10-K 1 form10k.htm ERHC ENERGY INC 10-K 9-30-2011 form10k.htm


U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
 
FORM 10-K
 
o
Annual Report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011
 
OR
 
x
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period ended: __________________
 
Commission file number: 000-17325

Graphic 1
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Colorado
 
88-0218499
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
5444 Westheimer Road, Suite 1440, Houston, Texas
 
77056
(Address of Principal Executive Office)
 
(Zip Code)

713-626-4700
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:  None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: common stock

Check if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.   Yes o No x
 
Check if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o No x
 
Check if the registrant:  (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
 
Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation S-K contained in this form, and no disclosure will be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  o
 
Check if the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer.
Large Accelerated Filer o Accelerated Filer x Non-Accelerated Filer o
 
Check if the registrant is a shell company.  Yes o No x
 
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on November 30, 2011 was $38,629,668

On November 30, 2011, the registrant had 737,518,835 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
 


 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
PART I
PAGE
 
 
 
Item 1.
4
Item 1A.
15
Item 1B.
19
Item 2.
19
Item 3.
21
Item 4.
22
 
 
 
 
PART II
 
 
 
 
Item 5.
22
Item 6.
23
Item 7.
24
Item 7A.
27
Item 8.
28
Item 9.
54
Item 9A.
54
Item 9B.
54
 
 
 
 
PART III
 
 
 
 
Item 10.
55
Item 11.
59
Item 12.
65
Item 13.
66
Item 14.
66
 
 
 
 
PART IV
 
 
 
 
Item 15.
67
 
68


Forward-Looking Statements

ERHC Energy Inc. (the “Company”) or its representatives may, from time to time, make or incorporate by reference certain written or oral statements  which include, but are not limited to, information concerning the Company’s possible or assumed future business activities and results of operations and statements about the following subjects:
 
 
business strategy;
 
 
growth opportunities;
 
 
future development of concessions, exploitation of assets and other business operations;
 
 
future market conditions and the effect of such conditions on the Company’s future activities or results of operations;
 
 
future uses of and requirements for financial resources;
 
 
interest rate and foreign exchange risk;
 
 
future contractual obligations;
 
 
outcomes of legal proceedings including, without limitation, the ongoing investigations of the Company;
 
 
future operations outside the United States;
 
 
competitive position;
 
 
expected financial position;
 
 
future cash flows;
 
 
future liquidity and sufficiency of capital resources;
 
 
future dividends;
 
 
financing plans;
 
 
tax planning;
 
 
budgets for capital and other expenditures;
 
 
plans and objectives of management;
 
 
compliance with applicable laws; and
 
 
adequacy of insurance or indemnification.

These types of statements and other forward-looking statements inherently are subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expected, projected or expressed in forward-looking statements.  These risks and uncertainties include, among others, the following:
 
 
general economic and business conditions
 
 
worldwide demand for oil and natural gas;
 
 
changes in foreign and domestic oil and gas exploration, development and production activity;
 
 
 
oil and natural gas price fluctuations and related market expectations;
 
 
termination, renegotiation or modification of existing contracts;
 
 
the ability of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, commonly called OPEC, to set and maintain production levels and pricing, and the level of production in non-OPEC countries;
 
 
advances in exploration and development technology;
 
 
the political environment of oil-producing regions;
 
 
political instability in the Republic of Chad, the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe and the Federal Republic of Nigeria;
 
 
casualty losses;
 
 
competition;
 
 
changes in foreign, political, social and economic conditions;
 
 
risks of international operations, compliance with foreign laws and taxation policies and expropriation or nationalization of equipment and assets;
 
 
risks of potential contractual liabilities;
 
 
foreign exchange and currency fluctuations and regulations, and the inability to repatriate income or capital;
 
 
risks of war, military operations, other armed hostilities, terrorist acts and embargoes;
 
 
regulatory initiatives and compliance with governmental regulations;
 
 
compliance with environmental laws and regulations;
 
 
compliance with tax laws and regulations;
 
 
customer preferences;
 
 
effects of litigation and governmental proceedings;
 
 
cost, availability and adequacy of insurance;
 
 
adequacy of the Company’s sources of liquidity;
 
 
labor conditions and the availability of qualified personnel; and
 
 
various other matters, many of which are beyond the Company’s control.

The risks and uncertainties included here are not exhaustive.  Other sections of this report and the Company’s other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) include additional factors that could adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial performance.  Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on our statements concerning future intent.   Company’s statements included in this report speak only as of the date of this report.  The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any of our statements to reflect any change in its expectations with regard to the statement or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.
 

PART I

Item 1 – Business

Overview

ERHC Energy Inc., a Colorado corporation, (“ERHC” or the “Company”) was incorporated in 1986.

The Company is in the business of exploration and exploitation of oil and gas resources in Africa including its rights to working interests in exploration acreage in the Republic of Chad (“Chad”), in the Joint Development Zone (“JDZ”) between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe (“STP”) and the Federal Republic of Nigeria (“FRN or “Nigeria”) and in the exclusive economic zone of São Tomé and Príncipe (the “Exclusive Economic Zone” or “EEZ”).

ERHC's license interests now encompass both offshore and onshore opportunities in the West Africa region

In the JDZ ERHC has entered into partnership relationships with major international companies, Addax Petroleum Inc. and the Sinopec Corporation, who operate some of the license areas on behalf of ERHC.

The Company’s strategy in the JDZ and EEZ is to farm down its working interests to well established oil and gas operators for upfront cash payments and be carried for ERHC’s share of the exploration l costs.  This has already been done successfully on Blocks 2, 3 and 4 of the JDZ.

ERHC is now pursuing a similar approach for JDZ Blocks 5, 6 and 9 as well as in the EEZ.

Apart from its oil and gas exploration activities in Chad, the JDZ and the EEZ, ERHC is actively pursuing other oil and gas opportunities on the African continent.

These other opportunities also include the acquisition of significant equity stakes in other oil and gas exploration and production companies and therefore an indirect interest in the underlying exploration and production assets of such other companies.

CURRENT BUSINESS OPERATIONS

REPUBLIC OF CHAD

Award of Three Blocks in Chad to ERHC

On June 30, 2011 ERHC announced that after several months of negotiations between ERHC and the Government of Chad, three blocks for oil and gas exploration and development in Chad were awarded to the Company.  Management believes that the three blocks in Chad are of strategic importance because they diversify ERHC’s portfolio beyond the Gulf of Guinea, significantly increase the size of exploration acreage under the Company’s control and are onshore, in a country with proven production and reserves.
 

Graphic 2
 
Production Sharing Contract on ERHC’s Three Blocks in Chad

On July 6, 2011, the Company announced that it had signed a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) on the three oil blocks with the Government of Chad. A PSC is an agreement that governs the relationship between ERHC (and any future joint-venture partners) and the Government of Chad in respect of exploration and production in the Blocks awarded to the Company.  The PSC details, among other things, the work commitments (including acquisition of data, drilling of wells, social projects, etc.), the time frame for completion of the work commitments, production sharing between the parties and the Government, and how the costs of exploration, development and production will be recovered.
 

The PSC with the Government of Chad has an exploration term of up to 8 years.  ERHC has proposed a minimum work program covering the 8 years , with the Years 1-4 comprising of geological and geophysical (“G&G”) studies (including the acquisition of seismic data), Years 5-6 including an initial one well commitment and Years 7-8 including a second well commitment.  The minimum expenditure on the work program over the 8 years is $16 million.

The blocks covered by the PSC are onshore.  They promise to be cheaper and less technically challenging to explore than the Company’s offshore assets in the Gulf of Guinea. In the event of a commercial discovery, onshore blocks are typically capable of much faster development than deep offshore blocks, particularly in a case like Chad’s where there is already a well-established export route via an underutilized pipeline to the Atlantic port of Kribi in the Gulf of Guinea.

In the event of a discovery and commercial production from the Company’s blocks, the Company and any partners that have participated in the exploration  are entitled under the PSC to up to 70% of the net hydrocarbon production (less any production royalty) as cost oil, until all the costs for exploration and development have been recovered. Production royalty is 14.25% in the case of crude oil and 5% in the case of natural gas.

No guarantee can be given that there will be production in commercial quantities from the Company’s exploration acreage in Chad.

Graphic 3
 
Names and Sizes of ERHC’s Chad Blocks

The names of the blocks and the sizes of Company's respective interests are as follows:

Block
ERHC Interest
Net ERHC acreage
 
 
 
Manga
100%
6,477 square kilometers or 1,600,501 acres
 
 
 
BDS 2008
100%
16,360 square kilometers or 4,042,644 acres
 
 
 
Chari-Ouest III
50%
4,500 square kilometers or 1,111,974 acres

Chad Oil Background and Overview

Chad is one of the most exciting new areas for oil exploration and production in Africa.  The country covers almost 1,284,000 km2 and is situated in what has become a golden triangle of African oil production.  Chad is bordered in the North by Libya which has the largest crude oil reserves in Africa and is Africa’s second largest producer.  Nigeria, to the South, is Africa’s largest crude oil producer and has Africa’s largest reserves of natural gas.  Chad is bordered in the East by Sudan which is Sub-Saharan Africa’s third largest producer of crude oil.  Cameroon which borders Chad to the South West is also a net exporter of crude oil.
 

Chad is now amongst Sub-Saharan Africa’s most significant crude oil producers.  The country has proven oil reserves of 1.5 billion barrels with recent studies indicating that there is the potential for more discoveries. Production came on stream in 2003 when a consortium of Chevron, Esso E&P (Exxon) and PETRONAS brought the Meandrous field into production.  Production followed from the Komen and Bonobo fields in 2004 while the Nay, Moundouli and Maikeri fields went into production between 2005 and 2007.  In 2007, the Chinese National Petroleum Company (“CNPC”) began producing from the Mimosa and Ronier fields in the Bongor basin in South Western Chad.

Chad began to export oil in 2004.  The export route is through the Chad-Cameroon pipeline completed in 2003 at a cost of over $3.7 billion.  The pipeline runs 1,000 km from Chad’s prolific Doba basin through Cameroon’s Logone Birni basin to the port of Kribi in the Gulf of Guinea with an estimated capacity of 225,000 bopd which is significantly larger than Chads current production which in 2010 averaged 12,900 bopd.  A new, 300 km pipeline has been constructed to transport crude oil from the Koudalwa field in the South Western Chari-Buguirmi region to the Djarmaya refinery.  The Djarmaya refinery, situated about 40 km North of N’Djamena, Chad’s capital, was built as a joint venture between CNPC and the Chadian state oil company, SHT.  The refinery became operational in July 2011 and has an initial capacity of 20,000 barrels of oil per day which is planned to rise to 60,000 barrels of oil per day.

ERHC has a 100% in the Manga Block which is north of Lake Chad, along the border with Niger.  The Company also has 100% and 50% interests respectively in BDS 2008 and Chari-Ouest Block 3 which lie next to the prolific Doba and Doseo Basin oilfields. In 2010, the Doba and Doseo Basin oilfields had an average production of 122,500 barrels of crude oil per day.  BDS 2008 is also bounded by the Bongor basin which hosts the producing Mimosa and Ronier fields.  Extensive exploration activity in the three basins has resulted in a large number of recent discoveries, including the Benoy-1 in Chari-Ouest Block 3 by the Taiwanese Company, OPIC. The Benoy-1 discovery, adjacent to ERHC’s license area, is estimated to have the potential for up to 9,800 barrels of high-quality, light crude per day and 1.2 million cubic feet of natural gas per day.

The Doba and Doseo basins are part of the Central African rift system.  They contain up to 10 km of non-marine sediments recording the complex tectonic and climatic evolution of the region from Early Cretaceous to the present Day. The Doba basin is within the oil-proved zone confirmed by the M’biku and Belanga Wells. The Doseo Basin is one of the tertiary –cretaceous Chad rift basins. The basin is bordered by the Central African Republic in the South and South East. Wells drilled in this basin include Kedini-1, Keita-1, Kibea-1, Kikwey-1 Maku-1, Nya-1, North Sako-1, Tega-1, Bambara-1 and Bona Kaba-1. These wells were drilled by Exxon and Conoco and all discovered hydrocarbons except for Keita-1 and Bona Kaba-1

Exploration Term

Under the PSC, ERHC is entitled to be issued an Exclusive Exploration Authorization over the Blocks for an initial period of five years which can be renewed for a further three years.  The Exclusive Exploration Authorization is to be issued by the Government of Chad by an Award Order issued by the Government Minister in charge of hydrocarbons of Chad.  The initial period of five years of the Exclusive Exploration Authorization begins to run from the date of the publication of the Award Order in the Journal Officiel (an official publication of the Government of Chad).

Proposed Work Program

ERHC has proposed a minimum exploration work program on the basis of the full 8-year exploration period subject to such modification as might be required, including bringing forward drilling where appropriate, as a consequence of exploration work undertaken during the initial 5-year period of the Exclusive Exploration Authorization.  ERHC’s proposed work commitments under the program cover the three blocks as a whole and are as follows:

Initial Work Phase (4 years)

The first two-year sub-period covers geological work including regional geology and field studies utilizing existing well logs and 2D seismic data, construction of regional structure isopach and facies maps and cross-sections at key formation tops, acquisition and studying of satellite seep data on a regional scope, organization of G&G database and basin evaluation and modeling to describe petroleum system and migration paths.    The sub-period also includes such geophysical work as the acquisition and study of available gravity and magnetic surveys to define the major structural elements, reprocessing of the existing 2D seismic data, interpretation of the existing 2D seismic data to prepare regional structure maps at key formations and tectonic horizons, acquisition of 2D seismic over the prospects and leads based on the outcome of gravity/magnetic  and 2D seismic interpretations and mappings, geophysical analysis to enhance the prospects, and acquisition of 3D seismic data over mature prospects.

The second two-year sub-period includes geological and geophysical work such as merging and editing the reprocessed 2D seismic data with newly acquired 3D seismic data, detailed interpretation and mapping of 3D seismic, generation, upgrading and prioritizing of drilling prospects.  During this period, the contractor shall also determine the most practical method of drilling applicable to the area, taking into account health, safety, environmental issues and other factors.
 

Graphic 4
 
Second Work Phase (2 years)

This period covers geological work including the conduct of play analysis to define charge, seal, trap, reservoir, timing, source and maturation.  It also covers geophysical work such as the acquisition and interpretation of seismic data over the prospective area to add to or enhance the prospect inventory.  One exploration well is expected to be drilled during this period.

Third Work Phase (2 years)

This period covers geological work including the re-evaluation of the maps and studies with respect to the information from the well, acquisition of 2D seismic data over the prospective area and upgrading and increasing of the prospect inventory utilizing the new seismic data. One exploration well is expected to be drilled during this period.

NIGERIA – SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE JOINT DEVELOPMENT ZONE (“JDZ”)

Background of the JDZ

In the spring of 2001, the governments of Săo Tomé & Príncipe and Nigeria reached an agreement over a long-standing maritime border dispute. Under the terms of the agreement, the two countries established the JDZ to govern commercial activities within the disputed boundaries. The JDZ is administered by the JDA which oversees all future exploration and development activities in the JDZ. The revenues derived from the JDZ will be shared 60/40 between the governments of Nigeria and Săo Tomé & Príncipe, respectively.
 
 
Origin of ERHC’s Rights in the JDZ

In April 2003, the Company and the DRSTP entered into an Option Agreement (the “2003 Option Agreement”) in which the Company relinquished certain financial interests in the Joint Development Zone (“JDZ”) in exchange for exploration rights in the JDZ.  The Company additionally entered into an Administration Agreement with the Nigeria-São Tomé and Príncipe Joint Development Authority (“JDA”).  The Administration Agreement is the formal agreement by the JDA that it will fully implement ERHC’s preferential rights to working interests in the JDZ acreage as set forth in the 2003 Option Agreement and describes certain procedures regarding the exercising of these rights.  Following the exercise of ERHC’s rights as set forth in the 2003 Option Agreement, the JDA confirmed the award in 2004 of participating interests to ERHC in JDZ Blocks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9 of the JDZ.  Subsequently, ERHC jointly bid with internationally renowned technical partners for additional participating interests in the JDZ during the 2004/5 licensing round conducted by the JDA.
 
ERHC’s Current Rights in the JDZ

The following represents ERHC’s current rights in the JDZ blocks:
 
JDZ Block
 
ERHC Original
Participating Interest
 
ERHC Joint Bid
Participating Interest
 
Participating
Interest(s) Assigned
 
Current ERHC
Retained Participating
Interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2
 
30.00%
 
35.00%
 
43.00%
 
22.00%
3
 
20.00%
 
5.00%
 
15.00%
 
10.00%
4
 
25.00%
 
35.00%
 
40.50%
 
19.50%
5
 
15.00%
 
 -
 
 -
 
15.00% (in arbitration)
6
 
15.00%
 
 -
 
 -
 
15.00% (in arbitration )
9
 
20.00%
 
 -
 
 -
 
20.00%

The Original Participating Interest is the interest granted pursuant to the 2003 Option Agreement. ERHC has not assigned or transferred any of its participating interests in Blocks 5, 6 and 9.

Particulars of ERHC’s Participating Agreements in the JDZ

The following are the particulars of the Participating Agreements by which ERHC assigned some of its participating interests in JDZ Blocks 2, 3 and 4 to technical partners who are operating the Blocks and carrying ERHC’s proportionate share of costs in the Blocks until production, if any, commences from the Blocks:
 
Date of Participation
Agreement
Party(ies) to the Participation Agreement
 
Participating
Interest(s)
Assigned
 
 
Participating
Interest Assigned
Price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
JDZ Block 2 - Participation Agreement - ERHC Retained Interest of 22.00%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 2, 2006
Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration Production Co. Nigeria Ltd - a subsidiary of Sinopec International Petroleum and Production Corporation
 
 
28.67
%
 
$
13,600,000
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Addax Energy Nigeria Limited - an Addax Petroleum Corporation subsidiary
 
 
14.33
%
 
$
6,800,000
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
JDZ Block 3 - Participation Agreement - ERHC Retained Interest of 10.00%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
February 15, 2006
Addax Petroleum Resources Nigeria Limited - a subsidiary of Addax Petroleum Corporation
 
 
15.00
%
 
$
7,500,000
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
JDZ Block 4 - Participation Agreement - ERHC Retained Interest of 19.50%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
November 15, 2005
Addax Petroleum  Nigeria (Offshore 2) Limited - a subsidiary of Addax Petroleum Corporation
 
 
40.50
%
 
$
18,000,000
 
 

Under the terms of the Participation Agreements Sinopec and Addax agreed to pay all of ERHC’s future costs for petroleum operations (“the carried costs”) in respect of ERHC's retained interests in the blocks. Additionally, Sinopec and Addax are entitled to 100% of ERHC’s allocation of cost oil plus up to 50% of ERHC’s allocation of profit oil from the retained interests on individual blocks until Sinopec and Addax Sub recover 100% of ERHC’s carried costs

On or about October 2, 2009, Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Corporation acquired all of the outstanding shares of Addax Petroleum Corporation

OPERATIONS IN THE JDZ

ERHC has working interests in six of the nine Blocks in the JDZ, as follows:
 
 
JDZ Block 2:  22.0%
 
 
JDZ Block 3:  10.0%
 
 
JDZ Block 4:  19.5%
 
 
JDZ Block 5:  15.0% (in arbitration)
 
 
JDZ Block 6:  15.0% (in arbitration)
 
 
JDZ Block 9:  20.0%
 
The working interest percentages represents ERHC’s share of all the hydrocarbon production from the blocks and obligates ERHC to pay a corresponding percentage of the costs of drilling, production and operating the blocks. These costs in blocks 2, 3 and 4 are currently being carried by the operators until production, whereupon the operators will recover their costs from the production revenues.

ERHC’s interests in the JDZ Blocks are in various stages of exploration. JDZ Blocks 2, 3 and 4 were the focus of an exploration campaign that concluded in January 2010. To date, no Production Sharing Contracts have been signed in either JDZ Block 5 or 6, and no operatorship has been awarded in JDZ Block 9.

In 2009, Sinopec and Addax, ERHC’s technical partners and operators in Blocks 2, 3 and 4 undertook an exploratory drilling campaign across the three blocks that was completed in January 2010. That drilling campaign was a coordinated effort made possible by two important transactions undertaken by Addax and Sinopec during 2009: (1) Addax’s acquisition of Anadarko Petroleum’s interest in Block 3, allowing Addax to become the operator in the Block 3 and (2) Sinopec’s acquisition of Addax.
 
