
118.5


CPE trades at a material discount to its Permian Basin peers and our assessment of its NAV.  In addition, CPE’s stock has significantly underperformed over the short- and long-term.  We believe Callon’s current valuation discount and its poor historical stock price performance result from the Company’s poor operating and financial track record, its high cost of capital, and the threat of further shareholder dilution.  Callon made a step in the right direction with its strategic decision in 2009 to exit the Gulf of Mexico and enter the Permian Basin.   However, Lone Star Value is concerned that CPE’s true long-term strategy is to grow its asset base (likely at a high cost) rather than enhance shareholder value. We firmly believe that CPE’s stock will continue to trade at a sizeable discount to its peers and its NAV as long as the current Board and management team remain in place. Callon has a long history of destroying shareholder value by overinvesting at the peak of the cycle and continually issuing equity.  Over the last 10 years, CPE has spent $1.1 billion in capex (often ill-timed -- ramping up at the peak of the cycle and dramatically cutting back at the trough) and has increased its share count by 190%.  And what has been the result of all this investment and capital raising?  Today, Callon has a stock market value of $250 million and its stock price trades below its book value per share despite owning assets in the hottest oil & gas basin in North America.  Despite being a Permian Basin pure play, Callon’s future could be as bleak as its past if the incumbent management and Board remain unchanged.  Callon is close to a point where it has done all it can do in the Permian Basin and if its past record is any indication of the future, we would expect the Company to issue more high-cost debt and equity and start making acquisitions outside the Permian Basin -- a strategy Callon has pursued poorly in the past and a strategy it is ill-positioned to execute.
 
Callon is a weak operator, severely impeded by its lack of scale and its high cost of capital.  Due to its liquidity constraints, CPE had only one horizontal rig drilling in the Permian Basin throughout most of 2013.  Inexplicably, early in 2013 CPE sent that one and only horizontal rig away from its high potential South Permian acreage (Upton and Reagan counties in Texas) to drill two wells in its North Permian acreage (Borden and Lynn counties).  Unfortunately, both North Permian wells were unsuccessful even as the Company’s larger peer, SM Energy, drilled seven successful wells just a few miles away.  Callon’s two dry holes are one reason its stock price declined 30% the first six months of 2013.  We believe Callon lacks the technical and operational expertise to fully capitalize on its asset base and its assets would be more valuable if owned by a larger company with a more capable technical and management team and a lower cost of capital.
 
Recent indications, both privately communicated to us and laid out in several recent sell-side research reports, have given us reason to believe that CPE’s leadership is considering further dilutive and expensive capital raising through a high-yield bond offering and/or an equity or equity-linked offering – this at a time when CPE’s stock is deeply undervalued.  Why else would the Company schedule a special shareholder meeting for January 15th to increase its authorized shares from 60 million to 110 million only a few months before its regular annual shareholder meeting?  This is not the time to further dilute shareholder value through large capital markets issuances.  Instead, this is the time to seriously reevaluate the Company’s strategic direction and explore all avenues to maximize shareholder value.  We call on the Board and management of CPE to refrain from any and all capital raising activities until the shareholders of CPE have had an opportunity to vote on the strategic direction of the Company and the composition of the Board membership at the upcoming annual meeting.
 
 
 

 
 
Lone Star Value has a better plan.
 
First, Callon should avoid making any acquisitions outside the Permian Basin.  The Company’s high cost of capital, poor operating expertise and small size create a competitive disadvantage in making any such acquisition.  Management has indicated ambitions of acquiring assets in basins where CPE has no current presence, such as the Delaware basin, and it has attempted to justify such acquisitions as an offset for the lost production and reserves from the sale of CPE’s assets in the Gulf of Mexico.  In our view, this rationale is based more on a desire to grow the asset base than on growing value per share.  The only acquisitions that should be considered are small tuck-in acreage additions in the Permian Basin to provide the Company enough acreage to drill full length horizontal wells and create a larger, more contiguous acreage position in order to enhance Callon’s attractiveness to a strategic buyer.
 
Second, Callon should only use low-cost bank debt to fund its growth.  Based on its expected year end 2013 reserve base, we believe CPE could obtain up to $400 million in asset-based financing from a bank at a low interest rate of 4.0-4.5%.  Issuing high-coupon debt or worse, equity or equity-linked securities, as Callon appears to be contemplating, would reduce the price a potential buyer would pay to acquire Callon.  Any potential acquirers of CPE are larger companies with very low costs of capital who would pay less for the Company if forced to assume the obligation of high-coupon debt.  Using only bank debt going forward would lower Callon’s average interest cost and maximize its value to a strategic buyer. Callon should also immediately redeem all remaining 13% Senior Notes.
 
