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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Notes to Financial Statements 
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents to the extent the funds are not being held for investment purposes.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable are reported at the customer’s outstanding balances less any allowance for doubtful accounts. Interest is not accrued on overdue accounts receivable.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

An allowance for doubtful accounts on accounts receivable is charged to operations in amounts sufficient to maintain the allowance for uncollectible accounts at a level management believes is adequate to cover any probable losses.  Management determines the adequacy of the allowance based on historical write-off percentages and information collected from individual customers.  Accounts receivable are charged off against the allowance when collectability is determined to be permanently impaired.  Management has determined that as of September 30, 2011, no allowance is required.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Oil and gas production revenues are recognized at the point of sale.

 

Oil and Gas Properties

 

The Company uses the full cost method of accounting under which all costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas reserves, including costs related to unsuccessful wells and estimated future site restoration and abandonment, are capitalized until such time as the aggregate of such costs net of accumulated depletion and oil and natural gas related deferred income taxes, on a country-by-country basis, equals the sum of 1) the discounted present value (at 10%), using prices as of the end of each reporting period on a constant basis, of the Company’s estimated future net cash flows from estimated production of proved oil and natural gas reserves as determined by independent petroleum consultants, less estimated future expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved reserves but excluding future cash outflows associated with settling asset retirement obligations accrued on the balance sheet; plus 2) the cost of major development projects and unproven properties not subject to depletion, if any; plus 3) the lower of cost or estimated fair value of unproven properties included in costs subject to depletion; less 4) related income tax effects.  If net capitalized costs exceed this limit, the excess is expensed unless subsequent market price changes eliminate or reduce the indicated write-down in accordance with U.S. SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) Topic 12D.  Depletion is computed using the units-of-production method whereby capitalized costs, net of estimated salvage values, plus estimated future costs to develop proved reserves and satisfy asset retirement obligations, are amortized over the total estimated proved reserves on a country-by-country basis.  Investments in major development projects are not depleted until either proved reserves are associated with the projects or impairment has been determined.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided over the five year estimated useful life of the assets computed on the straight-line method.

 

Gains and losses resulting from sales and dispositions of property and equipment are included in current operations. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 amounted $186 and $278, respectively.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The Company's primary functional currency is the U.S. dollar. For foreign operations whose functional currency is the local foreign currency, balance sheet accounts are translated at exchange rates in effect at the end of the year and income statement accounts are translated at average exchange rates for the period. Translation gains and losses are included as a separate component of stockholders’ deficit.

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk

 

The Company’s revenue is dependent upon the successful efforts of the respective well’s operator. Currently production from the Company’s four wells is sold to one customer.

 

Loss per Share of Common Stock

 

 The Company reports earnings (loss) per share in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification “ASC” Topic 260-10, "Earnings per Share." Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares available. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed similar to basic earnings (loss) per share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potential common shares had been issued and if the additional common shares were dilutive. Diluted earnings (loss) per share has not been presented since the effect of the assumed conversion of warrants and debt to purchase common shares would have an anti-dilutive effect. Potential common shares as of September 30, 2011 that have been excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share include warrants to purchase 2,448,000 shares of the Company’s common stock and Unit holders’ option to convert their respective oil revenue interests into a total 1,552,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

Asset Retirement Obligations

 

The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 and similar state statutes require mine properties to be restored in accordance with specified standards. Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 410-20 requires recognition of an asset retirement obligation (“ARO”) for eventual reclamation of disturbed acreage remaining after mining has been completed. The Company records its reclamation obligations on a permit-by-permit basis using requirements as determined by the Office of Surface Mining of the U.S. Department of the Interior (“OSM”). The liability is calculated based upon the reclamation activities remaining after coal removal ceases, assuming that reclamation activities have been contemporaneous within state and federal guidelines during mining. A liability is recorded for the estimated future cost that a third party would incur to perform the required reclamation and mine closure discounted at the Company’s credit-adjusted risk-free rate. A corresponding increase in the asset carrying value of mineral rights is also recorded. The ARO asset is amortized on the units-of-production method over the proven and probable reserves associated with that permit.

 

Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company accounts for its long-lived assets in accordance with ASC No. 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment.” ASC No. 360 requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the historical cost carrying value of an asset may no longer be appropriate.  The Company assesses recoverability of the carrying value of an asset by estimating the future net cash flows expected to result from the asset, including eventual disposition.  If the future net cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment loss is recorded equal to the difference between the asset’s carrying value and fair value or disposable value. As of September 30, 2011, the Company does not believe there has been any impairment of its long-lived assets.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

Pursuant to ASC No. 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” , the Company is required to estimate the fair value of all financial instruments included on its balance sheet as of September 30, 2011. The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash, accounts receivables, payables, and other obligations.  The Company considers the carrying value of such amounts in the financial statements to approximate their fair value.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for its income taxes under the provisions of ASC No. 740 “Income Taxes”. The method of accounting for income taxes under ASC No. 740 is an asset and liability method. The asset and liability method requires the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between tax bases and financial reporting bases of other assets and liabilities.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In January 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-01 (ASU 2011-01) Receivables (Topic 310): Deferral of the Effective Date of Disclosures about Troubled Debt Restructurings in Update No. 2010-20.  ASU 2011-01 temporarily delays the effective date of the disclosures about troubled debt restructurings.  The effective date of the new disclosures about troubled debt restructurings for public entities and the guidance for determining what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring will then be coordinated.  Currently, the guidance is anticipated to be effective for interim and annual period ending after June 15, 2011. The Company does not expect the provisions of ASU 2011-01 to have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.