The drilling campaign was completed in January 2010 with five wells drilled in the following locations and order:
 
 
The Kina-1 well in JDZ Block 4
 
 
The Bomu-1 well in JDZ Block 2
 
 
The Lemba-1 well in JDZ Block 3
 
 
The Malanza-1 well and Oki East-1 well in Block 4

The following is an analysis of activity that took place in each block in connection with the drilling campaign:
 


JDZ Block
 
Operator
 
Name of Well
 
Date Drilling
Began
 
Date Well
Completed
 
Rig/Vessel Used
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2
 
Sinopec
 
Bomu-1
 
August 2009
 
October 2009
 
SEDCO 702
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3
 
Addax Sub
 
Lemba-1
 
October 2009
 
November 2009
 
Deepwater Pathfinder
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4
 
Addax
 
Kina-1
 
August 2009
 
October 2009
 
Deepwater Pathfinder
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4
 
Addax
 
Malanza 1
 
November 2009
 
December 2009
 
Deepwater Pathfinder
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4
 
Addax
 
Oki East-1
 
December 2009
 
January 2010
 
Deepwater Pathfinder

The following is a summary of results of the drilling campaign:

JDZ Block
 
Results of Drilling Released by Operators
 
 
 
2
 
The Bomu-1 well was drilled on time and within budget to a total depth of 3,580 meters resulting in the discovery of biogenic methane gas. As of September 30, 2011, the operator has not made any declaration of commerciality.
 
 
 
3
 
The Lemba-1 well was drilled on time and below budget to a total depth of 3,758 meters, biogenic methane gas was discovered in two sands.  As of September 30, 2011, the operator has not made any declaration of commerciality.
 
 
 
4
 
All wells were drilled on time and within budget to the planned depth.  Biogenic methane gas was discovered in multiple sands in both Kina well and Oki East well.  As of September 30, 2011, the operator has not made any declaration of commerciality.

General Information on Current Operations in Blocks 2, 3 and 4

The Joint Development Authority (JDA) has approved an extension of Exploration Phase 1 in Joint Development Zone (JDZ) Blocks 2, 3 and 4 until March 14, 2012. This JDA action is subject to final approval by the Nigeria-Săo Tomé & Príncipe Joint Ministerial Council. The extensions represent a commitment to comprehensive analysis of the findings so far in the first phase of exploration with a view to enhancing the decision-making on the exploration program. No guarantees can be given at that there will be any production in commercial quantities or production at all.

The extensions are important in the Company’s view as JDZ Blocks 2, 3 and 4 cover a combined 2,215 square kilometers an area that will require further technical analysis and additional wells to fully evaluate.

Of significance is the planned 2012 two well drilling campaign by Total and its partners in JDZ Block 1. ERHC does not hold interests in JDZ Block 1 but considers that the entry of one of the oil majors as the new operator of Block 1 will positively impact on exploration in the JDZ as a whole. Drilling in Block 1 could also provide potentially valuable information to assist the extended Exploration Phase 1 in Blocks 2, 3 and 4 in which ERHC holds interests.

ERHC and its technical partners have obtained very valuable information regarding the stratigraphy, sedimentology and structure of JDZ Blocks 2, 3 and 4 in the five-well drilling campaign undertaken between 2009 and 2010 where there are still more than a dozen additional prospects identified as potential exploration targets.

Management also understands that analyzing drilling results and incorporating them into the relevant geologic and fluid models takes time. Further, moving from field appraisal and development to production takes even more time. As has been the practice in the JDZ, accurate material information on the progress in the JDZ Blocks will emanate from the operators or the JDA.  ERHC will publish such information in a timely manner in accordance with ERHC’s contractual and regulatory obligations.
 
 
SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE (“EEZ”)

Background of the EEZ

An exclusive economic zone is an area beyond and adjacent to the territorial waters of a coastal nation which is subject to specific legal regimes established by international law.  In an exclusive economic zone, the coastal nation has sovereign rights established by international law to explore and exploit the natural resources in the zone.  The STP EEZ delineates an expanse of waters offshore Săo Tomé and Principe covering approximately 160,000 square km.  The EEZ is measured from claimed archipelagic baselines.  The territorial waters of STP extend to 12 nautical miles from the coast while the exclusive economic zone extends from the edge of the territorial waters to 200 nautical miles from the coast. The STP EEZ is the largest such zone in the Gulf of Guinea. Oceanic water depths around the two islands exceed 1,524 meters, depths that have only become feasible for oil production in the past few years; however, oil and gas are produced in the neighboring countries of Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Congo.

Origin of ERHC’s Rights and in the EEZ

Under an agreement with the government of Sao Tome and Principe (“STP”) prior to the 2003 Option Agreement, ERHC was vested with the rights to participate in exploration and production activities in the EEZ.  These rights included (a) the right to receive up to 100% of two blocks of ERHC’s choice and (b) the option to acquire up to a 15% paid working interest in each of two additional blocks of ERHC’s choice in the EEZ.  In 2010, ERHC exercised its rights to receive up to 100% of two blocks of ERHC’s choice in the EEZ and was duly awarded Blocks 4 and 11 of the EEZ by the Government of STP.  ERHC will decide whether to take up the option to acquire up to a 15% paid working interest in each of two additional blocks of the EEZ when called upon to exercise the option by the Government of STP in accordance with the agreements which provide for the rights and option.

PSC Negotiations for the EEZ

A PSC is an agreement that governs the relationship between the Company (and its joint venture partners) and the Government of Săo Tomé and Príncipe in respect of exploration and production in any Block awarded to the Company.  The PSC spells out, among other things, the work commitments (including acquisition of data, drilling of wells, social projects, etc.), the time frames for accomplishing the work commitments,  the formula for production sharing between the parties and the government, and how the costs of exploration, development and production will be recovered.

The PSC negotiations between ERHC and the National Petroleum Agency of São Tomé and Príncipe (ANP-STP) opened on November 14, 2011 in Sao Tome. The PSCs pertain to ERHC’s 100 percent working interest in Blocks 4 and 11 of the São Tomé and Príncipe Exclusive Economic Zone (“EEZ”). ERHC’s management is looking to negotiate PSCs for the EEZ Blocks that will be attractive to potential joint venture partners. Discussions are continuing simultaneously with prospective operating partners for ERHC’s EEZ Blocks

Overview of ERHC’s EEZ Blocks

The Săo Tomé and Príncipe EEZ is a frontier region that sits south of the Niger Delta, and west of the Gabon salt basin, retaining similarities with each of those prolific hydrocarbon regions. The regional seismic database comprises approximately 12,000 kilometers of seismic data. Interpretation of that seismic data shows numerous structures that have similar characteristics to known hydrocarbon accumulations in the area.

EEZ Block 4 is 5,808 square kilometers, situated directly east of the island of Príncipe. The northeastern area near EEZ Block 4 contains a large graben structure, which is bound by the Kribi Fracture Zone.

EEZ Block 11 totals 8,941 square kilometers, situated directly east of the island of Săo Tomé and abuts the territorial waters of Gabon. The southern area of the EEZ, where EEZ Block 11 is situated, contains parts of the Ascension and Fang Fracture Zones.
 
 
INVESTMENT IN EXILE RESOURCES

On July 20, 2011 ERHC announced that it its ownership interest in Exile Resources Inc. ("Exile") stood at approximately 7.35%. Exile is a Canadian independent oil and gas company that trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange’s Venture Exchange under the symbol ERI. During the three months ended June 30, 2011, ERHC invested $1,350,000 in Exile stock in open market purchases. ERHC’s intention was to gain an indirect interest in Exile’s underlying oil and gas exploration and production assets as well as an ability to participate in the Exile’s decision making in respect of those assets.  ERHC has been particularly interested in Exile’s carried interest in the Akepo field in the Niger Delta, which is expected to begin producing later this year or in early 2012.
 
The Akepo field is located in the shallow waters of the southeastern area of Nigeria in OML 90. Exile Resources has 10 percent equity and up to a 17.5% economic interest in the field, with Oando Petroleum and Exploration Company (“Oando”) carrying its costs. Sogenal Ltd is the operator of the field. The Akepo-1STdiscovery is expected to produce between 2,500 and 3,000 barrels of oil per day when production begins.

On August 2, 2011 Oando and Exile announced an acquisition and financing transaction whereby Exile would acquire certain interests of Oando and pay for the acquisition by the issuance of shares of Exile. Subsequently, Oando and Exile reached a definitive agreement which is now subject to Exile shareholder approval. Oando is an oil and gas company that holds certain Nigerian and other exploration licenses and interests.  Oando’s assets include a 78% equity stake in Equator Exploration Limited which has various interests in the Gulf of Guinea including in the JDZ and the EEZ.

ERHC plans to attend a meeting of the shareholders of Exile on December 29, 2011 where consideration will be given to an arrangement (the "Arrangement") for:

(1) a share exchange of one new share of Exile for every 16.28 currently existing shares;
(2) the issuance to the shareholders of Exile of two share purchase warrants of Exile for every 16.28 shares of Exile held immediately prior to the Arrangement, one such share purchase warrant being exercisable to acquire one new share of Exile at an exercise price of Canadian $1.50 per share for a period of 12 months and a second such share purchase warrant being exercisable to acquire one new common share of Exile at an exercise price of Canadian $2.00 for a period of 24 months;
(3) the change of the name of Exile to Oando Energy Resources Inc. or such other name as may be acceptable to Industry Canada  and the Toronto Stock Exchange;
(4) the appointment of two new directors to Exile;
(5) a reduction of the stated capital of the issued and outstanding shares of Exile to Canadian $1.00 per share without any distribution to the shareholders of Exile and;
(6) the reverse acquisition and reorganization transaction of Oando E&P .

If the Arrangement and reverse merger/ reorganization is approved, there will subsequently be approximately 106,053,338 shares of Exile outstanding, with the current Exile shareholders holding 5,714,286 shares and Oando holding 100,339,052 shares. In that event, ERHC’s investment in Exile is expected to be approximately 419,165 shares based on the current 6,834,000 shares it holds.

AIM LISTING STATUS
 
ERHC and its advisers are currently reviewing the corporate due diligence carried out on the Company with a view to resolving any issues arising from the exercise. The due diligence exercise has covered ERHC’s history over the last 25 years but particularly since 1997. Completion of the review and successful resolution of any issues will clear the way for admission of ERHC to trading on AIM or such other international exchange as might be appropriate.
 
An AIM listing may give ERHC access to a much larger pool of funds than the OTC Bulletin Board and to a market that has demonstrated long-standing affinity for West African oil and gas assets.
 
ACQUISITION OF OTHER OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION ASSETS

Although ERHC is making considerable progress toward realizing the value of our oil and gas assets in Chad, the JDZ and the EEZ, it will be some time before any of these oil and gas assets begin to produce revenues. ERHC, therefore, seeks to identify and acquire assets with a shorter time horizon for revenue generation.
 
ERHC has identified and examined a large number of potential acquisitions and is actively in discussion regarding a number of potential exploration and production opportunities in Africa. Ultimately, ERHC seeks a portfolio of assets and companies from which it can derive significant strategic value. Securing such potential acquisitions will of course depend on the availability of adequate financing.
 
 
CURRENT PLANS FOR OPERATIONS

ERHC’s principal assets are its interests in Chad, the JDZ and the EEZ. ERHC has no current sources of income from its operations. In addition to the existing Participation Agreements in JDZ Blocks 2, 3 and 4, the Company hopes to enter into Participation Agreements in some or all of its other Blocks, but the timing or likelihood of such transactions cannot be predicted.  The Company believes that the Participation Agreements that it has entered into will be its primary source of future cash flow; however, the Company is exploring plans to generate operating income from new sources.  The Company plans to diversify its business activity by pursuing other growth opportunities which may include acquisition of revenue-producing assets in diverse geographical areas and forging strategic, new, business partnerships and alliances. To expand operations, ERHC is currently in negotiations for potential investments that would increase the Company’s presence in the African oil and gas industry and elsewhere. ERHC cannot currently predict the outcome of negotiations for acquisitions in Africa, or, if successful, their impact on the Company's operations.

PLANS FOR FUNDING OF POTENTIAL ACQUISITIONS

ERHC's future plans may be dependent on the Company's ability to attract new funding. On July 7, 2010, the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), utilizing a “shelf” registration process or continuous offering process. Under this shelf registration process, the Company may, from time to time, sell up to $50,000,000 of the securities described in the prospectus in one or more offerings
 
Under the shelf registration, the Company sold 9,090,910 common shares for total proceeds of $2 million on October 6, 2010, pursuant to a securities purchase agreement.  An equivalent of 6,818,183 warrants with a term of 5 years and an exercise price of $0.28 were also issued to the investors along with the common shares sold.  The Company also issued to the placement agent a total of 459,546 warrants which have an exercise price of $0.275 and a term of approximately 5 years.  The Company received net proceeds under the securities purchase agreement of $1,821,500.  The fundraising and its proceeds have been instrumental in the Company’s recent acquisitions.

UPDATES AND INFORMATION

ERHC’s website at http://www.erhc.com has accurate information about the Company’s operations, assets, and initiatives and a FAQ page that is frequently updated to address the latest questions.

The Company provides free of charge on our website 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.

SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Also, the SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including us, that file electronically with the SEC. The public can obtain any documents that we file with the SEC at h http://www.sec.gov after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.
 
Item 1A.  Risk Factors

You should carefully consider the risks described below before making any investment decision related to the Company’s securities.  The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing the Company.   Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known or that the Company currently deems immaterial also may impair its business operations.  If any of the following risks actually occur, the Company’s business could be affected.

The Company has no sources of revenue and a history of losses from operations

The Company’s business is in an early stage of development.  The Company has not generated any operating revenue since its entry into the oil and gas industry and has incurred significant operating losses.   The Company expects to incur additional operating losses for the foreseeable future.

The Company has a limited operating history in the oil and gas industry

The Company’s operations have consisted solely of acquiring rights to working interests in Chad, the JDZ and the EEZ and entering into production sharing contracts.  The Company may not be the operator with respect to these contracts.  The Company’s future financial results depend primarily on (1) the ability of the Company or its venture partners to provide or obtain sufficient financing to meet their financial commitments in the production sharing contracts, (2) the ability to discover commercial quantities of oil and gas, and (3) the market price for oil and gas. Management cannot predict if or when the production sharing contracts will result in future wells being drilled or if drilled, whether oil and/or gas will be discovered in commercial quantities.

Financing may be needed to fund the financial commitments of the production sharing contracts

The Company’s failure or the failure of our venture partners to provide or obtain the necessary financing may preclude the continuation of exploration activities.

The Company may not discover commercially productive reserves in Chad, the JDZ or the EEZ

The Company’s future success depends on its ability to economically discover oil and gas reserves in commercial quantities in Chad, the JDZ and/or the EEZ. There can be no assurance that the Company’s planned projects in Chad, the JDZ or the EEZ will result in significant, if any, reserves or that the Company and its partners will have future success in drilling productive wells.

The Company’s non-operator status limits its control over oil and gas projects in Chad, the JDZ and the EEZ

The Company will focus primarily on creating exploration opportunities and forming relationships with oil and gas companies to develop those opportunities in Chad, the JDZ and the EEZ.  As a result, the Company will have only a limited ability to exercise control over a significant portion of a project’s operations and the associated costs of those operations in Chad, the JDZ or the EEZ.  The success of a future project is dependent upon a number of factors that are outside the Company’s control. These factors include:
 
 
the availability of future capital resources to the Company and the other participants for drilling additional wells;
 
 
the approval of the Company or other participants for determining well locations and drilling time-tables;
 
 
the economic conditions at the time of drilling, including the prevailing and anticipated price of oil and gas; and
 
 
the availability and cost of land based and/or deep water drilling rigs and the availability of operating personnel
 
The Company’s reliance on its consortium partners and its limited ability to directly control future project costs could have a material adverse effect on its future rates of return.

The Company’s success depends on its ability to exploit its limited assets

The Company’s primary assets are rights to working interests in exploration acreage in Chad, the JDZ and the EEZ under agreements with the Government of Chad, the JDA and DRSTP.  The Company’s operations have been limited to managing and sustaining its rights under these agreements.  The Company’s viability depends on its ability to exploit these assets. However, there is no assurance that it will be successful.

The Company is subject to Government Regulation over which it has no control

In the event the Company begins direct exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons, it will be required to make necessary expenditures to comply with applicable health and safety, environmental and other regulations.
 

The oil and gas industry is subject to various types of regulations throughout the world. Legislation affecting the oil and gas industry has been pervasive and is under constant review for amendment or expansion. Pursuant to such legislation, numerous government agencies have enacted extensive laws and regulations binding on the oil and gas industry and companies engaged in this industry, some of which carry substantial penalties for failure to comply. Such laws and regulations have a significant impact on oil and gas exploration, production and marketing and midstream activities. These laws and regulations increase the cost of doing business and, consequently, will affect results of operations. In as much as new legislation affecting the oil and gas industry is commonplace and existing laws and regulations are frequently amended or reinterpreted, the Company is unable to predict the future cost or the impact of complying with such laws and regulations. However, the Company does not expect that any of these laws and regulations will affect its operations in a manner materially different from that in which they would affect other oil and gas companies of similar size and scope of operations.

Having interests outside the United States requires the Company to comply with United States laws and other laws in foreign jurisdictions related to pursuing, owing, and exploiting foreign investments, agreements and other relationships. The Company is subject to all such laws, including, but not limited to, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (“FCPA”).

The Company’s competition includes oil and gas conglomerates that have significant advantages over it
 
The oil and gas industry is highly competitive. Many companies are engaged in exploring for crude oil and natural gas and acquiring crude oil and natural gas properties, resulting in significant competition for desirable exploratory and producing properties.  The companies with which the Company competes are much larger and have greater financial resources and technical expertise than the Company.
 
Various factors beyond the Company’s control will affect prices of oil and gas

The availability of a ready market for the Company’s future crude oil and natural gas production if any depends on numerous factors beyond its control, including the level of consumer demand, the extent of worldwide crude oil and natural gas production, the costs and availability of alternative fuels, the costs and proximity of transportation facilities, regulation by authorities and the costs of complying with applicable environmental and other regulations.

The Company’s business interests are located outside of the United States which subjects it to risks associated with international activities beyond its control.

At September 30, 2011, the Company’s major assets are located outside the United States.  The Company’s primary assets are cash in various financial institutions and agreements with Chad, the DRSTP, the JDA and the EEZ, which provide ERHC with rights to participate in exploration and production activities in Chad and in the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of central West Africa.  Production is subject to political risks which are inherent in all foreign operations. The Company’s ability to exploit its interests in this area pursuant to such agreements may be adversely impacted by this circumstance.

The future success of the Company’s international operations may also be adversely affected by risks associated with international activities, including economic and labor conditions, political instability, risk of war, expropriation, termination, renegotiation or modification of existing contracts, tax laws (including host-country import-export, excise and income taxes and United States taxes on  foreign  subsidiaries)  and  changes  in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the local currencies in which future oil and gas producing activities may be  denominated.  Changes in exchange rates may also adversely affect the Company’s future results of operations and financial position.

In addition, to the extent the Company engages in operations and activities outside the United States, it is subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”) which, among other restrictions, prohibits U.S. companies and their intermediaries from making payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business or otherwise obtaining favorable treatment, and requires companies to maintain adequate record-keeping and internal accounting practices to accurately reflect their financial and other transactions with foreign officials.  The FCPA applies to companies, individual directors, officers, employees and agents.  The FCPA also applies to foreign companies and persons taking any action in furtherance of such payments while in the United States.  Under the FCPA, U.S. companies may also be held liable for actions taken by strategic or local partners or representatives.

The FCPA imposes civil and criminal penalties for violations of its provisions.  Civil penalties may include fines of up to $500,000 per violation, and equitable remedies such as disgorgement of profits causally connected to the violation (including prejudgment interest on such profits) and injunctive relief.  Criminal penalties for violations of the payments provisions could range up to the greater of $2 million per violation or twice the gross pecuniary gain sought by making the payment, and/or incarceration for up to 5 years per violation.  Moreover, if a director, officer or employee of a company is found to have willfully violated the FCPA books and records provisions, the maximum penalty would be imprisonment for 20 years per violation.  Maximum fines of up to $25 million may also be imposed for willful violations of the books and records provisions by a company.
 