Third, and most important, Callon should immediately commence a robust review and evaluation of all strategic opportunities to maximize shareholder value, including the sale of the Company.  The Board and management have heralded they are “fully committed” to creating value for all Callon shareholders.  If this is truly the case, a sale of the Company should be an option on the table and given serious consideration.
 
In our view, there is a tremendous upside potential in a properly structured and well thought-out transaction to sell the Company.  The Board and management of CPE, however, appear far more interested in perpetuating their positions and the family franchise than in seriously considering a sale of the Company even if it could provide dramatic upside for shareholders.  Since our 13D filing on October 17, 2013, we have been contacted, directly or through intermediaries, by five potential acquirers expressing a preliminary indication of interest in CPE -- three are public companies much larger than Callon and two are very large private companies.  We have reason to believe that past overtures from potential buyers have been rebuffed by Callon’s CEO, Fred Callon, without being seriously considered.  We are deeply concerned that Callon’s current management team and Board will not translate the significant strategic interest in CPE into a value-maximizing transaction for its shareholders without outside intervention.
 
This concern and Callon management’s refusal to act on our suggestions have reinforced our conviction that shareholder intervention is needed to protect the best interests of all shareholders.  To that end, Lone Star Value recently announced the nomination of two independent, highly-qualified candidates committed to enhancing shareholder value.  We believe our nominees, Jeffrey E. Eberwein and Matthew Regis Bob, if elected to the Board, would improve oversight of management and design a plan to maximize shareholder value, including through strategic avenues the incumbent directors have shown reluctance to consider.  CPE shareholders deserve Board members who will examine all options, own significant amounts of stock and have a true commitment to shareholder rights and shareholder value.
 
CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING PARTICIPANTS
 
Lone Star Value, together with the participants named herein, intend to file a preliminary proxy statement and accompanying proxy card with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to be used to solicit votes for the election of their slate of two highly-qualified director nominees at the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders of Callon Petroleum Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).
 
LONE STAR VALUE STRONGLY ADVISES ALL STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER PROXY MATERIALS AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.  SUCH PROXY MATERIALS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE ON THE SEC’S WEB SITE AT HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV.  IN ADDITION, THE PARTICIPANTS IN THIS PROXY SOLICITATION WILL PROVIDE COPIES OF THE PROXY STATEMENT WITHOUT CHARGE, WHEN AVAILABLE, UPON REQUEST.  REQUESTS FOR COPIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE PARTICIPANTS’ PROXY SOLICITOR.
 
 
 

 
 
The participants in the proxy solicitation are Lone Star Value Investors, LP (“Lone Star Value Investors”), Lone Star Value Co-Invest I, LP (“Lone Star Value Co-Invest”), Lone Star Value Investors GP, LLC (“Lone Star Value GP”), Lone Star Value Management, LLC (Lone Star Value Management”), Jeffrey E. Eberwein and Matthew Regis Bob (collectively, the “Participants”).
 
As of the date of this filing, Lone Star Value Investors beneficially owned 1,050,000 shares of Common Stock. As of the date of this filing, Lone Star Value Co-Invest beneficially owned 1,480,000 shares of Common Stock.  Lone Star Value GP, as the general partner of each of Lone Star Value Investors and Lone Star Value Co-Invest, may be deemed the beneficial owner of the aggregate of 2,530,000 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Lone Star Value Investors and Lone Star Value Co-Invest. Lone Star Value Management, as the investment manager of Lone Star Value Investors, may be deemed the beneficial owner of the 1,025,000 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Lone Star Value Investors. Mr. Eberwein, as the manager of Lone Star Value GP and sole member of Lone Star Value Management, may be deemed the beneficial owner of the aggregate of 2,530,000 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Lone Star Value Investors and Lone Star Value Co-Invest in addition to 100,000 shares of Common Stock, which are held in his IRA Account.  As of the date of this filing, Mr. Bob did not beneficially own any shares of Common Stock.
 
About Lone Star Value Management:
 
Lone Star Value Management is an investment firm that invests in undervalued securities and engages with its portfolio companies in a constructive way to help maximize value for all shareholders.
 
Investor Contacts:
 
John Glenn Grau
InvestorCom, Inc.
(203) 972-9300 ext. 11

Jeffrey E. Eberwein
203-542-7020
je@lonestarvm.com