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Oil and Gas Properties
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Oil and Gas Properties
4. Oil and Gas Properties

 

The aggregate amount of capitalized costs relating to crude oil and natural gas producing activities and the aggregate amount of related accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were:

 

    March 31     December 31        
    2012     2011     Change ($)  
Unproven Properties   $ 530,539     $ 530,539     $ -  
Depreciation and impairment     (512,178 )     (511,847 )     (331 )
Oil and gas properties, net   $ 18,361     $ 18,692     $ (331 )

  

The Company has not obtained reserve studies with estimated proved reserves. Management is assessing production data to determine the feasibility of obtaining reserves studies. Therefore, at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were no proved properties subject to amortization.

 

Properties which are not being amortized are assessed quarterly, on a property-by-property basis, to determine whether they are recorded at the lower of cost or fair market value. As a result of this analysis and lack of reserve studies, the Company recorded an impairment loss of $331 and $1,303 for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The impairment recognized was to bring the carrying costs of the wells to their anticipated salvage value since most of the wells are approaching end of life unless additional capital investments are made. The impairment is similar to amortization and therefore is not added to the cost of properties being amortized.