The Company’s business interests are located in Chad and in the Gulf of Guinea offshore of central West Africa and are subject to the volatility of foreign governments

Our primary assets are located in Chad and in the Gulf of Guinea offshore of central West Africa. The Governments of Chad, Nigeria and the island nation of Sao Tome and Principe granted our participation interests in various concessions in their lands and offshore waters. The Governments of Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe exist in a volatile political and economic environment and the Company is subject to all the risks associated with those governments. These risks include, but are not limited to:
 
 
Loss of future revenue and concessions as a result of hazards such as war, acts of terrorism, insurrection and other political risks
 
 
Increases in taxes and governmental interests
 
 
Unilateral renegotiation of contracts by government entities
 
 
Difficulties in enforcing our rights against a governmental agency because of the doctrine of sovereign immunity and foreign sovereignty over international operations
 
 
Changes in laws and policies governing operations of foreign-based companies, and
 
 
Currency restrictions and exchange rate fluctuations
 
Our foreign operations may also be adversely affected by laws and policies of the United States affecting foreign trade and taxation. Realization of any of these factors could materially and adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

The Company has filed suit to prevent tampering with its interest and any adverse ruling related to JDZ Blocks 5 and 6. This action could have a material adverse effect on ERHC’s business, prospects, operations, financial condition and cash flow.

On November 3, 2008, the Company filed a suit in Nigeria to prevent any tampering with its rights in JDZ Blocks 5 and 6 pending the outcome of arbitration over those rights. The lawsuit comes after the JDA and the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) of the Nigeria-Săo Tomé and Príncipe JDZ failed to give a satisfactory response to the Company’s letters seeking clarification of the Company’s rights in JDZ Blocks 5 and 6 following media reports stating that the JMC had approved of the Company’s removal from the Blocks. The Company was awarded a 15 percent working interest in each of the Blocks in a 2005 bid/licensing round conducted by the JDA, following the exercise by ERHC of preferential rights in the Blocks as guaranteed by contract and treaty. The dispute is entirely contractual. The JDA and the Government of DRSTP contend that certain correspondence issued by a previous CEO/President of the Company in 2006 amount to a relinquishment of the Company’s rights in Blocks 5 & 6 under the Company’s contracts with DRSTP which provide for the rights.  The Company contends that no such relinquishment has occurred and has sought recourse to arbitration accordingly.  In November 2008, the Company dispatched notices of arbitration for service on the JDA and the Governments of Nigeria and Sao Tome & Principe to commence arbitration in London. ERHC wants the London Court of International Arbitration to clarify that ERHC's interests in JDZ Blocks 5 and 6 remain intact. If the Company fails to prevail in its lawsuit or arbitration proceedings, there could be significant adverse effects on the Company’s future planned operations in JDZ Blocks 5 and 6. These adverse effects could include but not be limited to a loss of ERHC’s rights JDZ Block 5 and 6.  At this time, ERHC is unable to reasonably estimate the economic impact if the Company fails to prevail in its suit and arbitration.
 
The Company has previously been the recipient of requests for information and documents from the SEC, the DOJ and a U.S. Senate subcommittee.
 
The Company was the recipient of subpoenas from the Department of Justice and SEC in 2006 and from a U.S. Senate subcommittee in 2007 requiring ERHC to tender its corporate records from inception to the dates of the subpoenas to the respective bodies. ERHC’s attorneys, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, assisted ERHC in responding fully and completely to, and satisfying, all the subpoenas.

Subpoenas are requests for information and do not necessarily mean that any subsequent, further or other activity will result therefrom or occur in respect of the  Company or any individuals connected with the Company.
 

ERHC incurred substantial costs in responding to the subpoenas. Those costs consist primarily of legal fees paid to the Company’s legal counsel, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and document reproduction costs. These costs have had a significant negative impact on the Company’s cash flows from operations.   While no further subpoenas have been served on or similar requests made of the Company since, neither management nor its legal counsel can assess the magnitude of future cash requirements that could result if any further or other subpoenas were served. In a worst case scenario, the Company’s cash resources could be exhausted and the Company’s status as a going concern could also be brought into question.
 
The Company has limited sources of working capital

The Company believes that its working capital requirements for operations in 2012 will be approximately $4,800,000 based on maintaining operations at their current level and the generation of interest income at levels similar to 2011. Our consortium partners will pay all of ERHC’s future costs in respect of all operations in JDZ Blocks 2, 3 and 4 subject to total reimbursement upon production.

The Company is currently focused on acquiring and exploiting its interests in Chad, JDZ Blocks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9 and the EEZ but has no current source of income other than interest income from cash investments generated from the sale of participation interests in Blocks 2, 3 and 4 to Sinopec and Addax Ltd. The Company hopes to enter into participation agreements in Chad, JDZ Blocks 5, 6 and 9 and also in the EEZ, but the timing or likelihood of such transactions cannot be predicted.  The Company might be required to exercise further rights in EEZ in 2012, in which case it may be constrained to and incur significant capital cost in exercise of those rights.

In addition to normal working capital requirements, ERHC's interest in Chad will require the Company to make additional cash signature bonus payments of up to $5 million in 2012 and the Company estimates that it may incur additional costs of at least $1 million to implement its minimum commitments in the first year of the work program required by the Production Sharing Contract (“PSC”) signed with the Government of Chad. If the Company is unable to successfully negotiate participation agreements with operating and other partners in Chad and the EEZ, the Company's cash resources could be strained and the Company's future plans curtailed.
 

The Company’s results of operations are susceptible to general economic conditions

The Company’s revenues and results of operations will be subject to fluctuations based upon the general economic conditions both in the United States and internationally.   A general economic downturn or a recession in the industry, will adversely impact the Company’s prospective future revenues, the value of its oil and natural gas exploration concession, as well as its ability to exploit its assets.

One shareholder controls approximately 43% of the Company’s outstanding common stock

Chrome Oil  (“Chrome”) beneficially owns approximately 43% of the Company’s outstanding common stock.  As a result, Chrome has the ability to substantially influence, and may effectively control the outcome of corporate actions that require stockholder approval, including the election of directors.  This concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying or preventing a future change in control of the Company or a liquidity event.

The Company’s stock price is highly volatile

The Company’s common stock is currently traded on the Over-the-Counter (OTC) Bulletin Board. The market price of the Company’s common stock has experienced fluctuations that are unrelated to its operating performance.  The market price of the common stock has been highly volatile over the last several years.  The Company can provide no assurance regarding its stock price.

The Company does not currently pay dividends on its common stock and does not anticipate doing so in the near future

The Company has paid no cash dividends on its common stock, and there is no assurance that the Company will achieve sufficient earnings to pay cash dividends on its common stock in the foreseeable future. The Company intends to retain any earnings to fund its future operations.

The Company’s stock is considered a “penny stock”

The SEC has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in “penny stocks.”  Penny stocks generally are equity securities with a share price of less than $5.00.  The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document prepared by the SEC that provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market.  These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in any secondary market for a stock that becomes subject to the penny stock rules.  The Company’s common stock may be subject to the penny stock rules, and accordingly, investors in the common stock may find it difficult to sell their shares in the future, if at all.

The Internal Revenue Service is currently conducting an examination of the Company’s tax returns.

The Internal Revenue Service is currently examining the tax returns for the Company’s 2005 and 2006 tax years.   If adjustments are required, the Company may be subject to taxes, penalties and interest and these could have a material adverse effect on ERHC’s operations, financial condition and cash flow.

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments

None

Item 2.  Properties

In 2011, the Company was awarded three blocks for exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons in Chad and the Company is currently assessing the most economically beneficial means of exploiting these assets. All of the  Company’s properties are in the form of working interests which represent ERHC’s share of all the potential hydrocarbon production from the blocks awarded and obligates ERHC to pay a corresponding percentage of the costs of drilling, production and operating these blocks.  These costs in Blocks 2, 3 and 4 of the JDZ are currently being carried by the operators until production, whereupon the operators will recover their costs from production revenues. ERHC has working interests in Blocks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9 in the offshore JDZ.   ERHC also has working interests in Blocks 4 and 11 and rights to working interests in two additional blocks to be selected by ERHC in the EEZ. The subsistence of the company’s interests in JDZ Blocks 5 and 6, are currently the subject of arbitration between the Company, the JDA and the Governments of Nigeria and DRSTP.
 

Republic of Chad

ERHC holds working interests in three blocks for oil and gas exploration and development in Chad.

The names of the blocks and the sizes of Company's respective interests are as follows:

Block
ERHC Interest
Net ERHC acreage
 
 
 
Manga
100%
6,477 square kilometers or 1,600,501 acres
 
 
 
BDS 2008
100%
16,360 square kilometers or 4,042,644 acres
 
 
 
Chari-Ouest III
50%
4,500 square kilometers or 1,111,974 acres
 
Joint Development Zone
 
ERHC has interests in six of the nine Blocks in the Joint Development Zone (JDZ), a 34,548 sq. km area approximately 200 km off the coast of Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe that is adjacent to several large petroleum discovery areas. ERHC’s rights in the JDZ include:
 
graphic 6
 
 
JDZ Block 2:  22.0%
 
 
JDZ Block 3:  10.0%
 
 
JDZ Block 4:  19.5%
 
 
JDZ Block 5:  15.0% (in Arbitration)
 
 
JDZ Block 6:  15.0% (in Arbitration)
 
 
JDZ Block 9:  20.0%
 
Sao Tome and Principe Exclusive Economic Zone

The Government of Sao Tome and Principe awarded ERHC rights to participate in exploration and production activities in Sao Tome and Principe’s EEZ. ERHC’s rights include the following:
 
 
EEZ Block 4: 100% and no signature bonus
 
 
EEZ Block 11: 100% and no signature bonus
 
 
The option to acquire up to a 15% paid working interest in additional two blocks of ERHC’s choice.
 
ERHC will be responsible for its proportionate share of exploration and exploitation costs in the EEZ blocks.
 
Corporate Office

The Company’s corporate office is located at 5444 Westheimer Road, Suite 1440, Houston, Texas 77056 pursuant to a lease that expires in December 2011.
 
 
Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

JDZ Blocks 5 and 6

Lawsuit
On November 3, 2008, the Company filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Nigeria to prevent any tampering with its rights in JDZ Blocks 5 and 6 pending the outcome of arbitration over the said rights. The suit came after the JDA and Joint Ministerial Council (“JMC”) of the Nigeria-São Tomé and Príncipe JDZ failed to give a satisfactory response to the Company’s letters seeking clarification on the Company’s rights in JDZ Blocks 5 and 6 following media reports stating that the JMC had approved of the Company’s removal from the Blocks.

The Company was awarded a 15 percent working interest in each of the Blocks in a 2004/5 bid/licensing round conducted by the JDA following the exercise by ERHC of preferential rights in the Blocks as guaranteed by contract and treaty.  The dispute is entirely contractual. The JDA and the Government of STP contend that certain correspondence issued by a previous CEO/President of the Company in 2006 amount to a relinquishment of the Company’s rights in Blocks 5 and 6 under the Company’s contracts with STP which provide for the rights.  The Company contends that no such relinquishment has occurred and has sought recourse to arbitration accordingly.

Arbitration
In November 2008, the Company dispatched notices of arbitration for service on the JDA and the Governments of Nigeria and São Tomé & Príncipe to commence arbitration in London. ERHC wants the London Court of International Arbitration to clarify that ERHC's interests in JDZ Blocks 5 and 6 remain intact.

Suspension of Proceedings on the Lawsuit and Arbitration
Proceedings on the suit and the arbitration are currently suspended while the Company pursues amicable settlement with the Governments of Nigeria and São Tomé Príncipe.

São Tomé Claim

Mr. Angelo de Jesus Bomfim, a São Tomé licensed attorney is claiming against ERHC the sum of twenty six thousand ($26,000) U.S. dollars plus interest. The claim stems from an alleged retainer owed to Mr. Bomfim by the Company under an alleged retainer agreement entered into in 1998 between the Company and Mr. Bomfim, and alleged retainer services rendered thereafter between 1998 and 1999.  On November 14, 2011, lawyers handling the claim on behalf of the Company negotiated a $16,000 settlement, without admission of liability by ERHC, on the matter. .

Backup Withholding Tax Claim by the Internal Revenue Service

On November 17, 2011, the Company received a proposed settlement from the IRS relating to backup withholding tax in its 2006 tax year in the amount of $60,505. The settlement includes additional taxes of $47,776 and interest of $12,729. The Company will consider the additional taxes in a carryback claim due to losses incurred subsequent to 2006.

Routine Claims

From time to time, ERHC may be subject to routine litigation, claims, or disputes in the ordinary course of business.  ERHC intends to defend these matters vigorously; the Company cannot predict with certainty, however, the outcome or effect of any of the litigation or investigatory matters specifically described above or any other pending litigation or claims.  There can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcome of these lawsuits and investigations.
 

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None.

PART II

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market and Related Information

ERHC’s common stock is currently traded on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “ERHE.”  The market for the Company’s common stock is unpredictable and highly volatile.  The following table sets forth the closing sales price per share of the common stock for the past three fiscal years.  These prices reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-ups, markdowns or commissions, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

Stock Price Highs & Lows

   
High
   
Low
 
   
(Price per share)
 
Fiscal Year 2009
 
 
   
 
 
First Quarter
  $ 0.30     $ 0.11  
Second Quarter
    0.36       0.10  
Third Quarter
    0.72       0.29  
Fourth Quarter
    0.90       0.60  
                 
Fiscal Year 2010
               
First Quarter
  $ 0.73     $ 0.44  
Second Quarter
    0.75       0.35  
Third Quarter
    0.62       0.20  
Fourth Quarter
    0.42       0.20  
                 
Fiscal Year 2011
               
First Quarter
  $ 0.30     $ 0.14  
Second Quarter
    0.24       0.14  
Third Quarter
    0.17       0.08  
Fourth Quarter
    0.18       0.09  

As of November 30, 2011, there were approximately 2,202 stockholders of record.  The closing price of the common stock as reported on the OTC Bulletin Board on November 30, 2011 was $0.09. The Company has not paid any dividends during the last three fiscal years and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

In November 2004, the Board of Directors adopted a 2004 Compensatory Stock Option Plan pursuant to which it reserved 20,000,000 shares for issuance.  This plan was approved at a special meeting of the stockholders of the Company in February 2005.  Under this plan, 9,586,756 shares have been issued.

   
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 security holders
 
 
-
 
-
 
 
10,413,244
 
   
 
       
 
 
 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
   
                         -
 
                         -
   
                                   -
 


Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

The Company has issued the following unregistered securities:
 
 
During the first quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company issued an aggregate of 300,000 shares of common stock to the Company’s directors for services rendered in 2007.
 
 
During the second quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company issued an aggregate of 450,000 shares of common stock to the Company’s directors for services rendered in 2005 and 2008.
 
 
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company approved the issuance of an aggregate of 361,875 shares of common stock to the Company’s directors and non-management staff for services rendered in 2009.
 
 
During the third and fourth quarter of 2010, the Company issued 1,017,500 shares for 2010 to employees and directors, for services rendered in 2010.
 
 
During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company awarded 525,000 shares for 2011 to directors, for services rendered in 2011.These shares were unissued at September 30, 2011.
 
With respect to the sale of the unregistered securities referenced above, all transactions were exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  No sales commissions were paid in connection with these transactions.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company has not repurchased any of its Common Stock.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The selected financial data of the Company presented below as of and for each of the five years in the period ended September 30, 2010, has been derived from the audited financial statements of the Company.  The financial statements as of and for the years ended September 30, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007 have been audited by MaloneBailey, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm.  The data set forth below should be read in conjunction with the Company’s financial statements, related notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Plan of Operations, contained elsewhere herein.

Statements of Operations Data
 
   
For the Years Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                                         
Operating expenses
   
4,438,053
   
$
5,188,495
   
$
4,239,706
   
$
4,280,143
   
$
4,976,765
 
Interest expense
   
(922
)
   
(1,843
)
   
(1,843
)
   
(1,843
)
   
(1,843
)
Other Income (expense)
   
28,488
     
(1,040,473
)
   
(3,447,588
)
   
1,241,189
     
1,498,704
 
Benefit (provision) for taxes
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(30,360
)
   
1,723,000
 
                                         
Net income (loss)
   
(4,410,487
)
 
$
(6,230,811
)
 
$
(7,689,137
)
 
$
(3,071,157
)
 
$
(1,756,904
)
                                         
Net income (loss) per share -
                                       
basic and diluted
 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
(0.00
)
 
$
(0.00
)
Weighted average shares of
                                       
common stock outstanding
   
738,284,321
     
723,439,691
     
722,794,828
     
722,182,831
     
720,966,165
 

Balance Sheets Data
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                                         
Concession costs and fees
 
$
4,620,531
   
$
2,839,500
   
$
2,839,500
   
$
2,839,500
   
$
2,839,500
 
Total assets
   
19,748,238
     
23,007,470
     
28,859,825
     
36,880,422
     
39,854,641
 
Total liabilities
   
539,516
     
517,425
     
5,209,900
     
5,907,960
     
5,947,982
 
Shareholders’ equity
   
19,208,722
     
22,490,045
     
23,649,925
     
30,972,462
     
33,906,659
 
 

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Plan of Operations

Introduction

The following discussion and analysis presents management’s perspective of the Company’s business and, financial condition and its overall performance. This information is intended to provide investors with an understanding of our past performance, current financial condition and outlook for the future. You must read the following discussion of the results of the operations and financial condition of the Company in conjunction with its financial statements, including the notes thereto included in this Form 10-K filing.  The Company’s historical results are not necessarily an indication of trends in operating results for any future period.

Reference is made to “Item 6. Selected Financial Data” and “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, expectations, future events or performance and underlying assumptions and other statements which are other than statements of historical facts.  Certain statements contained herein are forward-looking statements and, accordingly, involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.  Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed by us to have a reasonable basis, including without limitations, management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties, but there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs or projections will result or be achieved or accomplished.  In addition to other factors and matters discussed elsewhere herein and the risks discussed in  Item 1A.  Risk Factors , the following are important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements: geopolitical instability where we operate; our ability to meet our capital needs; our ability to raise sufficient capital and/or enter into one or more strategic relationships with one or more industry partners to execute our business plan; our ability and success in finding, developing and acquiring oil and gas reserves; our ability to respond to changes in the oil exploration and production environment, competition, and the availability of personnel in the future to support our activities.

Overview

ERHC Energy Inc., a Colorado corporation, (“ERHC” or the “Company”) was incorporated in 1986.  The Company’s business is the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas resources in Africa including its rights to working interests in exploration acreage in the Republic of Chad (“Chad”), in the Joint Development Zone (“JDZ”) between the Democratic Republic of Săo Tomé and Príncipe (“STP”) and the Federal Republic of Nigeria (“FRN or “Nigeria”) and in the exclusive economic zone of Săo Tomé (the “Exclusive Economic Zone” or “EEZ”).

ERHC has provided an in-depth background and current operations description under Item 1 of this Form 10-K and readers are encouraged to read that analysis in connection with  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Plan of Operations.

In recent years ERHC has been focused on identifying opportunities in West Africa that work to the strengths of its management team and leverage the experience gained through the Company's long term involvement in the JDZ and EEZ. During 2011, management interest in the region and its desire to diversify its asset base lead to the identification of opportunities in Chad. Management was particularly interested in Chad due to the fact that operations will be land based and certain regions of Chad have the infrastructure to support development in a shorter timeframe than can typically be achieved with an offshore development  .

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company has identified the policies below as critical to its business operations and the understanding of its results of operations.  The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on the Company’s business operations are discussed throughout this section where such policies affect the Company’s reported and expected financial results.  Management’s preparation of this Annual Report on Form 10-K requires it to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  There is no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates and assumptions.

Concentration of Risks

The Company’s current focus is to exploit assets consisting of agreements with Chad, the DRSTP and JDA concerning oil and gas exploration.  The Company has developed internal capabilities and formed relationships with other oil and gas companies with the technical and financial capabilities to assist the Company in leveraging its interests in Chad, the EEZ and the JDZ.  The Company currently has no other operations.
 

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

ERHC evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets when events and circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired.  ERHC determines impairment by comparing the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by these assets to their respective carrying amounts.  Impairments are charged to operations in the period to which events and circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired.  ERHC has evaluated its investment in interests in Chad, its DRSTP concession, and its JDA fee in light of its 2003 Option Agreement and there have been no events or circumstances that would indicate that such asset might be impaired.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Following is an analysis of recent accounting guidance issued by the Financial Accounting  Standards Board ("FASB") resulting in changes to the Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC):

FASB ASC 350 - In September 2011, the FASB issued guidance regarding assessing whether it is necessary to perform goodwill impairment tests on a recurring basis.  The guidance permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is “more likely than not” that the fair market value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amounts as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the goodwill impairment test.  The amended guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted, including annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed as of dates before September 15, 2011, if an entity’s financial statements for the most recent annual or interim period have not yet been issued.  ERHC has adopted this guidance it had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
FASB ASC 220 - In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance to amend the presentation of comprehensive income to allow an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. The guidance eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity.  The amended guidance is effective for annual and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2011, and is to be applied retrospectively. ERHC adopted this guidance in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011 and adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC 820 - In May 2011, the FASB issued guidance to amend the requirements related to fair value measurement which changes the wording used to describe many requirements in GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. Additionally, the amendments clarify the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value measurement requirements. The amended guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and is applied prospectively. ERHC will adopt this guidance at the beginning of its first quarter of fiscal year 2012 and its adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the its consolidated financial statements.
 
FASB ASC 350 - In December 2010, the FASB issued amended guidance concerning testing for impairment of goodwill where an entity has one or more reporting units whose carrying value is zero or negative.  The amended guidance requires the entity to perform a test to measure the amount, if any, of impairment to goodwill by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill.  The Company is required to adopt this amended guidance for fiscal years or interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  The Company will adopt this guidance at the beginning of its first quarter of fiscal year 2012 but its adoption will have no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures to those financial statements.

FASB ASC 805 - In December 2010, the FASB issued amended guidance concerning disclosures of pro forma information for business combinations.  The amended guidance requires that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period. The amended guidance also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of and the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings.   ERHC will adopt this guidance at the beginning of its first quarter of fiscal year 2012 and does not expect that adoption of the amended guidance will have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures to those financial statements.
 
 
Results of Operations

Year Ended September 30, 2011 Compared with Year Ended September 30, 2010

General and administrative expenses decreased from $5,156,778 in the year ended September 30, 2010 to $4,401,901 per 3100 in the year ended September 30, 2011.  This decrease was the result of an ongoing effort to reduce operating expenses and was due primarily to the following:
 
 
Reduced legal, accounting and consulting expenses related to the Company's business activities.
 
 
General reduction in operating costs due to cost control efforts
 
During the year ended September 30, 2011, the Company had a net loss of $4,410,487 compared with a net loss of $6,230,811 for the year ended September 30, 2010.  The reduction was due to the following:

In 2010, the Company recognized a provision for loss of $1,058,597 based on the Company's evaluation of certain restrictions that were placed on a financial institution where the Company had an investment in a Certificate of Deposit.  The additional provision increased the Company's 2010 net loss as compared to the year ended September 30, 2011. The Company also incurred certain costs in 2010, not repeated in 2011 related to a proposed listing on the Alternative Investment Market ("AIM") of the London Stock Exchange.

Year Ended September 30, 2010 Compared with Year Ended September 30, 2009

General and administrative expenses increased from $4,202,809 in the year ended September 30, 2009 to $5,156,778 in the year ended September 30, 2010.  This increase came despite an ongoing effort to reduce operating expenses and was due primarily to the following:
 
 
Expenses related to the Company's proposed listing on the AIM.
 
 
General increase in expenses related to evaluation of new acquisition opportunities.
 
During the year ended September 30, 2010, the Company had a net loss of $6,230,811 compared with a net loss of $7,689,137 for the year ended September 30, 2009.  The reduction was due to the following:

In 2009, the Company recognized a provision for loss of $4,234,317 when certain restrictions were placed on a financial institution where the Company had investments in Certificate of Deposit.  This provision was followed with an additional provision of $1,058,579, made during the year ended September 30, 2010, which reduced the asset to $-0-. The resulting reduction in loss during the year ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the year ended September 30, 2009 was partially offset by:
 
 
An increase in expenses related to evaluation of new acquisition opportunities during the year ended September 30, 2010
 
 
And a decrease in interest income from $421,729 in the year ended September 30, 2009 to $18,106 in the year ended September 30, 2010, due to a loss of interest income as the Company switched from interest bearing but not guaranteed deposit accounts to non-interest bearing accounts by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
 
PCS Negotiations

PSC negotiations between ERHC and the National Petroleum Agency of São Tomé and Príncipe (ANP-STP) commenced on November 14, 2011 in Sao Tome. The PSCs pertain to ERHC’s 100 percent working interest in Blocks 4 and 11 of the EEZ. ERHC’s management is looking to negotiate PSCs for the EEZ Blocks that will be attractive to potential joint venture partners. Discussions are continuing simultaneously with prospective operating partners for ERHC’s EEZ Blocks.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2011, the Company had $12,144,597 in cash and cash equivalents and US Treasury Bills and positive working capital of $12,411,565.   Management believes that this cash position should be sufficient to support the Company’s estimated annual  working capital requirements of $4,800,000 for more than 12 months.
 

In addition to normal working capital requirements, ERHC's interest in Chad may require the Company to make additional cash signature bonus payments of up to $5,000,000 in 2012 and the Company estimates that it may incur additional costs of at least $1,000,000 to implement the first year of its work program under the Production Sharing Contract with the Government of Chad. ERHC believes its current cash position will allow it to meet current obligations to the Government of Chad for the next twelve months as the Company endeavors to negotiate participation agreements to fully exploit these assets.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

At September 30, 2011, the Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Short –Term Obligations

As of September 30, 2011, the Company had a total of $539,519 in short-term obligations; it includes $114,184 in accrued Directors’ compensation.
 
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

The following table provides information at September 30, 2011, about the Company’s contractual obligations and commercial commitments.  The table presents contractual obligation by due dates and related contractual commitments by expiration dates.

Contractual Obligations
 
Total
 
 
Less Than 1 year
 
 
1-3 Years
 
 
3-5 Years
 
 
More Than 5 Years
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chad license interest
 
$
20,000,000
 
 
$
6,000,000
 
 
$
2,000,000
 
 
$
12,000,000
 
 
$
-
 
Operating lease (2)
 
 
672,986
 
 
 
51,132
 
 
 
250,221
 
 
 
260,665
     
110,968
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
           
 
Total
 
$
20,672,986
 
 
$
6,051,132
 
 
$
2,250,221
 
 
$
12,260,665
   
$
110,968
 

 
(1)
This represents obligations under our PSC with Chad. The Company has a remaining commitment of $5,000,000 for its signing bonus and a minimum $15,000,000 commitment under a five year work program. This commitment must include annual expenditures of at least $1,000,000 and accordingly, the above analysis is prepared using the minimum commitment.

 
(2)
Lease obligations consist of operating lease for office space. Office lease represent non-cancelable leases for office space used in daily operations.

Contingencies and Legal Matters
 
For a detailed discussion of contingencies and legal matters, see “Item 3 “Legal Proceedings”.

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The Company’s current focus is to exploit its primary assets, which are rights to working interest in the Republic of Chad, the JDZ and the EEZ under agreements with Government of the Republic of Chad, the JDA and the DRSTP respectively.  The Company intends to continue to form relationships with other oil and gas companies with operational, technical and financial capabilities to assist the Company in leveraging its interests in Chad, the EEZ and the JDZ.  The Company currently has no other operations.

At September 30, 2011, all of the Company’s operations were located outside the United States.  The Company’s primary assets are agreements with Government of the Republic of Chad, the DRSTP and the JDA, which provide ERHC with rights to participate in exploration and production activities in the Republic of Chad, and in Gulf of Guinea off the coast of West Africa.  This geographic area of interest is controlled by foreign governments that have historically experienced volatility, which is out of management’s control. The Company’s ability to exploit its interests in the agreements in this area may be impacted by this circumstance.

The future success of the Company’s international operations may also be adversely affected by risks associated with international activities, including financial, economic and labor conditions, political instability, risk of war, expropriation, renegotiation or modification of existing contracts, tax laws (including host-country import-export, excise and income taxes and United States taxes on foreign subsidiaries) and changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the local currencies in which future oil and gas producing activities may be denominated.  Furthermore, changes in exchange rates may adversely affect the Company’s future results of operations and financial condition.
 
Market risks relating to the Company’s operations result primarily from changes in interest rates as well as credit risk concentrations.  The Company’s interest expense is generally not sensitive to changes in the general level of interest rates in the United States, particularly because a substantial majority of its indebtedness is at fixed rates.

The Company holds no derivative financial or commodity instruments.
 

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

ERHC ENERGY INC.
A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
Page(s)
Reports of Independent Public Accounting Firm:
 
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting as of September 30, 2011
29
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on the Financial Statements for the Years ended September 30, 2011, 2010  and 2009
30
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements:
 
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2011 and 2010
31
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009, and for the period from inception, September 5, 1995,to September 30, 2011
32
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009, and for the period from inception, September 5, 1995,to September 30, 2011
33
   
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the period from inception, September 5, 1995, to September 30, 2011
34
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009, and for the period from inception, September 5, 1995,to September 30, 2011
39
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
41
 
 
Financial Statement Schedules
 

All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.
 
 
28

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
ERHC Energy Inc.
Houston, Texas

We have audited the internal control of ERHC Energy Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) over its financial reporting as of September 30, 2011 based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying “Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.” Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, ERHC Energy Inc. and its subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2011, based on criteria established in the Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of ERHC Energy Inc. and its subsidiaries as of September 30, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009 and our report dated December 14, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

Malone  Bailey,LLP
www.malone-bailey.com
Houston, Texas

December 14, 2011
 
 
29

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
ERHC Energy Inc.
Houston, Texas

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of ERHC Energy Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively the “ERHC’), a development stage corporation, as of September 30, 2011 and 2010 and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009.  These financial statements are the responsibility of ERHC’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of ERHC as of September 30, 2011 and 2010, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of ERHC’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework    issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated December 14, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion.

MaloneBailey, LLP
www.malone-bailey.com
Houston, Texas

December 14, 2011
 
 
ERHC ENERGY INC.
A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
September 30, 2011 and 2010 

 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
ASSETS
           
             
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 7,137,151     $ 12,913,249  
United States Treasury bills
    5,007,446       5,000,958  
Investment in Exile Resources common stock
    524,346       -  
Prepaid expenses and other
    282,141       199,808  
                 
Total current assets
    12,951,084       18,114,015  
                 
Oil and gas concession fees
    4,620,531       2,839,500  
Furniture and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $160,225 and $136,804 at September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively
    27,225       35,557  
Restricted certificate of deposit
    131,000       -  
Income tax receivable
    2,018,398       2,018,398  
                 
Total assets
  $ 19,748,238     $ 23,007,470  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
                 
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  $ 539,519     $ 471,506  
Accrued interest
    -       12,406  
Current portion of convertible debt
    -       33,513  
                 
Total current liabilities
    539,519       517,425  
                 
Commitments and contingencies:
               
                 
Shareholders' equity:
               
Preferred stock, par value $0.0001; authorized 10,000,000 shares; none issued and outstanding
    -       -  
Common stock, par value $0.0001; authorized 950,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 738,933,854 and 729,319,944 shares at September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively
    73,894       72,932  
Additional paid-in capital
    99,355,149       97,401,297  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    (825,653 )     -  
Losses accumulated in the development stage
    (79,394,671 )     (74,984,184 )
                 
Total shareholders’ equity
    19,208,719       22,490,045  
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 19,748,238     $ 23,007,470  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
 
 
ERHC ENERGY INC.
A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Years Ended September 30, 2011, 2010, and 2009 and for the Period
From Inception, September 5, 1995, to September 30, 2011 


                     
(unaudited)
Inception to
 
   
Years Ended September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2011
 
                         
Costs and expenses:
                       
General and administrative
  $ 4,401,901     $ 5,156,778     $ 4,202,809     $ 82,104,170  
Depreciation
    23,423       31,717       36,897       1,508,538  
Gain on sale of partial interest in DRSTP concession
    -       -       -       (30,102,250 )
Write-offs and abandonments
    -       -       -       7,742,128  
Total costs and expenses
    (4,425,324 )     (5,188,495 )     (4,239,706 )     (61,252,586 )
                                 
Other income and (expenses):
                               
Interest income
    15,620       18,106       421,729       4,844,983  
Gain (loss) from settlements
    12,868       -       365,000       130,178  
Other income
    -       -       -       439,827  
Interest expense
    (13,651 )     (1,843 )     (1,843 )     (12,144,242 )
Provision for loss on deposits
    -       (1,058,579 )     (4,234,317 )     (5,292,896 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt
    -       -       -       (5,749,575 )
                                 
Total other income and (expense)
    14,837       (1,042,316 )     (3,449,431 )     (17,771,725 )
                                 
Income (loss) before benefit (provision) for income taxes
    (4,410,487 )     (6,230,811 )     (7,689,137 )     (79,024,311 )
                                 
Benefit (provision) for income taxes:
                               
Current
    -       -       -       (1,330,360 )
Deferred
    -       -       -       960,000  
                                 
Total benefit (provision)for income taxes
    -       -       -       (370,360 )
                                 
Net loss
  $ (4,410,487 )   $ (6,230,811 )   $ (7,689,137 )   $ (79,394,671 )
                                 
Net loss per common share -basic and diluted
  $ (0.01 )   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.01 )        
                                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted
    738,284,321       723,265,288       722,794,828          

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
 
 
ERHC ENERGY INC.
A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
For the Years Ended September 30, 2011, 2010, and 2009 and for the Period
From Inception, September 5, 1995, to September 30, 2011 


                     
(unaudited)
Inception to
 
   
Year Ended September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2011
 
                         
Net loss
  $ (4,410,487 )   $ (6,230,811 )   $ (7,689,137 )   $ (79,394,671 )
                                 
Other comprehensive income - loss on available for sale    securities
    (825,653 )     -       -       (825,653 )
                                 
Total costs and expenses
  $ (5,236,140 )   $ (6,230,811 )   $ (7,689,137 )   $ (80,220,324 )

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
 
 
ERHC ENERGY INC.
A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
For the Period from Inception, September 5, 1995, to September 30, 2011, (Unaudited for the
Period from Inception to September 30, 1998) 


               
Additional
                         
   
Common Stock
   
Paid-In
   
Accumulated
   
Subscription
   
Deferred
       
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Deficit
   
Receivable
   
Compensation
   
Total
 
                                           
Balance at September 5, 1995
    -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Common stock issued for cash
    884,407       88       -       -       -       -       88  
Common stock issued for services
    755,043       76       499,924       -       -       (500,000 )     -  
Net loss
    -       -       -       (3,404 )     -       -       (3,404 )
                                                         
Balance at September 30, 1995
    1,639,450       164       499,924       (3,404 )     -       (500,000 )     (3,316 )
Common stock issued for cash, net of expenses
    361,330       36       124,851       -       -       -       124,887  
Common stock issued for services
    138,277       14       528,263       -       -       -       528,277  
Common stock issued for equipment
    744,000       74       3,719,926       -       -       -       3,720,000  
Effect of reverse merger
    1,578,470       158       (243,488 )     -       -       -       (243,330 )
Amortization of deferred compensation
    -       -       -       -       -       72,500       72,500  
Net loss
    -       -       -       (728,748 )     -       -       (728,748 )
                                                         
Balance at September 30, 1996
    4,461,527       446       4,629,476       (732,152 )     -       (427,500 )     3,470,270  
Common stock issued for cash
    2,222,171       222       1,977,357       -       (913,300 )     -       1,064,279  
Common stock issued for services
    9,127,981       913       12,430,725       -       -       -       12,431,638  
Common stock issued for oil and gas leases and properties
    500,000       50       515,575       -       -       -       515,625  
Common stock issued for Chevron contract
    3,000,000       300       -       -       -       -       300  
Common stock issued for BAPCO acquisition
    4,000,000       400       499,600       -       -       -       500,000  
Contributed
    (100,000 )     (10 )     (99,990 )     -       -       -       (100,000 )
Amortization of deferred compensation
    -       -       -       -       -       177,500       177,500  
Net loss
    -       -       -       (16,913,052 )     -       -       (16,913,052 )
                                                         
Balance at September 30, 1997
    23,211,679     $ 2,321     $ 19,952,743     $ (17,645,204 )   $ (913,300 )   $ (250,000 )   $ 1,146,560  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
 
 
ERHC ENERGY INC.
A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
For the Period from Inception, September 5, 1995, to September 30, 2011, (Unaudited for the
Period from Inception to September 30, 1998) 


               
Additional
                         
   
Common Stock
   
Paid-In
   
Accumulated
   
Subscription
   
Deferred
       
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Deficit
   
Receivable
   
Compensation
   
Total
 
                                           
Balance at September 30, 1997
    23,211,679     $ 2,321     $ 19,952,743     $ (17,645,204 )   $ (913,300 )   $ (250,000 )   $ 1,146,560  
                                                         
                                                         
Common stock and warrants issued for cash
    1,124,872       113       972,682       -       -       -       972,795  
Common stock issued for services
    1,020,320       102       1,526,878       -       -       -       1,526,980  
Common stock issued for Uinta   acquisition
    1,000,000       100       1,999,900       -       -       -       2,000,000  
Common stock issued for Nueces acquisition
    50,000       5       148,745       -       -       -       148,750  
Common stock issued for accounts payable
    491,646       49       337,958       -       -       -       338,007  
Beneficial conversion feature associated with convertible debt
    -       -       1,387,500       -       -       -       1,387,500  
Receipt of subscription receivable
    -       -       -       -       913,300       -       913,300  
Option fee and penalty
    299,536       30       219,193       -       -       -       219,223  
Common stock issued for building equity
    24,000       2       69,998       -       -       -       70,000  
Amortization of deferred compensation
    -       -       -       -       -       125,000       125,000  
Net loss
    -       -       -       (11,579,024 )     -       -       (11,579,024 )
                                                         
Balance at September 30, 1998
    27,222,053       2,722       26,615,597       (29,224,228 )     -       (125,000 )     (2,730,909 )
                                                         
Common stock issued for cash
    397,040,000       39,704       2,062,296       -       -       -       2,102,000  
Common stock issued for services
    7,169,000       717       1,034,185       -       -       -       1,034,902  
Common stock issued for Uinta settlement
    7,780,653       778       2,541,161       -       -       -       2,541,939  
Common stock surrendered in BAPCO settlement
    (7,744,000 )     (774 )     (2,709,626 )     -       -       -       (2,710,400 )
Common stock issued for accounts payable
    10,843,917       1,084       769,139       -       -       -       770,223  
Common stock issued for conversion of debt and payment of accrued interest and penalties
    31,490,850       3,149       5,998,915       -       -       -       6,002,064  
Common stock issued for officers' salary and bonuses
    10,580,000       1,058       4,723,942       -       -       -       4,725,000  
Common stock issued for shareholder loans and accrued interest payable
    3,939,505       394       771,318       -       -       -       771,712  
Reclassification of common stock previously presented as a liability
    750,000       75       1,499,925       -       -       -       1,500,000  
Amortization of deferred compensation
    -       -       -       -       -       125,000       125,000  
Net loss
    -       -       -       (19,727,835 )     -       -       (19,727,835 )
                                                         
Balance at September 30, 1999
    489,071,978     $ 48,907     $ 43,306,852     $ (48,952,063 )   $ -     $ -     $ (5,596,304 )

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
 
 
ERHC ENERGY INC.
A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
For the Period from Inception, September 5, 1995, to September 30, 2011, (Unaudited for the
Period from Inception to September 30, 1998) 


               
Additional
                         
   
Common Stock
   
Paid-In
   
Accumulated
   
Subscription
   
Deferred
       
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Deficit
   
Receivable
   
Compensation
   
Total
 
                                           
Balance at September 30, 1999
    489,071,978     $ 48,907     $ 43,306,852     $ (48,952,063 )   $ -     $ -     $ (5,596,304 )
                                                         
Common stock issued for conversion of debt and payment of accrued interest and penalties
    7,607,092       761       295,120       -       -       -       295,881  
Net loss
    -       -       -       (1,958,880 )     -       -       (1,958,880 )
                                                         
Balance at September 30, 2000
    496,679,070       49,668       43,601,972       (50,910,943 )     -       -       (7,259,303 )
                                                         
Common stock issued for services
    37,000,000       3,700       1,846,300       -       -       -       1,850,000  
Net loss
    -       -       -       (6,394,810 )     -       -       (6,394,810 )
                                                         
Balance at September 30, 2001
    533,679,070       53,368       45,448,272       (57,305,753 )     -       -       (11,804,113 )
                                                         
Common stock issued for cash net of expenses
    4,000,000       400       643,100       -               -       643,500  
Common stock issued for services
    3,475,000       348       527,652       -       -       -       528,000  
Common stock issued for accounts payable
    4,407,495       440       817,757       -       -       -       818,197  
Common stock issued for con -version of debt and payment of accrued interest and penalties
    7,707,456       771       1,540,721       -       -       -       1,541,492  
Common stock issued for officer's salary and bonuses
    2,700,000       270       289,730       -       -       -       290,000  
Net loss
    -       -       -       (4,084,210 )     -       -       (4,084,210 )
                                                         
Balance at September 30, 2002
    555,969,021       55,597       49,267,232       (61,389,963 )     -       -       (12,067,134 )
                                                         
Common stock issued for cash, net of expenses
    9,440,000       944       1,071,556       -       -       -       1,072,500  
Common stock issued for accounts payable
    1,527,986       153       177,663       -       -       -       177,816  
Common stock issued for con -version of debt and payment of accrued interest
    17,114,740       1,711       3,421,227       -       -       -       3,422,938  
Net loss
    -       -       -       (3,153,882 )     -       -       (3,153,882 )
                                                         
Balance at September 30, 2003
    584,051,747     $ 58,405     $ 53,937,678     $ (64,543,845 )   $ -     $ -     $ (10,547,762 )
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
 
 
ERHC ENERGY INC.
A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
For the Period from Inception, September 5, 1995, to September 30, 2011, (Unaudited for the
Period from Inception to September 30, 1998) 


               
Additional
                         
   
Common Stock
   
Paid-In
   
Accumulated
   
Subscription
   
Deferred
       
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Deficit
   
Receivable
   
Compensation
   
Total
 
                                           
Balance at September 30, 2003
    584,051,747     $ 58,405     $ 53,937,678     $ (64,543,845 )   $ -     $ -     $ (10,547,762 )
                                                         
Common stock issued for cash, net of expenses
    3,231,940       323       974,677       -       -       -       975,000  
Common stock issued for accounts payable
    1,458,514       146       533,102       -       -       -       533,248  
Common stock issued for con -version of debt and payment of accrued interest
    11,185,052       1,119       2,236,093       -       -       -       2,237,212  
Common stock issued for proceeds received in 2003
    1,000,000       100       (100 )     -       -       -       -  
Beneficial conversion feature associated with the convertible line of credit
    -       -       1,058,912       -       -       -       1,058,912  
Options issued to employee
    -       -       765,000       -       -       (765,000 )     -  
Amortization of deferred compensation
    -       -       -       -       -       308,126       308,126  
Common stock issued for cash-less exercise of options and/or warrants
    247,882       25       (25 )     -       -       -       -  
Net loss
    -       -       -       (3,593,388 )     -       -       (3,593,388 )
                                                         
Balance at September 30, 2004
    601,175,135       60,118       59,505,337       (68,137,233 )     -       (456,874 )     (9,028,652 )
                                                         
Common stock issued for accounts payable
    735,000       73       359,716       -       -       -       359,789  
Common stock issued for con -version of debt and payment of accrued interest
    107,819,727       10,782       22,678,054       -       -       -       22,688,836  
Common stock issued in settlement of lawsuits
    595,000       59       394,391       -       -       -       394,450  
Variable accounting for re-priced employee stock options
    -       -       300,000       -       -       (300,000 )     -  
Beneficial conversion feature associated with the convertible line of credit
    -       -       347,517       -       -       -       347,517  
Amortization of deferred compensation
    -       -       -       -       -       449,737       449,737  
Common stock issued for cash-less exercise of options and/or warrants
    587,364       59       (59 )     -       -       -       -  
Net loss
    -       -       -       (11,270,478 )     -       -       (11,270,478 )
                                                         
Balance at September 30, 2005
    710,912,226     $ 71,091     $ 83,584,956     $ (79,407,711 )   $ -     $ (307,137 )   $ 3,941,199  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
 
 
ERHC ENERGY INC.
A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
For the Period from Inception, September 5, 1995, to September 30, 2011, (Unaudited for the
Period from Inception to September 30, 1998) 


                           
Accumulated
             
               
Additional
         
Other
             
   
Common Stock
   
Paid-In
   
Accumulated
   
Comprehend-
   
Deferred
       
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Deficit
   
sive Income
   
Compensation
   
Total
 
                                           
Balance at September 30, 2005
    710,912,226     $ 71,091     $ 83,584,956     $ (79,407,711 )   $ -     $ (307,137 )   $ 3,941,199  
                                                         
Common stock issued for services
    4,665,000       467       1,976,081       -       -       -       1,976,548  
Variable accounting for re-priced employee stock options
    -       -       (60,660 )     -       -       -       (60,660 )
Issuance of warrants for success fee
    -       -       5,154,500       -       -       -       5,154,500  
Issuance of options as comp-ensation to consultants
    -       -       1,145,000       -       -       -       1,145,000  
Common stock issued upon exercise of warrants
    800,000       80       159,920       -       -       -       160,000  
Amortization of deferred compensation
    -       -       (307,137 )     -       -       307,137       -  
                                                         
Common stock issued for cashless exercise of options and/or warrants
    2,611,756       261       (261 )     -       -       -       -  
Net income
    -       -       -       23,171,536       -       -       23,171,536  
                                                         
Balance at September 30, 2006
    718,988,982       71,899       91,652,399       (56,236,175 )     -       -       35,488,123  
                                                         
Accounting for employee stock options
    -       -       175,440       -       -       -       175,440  
Common stock issued upon exercise of warrants
    2,949,587       294       (294 )     -       -       -       -  
Net loss
    -       -       -       (1,756,904 )     -       -       (1,756,904 )
                                                         
Balance at September 30, 2007
    721,938,569       72,193       91,827,545       (57,993,079 )     -       -       33,906,659  
                                                         
Common stock issued for services
    300,000       31       88,469       -       -       -       88,500  
Accounting for employee stock options
    -       -       48,460       -       -       -       48,460  
Net loss
    -       -       -       (3,071,157 )     -       -       (3,071,157 )
                                                         
Balance at September 30, 2008
    722,238,569       72,224       91,964,474       (61,064,236 )     -       -       30,972,462  
                                                         
Common stock issued for services
    811,875       81       366,519       -       -       -       366,600  
Net loss
    -       -       -       (7,689,137 )     -       -       (7,689,137 )
                                                         
Balance at September 30, 2009
    723,050,444       72,305       92,330,993       (69,753,373 )     -       -       23,649,925  
                                                         
Common stock issued for services
    1,017,500       102       267,079       -       -       -       267,181  
Common stock issued for settlement of liability
    5,250,000       525       4,803,225       -       -       -       4,803,750  
Net loss
    -       -       -       (6,230,811 )     -       -       (6,230,811 )
                                                         
Balance at September 30, 2010
    729,317,944       72,932       97,401,297       (74,984,184 )     -       -       22,490,045  
                                                         
Common stock issued for services
    525,000       53       133,261       -       -       -       133,314  
Common stock issued for cash
    9,090,910       909       1,820,591       -       -       -       1,821,500  
Loss on available for sale equity securities
    -       -       -       -       (825,653 )             (825,653 )
Net loss
    -       -       -       (4,410,487 )                     (4,410,487 )
                                                         
Balance at September 30, 2011
    738,933,854     $ 73,894     $ 99,355,149     $ (79,394,671 )   $ (825,653 )   $ -     $ 19,208,719  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
 
 
ERHC ENERGY INC.
A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Years Ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009 and for the Period From
Inception, September 5, 1995 to September 30, 2011 

 
                     
Inception to
 
   
Year Ended September 30
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2011
 
                         
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Net loss
  $ (4,410,487 )   $ (6,230,811 )   $ (7,689,137 )   $ (79,394,671 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used by operating activities:
                               
Depreciation and depletion expense
    23,423       31,717       36,897       1,508,537  
Provision for loss on deposits
    -       1,058,579       4,234,317       5,292,896  
Write-offs and abandonments
    -       -       -       7,742,128  
Deferred income taxes
    -       -       -       (2,018,398 )
Compensatory stock options
    -       -       -       1,308,240  
Gain from settlement
    -       -       (365,000 )     (617,310 )
Gain on sale of partial interest in DRSTP concession
    -       -       -       (30,102,250 )
Amortization of beneficial conversion feature associated with convertible debt
    -       -       -       2,793,929  
Amortization of deferred compensation
    -       -       -       1,257,863  
Loss (gain)  on extinguishment of debt
    (12,868 )     -       -       5,669,500  
Stock issued for services
    -       -       -       20,897,077  
Stock issued for settlements
    -       -       -       225,989  
Stock issued for officer bonuses
    68,062       46,381       -       5,194,695  
Stock issued for interest and penalties on convertible debt
    -       -       -       10,631,768  
Stock issued for board compensation
    65,252       220,800       366,600       2,652,449  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                               
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (82,332 )     247,537       (247,926 )     (282,139 )
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
    (95,523 )     226,512       26,640       (2,611,609 )
Current tax liability
    -       -       -       -  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, related party
    58,995       (115,236 )     (239,700 )     58,992  
Accrued retirement obligation
    -       -       (120,000 )     365,000  
                                 
Net cash used by operating activities
    (4,385,478 )     (4,514,521 )     (3,997,309 )     (49,427,314 )
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
 
 
ERHC ENERGY INC.
A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Years Ended September 30, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2009 and for the Period From
Inception, September 5, 1995 to September 30, 2011 


                     
Inception to
 
   
Year Ended September 30
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2011
 
                         
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
                       
Purchase of long-term investment
  $ -     $ -     $ (5,292,896 )   $ (5,292,896 )
Purchase of oil and gas concessions
    (1,676,031 )     -       -       (7,355,031 )
Proceeds from sale of partial interest in DRSTP concession
    -       -       -       45,900,000  
Purchase of United States Treasury bills and accrued interest
    (6,488 )     (5,000,958 )     -       (5,007,446 )
Purchase of marketable equity securities
    (1,350,000 )     -       -       (1,350,000 )
Purchase of restricted certificate of deposit
    (131,000 )                     (131,000 )
Purchase of furniture and equipment
    (15,088 )     -       (38,079 )     (962,535 )
                                 
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
    (3,178,607 )     (5,000,958 )     (5,330,975 )     25,801,092  
                                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
                               
Proceeds from warrants exercised
    -       -       -       160,000  
Proceeds from Common Stock, net of expenses:
    1,821,500       -       -       8,776,549  
Proceeds from line of credit, related party
    -       -       -       2,750,000  
Proceeds from non-convertible debt, related party
    -       -       -       158,700  
Proceeds from convertible debt, related party
    -       -       -       8,207,706  
Proceeds from sale of convertible debt
    -       -       -       9,019,937  
Proceeds from bank borrowing
    -       -       -       175,000  
Proceeds from stockholder loans
    -       -       -       1,845,809  
Proceeds from stock subscription receivable
    -       -       -       913,300  
Repayment of shareholder loans
    -       -       -       (1,020,607 )
Repayment of long-term debt
    (33,513 )     -       -       (223,021 )
                                 
Net cash provided by financing activities
    1,787,987       -       -       30,763,373  
                                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash  and cash equivalents
    (5,776,102 )     (9,515,479 )     (9,328,284 )     7,137,151  
                                 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    12,913,249       22,428,728       31,757,012       -  
                                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 7,137,151     $ 12,913,249     $ 22,428,728     $ 7,137,151  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
 
 
ERHC ENERGY INC.
A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Years Ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009 and for the Period From
Inception, September 5, 1995 to September 30, 2011 


Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

General Business and Nature of Operations

ERHC Energy Inc. ("ERHC")is an independent oil and gas company that reports as a development stage enterprise because there are currently no significant operations and no revenue has been generated from business activities.  ERHC was formed in 1986, as a Colorado corporation.   The Company’s current focus is to exploit its primary assets, which are rights to working interests in exploration acreage in the Republic of Chad ("Chad"), in the JDZ between the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe (“DRSTP”), in the Federal Republic of Nigeria (“FRN”) and in the exclusive waters of Sao Tome (the “Exclusive Economic Zone” or “EEZ”).  The Company has formed relationships with upstream oil and gas companies to assist the Company in exploiting its assets in the JDZ as further described in Note 4.  ERHC currently has no other operations.

Consolidated Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ERHC and its wholly owned subsidiaries, after elimination of all significant inter-company accounts and transactions.

Use of Estimates

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with US. generally accepted accounting principles. In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period for the years then ended. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Concentration of Risks

ERHC primarily transacts its business with four financial institutions. From time to time the amount on deposit in one or all of these institutions may exceed federal insurance limits.  The balances are maintained in demand accounts to minimize risk.

ERHC’s focus is to exploit its assets which are agreements with the Government of Chad concerning oil and gas exploration in Chad, with the DRSTP concerning oil and gas exploration in EEZ and with the JDA concerning oil and gas exploration in the JDZ.  ERHC has formed relationships with Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Corporation Nigeria (“Sinopec”), and Addax Energy Nigeria Limited (“Addax Ltd.”) to assist ERHC in leveraging its interests in the JDZ. ERHC currently has no other operations.

Cash Equivalents

ERHC considers all highly liquid short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents.

Marketable Securities

The Company’s Investment in United States Treasury Bills bears maturity dates in excess of three months, are treated as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost.

The Company's investment in common stock is carried at market value

Furniture, Fixtures and Equipments

Furniture, fixtures and equipment are stated at cost and include expenditures for renewals and improvements and capitalized interest. Maintenance and repairs are charged to current operations. When property is retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss on disposition is included in income. Depreciation is provided principally on the straight-line method over the estimated service lives of the assets. In general, office furniture is depreciated over 7 years, office equipment over 5 years and computer equipment over 3 years.
 
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Effective October 1, 2008, ERHC adopted new fair value measurements guidance for financial assets and financial liabilities. In adopting the guidance the Company delayed application of the fair value measurements for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, until October 1, 2009. The new guidance defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.

The new guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants. The new guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:
 
 
Level 1 Inputs—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.
 
 
Level 2 Inputs—Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatilities, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market data by correlation or other means.
 
 
Level 3 Inputs—Unobservable inputs for determining the fair values of assets or liabilities that reflect an entity's own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities.

Marketable securities  - ERHC obtains quoted market prices in identical markets to estimate the fair value of its US Treasury Bills and equity securities.

See Note 2 “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for further information.

The adoption of the new guidance did not significantly change the valuation techniques ERHC had previously utilized prior to its adoption. Financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, installments receivable, collateralized receivables, accounts payable and secured borrowings.

Successful Efforts

ERHC uses the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and gas producing activities.  Under this method, acquisition costs for proved and unproved properties are capitalized when incurred.  Exploration costs, including geological and geophysical costs, the costs of carrying and retaining unproved properties and exploratory dry hole drilling costs, are expensed.  Development costs, including the costs to drill and equip development wells and successful exploratory drilling costs to locate proved reserves are capitalized. Exploratory drilling costs are capitalized when incurred pending the determination of whether a well has found proved reserves.  A determination of whether a well has found proved reserves is made after drilling is completed. The determination is based on a process that relies on interpretations of available geologic, geophysics, and engineering data.  If a well is determined to be successful, the capitalized drilling costs will be reclassified as part of the cost of the well.  If a well is determined to be unsuccessful, the capitalized drilling costs will be charged to expense in the period the determination is made.  If an exploratory well requires a major capital expenditure before production can begin, the cost of drilling the exploratory well will continue to be carried as an asset pending determination of whether proved reserves have been found only as long as: i) the well has found a sufficient quantity of reserves to justify its completion as a producing well if the required capital expenditure is made and ii) drilling of the additional exploratory wells is under way or firmly planned for the near future.  If drilling in the area is not under way or firmly planned, or if the well has not found a commercially producible quantity of reserves, the exploratory well is assumed to be impaired, and its costs are charged to expense.

In the absence of a determination as to whether the reserves that have been found can be classified as proved, the costs of drilling such an exploratory well is not carried as an asset for more than one year following completion of drilling.  If, after that year has passed, a determination that proved reserves exist cannot be made, the well is assumed to be impaired, and its costs are charged to expense.  Its costs can, however, continue to be capitalized if sufficient quantities of reserves are discovered in the well to justify its completion as a producing well and sufficient progress is made in assessing the reserves and the well’s economic and operating feasibility.

The impairment of unamortized capital costs is measured at a lease level and is reduced to fair value if it is determined that the sum of expected future net cash flows is less than the net book value. ERHC determines if impairment has occurred through either adverse changes or as a result of the annual review of all fields.
 

Development costs of proved oil and gas properties, including estimated dismantlement, restoration and abandonment costs and acquisition costs, are depreciated and depleted on a field basis by the units-of-production method using proved developed and proved reserves, respectively. The costs of unproved oil and gas properties are generally combined and impaired over a period that is based on the average holding period for such properties and the Company’s experience of successful drilling.

Asset Retirement Obligation

ERHC’s asset retirement obligation relates to the plugging and abandonment of certain oil and gas properties in Wichita Falls, Texas. The provisions of ASC Topic 410, “ Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations ”require the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation to be recorded and a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the associated asset.  The cost of the tangible asset, including the initially recognized asset retirement cost is depleted over the useful life of the asset.  If the fair value of the estimated asset retirement obligation changes, an adjustment is recorded to the retirement obligation and the asset retirement cost. The offsetting ARO liability is recorded at fair value, and accretion expense recognized as the discounted liability is accreted to its expected settlement value.  The fair value of the ARO asset and liability is measured using expected future cash out flows discounted at the Company’s credit adjusted risk free interest rate. These oil and gas properties were abandoned and written off during the year ended September 30, 1999. During the year ended September 30, 2009, the Company settled its asset retirement obligation by paying $120,000, resulting in a gain of $365,000.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

ERHC evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets when events and circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired.  ERHC determines impairment by comparing the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by these assets to their respective carrying amounts.  Impairments are charged to operations in the period to which events and circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired.  ERHC has evaluated its investment in its DRSTP concession fee in light of its 2003 Option Agreement (see Note 4 and there have been no events or circumstances that would indicate that such asset might be impaired.

Income Taxes
 
Income taxes are accounted for under the assets and liability method.  Under this method, the deferred tax assets and liabilities are estimated based upon the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using tax rates in effect for the year in which the Company expects the differences to affect taxable income. The tax consequences of most events recognized in the current year’s financial statements are included in determining income taxes currently payable. However, because tax laws and financial accounting standards differ in their recognition and measurement of assets, liabilities, equity, revenues, expenses, gains and losses, differences arise between the amount of taxable income and pretax financial income for a year and between the tax bases of assets or liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. Because the Company assumes that the reported amounts of assets and liabilities will be recovered and settled, respectively, a difference between the tax basis of an asset or a liability and its reported amount in the balance sheet will result in a taxable or a deductible amount in some future years when the related liabilities are settled or the reported amounts of the assets are recovered, which gives rise to a deferred tax asset. The Company must then assess the likelihood that the deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and to the extent the Company believes that recovery is not likely, the Company must establish a valuation allowance.
 
The Company estimates the provision for income taxes based on income before income taxes for each tax jurisdiction in which the Company has established operations. The Company does not provide incremental U.S. income taxes on un-remitted foreign earnings taxed at rates less than the U.S. tax rates as such earnings are considered permanently invested.
 
On October 1, 2007, the Company adopted new FASB guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes which provides a financial statement recognition threshold and measurement attribute for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Under this guidance, the Company may recognize the 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. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The guidance also extends to de-recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, and income tax disclosures.
 

Net Loss Per Share

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares outstanding, after giving effect to potentially dilutive common share equivalents outstanding during the period.  Potentially dilutive common share equivalents are not included in the computation of diluted income (loss) per share if they are anti-dilutive.  Diluted loss per common share is the same as basic for all periods presented because the effect of potentially dilutive common shares arising from outstanding stock warrants and options was anti-dilutive For the years ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009, potential dilutive securities had an anti-dilutive effect and were not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per common share.

Stock-based Compensation

On October 1, 2005, ERHC began recording compensation expense associated with stock options and other forms of equity compensation in accordance with new fair value guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and interpreted by the SEC.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Following is an analysis of  recent accounting guidance issued by the Financial Accounting  Standards Board ("FASB") resulting in changes to the Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC):

FASB ASC 350 - In September 2011, the FASB issued guidance regarding assessing whether it is necessary to perform goodwill impairment tests on a recurring basis.  The guidance permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is “more likely than not” that the fair market value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amounts as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the goodwill impairment test.  The amended guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted, including annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed as of dates before September 15, 2011, if an entity’s financial statements for the most recent annual or interim period have not yet been issued.  ERHC has adopted this guidance it had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
FASB ASC 220 - In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance to amend the presentation of comprehensive income to allow an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. The guidance eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity.  The amended guidance is effective for annual and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2011, and is to be applied retrospectively. ERHC adopted this guidance in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011 and adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC 820 - In May 2011, the FASB issued guidance to amend the requirements related to fair value measurement which changes the wording used to describe many requirements in GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. Additionally, the amendments clarify the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value measurement requirements. The amended guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and is applied prospectively. ERHC will adopt this guidance at the beginning of its first quarter of fiscal year 2012 and its adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the its consolidated financial statements.
 
FASB ASC 350 - In December 2010, the FASB issued amended guidance concerning testing for impairment of goodwill where an entity has one or more reporting units whose carrying value is zero or negative.  The amended guidance requires the entity to perform a test to measure the amount, if any, of impairment to goodwill by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill.  The Company is required to adopt this amended guidance for fiscal years or interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  The Company will adopt this guidance at the beginning of its first quarter of fiscal year 2012 but its adoption will have no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures to those financial statements.

FASB ASC 805 - In December 2010, the FASB issued amended guidance concerning disclosures of pro forma information for business combinations.  The amended guidance requires that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period. The amended guidance also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of and the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings.   ERHC will adopt this guidance at the beginning of its first quarter of fiscal year 2012 and does not expect that adoption of the amended guidance will have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures to those financial statements.
 
 
Note 2 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following table summarizes financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2011 and 2010, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:

September 30, 2011

 
Quoted Prices
                   
 
In an Active
 
Significant Other
 
Significant
       
 
Market for
 
Observable
 
Unobservable
       
 
Identical Assets
 
Inputs
 
Inputs
       
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
                         
                         
United States Treasury     bills
  $ 5,007,446     $ -     $ -     $ 5,007,446  
                                 
Marketable equity    securities - Exile Resources
    524,346       -       -       524,346  
                                 
Restricted certificate of  deposit
    131,000       -       -       131,000  
                                 
    $ 5,662,792     $ -     $ -     $ 5,662,792  

 September 30, 2010

 
Quoted Prices
                   
 
In an Active
 
Significant Other
 
Significant
       
 
Market for
 
Observable
 
Unobservable
       
 
Identical Assets
 
Inputs
 
Inputs
       
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
                         
                         
United States Treasury Bills
  $ 5,000,958     $ -     $ -     $ 5,000,958  
                                 
    $ 5,000,958     $ -     $ -     $ 5,000,958  

Changes in Level 3 Assets

The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Plan’s level 3 assets for the years ended September 30, 2011 2010 and 2009:

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
                   
Balance at beginning of year
  $ -     $ 1,058,879     $ 5,292,896  
Write down to estimated fair value
    -       (1,058,879 )     (4,234,317 )
                         
Balance at end of year
  $ -     $ -     $ 1,058,579  

During the years ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company recognized losses on certificates of deposit of $-0-, $1,058,579 and $4,234,217 to record the certificates at their estimated net realizable basis, based on the fact that certain restrictions were placed on the investment and a receiver was appointed to take over the institution.
 
 
Note 3 – Revision to Financial Statements

ERHC revised its financial statements to report as a development stage company for the year ended September 30, 2006 and subsequent periods.  Accordingly, the statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows include inception to date amounts.  The consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity of the Company for the years ended from inception (September 5, 1995) through September 30, 1998 were audited by other auditors who are no longer members of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB") and whose reports for each of the years ended from inception (September 5, 1995) through September 30, 1998 expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements. Because the other auditors were no longer members of the PCAOB, the inception to date amounts shown in the accompanying statements of operations and statement of cash flows are considered unaudited.
 
Note 4 –  Oil and Gas Concessions

Following is an analysis of the cost of oil and gas concessions at December 31, 2011 and 2010:

   
2011
   
2010
 
             
DRSTP concession
  $ 2,839,500     $ 2,839,500  
Chad concession
    1,760,000       -  
Pending Concessions in Other African Countries
    21,031       -  
              -  
                 
    $ 4,620,531     $ 2,839,500  

Republic of Chad Concession Fees and Other Financial Commitments

On June 30, 2011, ERHC entered into a production sharing contract ("PSC") with Chad for certain onshore hydrocarbon exploration and development. Under terms of the PSC as sealed by the Approval Law  issued subsequently, a total signature bonus of $40 million is payable by ERHC out of which $6,000,000 is payable early in the contract term and the balance payable out of production, if any, from the Blocks which are subject to the PSC).

As of September 30, 2011, the Company has paid or incurred:
 
a.
$1,000,000 out of the initial signature bonus commitment (leaving a balance of $5,000,000 to be completed within 90 days of the  later of [i] the publication of Approval Law in the Journel Officiel, an official publication of the Government of Chad or [ii] the notification to ERHC of the Order of Award of an Exclusive Exploration Authorization, neither of which has occurred as of the date hereof)
 
b.
$480,000 as legal fees and costs for the drafting and negotiation of the PSC, as provided for in the PSC
 
c.
$280,000 in advisers’ and ancillary costs related to the PSC

ERHC is also committed under the PSC to spend at least $15,000,000 over the first five years on a minimum work program and at least an additional $1,000,000 over a further period of up to three years.

Sao Tome Concession

In April 2003, the Company and the DRSTP entered into an Option Agreement (the “2003 Option Agreement”) in which the Company relinquished certain financial interests in the JDZ in exchange for exploration rights in the JDZ.  The Company additionally entered into an administration agreement with the Nigeria-Sao Tome and Principe JDA.  The administration agreement is the formal agreement by the JDA that it will fully implement ERHC’s preferential rights to working interests in the JDZ acreage as set forth in the 2003 Option Agreement and describes certain procedures regarding the exercising of these rights.  However, ERHC retained under a previous agreement the following rights to participate in exploration and production activities in the EEZ subject to certain restrictions:  (a) the right to receive 100% working interest signature free bonus of two blocks of ERHC’s choice and (b) the option to acquire up to a 15% paid working interest in up to two additional blocks of ERHC’s choice in the EEZ.  The Company would be responsible for its proportionate share of exploration and exploitation costs in the EEZ blocks.

The following represents ERHC’s current rights in the JDZ blocks:
 
 
JDZ Block
 
ERHC Original
Participating Interest
 
ERHC Joint Bid
Participating Interest
 
Participating
Interest(s) Sold
 
Current ERHC
Retained Participating
Interest
   Remaining Cost Allocated to Blocks
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
2
 
30.00%
 
35.00%
 
43.00%
 
22.00%
  $ -
3
 
20.00%
 
5.00%
 
15.00%
 
10.00%
    -
4
 
25.00%
 
35.00%
 
40.50%
 
19.50%
    -
5
 
15.00%
 
 -
 
 -
 
15.00% (in arbitration)
    567,900
6
 
15.00%
 
 -
 
 -
 
15.00% (in arbitration)
    567,900
9
 
20.00%
 
 -
 
 -
 
20.00%
    567,900

EEZ Block
 
ERHC Original Participating Interest
 
ERHC Joint Bid Participating Interest
 
Participating Interest(s) Sold
 
Current ERHC Retained Participating Interest
 
Remaining Cost Allocated to Blocks
4
 
100%
 
-
 
-
 
100%
 
$567,900
11
 
100%
 
-
 
-
 
100%
 
567,900
  
The Original Participating Interest is the interest granted pursuant to the Option Agreement, dated April 2, 2003, between DRSTP and ERHC (the “2003 Option Agreement”).
 

Under the terms each of the Participation Agreements Sinopec and Addax agreed to pay all of ERHC’s future costs for petroleum operations (“the carried costs”) in respect of ERHC's retained interests in JDZ blocks 2,3 and 4. Additionally, Sinopec and Addax are entitled to 100% of ERHC’s allocation of cost oil plus up to 50% of ERHC’s allocation of profit oil from the retained interests on individual blocks until Sinopec and Addax Sub recover 100% of ERHC’s carried costs.

The remaining $2,839,500 of cost related to the DRSTP concession, as shown on the Company's balance sheet at September 30, 2011 and 2010, relate to blocks 5, 6 and 9 of the JDZ, and the Company's EEZ blocks on which Production Sharing Contracts are yet to be signed.

Note 5 – Convertible Debt

At September 30, 2010 ERHC had $33,513 of nonaffiliated convertible debt and $12,406 of accrued but unpaid interest outstanding, respectively.  At September 30, 2010, this note was in default. During 2011, ERHC settled this note and the related accrued interest and recognized a gain on the extinguishment of debt of $12,868.

Note 6 – Income Taxes

At September 30, 2011, ERHC had a consolidated net operating loss carry-forward (“NOL”) of approximately $18,932,000.

The composition of deferred tax assets and the related tax effects at September 30, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Net operating losses
  $ 6,436,795     $ 4,843,169  
Income tax receivable
    2,018,398       2,018,398  
Allowance for loss on deposits
    1,799,584       1,799,584  
Other
    69,256       (280,940 )
                 
Total deferred tax assets
    10,324,033       8,380,211  
Valuation allowance
    (8,305,635 )     (6,361,813 )
                 
Net deferred tax asset
  $ 2,018,398     $ 2,018,398  
 
 
The $2,018,398 deferred tax asset at September 30, 2011 and 2010 represents a pending tax refund due of overpayment made in the 2006 tax return.

The difference between the income tax benefit (provision) in the accompanying statement of operations and the amount that would result if the U.S. Federal statutory rate of 34% were applied to pre-tax income (loss) for years ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009, is as follows:
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
                   
Income tax benefit at federal statutory rate
  $ 1,499,566     $ 2,118,476     $ 2,597,254  
Change in valuation allowance
    (1,538,602 )     (509,919 )     (2,575,272 )
Expiration and adjustment of NOLs
    89,382       (1,466,419 )     -  
Stock compensation
    (45,327 )     (90,841 )     -  
Consultants stock option expense
            -       -  
State income tax
            -       -  
Penalties
            -       (11,982 )
Other
    (5,019 )     (51,297 )     (10,000 )
                         
    $ -     $ -     $ -  

In preparing the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the Company assesses the likelihood that its deferred tax assets will be realized from future taxable income. The Company establishes a valuation allowance if it determines that it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Changes in the valuation allowance, when recorded, would be included in its consolidated statements of operations as a provision for (benefit from) income taxes. The Company exercise significant judgment in determining its provisions for income taxes, its deferred tax assets and liabilities and its future taxable income for purposes of assessing its ability to utilize any future tax benefit from its deferred tax assets. During 2011, the Company assessed the need for a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. The deferred tax asset valuation allowance was $8,305,635 as of September 30, 2011. The valuation allowance relates primarily to the net operating losses and various expense deductions for which a tax benefit is currently unavailable.

At September 30, 2011, the Company has Federal net operating loss carry forward of approximately $18,932,000. The federal loss carry forward expires on various dates through 2030.

Uncertainty in Tax Positions

On October 1, 2007, the Company adopted the guidance related to accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, which provides a financial statement recognition threshold and measurement attribute for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Under ASC 740, the Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. ASC 740 also provides guidance on de-recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, and income tax disclosures.

The Company is subject to taxation in the United States and various foreign jurisdictions. The Company’s tax years for 2006 through 2011 are subject to examination by the tax authorities. The Company is currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service for the 2006 tax year.
 
Note 7 – Shareholders’ Equity

Common Stock Issued for Services:

During the years ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009, ERHC issued 16,485,285, shares of common stock for payment of director and employee services, to third parties for payment of fees and for issuances under private placements as follows:

Year ended September 30, 2011 issuances

 
(i)
9,090,910 shares for net cash proceeds of $1,821,500 under a private placement.

 
 
(ii)
525,000 shares were granted to director for 2011 service, but unissued at September 30, 2011, with related compensation expense of $47,250 recognized based on the market price of the stock on the grant date. Additional expense of $86,064 relating to previously unrecognized share-based compensation (grants from prior years) was recorded during the year ended September 30, 2011

Year ended September 30, 2010 issuances

 
(iii)
237,500 shares for 2010 employee services rendered and fair value of $46,381 was recorded by the Company in 2010 as of September 30, 2010, unamortized compensation cost for these shares amounted to $110,369.
 
 
(iv)
780,000 shares to Directors for 2010 services rendered and the fair value of $220,800 was recorded by the Company.

 
(v)
5,250,000 shares issued to Feltang International, Inc. as settlement of the unpaid success fees (see Note 5)

Year ended September 30, 2009 issuances

 
(vi)
315,000 shares to Directors for 2009 services rendered and the fair value of $226,800 was recorded by the Company.

 
(vii)
240,000 shares to Directors for 2005 services rendered (these shares were issued in the second quarter of 2009).

 
(viii)
46,875 shares to company non-management staff for 2009 services rendered and the fair value of $33,755 was recorded by the Company.

Stock Warrants

During the years ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009, a total of 2,620,000 warrants expired unexercised as shown in the table below. These warrants and options had an exercise price of $0.36 per share.  At September 30, 2011, 6,500,000 warrants remain outstanding with an exercise price of $0.355 per share and expiring on August 2, 2014, indicating a remaining life of 2.8 years.

Stock Warrants Summary

Information regarding warrant,, their respective changes and their weighted average exercise prices as of and for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:

         
Weighted
   
Market Price
 
         
Average
   
Intrinsic
 
Description
 
Warrants
   
Exercise Price
   
Value
 
                   
Balance at September 30, 2008
    9,120,000     $ 0.36     $ -  
                         
Granted
    -                  
Exercised
    -                  
Expired or cancelled
    (2,620,000 )     0.36       -  
                         
Balance at September 30, 2009
    6,500,000       0.36       -  
                         
Granted
    -                  
Exercised
    -                  
Expired or cancelled
    -                  
                         
Balance at September 30, 2010
    6,500,000       0.36       -  
                         
Granted
    7,277,729       0.28          
Exercised
    -                  
Expired or cancelled
    -                  
                         
Balance at September 30, 2011
    13,777,729       0.32       -  

There was no unrecognized compensation cost for the above warrants as of September 30, 2011 and 2010.
 
 
Note 8 – Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Proceedings

JDZ Blocks 5 and 6

Lawsuit
On November 3, 2008, the Company filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Nigeria to prevent any tampering with its rights in JDZ Blocks 5 and 6 pending the outcome of arbitration over the said rights. The suit comes after the JDA and Joint Ministerial Council (“JMC”) of the Nigeria-São Tomé and Príncipe JDZ failed to give a satisfactory response to the Company’s letters seeking clarification on the Company’s rights in JDZ Blocks 5 and 6 following media reports stating that the JMC had approved of the Company’s removal from the Blocks.

The Company was awarded a 15 percent working interest in each of the Blocks in a 2004/5 bid/licensing round conducted by the JDA following the exercise by ERHC of preferential rights in the Blocks as guaranteed by contract and treaty.  The dispute is entirely contractual. The JDA and the Government of STP contend that certain correspondence issued by a previous CEO/President of the Company in 2006 amount to a relinquishment of the Company’s rights in Blocks 5 and 6 under the Company’s contracts with STP which provide for the rights.  The Company contends that no such relinquishment has occurred and has sought recourse to arbitration accordingly.

Arbitration
In November 2008, the Company dispatched notices of arbitration for service on the JDA and the Governments of Nigeria and São Tomé & Príncipe to commence arbitration in London. ERHC wants the London Court of International Arbitration to clarify that ERHC's interests in JDZ Blocks 5 and 6 remain intact.

Suspension of Proceedings on the Lawsuit and Arbitration
Proceedings on the suit and the arbitration  are currently suspended while the Company pursues amicable settlement with the Governments of Nigeria and São Tomé Príncipe.

São Tomé Claim

Mr. Angelo de Jesus Bomfim, a São Tomé licensed attorney is claiming against ERHC the sum of twenty six thousand ($26,000) U.S. dollars plus interest. The claim stems from an alleged retainer owed to Mr. Bomfim by the Company under an alleged retainer agreement entered into in 1998 between the Company and Mr. Bomfim, and alleged retainer services rendered thereafter between 1998 and 1999. On November 14, 2011, lawyers handling the claim on behalf of the Company negotiated a $16,000 settlement, without admission of liability by ERHC, on the matter..

Backup Withholding Tax Claim by the Internal Revenue Service

On November 17, 2011, the Company received a proposed settlement from the IRS relating to backup withholding tax in its 2006 tax year in the amount of $60,505. The settlement includes additional taxes of $47,776 and interest of $12,729. The Company will consider the additional taxes in a carryback claim due to losses incurred subsequent to 2006.

Routine Claims

From time to time, ERHC may be subject to routine litigation, claims, or disputes in the ordinary course of business.  ERHC intends to defend these matters vigorously; the Company cannot predict with certainty, however, the outcome or effect of any of the litigation or investigatory matters specifically described above or any other pending litigation or claims.  There can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcome of these lawsuits and investigations.
 
Operating Lease

ERHC leases office space at 5444 Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas.  The lease for office space expires December 2011.  On July 12, 2011, the Company entered into a new lease agreement with monthly base rent payment of $9,825 for approximately 5,200 square feet.  During the years ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009, ERHC incurred lease expenses of $121,537, 107,040, and $104,330, respectively.  The future remaining annual minimum lease payments under this lease are as follows:
 

1  
Year Ended
       
   
September 30,
   
Amount
 
               
   
2012
   
$
51,132
 
   
2013
     
123,805
 
   
2014
     
126,416
 
   
2015
     
129,027
 
   
2016
     
131,638
 
   
2017
     
110,968
 
               
         
$
672,986
 

Commitment Related to Chad Concession

At September 30, 2011, ERHC has entered into various commitments related to its Chad concession as described in note 4.

Note 9 – Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

For the Year Ended September 30, 2011
 
 
 
First Quarter
 
 
Second Quarter
 
 
Third Quarter
 
 
Fourth Quarter
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative expenses
 
$
1,229,066
 
 
$
1,034,043
 
 
$
893,740
 
 
$
1,288,475
 
Interest expense
 
 
461
 
 
 
459
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
12.731
 
Other income
 
 
4,975
 
 
 
4,804
 
 
 
16,923
 
 
 
1,786
 
Benefit (provision) for income tax
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
 
 
(1,224,552
)
 
 
(1,029,698
)
 
 
(876,817
)
 
 
(1,279,420
Basic and diluted earnings per share
 
 
(0.00
)
 
 
(0.00
)
 
 
(0.00
)
 
 
(0.00
)

For the Year Ended September 30, 2010
 
 
 
First Quarter
 
 
Second Quarter
 
 
Third Quarter
 
 
Fourth Quarter
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative expenses
 
$
819,135
 
 
 $
1,258,552
 
 
 $
1,442,318
 
 
 $
1,668,490
 
Interest expense
 
 
461
 
 
 
460
 
 
 
462
 
 
 
460
 
Other income
 
 
228
 
 
 
161
 
 
 
88
 
 
 
17,629
 
Provision for loss on deposits
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
(1,058,579
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
 
 
(819,368
)
 
 
(1,258,851
)
 
 
(1,442,692
)
 
 
(2,709,900
)
Basic and diluted earnings per share
 
 
(0.00
)
 
 
(0.00
)
 
 
(0.00
)
 
 
(0.01
)

For the Year Ended September 30, 2009
 
 
 
First Quarter
 
 
Second Quarter
 
 
Third Quarter
 
 
Fourth Quarter
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative expenses
 
$
710,181
 
 
$
934,714
 
 
$
1,270,463
 
 
$
1,324,348
 
Interest expense
 
 
461
 
 
 
461
 
 
 
461
 
 
 
460
 
Other income
 
 
281,535
 
 
 
130,640
 
 
 
8,339
 
 
 
366,215
 
Provision for loss on deposits
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
(2,117,158
)
 
 
(2,117,159
)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
 
 
(429,107
)
 
 
(804,535
)
 
 
(3,379,743
)
 
 
(3,075,752
)
Basic and diluted earnings per share
 
 
(0.00
)
 
 
(0.00
)
 
 
(0.00
)
 
 
(0.01
)

The sum of the individual quarterly basic and diluted loss per share amounts may not agree with year-to-date basis and diluted loss per share amounts as a result of each period’s computation being based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during that period.
 

Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures

None.

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We have established disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to ERHC Energy, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the officers who certify ERHC’s financial reports and to other members of senior management and the Board of Directors.
 
Based on their evaluation, ERHC’s principal executive and principal financial officers have concluded that ERHC’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) were effective as of September 30, 2011 to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by ERHC in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms. Our officers also concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
Management of ERHC is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act). ERHC’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.
 
Management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of ERHC’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2011. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control — Integrated Framework. Based on this evaluation, management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that, as of September 30, 2011, ERHC’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.

The effectiveness of ERHC’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2011 has been audited by Malone & Bailey PC,  an independent registered public accounting firm who audited ERHC’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended September 30, 2011, as stated in their report, which is included under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There were no changes in ERHCs internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended September 30, 2011, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, ERHC’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Item 9B.  Other Information
 
None.
 
 
PART III

Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant; and Corporate Governance

The following are the Directors and Principal Executive Officer of the Company as of   November 30, 2011:
 
Name
 
Age
 
Position
 
 
 
 
 
Howard Jeter
 
65
 
Director
Andrew Uzoigwe
 
69
 
Director
Mr. Friday Oviawe
 
50
 
Director
Leslie Blair
 
58
 
Director
Peter C. Ntephe
 
45
 
Director, President and Chief Executive  Officer

Ambassador (rtd.) Howard F. Jeter

Ambassador Jeter is the former President and CEO of the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation. He has also served as Executive Vice President of GoodWorks International, LLC, an international consulting firm focused on business facilitation and investment promotion for Africa and the Caribbean. A former career diplomat, Ambassador Jeter served for 27 years in the American Foreign Service and retired from the U.S. State Department with the rank of Career Minister.  Ambassador Jeter was U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, to the Republic of Botswana, and also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Director of West African Affairs, and Special Presidential Envoy to Liberia.  Other diplomatic postings held by Ambassador Jeter include those in Namibia, Lesotho, Tanzania, and Mozambique. Ambassador Jeter holds a BA in Political Science from Morehouse College, a MA in International Relations and Comparative Politics from Columbia University, and a MA in African Studies from UCLA. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the American Foreign Service Association, and the Council on Foreign Relations. Ambassador Jeter is a former Chairman of the U.S. Export-Import Bank’s Advisory Committee on Africa and a member of the Board of Directors of Africare.  For the past two years, Ambassador Jeter has served as Chair of the Selection Panel for the Rangel Fellowship Program, a collaborative program administered by the State Department and Howard University.  Ambassador Jeter has received numerous awards and recognition for his work and service, including a Presidential Meritorious Award, State Department Superior Honor Awards, Senior Foreign Service Performance Awards, the Rainbow/Push Coalition International Peace and Justice Award, and the prestigious Bennie Trailblazer Award from Morehouse College.

Andrew Uzoigwe, Ph. D

 Dr. Uzoigwe retired from Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (“NNPC”), in 2002, where he served as the Group Executive Director (Exploration & Production), from 1999 until 2002.  Prior to that position he served as Managing Director of NNPC’s subsidiary companies, Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company and Eleme Petrochemicals Company Ltd.  During his long tenure at NNPC, Dr. Uzoigwe also held several senior technical and management positions including Chief Engineer and Project Coordinator (Petrochemicals), and Group General Manager (R&D Division), prior to becoming a Managing Director of NNPC’s subsidiary companies.  He started his career with Dow Chemical Company where he held various senior positions in its Walnut Creek Research Center and in its Specialty Chemicals Facility in Pittsburg, California. Dr. Uzoigwe has also served on the Governing Boards of the Raw Material Research and Development Council and the   National Emergency Management Agency. Dr. Uzoigwe is a Registered Professional Mechanical Engineer and a Registered Professional Chemical Engineer in the State of California. He is a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers and a Fellow of the Polymer Institute of Nigeria. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from the University of California at Berkeley. He also holds a MS and a Doctorate in Petroleum/Chemical Engineering from Stanford University California.
 
 
Leslie Blair

Mr. Leslie Blair has over 35 years of upstream oil and gas industry experience principally in Asia and West Africa.  From 1998 he was with  the Addax Petroleum Corporation where he  held several senior management positions including Managing Director, Middle East (based in Dubai), General Manager, Taq Taq Operating Company  (based in Kurdistan, Iraq), and Executive Director Business Development (based in Nigeria). Mr. Blair played a big part in building Addax Petroleum into the largest independent oil company in Nigeria with production rising from 8,000 bopd to over 120,000 bopd in ten years.  He was also instrumental in Addax Petroleum’s acquisition of interests in the Nigeria-Sao Tome and Principe Joint Development Zone as well as other interests in OPL 291 and the Okwok Field in Nigeria.  Addax Petroleum was recently acquired by the Sinopec Group and Mr. Blair resigned his position in January 2010.  Prior to joining Addax Petroleum, Mr. Blair was General Manager/Commercial Manager, Hardy Oil and Gas Company in India from 1996 to 1998. Prior to that he was based in Vietnam from 1989 to 1996 initially with Enterprise Oil plc, a major independent oil company based in Ho Chi Minh City, as Finance Manager and latterly as General Manager, British Gas Exploration and Production where he directed the upstream activities and together with a downstream British Gas/BP team produced the first National Gas Master Plan which was subsequently adopted by the Vietnamese Government.   Mr. Blair is a fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants and he has a Master of Arts Degree in Economics and Finance from Aberdeen University, Scotland.  Since May 1, 2010, Mr. Blair has been a director and the Chief Executive Officer of Eland Oil and Gas Limited, a start-up E&P Company, based in Nigeria.

Friday Oviawe, CPA

Mr. Friday Oviawe is the Managing Partner/CEO of Jackson Friday CPA, LLC (“the Firm”). He has over 25 years of professional audit and accounting experience. The Firm is involved in providing tax, audit and accounting services to small and medium-sized companies.  Prior to establishing the Firm, Mr. Oviawe worked at BDO, Seidman, LLP as a Senior Audit Manager in General Audit Services. Before joining BDO Seidman, Friday Oviawe was a Manager in the New York office of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP where he provided audit and business advisory services to middle market companies in both the private and public sectors and not-for-profit organizations including A-133 Audits. Before joining McGladrey & Pullen, Mr. Oviawe spent over six years with Mitchell & Titus, LLP.  At Mitchell & Titus, he provided audit and business advisory services to fortune 500 companies as well as small and medium-sized companies.  Mr. Oviawe is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Mr. Oviawe is a Chartered Accountant as well as a Chartered Banker.  In addition, he holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Finance from University of Nigeria, Nsukka and University of Lagos, Nigeria, respectively.

Peter Ntephe

Mr. Peter Ntephe was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of ERHC Energy in April 2010. He had been the Chief Operating Officer and acting Chief Executive Officer since 2008. Mr. Ntephe has been involved in fundamental aspects of the Company's executive management since 2001, having joined initially as Corporate Secretary.  His roles have included key participation in the negotiation, securing and maintenance of the Company's oil and gas interests in Chad and the Gulf of Guinea.  As Chief Executive Officer, he oversees the executive management of ERHC Energy and its subsidiaries.  He is responsible for ensuring that the group's strategic objectives are met.  Mr. Ntephe has had a career spanning over 22 years, in the public and private sectors. Mr. Ntephe has a Master of Science degree from the University of Oxford. He also has three degrees in law (including one with a specialization in regulatory issues from the University of London) and a degree in management from Brunel University, London.   Mr. Ntephe has taught Business Law as part of adjunct faculty in the Business School of the American Intercontinental University, London.  .

Mr. Ntephe, like all officers, serves at the discretion of the Board of Directors, subject to contract.  There are no family relationships between or among any Executive Officers and Directors.  There are no arrangements or understandings between any Executive Officer or Director and any other person pursuant to which he was or is to be selected as an Executive Officer or Director.

Our Other Executive Officers

David Bovell, Vice President - Corporate Development - David A. Bovell 54, has held the position of Vice President - Corporate Development since May 2008. Prior to joining the ERHC and since 1993, Mr. Bovell served as a Managing Director for Green Corporate Finance Ltd, in the United Kingdom. Green Corporate Finance is an independent company advising small and medium sized companies on corporate finance, strategy and restructuring, including listing on stock exchanges. Mr. Bovell has a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics & Financial Management from the University of Cape Town. He is a Certified institute of Chartered Accountants (South Africa), and a member of UK Institute of Chartered Management Accountants.
 

Sylvan Odobulu, Financial Controller and Principal Accounting Officer - Sylvan Odobulu 51, is the Financial Officer/Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of ERHC. He directs the daily operation of ERHC’s finance function, including treasury, budgeting, auditing, tax, accounting, capital purchasing, investor relations, forecasting and insurance activities. In this capacity, Mr. Odobulu is responsible for regulatory and disclosure issues including preparation of financial statements and other requisite disclosure documents, accounting, payroll, tax and audit matters, including liaison with external auditors, maintenance of financial controls, liaison with various governmental and regulatory agencies, as well as procurement and logistics. Mr. Odobulu provides counsel to ERHC’s President & CEO relating to financial and tax considerations and develops long-range strategies to establish and maintain the Company’s financial self-sufficiency, establishes ERHC’s accounting systems and procedures to ensure they are up-to-date and in compliance with all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, and provides advice and review for compliance with appropriate statutory and regulatory requirements.  Additionally, Mr. Odobulu prepares and issues quarterly and annual audited financial statements and reports. Prior to joining ERHC and since 1999, Mr. Odobulu was employed by Ernst and Young LLP, serving in various capacities, most recently as an Accounting Supervisor. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Texas, majoring in Accounting.

Compensation of Directors

The Company's Directors’ compensation program is designed to enhance the Company's ability to attract and retain highly qualified Directors and to align their interests with the long-term interests of the Company's shareholders. The program consists of both a cash component, designed to compensate independent Directors for their service on the Board and its Committees, and an equity component, designed to align the interests of independent Directors and shareholders.

The number of stock awards granted to each director during years prior to the 2011 fiscal year was determined by reference to the awards in an equal amount that would yield thirty to fifty percent of total compensation of each director.  Stock awards in 2011 were consistent in number of shares with 2010 and yielded reduced compensation based on a reduction in the Company's share price. In 2010 and 2009, based on the recommendations of Compensation Committee, the Company increased total compensations for Directors for serving on the Board. Stock awards to Directors are restricted shares under Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, but they include no conditions for vesting.

Cash Compensation - During 2011, the basic annual cash retainer paid to each Director (other than the Board Chairman) was $20,000.   Each Board member is paid a meeting fee of $1,500 per Board meeting attended.

The Chairman of the Audit Committee is paid an annual retainer of $10,000.  The Chairman of the Compensation Committee is paid an annual retainer of $ 5,000.  The Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committee is paid an annual retainer of $5,000.  Each member of the Audit Committee is paid an annual retainer of $3,125.  Each member of the Compensation Committee is paid an annual retainer of $2,500.  Each member of the Governance and Nominating Committee is paid an annual retainer of $2,500.  In addition, each member of a Committee is paid a meeting fee of $1,500 per Committee meeting attended.

The following table sets forth information concerning total director compensation during the 2011 fiscal year for each non-employee director:
 
Name
 
Fees Earned
or Paid in
 Cash
 
Stock Awards
 (1)
 
Option
Awards (2)
 
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
 
Change in
Pension Value
and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings
 
All Other Compensation
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Howard Jeter
 
$
49,750
 
 
$
9,450
 
 
$
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
-
 
 
$
59,200
 
Andrew Uzoigwe
 
 
51,250
 
 
 
9,450
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
60,700
 
Leslie Blair
 
 
53,750
 
 
 
9,450
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
63,200
 
Friday Oviawe
 
 
53,500
 
 
 
9,450
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
62,950
 

 
 
(1)
The amounts included in the “Stock Awards” column represent the compensation cost recognized by the Company in 2011 related to non-option awards to directors, computed in accordance with ASC 718. As of September 30, 2011, no non-employee directors had any aggregate outstanding deferred shares. The number of shares underlying stock awards to directors during fiscal 2011 were as follows: Howard Jeter - 105,000 shares, Andrew Uzoigwe -105,000 shares, Leslie Blair - 105,000 and Friday Oviawe - 105,000 shares.  The disclosure relates solely to grants of restricted stock (Under Rule 144) in 2010. Certain of the shares awarded to directors in 2011 have not been issued.

 
(2)
The amounts included in the “Option Awards” column represent the compensation cost recognized by the Company in related to stock option awards to directors, computed in accordance with ASC 718. There were no stock option awards to directors in 2011.

No table of the grant date fair value of stock option and deferred share awards made to each non-employee director has been included because no stock option or deferred share awards occurred during 2011.

It is expected that the directors will receive compensation in fiscal 2012.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s Directors and Executive Officers, and persons who own beneficially more than ten percent (10%) of the common stock, to file reports of ownership and changes of ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Copies of all filed reports are required to be furnished to the Company.  Based solely on the reports received and the representations of the reporting person, the Company believes that these persons have complied with all applicable filing requirements during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011.

Corporate Governance

The Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Ethics to govern the conduct of all of the Officers, Directors and employees of the Company.  In addition, the Board has adopted Charters for its Governance and Nominating Committee, Audit Committee and Compensation Committee.  The Code of Ethics and Committee Charters, along with ERHC’s FCPA Policy and Whistleblower Protection Policy, can be accessed on the Company’s website www.erhc.com

Director Independence

The Company’s Board of Directors is required to have a majority of independent directors and has adopted director independence guidelines based upon and as defined in the NASDAQ listing standards. The Company is not listed on NASDAQ and is not subject to the rules of NASDAQ but applies the rules established by NASDAQ to establish director independence.  The Company’s Board of Directors periodically analyzes the independence of each director and has determined that the following directors meet the standards of independence under our Corporate Governance Guidelines and director independence guidelines, including that each member is free of any relationship that would interfere with his or her individual exercise of independent judgment: Messrs.  Jeter, Uzoigwe, Blair and Oviawe. No Director is deemed independent unless the Board affirmatively established his/her independence.

Audit Committee

The Company’s Audit Committee is constituted of Messrs. Oviawe (Chair), Jeter, Uzoigwe, and Blair.  The ultimate responsibility for good corporate governance rests with the Board, whose primary role is oversight, counseling and direction to the Company's management in the best long-term interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Audit Committee, in accordance with its charter, has been established for the purpose of overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company and audits of the Company's annual financial statements. As described more fully in its charter, the purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board in its general oversight of the Company's financial reporting, internal controls and audit functions.  Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Company's financial statements; establishing and applying accounting and financial reporting principles; designing and implementing systems of internal controls; and establishing procedures designed to reasonably assure compliance with accounting standards, applicable laws and regulations. The Company's independent auditing firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. In accordance with law, the Audit Committee has ultimate authority and responsibility to select, compensate, evaluate and, when appropriate, replace the Company's independent auditors. The Audit Committee has the authority to engage its own outside advisers, including experts in particular areas of accounting, as it determines appropriate, apart from counsel or advisers hired by management. All of the members of the Audit Committee meet the independence and experience requirements of the SEC. The Board of Directors determined that Mr. Oviawe qualifies as an “Audit Committee Financial Expert” as defined by the SEC.
 

The Audit Committee members are not professional accountants or auditors, and their functions are not intended to duplicate or to certify the activities of management and the independent auditors, nor can the Audit Committee certify that the independent auditors are “independent” under applicable rules. The Audit Committee serves a Board-level oversight role, in which it provides advice, counsel and direction to management and the auditors on the basis of the information it receives, discussions with management and the auditors, and the experience of the Audit Committee's members in business, financial and accounting matters. Stockholders should understand that the designation of “an Audit Committee Financial Expert” is an SEC disclosure requirement related to Mr. Oviawe’s experience and understanding with respect to certain accounting and auditing matters.  The designation does not impose on Mr. Oviawe any duties, obligations or liability greater than generally imposed on them as members of the Audit Committee and the Board, and this designation as an Audit Committee Financial Expert pursuant to this SEC requirement does not affect the duties, obligations or liability of any other member of the Audit Committee or the Board.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

The following discussion and analysis of compensation arrangements of our named executive officers should be read together with the compensation tables and related disclosures set forth below. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on our current plans, as well as considerations, expectations and determinations regarding future compensation programs. Actual compensation programs that we adopt may differ materially from currently planned programs as summarized in this discussion.

Overview

ERHC’s current business activity is to exploit its assets, which are rights to working interests in exploration acreage in the Republic of Chad, in the JDZ between the DRSTP, in the FRN and in EEZ.   Our current business plan is based on attracting and retaining a limited group of highly qualified professionals. ERHC and its subsidiaries had 8 employees at September 30, 2011.

At this time in our development, it is critical to retain and motivate our current employees, as well as attract new talented personnel to the Company, in order to continue to work on the implementation of our business plan. The Company offers a competitive compensation and benefits package to enable us to recruit new employees and retain our current employees. The same benefits are generally available to each of our employees regardless of position.

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

Our executive compensation program and objectives are based on our need to attract and retain executives with the talent and experience necessary for ERHC to achieve its goal of fully developing its assets. ERHC competes with large energy companies that have substantially greater resources.  Therefore, the Company must provide a total compensation package that is sufficiently competitive to attract and retain the required executive personnel. In determining a total compensation package, the Company does not rely on benchmarking to determine total compensation or any material element of compensation. Because we are a developing company, we sometimes use a combination of equity and cash as a compensation incentive. Our compensation and benefits include:
 
a base salary rate typically targeted at a level that is competitive in our market as determined by the Compensation Committee,
 
other equity awards, including equity grants to new hires to attract talented personnel and occasional grants of options/restricted shares to retain our talented employees, and
 
a comprehensive benefits package.
 
Since 2004, the equity portion of annual incentives has been paid primarily in restricted Company common stock. The incentive amount is generally converted to shares based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.

Compensation Consultant

Each year, the Compensation Committee, working with independent compensation experts, evaluates the compensation earned by executive officers to assess if it is reasonable and adequate to retain the services of those executive officers and recommends to the Board of Directors appropriate compensation for the Named Executive Officers.  The Board reviews such recommendations and then adopts compensation for the upcoming year.  As the Company grows, it intends to explore more complex procedures for evaluating and fixing compensation for its executive officers.
 
 
Role of Compensation Committee and Executive Officers in Compensation Decisions

The Compensation Committee has the responsibility to review and approve annual compensation, including the competitiveness of the total compensation package, for the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice President - Technical, the Controller/Principal Accounting Officer/Head Office, and Vice President - Corporate Development  (collectively, the “Executive Officers”). The Compensation Committee endeavors to provide a compensation package for the Executive Officers that they believe is reasonable and competitive. Generally, the components of compensation provided to our Executive Officers are similar to those provided to our general employee population.

Base salaries, annual incentives and other equity awards for the Executive Officers are based on comparative industry salary produced by compensation consultant hired by the Committee. The Compensation Committee makes the final determination as to base salaries, annual incentives and equity awards for each of the Executive Officers based on Company performance and executive performance and their understanding of the employment market.

2011Executive Compensation

Base Salaries

Base salaries for our Executive Officers and other employees are designed to be comparable to like positions in the marketplace from where we recruit. These competitive salaries are proposed by the Compensation Committee based on their familiarity with the current market for employees with similar qualifications.

Equity Awards

Overview

We may grant restricted stock, stock options and other equity-based awards to employees, consultants and non-employee directors under our 2004 Plan. As previously mentioned, our annual grants of equity awards are tied to the achievement of our annual performance objectives. Equity awards are also used for new hire incentives. We do not have a formal policy for the timing of granting equity awards but do not time equity awards to increase the economic value of the award to plan participants.

The Board has authorized the Compensation Committee to act on behalf of the Board in granting equity-based awards, including restricted stock and stock options, to eligible employees and consultants (other than Executive Officers).

We do not currently intend to grant stock or stock options except under limited circumstances, including stock awards granted to a director upon his or her initial election to the Board. Under the provisions of the 2004 Plan, stock awards or stock options cannot be granted at an exercise price of less than the closing price of a share of the Company’s common stock as reported on NASDAQ on the date of grant of such stock options. All equity grants to Executive Officers must be approved by the Compensation Committee or a subcommittee thereof. Stock options or stocks granted to members of the Board must be approved by the Compensation Committee.

Retention Plan

The Company does not have a formal retention plan in place.

Perquisites

Perquisites are not provided to our officers.

Benefits

We provide the same level of benefits to all of our employees and Executive Officers.

Accounting and Tax Implications

Our 2004 Plan is designed to grant stock awards that are performance-based compensation expense that is fully deductible for federal income tax purposes. When the awards vest or are otherwise includible in the taxable compensation of the affected executives, we may not be able to recognize current or future tax benefits that may otherwise be available to the Company related to such awards. We began expensing equity awards in 2006 in accordance with guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. In general, the accounting rules did not impact the types of equity awards granted to plan participants.
 
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Dr. Andrew Uzoigwe-Chairman
Ambassador Howard Jeter-Member
Mr. Friday Oviawe -Member
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table sets forth the aggregate compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to the Company’s named executive officers for 2011, 2010 and 2009:

     
 
                       
Change
       
 
                               
in Pension
         
                               
Value and
         
             
Stock
Stock
         
Nonqualified
         
             
Awards
Awards
   
Non-Equity
 
Deferred
         
             
Authorized
Authorized
Option
Incentive Plan
 
Compensation
All Other
     
       
Salary
Bonus
and Issued
Unissued
Awards
Compensation
 
Earnings
Compensation
Total
 
Name and Principal Position
 
Year
 
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
 
($) (5)
($)
($)
 
                                             
Peter Ntephe (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
2011
 
    236,000
 
 —
 
      33,000
 
         9,450
 
 —
 
 —
 
 
 —
 
 —
 
    278,450
 
 
 
2010
 
    236,000
 
 —
 
       19,350
 
      28,350
 
 —
 
 —
 
 
 —
 
             23,000
 
    306,700
 
 
 
2009
 
    236,000
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 
 —
 
 —
 
    236,000
 
                                             
David Bovell  (2)
 
                                       
 
Vice President - Corporate
 
2011
 
    235,000
 
 —
 
       16,500
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 
 —
 
 —
 
     251,500
 
Development
 
2010
 
    235,000
 
 —
 
         9,764
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 
 —
 
 —
 
    244,764
 
   
2009
 
    235,000
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 
 —
 
 —
 
    235,000
 
                                             
Sylvan Odobulu (3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Controller and Head Office
 
2011
 
     162,000
 
 —
 
       16,500
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 
 —
 
 —
 
     178,500
 
Administrator  and Principal
 
2010
 
     162,769
 
 —
 
         9,764
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 
 —
 
 —
 
     172,533
 
Accounting Officer
 
2009
 
     163,200
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 
 —
 
 —
 
     163,200
 
                                             
David Gralla (4)
 
                                       
 
Vice President - Technical
 
2011
 
7,417
 
 —
 
 —
 
     1,362
 
 —
 
 —
 
 
 —
 
 —
 
         8,779
 
 
 
2010
 
   48,000
 
 —
 
 —
 
         7,323
 
 —
 
 —
 
 
 —
 
 —
 
   55,523
 
 
 
2009
 
129,116
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 
 —
 
 —
 
129,116
 
 
 
(1)
Mr. Ntephe is contracted through ERHC’s holding company, ERHC Energy Cayman Limited and is paid a salary of $236,000 per year for his services as a COO and subsequently CEO. Stock awards and other compensation were awarded for his service as a director from April 2010 when he was elected to the board
 
 
(2)
Mr. Bovell became VP of Corporate Development on May 1, 2008 and receives a salary of $235,000 per year. Mr. Bovell is contracted through ERHC’s holding company, ERHC Energy Cayman Limited.
 
 
(3)
Mr. Odobulu joined the Company in July 2006 as controller and is the Principal Accounting Officer. He is also the Financial Officer and  Corporate Administrator
 
 
(4)
Mr. Gralla became Technical VP in December 2008 and received a base salary of $4,000 per month for four days service plus $1,400 per day for any additional services (if such additional services are required.) until the termination of the contract by mutual agreement on November 30, 2010.
 
 
(5)
ERHC does not provide either a pension plan or a nonqualified deferred compensation plan for any of its employees.
 
 
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

The following table sets forth the information about grants made to the Company’s named executive officers in 2011 pursuant to the 2004 Plan.

                               
All Other
 
All Other
         
                               
Stock
 
Option
     
Grant
 
                               
Awards:
 
Awards:
 
Exercise
 
Date Fair
 
                               
Number of
 
Number of
 
or Base
 
Value of
 
                               
Shares of
 
Securities
 
Price of
 
Stock and
 
       
Estimated Future Payouts
 
Estimated Future Payouts
 
Stock or
 
Underlying
 
Option
 
Option
 
       
Under Non-Equity Incentive
 
Under Equity Incentive
 
Unit
 
Options
 
Awards
 
Awards
 
Name
 
Grant Date
 
Plan Awards
 
Plan Awards
 
(#) (1)
 
(#) (2)
 
($ / Sh)
 
($)
 
 
     
Threshold
 
Target
 
Maximum
 
Threshold
 
Target
 
Maximum
                 
       
($)
 
($)
 
($)
 
(#)
 
(#)
 
(#)
                 
                                               
Peter Ntephe
 
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
105,000
 
 —
 
 —
 
      9,450
 
David Bovell
 
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
Sylvan Odobulu
 
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
David Gralla
 
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 —
 
 
 
(1)
The number in this column reflects the rule 144 restricted stocks awarded in 2011 pursuant to the 2004 Plan.
 
 
(2)
Reflects the dollar amounts recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 in accordance with ASC 505-50 of awards made pursuant to the 2005 Plan excluding any reduction in value due to potential service-based forfeitures.
 
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END

The following table reflects all outstanding equity awards held by the Company’s named executive officers as of September 30, 2011:

 
                               
Stock Awards
 
                                                   
Equity
 
   
Option Awards
             
Equity
 
Incentive
 
               
Equity
                         
Incentive
 
Plan Awards:
 
               
 Incentive
                         
Plan Awards:
 
Market or
 
               
Plan Awards:
                         
Number of
 
Payout Value
 
               
Number of
             
Number of
 
Market Value
 
Unearned
 
of Unearned
 
               
Securities
             
Shares or
 
of Shares or
 
Shares, Units
 
Shares, Units
 
               
Underlying
             
Units of
 
Units of
 
or Other
 
or Other
 
               
Unexercised
 
Option
       
Stock That
 
Stock That
 
Rights That
 
Rights That
 
               
Unearned
 
Exercise
 
Option
 
Have Not
 
Have Not
 
Have Not
 
Have Not
 
   
Number of Securities Under-
 
Options
 
Price
 
Expiration
 
Vested
 
Vested
 
Vested
 
Vested
 
Name
 
lying Unexercised Options
 
(#)
 
($)
 
Date
 
(#)
 
($)
 
(#)
 
($)
 
 
 
Exercisable
 
Unexercisable
                                           
                                                         
Peter Ntephe
   
 —
   
 —
   
 —
   
 —
   
 —
   
20,412
   
        1,837
   
 —
   
 —
 
David Bovell
   
 —
   
 —
   
 —
   
 —
   
 —
   
        10,206
   
    919
   
 —
   
 —
 
Sylvan Odobulu
   
 —
   
 —
   
 —
   
 —
   
 —
   
10,206
   
             919
   
 —
   
 —
 
David Gralla
   
 —
   
 —
   
 —
   
 —
   
 —
   
 —
   
 —
   
 —
   
 —
 

 
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

The following table reflects the stock options exercised by the Company’s named executive officers during 2011 and their restricted stock that vested during 2011.

 
 
Option Awards
 
 
Stock Awards
 
Name
 
Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise (#)
 
 
Value Realized on Exercise ($)
 
 
Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting (#)
 
 
Value Realized on Vesting ($)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Peter Ntephe
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
50,000
 
 
 
7,000
 
David Bovell
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
25,000
 
 
 
3,500
 
Sylvan Odobulu
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
25,000
 
 
 
3,500
 

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE OF CONTROL

As of September 30, 2011, Company has entered into three employment or other agreements that include a change of control severance provisions with an executive officer, including the named executive officers. The Company’s employment agreements with provide that certain officers are eligible for payments upon any termination without cause prior to expiration of the contract as described below under Employment Contracts.

Employment Contracts

Following is an analysis of the Company’s employment contracts with named executive officers at September 30, 2011:

Employee
 
Position
 
Date of Agreement  
Commencement
 
Date of Agreement Termination
 
Term of
Agreement
 
Monthly/Annual Compensation
 
 
Estimated Cost
if Triggering
Event
Occurred at September 30,
2011 (*)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Peter Ntephe
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
4/22/2010
 
4/21/2012
 
2 years
 
$
19,667 /
236,000
 
 
$
118,000
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
David Bovell
 
Vice President of Corporate Development
 
5/1/2010
 
4/30/2012
 
2 years
 
$
19,583 /
235,000
 
 
$
117,500
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sylvan Odobulu
 
Controller and Head Office Administrator and  Principal Accounting Officer
 
7/3/2010
 
7/2/2012
 
2 years
 
$
13,500 /
162,000
 
 
$
81,250
 
 
(*)
In the first six months of the employment contracts, no termination benefits accrue to the employees.


The above contracts provides for the following:

An extension provision that at any time before the expiration of the primary term of the agreement that it may be renewed upon mutual agreement on the same terms and conditions contained in the current agreement herein or on such other terms and conditions as the Company and the employee mutually agree.

The employee's status as an employee of the Company terminates immediately and automatically upon the earliest to occur of: (i) his death or “Disability", (ii) his/her discharge by the Company "For Cause", (iii) his/her termination by the Company by notice or, (iv) the expiration, without renewal, of the employment term. Termination of the employment agreement with cause results in the Company having no further responsibility under the agreement.

For termination without cause for reasons of bankruptcy, insolvency, dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Company is obligated to the employees for all amounts due during the remaining term of the employment agreement in either a lump sum or in the current monthly amounts for the remaining term together with all unpaid benefits awarded or accrued up to the date of termination.

If the employee is terminated without cause for other reasons, he/she is entitled to one to six months compensation depending on the time he/she has spent with the Company.

Annual paid vacation ranging from four to five weeks.

Reimbursement of authorized general business and travel expenses.

Relocation allowance in the event that the terms of employment require the employee to relocate from his or her city or country of residence.
 
Incentive compensation as approved by the Company's Board of Directors.

Mr. Ntephe became Chief Operating Officer (and began acting as interim Chief Executive Officer) in April 2008. In April 2010, Mr. Peter was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director.  Mr. Ntephe is contracted in that capacity through ERHC’s holding company, ERHC Energy Cayman Limited.

Mr. Bovell became Vice President Corporate Development from May 1 2008.  Mr. Bovell is contracted in that capacity through EHRC’s holding company, ERHC Energy Cayman Limited.

Mr. Odobulu was employed by the Company in July 2006 and was placed under contract as shown above.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

In November 2004, the Board of Directors adopted a 2004 Compensatory Stock Option Plan pursuant to which it reserved 20,000,000 shares for issuance.  This plan was approved at a special meeting of the stockholders of the Company in February 2005.  Under this plan, 9,586,756 shares have been issued.

 
 
         
Number of securities
 
   
Number of securities
     
remaining available for
 
   
to be issued upon
 
Weighted-average
 
future issuance under
 
 
 
exercise of
 
exercise price of
 
equity compensation
 
   
outstanding options,
 
outstanding options,
 
plans (excluding securities
 
   
warrants and rights
 
warrants and rights
 
reflected in column (a)
 
   
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
 
 
 
               
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
 
 
         
10,413,244
 
   
 
       
 
 
 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
   
                         -
 
                         -
   
                                   -
 
 
 
Compensation Committee Interlocks Insider Participation

The Company’s Compensation Committee is comprised Messrs. Uzoigwe (Chair), Jeter and Oviawe.  None of the members of the Compensation Committee has been or is an officer or employee of the Company, or is involved with a related transaction or a relationship as defined by Item 404 of Regulation S-K.  None of the Company’s Executive Officers serves on the Board of Directors or compensation committee of a company that has an Executive Officer that serves on the Company’s Board or Compensation Committee.  No member of the Company’s Board is an Executive Officer of a company in which one of the Company’s Executive Officers serves as a member of the Board of Directors or compensation committee of that company.

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The following table and notes thereto set forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of the common stock as of November 30, 2011 by (i) each person known by the Company to beneficially own more than five percent of the common stock, (ii) each Director, (iii) each named Executive Officer and (iv) all Directors and Officers of the Company as a group.  As of November 30, 2011 there were 737,518,835 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.   Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or dispositive power with respect to such shares.

Name and Address
 
Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned(1)
 
 
Percentage of Voting Power
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal Shareholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chrome Oil Services LTD (Sir Emeka Offor)
 
 
200,285,727
(1)
 
 
27.16
%
c/o No 22 Lobito, Wuse II
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Abuja, Nigeria
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chrome Energy, LLC (Sir Emeka Offor)
 
 
103,305,706
(2)
 
 
14.01
%
c/o No 22 Lobito Crescent, Wuse II,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Abuja, Nigeria.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sir Emeka Offor
 
 
307,796,433
(1) (2)
 
 
41.73
%
228B Muri Okunola ST, PO Box 71898 Victoria Island
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lagos, Nigeria
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors and Named Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Peter Ntephe (3)
 
 
745,172
 
 
 
*
 
Dr. Uzoigwe (3)
 
 
325,000
 
 
 
*
 
Howard Jeter (3)
 
 
325,000
 
 
 
*
 
Leslie Blair (3)
 
 
85,000
 
 
 
*
 
Friday Oviawe (3)
 
 
85,000
 
 
 
*
 
Sylvan Odobulu (3)
 
 
80,000
 
 
 
*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
All directors and named executive officer as a group (5 persons)
 
 
1,645,172
 
 
 
0.022
%

*
Less than one percent.

(1)
The number of shares beneficially owned by each person or group as of November 30, 2011 (except where another date is indicated) includes shares of common stock that such person or group had the right to acquire on or within 60 days after that date, including, but not limited to, upon the exercise of options and vesting and release of restricted stock units. To our knowledge, except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table and subject to applicable community property laws, each stockholder named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares set forth opposite such stockholder’s name.

(2)
Sir Emeka Offor is the beneficial owner of Chrome Oil Services, Ltd., and Chrome Energy, LLC and accordingly he is the beneficial owner of the shares owned by Chrome Oil Services, Ltd., and Chrome Energy, LLC and has complete voting and investment control over those shares. He also holds 4,205,000 shares in his own name.  As a result Sir Emeka Offor is the beneficial owner of a total of 307,796,433 shares of common stock in ERHC as of November 30, 2011.

(3)
c/o Suite 1440, 5444 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77056
 
 
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions With Related Persons

The Audit Committee of the Company is responsible for reviewing, approving or ratifying related party transactions, including any related-party transaction that the Company would be required to disclose pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.

Policy

The Audit Committee, which consists solely of independent Directors, must review all “Related Person Transactions” as defined by Item 404 of Regulation S-K of the rules promulgated by the SEC. The Audit Committee will approve a Related Person Transaction only if it determines that the Related Person Transaction is consistent with the business interests of the Company. In considering the Related Person Transaction, the Committee will consider all relevant factors, including as applicable: (i) the Company’s business rationale for entering into the Related Person Transaction; (ii) whether the Related Person Transaction is on terms comparable to those available to third parties, or in the case of employment relationships, to employees generally; (iii) the potential for the Related Person Transaction to lead to an actual or apparent conflict of interest and any safeguards imposed to prevent such actual or apparent conflicts; and (iv) the overall fairness of the Related Person Transaction to the Company.

Procedure

Directors and executive officers are responsible for bringing a potential Related Person Transaction to the attention of the Chair of the Audit Committee.

Transactions in 2011 and 2011

None
 
Item 14.  Principal Accounting Fees and   Services

Aggregate fees for professional services rendered by MaloneBailey, LLP for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, were as follows:

 
 
2011
 
 
2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Audit fee
 
$
80,150
 
 
$
79,975
 
Audit-related fees
 
 
-
 
 
 
5,100
 
Tax fees
 
 
5,000
 
 
 
13,350
 
All other fees
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
85,150
 
 
$
98,425
 
 
Audit fees for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 represent the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years.

Tax fees for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, represents the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning.

All other fees for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, represents the aggregate fees billed for products and services provided by the Company’s audit professionals other than the services reported in the other categories.  All other fees generally relate to fees assessed for corporate tax restructuring and other general corporate tax related matters.
 
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee on an annual basis reviews audit and non-audit services performed by the independent auditor.  All audit and non-audit services are pre-approved by the Audit Committee, which considers, among other things, the possible effect of the performance of such services on the auditors’ independence.  The Audit Committee has considered the role of MaloneBailey in providing services to us for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 and has concluded that such services are compatible with Malone Bailey’s independence as the Company’s auditors.
 
 
PART IV

Item 15.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

(32)Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules:
 
 
1.
Consolidated Financial Statements:  See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements immediately following the signature pages of this report.
 
 
2.
Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule: See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements immediately following the signature pages of this report.
 
 
3.
The following documents are filed as exhibits to this report:
 
EXHIBIT NO.
IDENTIFICATION OF EXHIBIT
Exhibit 3.1*
Articles of Incorporation
Exhibit 3.2*
Bylaws
Exhibit 4.1*
Specimen Common Stock Certificate.
Exhibit 4.2*
Form of Amended and Restated 12% Convertible Promissory Note, dated effective January 2001.
Exhibit 4.3*
Form of Amended and Restated 5.5% Convertible Promissory Note, dated effective January 2001.
Exhibit 4.4*
20% Convertible Promissory Note, dated January 31, 2001, in favor of Chrome.
Exhibit 4.5*
Term Loan Agreement, dated February 15, 2001, by and between Chrome and ERHC.
Exhibit 4.6*
Senior Secured 10% Exchangeable 10% Convertible Promissory Note, dated January 31, 2001, in favor of Chrome.
Exhibit 4.7*
Form of Warrant entitling Chrome to purchase common stock of the Company, exercise price of $0.40 per share.
Exhibit 10.1*
Option Agreement, dated April 7, 2003, by and between the Company and the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K filed April 2, 2003)
Exhibit 10.2*
Management and Administrative Services Agreement by and between Chrome Oil Services, Ltd. And the Company. (Incorporated by reference to Form 10-KSB filed September 24, 2001).
Exhibit 10.4*
Letter Agreement, dated November 29, 2004, by and between the Company and Chrome (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K filed December 29, 2004).
Exhibit 10.5*
Promissory Note, dated December 15, 2004, made by the Company in favor of Chrome (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Form 8-K filed December 29, 2004).
Exhibit 10.6*
Promissory Note, dated December 15, 2004, made by the Company in favor of Chrome (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Form 8-K filed December 29, 2004).
Exhibit 10.7*
Employment Agreement with Ali Memon.
Exhibit 10.8*
Audit committee charter
Exhibit 10.9*
Employment Agreement with James Ledbetter
Exhibit 10.10*
May 21, 2001 Memorandum of Agreement made b/w DRSTP and ERHC
Exhibit 10.11*
March 15,  2003 Memorandum of Agreement made b/w DRSTP and ERHC
Exhibit 10.12*
April 2, 2003 Option Agreement b/w DRSTP and ERHC
Exhibit 10.13*
Administrative Agreement b/w Nigeria/DRSTP and ERHC
Exhibit 10.14*
Block 2 Participation Agreement March 2, 2006 b/w ERHC, Addax and Sinopec
Exhibit 10.15*
Block 2 Participation Agreement August 11, 2004 b/w ERHC and Pioneer
Exhibit 10.16*
Block 3 Participation Agreement  February 16, 2006 b/w ERHC and Addax
Exhibit 10.17*
Block 4 Participation Agreement November 17, 2005 b/w ERHC and Addax
Exhibit 10.18*
Block 4 2nd Amendment to Participation Agreement March 14, 2006
Exhibit 10.19*
Block 4 3rd Amendment to Participation Agreement July 14, 2006
Exhibit 10.20*
Employment Agreement with Sylvan Odobulu
Exhibit 10.21*
Employment Agreement with David Alan Bovell
Exhibit 10.22*
Employment Agreement with Peter Ntephe
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
* Previously filed
 
 
SIGNATURES

In accordance with the Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on December 14, 2011, on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

ERHC Energy Inc.
 
By:
//s//Peter Ntephe
 
 
Peter Ntephe
 
 
President and  Chief Executive Officer
 
 
//s//Sylvan Odobulu
 
 
Sylvan Odobulu
 
 
Principal Accounting Officer
 

In accordance with the Exchange Act, 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
//s//  Howard Jeter
 
Director
 
December 14,, 2011
Howard Jeter
 
Member Audit Committee
 
 
//s//  Andrew Uzoigwe
 
Director
 
December 14,  2011
Andrew Uzoigwe
 
Member Audit Committee
 
 
//s//  Leslie Blair
 
Director
 
December 14, 2011
Leslie Blair
 
Member Audit Committee
 
 
//s//  Friday Oviawe
 
Director
 
December 14, 2011
Friday Oviawe
 
Chairman Audit Committee
 
 
 
 
68